15 Days of Russia and Mongolia Adventure Tour

About the destination: Moscow, the political, historical and economic capital of Russia, displays the country's most extreme contrasts. The old and the modern come together perfectly in this city of 10 million people. The Russian capital is today a dazzling metropolis whose sheer grandeur never fails to amaze. Take the metro from one of the ornate stations to get close to the city’s main attractions that are a symbol of the great and terrible past of the city. The remains of the Soviet state are scattered all around the city. Monuments remember fallen heroes and victorious battles, while museums attempt to analyse and synthesise the past. See Lenin and Stalin – off their pedestals – at the whimsical Art Muzeon. Step into the Socialist Realist fantasy at VDNKh. Descend into the depths of the Soviet system at Bunker-42 Cold War Museum. And remember the millions who suffered at the Gulag History Museum. Nowadays, many fun or clever retro clubs and cafes give their guests a taste of the Soviet experience. The very founding site of the city (and arguably, the country), the Kremlin and Red Square are still at the heart of Moscow – historically, geographically and spiritually. Among the city’s most recognisable sights are the almost cartoon-like onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral that tower above Red Square, UNESCO gems that were built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Modern-day Moscow defies its grey Soviet past and has developed a hedonistic atmosphere and the sense that great things are once again happening here. Shopping for designer labels at frighteningly expensive boutiques has become a national sport, but Moscow is regarded as one of the world’s most culturally sophisticated capitals, with world-class institutions like the Bolshoi Theatre, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. The city is also proud of its great writers, playwrights, composers, choreographers, and film-makers. Glitzy, historical and screaming hedonism, Moscow is truly beguiling.

About the destination: Irkutsk is the capital of the Russian province of Irkutsk Oblast in Eastern Siberia. With Lake Baikal a mere 70km away, the city is the best base from which to strike out for the western shoreline. The center of the city of Irkutsk is full of wooden houses with typical decorative carvings on the walls and window frames. Most of the buildings of this kind were destroyed in Moscow and other big cities during the industrialization of the 20th century, so it’s a rare opportunity to see what a Russian city would look like if it stayed the way it was back in the days. Irkutsk is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of Siberia. Ancient buildings remained in the center of the city: merchant Sibiryakov’s house with a monument to Alexander III opposite to it, governor general residence, Trapeznikov’s house and other ancient buildings. Other survived buildings are: Spasskaya church, Bogoyavlensky Cathedral, Krestovozdvizhenskaya church, Polish church, synagogue and Tatar mosque. Irkutsk is a point of interest for tourists with its numerous museums and old architecture. The Taltsy Museum, located on the Angara 47 km South of Irkutsk, is an open-air museum of Siberian traditional architecture. Numerous old wooden buildings from villages in the Angara valley, which have been flooded after the construction of the Bratsk Dam and Ust-Ilimsk Dam, have been transported to the museum and reassembled there.

About the destination: Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world (by volume) and the world's deepest lake. It is in the southern Siberia area of Russia. In 1996 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About the destination: Ulaanbaatar, is the capital of Mongolia and the most populous city in the country. It is one of the coolest cities in the world. Its population in 2008 reached a little more than one million inhabitants. It emphasizes in the city its Soviet architecture decked out with Tibetan and Buddhist buildings. Ulaanbaatar was founded in 1649 as a monastery town called orgon (known as Urga or Urgà in the Western world), which flourished during the 1860s mainly because it was situated as a trading center between Russia and China. Mongolia proclaimed its independence in 1911, and when the city was named capital of the country in 1924, its name changed to Ulaanbaatar, which means 'red hero' in the Mongolian language, in honor of the Mongolian national hero Sukhbaatar, who liberated Mongolia from the troops Of Ungern von Sternberg (one of those personages that could only exist in that remote time. He was an Austrian military man, who went to the Russian side, where he fought with the white Russian army, that is, the faithful to the tsarist side during the Russian revolution, then conquered Mongolia, expelling the Chinese, to be a private warlord And end up being handed over by his own men to the Russian Red Army, his cruelty and bad milk were widely known) and Chinese rule, fighting in the Soviet Red Army. Its statue adorns the main square of Ulan Bator. Ulaanbaatar has not seen war-related destruction, except in 1921, when the Battle of Urga in which Baron Ungern von Sternberg defeated the 10,000 Chinese garrison men (who had occupied Urga without a battle).

About the destination: Welcome to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, located in the heart of Mongolia. This storied city is a treasure trove of history and culture, set against the stunning backdrop of the Mongolian steppe. Once known as Karakorum, it was the epicenter of power during the rule of Genghis Khan and his successors, and today it remains an essential destination for any traveler interested in the rich tapestry of Mongolia's past. Begin your journey at the legendary Erdene Zuu Monastery, which is said to be the earliest surviving Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. Enclosed by an immense wall adorned with 108 stupas, it stands on the remains of the ancient city. The monastery complex is a testament to the religious devotion and architectural ingenuity of the Mongolian people, boasting several temples, each filled with religious art and artifacts, including thangka paintings, carvings, and golden Buddhas. As you wander the grounds of Erdene Zuu, you will be walking in the footsteps of history. The Phallic Rock, or Kharkhorin Rock, is a short distance away and offers a unique insight into local traditions meant to discourage monks from breaking their celibate vows. Nearby, the Turtle Rock is one of the few remnants directly linked to the 13th-century city, serving as a stone marker for the city's boundaries. Venture further into Kharkhorin to visit the Kharkhorin Museum, where you will find a fascinating collection of artifacts from both the Mongol Empire and the subsequent periods. The museum gives context to the rise and fall of Karakorum, detailing its strategic significance on the Silk Road and the eventual decline after the empire's capital moved to what is now Beijing. Outside the museum, immerse yourself in local culture at the bustling market, where you can interact with the friendly locals and perhaps pick up traditional Mongolian crafts or sample regional cuisine. Remember, a trip to Kharkhorin is not just a visit to a city, but a journey back in time to the days when the Mongol hordes shaped the history of the world.