UZBEKISTAN  KAZAKHSTAN  KYRGYZSTAN  CHINA  RUSSIA  MONGOLIA 169 CENTRALASIA Imaginative Facts Tour code: APRR • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, optional swimming, optional horse and camel riding • Accommodation: 28 nights simple hotels, 4 nights hard sleeper train, 2 nights home stay, 2 nights in Yurt camp • Transport: Public bus, private coach, day train, sleeper train, taxi • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader DAY 1: TASHKENT- Arrive in Tashkent. DAY 2: TASHKENT - URGENCH - KHIVA-We explore the capital of Uzbekistan, including its markets and the old city. Fly to Urgench and transfer to Khiva. DAY 3: KHIVA- Full day to explore Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage listed city. DAYS 4- 6: BUKHARA- We cross the Kyzyl Kum desert and head for Bukhara with its stunning mosques and mausoleums. DAYS 7- 9: SAMARKAND- Another drive takes us to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz, Tamerlane's birthplace. Samarkand is probably the most famous of the great Silk Road cities, and the Registan one of the most majestic collections of Islamic architecture anywhere. DAYS 10- 11: TASHKENT- Return to Tashkent. DAYS 12- 16: TRAVEL TO KYRGYZSTAN via KAZAKHSTAN- Travel from Tashkent to Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, via the Aksu- Dzhabagly nature reserve. We have time to explore this reserve by foot or on horseback. DAYS 17- 19: KYRGYZSTAN- We make a circuit of the huge alpine lake Issyk Kul where there are superb trekking opportunities. We also meet local nomads who still practice hunting using golden eagles. DAYS 20 & 21: KYRGYZSTAN to CHINA-We stay at the ancient caravanserai at Tash Rabat before continuing through the spectacular Torugart Pass into China. DAYS 22 & 23: KASHGAR- A free day to explore this remote corner of China by foot or by bicycle. We also have a full day to enjoy the wonderful Sunday market. Join the locals for fresh dumplings and tea, watch the horse traders race their prospective animals, and see the shepherds trading their flocks. DAY 24: KASHGAR - TURPAN- Take an overnight train to Turpan. DAYS 25 & 26: TURPAN- We arrive at Daheyan and transfer to the delightful oasis town of Turpan where we visit the ruins of the ancient cities of Gaocheng and Jiache, as well as the nearby Grape Valley where we sample the local wines and raisins. DAY 27: URUMQI - DUNHUANG- We continue to Urumqi where we have time to visit the museum with its extraordinary collection of mummies before we catch the overnight train to Dunhuang. DAY 28: DUNHUANG- In the afternoon we visit the famous Mogao grottoes. DAYS 29 & 30: JIAYUGUAN- This morning we take a bus to Jiayuguan. The following day we visit Jiayuguan Fort, and the end of the Great Wall. We can take an optional camel ride before visiting the ' hanging wall'. DAY 31: JIAYUGUAN - XI'AN- Free morning with the option to visit the Weijin underground tomb. In the afternoon we catch the overnight train to Xi'an. DAYS 32 & 33: XI'AN- After arriving in Xi'an we have free time to visit the sites of this ancient capital of China. DAY 34: XI'AN - BEIJING- A morning visit to the Terracotta Warriors, dating back more than 2,000 years, and originally built to protect the Emperor in the afterlife. In the afternoon we transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Beijing. DAY 35: BEIJING- We transfer to the hotel and then visit the magnificent Forbidden City and the nearby Tiananmen Square. The afternoon is free for further exploration of China's vibrant capital. DAY 36: GREAT WALL - BEIJING- Visit a lesser visited section of the Great Wall with an option to hike for 3- 5 hours along the crest of the wall. DAY 37: BEIJING- Tour ends. Travel from Uzbekistan to Beijing via the heart of Central Asia • Visit the great cities of Tashkent, Khiva and Bukhara • Explore the Aksu- Dzhabagly nature reserveand Issyk Kul lake area on foot • Take the Torugart Pass to China to the famous market town of Kashgar • Travel along ancient caravan routesto the end of the Great Wall • Visit Beijing's Forbidden Cityand Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan China The Rhubarb Road Imaginative Facts Tour code: AABJ • Activities: Optional hiking and horse- riding • Accommodation: 6 nights on board the train, 6- 7 nights simple hotels ( shared facilities in some cases), 1- 2 nights homestay, 2 nights Mongolian ger • Transport: Trans- Mongolian train, bus, metro and taxi • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader DAY 1: BEIJING- Arrival day. DAY 2: GREAT WALL - We take a day trip out to the Great Wall, and hike on one of the less visited sections. DAY 3: TRAIN- Board the Trans- Mongolian train and head north through China and over the broder into Mongolia, passing a part of the Great Wall on the way. DAY 4: ULAAN BAATAR- Arrive in the Mongolian capital in the early afternoon and head out into the rolling grasslands that start right on the edge of the city. We spend the night in a traditional