Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train Itinerary

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Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train

The journey itself is reason enough to take this trip through the vast forests of Russia and the open steppe and desert of Mongolia before finishing in vast China, a destination in itself. Travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway through Russia, Mongolia and China suggests you an opportunity to see world metropolises such as Moscow, Ulaanbaatar and Beijing as well as the varied landscapes along the route. Moscow — Kazan — Yekaterinburg — Novosibirsk — Irkutsk — Lake Baikal — Ulan-Ude — Ulaanbaatar — Beijing

Itinerary

Your Tour begins on Day 1 with Airport transfer to your Hotel. Your Tour ends on Day 15 after Breakfast at the Hotel. Please ask us for any extension options. Day 1 - Arrive and Discover Moscow Arrive in Moscow today, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You can choose to enjoy your down time at your hotel room or make a discovery walk of the hotel vicinity. This evening you will enjoy dinner on your own. Day 2 - Explore the heart of Moscow and board the Imperial Russia Train

After breakfast, you will enjoy the panoramic tour of Moscow that give you an idea of capital’s dimensions. Explore the Red Square, the very heart of Moscow, with picturesque St. Basil’s Cathedral or enjoy the ride in Moscow subway with the stations that are more likely to be underground palaces. You will be impressed by the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior or stunning view of Moscow standing on the Lenin Hills with your back towards Moscow University and other historical sites. After lunch in the city, continue to the Kremlin, one of the best- known monuments in Russia and in the world. The guided tour takes you inside the former residence of the Russian Tsars. Enjoy some time in down town strolling along the ancient Arbat Street with its numerous cafes, souvenir shops. Later in the evening, you’ll board «Imperial Russia» Train. Enjoy your dinner onboard & get to know your travel companions. Day 3 - Arrive in Kazan and immerse in the beauty of its folklore and cuisine

Upon arrival in Kazan, once the capital of the Tatar Khanate you will depart for city tour to explore the Old Kazan. Today, in the White Kremlin of Kazan, a new mosque rises in the immediate vicinity of a Christian cathedral. Enjoy the spectacular folklore program that will give you an insight into the Tatar national epic. We invite you to taste local cuisine while lunch & follow cooking demo revealing the secrets of Tatar cuisine. Later this afternoon you board your train & continue your trip. Tonight enjoy your dinner onboard! Day 4 - Be in two continents at the same time on Yekaterinburg Today we arrive in Yekaterinburg & start our discovery of this city that is closely connected with the family of the last

Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train(© www.palacetours.com) 1/8 Russian Emperor. During the tour, you will visit the memorial Church on the Blood to commemorate the tragic events taken place in this city. After lunch in downtown, we continue our visit. An absolutely must see is a memorial that marks the borderline between Europe & Asia. You will have an opportunity to be in both continents at the same time & keep the memory of it taking pictures. In the evening, we board «Imperial Russia» Train. Tonight enjoy your dinner onboard! Day 5 - Explore the city of Novosibirsk

We arrive in

Novosibirsk, the very heart of Siberia, & start our tour of city in the vicinity of the railway station with the visit to the local railway museum dedicated to the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. After lunch break the city tour will take us the embankment of the Ob river, main squares and streets of the most Soviet city on our itinerary. The local Opera House stands out among local sites, will impress you with its monumental architecture, and is known as the biggest theater building in this country. Board your train & enjoy your dinner tonight onboard!

