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in this beautiful town known as the "Paris of Siberia". On our walking tour you will discover the citys wonderful historic sights. We journey to Lake Baikal and time to visit the village of Listvyanka with its traditional houses and beautiful wooden church and nearby Limnological Museum There is a chance to walk along the lakeshore and for the adventurous - a swim! Returning from the lake we stop at the Museum of Wooden Architecture to gain an insight into the traditional lives of Siberian people. In the evening we bid farewell to Siberia as we board the train for Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Day 15. On board the Trans Mongolian We settle into life on board, enjoying the company of our fellow passengers and a picnic in our cabin. The train arrives at Naushki, the Russian border town where formalities are completed, and then continue across no-man's land to Sukhbaatar where Mongolian officials board the train before we journey on to Ulaanbaatar. Day 16. Arrive Ulaanbaatar Bounded by Lake Baikal to the north and the Great Wall to the south is the Mongolian Plateau and 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. At daybreak, classic scenes of traditional nomadic life greet us as the train winds impressively across the Mongolian Steppe and into the capital. Ulaanbaatar is a contradiction - a metropolis amid endless grass steppes, with donkeys and motorbikes, concrete apartment blocks and traditional gers. Days 17-19. Ulaanbaatar & the Mongolian Steppe After breakfast we visit the Zaisan Memorial from which the entire city is visible. Also to the countrys largest remaining monastery, Gandan Hiid where you can mingle with Buddhist monks. In the afternoon we travel out across the grasslands through the countryside where we spend a night in a traditional Mongolian nomad tent or ger set amongst spectacular rock formations and wild rolling hills. Among nomadic families and their grazing livestock we can explore nearby valleys or just relax and enjoy the area. We return to Ulaanbaatar for the final night in this unusual capital. On Day 19 we return to the capital and visit Sukhbaatar Square and the National History Museum which reveals the remarkable and unique history of Mongolia. Day 20. Trans Mongolian Railway to Beijing A morning departure aboard the Beijing Express. We travel over the steppe-lands of northern Mongolia and to the south, the Gobi desert, which until the middle of this century was the only rough track across this desolate country. Day 21. Arrive Beijing As we approach the outskirts of Beijing we see our first glimpse of the Great Wall as it winds endlessly across the mountains. A mid afternoon arrival in China's capital, a thriving city which is the country's political, economic and culture centre. Days 22-23. Beijing A day of discovery; Tiananmen Square and Mao's Mausoleum and the history and significance of the Temple of Heaven set in beautiful parks. In the afternoon we have the option of visiting the astonishing Forbidden City with its moated complex of superb awe-inspiring Halls, Palaces and Gates. Our sightseeing continues with an excursion to the Great Wall. Built to defend the civilised world from the fierce and capable Mongol horsemen, the Wall stretches 10,000 Li across China's mountainous northern frontier. Day 24. Beijing Our sightseeing today takes us to the hutongs and Lama Temple. This afternoon we join our overnight train to Xian. Days 25-26. Xian A full day as we explore the old city walls, the Bell and Drum towers, Little Goose Pagoda and the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. The city still captures the romance of its rich imperial past and the glories of the Silk Road. Beyond the city the highlight of our stay is the entombed Terracotta Warriors - over 6,000 life-sized figures. (End Beijing: If finishing in Beijing your program ends after breakfast on Day 25). Day 27. On Board Train This morning we board the train to Guangzhou, travelling south through the ever-changing landscape of southern China, towards the gateway to the great South China Sea. Day 28 Arrive Guangzhou There is plenty to see in Guangzhou - the famous Qing Ping market, and Chen's Temple to name but two of the possibilities. On our final evening together we take time to reflect on our epic journey as it nears completion. Day 29. To Hong Kong With nearly 12,000 kilometres behind us, and the memories of the world's greatest rail journey fresh in our minds, we travel to Hong Kong. This destination marks the end of our Trans Mongolian odyssey, and we say our farewells upon arrival in this former British colony.
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The Essentials
Group Size
15 maximum, plus Group Leader.
Prices
Low Season
(16 Sep - 14 Apr)
Accommodation
Hotels - 14 nights (twin share) for this tour we will be using 3-4 star hotels. Mongolian Ger - 2 nights (shared) Siberian Guesthouse - 2 night (shared) Trains - 10 nights (4 berth)
GBP EUR AUD NZD USD CAD
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£3,050 ¬4,490 $7,630 $8,690 $6,090 $6,390
Meals
41 in total. Breakfast (19), lunch (11), dinner (11).
High Season
(15 Apr - 15 Sep)
Travel by
Train: Comfortable 4 berth sleepers. There are 7 rail sectors on this journey. St.Petersburg to Moscow (1 night), Moscow to Ekaterinburg (1 night), Ekaterinburg to Irkutsk (2 nights), Irkutsk to Ulaanbaatar (2 nights), Ulaanbaatar to Beijing (1 night), Beijing to Xian (1 night), Xian to Hong Kong (1 night). Other: For Scheduled Sightseeing we generally use a small minibus, and for City Exploring we use local taxis, public transport, underground metro and go on foot.
