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Tour Date: 12 Jun 2012 - 28 Jun 2012
Tour Cost ($AUD): $7,997.00
The Trans-Siberian Adventure is for those with limited time to complete our 'Legendary Trans-Siberian' tour. It runs during the Summer months in June when it is a lot warmer in this part of the world! This extraordinary adventure follows our normal route from Beijing, and finishes in Moscow.
12/06/2012 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.
13/06/2012 Singapore - Beijing (LD)
Tiananmen Square, Beijing
Depart Singapore Singapore Airlines SQ 800, 00.55
Arrive Beijing 07.05
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, where we will enjoy a full guided tour. At the other is the mausoleum housing the embalmed body of Mao Tse-Dong. Dinner this evening is in a popular local restaurant.
Yong An Hotel
No 5A North Road
Beijing
Ph: 0011-86-10-65011188
Fx: 65015634
14/06/2012 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.
15/06/2012 Beijing (BLD)
Streets of old Beijing
Today is our last in Beijing and we spend much of it in the fascinating old part of the city, known as the Hutong, which we explore by cycle rickshaw.
We have lunch in the home of a typical Chinese family and in the afternoon there is time to shop for bargains at the Silk Markets.
16/06/2012 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.
17/06/2012 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.
18/06/2012 Dugana - Ulaan Baatar (BLD)
Mongolian Philharmonic Orchestra
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. After lunch we drive back to Ulaan Baatar and check into our hotel. 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
19/06/2012 Depart Ulaan Baatar - Moscow (BL)
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. After lunch we transfer to the railway station for our journey to Russia.
Depart Ulaan Baatar Train 5, 13.50
The train heads north towards the Mongolian border town of Sukhe Bator, arriving early in the evening.
20/06/2012 Onboard the Trans-Siberian Express
Lake Baikal
This morning we pass through beautiful mountain scenery laced with conifer forest before the train skirts the edge of magnificent Lake Baikal. The mountains and small decorative Russian houses provide a beautiful backdrop before the train rolls into Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia.
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21/06/2012 Onboard the Trans-Siberian Express
The Trans-Siberian is the
busiest railroad in the world
The train pushes inexorably towards Moscow, passing through famous cities such as Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg, where Tsar Nicholas and his family were executed.
22/06/2012 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, marking the border of Asia and Europe. We are now 1,777 km from Moscow.
23/06/2012 Arrive Moscow (D)
St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
Arrive Moscow 16.42
Finally, the train rolls into Yaroslavsky Station at the end of its momentous journey. On arrival in the magnificent Russian capital, we transfer to our hotel.
Panorama Hotel
4 Masterkova Ul
Moscow
Ph: 0011-7-495-7887272
Fx:
24/06/2012 Moscow (BLD)
Inside the Kremlin walls
Our tour of stunning Moscow begins with a morning in the famous Kremlin. We also visit the great Armoury Museum, which houses Russia's crown jewels including a fabulous collection of Faberge eggs. After lunch we explore some of the palatial stations of Moscow's extraordinary underground system.
25/06/2012 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.
26/06/2012 Moscow (BLD)
Red Square
Today we walk along Arbat Street, Moscow's famous pedestrian mall, with its busy market stalls, street performers and fine shops and cafes.
27/06/2012 Depart Moscow - Singapore (B)
Singapore Airlines
This afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to Singapore.
Depart Moscow Singapore Airlines SQ 61, 15.20
28/06/2012 Singapore - Australia
Arrive Singapore 05.45
In Singapore we connect with the flight to our chosen Australian city.
TOUR INFORMATION
Tour Fitness Level: Moderate
JUNE 2012 DEPARTURE:
TOUR COST: $7,997
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,450
INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:
* All flights between Australia and Beijing/Moscow and Australia
* All accommodation (twin-share)
* All ticketable air taxes (may be subject to change)
* All transfers
* All train travel to Moscow (quad-share)
* All meals as specified
* All local guides throughout
* Travel Directors tour escort
* All entrance fees in specified sightseeing
* All tips and gratuities
* All visas and courier fees
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 escorted tours are based on a minimum group size of 10 people travelling.
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