Trans-Mongolei Express westwärts

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Days 1-4 Beijing

Travellers arrive from all corners of the world during the day. There are no arranged activities on day 1 but please arrive by 18:00 as we will have a group meeting followed by dinner at a great local restaurant. Please check the Intrepid noticeboard in the hotel to find out exactly where this important meeting will take place.

Note that your leader will collect your local payment (USD300 cash) at the group meeting on day 1. Due to the restrictions on changing money in Russia, only USD50 and USD100 notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted.

Our journey commences in the Chinese capital, Beijing, which is one of the world's most impressive cities. There's just so much to do in this vibrant city and we take time to visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Other sights that you might want to visit during your free time include the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Lama Temple Monastery. A great way to visit these landmarks is to hire a bicycle and take to the streets, just like the Chinese do.

We take a trip to the Great Wall on day 2. An incredible piece of engineering, it stretches 6,000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the 'barbarians' of the north even though that didn't work it is still no doubt the country's greatest landmark.

Days 5-8 Ulaan Baatar

We board the train to leave China on the morning of day 4, travelling into Mongolia on the first part of our epic train ride that takes us the 8,000 kms to St Petersburg. This is an overnight journey that includes a long border crossing where the bogies (train wheels) have to be changed because of the differing sizes in rail gauges between China and Mongolia.

Crammed between superpowers Russia and China, the now independent nation of Mongolia is a true Intrepid destination that has only recently been opened up to tourism. The capital, Ulaan Baatar (UB), is a city in which new meets old as Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's business elite. Mongolia's close relationship with the old USSR is evident in the Soviet style architecture and city layout. Exploring the city's many museums is a real eye-opener into a turbulent history including the time of that most famous of Mongolia's historical figures, the feared and respected ruler, Genghis Khan.

On day 6 we leave the metropolis and travel to Mongolia's Terelj National Park. This alpine park is a beautiful retreat with imposing rock formations and endless rolling plains. We walk through the valleys and live simply overnight in a Ger camp before returning to Ulaan Baatar.

During our time in Mongolia we also have a guided tour of Ulaan Baatar taking in the impressive Gandantegchinlen Monastery, Bogd Khan Palace and Zaisan Hill, where the memorial for Soviet/Mongolian friendship offers panoramic views of the city and its surrounds.

On the evening of day 8 we leave Mongolia on a two-night train trip (40 hrs) that takes us into Siberia.

Day 9 Trans-Mongolian Railway

This train is the most local of all the trains we take on this journey and we shouldn't expect the height of luxury. A restaurant car is not normally provided and if it is, the food can be basic and limited. so it's a good idea to stock up before you leave Ulaan Baatar.

The morning of day 9 is spent at the Mongolian and then the Russian border, processing passports and waiting for nothing in particular! Once that's all done we're on our way to the heartland of Russia...

Days 10-11 Irkutsk/Listvyanka

The long journey brings us to the charming Siberian city of Irkutsk where we transfer to a bus for a short trip to Listvyanka (approx. 1 hr). Listvyanka is a small and picturesque village on the shores of Lake Baikal that is becoming popular with tourists both local and from overseas. The group splits up as we are welcomed into the lives and homes of local Listvyanka residents for one night. We re-group to spend the day exploring the area and at the right time of year an invigorating swim in this Siberian lake is highly recommended.

We head back to Irkutsk on day 11. En route we visit the House Museum of Mariya Volkonskaya, sometimes called the Princess of Siberia and one of the Decembrist revolutionary's wives who came to Irkutsk voluntarily following her husband into exile.

This charismatic Siberian city is an interesting mix of traditional and communist era influences. Once a boom town of foreign exiles and gold merchants, Irkutsk suffered under the new regime that brought Russian architecture and communist propaganda to its streets. Fortunately, the sophisticated atmosphere it once offered is not totally lost and Irkutsk remains one of the most charming of Siberia's cities. The old part of town is still lined with traditional houses and the old homes of liberal aristocrats exiled from Moscow early in the 19th century. Recommended is a visit to the Regional or Art Museums. There is a nice relaxed atmosphere to the city with plenty of things to do and to look at. It's a firm favourite with travellers!

Days 12-14 Trans-Siberian Railway

The Trans-Siberian Railway is the world's most famous train line. It is also the longest, extending from Moscow across Siberia to the far flung town of Vladivostok. We experience part of this celebrated train odyssey, boarding in Irkutsk for the long journey to Moscow (approx. 65 hours). Travelling through a variety of time zones, we wind our way through taiga, small Siberian villages and big industrial Russian cities, to reach the bustling hub of a vast and varied nation.

The train is a simple affair with enough modern luxuries for a comfortable journey. The carriage bathrooms are well equipped and sometimes even have hot water. An attendant is assigned to every carriage to look after your needs and each compartment has four convertible beds, with luggage storage space provided. The restaurant car tends to have a jovial atmosphere and serves typical local cuisine. Trains run on Moscow time even though there may be several hours time difference, resulting in interesting meal times. Station platforms nearly always have an array of food for sale made fresh by local babushkas. There are lists of stations that the train will stop at and the time they stay there, ranging from two to twenty minutes. Always double check with the carriage attendant - it's a long wait for the next train to come through!

Day 15 Suzdal

We arrive early afternoon in Vladimir, one of the famous towns of the so called "Golden Ring" of ancient Russian cities. We may have the opportunity to make a brief stop at the famous Assumption Cathedral and then travel onwards to Suzdal where we will stay for the night. Suzdal is an amazing town seemingly untouched by time. You will never have seen so many glittering church domes on the horizon everywhere you look as here! Wander streets that time seems to have forgotten, sip on local mead by the riverside or marvel at the many charistmatically crumbling churches.

Days 16-18 Moscow

The great city of Moscow has survived centuries of revolution and seen Russia through some of its most turbulent years, from the days of the tsars through the communist era to the growing pains of democracy. Capitalism has given Moscow a sheen of modernity, but exploring the heart of Moscow is like taking a step back into history. We recommend visiting the infamous Red Square and Ivan the Terrible's extraordinary St Basil's Cathedral.

On day 17 we take a morning tour around the Kremlin and the Armoury Museum with it's imperial collection, leaving us with a free day to explore on Day 18 before we catch the midnight train to St Petersburg (8 hours).

Days 19-21 St Petersburg

It's an early arrival in St Petersburg, one of Europe's finest cities. The city is largely built of baroque European architecture combined with the opulent palaces of Russian royalty. Its elegant streets and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a favourite destination for travellers. On the morning of day 19 we take a walking tour and then you are free to explore the Venice of The North. On day 20 we will explore the treasures of the luxuriant Hermitage Palace- truly one of the greatest art museums of the world.

Our epic journey concludes in St Petersburg and you may depart at any time on day 21.