Trans Mongolian Adventure with Tuva

31 days - from $8365

Itinerary:

Days 1-4. Beijing and to Mongolia  
 Not only a giant and historic nation's past and present capital, but the unmistakable hub of one of the world's foremost civilisations of all time. On our train journey north enjoy the meandering scenery of the mountains before descending to the vast plains of the Gobi Desert and the very heart of Asia.
Days 5-10. Ulaanbaatar and on the Mongolian Steppe  
The world's most remote capital city is an extraordinary blend of Mongolian culture and Soviet architecture. We explore the city; Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan Hiid Monastery and the Museum of National History. The Mongolia of Genghis Khan lies beyond the city, and for three further days we explore beyond the city out across the grasslands where our nights are spent in the warmth of a traditional Mongolian ger. In the morning of day& 8 we return to Ulaanbaatar. (NB:& 3 July departure is scheduled to coincide with Mongolian Naadam Festival some activities on Days 9-10 may be re-arranged to allow the group to join in celebrations in Ulaanbaatar.)
Day 11. Trans Mongolian Railway  
 Continuing towards Russia we follow the valley of the Selenge River and leave Mongolia at the frontier town of Sukhbaatar. We enter Siberia and travel to Ulan Ude, then west along the southern shore of the world's deepest freshwater lake - Baikal.
Day 12. Irkutsk (Siberia)  
 Almost in the centre of Asia, Irkutsk - 18th century churches, bright painted shutters and log houses decorated with wooden lacework.
Day 13. Lake Baikal & to Bolshoi Koty  
 From Irkutsk we transfer to Lake Baikal, this vast inland 'sea' which contains one-fifth of the earth's fresh water. Travelling light, we commence a brilliant trek along the shores of Lake Baikal to Bolshoi Koty, a superb Siberian adventure fully supported with our local Siberian guide. The trek is at an easy pace with time to rest and swim. Tonight we will stay in a traditional Siberian guesthouse.
Day 14. To Listvyanka  
 Today we trek in the region of Bolshoi Koty with further opportunities to swim in the lake before joining a hydrofoil for the return journey to Listvyanka and our welcoming guesthouse. In the afternoon we enjoy the lakeside village of Listvyanka with its traditional houses, beautiful wooden church, and a chance to wander the port, and try some traditional smoked fish and vodka!
Day 15. Irkutsk  
 We return to Irkutsk and on our walking tour of this beautiful city we visit the city's wonderful local market and it's 18th century buildings. In the afternoon we join the Trans Siberian Express to Krasnoyarsk.
Days 16-17. To Tuva  
 Our morning arrival into Krasnoyarsk allows time to explore the city before joining our overnight train to Abakan, the capital of the Khakassia region. From here we travel by road through the spectacular Western Sayan Mountains to Kyzyl, the Tuvan capital.
Days 18-22. Kyzyl (Tuva)  
Tuva is one of the great highlights of our journey and& one of the world's least visited regions. Experience the incredible diversity of unique cultures that have survived in this hidden corner of Asia; we discover the history of the area in the National Museum and explore beyond the town to discover life on the steppe and in the mountains. We will visit nomadic herdsmen living on the steppe in traditional yurts and meet Shaman priests and Buddhist monks. We may also have the opportunity to meet Old Believers, many still living as their forefathers did in the 17th century. (NB:& 4& Sep departure is scheduled to coincide with Tuvan Naadam Festival some activities on Days 18-20 may be re-arranged to allow group to join in celebrations in Kyzyl)
Days 23-24. To Abakan & aboard the Trans Siberian Railway  
 We retrace our journey to Abakan and once again climb aboard the Trans Siberian Railway bound for Moscow. We settle into life on board, getting to know our travelling companions and relax in the comfortable four-berth compartment that is our home for the three nights it takes to cross Western Siberia and the Ural Mountains to Moscow.
Days 26-28. Moscow  
 Moscow will amaze you, its palaces and public buildings restored to their former glory. The echoing vastness of Red Square, the splendid twirled cupolas of St Basils' across the cobble-stones and the Kremlin itself. Ride the palatial under-ground rail system, adorned with chandeliers and baroque bas-relief or enjoy a magical evening at one of Moscow's great theatres or State Circus.&
Days 29-31. St.Petersburg  
 The "Venice of the North"; St Isaac's Cathedral, richly filled palaces and museums, wide boulevards and canals. The gilded halls of the Hermitage Museum hung with the works of da Vinci, Rembrandt and many other great masters, and beyond the city lie the incomparable summer palaces of the tsars at Petrodvorets. Yet for all this, it remains one of Europe's best kept secrets.
 

Details:

• Group Size 15 maximum, plus Tour Leader
• Accommodation Hotels - 11 nights (twin share) Mongolian Ger - 2 night (shared) Siberian Guesthouse - 2 nights (twin share) Tuvan Yurts - 6 nights  (shared) Trains - 9 nights (4 berth) Meals 38 in total
• Breakfast (22), lunch (11), dinner (7)
• Travel by Train: Comfortable 4 berth sleepers
• There are 6 rail sectors on this journey - Beijing to Ulaanbaatar (1 night) - Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk (2 nights) - Irkutsk to Krasnoyarsk (1 night) - Krasnoyarsk to Abakan (1 night) - Abakan to Moscow (3 nights) - Moscow to St.Petersburg (1 night) Other: for ‘Scheduled Sightseeing’ we generally use small minibuses or jeeps, and for ‘City Exploring’ we use local taxis, public transport, underground metro and go on foot
• Sightseeing Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guide
• Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall hike (11kms)
• Ulaanbaatar: Zaisan Memorial, National History Museum, Gandan Hiid Monastery
• Irkutsk (Siberia): Walking tour of city, Museum of Wooden Architecture, Limnological Museum, Lake Baikal trek to Bolshoi Koty
• Tuva: Herdsmen village, National Museum, Dus-Khol and Hadyn Lakes
• Moscow: City tour, St.Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin and Armoury Chamber
• St.Petersburg: City tour, Palace Square, Hermitage museum
• City Exploring is further sightseeing outside the itinerary guideline with the Tour Leader
• Visas Required for China, Mongolia & Russia
• Adventure Center will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.