What you say about us

 

Jenny and Peter Aldous September 2011

 

just an email to tell you how much we enjoyed our trans siberian holiday.

Right from the start your company (The Russia Experience) and staff were very helpful, it didn't matter how many times we phoned with questions you were always helpful and friendly. If anyone is thinking of doing this trans-siberiian trip I would recommend they travel with your company.

Everything went like clockwork, we were met at each stop as promised and the guides were always helpful and friendly.  But never obtrusive letting us do our own things also .

After we were met at Ulambaatar our guide threw in a couple of extras with a visit to the Gengis Kaahn monument and a stop with  some eagles en-route. 

 

Our trip was great,( we don't call it a holiday , its much more than that ) we are still coming down from it really we done so much in three weeks, on the train all the way through to China from Russia with stops in Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulambaatar in Mongolia and Bejing, it was an absolutely awsome experience and we wouldnt have missed it for the world.

 

The highlights for us were the stay beside Lake Baikal , our guide met us the morning after our arrival and took us on a hike to the lakeshore where he produced wine, salad ,chunky bread and proceeded to build a fire and cook us fresh fish for lunch , that was a perfect day! then the stay in the ger camp on the mongolian plains, it was so magiclal and the stars so bright because there was no pollution, and the great wall of China, all trips arranged by your company and couldnt be faulted !

 

I cannot say enough about how wonderful everything was , its definately going to be our number one trip and I think we would be hard pushed to top it.

 

Your book supplied with our inital booking was such a help, and gave information in amusing way , warts and all, nothing was glossed over and we were left in no doubt that this trip would not always be  five star , In such things which were beyond your control , such as the toilets on the trains not always being clean.. Once you know what to expect ,these things are not so bad after all. ! All the hotels you supplied were of a very good standard with no complaints from us.

 

I really could go on and on but don't want to bore anyone after all most anecdotes are only funny if you were there !

I just want to re-iterate that this trip was amazing, and anyone considering it could do no better than travelling with your company.

 

Best regards and thank you so much,

Jenny and Peter Aldous.

One small warning to would be trippers, (nothing to do with your company) Do not use the boys on the bikes in Bejing who tow a two seater cart for you to ride in, get a taxi, its cheaper and much much safer !

Three people were ripped off by these boys innjust the short time we were there ! They agree a price and then when you arrive at your destination they demand more money with menances ! and even more worryingly

some perople were taken down the narrow reads they live in where cars cannot go so you are surrounded by them and they only let you go after you give them all your money ! Be warned !!

Hi Odette,

 

 

Duncan Bell September 2011

Odette,

Just a note to say that I got back to the UK the day before yesterday, after a really great trip.  All the arrangements worked perfectly, and the guides were excellent.  A particular thank you must go to Nasaa, of Shuren Travel in Mongolia, as she was with me for 6 days in Mongolia.  The nomad camp experience was great fun, although I was pleased to get to the Elstei Ger Lodge after 3 days at the nomad camp without electricity and running water!!  I was also well lokoked after by Diana in Moscow, of Marlis, and by Maria and Constantin in Ekaterinburg, by Lena in Irkutsk / Lystvyanka, and by Alisa in Ulan Ude.

I am pleased to say that, throughout Russia and Mongolia, I was always met as planned at the stations.  I was lucky on the Moscow - Ekaterinburg and Elkaterinburg - Irkutsk legs, in that, although travelling 2nd class in 4 berth compartments, there was only one other person in my compartment in each case.  The trains were generally comfortable, although the sleeping car on the Irkutsk - Ulan Ude leg was far too hot, being heated to 38 degrees C. I think the Russians like it that way!!  given that this was only a 12 hour journey, it would have been nice to do it by day.

One minor point concerns the arrangements for meeting me at Beijing.  The instructions said that I should go to the end of the platform to meet my driver.  But Beijing station was actually a through station, so there was no actual "end" to the platform.  (Actually, of course, there were 2 ends, but neither end is suitable for meeting).  I wandered up and down for a while, and may have missed the driver, who was also wandering up and down the platform.  There were large crowds, due to the Chinese national holiday starting that day.  Eventually, I made for the station exit, and waited around just outside the station for 15 minutes, and eventually bumped into the driver, so all was well.  I suggest that, in future, you instruct passengers to leave the platform by the main underground exit in the centre of the platform, turn left at the bottom of the ramp, and make for the exit.  As the exit ramp begins to rise, but before the actual exit, there is a small tourist office in the middle of the ramp, and this would be a suitable and more precise meeting point.  The directions given would apply whichever arrival platform the train from Ulan Bataar used.

The hotels were fine, as was the Ulan Ude home stay.

All in all, I very much enjoyed my trip.  Thanks for organising things.

Regards,

Duncan Bell

 

 

Bernadette & Joseph Skinner September 2011

 

We have been back home for nearly a month and I have neglected in thanking your company for such a well organised, interesting journey(Super Trans Mongolian) Charming personal guides who gave us a real feeling for their homelands. The most memorable days were at Elstei Ger and a day in the country with Constantine at Ekaterinburg. Both sister companies in these parts of the trip were excellent and I would be grateful if you could extend our thanks.

 

Brian Marchant & Brian Quance September 2011

 

Odette,

 

I think that you should know that I have reached that time in life where I am not happy unless I can complain about something. Being a miserable old git gives me great pleasure. So let us start with the trip you arranged for the two Brians.

