May-September Trans-Siberian Private Train Journeys

Transcription

1 May-September 2017 Trans-Siberian Private Train Journeys Private Luxury Journeys through Asia

2 Trans-Siberian Private Train Journeys 15 Day Railway Journey from Beijing through Mongolia to Lake Baikal and on to Moscow Experience one of the last great adventures: your journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway, one of the world s most fascinating and safest train routes, is even more interesting, comfortable, and entertaining with our private train. This grand private train journey is the chance to fulfil the dream of a lifetime. The historic route between Moscow, Lake Baikal and Beijing is the heart of all our travel routes: the exciting days of your journey are delivering three of the world s largest countries directly to your compartment. Lean back to enjoy the dramatic changes of scenery and savour a choice of Europe s and Asia s most superb and splendid landscapes. Obtain profound insights into Chinese Mongolian, and Russian culture in just one epic journey Dine in the lovingly designed restaurant wagons and enjoy finest local cuisine and drinks served by courteous waiters Extensive trip on the ancient rail lines of the Trans- Siberian Railway directly on the banks of Lake Baikal with photo stop Entertaining lectures on local culture, history and everyday life Beijing s Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square Sample a Peking Duck in China Journey through the vast Gobi Desert Visit the lively market hall in Irkutsk Admire views of the mighty Ob River Vodka tasting on board the train Traditional Russian welcoming ceremony with bread, salt and Balalaika music Tour the Russian capital, Moscow

3 Trans-Siberian Private Train Journeys 15 Day Railway Journey from Beijing through Mongolia to Lake Baikal and on to Moscow Beijing I Mongolia I Russia Day 1 Arrive Beijing You are greeted at the airport by your friendly tour director and accompanied to your centrally located 4-star hotel, where you have a pause to relax. The tour through Beijing shows you many of the colorful facets of this large metropolitan city. The highlights are certainly the Temple of Heaven and history-laden Tiananmen Square, two of the city s most famous sights, but it also includes recent achievements in the area of contemporary architecture, such as the new Bird s Nest Olympic stadium, and several of Beijing s futuristic sky scrapers. Afterwards you enjoy a mutual dinner to welcome you to the tour. You spend the night in a hotel in Beijing. (Dinner) Day 2 Beijing Today you visit the Great Wall, the eighth wonder of the world. The giant wall extends for more than 3728 miles through the countryside. On the way you visit the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Ming Tombs and the Spirit Way. In the evening you dine on the well-known delicacy of Peking Duck. You spend the night in your Beijing hotel. Day 3 Beijing to Mongolia For centuries, the gates to the Forbidden City were closed to the public. Today you have the morning to view its aweinspiring halls and mysterious temples. In the evening your rail journey begins, as you transfer to the train station and depart for Mongolia aboard a chartered Chinese train. You reach the border city of Erlian in approximately 16 hours, on the following day. You spend the night aboard the train. Day 4 Crossing the Gobi Desert Around noon you reach the Chinese-Mongolian border, where you transfer to the Tsar s Gold private train. The change of trains is necessary because of the different track gauges in the two countries. In the growing city of Erlian, you have some time to explore the colorful local market, before your Russian train sets off towards Mongolia. After crossing sections of the legendary Gobi Desert, the train travels through the vast green steppes of Mongolia. You spend the night aboard the train. Day 5 Ulan Bator Early-risers are treated to central Mongolia s spectacular scenery. In the morning you arrive in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia. You can leave your large luggage securely in your compartment. During your city tour you see the impressive Gandan Buddhist Monastery and the odd Choijin Lama Temple, among other things. In the evening you have the unique change to attend a performance of traditional Mongolian folk arts, including throat singing, horse-headed fiddle playing, national costumes and dances. You spend the night in a 4 star hotel in Ulan Bator. On request, we can organize alternative lodging in a yurt in the beautiful landscape of the Mongolian Alps. This is a rare experience and a dream come true for nature lovers. Day 6 Ulan Bator After breakfast you visit the Gandan Monastery, where it is possible to observe a Buddhist religious ceremony. Your bus then takes you to the Mongolian Alps, located some 90 minutes east of Ulan Bator, with their majestic scenery and bizarre rock formations. After a picnic lunch in a yurt camp, you watch a small Mongolian horse-riding demonstration and a traditional wrestling match. You spend the night aboard the train. Day 7 Ulan Ude You travel through the valley of Mongolia s largest river, the Selenga, You are on the way to Ulan Ude, where your train reaches the main route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Here you take an informative city tour. You spend the night aboard the train.

