Check-in at your chosen Australian airport for the flight to Beijing, via Singapore.

Depart Singapore Singapore Airlines SQ 800, 01.10

Arrive Beijing 07.20

After completing customs and immigration formalities we transfer to our hotel. After check-in, the rest of the morning is at leisure. After lunch we take a city tour and in the evening have dinner at a local restaurant.

         Beijing International Hotel
       No 5 Jian Guo men Wei Avenue
       Beijing
       Ph: 0011-86-10-65126688
       Fx:                  65129972

After breakfast we head out of Beijing for a full day sightseeing. We visit the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu where we enjoy an exclusive picnic lunch on one of the watchtowers of the wall.

In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Forbidden City. 

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. Lunch will be in the home of a typical Chinese family and in the afternoon we have time to shop for bargains at the Silk Markets. Dinner is on the 28th floor of our hotel in the Starshine revolving restaurant, which affords spectacular night views of Beijing.

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.

This morning we travel through the rolling grassy steppes which stretch 1000 kms north to south and 2500 kms 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 13.50

On arrival in Ulaan Baatar we drive to the delightful ger camp in the Dugana National Park. This beautiful area of the Gobi is a paradise for nature lovers.

We return to Ulaan Baatar today and transfer to our hotel. In the evening there will be the chance to attend a beautiful folk show.

         Bayangol Hotel
       28 Chingis Khan Avenue
       Ulaan Baatar
       Ph: 0011-976-11-312255
       Fx:                    326880

We explore Ulaan Baatar today, visiting the Gandan Monastery and the excellent History Museum. We also drive up to the hills, which afford 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 this evening.

This morning we pass through beautiful mountain scenery laced with conifer forest. The train skirts the shore of magnificent Lake Baikal. The mountains and small, decorative Russian houses provide a beautiful backdrop before the train rolls into Irkutsk. On arrival we transfer to our hotel.

Arrive Irkutsk 14.55

       Hotel Intourist
       44 Gagarin Boulevard
       Irkutsk 664055
       Ph: 0011-7-3952-290168
       Fx: 0011-7-3952-290162

This morning we drive out of Irkutsk to mighty Lake Baikal. Some 40 million years old, 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 awesome. Its coastline also boasts some breathtaking scenery.

After lunch we transfer to Irkutsk railway station and board the legendary Trans-Siberian Express.

Depart Irkutsk Train 9, 16.10

Now is the time to sit back, relax and watch the world go by.

The train pushes inexorably towards Moscow, passing through famous cities such as Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg, where the last Tzar and his family were executed.

The train cuts through the foothills of the Ural Mountains and we pass the famous obelisk, marking the border of Asia and Europe.

Arrive Moscow 16.42

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
       Ph: 0011-7-495-9335656
       Fx:                  9335683

We spend the morning in the Kremlin and visit the great Armoury Museum, which houses Russia's crown jewels. After lunch we explore some of the palatial stations of Moscow's famous underground system.

This morning we walk into Red Square and visit the extraordinary St Basil's Cathedral. After lunch we can stroll along Arbat Street, Moscow's famous pedestrian mall, with its busy market stalls and fine shops.

Today we head 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. This estate dates back to the 14th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Singapore.

Depart Moscow Singapore Airlines SQ 375, 11.00

Arrive Singapore 05.50

Connect for the flight to your chosen Australian city.