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Baikal Lake
TRANS-SIBERIAN RAIL ODYSSEY 2011
Tour 1002 new. Beijing - Moscow, 15 days/14 nights
DATES AND ITINERARY: GO WEST: August 22 – September 15, 2011
GO WEST: BEIJING – MOSCOW
BEIJING – ERLIAN – ULAN BATOR – ULAN-UDE – CIRCUM BAIKAL RAIL ROAD – IRKUTSK - KRASNOYARSK - NOVOSIBIRSK – EKATERINBURG – KAZAN – MOSCOW
TRAIN DESCRIPTIONIn Russia and Mongolia passengers travel on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS, a comfortable modern train charted exclusively for tourists and ideal for long distance travel. The train is composed of first and standard class sleeping cars, shower car, restaurants and bar. In China passengers travel on board the Chinese charter train which offers standard class accommodation. The change of trains takes place at the town of Erlian on the Chinese border. All passport and customs formalities at the Russian-Mongolian border and the Mongolian-Chinese border are done in the train, so the passengers may stay in their compartments. FIRST CLASS SLEEPING CARS1 to 2 passengers per compartment The First Class Sleeping Car has 6 compartments and is equipped with the system of air conditioning (therefore windows cannot be opened), heating, lighting (day and evening). Each compartment offers 2 sleeping berths (1 lower berth is 120x190 cm in size and 1 upper berth is 95x190 cm in size), arm-chair, table, dress closet with hangers, luggage shelf, washstand, shower, ecologically clean (vacuum) WC, Internet wall outlet, DVD with TV monitor, radio point (train broadcasting), socket 220V for equipment charging, call of conductor button. The compartment may be locked by conductor on request. STANDARD CLASS SLEEPING CARS1 to 2 passengers per compartment The Standard Class Sleeping Car has 9 compartments and is equipped with the system of air conditioning (therefore windows cannot be opened), heating, lighting (day and evening), ecologically clean (vacuum) WC at each end of the car, socket 220V for equipment charging. Each compartment offers 2 lower sleeping berths 65x185 cm in size (also can be equipped with 2 upper berths), table, place for clothes with peg, luggage shelf, radio point (train broadcasting). The compartment may be locked by conductor on request. For the passengers travelling in Standard Class Sleeping Cars there is a separate shower car with 8 cabins open daily from morning till night. RESTAURANTS AND BARThe two restaurant cars serve breakfast, lunch and dinner to all passengers offering traditional Russian and European cuisine. The cars are equipped with professional kitchen ware of the world leading trade marks, which allows the staff to offer freshly cooked and high quality dishes. The bar carriage is separated by a decorative partition to make two comfortable zones allowing the passengers to eat, dance, relax with a drink and enjoy the scenery passing in the window. There is a piano in the hall. |
| Day | August 14 - 28 15 days/14 nights |
Local time | City | Accommodation | |
| 1 | Mon | 22 Aug | Beijing | Hotel | |
| 2 | Tue | 23 Aug | Beijing | Hotel | |
| 3 | Wed | 24 Aug | 1900 dep | Beijing | Train |
| 4 | Thu | 25 Aug | 1100-1600 | Erlian | Train |
| 5 | Fri | 26 Aug | 0900 arr | Ulan Bator | Ger camp |
| 6 | Sat | 27 Aug | 2200 dep | Ulan Bator | Train |
| 7 | Sun | 28 Aug | 1700-2200 | Ulan Ude | Train |
| 8 | Mon | 29 Aug | 1300-2100 | Lake Baikal | Train |
| 9 | Tue | 30 Aug | 0900-1600 | Irkutsk | Train |
| 10 | Wed | 31 Aug | 1000-1600 | Krasnoyarsk | Train |
| 11 | Thu | 01 Sep | 0900-1600 | Novosibirsk | Train |
| 12 | Fri | 02 Sep | 1500-2000 | Ekaterinburg | Train |
| 13 | Sat | 03 Sep | 1000-1800 | Kazan | Train |
| 14 | Sun | 04 Sep | 1100 arr | Moscow | Hotel |
| 15 | Mon | 05 Sep | Moscow | ||
ACCOMMODATION- 9 nights on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS private train- 1 night on board the CHINESE private train - 1 night at Moscow hotel**** - 1 night in Terelj gers - 2 nights at Beijing hotel**** - bathroom set (towel and soap) on board - bath robe and slippers on board - showers on board MEALS- Moscow – Beijing: full board throughout the tour starting with welcome dinner on the first day and terminating with breakfast on the last day- Beijing – Moscow: full board throughout the tour starting with breakfast on the second day and terminating with breakfast on the last day - complimentary morning/day/evening tea/coffee - culinary specialties (Beijing Duck, caviar and vodka tasting, picnic on lake Baikal) EXCURSIONS & GUIDES- excursions with local guides according to the program- extensive trip on the old rail lines of the Trans-Siberian Railway directly to the coast of Lake Baikal with photo stop - guides speaking English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (other languages on request) for language groups from 10 persons traveling on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS OTHER SERVICES- transfers airport – hotel – airport in Moscow and Beijing- luggage services at railway stations - brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, geography and history of the country visited - doctor on board (from Moscow to Erlian and from Erlian to Moscow) - English Speaking Tour Director throughout the tour |