Day 6 - Relax and Unwind aboard the Imperial Russia Train Your «Imperial Russia» Train keeps traveling through Siberia. Today enjoy your stay onboard to reflect on cities you have already visited. You may want to spend your time having a drink at the bar with your fellow travelers, or you might stay in your cabin and follow the changing scenery. Wooden houses, birch forests and if lucky enough some sun rays over mountain landscapes will greet you. Onboard staff will invite you for a talk on Trans-Siberian Railway. Enjoy the relaxing day in anticipation of the next stop! Day 7 - Tour the city of Irkutsk Our train arrives today in Irkutsk, one of the largest cities in Siberia. This city has preserved quite a few of historical buildings and monuments. During the city tour you will see picturesque wooden houses, visit the Decembrists’ House that will unfold the story of failed uprising of Russian aristocracy who were exiled to this city. After lunch do not miss the opportunity to visit an open-air museum located in the picturesque place of the river bank of Angara. This unique museum will tell you about the daily life of the people in this region in the past. Spend some free time strolling through Irkutskaya Sloboda before you will board your train in the evening. Day 8 - Visit the majestic Lake Baikal and explore the beauty surrounding it Standing on the shores of Lake Baikal, you can’t help being awestruck with admiration by the wonder created by nature itself. It is the deepest Lake in the world that contains the fifth part of the Earth’s fresh water. After breakfast, board a motor ship to sail on the waters of the Baikal to the village of Listvyanka. Here you will visit the unique museum dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Lake. Not to be missed is the observation point at the Cherssky Stone with a stunning view on the Lake and the Angara river. After a visit to a local market, the journey continues along the original route of the Trans-Siberian Railway for several hours directly along the shore of Lake Baikal. Your train will stop at a particular spot for you to enjoy the majestic lake and a barbeque dinner. Day 9 - Experience the colorful culture of the Buryats

Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train(© www.palacetours.com) 2/8 «Imperial Russia» Train will stop today in Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. A special spiritual experience is a visit to an active datsan that is today on your program during the city tour. Be a guest to the locals who will welcome you in a traditional yurt. Here you learn how to cook traditional “pozy”, play dice, wear traditional costume, and assemble yurt. Another perspective on the Buryats’ culture is a colorful and spectacular folklore program that you will enjoy here. Later in the evening board «Imperial Russia» Train to continue your voyage. Day 10 - Discover the Nomadic way of life in Terelj National Park After arrival in Ulaanbaatar, you will leave for Terelj National Park. You will be introduced to the nomadic way of life of still many Mongolians today. When reached Ger Camp in a remote area at Terelj National Park, explore its most beautiful landscapes on the tour of the National Park. Tonight you will sleep in gers (traditional Mongolian yurt) and enjoy traditional Mongolian dinner. Day 11 - Travel back to Ulaanbaatar and Explore capital of Mongolia Today you travel back to Mongolian capital to explore this historic city. You will visit the Gandan abbey, and the National Museum of Mongolia. Enjoy a stunning Mongolian cultural performance including the famous throat singing. Tonight you are welcome back onboard «Imperial Russia» Train. Day 12 - Marvel at the Gobi Desert and board the Chinese Charter Train Your train pulls towards the Chinese border through the Gobi Desert. Jaw-dropping landscapes will keep your eyes glued to the window. Erlian, the border town, is nothing more than a military post. Due to the different gauges, «Imperial Russia» Train cannot go to Beijing. Your Chinese charter reaches the capital of China in about 16 hours. Day 13 - Bask in the beauty and culture of Beijing Beijing is the final destination of your railway journey that has led you across two continents. It is home to millions of small shops and street traders, the place to shop for souvenirs and bargains, and the last opportunity to taste the delicious Chinese food in all its variations. During the city tour you will visit the Forbidden City, the Tiananmen Square and the Hutongs. The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors between 1368 and 1911. Tian’anmen Square is the largest city square in the centre of Beijing, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north, separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance, as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history. As the world’s largest city square and enduring symbol of China’s national pride, it is surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. Tonight you will lodge at one of the hotels in the city. Day 14 - Walk along the Great Wall of China After breakfast, you head to one of the most powerful symbols of ancient Chinese civilization – the Great Wall of China, stretching 9000 km. It took more than one million people and ten years to build the Great Wall of China, designed as a defensive structure. You can walk along the wall, through the watchtowers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. In the noon you are back in Beijing to visit the Summer Palace. Day 15 - Journey home After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport from where you start your travel home. Your exciting «Imperial Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train(© www.palacetours.com) 3/8 After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport from where you start your travel home. Your exciting «Imperial Russia» Train journey will certainly stay in good memory for a long time.

