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Itinerary

Day 1. Hong Kong – the adventure begins

Join your fellow group members and Group Leader for a welcome drink and Pre Departure Meeting at our hotel. This evening explore Hong Kong ‘by night’ with your Group Leader and sample some of its famous cuisine at one of the city’s 6,000 restaurants.

Day 2. Hong Kong & to Xian

This morning we enjoy an orientation tour of Hong Kong visiting Victoria Harbour, Wanchai, Victoria Peak and Aberdeen village. After lunch we transfer to the airport for our 2-hour flight to Xian: gateway to the ancient Silk Road.

Day 3. Xian – Gateway to the Silk Road

Xian; the great capital of ancient Cathay, the glittering city of fabled wealth at the end of the ‘Golden Journey’ – the Silk Road travelled by Marco Polo. Today we visit one of China’s greatest historical sites: the 3,000 year old tomb of Qin Shiuang, unifier of China and founder of the Qin dynasty (221-206B.C.). Surrounding his tomb is the extraordinary buried army of some 6,000 life-sized pottery figures – soldiers, horses, chariots and weapons – the Terra-cotta Army.  This evening Xian’s incredible history is brought to life as we experience the Tang Dynasty Banquet and cultural show.

Day 4. Xian

Our sightseeing continues today as we explore Xian; its ancient city walls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Great Mosque and Muslim quarter and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum – one of China’s best.

Day 5. Beijing – Imperial and modern capital

10 soldiers marching abreast to be posted on the wall in defence of the civilized world and it’s capital, Beijing. To appreciate that claim, during our stay in Beijing, we not only visit the Great Wall but the Temple of Heaven, the Ming Tombs, the Gate of Heavenly Peace and Tiananmen Square. And the fabulous Imperial Palace from which the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty governed China 500 years ago: The Forbidden City. This evening we enjoy the famous local delicacy – Peking Duck.

Day 6. The Great Wall of China

Today we enjoy an excursion to the Great Wall of China. ‘The Wall’ stretches 10,000 Li across the distant hills – built as the ultimate defence against the Mongol invaders from the north. Our sightseeing includes the Sacred Road and the tombs of the Ming Dynasty Emperors.

Day 7. Beijing

Our sightseeing continues with the Temple of Heaven, The Lama Temple and a visit to one of the traditional Hutongs: the old residential areas of Beijing. This evening we enjoy a traditional Chinese cultural performance.

Day 8. To Ulaanbaatar – the world’s most remote capital city

We join our flight north over the Great Wall and across the Gobi Desert to the remote capital of Mongolia – Ulaanbaatar. Bounded by Lake Baikal to the north and the Great Wall to the south is the Mongolian Plateau and the Gobi Desert. This was the homeland of the brilliant, tough, well-drilled horsemen who, for over 500 years from the 13th century, plundered and occupied lands and cities from the Yellow River to the Danube. Theirs is a history of incredible acquisition and of towering personalities thundering across Asia; among them Genghis Khan, founder of the Empire and Kublai Khan, overlord of China, convert to Buddhism, the Great Khan, host to Marco Polo. This evening we enjoy a traditional Mongolian cultural performance.

Day 9. Terelj National Park

Today we transfer to Terelj National Park; our accommodation for the night is the traditional round tents (Gers) of the Mongolian nomads, set amongst the beautiful alpine scenery of the national park. Our Ger-stay is one of the great highlights of the journey and we have the opportunity to sample some of the traditional food and drink of Mongolia. Enjoy a walk through the countryside to Turtle Rock, relax at camp and enjoy the scenery.

Day 10. Aboard the Trans Mongolian to Siberia

This morning we return to Ulaanbaatar and visit the National History Museum of Mongolia and the Gandan Hiid Monastery, which provides an insight into the religious beliefs of the Mongolians – who are predominantly Buddhist. This afternoon we board the Trans Mongolian Railway for the overnight journey to Ulan Ude in Siberia. We quickly settle into life on board; our comfortable twin-berth compartments offer ample space and a relaxing ambience. Our carriage crew quickly has us organised and they welcome us on board with a glass of Russian champagne. There is anticipation and excitement as the train journey begins and we leave Ulaanbaatar for the almost 6200 kilometre journey to Moscow. The train follows the Selenge River north across the Mongolian Steppe towards the Russian border.

Day 11. Welcome to Siberia

Founded as a Cossack military outpost over 350 years ago, the first Trans Siberian train reached Irkutsk in 1898. Gold had been discovered a few years earlier and the city boomed, at one time being known as the ‘Paris of Siberia’ due to its fine merchants houses, municipal buildings and well stocked shops. Today, Irkutsk still exudes a certain time-worn charm with its wide boulevards and interesting mix of architecture. We enjoy a revealing insight of the city’s history during our sightseeing program before continuing to Lake Baikal and our overnight stay in a comfortable guesthouse.

Day 12. Lake Baikal

For a land as vast and extreme as Siberia it is only fitting that it should contain the world’s deepest freshwater lake – Baikal, whose crystal clear waters stretch over 600 kilometres to the north, up to 80 kilometres wide and almost 2 kilometres deep. Lake Baikal contains 20% of earth’s fresh surface water and is home to hundreds of unique animal and plant species. Here is a vast, natural paradise; frozen to a depth of up to one metre during the harsh winter months, while during the summer, bathers brave the still very cold waters for its promised health benefits!