DAY-BY DAY PROGRAMGO WEST: BEIJING – ERLIAN – ULAN BATOR – ULAN UDE – CIRCUM BAIKAL RAIL ROAD – IRKUTSK - KRASNOYARSK - NOVOSIBIRSK – EKATERINBURG – KAZAN – MOSCOWDAY 1 BEIJINGArrival in Beijing, the capital of China, a city of ancient history and culture, unique architectural monuments and modern dynamic life. ODYSSEY representative meets you at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for overnight stay. Accommodation in Beijing at a 4 star hotel.Day 2 BEIJINGIn the morning excursion to the Great Wall and after lunch to the Ming Tombs. Welcome dinner at a Beijing Duck Restaurant. Accommodation in Beijing at a 4-star hotel.Day 3 BEIJINGFull day guided city tour: Forbidden City ruled by Emperors and khans and unreachable for ordinary people, the Imperial Palace. Transfer to the rail terminal to board the Chinese private train in destination to Mongolia. On the way the train goes via the Gobi Desert famous for its spacious territory, most severe environment and unique fauna. Accommodation on board the private Chinese train.DAY 4 ERLIAN (TRANSIT TOWN)In the morning arrival at the Chinese border town of Erlian, where the China railway gauge system (“standard gauge” 1435 mm wide) meets the Russian railway gauge system (“broad gauge” 1520 mm wide). The passengers will change the Chinese train for the connecting ODYSSEY EXPRESS waiting on the same platform. While the service staff transfer passengers’ luggage to the ODYSSEY EXPRESS, passengers enjoy a sumptuous Chinese lunch. In the afternoon the train crosses the Chinese-Mongolian border. All passport and customs control formalities take place on board the train.Day 5 ULAN BATOR AND TERELJIn the morning arrival in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia. Transfer to Terelj National Park 70 km away. At the Terelj Tourist Camp time is given to set up the gers and freshen up before lunch. After lunch excursion to the beautiful Turtle Rock to be followed by a short hiking tour to the top of the Overlooking Hill to have a panoramic view on Terelj National Park. Horse riding. Disassembling and setting up of a smaller Mongolian ger. Admire the sunset and bright shining night stars in the wide steppe. Accommodation in Gers.Day 6 TERELJ AND ULAN BATORIn the morning a visit to a nomadic family to learn the authentic lifestyle of Mongolian nomads and to try traditional dairy food. After lunch transfer to Ulan Bator. Visits to Sukhbaatar Square, Gandan Monastery, National History Museum, the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum. Climb to the Zaisan Hill to admire the Ulan Bator panorama. Small shopping tour to buy Mongolian souvenirs. In the evening Mongolian traditional music and dance performance. Board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS to continue the voyage in destination to Russia. Enjoy wonderful Mongolian sceneries with gers, nomads and horses passing by. Upon leaving Ulan Bator on the way to Ulan Ude ODYSSEY EXPRESS switches from the Trans-Mongolian line to the Trans-Siberian Line. The train reaches the Mongolian border station of Sukhe Bator and the Russian border station of Naushki. All passport and customs control formalities are done on board the train. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 7 ULAN UDEArrival in Ulan Ude, the capital of the Buryatia, a former outpost of Russian Cossacks set up in the 17th century at the junction of the Selenga and the Uda Rivers. The settlement became a busy crossroad of trade routes between China, Mongolia, Russia and Europe. Nowadays Ulan Ude is the major regional city in Russia and prominent center of the Buddhist culture. The program includes a visit to Ivolginsky Datsan, prominent Buddhist Monastery and centre of Buddhism in Russia. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 8 LISTVYANKA AND RIDE ON THE CIRCUM BAIKAL LINEArrival at Listvyanka Village to board the train for a ride on the Circum Baikal Line. The Circum Baikal Line was part of the Trans-Siberian Mainline that connected the Eastern and Western rail lines separated by the Baikal Lake. Nowadays the Circum Baikal Line, no longer on the Trans-Siberian main route, is an open-air museum. There is not much traffic on this railroad, only a few local and excursion trains. The road starts from the dead end at Port Baikal, a small settlement nearby Listvyanka Village and goes along the picturesque southern shore of Lake Baikal to join the Trans Siberian Mainline at Sludyanka Village. A photo stop is arranged at a small village where the passengers can get off the train and put their feet into the clear and cold water of Lake Baikal. A barbeque by the lakeside is also part of the program. