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Tour Date: 21 Aug 2013 - 16 Sep 2013
Tour Cost ($AUD): $13,997.00
Remote Wonderlands is a very special adventure and unique to Travel Directors. In today's 'shrinking' world there are few new exciting destinations to explore. However, North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of North Korea) undoubtedly falls into that category. Mysterious and secretive are adjectives that only scratch the surface of this remarkable country. The next leg of our journey takes us across Manchuria to Siberia and Lake Baikal. Magnificent and immense, Baikal is the world's largest body of fresh water. Our adventure continues south to Mongolia, a wonderful and little-visited country, which we regard as the best kept travel secret in the world! Finally, we board the Trans-Mongolian Express for one of the most exciting rail journeys in the world, through the Gobi desert to Beijing. 'Remote Wonderlands' is a classic adventure for travellers looking for the extraordinary!
21/08/2013 Australia - Singapore
Arirang Mass Games, Pyongyang
Depart from your chosen Australian airport on the flight to Singapore. On arrival we connect with our flight to Beijing.
22/08/2013 Singapore - Beijing (LD)
Depart Singapore Singapore Airlkines SQ812, 01.10
The Forbidden City
Arrive Beijing 07.10
After completing customs and immigration formalities we transfer to our hotel and the rest of the morning is at leisure. After lunch we have a city tour of Beijing and dinner is at a local restaurant.
Beijing International Hotel
No 5 Jian Guo men Wei Avenue
Beijing
Ph: 0011-86-10-65126688
Fx: 65129972
23/08/2013 Beijing (BLD)
Olympic Stadium, Beijing
Today will be very exciting as we have the chance to inspect the Olympic Stadium. Known as the 'Birds Nest', the area covers some 10,000 square metres and has a capacity of 91,000. The structure is an engineering masterpiece and is also regarded as a 'green phenomenon', due to its rainwater collection system and its translucent roof, which provides essential sunlight for the grass below.
24/08/2013 Depart Beijing - Pyongyang (BL)
Depart Beijing Train K27, 15.00
After lunch we transfer to Beijing International Railway Station for the start of our journey to the 'Hermit Kingdom' of the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK). We board the K27 Express for the thrilling journey to Pyongyang. We pass through mountainous countryside and enjoy several glimpses of the Great Wall.
25/08/2013 Arrive Pyongyang (D)
Pyongyang Railway Station
Arriving at Dandong, the Chinese border town, the Chinese frontier officials board the train. After a relaxed customs check the train shuffles across to the DPRK border town of Sinuiju. With border formalities complete, the train makes its way into the heart of one of the world's most remarkable travel destinations.
Arrive Pyongyang 19.30
Yanggakdo Hotel
Yanggakdo Island
Pyongyang
Ph: 0011-850-23812134
26/08/2013 Pyongyang (BLD)
Kim Il Sung
With a history of more than 5000 years, Pyongyang is a monumental, yet surprisingly beautiful city, located on the banks of the Taedong River. With a population of more than three million, the city has largely traffic-free boulevards and avenues surrounded by parks and gardens. As we explore Pyongyang we see sights such as The Arch of Triumph, the Juche Tower, Moran Hill and the birthplace of Kim Il Sung. This afternoon we visit some stations on the metro system that many say rivals Moscow and Paris for grandeur. This evening we attend an extraordinary event, the famous Mass Games.
27/08/2013 Pyongyang - Myohyang (BLD)
Myohyang Mountains
This morning we start our two-hour journey to Myohyang. Situated in the mountains of northwestern DPRK, Mt Myohyang boasts a beautiful and pristine environment. Many people from all over the Korean peninsula regard this resort as their favourite place to visit. The area has more than 2,500 species of plants, animals, birds and fish. Today we visit the amazing International Friendship Exhibition. Opened in 1978, it is regarded as one of the most extraordinary museums in the world. Gifts from presidents and prime ministers from all over the world are displayed here. A visit here is like stepping through the history of the 20th century!
Hyangsan Hotel
Hyangam-Ri
Myohyang
28/08/2013 Myohyang - Pyongyang (BLD)
War Museum, Pyongyang
This morning we visit the beautiful 11th-century Pohyon Temple, one of the most famous in Korea. After lunch we return to Pyongyang to visit the Korean War Museum, dedicated to the Korean War of 1950-1953. Exhibits include weapons, captured planes, tanks and magnificent dioramas.
Yanggakdo Hotel
Yanggakdo Island
Pyongyang
Ph: 0011-850-23812134
29/08/2013 Pyongyang (BLD)
Korean women in traditional jeogori
This morning we visit the captured American armed spy ship, the USS Pueblo. Constructed in 1932 and modified as a military information-gathering ship, the Pueblo was captured in January 1968 along with 80 sailors. It caused a massive international incident that almost pushed the US and North Korea to war. It ended 11 months later with the release of the sailors and an apology from the Americans. This historic ship is now moored on the banks of the Taedong River.
This afternoon we visit the Children's Palace. Here, children attend classes for extra-curricular activities such as gymnastics, karate and various musical studies. It provides a wonderful insight into teaching methods in the DPRK.
30/08/2013 Panmunjon (BLD)
DMZ, North Korea
Today is a major highlight as we visit Panmunjon, the Demilitarised Zone. The 38th Parallel is the most heavily militarised border in the world and only 68 km from Seoul. The tension is palpable, as each side photographs the other across the line. Our visit here provides a unique and rare perspective, as few westerners have viewed this 'face-off' from the north side. At one of the armistice halls it is possible to walk around the conference table into South Korea!
