Solos by Train to the North on Trans Mongolian Railway
Description:
Designed for the independent solo traveler, this six-day train journey through northern Mongolia is one of the most rewarding travel experiences in Central Asia. Hop aboard Mongolia’s iconic Trans-Mongolian Railway and journey north through dramatic landscapes — from the pine-forested hills of Tunkhel to the sweeping Orkhon River valley and all the way to the Russian border at Sukhbaatar.
You travel like a true local: night trains save precious daylight hours, local drivers reveal the real Mongolia at every stop, and the journey itself becomes the adventure. Perfect for solo travelers who want authentic experiences without tour group limitations — yet with the reassurance of expert guides and safe, well-planned logistics throughout.
Tour Highlights
- Ideal for solo travelers — you’ll meet fellow adventurers while enjoying independent freedom
- Night sleeping trains save precious daylight for sightseeing and exploration
- Kharaa River swimming and sunset campfire at Tunkhel Guest House
- The Orkhon River — one of Mongolia’s greatest and most scenic waterways
- Local drivers at every stop for authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences
- Optional extension into Russia to Irkutsk and the legendary Lake Baikal
- Trans-Mongolian Railway travel — one of the world’s great train journeys
Map:
- Tour duration
- Tour Grade
- Person in group max
- Date start
- Date end
- 4 day(s)
- Easy
- 25
- 2026-04-01
- 2026-12-30
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Day by day itinerary:
Travel by Train from Ulaanbaatar to Tunkhel
08:00 – 08:30 Breakfast at Etugen hotel opposide of Ulaanbaatar railway station. 5-minute walk to the central train station.
09:35 Board Train #271 — watch the city give way to open steppes and bitch forests.
12:50 Arrive at Tunkhel station. Transfer to Tunkhel Guest House beside the Kharaa River.
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch at the guest house.
15:00 Afternoon sightseeing tour by private car into the surrounding hills and forests and visit a nomads on a way.Refreshing swim in the Kharaa River — crystal-clear and unforgettable.
18:00 Dinner at guest house and possible to meet with other travelers in the guest house.
Exploring Tunkhel & Moving North Orkhon valley
08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast at the guest house.
Morning Free time to explore the village, visit local families, or relax by the river.
12:50 Transfer to Tunkh station. Board Train #271 northward toward Orkhon.
Afternoon Settle into your cabin and watch Mongolia's landscape roll past the window.
17:40 Arrive at Orkhon station. Met by Minjee, owner of the Orkhon Guest House, beside the sweeping Orkhon River. Orkhon guest house in the Orkhon region is known for its hands-on nomadic lifestyle experience. Travelers can participate in herding, horseback riding, and daily rural life while staying in traditional ger accommodation. The experience is simple and authentic, appealing to those seeking a deeper connection with Mongolia’s traditional way of life.
Evening Check into your traditional ger and enjoy the peaceful open landscape and life in a steppe.
Life Along the Great Orkhon River
09:00 – 09:30 Breakfast and morning briefing on Mongolia's nomadic culture.
All day Explore the area around the Orkhon Guest House — horseback riding, river walks, hiking and birdwatching in the vast northern Mongolian landscape.
17.50 Boarding to a train#271 to Sukhbaatar
18.57 Arrival in Sukbaatar, Selenge. Transfer to hotel and dinner at Modern Nomads restaurant
Sukhbaatar Located in the heart of Selenge Province, the town of Sukhbaatar offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and strategic location along Mongolia’s northern frontier. As a key border town near Russia, Sukhbaatar serves as an important gateway for travelers exploring the rich landscapes of northern Mongolia.
Surrounded by fertile valleys, rivers, and forest-steppe scenery, the region is known for its lush greenery and agricultural richness—a rare contrast to Mongolia’s more arid regions. The nearby Orkhon and Selenge river systems nourish the land, creating a vibrant environment ideal for both local life and scenic exploration.
Selenge Province — Full Day Guided Tour
09:00 – 18:00 Full-day guided tour of Selenge Province — Discover the hidden treasures of northern Mongolia with a journey through Sukhbaatar in Selenge Province, where nature, culture, and history come together in one unforgettable itinerary. Explore the peaceful beauty of Tujin Nars, a stunning pine forest perfect for relaxing walks, fresh air, and scenic photography, before heading to the historic Khiagt (Altanbulag) border area, where Mongolia meets Russia and centuries of trade and cultural exchange have shaped a unique atmosphere. Follow the flow of the majestic Selenge River, the country’s largest river, offering serene landscapes ideal for picnics, fishing, and quiet reflection, while the surrounding Orkhon and Kharaa river basins reveal untouched wilderness, rich biodiversity, and authentic nomadic life. Along the way, experience the charm of the Trans-Mongolian Railway route, adding a sense of adventure and connection to this remarkable region. Far from crowded tourist paths, this journey offers a genuine and refreshing discovery of Mongolia’s northern landscapes—perfectly suited for travelers seeking both relaxation and meaningful cultural experiences.
Evening Night train back toward Ulaanbaatar at 19.50