Grand Trans Mongolian

35 days - from $9755

Itinerary:

Days 1-7. China’s southern cities  
 From Hong Kong our great journey across the vast Eurasian landmass begins. With nearly 12,000 kilometres and the anticipation of the world's greatest rail journey ahead of us we travel across Guandong Province to Guangzhou (Canton), southern gateway to the mainland and overnight to Guilin. Aboard our river boat we enjoy spectacular views of the limestone hills that make Guilin famous. Explore Reed Flute cave before we prepare for our overnight journey to Kunming. First across Guangxi province south via Liuzhou then west to Kunming capital of Yunnan Province and with China’s most diverse population of minority peoples and home to wonderful gardens and parks and the limestone pinnacles of the Stone Forest.
Days 8-14. Xian and Beijing  
 Thundering over the Yangtze we continue north to Xian, old Chang'an, the great capital of ancient Cathay an incredible city which still captures the romance of its rich imperial past and the glories of the Silk Road. Beyond the city the highlight of our stay is the entombed Terracotta Warriors - over 6,000 life-sized figures. Then by overnight train to the nations capital, Beijing. Tiananmen Square and Mao's Mausoleum, the history and significance of the astonishing Forbidden City and with an excursion to the Great Wall built to defend the civilised world from the fierce and capable Mongol horsemen.
Days 15-19. Ulaanbaatar and the Mongolian Steppe  
 Excitement and anticipation as we leave to board the Ulaanbaatar Express and enjoy meandering scenery as the train tackles the mountains before descending to the arid lands of Inner Mongolia and onwards to the very heart of Asia. You awake to the stunning visual silence of the south Gobi, the horse and ger dotted steppe stretches from horizon to horizon, the occasional nomad encampment appears mirage-like through the carriage window. Shortly after midday we arrive in the world's most remote capital - Ulaanbaatar. The Mongolia of Genghis Khan lies beyond the city, in the land of the nomad. We travel to the countryside retreat of 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. Returning to Ulaanbaatar we have time to visit Sukhbaatar Square and Gandan Hiid Monastery, which gives an insight into the lives of Buddhist Mongolians. We will also make time to visit the Zaisan memorial from which the entire city is visible& before an evening departure aboard the Trans Mongolian Railway to Siberia.
Days 20-23. Siberia and Lake Baikal&  
 Welcome to Buryatiya, centre of Russia's Buddhist community. Reminiscent of old Siberia Ulan Ude is located in the middle of vast Siberian steppes, on the 5640th kilometre of the legendary Trans Siberian railway.& The local open air ethnographic museum tells an interesting story about the life and traditions of native Siberians (Buryats and Evenks), as well as colonizers (Cossacks and Old-believers). Ivolginsky Datsan is a centre of Buddhism in Russia. Then onto Irkutsk almost in the centre of Asia. 18th century churches, bright painted shutters and log houses decorated with wooden lacework in this beautiful town known as the "Paris of Siberia". To the shores of Lake Baikal, where you will marvel at the vastness of this inland 'sea'. Over 600 kilometres long and up to 80 kilometres wide, Baikal contains one-fifth of the earth's fresh water and is home to many unique species. We enjoy the lakeside village of Listvyanka and a chance to walk along the lakeshore and for the adventurous - a swim! Soon we bid farewell to Siberia as we board the train for Ekaterinburg.
Days 24-27. The Trans Siberian Railway and Ekaterinburg  
 Life on board is a great social occasion for our Russian hosts and we have the opportunity to share our experiences with them. Ekaterinburg, a city founded by Peter the Great in 1723, 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, an event which ushered in the Communist era in 1918. Beyond the Ural Mountains and, on the far side of the Volga, the flickering silvers and greens of the birch forests speed past as we make our way to Moscow.
Days 28-32. Moscow, Vladimir & Suzdal  
 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. The Kremlin itself with its exquisite collection of royal treasures in the stunning Armoury Chamber; the Cathedral of the Assumption where Tsars were crowned, the Bell Tower and the Faberge jewels and icons. After a final day exploring Moscow, we take a late evening train to Vladimir and upon arrival we travel to the Golden Ring city of Suzdal. We have a full day to see the sights; the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Cathedral of St Demitrius. We see Suzdal's Kremlin and Archbishop's Chambers, visit the Spaso-Transfiguration Cathedral in St Euthymius Monastery where you may be lucky enough to attend a concert of church songs and bell ringing.
Days 33-35. Arrive St.Petersburg  
 St.Petersburg is 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. Beyond the city lie the fabulous summer palaces and residences of the tsars and the Imperial Court, the most magnificent located in the spectacular garden of Petrodvorets. The gilded rooms of the former Winter Palace, now the Hermitage Museum, are hung with the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and a hundred other great masters.
 

Details:

• Group Size 15 maximum, plus Tour Leader
• Accommodation Hotels - 19 nights (twin share) Mongolian Ger - 2 nights (shared) Siberian Guesthouse - 1 night (twin share) Trains - 12 nights (4 berth) Meals 23 in total
• Breakfast (22), Lunch (1)
• Travel by Train: Comfortable 4 berth sleepers (day services are seat only)
• There are 11 rail sectors on this journey - Hong Kong to Guilin (1 night) - Guilin to Kunming (1 night) - Kunming to Xian (2 nights) - Xian to Beijing (1 night) - Beijing to Ulaanbaatar (1 night) - Ulaanbaatar to Ulan Ude (1 night) - Ulan Ude to Irkutsk (1 night) - Irkutsk to Ekaterinburg (2 nights) - Ekaterinburg to Moscow (1 night) - Moscow to Vladimir (day service) - Vladimir to St.Petersburg (1 night)
• Other: For 'Scheduled Sightseeing' we generally use a small minibus, and for 'City Exploring' we use local taxis, public transport, underground metro and go on foot. 2 Berth Rail (Optional) Available for a supplementary price only when two people book and travel together
• Available on all rail sectors between Beijing and St.Petersburg
• Sightseeing Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guide
• Guilin: Reed Flute Cave, Li River Cruise and Yangshou Kunming: Stone Forest
• Xian: Terracotta Warriors
• Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall
• Ulaanbaatar: Zaisan Memorial, National History Museum, Gandan Hiid Monastery, Terelj National Park
• Ulan Ude: Ivolginsk Monastery, Ethnographic Museum
• Irkutsk (Siberia): Walking tour of city, Lake Baikal, Limnological Museum
• Ekaterinburg: City tour, Mineralogical Museum and Europe/Asia Obelisk
• Moscow: City tour, St.Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin and Armoury Chamber
• Golden Ring: City tours of Suzdal and Vladimir
• St.Petersburg: City tour, Palace Square, Hermitage Museum
• Visas Required for China, Mongolia & Russia
• Adventure Center will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.