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 9 IRKUTSKArrival in Irkutsk, the oldest city in Eastern Siberia, a historical transit point on trade routes between Russia and China. Irkutsk is situated on the picturesque Angara River in close vicinity of Lake Baikal. City tour: Kirov Square, Eternal Flame Memorial, Orthodox churches and cathedrals, Bell Tower to admire a magnificent panoramic view on a city, the old wooden town, Museum of Decembrists with a private classical concert. Also included is a visit to the Taltsy open-air museum of wooden architecture. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 10 KRASNOYARSKArrival in Krasnoyarsk, the largest Siberian port on the Yenisei River. The history of the city, founded by the first Russian explorers of Siberia, dates back more than 300 years. Guided city tour of the key landmarks. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 11 NOVOSIBIRSKArrival in Novosibirsk, the biggest city in Siberia and major scientific center, the seat of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Guided city tour: Red Avenue, Lenin Square, Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the geographical centre of Russia – a chapel, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the railway station building, the Ob River embankment, the Trans Siberian Bridge. Excursion to Akademgorodok (a city of scientists), a visit to the Museum of Mineralogy with a unique collection of minerals, decorative stones, ancient fauna and flora of Russia. A visit to the open air Museum of railway machinery with an extensive exposition of the railroad history, locomotives and cars. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 12 EKATERINBURGArrival in Ekaterinburg, the major historic, economic and administrative center of the Urals Region, which forms a natural border between Europe and Asia. Founded in the 18th century as a fortress the city grew to become a significant regional center, which gave a rise to Russia’s industry. Ekaterinburg is also known as a place of exile and execution of Russia’s last Tzar Nicholas II and his family in 1918. Guided city tour visiting architectural monuments of Russian classicism of the 18-19th centuries, the Obelisk marking the virtual Europe-Asia border, the Temple-on-Blood Church erected in place of Ipatiev’s House where the Tsar’s family spent their last days. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 13 KAZANArrival in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a city of a 1,000 year-long history. Guided city tour: Kazan Kremlin, major historical citadel in the 16th -18th centuries, historical Qol-Sarif Mosque and Minarets, the Square of Freedom, magnificent Orthodox Churches and Cathedrals, President’s Palace, a folk show. Accommodation on board the ODYSSEY EXPRESS.DAY 14 MOSCOWArrival in Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation, a city of great historical and cultural traditions. Guided city tour: Prospect Mira (Peace Avenue), Ostankino TV Tower, Garden and Boulevard Ring, the Moskva River , Novodevichiy (New Virgin) Convent, Vorobiovy Gory (Sparrow Hills), Moscow State University, Poklonnaya Gora (Bow Hill), Victory Park, Kutuzov Avenue, The Federal Government Building (White House), New Arbat Avenue and Tverskaya Street. The afternoon tour: historical Red Square, the Kremlin territory including gold-domed Cathedrals with magnificent ancient mural icon paintings, Armory Chamber with the unique collection of treasure objects once in the possession of Russia’s Tzars. Farewell dinner at a city restaurant Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.Day 15 MOSCOWMorning at leisure. Transfer to the airport. |
Price:
| in EURO per person per trip | ||
| Category Standard | ||
1 person accommodation (single room in the hotels)
|
5495 | |
2 persons accommodation (double room in the hotels)
|
3810
| |
3 persons accommodation (double and single room in the hotels)
|
3510
| |
4 persons accommodation (2 double rooms in the hotels)
|
3295
| |
Supplement for children under 12 years old with 2 adults (extra bed in the hotels)
|
2470
| |
Supplement for children from 12 till 16 years old with 2 adults (single room in the hotels)
|
2665
| |
| Category First class | ||
1 person accommodation (single room in the hotels)
|
10200 | |
2 persons accommodation (double room in the hotels)
|
7200
| |
Supplement for children under 12 years old with 2 adults (extra bed in the hotels)
|
2665
| |
Services included:
Services Not Included:
Conditions:
Non-refundable deposit – 950 euro
Cancellation Conditions:
91-61 days 40 %
60-31 days 55 %
30-16 days 80 %
15-00 days 100 %
