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Tour Date: 21 Aug 2012 - 11 Sept 2012
Tour Cost ($AUD): $12,547.00
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This is quite simply one of the greatest motorcycle trips in the world! The journey starts in the East Siberian capital, Irkutsk. From here the route cuts through mountains and forests as we skirt Lake Baikal, the world's greatest expanse of fresh water. We then head south into Mongolia and travel through the vast Gobi Desert. Leaving Mongolia we travel further south into China, completing our great adventure with a triumphant ride into Tiananmen Square in Beijing!
21/08/2012 Australia - Singapore
Singapore Airlines
Check-in at your chosen Australian airport for the flight to Singapore. On arrival we connect with our flight to Beijing.
22/08/2012 Singapore - Beijing - Irkutsk (D)
Irkutsk
Depart Singapore Singapore Airlines SQ 812, 01.10
Arrive Beijing 07.10
Depart Beijing Hainan Airlines HU 7967, 10.00
Arrive Irkutsk 14.05
After completing customs and immigration formalities at Irkutsk airport we transfer to our hotel. After check-in, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Hotel Intourist
44 Gagarin Boulevard
Irkutsk 664055
Ph: 0011-7-3952-290168
Fx: 0011-7-3952-290162
23/08/2012 Irkutsk (BLD)
Lake Baikal
This morning we drive out of Irkutsk to Lake Baikal. Formed some 25 million years ago, Baikal is the world's deepest lake and almost every statistic about it is astonishing. We enjoy an informative briefing about the lake on a visit to the excellent Limnological Museum. Weather permitting, we also take a boat ride on the lake and enjoy a picnic onboard.
24/08/2012 Irkutsk - Ulan Ude (BLD)
The Trans-Siberian railway skirting Lake Baikal
This morning we begin our journey to the famous resort of Baikalsk. The 150km ride takes us through beautiful scenery as we skirt the shores of Lake Baikal. Following the great Trans- Siberian Railway, we reach Baikalsk, which is on the lake itself. After lunch we continue to hug the shore of Lake Baikal, riding through tunnels as the road climbs up through stunning mountains before once again descending to the shores of the mighty lake. We then continue east to Ulan Ude, capital of Buryatia.
Baikal Plaza Hotel
12 Erbanov Street
Ulan Ude
0011-7-3012-210838
0011-7-3012-210070
25/08/2012 Ulan Ude (BLD)
Statue of Lenin, Ulan Ude
Situated on the banks of the Selenga river, Ulan Ude is 5532km east of Moscow. The town was founded as a Cossack outpost in 1666 and, like Irkutsk, became an important centre on the trade routes between China and Mongolia. Buryatia is the centre of Buddhism in Russia and today we ride 30km out of the city to visit the famous monastery of Ivolginski Datsan. After lunch we explore the old quarter of the city.
26/08/2012 Ulan Ude - Kyakhta (Russian-Mongolian border) (BLD)
Russian/Mongolian border at Kyakhta
This morning we ride 230km south to the Russian/Mongolian border at Kyakhta. Because of the possibilty of long delays at the border, we check into our hotel ready for our early morning crossing tomorrow morning.
Hotel Drushba
91321, Ul Krupskaya 8
Kyakhta
27/08/2012 Kyakhta - Dugana (BLD)
Travel Directors' ger resort at Dugana
After clearing Russian customs and immigration we cross into Mongolia. Once all formalities have been completed we reach the first Mongolian town of Sukhe Bator. We continue south and reach our delightful Dugana ger camp.
28/08/2012 Dugana (BLD)
Dawn at Dugana ger resort
Surrounded by mountains, conifers and pine trees, this glorious area of the Gobi is a paradise for nature lovers. This morning there is an opportunity to ride Mongolian horses and maybe even try our hand at archery.
29/08/2012 Dugana - Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Mongolian Philharmonic Orchestra
After breakfast we leave Dugana and turn onto the main road south to the Mongolian capital, Ulaan Baatar. In the evening there is the chance to attend a beautiful folk show.
Bayangol Hotel
28 Chingis Khan Avenue
Ulaan Baatar
Ph: 0011-976-11-312255
Fx: 326880
30/08/2012 Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Parliament building, Sukhe Bator Square, Ulaan Baatar
This morning we explore Ulaan Baatar, visiting the famous Gandan Monastery and the excellent History Museum. We also drive up into the hills for a spectacular view of the city in the valley below.
31/08/2012 Ulaan Baatar - Choir (BLD)
The long road ahead
This morning we leave the capital and start to ride through rolling grassy steppes, which stretch 1,000 km north to south and 2,500 km east to west. Yaks, camels and Mongolian horses dot the austere landscape. The few towns and gers to be seen are testimony to man's ability to survive in, and adapt to, almost any environment. Our accommodation just outside Choir is at another delightful ger camp.
