Begin by walking the Great Wall of China. Then ride the rails north, far across the vast expanses of the Gobi Desert. Still farther on, we find a city where Islamic and Orthodox architecture stands side by side. In the distance, we discover Russia’s two grandest cities.
"This is a trip of a lifetime that started off in Beijing enjoying the energy of the city & its people and climbing the Great Wall. The vastness of Mongolia & the Ger experience provided an understanding of the culture of the nomadic people. Russia is magnificent country of culture and charm of its people broadens your horizons. What a stunning adventure. Made even better by our Tour Leader. We can do this all over again." Warwick & Bernadette, Sydney, Australia
Day 1: Beijing
Follow smoky, spicy aromas off Beijing’s neon strips and get acquainted with the capital through its food and the people who gather to
cook and eat it. After tasting contemporary culture, perhaps people watch in Tiananmen Square or slip back in time with a visit to the
ancient Forbidden City.
Join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers this evening as final preparations are made for your departure. Please meet your Tour
Leader at 5:00pm for your Welcome Meeting as detailed on your Joining Instructions.
Day 2: Beijing
Beyond the city we take an unforgettable walk on the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu.
Sightseeing - Excursion to the Great Wall at Mutianyu Optional activity: Evening cultural performance.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 3: Trans Mongolian Railway
Board an early morning departure on the Trans Mongolian Railway and observe the villages and fields of northern China slip away as we
head north. As the sun sets we’ll cross the Gobi Desert bound for the Mongolian border, and its quirky yet friendly capital of
Ulaanbaatar.
Meals - Boxed breakfast
Day 4: Ulaanbaatar
The scenery as we approach Ulaanbaatar is impressive. The train winds around tight bends to provide excellent photo opportunities.
Finally the capital appears, set amid endless grassy steppes.
Sightseeing - National History museum and Sukhbaatar Square
Day 5: To Terelj National Park
After breakfast, we visit the Zaisan Memorial from which the entire city is visible, as well as the country’s largest remaining monastery,
Gaandan Khiid, where you can mingle with Buddhist monks.
Later in the day we travel out across the grasslands, through the countryside that was once the home to Genghis Khan and his Golden
Horde, to the pristine Terelj National Park.
Sightseeing - Gaandan Khiid Monastery and Zaisan Memorial
Meals - Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6: Terelj National Park
This morning we awake in a Mongolian nomad ger (felt tent), amongst spectacular rock formations and wild rolling hills. Living among
nomadic families and their grazing livestock we can explore nearby valleys or just relax and enjoy the area.
Sightseeing - Excursion to Aryabal Monastey, Turtle Rock and visit a local nomadic family.
Meals - Breakfast & dinner
Day 7: Ulaanbaatar and across Mongolia
We return to Ulaanbaatar where you have the opportunity to further explore this fascinating city before boarding our overnight train to
Siberia.
Sightseeing - See the enormous Chinggis Khaan Statue.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 8: Arrive Irkutsk and to Lake Baikal
You find Irkutsk after your train trip north. It’s a charming city with a history dating from the fur and tea trading days when it began as an
isolated Cossack outpost. Aristocratic exiles from the west brought a touch of elegance with their ornately decorated wooden houses,
while Asian traders from Mongolia and China introduced a touch of the Orient.
Your train rolls into Irkutsk Station late afternoon. From here you will drive to the nearby lakeside village of Listvyanka, where you will
spend the next two nights. This is a perfect spot to pause and relax.
Meals - Dinner
Day 9: Lake Baikal
Today we will enjoy our time in Listvyanka on the shores of the world’s deepest freshwater lake, Baikal. Here we have time to explore
the village with its traditional houses, Limnological Museum and spectacular landscapes.
Sightseeing - Limnological Museum
Meals - Breakfast
Day 10: Irkutsk and aboard the Trans Siberian Railway
Upon our return from Lake Baikal we will embark on a walking tour where you will discover the city’s wonderful historic sights – 18
century churches, bright painted shutters and log houses decorated with intricate wooden lacework.
Late this evening we join the Trans Siberian Railway! We head west pausing briefly at stations - Novosibirsk, Omsk and Yekaterinburg
among them – riding the rails of the world-famous Trans Siberian Railway en route for Kazan.
Sightseeing - Walking City Tour including Local History Museum.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 11: Trans Siberian Railway
Life on board is a destination in itself! Mingle, learn some new phrases, or practice those you have learned on the locals over the
mandatory vodka.
Day 12: Trans Siberian Railway
When your train pulls into the many stations along the way hop off and sample the fresh local snacks from the Babushkas selling their
homemade goodies and fresh produce from the platform.