ger ( yurt). ( D) DAY 5: GER CAMP - A full day in the Mongolian grasslands with options for hiking or horse riding. There may also be the chance to visit a local nomadic family. ( BLD) DAY 6: ULAAN BAATAR- We head back to Ulaan Baatar and have a free afternoon to explore the capital of Mongolia. DAY 7: ULAAN BAATAR - TRAIN- A free day to see some of Ulaan Baatar's sights and museums. In the evening we board the train and continue our journey north and west. DAY 8: TRAIN- Our train heads through northern Mongolia, following the Selenge River through mile after mile of grasslands and over the border into Siberia. DAYS 9- 11: IRKUTSK - LAKE BAIKAL - EKATERINBURG- Arrive early in the morning of Day 8 in Irkutsk, capital of Siberia and a pleasant laid back town. We then head out to Lake Baikal which defies all statistics - approximately 25 million years old and at least 1.5km deep. We stay with local families in Listvyanka, a traditional wooden village on the shores of the lake. Later we head back to Irkutsk and board the train bound for Ekaterinburg. During this stretch of our journey we cross the vast wilderness of Siberia. ( BLD - at Lake Baikal only; no meals in other places) DAYS 12 & 13: EKATERINBURG- Arrive in Ekaterinburg and transfer to our hotel. We have plenty of time to explore the city that is famous for being the place where the last Tsar and his family were murdered by communists. It is a pleasant town that dates back to the 18th century. DAY 14: EKATERINBURG - TRAIN- We board the morning train, continuing over the Volga, Danilov and Vytka rivers as well as the Ural Mountains. ( B) DAY 15: MOSCOW- Arrive in Moscow and transfer to our hotel. DAY 16: MOSCOW- A full free day in Moscow. Explore Russia's vibrant capital with its huge communist buildings, the onion-domed St Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's tomb, or perhaps take a trip out to the monasteries of Sergiev Posad, the heart of Russian Orthodox Christianity. ( B) DAY 17: MOSCOW- Tour ends. ( B) Note: The exact itinerary for days 8- 13 will depend on the train schedule. This is notoriously prone to change so please be flexible. The ultimate adventure - on train through Siberia and Mongolia • Witness the diverse scenery of grasslands, Siberian wildernessand the Urals • Experience Mongolian lifeon the plains staying in a ger • Break the journey in Lake Baikalat the traditional village of Listvyanka • Hike on China's spectacular Great Wall • Time in Moscowto visit all the famous highlights Trans Mongolian - Beijing to Moscow Single Supplement £ 440 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 15.55 * Price includes tour price of £ 2299and local payment of US$ 500All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 2560pp Land Only * Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 11.84 * Price includes tour price of £ 1899and local payment of US$ 400All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 2110pp Land Only * pioneeradventurer Tour duration 37 daysTour duration 17 days Starts SatEnds Sun TashkentBeijing 2009 25- Apr- 0931- May- 09 30- May- 0905- Jul- 09 22- Aug- 0927- Sep- 09 Starts SatEnds Sun TashkentBeijing 2010 01- May- 1006- Jun- 10 05- Jun- 1011- Jul- 10 21- Aug- 1026- Sep- 10 Starts MonEnds Wed BeijingMoscow 2009 18- May- 09 03- Jun- 09 22- Jun- 09 08- Jul- 09 27- Jul- 09 12- Aug- 09 31- Aug- 09 16- Sep- 09 05- Oct- 09 21- Oct- 09 Starts MonEnds Wed BeijingMoscow 2010 17- May- 10 02- Jun- 10 21- Jun- 10 07- Jul- 10 26- Jul- 10 11- Aug- 10 30- Aug- 10 15- Sep- 10 04- Oct- 10 20- Oct- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

CENTRALASIARUSSIA  MONGOLIA  CHINA 170 " A great tour. The camping aspect was well organised and the drivers and leader were excellent. " Marc Yablon central asia Imaginative Facts Tour code: AAMO • Activities: Optional hiking, extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 7 nights on board the train, 6 nights simple hotels, 2 nights homestay, 2 nights guest house, 4 nights camping • Transport: Train, bus, 4WD vans, metro and taxi • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of a local translator in Mongolia DAY 1: MOSCOW- Arrival day. DAY 2: MOSCOW- Free day to visit the highlights of Moscow such as the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral and Lenin's tomb. ( B) DAYS 3 & 4: MOSCOW - TRAIN- After a free morning in Moscow we board our train to Ekaterinburg and start our epic journey on the Trans- Mongolian. We cross the Ural Mountains, passing from Europe into Asia. We arrive in Ekaterinburg in the evening of Day 4 and transfer to our hotel. ( Day 3 - B) DAY 5: EKATERINBURG- A full day to discover the sites of this pleasant town dating back to the 18th century. Ekaterinburg is perhaps most famous as the place where the last Tsar and his family were murdered by communists. ( B) DAY 6: EKATERINBURG - TRAIN- Another chance to explore or sit back and relax at one of the town's many street cafés. In the evening we board the train for an epic voyage from Ekaterinburg to Lake Baikal. