Asian Train Journeys

Travel from Beijing via Mongolia along the world's greatest railway though the heart of Siberia, and on to the historic cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg... a soft adventure almost 10,000 kilometers across seven time zones.

This is one of the world's great train journeys and is quite rightly described by those who have done it as an epic adventure. Starting in china, you spend time in the capital city, Beijing before heading off to Mongolia on the first train of your trip. Mongolia is a fascinating and untamed wilderness, a country of wild steppes and a beautiful nomadic people. Herdsmen and livestock roam the vast grasslands where modern infrastructure is close to non-existent and horses are still the main mode of transport as you see when you visit the Terelj National Park. Returning to the tracks, head out of Asia and into Europe across the wild and open spaces of Siberia and the Taiga. The cultural and political centres of Moscow and St Petersburg await us at the end of the ride.

Trans-Mongolian Express - From Beijing To St. Petersburg (21 days)

See many interesting people during your trip on the Trans Mongolia Express

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

Passport and Visas
It is your own responsibility to ensure that you're in possession of a passport, with at least six months validity form the date of departure; and any visas necessary to enter or transit any countries involved.

You require Russian, Chinese and Mongolian Visas for this journey. For further information please contact your travel agent or Goway.

INSURANCE AND MEDICAL

Vaccinations
There are no compulsory vaccinations requires for entry purposes. However, most travel health specialists would recommend vaccinating against flu, typhoid, hepatitis and diphtheria. A travel health specialist should be considered for personal advice.

Medical Certificate
There are no upper age limits on these tours however a medical certificate is required for anyone 60 years of age and over. A copy of this certificate will be provided at the time of booking for your doctor to complete.

Insurance
For your personal benefit and peace of mind travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers joining this project. Policies must provide adequate cover for loss of personal items and any potential medical expenses including repatriation. Please click here. Please bring a copy of your travel insurance policy with you as this will be checked the start of the trip.

Important Note
The pace of these tours can be tiring due to the change of diet and environment, high and low temperatures, distances travelled, basic facilities, lots of walking and long busy days. To participate in these tours requires a certain amount of stamina and fitness and you should be in good health to satisfactorily participate.

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES EN ROUTE

Personal Spending Money
The Premium Programme is fully inclusive therefore there are few additional expenses. Spending money should cover drinks, additional snacks, laundry, occasional toilet fees, luggage and airport taxes. There will be the occasional need to provide lunch and food provisions for certain train sectors - your tour leader will advise you of these. As a guideline we recommend an average of $520 USD for meals. If you are an avid souvenir collector or lean towards the odd expensive indulgence, you may need to increase this amount.

Tipping
In China, Mongolia, Russia and Central Asia, people have become accustomed to the new freedoms and opportunities of a capitalist economy, tipping has become an essential supplement for those working with foreign tourists such as drivers, local guides, national guides and porters. We have found from experience, that it is convenient for the tour leader or a group member to collect a kitty and administer it accordingly. A tip kitty saves the need for regular use of small denomination bills. The suggested amount for the Trans Mongolian Railway is USD40.00 per person.

LUGGAGE

This trip involves a certain amount of personal baggage handling. Only take what you can carry. Some station porters are unable to go beyond the waiting room and often you will need to carry your luggage along railway platforms, up and down stairs and lift your own luggage into the overhead lockers on the trains. Suitcases with a built in trolley (retractable handle and wheels) are the most convenient and easy to use or alternatively a backpack or travel bag. Please keep in mind that you can only carry a maximum of 20kg on all international flights, so when packing for these trips it is very important to keep your luggage to a minimum.

ACCOMMODATION

Train
Overnight accommodation on trains will be in four share sleeping compartments (unless you have requested and paid for a twin share supplement, however these are not available on all sectors). Inside your compartment you will find a table, reading lamp and four comfortable bunks. A wash basin and toilet facilities are at both ends of each carriage. There are no showers or baths. There is an urn (samovar) at the end of each carriage for making hot beverages. The condition of train compartments vary.

Hotel
We have chosen hotels of a standard we consider appropriate for our groups. Hotel accommodation is based on a twin share unless you have requested and paid for sole use of a room and all rooms have private bathroom facilities.

Option
Please check with us for the option to book a twin share rail or a sole use of a hotel.

TOUR LEADERS

Are chosen for their personal qualities, enthusiasm and organizational skills. They are there to liaise with the local and national guides to ensure that your journey of a life time is coordinated in the best possible manner.

RECOMMENDED READING

While we have tried to provide general and descriptive information, your experience will obviously be enhanced greatly if you take the time to read more about the history, the people and current lifestyle of the countries through which you will be passing. For more general background reading and a "feel" for the country and Railway journeys try:

• "The Big Red Train Ride" by Eric Newby
• Martin Walker's "Russia" gives an insider's view of living in Russia in recent times.
• "Among the Russians" by Colin Thubron.
• Russian literature of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, Pasternak and Solzhenits

FROM BEIJING TO ST. PETERSBURG - 21 days

Ignite your imagination by visiting this fantastic area of Central Asia. Join us on a train journey through time starting with the splendour of Beijing then travelling across three nations to the old Imperial cities of Russia. An epic journey half way around the world.

Days 1-3. Arrive Beijing. Make your own way to the hotel. During your stay, visit the Forbidden City and Tian An Men Square and also spend a full day at the Great Wall of China.

Days 4-8. Mongolia. First stop on the train is Mongolia. Explore the museums and monasteries of Ulaan Baatar before heading out to the Terelj National Park to spend two days in the endless grasslands and stay in a typical traditional Ger camp.

Days 9-11. Lake Baikal. Back on the train for a two night journey to Irkutsk, the capital of Siberia. Transfer by bus for the short journey to Listvyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal and a home stay with a local family. A great place to explore the area and swim in this massive lake in the heart of Siberia.

Day 12. Irkutsk. Visit this pleasant city with its great architecture and relaxing atmosphere.

Days 13-15. Trans-Siberian Railway. This is not only the world's most famous train journey but also the longest. Board in Irkutsk and travel through time zones in style across endless taiga, passing small Siberian villages and sprawling industrial cities eventually arriving in Moscow.

Days 16-18. Moscow. Exploring Moscow is like stepping back in time. Visit the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and Red Square.

Days 19-21. St. Petersburg. An overnight train brings you to the beautiful city of St. Petersburg, one of Europe's finest cities made up of baroque European architecture combined with opulent palaces of Russian royalty. Explore the treasures of the Hermitage Palace. Depart on Day 21.

DEPARTURES:

Departs every Sunday.

PRICE:

Please request prices.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Accommodation in guest houses/hotels for 10 nights, home stay for 2 nights, soft class sleeper for 7 nights and in a Mongolian tent for 1 night, transportation by private and local buses, 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner.

PRICE EXCLUDES:

International airfare. Allow US $350 for meals and US $300 for local expenses to be paid directly to the escort (for entrance fees, transportation, etc).

Trans-Mongolia Express Pictures

Click on the thumbnails to view the large images

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