|
click to enlarge
Tour Date: 02 Jul 2012 - 28 Jul 2012
Tour Cost ($AUD): $13,947.00
The July Trans-Siberian is our most popular summer tour and it is not difficult to see why. In addition to all the normal highlights of this amazing adventure, we time our arrival in Ulaan Baatar to coincide with the annual Naadam Festival. This is Mongolia's biggest event of the year when the country's top wrestlers, archers and horsemen converge on the capital for five days of competition and partying. The festival includes a dazzling opening ceremony and is a major highlight of the tour. Naturally we also enjoy stopovers in Beijing, at a ger camp in the Gobi Desert, Irkutsk, Moscow and St Petersburg, and a night's accommodation is included in Helsinki. Many travellers use this as a base for exploring Scandinavia or other parts of Europe, before returning to Australia.
02/07/2012 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.
03/07/2012 Singapore - Beijing (LD)
Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Depart Singapore SQ 800, 01.05
Arrive Beijing 07.20
After completing customs and immigration formalities at Beijing airport 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
04/07/2012 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.
05/07/2012 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.
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.
06/07/2012 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.
07/07/2012 Depart Beijing - Ulaan Baatar (B)
George Barrett travelling through the grasslands of the Gobi desert
Depart Beijing Train 23, 07.40
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.
08/07/2012 Arrive Ulaan Baatar - Dugana (D)
Travel Directors ger resort at Dugana
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.
09/07/2012 Dugana ger camp (BLD)
Little Nomad near Dugana Camp
This glorious 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.
10/07/2012 Dugana - Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Mongolian Philharmonic Orchestra
We drive back to Ulaan Baatar this morning and check into 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
11/07/2012 Depart Ulaan Baatar - Irkutsk (BLD)
The Naadam Festival, Ulaan Baatar
Every year on the 11th of July, Mongolians celebrate 'Naadam'. Meaning recreation, the Naadam Festival is a spectacular event that attracts the country's top wrestlers, archers and horsemen and women for five days of fierce competition. One of the features is the grand opening ceremony, which we attend. In the evening we transfer to the rail station for our journey north 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.
12/07/2012 Onboard the 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.
13/07/2012 Arrive Irkutsk (BLD)
Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia
Arrive Irkutsk 07.35
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 explore this beautiful city.
Hotel Intourist
44 Gagarin Boulevard
Irkutsk 664055, Russia
Ph: 0011-7-3952-290168
Fx: 0011-7-3952-290162
14/07/2012 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.
15/07/2012 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.
16/07/2012 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.
17/07/2012 Onboard the Trans-Siberian Express
Kymlee Seymour, Di Parker and Hans Koning on 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.
18/07/2012 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.
Budapest Hotel
2/18 Petrovski Linni
Moscow, Russia
Ph: 0011-7-495-6211060
Fx: 6215290
19/07/2012 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.
20/07/2012 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.
21/07/2012 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.
22/07/2012 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
Arrive St Petersburg 21.45
0n arrival we transfer to our hotel.
Helvetia Hotel
11 Marata St
St Petersburg 191025
Ph: 0011 7 812 326 5353
Fax: 326 2009
23/07/2012 St Petersburg (BLD)
The Hermitage and Palace Square
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 sights such 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.
24/07/2012 St Petersburg (BLD)
The Summer Palace
Today we board a hydrofoil for a trip down the Neva River to Peterhof. This is the site of the magnificent Summer Palace, playground of the tsars and tsarinas.
The beautiful gardens are comparable with those at the palace of Versailles and the amazing fountains provide a great spectacle.
25/07/2012 St Petersburg (BLD)
St Petersburg,
the 'Venice of the North'
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.
26/07/2012 Depart St Petersburg - Helsinki (BLD)
Helsinki's vibrant harbour
Depart St Petersburg Allegro Train, 06.40
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.
Vaakuna Hotel
Aemo-Aukio 2
Helsinki 00120 Finland
Ph: 0011-358-20-1234610
Fx: 9-43377100
27/07/2012 Helsinki - London - Singapore
Singapore Airlines
If returning immediately to Australia, our flight departs from Helsinki today.
28/07/2012 Singapore - Australia
If returning immediately from Helsinki, our flight arrives back in Australia today.
TOUR INFORMATION
Tour Fitness Level: Moderate
JULY 2012 DEPARTURE
TOUR COST: $13,947
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $2,897
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:
* All flights between Australia and Beijing/Europe and Australia
* All accommodation (twin-share)
* All ticketable air taxes (may be subject to change)
* All transfers except Helsinki hotel to airport
* All train travel to Helsinki (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
* Flight from Helsinki to chosen European exit point (if not travelling via London)
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 escorted tours are based on a minimum group size of 10 people travelling.
|
