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Along the wayMoscowIrkutskUlaanbaatarBeijing
Leaving from Moscow to Beijing
ExperienceClassic Naadam Train
NAADAM is Mongolia's biggest and most uproariousfestival of the
calendar year. Mongolia's extremeclimate (hot summers, freezing
Siberian winters) meanthat rural communities (who make up 75% of
thepopulation) are cut off in winter, when deep snowmakes all but
major roads impassable. To make-up fora lack of New Year
festivities (in any case Mongoliansmark the Lunar New Year),
Mongolians go berserk atNaadam instead.What’s included
FULL ON
Train> 4-berth rail for complete journey (pre-assigned
berths)> option to upgrade to 2-berthMoscow > transfer on
arrival to your hotel> 2 nights 3★ hotel, breakfast > 3 hour
personalised walking tour with local expert> transfer to the
station on departure
Irkutsk > all transportation > 3 nights 3★ hotel,
Listvyanka Village, breakfast > excursion optionUlaanbaatar>
all transportation > 2 nights 3★ hotel ,breakfast, 2 boxed
lunches> 2 nights Elstei Ger Lodge all meals> 1 night Hustai
Ger Camp all meals> 1 night Molit Valley Ger Camp all meals>
City tour of Ulaanbaatar> Naadam tickets
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In the know�The word “Kremlin” isn’t Russian – it’s froma
medieval Tartar word meaning “fortress”.There used to be kremlins
all over Russia inthe days when the Mongols were a threat.There’s
even one in Siberia, at Tobolsk.“Siberia” means “the sleeping land”
andisn’t a Russian word – it comes from theTartar name for the
area, “Sibir”.Lake Baikal is the world’s largest, and hasmore
statistics than any other lake.Genghis Khan’s name is correctly
spelt“Chinghiskhan”, although his name at birthwas Temujin. Despite
his reputation forferocity, the oldest annals of Mongolianhistory
reveal he was frightened of dogs.
At The Russia Experience we like to ditch theclichés, discard
the puff and concentrate onwhat we do best – bringing to life the
world’slongest train route: the places visited, theencounters made
and the realisation of ajourney that is both engaging and
rewarding.
We continually look at ways of enhancing theTrans Siberian
experience, incorporatingseasonal considerations (such as the
HarbinIce Festival), providing the historical context(pay a visit
to the only remaining Soviet Gulag)or inviting you to savour the
diverse culturalinfluences of indigenous people (sit downwith a
shaman, or enjoy the Siberian art ofthroat singing!).
We have no group departures, our advertiseddates always operate
(barring anythingcompletely out of our control) and, above all,we
will tell you it like it is – allowing you tomake the right choice
from a portfolio ofjourneys rich in variety and full of
memorableexperiences. Sorry! We couldn’t resist at leastone
cliché!
No ordinary trip
Visa RequirementsVisitors to Russia, Mongolia and Chinarequire
visas. These must be obtainedprior to departure. Visa processing
timesfor these countries can be up to;Russia 10 Working
DaysMongolia 06 Working DaysChina 07 Working DaysHowever fast track
processing is possible. Due to the support documents required bythe
Embassy of Russia (which we obtain),you will need to book your trip
beforestarting to obtain visas.For full information regarding
visas, pleaserefer to our web site.
Hints and TipsTOP TIP! – Popular time of year to travel sobook
early!Photocopy your passport including thevisas issued pages,
airline tickets andinsurance policies.Your passport must be valid
for at least sixmonths past the end of your travel dates.
Travellers ChecklistDay pack, back pack, money belt, first
aidkit, heat proof mug, instant coffee, teabags, sun hat, mosquito
repellent,lightweight jacket, flip flops, swim wear, sun cream,
warmjacket (Sep-Apr departures), ski clothing.(For those
participating), warm waterproofwalking boots, photographs of home
toshow the Nomads, Mongolian children lovebubbles!, universal sink
plug, bottleopener.
Climate and time – Minimum/maximum Temperatures ºCMay/Jun
Jul/Aug
Moscow +15/+22 +15/+30Irkutsk +8/+22 +26/+38Ulaanbaatar +15/+24
+26/+42Beijing +15/+22 +24/+30
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These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our
trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a
flavour of your daily itinerary.
