September 21, 2019 We rise early and catch the 6:57am train to Ulan Ude. It passes through some of the most scenic portions of the route, ascending to about 2,800 feet and going through tunnels. Beautiful vistas on all sides. We cut across to the southern end of Lake Baikal and then proceed up the eastern side with beautiful views of life lakeside before turning inland to Ulan Ude. Here we are truly in Asia – most of the population is of Mongolian descent. We arrive at 4:12pm, check into our hotel and enjoy a free evening on the town. Here are some views from our train windows during today’s 10-hour journey.
We will enjoy a tour of this vibrant city tomorrow, and then continue our journey eastward!