4 Day 8 Lake Baikal Today is spent exploring the remarkable natural phenomenon of Lake Baikal, the largest reservoir of freshwater in the world. In the morning your train travels directly alongside Lake Baikal, on the old route of the Trans- Siberian Railway. During two extended photo-stops, you have a chance to explore and record the scenic beauty of the lake and its setting. A short boat excursion from Port Baikal takes you out onto the lake. Take a swim in the lake, if you wish, and visit a picturesque Baikal village. Dinner is a Baikalstyle picnic on the lakeshore with a view of the incredible natural surroundings (weather permitting). You spend the night aboard the train. Day 9 Irkutsk In the morning, you arrive in Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia in tsarist times. Here you move into your hotel, which is simple, but central and nicely located. You can safely leave your large baggage on the private train. During your city tour you see the Okhlopkov Drama Theatre, the new memorial to Tsar Alexander III, and the photogenic market hall. Around noon you pay a worthwhile visit to an open-air museum with a focus on life and work in historical Siberia. You spend the night in a 4 star hotel in Irkutsk. Day 10 Trans-Siberia After breakfast your train passes through the diverse landscapes of eastern Siberia. Talks on board inform you about the region and a vodka tasting with typical Russian snacks is an opportunity to experience firsthand the Russian festive customs of hospitality and clever toasts. You spend the night aboard the train. Day 11 Novosibirsk Around noon, your train arrives in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia. You are greeted with bread and salt in the customary Russian manner and taken on a tour of this most Soviet of cities along your entire route, including the chance to see the mighty Ob River. You spend the night aboard the train. Day 12 Yekaterinburg Your train stops in the afternoon in Yekaterinburg. The city is known as the place where the Russian tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered in During a tour you see the Cathedral of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, which was built in 2003 to commemorate that tragic historic event, and the city center attractively restored in Back on board, you enjoy views of the Urals landscape and indulge yourself in the dining car. Your private train is already rolling across the European continent. You spend the night aboard the train. Day 13 Kazan After breakfast you reach Kazan. On your city tour you see Tatar mosques and the most famous Russian Orthodox cathedral. You also take a tour of Kazan s Kremlin, where you learn about the turbulent history of the relationship between the Tatars, the Cossacks, and the Russians. Afterwards you enjoy lunch in a city restaurant. You spend the night aboard the train. Day 14 Moscow Around noon, you arrive in the Russian capital of Moscow, now a thriving, prosperous city, and are accompanied to your 4-star hotel. At noon you visit the Kremlin grounds with its magnificent cathedral. Several of the building interiors can also be viewed. After dinner, discover the city s magic during an hour-long City of Lights tour, including a stop at Red Square, and a ride on the underground to view two of Moscow s particularly beautiful metro stations. You spend the night in a hotel in Moscow. Day 15 Depart Moscow After an ample breakfast at your hotel, your tour of the city takes you to the reconstructed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Lomonossov University, the New Maidens Convent, and Red Square with its colorful St. Basil s Cathedral, as well as to the notorious former KGB headquarters and the White House. This then marks the end of your memorable journey and the time has come to head to the airport. We accompany you to the airport and bid you bon voyage. (Breakfast)

5 INCLUSIONS Journey with guaranteed lodging in the booked category aboard the exclusively chartered train between Elian and Moscow. Between Beijing and Erlian (ca. 16 hours) accommodation in a 2- or 4-bed compartment in a Chinese sleeping car. The Chinese train does not include wagons in the Nostalgic Comfort or Bolshoi categories. Travel for several hours along the Trans-Siberian Railway panoramic route directly on the shores of Lake Baikal, with photo-stops Tour director with pertinent knowledge of the region throughout the journey Competent tour guides for each group of no more than 26 guests Local travel guides All transfers and bus tours according to itinerary All excursions and sightseeing according to itinerary, including all entry fees All meals according to your itinerary Porter service at all railway stations PRICE PER PERSON TWIN SHARE Compartment From Beijing to Moscow Cat. II Classic $8,640 $8,840 Single use supplement $3,410 $3,550 Cat. II Superior $9,110 $9,310 Single use supplement $3,820 $3,960 From Moscow to Beijing Cat. III Nostalgic Comfort $11,700 $11,900 Single use supplement $5,920 $6,060 Cat. IV Bolshoi $15,320 $15,520 Single use supplement $7,570 $7,710 Cat. V Bolshoi Platinum $18,130 $18,330 Single use supplement $8,790 $8,930 Reduction for May $200 $200 A physician on board the train (between Chinese border and Moscow) Shower facilities on board the train Informational booklet on the region and train for each compartment reserved 2 overnights (3 overnights for Moscow to Beijing direction) in a hotel in Beijing and 1 night in Moscow in first-class hotels 1 overnight in Ulan Bator in a good, centrally located, middle-class hotel 1 overnight in Irkutsk in a first-class hotel Special for Bolshoi guests: two meals to choose from for lunch and dinner on board the train, 1 bottle of water per person every day in the compartment, 1 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink included for meals on board the train NOT INCLUDED: International flights, visa fees, gratuities, personal expenses, anything not mentioned above. Dates from Beijing to Moscow (15 days) May May, 2017 June 11 June July 07 July July 30 August August 25 September September 17 October Dates from Moscow to Beijing (16 days) May 06 May June 03 June June 29 July July 22 August August 17 September September 09 September

6 The Private Train Compartments on Tsar s Gold Cat. II Classic Cat. II Superior In the Cat. II Classic, a compartment is shared by two guests. Berths are sized approx x75 and arranged facing each other. There is also a table under the window. Combined toilet/lavatory compartments are located at each end of this category s cars. In every second car there is a shower compartment. In the Cat. II Superior, a compartment is shared by two guests. Berths are sized approx x73.6 and arranged facing each other. There is also a table under the window. Combined toilet/lavatory compartments are located at each end of this category s cars. In every second car there is a shower compartment. Cat. III Nostalgic The Cat. III Nostalgic Comfort Compartment offers two large berths approx x72.8 and an armchair for an especially comfortable view of the changing landscapes. Each of two neighbouring compartments shares a semi-private lavatory with wash basin and simple shower located between them. Combination wash and toilet facilities are located at both ends of the wagons. Cat. IV Bolshoi The Cat. IV Bolshoi compartment offers almost 60ft 2 of space. It has two beds, with the upper measuring and the lower This compartment also offers comfortable seating, a generous-sized table, and a small clothes closet. The Bolshoi category has its own lavatory equipped with a toilet, wash basin and integrated shower with a full shower curtain. Cat. V Bolshoi Platinum Each of the Cat. V Bolshoi Platinum compartment provides almost 77 sq. ft. of space, even more than the Bolshoi compartment. The lower bed measures 47.2 x72.4, the upper one 32.3 x68.5. Each compartment has a spacious clothes closet and its own lavatory outfitted with a separate shower cabin.

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