Trans-SIberian Train Blog
Monkeyshrine News
About the city of Irkutsk
IRKUTSK – ABOUT THE CITY Wide, wild and free, the boundless Siberia lies behind the Ural mountains. For many centuries ‘Yugra’ - Siberia - seemed to be unknown ground: barbarian and unsafe - not only for foreign travellers but also for Russians themselves. And, even...
Kazan Russia
Kazan Kazan (Russian: Каза́нь; Tatar: Qazan, Казан) is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and one of Russia’s largest cities. It is a major industrial, commercial and cultural center, and remains the most important center of Tatar culture. Kazan lies at the...
Ulan-Ude Russia
Ulan-Ude Russia - Introduction Ulan-Ude is the capital city of the Republic of Buryatia, Russia, located about 100 kilometers southeast of Lake Baikal on the Uda River at its confluence with the Selenga. The Buryat capital is one of Eastern Siberia’s most likeable...
Vladivostok
Vladivostok was a closed city during the Soviet era – even Russians needed permission to visit friends and relatives who lived there. It is a great place to start your Trans-Siberian trip and the longest single train ride on the planet! There is a plethora of café’s and restaurants and the restored historical centre give Vladivostok a…
History of Ekaterinburg
Ekaterinburg, founded by Peter the Great, was a city closed for foreigners, only opening in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Nowadays, tourism is just getting off the ground.
It is one of Russia’s secrets, one of its most important cities both historically and in the present. The future looks bright…
Visiting the Great Wall of China
We recommend that you visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu which is fairly close to the city and has some splendid views.
Read some useful tips before visiting and how to do it yourself by using the Public Transport. Very rewarding, but often costing more…
Olkhon Island the largest on Lake Baikal
Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal At 72 km long, Olkhon Island is the largest island on Lake Baikal and home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the region. The island is under the supervision of the Pribaikalsky National Park. The settlement of Khuzhir is the...
Experience the New Trans-Siberian Railway
From Bare Bones to Unrivaled Luxury: Experience the New Trans-Siberian Railway More than 150 years ago, plans for an internationally known legend were first set in motion. Though construction on what would ultimately be the Trans-Siberian Railway didn’t begin...
Best Time to Take a Trans-Siberian Railway Trip
Check This Off Your Bucket List Scheduling the Best Time to Take a Trans-Siberian Railway Trip The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world and one of the most exciting ways to tour Russia and Asia. There are three routes available, and the longest...
Mongolia and Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan, Mongolia's obsession Mongolia is obsessed with Genghis Khan (also named Dzjengis Khan), having been denied the chance to celebrate their national hero under the Communist rule. There are hotels, shops, brands of vodka, and even car tyres named after him…...
Naadam Sports Festival in Ulaanbaatar
Naadam Festival The Naadam Festival is held for 3 days each summer in Ulaanbaatar, and starts on the 11th of July. There are several alternative Naadams held in the capitals of different aimags (provinces) – some on different dates. Mongolia is administratively split...
The Gobi desert Mongolia
Recommendations: If you have booked a trip to the Gobi, or plan to go there, we recommend that you bring plenty of sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and drink lots of water during your Gobi trip! But note evenings can be cold so also bring a decent fleece.
Horse riding in Mongolia – 13 Tips
Horse Riding Mongolia Horse riding in Mongolia is normally possible to arrange through any local tourist ger camp and throughout the year. However during winter the animals may need to be rested, depending on the availability of winter fuel. The Shuren ger camp at...
Travelling Mongolia
Mongolia – a unique destination, very different to its two giant neighbours China and Russia. It is many peoples favourite Trans-Siberian stopover. The open steppe, searing deserts, huge clear blue sky, warm hospitable people, genuinely nomadic culture and starlit nights
Mongolian Culture and Traditions
Greetings in Mongolia A traditional method of greeting, especially in the countryside, is for the younger person to hold their arms out, palm up, and grasp the older person just in front of the elbow. The elder does the same, but with palms face down. This is done...
All about Mongolian Gers
The ‘Mongolian ger’ has evolved from ancient times to suit the needs of the Mongolian people following their herds in search of new pastures. The collapsible and easily transportable ger continues to be used in modern times, but it is quickly giving way to more...
Is the Trans-Siberian Railway safe?
Tips to have a safe Trans-Siberian journey In general a Trans-Siberian trip doesn’t present any serious safety issues for you or your belongings and it is extremely rare that we hear of any incidents. However, be aware of the points below as you travel and you are...
Mobile Phone and Photography
during the Trans-Siberian Tour
Mobile phone use during the Trans-Siberian Tour Mobile phone usage is high in Russia, Mongolia and China and coverage is accordingly better than most expect. Much of the time on the train your mobile phone should have reception if you have a roaming facility on your...
What to wear during the Trans-Siberian Tour?
What to wear during the Trans-Siberian Tour? What clothes to pack? Below are some recommendations on specific clothing considerations for the various seasons. However, it must be stressed that there is nothing definitive about this and on rare occasions it can snow in...
A once in a lifetime experience – Trans-Siberian Tour
My honey and I completed a 14 day Trans-Siberian Railway adventure that was designed by a web-based company called Monkeyshrine. After reading reviews on Trip Advisor, on various ways to create a Trans-Siberian adventure, I decided Monkeyshrine had the expertise
The wonders of Lake Baikal, deepest lake in the world.
The wonders of Lake Baikal, deepest lake in the world. This narration is about a trip that Quang and Dick Francisco took from Beijing China across Manchuria, Siberia, Russia booked via a Monkey Business, Trans-Siberian Tour specialists. The trip started on the 13 of...
How is the Trans-Siberian railway food?
Trans-Siberian railway food - dining in 3 countries The good news is that even if you travel the Trans-Siberian direct that you’ll still get to taste the food of whichever country you’re passing through. The train remains the same throughout your journey but the...
Visiting Oryol
Visiting Eagle (Oryol) - Orel Russia. We have many strange requests for adding in destinations along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Orel Russia - Often a customer will look at a map and decide that somewhere like Tomsk for instance, is a place roughly intersecting the...
Listvyanka – Russia
Listvyanka, Russia. Nearly all of our guests will stop in Irkutsk as part of their Trans-Siberian Tour and will stay for a few nights on the shores of magical Lake Baikal. The majority of these customers will visit Listvyanka, which is a small village on the shore of...