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the life and traditions of native Siberians (Buryats and Evenks), as well as colonizers (Cossacks and Oldbelievers), Ivolginsky Datsan is a center of Buddhism in Russia. Day 17. 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 18. 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 19-20. 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 20 we return to the capital and visit Sukhbaatar Square and the National History Museum which reveals the remarkable and unique history of Mongolia. Day 21. 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 22. 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 23-24. 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. Tour the hutongs and Lama Temple before joining our overnight train to Xian. Days 25-26. Xian A full day as we explore the old city walls, the Bell and Drum towers and Little Goose Pagoda. 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. Days 27-28. Xian and overnight train A final day in this ancient capital, to visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum and Mosque before continuing our journey to Kunming. Day 29. Arrive Kunming We enter the capital of Yunnan Province, with Chinas most diverse population of minority people. Enjoy Kunmings wonderful gardens and travel to the Stone Forest where spectacular limestone pinnacles have been eroded by centuries of wind and rain. Days 30-31. To Guilin The train winds through picturesque rice plains, bringing us to Guilin in an area of delicate beauty, exquisite brushstrokes painting silver waterways through the statuesque landscape of the Li River. Aboard our river boat we emjoy spectacular views of the limestone hills that make Guilin famous. Days 32-33. Guilin and overnight train Explore Reed flute cave before preparing for our overnight train and final leg of our journey. Day 34. Arrive Hong Kong Our final destination is both colourful and bustling. We have journeyed nearly 12,000 kilometres and covered the Eurasian landmass. Our final night is full of stories and memories of our time together. Day 35. Depart Hong Kong The experience is complete, a brilliant and unforgettable experience along one of the worlds greatest journeys.
St. Petersburg Suzdal Moscow Ekaterinburg
Reverse Itinerary Hong Kong to St.Petersburg Day 1 - Hong Kong Day 2 - Hong Kong Day 3 - Guilin Day 4 - Guilin Day 5 - Kunming Day 6 - Kunming Day 7 - Kunming Day 8 - Train Day 9 - Arrive Xian Day 10 - Xian Day 11 - Xian Day 12 - Arrive Beijing Day 13 - Beijing Day 14 - Beijing Day 15 - Trans Mongolian Railway Day 16 - Arrive Ulaanbaatar Day 17 - Terelj Day 18 - Terelj Day 19 - Ulaanbaatar Day 20 - Ulan Ude Day 21 - Ulan Ude Day 22 - Irkutsk Day 23 - Lake Baikal Day 24 - Trans Siberian Railway Day 25 - Ekaterinburg Day 26 - Ekaterinburg Day 27 - Trans Siberian Railway Day 28 - Arrive Moscow Day 29 - Moscow Day 30 - Moscow Day 31 - To Vladimir Day 32 - Suzdal Day 33 - Arrive St.Petersburg Day 34 - St.Petersburg Day 35 - St.Petersburg
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The Essentials
Group Size
15 maximum, plus Group Leader.
Prices
Low Season
(16 Sep - 14 Apr)
Accommodation
Hotels - 18 nights (twin share) Mongolian Ger - 2 nights (shared) Siberian Guesthouse - 1 (shared) Trains - 13 nights (4 berth)
Meals
24 in total. Breakfast (21), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)
GBP EUR AUD NZD USD CAD
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£2,690 ¬3,990 $6,790 $7,750 $5,440 $5,720
High Season
(15 Apr - 15 Sep)
Travel by
Train: Comfortable 4 berth sleepers (day services are seat only). There are 11 rail sectors on this journey - St.Petersburg to Vladimir (1 night), Vladimir to Moscow (day service), Moscow to Ekaterinburg (1 night), Ekaterinburg to Irkutsk (2 nights), Irkutsk to Ulan Ude (1 night), Ulan Ude to Ulaanbaatar (1 night), Ulaanbaatar to Beijing (1 night), Beijing to Xian (1 night), Xian to Kunming (2 night), Kunming to Guilin (1 night), Guilin Hong to 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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£2,860 ¬4,220 $7,160 $8,160 $5,730 $5,990
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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. St.Petersburg: City tour, Palace Square, Hermitage Museum. Golden Ring: City tours of Suzdal and Vladimir. Moscow: City tour, St.Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin and Armoury Chamber. Irkutsk (Siberia): Walking tour of city, Museum of Wooden Architecture, Lake Baikal, Limnological Museum. Ulan Ude: Ivolginsk Monastery, Ethnographic Museum. Ulaanbaatar: Zaisan Memorial, National History Museum, Gandan Hiid Monastery, Terelj National Park. Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall. Xian: Terracotta Warriors. Kunming: Stone Forest. Guilin: Reed Flute Cave, Li River Cruise and Yangshou. City Exploring is further sightseeing outside the itinerary guideline with the Group Leader.
Dates
St.Petersburg to Hong Kong
(code TMGS) 2008 Start 11 Apr 09 May 14 Jun 18 July 08 Aug 12 Sep 2009 Start 10 Apr 08 May 13 Jun 17 July 07 Aug 11 Sep Finish 14 May 11 Jun 17 July 20 Aug 10 Sep 15 Oct
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Finish 13 May 10 Jun 16 July 19 Aug 09 Sep 14 Oct
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Hong Kong to St.Petersburg
(code TMGH) 2008 Start 15 Apr 29 Apr 31 May 24 Jun 08 July 19 July 02 Sep 16 Sep 2009 Start 18 Apr 02 Apr 30 May 23 Jun 07 July 21 July 02 Sep 16 Sep Finish 19 May 02 Jun 04 July 28 July 11 Aug 22 Aug 06 Oct 20 Oct
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.
Visas
Required for China, Mongolia & Russia. Sundowners will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.
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Experience in the region
Sundowners ran its first journey in 1973 and every Sundowners staff member has travelled this route either from personal experience, staff training or as a group leader. Our Trans Siberian and Trans Mongolian experience is unquestioned and 2007 marks our 34th anniversary of this epic journey.
RUSSIA Lake Baikal Irkutsk Ulan Ude M O N G O L Ulaanbaatar IA Beijing CHINA Xian
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Finish 22 May 06 May 03 July 27 July 10 Aug 24 Aug 06 Oct 20 Oct
Trip Dossier
Our dossier provides further information about this journey and is available on request: Call Sundowners or your agent, or visit www.sundownersoverland.com
Kunming
Guilin Hong Kong
Underlined dates correspond with the Beijing Olympics & some schedules & accommodation may be adjusted. For full details contact Sundowners.
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