Day 13: Welcome to Kazan
This afternoon we arrive in one of Russia’s most progressive cities – the capital of the Tatarstan Republic within Russia, where orthodox
and Islamic cultures meet.
Day 14: Kazan and onto Moscow
Built on the intersection of two rivers, Kazan has endured a tumultuous history, in 1553 Ivan the Terrible took it from the Golden Horde
and the city under went a process of Russification. Today Tatars, the descendants of the Golden Horde, make up about 43% of the
population, maintain their own language as well as culture, and are very proud of their history.
Today you can soak in the history and culture of this wonderful city on a full day tour with a local guide including a visit to the UNESCO
World Heritage Listed Kazan Kremlin before we board our overnight train to Moscow.
Sightseeing - City Tour including the Kazan Kremlin
Meals - Breakfast
Day 15: Hello Moscow!
Welcome to Moscow! This city will amaze you, its palaces and public buildings restored to their former glory. The echoing vastness of
Red Square, the splendid twirled cupolas of St. Basil’s across the cobblestones.
Sightseeing - City Tour including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral. Optional activity: Cultural evening performance
Day 16: Moscow
Today we can explore the Kremlin itself, where we go behind its walls to visit the Armoury Chamber with its vast array of treasures.
Sightseeing - Kremlin excursion including the Armoury Chambers, City Exploring and free time.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 17: Moscow and to Velikiy Novgorod
Enjoy the day in Moscow exploring the city. Head underground to see the palatial, chandelier-draped metro, people watch on Arbat
Street or wander the recently opened Zaryadye Park and take in the breathtaking views of the Kremlin. Returning to the station late in
the evening, we board our train to Velikiy Novgorod.
Sightseeing - City Exploring and free time.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 18: Velikiy Novgorod
Welcome to Veliky Novgorod, one of Russia's most important historical cities. Novgorod lies along the Volkhov River which once
featured as the main waterway for medieval trade between the Varangians and the Greeks.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city boasts a number of great sights to visit and unique architecture. Visit the stone Cathedral of
St. Sophia which was built by Vladimir of Novgorod in the 11th century and view its impressive 5 domes at 38 metres high. See Russia's
oldest palace, bell tower and clock tower which are located within the Novgorod Kremlin. The entire city acts as a museum, offering
plenty of opportunity to delve into Russia's history.
Sightseeing - Kremlin Complex including St Sopia Cathedral & Museum of Wooden Architecture Vitoslavitsy
Meals - Breakfast
Day 19: Welcome to St. Petersburg!
This morning we depart on the final leg of our epic journey to St Petersburg.
It is the city on the water, the ‘Venice of the North’, standing resplendent on the delta of the Neva River. Our City Tour will reveal the
city’s other great secrets including St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the enormous Palace Square.
Sightseeing - Half Day Tour including Peter and Paul Cathedral Day, City Exploring and free time.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 20: St. Petersburg
Further explore this luxurious city with richly filled palaces and museums, wide boulevards and Venice-like canals, and the greatest art
collection of all, at the Hermitage.
Sightseeing - City Tour including Hermitage Museum and Palace Square, City Exploring and free time Optional Activity: Cultural evening
performance.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 21: St. Petersburg
Our adventure has drawn to a close. Say farewell to your travelling companions and tour leader before departing your hotel this
morning.
Meals - Breakfast
Journey Summary
Day 1 Beijing - journey begins
Day 2 Beijing
Day 3 Depart to Ulaanbaatar Early morning departure
Day 4 Arrive Ulaanbaatar Afternoon arrival
Day 5 To Terelj National Park
Day 6 Terelj National Park
Day 7 Return to Ulaanbaatar and depart to Irkutsk Afternoon departure
Day 8 Arrive Irkutsk and to Lake Baikal Afternoon arrival
Day 9 Lake Baikal
Day 10 Return to Irkutsk and depart to Kazan Late evening departure
Day 11 Onboard train
Day 12 Onboard train
Day 13 Arrive Kazan Afternoon arrival
Day 14 Kazan and depart to Moscow Evening departure
Day 15 Arrive Moscow Morning arrival
Day 16 Moscow
Day 17 Moscow and depart to Velikiy Novgorod Late evening departure
Day 18 Velikiy Novgorod
Day 19 To St Petersburg Morning train
Day 20 St Petersburg
Day 21 St Petersburg - journey concludes
Prices are per person (pp) in NZD, twin share based on lead in season. All care is taken to promote correct pricing at time of publication but is dependent upon availability and will be confirmed at time of reservation. Valid for sale until sold out. Airfares not included unless specified. Offers are subject to availability and can change without notification due to fluctuations in charges and currency. Credit card surcharges apply. Supplied by Sundowners Overland. For full terms and conditions please contact a World Travellers consultant.
