TRANS MONGOLIA & SIBERIA

30 Days / 28 Nights
Escorted and departing ex Perth Monday 28 August 2006

Monday 28 August: Perth to Kuala Lumpur
Home pick-up will be provided to your Malaysia Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur , where there will be short transit.

Tuesday 29 August: Kuala Lumpur to Beijing
Our journey continues shortly after midnight and with arrival into Beijing at 6.30am. We'll be met on arrival and transferred to the Grand View Garden Hotel, for immediate occupancy. You can relax for the remainder of today then, this evening, we will have dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Wednesday 30 August: Beijing - Sightseeing
This morning we will visit Tien An Men Square, the largest square in the world. It's bounded by the Southern Gate (south), immense government buildings (east and west) and the Imperial Palace , or Forbidden City (north); and in the middle is the mausoleum to ex-Chairman Mao. After sightseeing, we cross the road and make our way to the magnificent Forbidden City . After strolling around the grounds and viewing the sights of this glorious structure, we pause for lunch, then make our way to the Temple of Heaven . Afterwards, by way of a complete change, we will visit Hongqiao Pearl Market. Tonight's dinner will be at a local restaurant. (B/L/D)

Thursday 31 August: Beijing - Sightseeing
This morning we will set foot on the " Great Wall of China ." This amazing wall stretches for 6,700kms across northern China and dates back 2,000 years. It was constructed (and improved upon) by various emperors as a means of holding back the Mongol hordes. We then proceed to the Ming Tombs, a vast area given to the preservation of a long line of Ming emperors. Lunch will be provided along the way, but be sure to save some space as tonight we'll be experiencing a Peking Duck Dinner. (B/L/D)

Friday 1 September: Beijing - Sightseeing
We head out this morning to visit the Summer Palace , the emperors' playground. With delightful lakes, walkways and terraced gardens, the Summer Palace is an oasis. After lunch, we change pace and head off for a dash of retail therapy. (B/L/D)

Saturday 2 September: Rail to Ulan Bator
This morning we board the train which will take us to the Mongolian border. We will be travelling in "soft class" and can relax, make ourselves at home and prepare for the overnight journey. (B)

Sunday 3 September: Ulaanbaatar
With the sunrise, we will be delighted by changing scenery as we head across the Mongolian plateau. On arrival at Ulaanbaatar (the Capital of Mongolia), we will be met and transferred to the Ulaanbaatar Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing will include the National History Museum and Zaisan War Memorial.

Monday 4 September: Gobi excursion
This morning we will depart by air to the south Gobi desert where we'll be accommodated for 2 nights in a felt " Ger. " Traditionally, Gers are occupied by nomadic Mongolians who set up camp with their livestock, then move on to greener pastures. Ours will have facilities and will be warm and comfortable, with rugs on the floor; and accommodation will be 4 to a Ger. This afternoon, we will visit the Gurvan Sakhan Mountains and the " Eagle Valley ." (B/L/D)

Tuesday 5 September: Gobi - Moltsog Els & Flaming Cliffs
Today’s full day excursion will take us to the amazing sand dunes at Moltsog Els and the Flaming Cliffs ( Mongolia ’s own Jurassic Park where a wealth of fossils remain as a result of the region’s arid climate and sandy soils). (B/L/D)

Wednesday 6 September: Return to Ulaanbaatar
This morning we depart from the Gobi and fly back to the capital where we'll be accommodated for a further stay of 1 night. This afternoon, we can wander around with our guide and coach Then, this evening, we attend a Mongolian Folk Show. (B)

Thursday 7 September: Trans Mongolian
We will have further time with our guide and coach before departing, this evening, by train, with 2-4 to a compartment (depending on numbers of travellers). Some clients prefer to pay a surcharge in order to occupy all 4 berths. (B)

Friday 8 September: Arrive Irkutsk
This morning we will be met and accommodated overnight in Studio Rooms at the Hotel Irkutsk then, this afternoon, we'll undertake city sightseeing of this Siberian city.

