| day 01
Arrival in Beijing. Make
your own way to hotel. Free time to explore one of the worlds fastest growing
capital cities. Your train tickets will be delivered to your hotel after check
in, with instructions to the station in English and Chinese.
day 02
Own transport to Beijing
Central Station for early morning departure to Ulaanbaatar. Thunder on across
China – past the Great Wall. Overnight on board.
day 03
Mid-afternoon arrival in
Outer Mongolia! Shower, then by car* to a Mongolian Ger Camp - with
accommodation in traditional Mongolian wood-framed felt tents (gers). The huge
area of the Mongolian steppes around
the camp is yours to explore. Supper is included (yes, there are vegetarian
options too). [No Frills: car transfer to 1* Hotel in Ulaanbaatar for a 3-night independent stay].
day 04
Horse-riding is
available (for a small local charge) with
local herdsmen leaders - or walk, relax, or sometimes play traditional
Mongolian sports? (FB incl).
day 05
Back to Ulaanbaatar.
Your local Mongolian Buddy will transfer you to your 3* hotel.
day 06
Breakfast. Time to stock
up on provisions for your overnight journey. Car trf to the station for an
evening departure to Irkutsk. Overnight on board (this is a local train and
there is often not restaurant car).
day 07
On board...midnight border
crossing into Russia.
day 08 - 10
No Frills: Car to
B&B homestay for 3 nts in Irkutsk -Car trf to station on departure.
Full-On: Take your choice of
program from the two options.
BAIKAl programme
The half-way point - two
different ways to enjoy your stay!
Listvyanka is a lakeside
village with one foot in the present - Bolshoe Goloustnoye is a more remote and
timeless choice.
(1) SIBERIAn village
(Option One)
Day 8
Car directly from Station
(1hr hour transfer) to Lake Baikal. Stay in an authentic Siberian log-cabin
izba as part of the extended family. Lunch. See the village, the old Church,
and the Lake Wildlife Museum - with your friendly local guide. Then get it all
off your chest the Siberian way - in the banya! (sauna). You'll be ready for
your home-cooked supper after all that - then sleep like a log in a log cabin.
Day 09
Choose one activity from
the list, its all included in the trip price!
(a) Snowmobile Trip (2 hrs)
with a local guide - through the forest, or even out over the deep-frozen
lake!(Dec-Apr only).
(b) Softies Trek through the
Taiga Forest - and a Forester Guide to explain the wildlife, ecosystem and lore
of the Taiga (May-Oct).
(c) Siberian Scuba a freshwater
dive in the world's Greatest Lake, with top CMAS-qualified
instructors and pro-level gear (requires PADI-1). (May-Oct). 2 dives included
(Feb-Mar). Ice Diving. 1 dive included.
(d) Or Do Your Own Thing maybe
take off on a Cliffside walk, mosey around the village, ride the local hydrofoil,
or gain a year of life (so they say?) by taking a dip in Baikal. Sauna and
Supper after your exertions & maybe try the local bar? Overnight with host
family.
IF YOU'VE CHOSEN THE 17-DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY, THIS IS YOUR
EXTRA DAY!
(Day 10)
Entirely free day at
Listvyanka Village. (Breakfast & Supper included) Overnight with host family.
IF YOU'VE CHOSEN THE 16-DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY, YOUR
ITINERARY CONTINUES LIKE THIS:
Day 10 (11)
Car to Irkutsk
(1hr) and stay in a city apartment with a local family, in soviet-modern city
style. Day free to explore the city, dinner with host family. (Or upgrade to
tourist-class Hotel if you rate comfort over authenticity, and prefer to dine
out this evening instead?).
Day 11 (12)
Breakfast.
Free-time. Car transfer to the station for afternoon departure. Overnight on
board.
(2) FISHERMAN'S CAPE OF LAKE BAIKAL
(Option Two)
Day 08
Car directly from
Station to the remoter village of Bolshoe Goloustnoye (110km on rural roads).
Your local guide shows you the village, the Old Church, and lake shoreline. Get
the 20th Century out of your system in a real Russian banya (sauna) which will sharpen your
appetite for home-cooked food for supper. Sleep soundly - the modern world is
far, far away.
Day 09
Leisurely lakeside walk
(8km) to Ushkani Cape, and visit our friends the fishermen for lunch at their
cabin. A gentle return walk (see a dried-up Lake on the way) for sauna and
supper in the hushed silence away from the tourist throng.
IF YOU'VE CHOSEN THE 17-DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY, THIS IS YOUR
EXTRA DAY!
(Day 10)
Breakfast Walk back to
Bolshoe Goloustnoye. Lunch. Sauna. Free time. Dinner. Overnight.
IF YOU'VE CHOSEN THE 16-DAY
VERSION OF THE ITINERARY, YOUR
ITINERARY CONTINUES LIKE THIS:
Day 10 (11)
By car to Irkutsk
(110km) and stay in a city apartment with a local family, in soviet-modern city
style. Day free to explore the city, dinner with host family. (Or upgrade to
tourist-class hotel if you rate comfort over authenticity, and prefer to dine
out this evening instead?).
Day 11 (12)
Early car to the
station to continue your journey on the Trans-Siberian Express.
Day 12 (13)
On board The
Trans-Siberian train taking you across the River Yenisei, at Krasnoyarsk.
Day 13 (14)
on board The train
makes several unscheduled stops, allowing you only time to make a quick
purchase from the locals of their home cooked produce or replenish your drinks
cabinet.
Day 14 (15)
Afternoon arrival
into Moscow! We whisk you by car directly to your Hotel - your first night in
Moscow.
Day 15 (16)
Moscow Calling!
Your Moscow Buddy is on hand to smooth your path... at least until lunchtime!
Afternoon and evening - it's all in your hands!
Day 16 (17)
Breakfast Your
Trans-Siberian adventure comes to an end.
† not included on the no-frills
version of the trip. |