Destination Information Beijing Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, formerly known as Peking. Beijing is China's second largest city in terms of population, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways passing through the city, also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational and cultural center of the PRC. The most important tourist site of Beijing is The Tian'anmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace), both by itself and as the main entrance to the Forbidden City. Other world- renowned sites include the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven.

Irkutsk Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia and the administrative center of Irkutsk Oblast, situated 5,185 kilometers (3,222 mi) by rail from Moscow. The city lies on the Angara River, and situated in a landscape of rolling hills within the thick taiga, typical of eastern Siberia, and in contrast to the flat, open steppe of western Siberia. Its main portion of the city is separated from several important landmarks—the monastery, the fort, and the port, as well as its suburbs by another tributary, the Ida, or Ushakovka River. As a Siberian city, Irkutsk experiences a subarctic climate, characterized by extreme variation of temperatures between seasons.

Kazan Kazan is a city of west-central Russia east of Moscow, and one of Russia's largest cities. The city is the capital of Tatarstan, Eastern European Russia, and lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers. It is a major industrial, commercial and cultural center, and remains the most important center of Tatar culture. Founded in 1401, the modern city became the capital of a powerful Tartar khanate in 1455 but was conquered by Czar Ivan IV in 1552. Kazan's port and shipyards on the Volga make it an important water transport center. Founded in 1401, Kazan became the capital of a powerful, independent Tatar khanate (1445), which emerged from the empire of the Golden Horde.

Listvyanka Located on the shores of Lake Baikal, Listvyanka is a small town in Irkutsk Oblast.

Moscow Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. Moscow is the country's economic, financial, educational, and transportation centre. It is located on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Moscow is the largest city in Europe. Historically, it was the capital of the former Soviet Union and the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the pre-Imperial Russian state. It is the site of the Kremlin, which now serves as the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia. Moscow is rated as a beta world city for its global influences in media, politics, education, entertainment and fashion. It also remains a major economic centre and is home to a large number of billionaires; in 2007 Moscow was named the world's most expensive city for the second year in a row. It is home to many scientific and educational institutions, as well as numerous sport facilities. It possesses a complex transport system that includes the world's busiest metro system, which is famous for its architecture.

Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train(© www.palacetours.com) 4/8 Novosibirsk Novosibirsk is Russia's third largest city, after Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the administrative center of Novosibirsk Oblast. It is also the largest city in Siberia and the administrative center of Siberian Federal District, in the southwest of which it is located. It was founded in 1893 as the future site of the Trans-Siberian Railway Bridge crossing the great Siberian River Ob, and was known as Novonikolayevsk after Tsar Nicholas II. The bridge opened for traffic in the spring of 1897. Its importance further increased early in the 20th century with the completion of the Turkestan-Siberia Railway, connecting Novosibirsk to Central Asia and the Caspian Sea.

Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar, also known as Ulan Bator, is the capital city of Mongolia in north central Mongolia. The city lies on the Tuul River, and situated in a valley at an elevation of about 1310 m (about 4300 ft) and is surrounded by ridges. It is the political, cultural, industrial, and transportation center of the country, connected by highway to all the major towns in Mongolia and by rail to the Trans-Siberian and Chinese railroad systems. Ulaanbaatar has a long and mysterious history, and is only now undergoing an industrial revolution.

Ulan-Ude Ulan-Ude, the capital city of the Buryat Republic, is located about 100 km south-east of Lake Baikal. It is located at the foot of the Khamar-Daban and Khrebet Ulan-Burgasy mountain ranges, next to the confluence of the Selenga River and its tributary, the Uda which divides the city into two parts. It is the 3rd largest city in East Siberia and is served by the Ulan-Ude Airport (Mukhino), as well as the smaller Ulan-Ude Vostochny Airport. Ulan-Ude was founded in 1666 by the Russian Cossacks. There are old merchants' mansions richly decorated with wood and stone carving in the historical center of Ulan-Ude, along the river banks. They represent beautiful examples of Russian classicism.