Saturday 9 September: Lake Baikal excursion
This morning we'll make the 70km journey to Lake Baikal , one of the world's most treasured water courses. Consider these facts: The 3.15 million hectare Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years), and the deepest (1,700 metres) lake in the world and holds 20% of the world's total fresh water reserves. Its age and isolation have ensured that it has retained a richness of fauna. It remains a wilderness area and today's visit will be a highlight. We'll undertake lake sightseeing and stay overnight at Hotel Baikal. (B)

Sunday 10 September: Return to Irkutsk
This afternoon we will return to Irkutsk for a further stay of 1 night at the Irkutsk Hotel. (B)

Monday 11 September: Trans Siberian
We have the morning with guide and coach and can shop for produce for our rail journey then, this afternoon, we board the Trans Siberian (2 persons to a compartment). Settle back, relax and prepare to enjoy one of the world's great journeys. (B)

Tuesday 12 - Thursday 14 September: Trans Siberian
And what a journey it is. You set your own time for sleeping, mingling and eating whilst gazing out over vast landscapes, villages, fields and forests. Take along cards, your ipod and books and be prepared to while away hours (days) with little to distract. You will develop rail legs on this journey and the typical clickety-clack of train over track will remain with you for some time to come. Breathe in, breathe out...you're experiencing the Trans Siberian.

Friday 15 September: Arrive Moscow
Our grand adventure comes to an end as the train pulls into Moscow . We will be met on arrival and transferred to the Cosmos Hotel for a stay of 4 nights.

Saturday 16 September: Moscow - Sightseeing
This morning we will undertake a city tour viewing the sights and delights of this wonderful city. We will see the magnificent buildings which were created in another age and will witness the highs and lows of this changing society. (B)

Sunday 17 September: Moscow - Sightseeing
Morning sightseeing will include a visit to the fascinating Kremlin and several cathedrals which are being lovingly restored, following decades of abandonment. (B)

Monday 18 September: Moscow - Free Day
Today is free for personal pursuits. (B)

Tuesday 19 September: Rail to St Petersburg
This afternoon we'll depart from Moscow and make our way (by rail) to St Petersburg where we'll be met and accommodated for 4 nights at the Pribaltijskaya Hotel. (B)

Wednesday 20 September: St Petersburg - Sightseeing
Under the communists, the city's name was changed to Leningrad . Now, fully liberated, it has resumed its true position as one of the world's great cities. Our sightseeing will include such sights as St Isaac's Cathedral and the Fortress of Peter and Paul. (B)

Thursday 21 September: St Petersburg - Sightseeing
This morning's city tour will take us to the Winter Palace , home of the tsars and their families before the revolution of 1917. We visit the Hermitage, within which is displayed a world-renowned art collection. (B)

Friday 22 September: St Petersburg - Free Day
Everyone who visits St Petersburg expresses the desire to have a day in which they can undertake their own personal sightseeing. This is it folks!

Saturday 23 September: Rail to Helsinki
This afternoon, we board the rail from Russia to Finland . On arrival at Helsinki , we're met and will be transferred to the centrally located Scandic Simonketta. (B)

Sunday 24 September: Helsinki - Sightseeing
This morning we undertake sightseeing of this charming city, viewing its scenic highlights and learning of its famous composers. We can then stop for an optional lunch before taking the 10 minute ferry ride to Suomenlinna Fortress Island . We'll enjoy a walking tour and audio-visual presentation of this UNESCO World Heritage site which previously acted as the major defence against attacks from the sea. Tonight, we'll dine at a nearby restaurant. (B/D)

Monday 25 September: Helsinki - Free Day
Today is completely free so that you can do as you wish in this fascinating city. Our operators will have a variety of options available and will be pleased to assist with reservations. Tonight, we'll go to a nearby restaurant to enjoy our final meal and  to reminisce about the wonderful experiences we have shared. (B/D)

Tuesday 26 September: Depart Helsinki
You will be transferred to the railway station (or airport) so that you can undertake further arrangements as may have been planned. Your escort will leave you today. (B)

HOLIDAY COSTS
Ex Perth	Share Twin	Single Room
28 Nights Trans Mongolia & Siberia	$9,699	$10,699
Costs include return airfares (Perth-Beijing and Helsinki-Vienna-Perth), all ticketable airport taxes, transfers, accommodation, rail travel (soft berth from Beijing-Moscow and seated from Moscow-Helsinki), meals as stated, sightseeing and the services of an escort ex Perth (provided numbers exceed 15). Costs exclude meals other than stated (own expense on trains) and rail or air costs between Helsinki and European cities other than Vienna . Check for conditions and inclusions.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Beijing	AUGUST	30/20(141)
Ulaanbaatar	SEPTEMBER	14/2(23)
Irkutsk	SEPTEMBER	14/2(43)
Moscow	SEPTEMBER	16/7(58)
St Petersburg	SEPTEMBER	15/9(64)
Helsinki	SEPTEMBER	15/8(71)
Vienna	SEPTEMBER	20/11(42)
Average maximum/minimum temperature & rainfall (mm)