 

First - Hotels.

All excellent and situated conveniently close to the city centres and the main attractions. Staff very helpful even to the extent of supplying breakfast boxes on those mornings we left early.

 

City Walks.

These added a whole new dimension to the tours as the guides were first rate and very well informed. We also found that they were happy to talk of present and past regimes which served to add colour to the situation and they were also well versed in the local customs. Without the guides the experience would not have been quite so rewarding.

 

Options.

Not to be missed. Picnic at Lake Baikal and the trip to the Great Wall. Excellent guides and very well organised .

 

As promised we were always met as arranged . The drivers went out of their way to ensure that we were on time for our trains and they also made sure that we were safely on board before leaving. We were also lucky in meeting three others on the "experience" in Moscow who we were with until Beijing and so we had others to turn to when we were confused. ( Often at my age )

 

All in all it was a fantastic experience and one that I would not have wanted to miss at any cost. You have made two old men very happy.

 

My one and only complaint about the trip is that I have absolutely nothing about which to complain. 

My thanks to you and all involved.

 

Brian.

 

 

Amanda Moran & Duncan Balderson August 2011

 

Dear Joanne,

We have arrived safely in Beijing and would just like to say a massive thank you for organising our Moscow to Beijing trip for us! Everything was on time and excellent! We were met at every station and the guides / helpers we had were fantastic!

We thoroughly enjoyed the hike round Lake Baikal (although the distances were a lot further than in the itinerary!!!!), and the walking guide Anton was both knowledgeable and chilled out, a great balance!

Mongolia was also an excellent experience, with the family stay being the highlight! Our guide Naki had endless information and was forever cheerful! A big thank you to him too!

The whole experience for us both was a very positive one and we will be sure to recommend your company to family and friends!!

Once again, thank you to all the drivers, guides and yourself for an excellent service!

Amanda and Duncan

 

WM Burke February 2011

Dear Joanne: 

Just a quick note from Japan.  Thank you again for all of your help with my travels.  The Russia Experience indeed!  The pick-up at the railway station and all transfers went off without a hitch, and the Moscow hotel was very nice and conveniently located. My sightseeing guide was just superb -  Moscow is a wonderful city for a walking tour, and she shared many historical and cultural insights as well.   I highly recommend your services, even for those travelers outside of the U.K.
Very best regards,

Bill (from New York)"

 

 

Glen and Rebecca Chivers June 2010

 

Hello!

I just wanted to drop in my comments on your fantastic service on our trip across Russia, Mongolia and into China. Rebecca and I who are deaf took the trip from 1st to 18th June and Russia Experience was kind enough to specifically organise a guide in Moscow who was superbly easy to understand which made the whole experience even better. Your organisation was perfect and everything went smoothly without a single hiccup (well, our transport did get stuck in mud in Mongolia but that was fun!). In particular I want to thank our driver in Moscow who when stuck in traffic organisated someone else to pick us up from our hotel to the train station to prevent us from missing the train, minutes before departure the original driver turned up to ensure we were on the train. I would also like to express my thanks to Shuren Travel in Mongolia who have been fantastic for the whole week they were with us. We are now on our travels and 3 months on we are in Thailand. We will return to Mongolia one day and my parents are now considering this trip for their 30th wedding anniversary in 2012!

Again, many thanks

Glen and Rebecca Chivers

Kevin & Lalita Harbottle July 2010

 

 

Dear Jo, and all at Russia Experience
Lalita and I took the Epic Trans-Siberian this July and August, and it was the best trip we have ever done. The organization, i.e. train tickets, pick-ups, hotels, etc., was first class, and our trip was problem free. The various guides in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk, UB, and Beijing, were all very helpful. Special mention should go to Anand, our Mongolian guide, who looked after us for 4 days whilst we stayed with the nomads (who were delightful) and at Elstei Ger Camp. He could not have been more helpful and caring, ensuring we always had hot water for tea, lots to eat, and a roaring fire in our Ger keeping us warm and cosy (he was a good cook as well!). In fact he insisted on also accompanying us on our free day in Ulaan Baatar, in case some accident should befall us!

Jo, If we could pass on a word of warning for all travellers on the Irkutsk – Ulaan Baatar leg of the trip, who have paid for a 2-berth compartment on the train. The usual practice is to reserve a 4-berth cabin. Mongolian traders, when they see the spare bunks, will try to muscle in on your compartment, usually in league with corrupt Mongolian Provanistas. After sharing our experience with other travellers, this would appear to be a common experience. My advice is stand your ground, make a fuss, but let no-one in your compartment. You have been warned!

Once again, many thanks for a fantastic trip – it truly was a memorable experience.

Regards

Kevin and Lalita

 

John & Carla Woitovich August 2010

Hello Joanne,

I just wanted to say hello and let you know our trip was amazing! Carla and I had a wonderful time. We had some really interesting experiences, we took so many pictures, and met many cool people along the way.

Other than some scary driving on our way from the Irkutsk train-station to Listvyanka the trip went very smoothly.

All the guides were wonderful, especial all the folks at Shuren Travel in Mongolia, our guides/driver during our Siberian Adventure outside Yekaterinburg, our guide in Moscow, and our hiking guide in Listvyanka!

Thanks for all your help during the planning portion of our trip.

Rosie & John Rutherford May 2010

 

 

 

Jane E  Scullion March 2010