Yekaterinburg Yekaterinburg is the 5th largest city in Russia after Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and is the capital of the Urals region. It was founded in 1723 by Peter the Great as the metallurgical factory and by the 20th century it had become one of Russia's largest and most important financial, industrial and cultural centers. Between 1924 and 1991, the town was known as Sverdlovsk. The city is often said to be situated on the border of Europe and Asia (on the Asian side) and two symbolic monuments of this can be found near the city.

Price Chart

Services included: Accommodation: On board «Imperial Russia» Train; 1 overnight at Moscow Hotel, 2 overnights at Beijing Hotel, 1 overnight on Ger in Mongolia; Towels, Bathrobe, and Slippers available onboard of «Imperial Russia» Train. Excursions & guides: Excursions with local guides according to the program; Excursions will be conducted in English, German, French, and Spanish. Other languages are possible upon

Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train(© www.palacetours.com) 5/8 request. Meals: Tea/Coffee is available onboard throughout the day; Full board. Other services:

Pick-up at the Airports, transfer to Hotels and Train Stations, transfer to the Airport; Services of the Porter at the Hotel and the Railway Stations; Brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, Geography and History of the Country visited; A Doctor is onboard; English speaking Group Leader and Tour managers.

Services not included: International and Domestic Flights; Visa Fees (The company is not liable for passengers with incorrect or expired Visas); All Drinks ordered in the Bar Car; “Tailor made” excursions. You have the option to extend your Tour. We offer additional excursions in every city within the Tour and in other cities of Russia; Meals on the day of arrival and departure; Tips and Personal expenses; Insurance (Every Passenger is obliged to have a Medical Insurance for the whole duration of the Tour); Vaccination: Consult your Doctor or Medical Center for specific health advice, due to visit of different countries in terms of this Tour.

Travel Tips & FAQ's Bar. A Bar Car is included in the Train formation, which is open all day and through the evening & until the last passenger retires. Smoking is not permitted in the Bar area. All Drinks are for extra charge. No Bar Car is available on the route from Ulan-Bator to Beijing on the trains to/from Beijing. Cameras. We recommend that you take with you any spare camera batteries that you may require for your trip. Credit cards & Travellers Cheques. Travellers cheques are almost impossible to use outside of Moscow and the large Hotels, we advise against bringing them. It is therefore necessary to bring sufficient cash to cover all likely souvenir purchases and additional personal items on the tour. ATM machines dispensing Russian Rubles now exist in nearly all the cities along our route. Currency. Only Russian Rubles are accepted onboard. Doctor. There will be a Doctor onboard the train throughout the journey. If you need any regular medication, you must bring sufficient to last the duration of the trip. You should also bring a copy of your Prescription. Russian Medical services are very efficient for Foreigners – but this should in no way be considered an alternative to full Medical Insurance cover. The Railways have their own Hospitals along the route and your Tour Manager will assist if necessary. Dress Attire. On and off the Train, the dress code is casual. In the evening, we suggest smart casual. There may be an opportunity for a swim in Lake Baikal, so please include some Swimwear in your luggage. Please avoid wearing short clothes during the visits to Churches and Mosques, even if the weather is warm. If not, you will not be allowed to visit inside some Churches. When visiting a Mosque, you need to take off your Shoes, but can keep your Socks on. Please remember to bring appropriate Headgear. Women are required to cover their Hair with a Headscarf or Shawl in Russia’s Orthodox Churches. Men must not wear short trousers inside the Church. Electricity. Sockets in Hotels and on the Train use a standard European 2-pin style adapter, 220 V in hotels. Each Train car has 110 V (dc) and 220 V (ac) sockets suitable for recharging video batteries and shaving. Food & Drink. All Food is included (except for dinner on the arrival day) and three meals per day will be provided. A generous allowance of Wine, Beer or Soft Drinks is available in the Bar Car for extra charge. Tea, Coffee, and Mineral Water are available from your Carriage Attendant throughout the tour free of charge. Unfortunately for security reasons we no longer accept credit card payments on board the train, so any expenses should be settled in cash, either as you go or at the end of the tour. Gratuities. Tipping is at your discretion. Hotels. The final information about Hotels will be sent closer to Train departure. Insurance. Please remember to bring with you, either the original or a copy of your Travel Insurance Policy, stating clearly the Company, Policy Number and 24 hour Medical Emergency Telephone Number. It is very important that we have all Insurance and Emergency contact details prior to departure, so please make sure you complete and return