You will be travelling in parts of the world where the
unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and,
as a result, the unexpected can happen
and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers
do not form part of any contract.
full on itinerary – 19 days Leaving from Moscow to Beijing
ExperienceClassic Naadam Train
Naadam is the traditional three-day festivalof “manly sports” -
the biggest event on theMongolian calendar. In fact it is
celebratedacross Central Asia in different ways.Before the
Socialist revolution in 1924,Naadam included many aspects of
bothBuddhism and Shamanism, includingelaborate mask-dancing and
processions.These elements were stamped-out by theCommunist
authorities and eradicated.After communism collapsed in
Mongolia,the mask-dancers were allowed toparticipate in the Opening
Parade, but nomask ceremonies or Buddhist rituals areincluded. The
main thing is the sports –wrestling, archery, flicking dried
sheep'sankle-bones at a target (harder than itsounds!), and the
biggest spectacle of all –the horse-racing. All the events go on
inparallel, and aficionados go to see whatinterests them most.
Foreign visitors tendto dip-in and watch a bit of everything,
andalso take a wander round the manysouvenir-stands and food-stalls
that pop-uparound the arenas. Mongolia's population isspread thinly
over huge areas of land (threetimes the size of Germany, but with
thepopulation of just one small German city),and the harsh winters
make travelimpossible for many small communities inwintertime – the
summer festival ofNaadam has always been not only aceremonial and
sporting event, but achance to visit distant friends and
relations,enjoy a chitchat, something of an annualfair, and also a
chance for young people inisolated communities to perhaps find
aspouse? The organisation of the events(mostly by the sports fans
who participatein them) can sometimes be rather chaotic –so be
prepared for schedule changes, and alot of traffic jams!
DAY 01 “S Priezdom! Welcome to Moscow!” Ourdriver will be there
to meet you fromwhichever flight, train or boat you arrive.You’ll
then be transferred to the Panorama3★ Hotel. The facilities
available at this hotelinclude a Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Lobby
Wi-Fi
access, Luggage Room, Safety deposit boxesand an ATM machine. At
check-in, (after2pm) the hotel reception will advise you theywill
need your passport for visa registration.This process takes 1–2
hours. Yourcomplimentary InfoPack is full of ideas forgetting the
most out of your free time. (Pleasenote your Trans-Siberian train
tickets will bedelivered to the hotel during your two nightstay.)No
mealsDAY 02 After breakfast one of our local expert staffwill meet
you at the hotel to take you on athree hour walking tour round the
highlightsyou’ll use public transport around the centreto avoid the
traffic jams and get the hang ofthe system for when you come to use
itindependently. Our staffers are full of ideasfor this walk but
are flexible about otherideas if you have your own. Your walk ends
inthe city centre around lunchtime. If youhaven’t pre-booked any of
our range of cityexcursions the rest of the day is your own
toexplore further. Some of our top suggestions(please check opening
times/days beforesetting off) would include visiting the
MoscowKremlin, the Tretyakov Gallery, the PushkinFine Arts Museum,
or a boat trip along theMosvka River ... perhaps locate some
ticketsfor ballet, opera, circus or a concert thisevening? As well
as famous classical musictraditions Moscow features on the
touringschedules of world names in jazz, rock, popand world
music.Breakfast
DAY 03 Your morning is free until 11.30am when adriver is
scheduled to take you to the station. Although there’s a restaurant
car service onboard your train you may want to supplementthis with
some snacks, treats, and fresh fruitthat you could buy today.Your
transfer from the hotel to Yaroslavskystation is scheduled for
11:30am, so please beat the hotel reception where your driver
willmeet you and will assist your boarding of theIrkutsk bound
train. BreakfastDAY 04–06 On board The Trans-Sib ....Travelling
towardsIrkutsk. The dining car is the heart of sociallife on the
train. It functions as bar, lounge,and take-out snack store, as
well as a caféserving reasonably priced meals. It is a greatplace
to meet fellow travellers and localsalike, sharing your experiences
of yourjourney so far with a few drinks, which nodoubt will include
some Vodka – and maybesmoked salmon and caviar too! Along the
wayyou’ll see astonishing Siberian scenery as thedeciduous forests
of the Ural Mountainsslowly give way to Siberian pine forests.
Themajor landmarks are the great rivers youcross, including the
River Ob at Novosibirsk (one of the most famousbridges on the
route), and the gigantic EniseiRiver (at Krasnoyarsk).No meals
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These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our
trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a
flavour of your daily itinerary.
You will be travelling in parts of the world where the
unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and,
as a result, the unexpected can happen
and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers
do not form part of any contract.
full on itinerary – 19 days Leaving from Moscow to Beijing
ExperienceClassic Naadam Train
DAY 07 Early morning arrival in Irkutsk. Our driverwill meet you
at the end of the platform,holding a meeting-board displaying
“RussiaExperience”. Transfer to “Krestovaya Pad 3★Hotel” situated
in Listvyanka Village (70km)travelling by road through the forest.