01/09/2012 Choir - Sainshand (BLD)
Off-road in the Gobi Desert
Today we leave the paved road behind and continue south through the Gobi Desert to Sainshand. We now start to cross one of the most sparsely populated areas of the world. This desolate landscape is home to gazelle, wild ass, Bactrian camels and the Gobi bear, the world's only desert bear.
02/09/2012 Sainshand - Ger Camp (BLD)
South Gobi Desert
Today we continue deep into the South Gobi and camp overnight some 250km from the Mongolian/Chinese border.
03/09/2012 Ger Camp - Erlian (China) (BLD)
Nomads in the South Gobi
We continue south to the Mongolian border town of Zamin Ude and, after completing customs and immigration formalities, we ride to our first Chinese town, Erlian.
Pacific Hotel
350 Xinhua Street
Erlian
Ph: 001186-479-7537888
Fx:7537882
04/09/2012 Erlian (BLD)
The Mongolian/Chinese border
Today is a rest day as we prepare to head south to Datong and Beijing.
05/09/2012 Erlian - Hohhot (BLD)
Grasslands of Inner Mongolia
Today we drive 390km to the capital of Inner Mongolia, Hohhot.
Jinjiang Hotel
19 Hunlun Road
Hohhot
Ph: 0011-86-471-5666666
Fx: 5666999
06/09/2012 Hohhot - Datong (BLD)
Yungang Grotto in Datong,
Shanxi province
Datong is one of the most historical cities in China, dating back 2400 years. It is a city of majestic temples and today we visit the the Hanging Monastery at the foot of Mt Hengshan. In the afternoon we explore the Yungang Cave Grottoes that punctuate the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain.
Tiangui International Hotel
133 Xinjiannan Road
Datong
Ph: 001186-352-5685888
Fx: 5685599
07/09/2012 Datong - Beijing (BLD)
Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Today is a thrilling one as we ride 380km on good roads to China's great capital, Beijing. As we ride into Tiananmen Square in the city centre it is time to celebrate the end of our epic journey.
Beijing International Hotel
No 5 Jian Guo men Wei Avenue
Beijing
Ph: 0011-86-10-65126688
Fx: 65129972.
08/09/2012 Beijing (BLD)
The Forbidden City
It may be the end of the bike journey but there is still much to see and experience in the Olympic city. This morning we visit the extraordinary Forbidden City, the world's largest ancient palace structure. Covering 72 hectares, this incredible complex was built between 1407 and 1420 by an estimated one million labourers. Until 1924 it was the Imperial Palace for China's emperors, and in 1987 was World Heritage listed by UNESCO. In the afternoon we tour the fascinating old part of the city, known as the Hutong, Cycle rickshaws take us on a delightful trip through the ancient narrow streets. This evening we have dinner in the home of a Chinese family.
09/09/2012 Beijing (BLD)
A very special day's sightseeing. After breakfast we drive out of Beijing and drive to the Great Wall of China. We visit the beautiful section at Mutianyu, which is far less touristy than many other parts accessible from the capital. Built more than 2,000 years ago under the orders of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huamgdi, it remains one of the largest construction projects of all time and stretches an incredible 6,400 km. We have plenty of time to stroll on the ramparts and fully take in this Wonder of the World. We also enjoy an exclusive picnic in one of the watchtowers lining the wall. Returning to Beijing, we attend a traditional Chinese folk show while dining on Peking Roast Duck.
10/09/2012 Beijing (BLD)
After breakfast we tour the beautiful Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China. Located on the western edge of the city, it was used as a summer residence by China's emperors as a cool retreat from the main imperial palace. One of the highlights is the 'Long Corridor', a 720-metre covered walkway decorated with more than 8,000 individual paintings. The Summer Palace was World Heritage listed by UNESCO in 1998. Tonight is our farewell dinner and there will doubtless be many stories to share about our incredible motorcycle journey on 'the trail of Genghis Khan'.
11/09/2012 Depart Beijing - Singapore (B)
Singapore Airlines
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Singapore.
Depart Beijing Singapore Airlines SQ 805, 08.55
Arrive Singapore 15.15
In Singapore we connect with our flight to our chosen Australian city.
TOUR INFORMATION
Tour Fitness Level: Energetic
AUGUST 2012 DEPARTURE:
TOUR COST: AUD $12,547
PILLION PASSENGER $12,047
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $2,397
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:
* All flights between Australia & Russia/Beijing & Australia
* All ticketable air taxes (may be subject to change)
* Personal use of either a Yamaha Serow 250, Honda XR 250 or 400 motorcycle and all fuel and repairs
* Support bus
* Mechanic
* All ground transportation and transfers
* All accommodation (twin-share)
* All meals as specified
* All local guides
* Travel Directors tour escort
* All entrance fees in specified sightseeing
* All visas and courier fees
* All tips and gratuities
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:
* Insurance
* Personal expenses
Please note that whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the above pricing, currency fluctuations beyond our control can affect final tour costs.
A booking form is to be completed by all passengers, followed by a non-refundable deposit of AUD $2,000 at the time of booking.
All tours are based on a minimum group size of 10 people travelling.
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