| The Legendary Trans-Siberian - An Autumn in Russia - 03 September 2012 (28 days) |
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Tour Date: 03 Sept 2012 - 30 Sep 2012 Our 'Autumn in Russia' is our newest departure on this epic route. At this time of year the forests of Siberia are full of colour and the weather is more temperate than in other months. There are also fewer tourists on the route, so all in all, it is the perfect time to make this great journey! We include our trademark mini Naadam Festival in Mongolia, which is exclusive to us. The journey takes us from Beijing to Helsinki with stopovers in Beijing; the Mongolian capital, Ulaan Baatar; the capital of Eastern Siberia, Irkutsk; Russia's capital, Moscow; and its great sister city, St Petersburg. We also include a night's accommodation in the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Many travellers use this as a base for exploring Scandinavia or other parts of Europe, before returning to Australia.
03/09/2012 Australia - Singapore
St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
Check-in at your chosen Australian airport for the flight to Singapore. On arrival we connect with our flight to Beijing. 04/09/2012 Singapore - Beijing (LD)
Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Arrive Beijing 07.20 After completing customs and immigration formalities in Beijing we transfer to our hotel. After check-in, the rest of the morning is at leisure. After lunch we take a stroll in the world's biggest public plaza, Tiananmen Square. Covering 100 acres and dating back to 1420, the square has witnessed many of China's most historic events. At one end is the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the entrance to the Forbidden City. At the other is the mausoleum housing the embalmed body of Mao Tse-Dong. Dinner this evening is in a popular local restaurant.
Beijing International Hotel No 5 Jian Guo men Wei Avenue Beijing. China Ph: 0011-86-10-65126688 Fx: 65129972 05/09/2012 Beijing (BLD)
The Summer Palace
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. 06/09/2012 Beijing (BLD)
The Forbidden City
This morning we visit the extraordinary Forbidden City, the world's largest ancient palace structure. Covering an astonishing 72 hectares and containing no fewer than 9,999 rooms, 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. A visit here is never to be forgotten. 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.
07/09/2012 Beijing (BLD)
The Great Wall of China
A very special day's sightseeing today. After breakfast we drive out of Beijing and head for the incredible 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 stunning traditional Chinese folk show while dining on Peking Roast Duck.
08/09/2012 Depart Beijing - Ulaan Baatar (B)
George Barrett travelling through the grasslands of the Gobi desert
After breakfast we transfer to Beijing International Railway Station for the start of the journey proper. We board the Trans-Mongolian Express for the thrilling journey to Ulaan Baatar. As we leave behind the crowds of Beijing, the train heads north towards the Mongolian border. We pass through mountainous countryside and enjoy several glimpses of the Great Wall. Now is the chance to read books, play games or retire to the dining car for drinks or a meal. Arriving at Erlian, the Chinese/Mongolian border town, giant hydraulic lifts raise the train and the wheel bogies are changed. The Chinese railway operates on a narrower gauge to that of Mongolia and Russia, hence the need for this operation. With Chinese and Mongolian border formalities completed, the train makes its way into the vast Gobi desert.
09/09/2012 Arrive Ulaan Baatar - Dugana (D)
Breakfast on the train in the Mongolian dining car
This morning we travel through the 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.
Arrive Ulaan Baatar 13.10 On arrival in Ulaan Baatar we drive to our delightful ger camp in the beautiful Dugana National Park. 10/09/2012 Dugana ger camp (BLD)
Travel Directors ger resort at Dugana
11/09/2012 Dugana - Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Mongolian Philharmonic Orchestra
We drive back to Ulaan Baatar this morning and check-in to our hotel. The afternoon is at leisure and in the evening there is the chance to attend a beautiful folk show. Bayangol Hotel 28 Chingis Khan Avenue Ulaan Baatar. Mongolia Ph: 0011-976-11-312255 Fx: 326880 12/09/2012 Depart Ulaan Baatar - Irkutsk (BLD)
Parliament building, Sukhe Bator Square, Ulaan Baatar
Today 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. After dinner we transfer to the railway station for our journey to Russia.
Depart Ulaan Baatar Train 361, 19.35 The train heads north towards the Mongolian border town of Sukhe Bator, arriving early the next morning. 13/09/2012 Onboard train
John Biggins becomes train driver on the Mongolian/Russian border
This morning there are thorough customs and passport inspections before we proceed to the Russian border town of Naushki, 5,900 km from Moscow. Entering Russia we pass through beautiful mountain scenery laced with conifer forest. Following the Selenga River along the valley floor we reach Ulan Ude, capital of Buryatia.
14/09/2012 Arrive Irkutsk (BLD)
Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia
Early morning we join the main Trans-Siberian railway line and head west towards mighty Lake Baikal. The train often skirts the shore of this vast lake, which contains 20% of the world's fresh water supply. The mountains and small decorative Russian houses provide a beautiful backdrop before the train rolls into Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia.
