| Day: |
Description: |
| 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 it’s famous cuisine at one of the city’s 6,000 restaurants. |
| 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. |
| 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 traveled 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 defense against the Mongol invaders from the north. Our sightseeing includes the Sacred Road and the tombs of the Ming Dynasty Emperors. |
| 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. |
| 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. On arrival 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. |
| 9 |
Terelj National Park
Enjoy a walk through the countryside to Turtle Rock, relax at camp and enjoy a display of the traditional Mongolian skills of archery, horsemanship & wrestling. In the afternoon we return to Ulaanbaatar and visit the National History Museum of Mongolia. This evening we enjoy a traditional Mongolian cultural performance. |
| 10 |
Aboard the Trans Mongolian Railway to Siberia
Our sightseeing this morning includes 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. |
| 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 comfortableguesthouse. |
| 11 |
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! This afternoon we return to Irkutsk and board the train across Siberia to Omsk. |
| 13-14 |
Across Siberia – 'The Sleeping Land'
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. |
| 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 for the Asia-Europe border, which we will have an opportunity to see shortly before arriving in Ekaterinburg. |
| 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 inone of Moscow’s many theatres. |
| 19 |
Moscow
Our sightseeing program continues this morning, before joining the afternoon express rail service north to St Petersburg. |
| 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. |
| 21 |
St Petersburg
Founded as a Cossack military outpost over 350 years ago, the first Trans-Siberian trainBeyond 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 travelers the incredible adventure that is the Trans Mongolian Railway.(Special commemorative certificates and group photographs will be provided to all tour members.) |
| 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. |
A Grand-Journey from the great far-east port of Hong Kong to the fabled city of Xian; gateway to The Silk Road and on to China’s Imperial Capital, Beijing. Then North across the Gobi Desert to the heart of Mongolia, where you will experience life in the traditional Mongolian Ger before boarding the train for an extraordinary rail adventure to the center of Siberia and beyond!