TheKrestovaya Pad Hotel is set just 50 metresfrom the shores of
Lake Baikal. Hotelfacilities include; sun terrace, sauna
(localcharge) Laundry and Ironing service,restaurant and bar. All
rooms have privatebathrooms, tea and coffee facilities and
aminibar. Wi-Fi is free of charge in publicareas. The nearest
ATM-machine in theBaikal Hotel (Listvyanka remains a village,and
doesn't have the range of bankingservices you could expect in a
city). Theofficial check-in time is 13:00, the hotelreception will
advise you they will need yourpassport for visa registration
formalities. Ifyour room is available this will - of course -be
allocated to you on arrival. (If your roomis not available you will
be able to leave yourluggage with the hotel reception). You
willhave a chance to have breakfast beforesetting off on your
walking tour aroundListvyanka Village. This will include a visit
tothe Limnological Museum (this is anexhibition about the Lake, its
formation,wildlife etc. - it includes multimediapresentations,
information about thecreatures which live in the darkest depths,and
also an aquarium with living aquaticspecies, including the unique
freshwaterBaikal seals) and also a small wooden villageRussian
Orthodox Church dating back to theC18th. You return to your hotel
at the endof the walk, with time to relax and enjoyyour lakeside
surroundings, maybeexperience real Siberian "banya" (sauna –local
charge). Breakfast
DAY 08 Choose one activity from the list, it’s allincluded in
the trip price! You’ll need toinform us of your choice
beforecommencing your journey, so that we canhave the right staff
on hand for when youarrive (please note the Siberian weatherputs
seasonal limits on some activities –details below). A. SIBERIAN
TREK through the Taiga Forestwith a local guide who will explain
thewildlife, with a local guide who will explianthe eco system and
lore of the Taiga. Thetrek is 4-5 hours long, includes a picnic
stylelunch and a good level of fitness is required.(May-Oct)B.
CIRCUM BAIKAL PICNIC Take the Ferryfrom Listvyanka to Port Baikal
which takesaround 15 minutes. Walk around PortBaikal, where you
will see the train stationof the old Circumbaikal rail line. Then
youwill walk along the rail line to the nearesttunnel (2-3 km).
Stopping for a picnic lunchon the shore of Lake Baikal. Return to
PortBaikal, ferry back to Listvyanka. Theexcursion is around 5
hours duration. (Jun-Sep) C.TALTSY WOODEN MUSEUM A two hourtrip
which includes a return transfer by car,and entrance fees to the
Taltsy open airwooden museum which is situated on theshore of the
Angara river. On arrival you arefree to explore independently and
there is atea house here where afterwards you canhave a cup of tea
and traditional Russiansnack (pencakes, pirodzki, etc)
Thispicturesque area shows how life was andhas been sympathetically
restored as atourist attraction where you can buy authentic
souvenirs. (Year round)D. PORT BAIKAL A day trip to Port Baikalwith
a local guide taking a ferry fromListvyanka. On arrival visit the
CircumbaikalRailway Museum located at the train stationthen an
uphill hike to the White stoneviewpoint and to see the old
lighthouse.Followed by a visit to a Russian OrthodoxChurch, lunch
and free time walking back tothe village. Return by ferry. Duration
5hours. (May–August)Breakfast
DAY 09 No specific itinerary is planned today. Thisis a free day
at your leisure. Why not take awalk down to the harbour and enjoy
thefreshly caught omlu, the indigenous fish ofLake
Baikal.BreakfastDAY 10 After breakfast transfer back to Irkutsk
city.Where you will have the option to leaveyour bags at our local
office. You will begiven a map and recommendations ofinteresting
places to visit, balance of dayfree to explore. We suggest you take
thisopportunity to purchase provisions for thenext leg of your
journey, as often thisservice has no dining car. This
eveningtransfer to the station for the Ulaanbaatarbound train.
BreakfastDAY 11 On board heading down towards Mongolia. At midnight
you will make the bordercrossing into Mongolia with the usual halt
forformalities. No mealsDAY 12 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, and straight
to theNaadam Opening Ceremonies. Naadamkicks off with an opening
parade around thetrack of the Sports Stadium, vaguely similarto the
Olympics Parade but with a specialMongolian twist. In addition to
all thecompetitors, the Parade includes all thepast & present
Miss Mongolias, famoussingers, actors and musicians, rock bands,
amotorbike enthusiasts group, variouscarnival floats, masked
shamanic dancers,and various celebrities and politicians.