GBP EUR AUD NZD USD CAD
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£3,190 ¬4,740 $7,980 $9,160 $6,430 $6,750
Local Payment
(See Essentials)
USD - $350
2 Berth Rail
(Optional - See Essentials)
2 Berth Rail (Optional)
Available for a supplementary price only when two people book and travel together. Available on all rail sectors between Beijing and St.Petersburg.
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GBP EUR AUD NZD USD CAD
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£860 ¬1,270 $2,155 $2,455 $1,720 $1,810
Sightseeing
Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guide. This journey enjoys a greater number of included sights that others within this brochure. St.Petersburg: City tour, St.Isaacs Cathedral, Peter & Paul Fortress, Palace Square, Hermitage Museum, Summer Palace (Petrodvorets), cultural performance. Moscow: City tour, St.Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin, Armoury Chamber, Metro tour, cultural performance. Ekaterinburg: City tour, Mineralogical Museum and Europe/Asia Obelisk. Irkutsk (Siberia): City tour, Museum of Wooden Architecture, Limnological Museum, Lake Baikal. Ulaanbaatar: Zaisan Memorial, National History Museum, Gandan Hiid Monastery, Terelj National Park, cultural performance. Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Great Wall, cultural performance. Xian: Terracotta Warriors, cultural performance. Guangzhou: Chens Temple, Qing Ping Market. City Exploring is further sightseeing outside the itinerary guideline but with the Group Leader.
Dates
St.Petersburg to Hong Kong
(code TMCS) 2008 Start 03 May 08 Jun 28 Jun 10 Aug 31 Aug 14 Sep 2009 Start 01 May 12 Jun 27 Jun 09 Aug 30 Aug 13 Sep Finish 31 May 06 July 26 July 07 Sep 28 Sep 12 Oct
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Finish 29 May 10 July 25 July 06 Sep 27 Sep 11 Oct
Hong Kong to St.Petersburg
(code TMCH) 2008 Start 08 Apr 22 Apr 13 May 20 May 23 Jun Finish 05 May 19 May 09 Jun 16 Jun 20 July
Reverse Itinerary Hong Kong to St.Petersburg (28 days) Beijing to St.Petersburg (24 days)
St. Petersburg Moscow
RUSSIA Lake Baikal Ekaterinburg Irkutsk Ulaanbaatar MONGOLIA Beijing CHINA Xian
Hong Kong
Day 1 - Join Hong Kong Day 2 - Depart to Xian Day 3 - Arrive Xian Day 4 - Xian Day 5 - To Beijing Day 6 - Arrive Beijing Day 7 - Beijing Day 8 - Beijing Day 9 - To Ulaanbaatar Day 10 - Arrive Ulaanbaatar Day 11 - Ulaanbaatar and Terelj Day 12 - Terelj Day 13 - Ulaanbaatar Day 14 - Trans Siberian Railway Day 15 - Arrive Irkutsk Day 16 - Lake Baikal Day 17 - To Ekaterinburg Day 18 - Trans Siberian Railway Day 19 - Arrive Ekaterinburg Day 20 - Ekaterinburg Day 21 - To Moscow Day 22 - Arrive Moscow Day 23 - Moscow Day 24 - To St.Petersburg Day 25 - Arrive St.Petersburg Day 26 - St.Petersburg Day 27 - St.Petersburg Day 28 - St.Petersburg
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Local Payment
Your Local Payment is the final balance payment of your tour price and is to be paid directly to your Group Leader at the Pre Departure Meeting on day 1 of your tour. The Local Payment is utilised by your Group Leader to pay for various locally provided services.
01 July - 28 July
Naadam Festival. A surcharge of US$150 applies to this departures
Visas
Required for China, Mongolia & Russia. Sundowners will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.
15 July 18 Aug 01 Sep 15 Sep 03 Oct 2009 Start 10 Apr 24 Apr 15 May 22 May 23 Jun 05 July 20 July 18 Aug 01 Sep 15 Sep 05 Oct
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11 Aug 14 Sep 28 Sep 12 Oct 30 Oct
Trip Dossier
Our trip dossier provides further information about this journey and is available on request. Call Sundowners or your travel agent, or visit www.sundownersoverland.com
Note
Due to seasonal rail schedules a flight from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar, or vice versa, may be required for departures which coincide with Mongolias Naadam Festival.
Finish - 07 May 21 May - 11 Jun 18 Jun - 20 July - 01 Aug 16 Aug 14 Sep - 28 Sep - 12 Oct - 01 Nov
Underlined dates correspond with the Beijing Olympics see page 66 for details
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