Days 13-14. Across Siberia – ‘The Sleeping Land’

Today we return to Irkutsk and board the train across Siberia towards Moscow – 5000 kilometres and 5 times zones away. A short Siberian summer’s night, lulled by the ever mechanical rhythms of train and track, passes to expose a daybreak of fir forests and wild flowers, homely cottage gardens and a thousand and one signs of hardy lives and simple means. The train draws into Omsk almost casually on time.

Day 15. Omsk and to Europe

Situated on the banks of the Om and the north-flowing Irtysh River, Omsk is famous today for its lively riviera, pleasing architecture and its opera theatre. We have time to enjoy this city before boarding our train once more and travelling to the city of Ekaterinburg.

Day 16. Murder and mystery

Founded in 1723 by Peter the Great and named after his wife, Catherine, Ekaterinburg has an intriguing and bloody history. It is the site of the murder of the Romanov family in 1918 – that ushered in the Communist era as well as the site where Gary Powers’ ‘spy plane’ was shot down from the sky. On our city tour we will take in some of the history in the home town of Boris Yeltsin, Russia’s first President.

Day 17. Trans Siberian Railway

A morning departure and farewell to Asia as we cross the Urals and enter Europe aboard the train to Moscow. As we boom over the steel bridges spanning Siberia’s nerve system of 5,000 rivers, the flickering silvers and greens of the birch forests speed past drawing us ever closer to Moscow

Day 18. Moscow

Moscow will amaze you. At its heart lie the ancient fortified grounds of the Kremlin – the fabled palace-fort of gilded domes and the exquisite collection of royal treasures in the stunning Armoury Chamber; the Cathedral of the Assumption where Tsars were crowned, the Bell Tower and the Faberge jewels and icons. Beyond the Kremlin’s high walls lie Red Square and the splendid twirled cupolas of St Basils Cathedral. Beneath the city lies the palatial metro rail system draped in chandeliers, mosaics and baroque bas-reliefs. This evening we enjoy a traditional performance in one of Moscow’s many theatres.

Day 19. Moscow

Our sightseeing program continues this morning, before joining the afternoon express rail service north to St Petersburg.

Day 20. St Petersburg

“The united magnificence of all of the cities of Europe are but its equal.” – so said Voltaire. St Petersburg is indeed a unique treasure-house of 18th century architecture and the city that best displays the Russian genius for museums. Our sightseeing today includes the Peter and Paul Fortress, St Isaacs Cathedral, Palace Square and the former Winter Palace, now the Hermitage Museum.  This is one of the world’s greatest art collections with works of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso and a hundred other great masters. A visit to St Petersburg would not be complete without experiencing a performance at one of the city’s beautiful theatres.

Day 21. St Petersburg

Beyond the city lies the fabulous summer palaces and residences of the tsars and the Imperial Court, the most magnificent being the palace of Peter the Great at Petrodvorets. The gilded rooms and extensive gardens and unique fountain complex offer an insight into the life of the Russian royal family. This evening we enjoy a special farewell dinner, a chance to reflect and reminisce with your fellow travellers the incredible adventure that is the Trans Mongolian Railway.

Day 22. Journey’s end

An incredible journey in just 3 weeks – so many new and extraordinary places have been visited, and all will be long remembered and greatly treasured.

Dates and Rates

Premium Carriage 2011

Deluxe Carriage 2011

Essentials

Group Size

25 maximum (15 Premium, 10 Deluxe), plus your Group Leader

Accommodation

Premium or Deluxe Rail Carriages – 6 nights (twin compartments)

Premium Hotels – 12 nights (twin share)

Traditional Mongolian Ger – 1 night (twin share)

Siberian Guesthouse – 2 nights (twin share)

Meals

Many meals are included while on tour. We include a number of special regional cuisine experiences to  ensure you enjoy a taste of the traditional flavours of the countries visited. Note: While onboard the train some meals are provided when a dining car is available.

Breakfast (19), Lunch (8), Dinner (9)

Transportation

Private Rail Carriages; choose between Premium or Deluxe.

Premium - twin lower berths with shared shower & toilet facilities.

Deluxe – lower double bed with additional upper berth & private ensuite shower and toilet.

Flights: Hong Kong – Xian – Beijing – Ulaanbaatar

Comfortable Private Coach for all scheduled sightseeing excursions and transfers while on tour.

Public transport and on foot for optional City Exploring with your Group Leader

Sightseeing

Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guides.

Hong Kong: City tour to Victoria Harbour, Wanchai, Victoria Peak and Aberdeen village.

Xian: City tour, Terracotta Warriors, City walls, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Great Mosque & Muslim Quarter, Shaanxi Provincial Museum and Tang Dynasty Banquet.

Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Great Wall of China, Hutong district and cultural performance.

Ulaanbaatar: National History Museum, Zaisan Memorial, Gandan Hiid

Monastery, Terelj National Park and cultural performance

Irkutsk (Siberia): City tour, Lake Baikal, Limnological Museum, Wooden Architecture Museum, and Listvyanka village.

Omsk: City tour.

Ekaterinburg: City Tour, Mineralogical Museum, Europe/Asia Obelisk, Romanov Memorial

Moscow: City tour, St.Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin & Armoury Chamber, Metro tour and cultural performance.

St.Petersburg: City tour, St.Isaac’s Cathedral, Palace Square, Hermitage Museum, Summer Palace (Petrodvorets) and cultural performance.

Visas

Required for China, Mongolia & Russia. Sundowners Overland will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.