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22 days
The Essentials
Group Size
15 maximum, plus your Group Leader
l capital, Beijing. Then north across the Gobi Desert to the heart ture to the centre of Siberia and beyond, to the magnificent cities of Moscow and St Petersburg.
Prices
AUD NZD USD CAD GBP EUR $10,770 $12,280 $8,590 $8,990 £4,290 ¬6,350
Accommodation
Private Rail Carriage 6 nights (twin share compartment/lower berths) Premium Hotels - 12 nights (twin share) Traditional Mongolian Ger 1 night (twin share) Siberian Guesthouse 2 night
Meals
Breakfast daily, with either lunch or dinner included each day. 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 meals are provided when a dining car is available. Hong Kong to St Petersburg Breakfast (20), Lunch (8), Dinner (10)
Dates shown in black below will experience Mongolias colourful national festival Naadam. A surcharge will apply to these departures to cover Naadam event entrance fees and increased operating expenses during the festival period.
Dates
Hong Kong to St.Petersburg
2008 (code TMPH)
Start Sunday 06 Apr Sunday 27 Apr Sunday 18 May Sunday 08 Jun Tuesday 03 July Finish Sunday 27 Apr Sunday 18 May Sunday 08 Jun Sunday 29 Jun Saturday 26 July
Transportation
Charter rail carriage: Twin share compartments with two lower berths. Shared toilet and shower facilities. Flights: Hong Kong - Xian - Beijing - Ulaanbaatar
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, Russias first President. Day 17. Trans Mongolian 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 Siberias 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 Kremlins 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 Moscows 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 worlds 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 citys beautiful theatres. Day 21. St Petersburg Beyond the city lie 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. (Special commemorative certificates and group photographs will be provided to all tour members.) Day 22. Journeys 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.
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
(This departure coincides with Mongolias Naadam Festival, see above. Please note a surcharge of US$470 applies to this departure)
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: Natural 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 Mem. Moscow: City tour, St.Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin & Armoury Chamber, Metro tour and cultural performance. St.Petersburg: City tour, St.Isaacs Cathedral, Palace Square, Hermitage Museum, Summer Palace (Petrodvorets) and cultural performance.
Sunday 27 July Sunday 17 Aug Sunday 07 Sep Sunday 28 Sep Sunday 19 Oct
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Sunday 17 Aug Sunday 07 Sep Sunday 28 Sep Sunday 19 Oct Sunday 09 Nov
Dates in yellow correspond with the Beijing Olympics in August 2008. See page 66 for details.
2009 (code TMPH)
Start Sunday 12 Apr Sunday 03 May Sunday 24 Jun Sunday 14 Jun Friday 03 July Finish Sunday 03 May Sunday 24 May Sunday 15 July Sunday 05 July Friday 24 July
(This departure coincides with Mongolias Naadam Festival, see above. Please note a surcharge of US$470 applies to this departure)
Sunday 02 Aug Sunday 23 Aug Sunday 13 Sep Sunday 04 Oct Sunday 25 Oct
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Sunday 23 Aug Sunday 13 Sep Sunday 04 Oct Sunday 25 Oct Sunday 15 Nov
Visas
Required for China, Mongolia & Russia. Sundowners will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.
Experience in the region
Sundowners have been offering journeys aboard the Trans Siberian & Trans Mongolian Railways for over 30 years. Our new Premium journey is the culmination of that experience combined with a level of service not previously available on such a journey.
Tour Dossier
Our Tour Dossier provides detailed information about this journey and is available on request. Call Sundowners or your travel agent, or visit www.sundownersoverland.com
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