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

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 of Beijing 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

Today we drive a short distance outside the city to the beautiful Summer Palace, which was the tranquil retreat for China's ruling dynasties during the hot months.

In the morning we visit the impressive Forbidden City. The afternoon is at leisure while dinner is at a local restaurant.

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. This evening we attend a performance of the famous Peking Opera and also enjoy Peking Roast Duck.

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 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 than 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 and adapt to almost any environment.

Arrive Ulaan Baatar 13.10

On our arrival we leave Ulaan Baatar and head north to the delightful ger camp in the Dugana National Park.

This beautiful area of the Gobi is a paradise for nature lovers. Today is completely at leisure, although there will be the opportunity to ride Mongolian horses and maybe even try your hand at archery.

Today we return to Ulaan Baatar and take a city tour, visiting the Gandan Monastery and the excellent History Museum. We also drive up to the hills, affording a spectacular view of the city in the valley below. In the evening we will have the chance to experience a hauntingly beautiful folk show.

Today we head oput to the 13th century complex of Chinggis Khan.

After breakfast we further explore this fascinating city of contrasts. In the evening we transfer to the railway station for our journey to Russia.

Depart Ulaan Baatar train 361, 19.35

The train heads towards the Mongolian border town of Sukhe Bator, arriving early the next morning.

This morning there are thorough customs and passport inspections before we proceed to the Russian border town of Naushki, 5900 kms from Moscow. 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.

Arrive Irkutsk 07.35

Early 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. On arrival we transfer to our hotel. 

         Hotel Intourist
       44 Gagarin Boulevard
       Irkutsk 664055
       Ph: 0011-7-3952-250168
       Fx:                    250162

We take a city tour today. Once known as 'The Paris of Siberia', Irkutsk dates back to 1652. 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 its own symphony orchestra.

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 includes some breathtaking scenery.

The entire day is at leisure in this beautiful city.

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

Depart Irkutsk Train 9, 16.20

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 which marks the border of Asia and Europe.

Arrive Moscow 16.42

Finally the train rolls into Yaroslavsky Station at the end of its momentous journey.

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. Dinner is at our hotel.

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.

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

On arrival we transfer to our hotel.

       Helvetia Hotel
       11 Marata St
       St Petersburg 191025
       Ph: 0011 7 812 326 5353
       Fx: 326 2009

Today we take a city tour of St Petersburg. Formerly known as Leningrad, this most European of Russian cities is the country's intellectual and cultural heart. We will enjoy such sights as St Isaac's Cathedral, the Winter Palace and Peter and Paul's Fortress, where the bodies of Tzar Nicholas and his family are interred.

Today we take the hydrofoil down the Neva River to Petrodvorets. This is the site of the magnificent Summer Palace, playground of the Tzars and Tzarinas. The beautiful gardens and fountains are comparable with the palace at Versailles, outside Paris.

This morning we visit the Winter Palace. Finished in 1762, the palace was home to the Tzars until the Russian Revolution in 1917. It now houses the Hermitage Museum, home to one of the greatest art collections in the world. 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, or shop for last-minute souvenirs. In the evening there is the opportunity to attend a traditional cossack folk show.

Depart St Petersburg Train 33, 07.28
Arrive Helsinki 12.17

Our final train journey takes us to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. On arrival we transfer to our hotel and enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the end of our momentous tour.

        Hotel Anna
        Annankatu 1
        Helsinki 00120
        Ph: 0011-358-9-616621
        Fx:                  602664

If returning to Australia immediately, your flight departs from Helsinki today.

If returning immediately from Helsinki, your flight arrives back in Australia today.

SEPTEMBER DEPARTURE:

TOUR COST: $12,247.00

INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:

• All flights between Australia and Beijing/Europe and Australia
• All accommodation
• All transfers
• All trains to Helsinki (trains between Beijing & Moscow are four-berth. Upgrade to twin berth available) 
• All meals as specified
• All local guides throughout
• Tour leader from Australia to Helsinki
• All entrance fees in specified sightseeing
• All ticketable air taxes (may be subject to change) 
• All tips and gratuities

NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR COST:

• Visas (Russian, Mongolian, Chinese)
• Insurance
• Personal expenses
• Transfer from Helsinki hotel to airport 
• Flight from Helsinki to chosen European exit point (if not going via Frankfurt)
• Any sightseeing in addition to itinerary, eg. Bolshoi Theatre/Moscow Circus
• Meals on train

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 $1000 per person at the time of booking.

All tours are based on a minimum group size of 10 people travelling.