Discover Russia and Beijing by Imperial Luxury Train(© www.palacetours.com) 6/8 the information request forms as soon as possible. Internet. We do not have Wi-Fi capability on the Train. Laundry. This Service is chargeable per item, available on the Train, and operates from Car attendants. Water and shower onboard: Drinking water. We do not recommend to drink tap water on the Train. Small bottle of water is daily available in your cabin, during meals and tours. Extra bottled water can be provided by your Car Attendant any time upon request. Shower. As it is not running water onboard and the quantity is limited, please be wise having a shower on the Train for your and other Travelers convenience. Water in First Class Plus and First Class showers needs some time to heat before it can be used by the next customer. Luggage. Please keep luggage to a minimum, as there is limited storage space inside the cabin for luggage storage & oversized luggage maybe difficult to stow. We strongly recommend using the soft type of suitcase, as it is easier to fit in the cabin. Soft-topped luggage is easier to store. Clients can have assistance to store their luggage. Passports and visas. A Full Passport with at least 6 months validity remaining on entry into Russia is required for the tour. We strongly recommend taking spare passport photographs and a photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport with you. Keep your passport with you at all times. Keep your duplicate copies separately, preferably in your luggage. Security. Each car has two Car Attendants, one of whom is always on duty. We recommend that you do not leave the Bathroom window open during the stops. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Train except the last sleeping car’s end vestibule and on platforms during station stops. Smoking is also not permitted on Buses during the city tours, Airport transfers and during group meals at restaurants. Tour Program. Our tours are specifically designed for the adventure traveler who wishes to combine the thrill of travelling through the many countries featured in our brochures with the comfort and safety afforded by our “Hotel on Wheels”. We provide a varied and sometime intensive tour program. There are some days when you will have an early start, occasionally before 8 am. Tour Timings. We receive the final Train timings from Russian Railways only 10 days prior to the tour. The program may be altered depending on the final arrival/departure times of our Train. Vaccinations. No Vaccinations are listed as official requirements for Western Tourists visiting Russia. Recommended vaccinations for Russia and Siberia include Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and low dose Diphtheria. However, Health requirements are constantly changing and you should consult your professional medical adviser or Travel Clinic well before you depart. Weather. During May in Siberia, you can expect Temperatures outside to be +5°C to +20°C. In Lake Baikal area, with its own Microclimate, Temperatures in the evening can be lower than usual, so we recommend you to have some warm clothes in your luggage. Terms & Conditions Payment and cancellation conditions: 1. The prepayment is due 5 days upon receipt of the tour confirmation. The prepayment is non-refundable. The prepayment shall amount to: 1500 EUR – per person in VIP compartment; 1500 EUR – per person in BUSINESS CLASS compartment; 900 EUR – per person in FIRST CLASS PLUS compartment; 900 EUR – per person in FIRST CLASS compartment. 2. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure. 3. Cancellation of a confirmed reservation 60 days prior to departure is subject to penalty at the rate of 50 % of the tour price. 4. Cancellation of a confirmed reservation 30 days prior to departure is subject to penalty at the rate of 100% of the tour price.

Our Corporate Offices are located in Miami, FL. Click here to schedule a phone call or visit to our Miami Office You can contact us by Phone or live chat on the website or feel free to walk in to our office where our Luxury Travel Experts are available to assist you during business hours. Office: Palace Tours 12000 Biscayne Blvd. Suite #107 Miami, FL 33181 WEB: www.palacetours.com EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 1-800-724-5120 USA: Miami, FL: 786-408-0610 Princeton, NJ: 1-609-580-1372 New York, NY: 1-212-920-2543 Houston, TX: 1-832-446-2709 INTERNATIONAL: United Kingdom: 0330 808 4654 Australia: 1-800-156-671 New Zealand: 0800-442-510 FAX: 1-609-683-9772