OnceNaadam has been officially opened, thewrestling bouts began
right there at theStadium – the rounds will take three days
tocomplete! In the adjacent stadiums thereare archery contests to
watch, and allaround the stadium area an impromptu fairof
souvenir-stands, fast food and attractionstakes place. Afternoon
transfer out ofUlaanbaatar to the horse-track, to see therounds in
the horse-riding championships.Return to Ulaanbaatar, and overnight
at theBayangol Hotel, right in the centre of town.Breakfast, Boxed
Lunch, Supper
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These dossiers are designed to provide you with a guide to our
trips, the places visited, accommodation used and to give you a
flavour of your daily itinerary.
You will be travelling in parts of the world where the
unanticipated and the unusual are all part of the experience and,
as a result, the unexpected can happen
and we may on occasions need to vary your plans. These dossiers
do not form part of any contract.
full on itinerary – 19 days Leaving from Moscow to Beijing
ExperienceClassic Naadam Train
DAY 13 After breakfast return to the stadium to thewrestling and
archery tournaments. Thisafternoon transfer to Elstei Ger
Lodge(70km). With a scheduled stop at theenormous monument to
Genghis Khanalong the way. It may not be quitetraditional in style
(since it's made ofstainless steel) but it's an astounding
edificeand a testament to Genghis's place inMongolian culture
(astonishingly theCommunists tried to writehim out of official
history text-books).Taking the elevator to the top of this 10metre
high monument you visit theexhibition hall from where you will have
anexcellent panoramic view over the complexarea and the scenery
beyond. On arrival toElstei Ger Lodge you will be allocated a
fourperson share Ger. (2 -person upgradeavailable.)Breakfast, Boxed
Lunch, SupperDAY 14 Today you will visit a local nomad family.See
how a nomadic family milks theirlivestock and learn how they
produce dairyproducts using the traditional Mongolianmethod. You
can go horse-riding yourselfwith local trainers, take a walk in
thebeautiful surrounding area, wander over tosee the giant Genghis
Khan statue, practiceMongolian archery – or just stretch out for
aread or a nap in the glorious summerweather. A relaxed evening in
the bar aftersupper – there are occasional impromptuperformances of
live Mongolian music,where you might hear the Morin
Khuur(horse-head lyre), the cimbalom, or nativeMongolian khoomei
throat-singing.Breakfast, Lunch, Supper
DAY 15 This afternoon travel by road to HustaiNational Park. The
park is home to a someamazing wildlife including Wolves , Lynx
andthe Golden Eagle and of course thePrezevalsky Horses (known
locally as"Takhi"). The park lies in the foothills of thesouthern
Khentii Mountain Range about100km south west of Ulaanbaatar.
Youraccommodation is located at the maincamp, which has similar
facilities as theElstei Ger Lodge. On arrival to the campafter
settling in you will visit thePrezevalsky Horses that live wild in
the Park- one of the few places in the world this ispossible after
being considered extinct formany years. Overnight at the
camp.Breakfast, Lunch, SupperDAY 16 You will breakfast at the camp
then set offto the picturesque Moilt Valley - this is notfar,
around 25-30 kms away. This area isfamous for wildflowers as well
as wildlife.On route you will visit old sculptures andDeer stones
(or Reindeer stones ) these areancient megaliths carved with
symbols thatcan be found all over the world but areconcentrated
largely in Siberia andMongolia. The name comes from theircarved
depictions of flying deer. Lunchalong the way and then overnight
withsupper at the camp.Breakfast, Lunch, Supper
DAY 17 After breakfast you will travel back toUlaanbaatar which
is around 3-4 hoursaway. The day will also include, once back inthe
capital, some sightseeing. While outwith your guide you will enjoy
seeing theGandan monastery - home to 150 monksand housing the
26.5-meter-high statue ofMigjid Janraisig and also the main
squarewhere you will see the huge monument ofSükhbaatar ,leader of
the army thatliberated Mongolia in the 1921 revolution.This evening
you will enjoy a concert oftraditional Mongolian folk dancing.
BreakfastDAY 18 Early morning transfer to the station for
theBeijing bound train. Time to leave the CapitalOn The Steppes –
today’s train journeymeanders through amazing sun parchedscenery of
the Southern Gobi. Later thatevening there comes the Chinese
borderformalities, after which you are free to getsome
sleep.BreakfastDAY 19 Don’t oversleep today, as it’s possibly
someof the most spectacular scenery of theentire route, as you
leave the desert scenerybehind and pass by mountains and ricepaddy
fields. Afternoon arrival to BeijingCentral Station. For services
in China andbeyond please refer to our web site.No meals