4. nATuRe AnD nuRTuRe

The best time to take the golden eagle Trans-Siberian is summer, when Siberia is a riot of wildflowers and verdant pasture. Once you leave the urals, the train enters the vastness of southern Siberia, a flat landscape punctuated by expansive lakes, including lake Baikal, the world’s deepest. As you dip into mongolia, forests of birch give way to undulating hills and deep valleys dotted with yurts. A stop at ulan ede (left) is an opportunity to witness a wrestling match and learn more about local culture.