31/08/2013 Depart Pyongyang - Irkutsk (B)
Juche Tower, Pyongyang
After breakfast we transfer to the rail station and board the Trans-Manchurian Express for the journey to Russia.
Depart Pyongyang Train 19, 10.10
In the afternoon the train heads towards the North Korean/Chinese border.
01/09/2013 Onboard Trans-Manchurian Express
Train 19, Pyongyang to Irkutsk
Arriving in Shenyang, the train starts its journey north towards Russia.
02/09/2013 Onboard Trans-Manchurian Express
Engine driver at the
Chinese/Russian border
Arriving at Manzhouli, the Chinese border, there are thorough customs and immigration checks before the train moves into the Russian border town of Zabaikalsk. Here, giant hydraulic lifts raise the train and the wheel bogies are changed. The Chinese railway operates on a narrower gauge than that of Russia, hence the need for this operation. With Chinese and Russian border formalities completed, the train makes its way into Eastern Siberia.
03/09/2013 Arrive Irkutsk (D)
Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia
Arrive Irkutsk 13.30
This morning we join the main Trans-Siberian railway line and head west towards Lake Baikal. The train often skirts the shore of this huge water mass. 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.
Hotel Intourist
44 Gagarin Boulevard
Irkutsk 664055
Ph: 0011-7-3952-250168
Fx: 250162
04/09/2013 Irkutsk (BLD)
Lake Baikal
This morning we drive out of Irkutsk to mighty Lake Baikal. Formed more than 25 million years ago, Baikal contains more than 20 percent of the earth's fresh water supply. Almost every statistic about the lake and its surrounding flora and fauna is astonishing. Its coastline also includes some breathtaking scenery. We enjoy a boat ride on the lake and also visit the excellent Limnological Museum.
05/09/2013 Irkutsk (BLD)
The wooden houses of Irkutsk
After breakfast we take a city tour. Irkutsk dates back to 1661 and was once known as the 'Paris of Siberia'. 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.
06/09/2013 Depart Irkutsk - Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Irkutsk railway station
Today is at leisure in this delightful city. After dinner we transfer to Irkutsk railway station and board our train south to Mongolia.
Depart Irkutsk Train 264, 20.10
07/09/2013 Onboard the train
The Mongolian border town
of Sukhe Bator
We pass through beautiful mountain scenery laced with conifer forest. On arrival at the Russian border town of Naushki, there are thorough customs and passport inspections before we proceed to the Mongolian border town of Sukhe Bator.
08/09/2013 Arrive Ulaan Baatar - Dugana (BLD)
Dugana Resort
Early this morning we travel through the rolling grassy steppes of the Gobi Desert, 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 06.30
On arrival in Ulaan Baatar we drive to our delightful ger camp in the Dugana National Park.
09/09/2013 Dugana (BLD)
Dawn in the grasslands of the Gobi
This beautiful area of the Gobi is a paradise for nature lovers. Today is completely at leisure, although there is the opportunity to ride Mongolian horses and maybe even try our hand at archery.
10/09/2013 Dugana - Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Mongolian Philharmonic Orchestra
Today we drive back to Ulaan Baatar and enjoy some leisure time.
Bayangol Hotel
28 Chingis Khan Avenue
Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia
Ph: 0011-976-11-312255
Fx: 326880
Tonight we have the chance to attend a stunning folk show.
11/09/2013 Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Parliament building, Sukhe Bator Sq, Ulaan Baatar
Today we take a city tour, 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.
12/09/2013 Ulaan Baatar - Beijing (B)
Ulaan Baatar railway station
Depart Ulaan Baatar Train 4, 08.00
After breakfast we transfer to Ulaan Baatar railway station for the thrilling journey to Beijing on the famous Trans-Mongolian Express. The train heads south towards China through the vast Gobi Desert. Now is the chance to read books or to retire to the dining car for drinks or a meal. Arriving at Erlian, the Chinese/Mongolian border town, the wheel bogies are changed again. With Chinese and Mongolian border formalities completed, the train makes its way into northern China.
13/09/2013 Arrive Beijing (D)
Breakfast on the
Trans-Mongolian Express
This morning we pass through mountainous countryside and enjoy several glimpses of the Great Wall before our arrival in Beijing.
Arrive Beijing 14.20
On arrival in the Chinese capital we transfer to our hotel.
Beijing International Hotel
No 5 Jian Guo men Wei Avenue
Beijing
Ph: 0011-86-10-65126688
Fx: 65129972
14/09/2013 Beijing (BLD)
The Great Wall of China
A very special day's sightseeing today as 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.
15/09/2013 Beijing - Singapore (B)
Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Australia via Singapore.
Depart Beijing Singapore Air SQ 803, 08.45
Arrive Singapore 15.00
On arrival in Singapore we connect with the flight to our chosen Australian capital city.
16/09/2013 Singapore - Australia
Our flight arrives back in Australia today.
TOUR INFORMATION
Tour Fitness Level: Moderate
AUGUST 2013 DEPARTURE:
TOUR COST: $13,997
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $2,132
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:
* All flights between Australia and China
* All ticketable air taxes (may be subject to change)
* All accommodation (twin-share)
* All transfers and ground transportation
* All train travel (quad-share)
* All meals as specified
* All local guides throughout
* 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 costs.
A booking form is to be completed by all passengers, followed by a non-refundable deposit of AUD $2,000 per person at the time of booking.
All tours are based on a minimum group size of 10 people travelling.
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