On arrival we transfer to our hotel and after breakfast take a city tour. Once known as the 'Paris of Siberia', Irkutsk dates back to 1661. Founded as a Cossack outpost, it continued to develop as a fur and gold trading city with access routes to Mongolia and China. Today Irkutsk is a regional cultural centre with theatres, museums and a symphony orchestra. The afternoon is free to continue exploring this beautiful city. Hotel Intourist 44 Gagarin Boulevard Irkutsk 664055 Russia Ph: 0011-7-3952-290168 Fx: 290162 15/09/2012 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.
16/09/2012 Irkutsk (BLD)
Siberian Houses, Irkutsk Lake Baikal
Today is entirely at leisure in the beautiful Estern Siberian capital.
17/09/2012 Depart Irkutsk - Moscow (BL)
Train 9, the Trans-Siberian Express
After lunch we transfer to Irkutsk railway station and board the legendary Trans-Siberian Express. Depart Irkutsk Train 1, 17.50 Now is the time to sit back, relax and watch the world go by as the train begins its epic journey across Siberia to Moscow. 18/09/2012 Onboard the Trans-Siberian Express
The Trans-Siberian is the busiest railroad in the world
The train pushes inexorably towards Russia's capital, passing through famous cities such as Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg, where Tsar Nicholas and his family were executed.
19/09/2012 Onboard the Trans-Siberian Express
Kymlee Seymour, Di Parker and Hans Koning onboard the Trans-Siberian
The train cuts through the foothills of the Ural Mountains and we pass the famous obelisk, which marks the border of Asia and Europe. We are now 1,777 km from Moscow.
20/09/2012 Arrive Moscow (D)
St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
Arrive Moscow 17.58 Finally the train rolls into Yaroslavsky Station at the end of its momentous journey. On arrival we transfer to our hotel. Ukraine Hotel Kutuzovsky Prospect Moscow. Russia Ph: 0011-7-495-9335656 Fx: 9335683 21/09/2012 Moscow (BLD)
Inside the Kremlin walls
Our tour of Russia's magnificent capital begins with a morning in the famous Kremlin and a visit to the great Armoury Museum, which houses Russia's crown jewels. After lunch we explore some of the palatial stations of Moscow's underground system.
22/09/2012 Moscow (BLD)
Evening across the Moskva River
This morning we stroll into Red Square. Dating back to 1493, the magnificent square is flanked on one side by the red walls of the Kremlin and on the other by the majestic GUM department store. At one end is the imposing history museum and at the other is one of the world's most famous buildings, the unique St Basil's Cathedral. The square also houses Lenin's mausoleum. After lunch we walk along Arbat Street, Moscow's famous pedestrian mall, with its busy market stalls, street performers and fine shops and cafes.
23/09/2012 Moscow (BLD)
Kolomenskoye Park
under a summer sky Today we drive out of Moscow to the beautiful estate of Kolomenskoye. Situated on the banks of the Moskva River, this was the summer residence of Alexei Romanov. The estate dates back to the 14th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 24/09/2012 Depart Moscow - St Petersburg (BL)
Moscow State University
at Sparrow Hills The morning is at leisure, time perhaps for a final stroll in Red Square or some last-minute shopping. In the afternoon we transfer to the railway station for the evening journey north to St Petersburg. Depart Moscow Train 6, 16.30 0n arrival we transfer to our hotel. Helvetia Hotel 11 Marata St St Petersburg 191025 Ph: 0011 7 812 326 5353 Fax: 326 2009 25/09/2012 St Petersburg (BLD)
The Hermitage and Palace Square,
St Petersburg After breakfast we take a city tour of beautiful St Petersburg. Formerly known as Petrograd and Leningrad, this most European of Russian cities is the country's intellectual and cultural heart. Perched on the banks of the Neva River it is often referred to as the 'Venice of the North' because of its glorious canal system. We enjoy such sights as St Isaac's Cathedral, the Winter Palace and Peter and Paul's Fortress, where the bodies of Tsar Nicholas and his family are interred. 26/09/2012 St Petersburg (BLD)
The Summer Palace
St Petersburg,
the Venice of The North 27/09/2012 St Petersburg (BLD)This morning we visit the Winter Palace. Completed in 1762, the palace was home to the tsars until the Russian Revolution in 1917. It now houses the Hermitage Museum, arguably the world's greatest art collection. The afternoon is at leisure, providing the option of spending more time in the Hermitage. Others may prefer to stroll down the city's great boulevard, Nevsky Prospekt. In the evening there is the opportunity to attend a traditional cossack folk show.
28/09/2012 Depart St Petersburg - Helsinki (BLD)
Helsinki's vibrant harbour
Arrive Helsinki 09.15 Our final train journey takes us to Helsinki, the delightful capital of Finland. On arrival we are introduced to Helsinki by way of a city tour including lunch before we transfer to our hotel and enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the end of our momentous tour.
Hotel Anna Annankatu 1 Helsinki 00120 Finland Ph: 0011-358-9-616621 Fx: 602664 29/09/2012 Helsinki - London - Singapore (B)
Singapore Airlines
30/09/2012 Singapore - Australia
TOUR INFORMATION
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $2,897 |
