Cultural Trans Mongolian

28 days - from $9855

Itinerary:

 Please note: this journey is of a more inclusive nature than other Trans Mongolian journeys, (excluding Premium Deluxe Tours & Private Trains) devoting more time to each city’s sights, history & culture. It enjoys a higher standard of hotel accommodation in many cities & offers a more comprehensive sightseeing program& & more meals throughout.
Days 1-8. Hong Kong to Beijing  
The adventure begins; join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers this evening as final preparations are made for your departure. We travel via Guangzhou then north through the ever-changing landscape of southern China, towards Xian, gateway of the great Silk Road and home to the entombed Terracotta Warriors over 6,000 life-sized figures then aboard overnight train to Beijing. (If joining in Beijing your program begins tonight. Accommodation is included and meals start with breakfast on Day 6). Morning arrival in Beijing and our sightseeing takes us to the magnificent Lama Temple and on an exploration of Beijing’s backstreets with a hutong tour.
Days 9-13. Ulaanbaatar and the Mongolian Steppe  
 The Mongolia of Genghis Khan lies beyond the city, in the land of the nomad and we travel to the countryside and our retreat at Terelj for a two night stay in a ger - the traditional home of the Mongolian people. Our ger camp is set amid stunning alpine scenery. We visit a local family and experience the true nomadic lifestyle. Early morning on the Mongolian Steppe where the lives of the Mongolian people have changed little in 500 years. The remainder of the day is spent wandering this beautiful area or riding the horses or yaks of a nearby local family. This morning we return to the capital and visit Sukhbaatar Square and the National History Museum which reveals the remarkable and unique history of Mongolia. This evening we depart aboard the Trans Mongolian Railway to Siberia.
Day 14. Aboard the Trans Mongolian Railway  
 North across the steppe and through the mountains, following the valley of the Selenge River to the Russian frontier and the very heartland of Siberia, Irkutsk.
Days 15-17. Irkutsk (Siberia)  
 Old buildings and timeworn mansions lend a beauty to this remote but flourishing city, sometimes called "The Paris of Siberia". Founded over 350 years ago it prospered as a market town on the ‘Tea Route’ between China and Europe. Irkutsk today is proud of its place in Russian history, and is always a highlight of any Trans Mongolian rail journey. Then to the shores of Lake Baikal, over 600 kilometres long and up to 80 kilometres wide and containing one-fifth of the earth's fresh water. Returning from the lake we stop at the Museum of Wooden Architecture to gain an insight into the traditional lives of Siberian people. In the late afternoon we bid farewell to Siberia as we board the train for Ekaterinburg.&
Days 18-22. Ekaterinburg and beyond  
 Life on board is a great social occasion for our Russian hosts and we have the opportunity to share our experiences with them. Travelling towards Europe we cross the great Ob River at Novosibirsk and continue through Omsk. Evening arrival in Ekaterinburg, a city founded by Peter the Great in 1723 and situated just 40 kilometres inside Asia. Its main attractions are its associations with historical events and on our city tour we will take in the history and intrigue surrounding the murder of the Romanov family. Then bid farewell to Asia as we cross the Urals and enter Europe aboard the train to St Petersburg.
Days 23-25.& St.Petersburg&  
 "The united magnificence of all of the cities of Europe are but its equal." - so said Voltaire. St.Petersburg is indeed a unique treasure-house of 18th century architecture and the city that best displays the Russian genius for museums. The Peter and Paul Fortress, the Summer Palace of Petrodvorets, Palace Square and the unequalled collections of the Hermitage, and beyond the city lie the fabulous summer palaces and residences of the tsars and the Imperial Court. The Hermitage too, hung with the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and a hundred other great masters. Your guided morning tour of this remarkable collection can be extended to include further viewing and finally a performance at one of St.Petersburg's excellent theatres.
Days 26-28. Arrive Moscow 
 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 Kremlin’s Cathedral of the Assumption where Tsars were crowned, the Bell Tower and the Faberge jewels and icons.The journey is complete; a brilliant and unforgettable experience along one of the worlds greatest rail journeys.
 

Details:

• Group Size 24 maximum, plus Tour Leader
• Accommodation Hotels - 14 nights (twin share) for this tour we will be using 3-4 star hotels
• Mongolian Ger - 2 nights (shared)
• Siberian Guesthouse - 1 night (twin share)
• Trains - 10 nights (4 berth from Hong Kong to Beijing and 2 berth from Beijing to Moscow)
• Meals Breakfast (18), lunch (11), dinner (11)
• Travel by Train: Comfortable 4 berth sleepers in China and 2 berth sleepers from Beijing to Moscow
• There are 7 rail sectors on this journey - Hong Kong to Xian (1 night) - Xian to Beijing (1 night) - Beijing to Ulaanbaatar (1 night) - Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk (2 nights) - Irkutsk to Ekaterinburg (2 nights) - Ekaterinburg to St.Petersburg (2 nights) - St.Petersburg to Moscow (1 night) 2 Berth Rail (Included) Provided on all rail sectors between Beijing and Moscow
• Single travellers will be sharing with other single travellers or the Tour Leader
• Sightseeing Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guide
• This journey enjoys a greater number of included sights than others within this brochure
• Guangzhou: Chen’s Temple, Qing Ping Market
• Xian: Terracotta Warriors, cultural performance
• Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Hutongs tour, Ming Tombs, Great Wall, cultural performance
• Ulaanbaatar: Zaisan Memorial, National History Museum, Gandan Hiid Monastery, Terelj National Park, cultural performance
• Irkutsk (Siberia): City tour, Museum of Wooden Architecture, Limnological Museum, Lake Baikal, Buryat Shaman experience
• Ekaterinburg: City tour, Mineralogical Museum and Europe/Asia Obelisk
• St.Petersburg: City tour, St.Isaacs Cathedral, Peter & Paul Fortress, Palace Square, Hermitage Museum, Summer Palace (Petrodvorets), cultural performance. Moscow: City tour, St.Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin, Armoury Chamber, Metro tour, cultural performance
• Visas Required for China, Mongolia & Russia
• Adventure Center will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support with detailed visa guidelines.