|
|
Special Features
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On this far-reaching journey, begin in Moscow, center of Russian politics, power and prestige. Explore the Kremlin, where the city began, and the Armory Museum filled with the regal clothing, jewels, carriages and gilded gifts of imperial times. Board the world-famous Trans-Siberian Railway on a journey that skirts great Lake Baikal, the deepest and most ancient lake on earth and ends on the doorstep of the extraordinary Naadam Festival in Mongolia's capital, UlaanBaatar. Celebrate the "Three Sports of Man" -- archery, wrestling and horseracing -- skills of great historical and traditional importance to the Mongolian nomad.
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daily Itinerary
Day 1, Sun, Jun 29: Depart USA
(Meals: aloft)
Day 2, Mon, Jun 30: Arrive Moscow
Gather this evening for a welcome dinner.
Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel or similar (D)
Day 3, Tue, Jul 1: Moscow
Set off to explore Moscow. Drive by some of its best-known places - the Duma building where Russia's governing body meets, the Bolshoi Theater, the forbidding Lubyanka prison where the KGB was headquartered and on to Red Square, which is best appreciated on foot. Tour the Tretyakov Gallery, where the history and trajectory of Russian art is displayed.
Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel or similar (B, L, D)
Day 4, Wed, Jul 2: Moscow, board the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express
Tour the dignified Kremlin and the Armory Museum today, admiring Russia's national treasures, such as religious icons, Fabergé eggs and Catherine the Great's ball gowns and shoes. This afternoon, board the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train for departure to the east.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 5, Thu, Jul 3: Kazan
Today we pull in to Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, an old city on the Volga River with a fascinating multiethnic history. Explore the Russian kremlin and admire the Orthodox churches and minarets found in the city. In the afternoon, embark on a short Volga cruise.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 6, Fri, Jul 4: Ekaterinburg
Ekaterinburg is best known as the place where the last czar, Nicholas II, and his family were imprisoned and executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918. Visit the Romanov execution site, the Stone Carving and Jewelry Museum, the military museum or a local art museum.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 7, Sat, Jul 5: Novosibirsk
With a population of over 1.6 million people, Novosibirsk is the largest city in Siberia and its industrial center. A tour of Novosibirsk includes a visit to Russia's largest Opera House and Lenin Square.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 8, Sun, Jul 6: Aboard train
Admire Siberia's vast wilderness as the train rolls through the taiga, crossing several rivers and passing through the beautiful Sayan Mountains.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 9, Mon, Jul 7: Irkutsk
Today explore Irkutsk, founded in 1661 as a Cossack garrison and fortress. Czarist and Bolshevik exiles from the 18th through the 20th centuries brought culture and education to Irkutsk. Visit the restored house of Prince Sergei Volkonsky, now the House Museum of the Decembrists.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 10, Tue, Jul 8: Lake Baikal
This morning we find ourselves near the shore of beautiful Lake Baikal. Formed in a rift in the earth's surface nearly 25 million years ago, the lake today holds about 20% of the world's fresh water. Here we join the Circumbaikal Railway, the original line used by the Trans-Siberian, stopping for lunch at one of the old rail stations. Later, tour the lakeside village of Listvyanka and the Limnological Museum of Baikal.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 11, Wed, Jul 9: Ulan Ude
Arriving in the capital of the Buryat Republic, Ulan Ude, visit the Ivolginsky Datsan, a beautiful Buddhist monastery that is the spiritual center of Russian Buddhists. Our time in Ulan Ude also includes a visit to a village of Old Believers.
Aboard train (B, L, D)
Day 12, Thu, Jul 10: Arrive UlaanBaatar
Crossing the Mongolian border, we disembark today in UlaanBaatar, the political, industrial and cultural heart of Mongolia, surrounded by the beautiful Khan Khentii Mountains. We may drive outside the city to the Gorkhi Terelj National Park for a visit to a nomadic ger camp and an optional horseback ride.
UlaanBaatar, Genghis Khan Hotel or similar
(B, L, D)
Day 13, Fri, Jul 11: UlaanBaatar
The Naadam Festival begins today. A celebration of Mongolia's land and traditions, the festival spotlights the nation's three most popular sports: archery, horse racing and wrestling. Attend the glittering opening ceremony and witness the long distance horseracing event. Finish the day with dinner and a folk performance.
UlaanBaatar, Genghis Khan Hotel or similar (B, L, D)
Day 14, Sat, Jul 12: UlaanBaatar
Observe the Naadam wrestling competitions, and later explore the Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia's oldest and most important sites, or the National History Museum for an excellent overview of the country's history and culture. Celebrate our journey with a farewell dinner.
UlaanBaatar, Genghis Khan Hotel or similar
(B, L, D)
Day 15, Sun, Jul 13: Depart UlaanBaatar
After breakfast at the hotel, our journey comes to an end with transfers to the airport for departure.
(B)
About the Train
Two styles of accommodation are available on trips aboard the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express: Gold Class and Silver Class. Each car has its own highly qualified attendants who provide bed turndown service, plus tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day. Towels are provided and onboard laundry service is available. Both Gold Class and Silver Class cars offer private en-suite facilities, with upper/lower berth configuration.
Gold Class cabins are among the best in international rail travel today and feature modern en-suite amenities including power showers and under floor heating. Cabins are well-appointed and equipped with state of the art DVD/CD player, LCD screens, audio system, individual air conditioning, recessed lighting and wardrobe space. Each cabin is configured with upper and lower berths, and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy.
Silver Class cabins are smaller than Gold Class cabins but still have en-suite facilities, though with a smaller shower area. Silver Class cabins feature the same amenities as Gold Class cabins but in a smaller space.
A Bar/Lounge Car is included in the formation of the train. The lounge offers a relaxing and comfortable area where you can enjoy a drink and gather with other passengers. |
 Schematics depict sample car layouts. Exact cabin configurations may vary. |
|
For more information, call Indiana University Alumni Association at 800-824-3044 or email at iualumni@indiana.edu
Tour Operator: MIR Corporation 
|