Gobi and Nomads

15 days - from $2425

Itinerary:

  This journey is one of our ‘Experience’ tours offering you an alternative to conventional touring. It includes local guides in each city but no appointed ‘Tour Leader’ and no Local Payment. The sightseeing program will also include a range of alternate activities and sights not found on other tours, and is designed to give you greater contact with local people and their daily lives while still allowing for time to visit other highlights in each city.
Days 1-2. Moscow  
 Moscow will amaze you, its palaces and public buildings restored to their former glory. Beneath the city lies the palatial metro rail system draped in chandeliers, mosaics and baroque bas- reliefs while the vast Cathedral of Christ the Saviour again dominates Moscow's skyline. The echoing vastness of Red Square, the splendid twirled cupolas of St.Basil's.
Days 3-7. Aboard the Trans Siberian Railway 
 We settle into life on board, enjoying the company of our fellow passengers and the stunning scenery that we will enjoy for the next 5 nights. We pass over the Ural mountains which divide Europe and Asia, and we cross the Irtysh and Ob rivers and continue through Irkutsk and catch a glimpse of stunning Lake Baikal from the train window. & & &
Days 8-11. Ulaanbaatar & the Mongolian Steppe 
 At daybreak the train winds impressively across the Mongolian Steppe and into the capital. Visit the Zaisan Memorial from which the entire city is visible. Also to the country's largest remaining monastery, Gandan Hiid where you can mingle with Buddhist monks and which gives an insight into the lives of Buddhist Mongolians. The Mongolia of Genghis Khan lies beyond the city, in the land of the nomad. In the afternoon we travel out across the grasslands through the countryside where we spend a night in a traditional Mongolian nomad tent or ger set amongst spectacular rock formations and wild rolling hills. Among nomadic families and their grazing livestock we can explore nearby valleys or just relax and enjoy the area. We return to Ulaanbaatar for the final night in this unusual capital then a morning departure aboard the Beijing Express. & & &
Days 12. Aboard the Trans Mongolian Railway 
 Travel over the steppe-lands of northern Mongolia and to the south, the Gobi desert then through border formalities where the bogies are changed and onto Beijing. & & &
Days 13-15. Beijing 
 We have the opportunity for an excursion to the Great Wall. Built to defend the civilised world from the fierce and capable Mongol horsemen, the Wall stretches 10,000 Li across China's mountainous northern frontier.& Also perhaps Tiananmen Square, and Mao's Mausoleum, and the serene Temple of Heaven set in beautiful parklands. We may also find time to visit the spectacular Summer Palace and enjoy the history and significance of the astonishing Forbidden City with its moated complex of superb awe-inspiring Halls, Palaces and Gates.
 

Details:

• Group Size 15 maximum
• Accommodation Hotels - 6 nights (twin share) Mongolian Ger - 2 nights (shared) Trains - 6 nights (4 berth) Meals Breakfast (8)
• Travel by Train: Comfortable 4 berth sleepers
• There are 2 rail sectors on this journey - Moscow to Ulaanbaatar (5 nights) - Ulaanbaatar to Beijing (1 night) Other: For 'Scheduled Sightseeing' we generally use a small minibus. 2 Berth Rail (Optional) Available for a supplementary price only when two people book and travel together
• Available on all rail sectors between Moscow and Beijing
• Sightseeing Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guide and may change according to group demands and availability
• Below is a sample of the planned activities for this journey
• Moscow: Matryoshka factory with master class and Tea tasting with a Russian family
• Ulaanbaatar:  Zaisan Memorial, National History Museum, Gandan Hiid Monastery, Terelj National Park
• Beijing: Local markets, morning Taichi, kite making, family visit
• Visas Required for China, Mongolia & Russia
• Adventure Center will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.