I am up for anything and want to go everywhere. I regularly kayak, cycle, hike and camp so i am tru...
I am up for anything and want to go everywhere. I regularly kayak, cycle, hike and camp so i am true outdoor person
Member since:23.08.2007
Reviews:50
Members who trust:1
Although this review comes under the heading of 'the trans-siberian' i am writing about the 'trans-mongolian' a slightly different route and one that i think is much better. It starts the same way in Moscow, leaving every Tuesday evening shortly after 9pm and eventually ends up in Beijing.
I did this trip in the spring of 2008 and experienced temperatures in Russia ranging from the high twentys to minus figures - so a word of warning - come well prepared.
The train is actually of Chinese rolling stock and manned by similarly Chinese attendants which poses few problems, although most of them speak no english whatsoever.
The cabins themselves are very tidy with 4 to a cabin the most popular and convenient 2nd class. I would definitely reccommend this class to anyone. Bedding is provided, beds are comfortablish and each room has a neat little box which is secure and available to secure your belongings (under the lower bunks). Each 2nd class carriage has 1 toilet and basin, which is probably the worst thing about the journey, but the best thing about the train is the samovar - a container of boiling water heated by a coal fire, which can be used for whatever you want. It is also good how the tour companies seem to group westerners in one carriage so you can easily get to know people as most speak english.
A separate carriage is used a s the dining car and is somewhat dubious, with overpriced food (more than you pay in a restaurant here) which is often still cold or even frozen. Instead it is far easier to pick up food from the numerous stations at which the train stops.
The journey itself is brilliant, passing across Russia through some of the biggest cities such as Perm, Omsk and Yeketerinberg until it reaches Irkustk on the shores of the wonderful LakeBaikal, a popular disembarkation point for many. Here it takes a big detour to the normal tran-siberian route and head down into Mongolia where the scenery changes dramtically as the train enters the Gobi desert. Ulan Bator, the capital is again another popular point to jump off. The train finally ends it's journey on the following Monday in Beijing.
I would thoroughly recommend it to anybody. It is the perfect chance to relax, do nothing, read all those books or simply sit back and admire the scenery and for about £200 from various Russian agents it is cheaper than flying!
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Advantages: a chance to travel the longest railway in the world, amazing scenery, opportunities to meet many different and fascinating people, the feeling of pride you get from doing something challenging and unusual Disadvantages: limited food, occasional risks of theft, boredom if you dont bring enough to do or if you fidget easily
Advantages: a chance to travel the longest railway in the world, amazing scenery, opportunities to meet many different and fascinating people, the feeling of pride you get from doing something challenging and unusual Disadvantages: limited food, occasional risks of theft, boredom if you dont bring enough to do or if you fidget easily
Sep 12th, 2008
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