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!. Check in to
your 3* Hotel. Free time to explore the city. [No Frills –Transfer to
1* Hotel in Ulaanbaatar for a 5-night independent stay]
DAY 04
Breakfast. Transfer 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)
DAY 05
Horse-riding is available (for a small local charge) with local herdsmen
leaders – or walk, relax, or sometimes play traditional Mongolian sports? (Full board
included)
DAY 06
Breakfast and back to
Ulaanbaatar. Your local Mongolian Buddy will help you find the very best
of “UB” – don’t miss the Gandan Buddhist Lamasery.
DAY 07
Breakfast. – Your last chance to explore the ancient capital city.
Overnight 3* Hotel.
DAY 08
Breakfast.
Free-time. Car transfer to the station
for afternoon departure to Ekaterinburg.
DAY 09-10
On board the Trans-Mongolian Express the train makes several unscheduled
stops, allowing you only time to make a quick purchase from the locals of home
cooked produce or replenish your drinks cabinet.
DAY 11
Arrive mid-afternoon in Ekaterinburg. Car to Hotel. Walking Tour + of Ekaterinburg with local guide.
evening free to explore further.
DAY 12
Your choice of the following programs+ (one choice is included in your trip - no surcharges!)
YEAR ROUND CHOICES
(check applicable difficulty-level for each)
(A) ROMANOV GRAVES (& Europe/Asia Border Monument en-route). Car
excursion to site where the Romanov bodies were hidden. 5-6 hours. No physical
exertion involved.
(B) WALK IN THE
TAIGA FOREST The unique forest ecosystem of the Steppes, with car to/from.
6 hour walk.Good fitness req'd
(C) SIBERIAN
WILDERNESS ADVENTURE Combined soft raft
(6km) and Forest Hike (12km) - optional cave visit. Good fitness req'd.
(D) SIBERIAN
COUNTRYSIDE & HISTORIC VILLAGE Visit to an old village now under a Preservation Order. Includes
home-cooked lunch, exhibitions of craftlore, horsecart riding. 8-9 hours. No
physical exertion involved.
(E) URALS MOUNTAIN
BIKE ADVENTURE All gear provided, for
a 16km off-road course at Devil's Rock. Transport to/from included (40km). Fitness and bike skills req'd.
SPECIAL WINTER ACTIVITIES (check applicable season and difficulty-level for each)
(A) WINTER WALK to the Druzhba Caves. 16km distance, no climbing.
01.Dec-01.Mar. Good fitness req'd. take warm clothes and boots.
(B) SKIING At Ezhovaya Slopes Ski Resort - even Putin skis here
(sometimes). Skis/Poles/Lift-Pass package purchasable locally approx $25
payable in roubles. 01 Dec-15.Mar.
No instruction is included – this program is for those
who can already ski without instruction.
(C) ICE-FISHING Yes, you saw the cartoons, now you can try it
yourself. Tackle, Angler's Hints & Fur Coat provided. 15 Nov - 15 Dec &
01 Feb - 15 Mar.We don't guarantee you'll catch anything! Takes 8 hours but you can come back
sooner if you get cold.
(D) SIBERIAN HUSKY
DOGSLEDDING Exactly what it says!
A whole day adventure to include 3-4 hours sledding following a made track
through the forest. 15 Nov - 01 Mar. (unavailable 31.Dec 10 Jan). No special
fitness required, but be ready to fall-off in the soft snow a few times -
they're pretty fast!
DAY 13
Breakfast. Car transfer to the station for overnight
train to Moscow.
DAY 14
Arrival in Moscow! We
whisk you by car directly to your Hotel. 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 15
A full free day – take
your pick of the best of Moscow!
Evening free. Overnight.
DAY 16
Breakfast. Your Trans-Siberian
adventure comes to an end.
+ not included on the no-frills version of the trip. |
