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Trans-Siberian Railway

Trans-Mongolian Railway Journey: Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulaanbaatar, Beijing 17 days / 16 nights
Travel across land and time to the ancient country of China. Start in Moscow, Russia- the past capital of communism, then on to Beijing - the new capital of communism. Venture through the Siberian taiga, the steppes of Mongolia and across the Gobi Desert into China. Meet fascinating people and see amazing landscapes. Take a train trip you will never forget.
Day 1	Upon arrival in Moscow you are met and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 2	Your day will start with Moscow city tour and include a visit to Kremlin (residence of Tsars and Patriarchs), Armory Museum (collection of gold, silver and jewelry), the Diamond Fund, Red Square and Alexandrovsky Garden.
Day 3	You begin the day by visiting the Kolomenskoye Estate (summer residence of Tsars since the time of Ivan the Terrible) and its church, built in 1530, once called the 8th wonder of the world. In the afternoon transfer to the railway station to board Trans Siberian train for Irkutsk. Settle into a comfortable two-berth compartment on the train and spend the rest of the evening enjoying beautiful scenery from your window.
Day 4	Today as you travel east, the train will arrive in Ekaterinburg where you make a short stop at the railway station. This city is rich of historic events: founded in the 17th century, the city was transformed to serve as exile for many prisoners, amongst them the last Czar and his family. Ekaterinburg is also the hometown of Boris Yeltsin, who served as mayor to the city. You continue your train journey towards Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia and will cross the Ob and Irtysh rivers and pass over the Ural Mountains, the official boundary between Europe and Asia.
Day 5-6	The time passes quickly as you settle into life on board the train, reading, relaxing, and playing cards or simply taking in the scenery as you travel east through Siberia. Enjoy the diverse nature of the region by passing through several zones (taiga forests, boundless steppes and tundra). You’ll travel through some of the major industrial Siberian cities, including Omsk and Novosibirsk. As the train makes several stops at the railway stations, you will have a chance to walk along the platform and possibly sample some of the tasty snacks being sold by the local babushkas.
Day 7	You approach the center of this vast country and prepare for a morning arrival in Irkutsk. You’ll be met and transferred to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. After breakfast, explore the city of Irkutsk by taking a city tour that includes visits to the major sites. Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia will intrigue you with it’s history and rich architectural style, a mixture of neoclassicism with the ancient wooden houses typical of old Siberia. Visit to the Decembrist Museum will give you an opportunity to a greater understanding of the Decembrist’s history (members of secret revolutionary societies whose activities led to the uprising of Dec., 1825, against Czar Nicholas I.)
Day 8	This morning depart for a full day trip to the Lake Baikal (largest fresh water lake of Eurasia and world’s deepest - 5,714 ft.), with excursions to the Museum of Wooden Architecture, where you learn about the life of local Siberians. An afternoon boat ride on the lake will be followed by a Russian folk song and dance performance as you enjoy dinner at the local restaurant.
Day 9	The entire day is free to spend as you please in Irkutsk or you can join optional excursions. You continue your journey in the evening as you’re transferred to the railway station for a first class train to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. As you settle into your private compartment for the night, enjoy a quiet evening on the train.
Day 10	Today you continue your train journey towards Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy the landscape outside your window as it gradually changes from wide forests and rivers to a uniform steppe, where the great Khans have been riding their horses. You arrive at the Russian-Mongolian border where the train will make a stop for a few hours. From here you’ll take a short trip to the ancient town of Kyakhta (Republic of Buryatia, Russia), one of the major points on the famous Tea Route. Return to the railway station to board the train for an overnight ride to Ulaanbaatar.
Day 11	11You arrive early in morning in Ulaanbaatar. Meet and greet at the airport and private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel. The first part of the day is at leisure to rest up for your adventures ahead. Your afternoon sightseeing includes the former Winter Palace of Mongolian rulers and the Museum of Bogd Khaan. An extremely rewarding visit will also be made to the Museum of Religion, a former Buddhist Monastery built in the Chinese - Tibetan style. A tour will be completed by a drive through the modern part of the city via the Boulevard of Peace.
Day 12	The day in Ulaanbaatar is free for you to explore on your own; there are also a number of optional excursions available. Tonight’s dinner at the local restaurant will introduce you to the traditional cuisine of Mongolia.
Day 13	This morning continue your railway journey by boarding the train to Beijing. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as the train makes its way through the open plains of south Mongolia to the Chinese border. You’ll have a chance to stretch your legs as the bogies are changed - and as the Chinese dining car replaces the Mongolian.
Day 14	You will arrive in the early morning in Beijing, the end of your train journey. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. The afternoon is free - a perfect opportunity to relax after a train ride or begin to explore the town on your own.
Day 15	Start this morning with a tour of the ancient city of Beijing. Stroll through the high-walled "Forbidden City" where, in earlier times, only members of the emperor's family were permitted. A visit will also be made to the famous Tian'anmen Square where Mao Zedong raised the flag of the People's Republic. You will visit the Museum of Chinese History and the Chinese Revolution Museum. Spend some time leisurely wandering through the grounds of the Summer Palace, residence of the last empress where she built an imposing Marble Barge with money that was earmarked for the Navy. Tonight’s dinner at the local restaurant will introduce you to the traditional cuisine of China.
Day 16	Today you take a trip to the extraordinary 4000-mile-long Great Wall of China. Your walk along the top of the wall will be a highlight of your Beijing stay. A short drive away is the statue-lined road leading to the thirteen Ming Tombs. You will visit one of these impressive burial places, actually huge underground palaces, with numerous halls built to contain the emperors' lavish treasures. Your journey is completed by a farewell dinner remembering the wonderful adventures of the tour.
Day 17	Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Included in this tour	2 meals a day (no meals on train) All accommodations Sightseeing excursions Porterage Transfers All transportation during tour
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