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: TRAIN- We spend two days travelling through the vast expanse of Siberia. DAY 9: IRKUTSK - LAKE BAIKAL ( HOMESTAY)- Arriving in Irkutsk we transfer to Listvyanka, a traditional wooden Siberian village near Lake Baikal, where we stay with local families. ( LD) DAY 10: LAKE BAIKAL ( HOMESTAY)- Lake Baikal defies all statistics - approximately 25 million years old and at least 1.5km deep. A full day to enjoy the scenery around the lake, hike along its shores or through the nearby forest. ( BLD) DAY 11: IRKUTSK- We return to Irkutsk where we spend the night. ( B) DAY 12: IRKUTSK - TRAIN- A full day to explore this pleasant, laid- back Siberian town before we board our train bound for Mongolia. ( B) DAY 13: TRAIN- Another relaxing day on the train following the route of the Selenge River and crossing into Mongolia at the border town of Naushki. DAY 14: ULAAN BAATAR- Arrive in Ulaan Baatar where there's time to head out and explore this intriguing capital city. Whereas most Trans Mongolian tours only stop over for the briefest glimpse of the ' Blue Sky' country, this tour allows you nearly a week to enjoy the sites of Ulaan Baatar and to camp in the glorious countryside. DAYS 15 & 16: KHOGNO KHAN- Head out into the Mongolian wilderness in 4WD vans. We drive to the beautiful Khogno Khan Mountains where we camp for two nights. Walk in the mountains with magnificent views over the plains, visit an ancient monastery or relax around the campsite and maybe sample some traditional mare's milk vodka. DAY 17: KARAKORUM - WATERFALL NATIONAL PARK- We drive to Karakorum, the ancient capital built by Genghis Khan in the 13th century and visit Erdene Zuu Monastery. We continue our journey stopping at hot springs and finishing the day in the beautiful Waterfall National Park. DAY 18: SAND DUNES- There's the chance of a morning swim in the crystal clear river before continuing our journey to our campsite near small sand dunes. DAY 19: ULAAN BAATAR- The final leg of our Mongolian journey takes us back to Ulaan Baatar. DAY 20: TRAIN- Free time before we board the train to Beijing. DAY 21: BEIJING- Arrive in the bustling city of Beijing - China's capital. Here our voyage ends, but if you have time you can stay on and discover more of this fascinating country. DAY 22: BEIJING- Tour ends. The famous train journey with time exploring remote Mongolia • Witness the diverse scenery of grasslands, Siberian wilderness and the Urals • Experience Mongolian life camping in the Khogno Khan Mountains • Break the journey in Lake Baikal at the traditional village of Listvyanka • Explore the sights of Ulaan Baatar, Ekaterinburg and Karakorum • Time in Moscow and Beijingto visit the famous highlights Trans Mongolian - Moscow to Beijing Russia Mongolia China Moscow Ulaan Baatar Karakorum Khogno Khan Mtns Irkutsk Ekaterinburg Beijing Trans Mongolian - Moscow to Beijing Mongolia Mongolian Wilderness Adventure Discover Mongolia Ulaan Baatar Mandalgovi Lake Khovsgol Gobi DesertYolyn Am Valley Ongi River Selenge River Khorg Khogno Khan Mountains Battsengel Tuul River Karakorum One of the great train journeys of the world. Traverse from Russia to China through the immense wilderness of Siberia and Mongolia for a legendary rail experience. As an added bonus we make many stops en route: • Stately Ekaterinburg, site of the Russian royal family massacre • Ulaan Baatar, capital of Mongolia • Lake Baikal in Siberia for a homestay with a local family • The Mongolia grassland for a night in a ger ( yurt) • On our longer tours we enjoy a 4WD safari into the magnificent Khogno Khan mountains as well as visiting Karakorum and the beautiful Waterfall National Park • Time is also spent in both Moscow and Beijing Our days on the train are spent making hot drinks from steaming samovars, trying borscht in the buffet car, sharing a swift shot of vodka with a friendly Russian and enjoying the scenery - barren windswept plains, remote rolling grasslands, birch forest and remote villages. We use Second Class carriages which sleep four people to a cabin - ' two up, two down', with luggage storage, reading lights and a small table. Bedding is provided and there are toilets in each carriage - usually one ' western' and one ' squat'. There is a dining car for each train and a samovar to provide hot water for each carriage so you can make hot drinks, noodles etc… Note: The train schedule is notoriously prone to change so we may need to make changes to the itineraries. Trans Mongolian Railway Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 11.84 * Price includes tour price of £ 1599and local payment of € 330All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1770pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 22 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts TueEnds Tue MoscowBeijing 2009 28- Apr- 0919- May- 09 02- Jun- 0923- Jun- 09 07- Jul- 0928- Jul- 09 11- Aug- 0901- Sep- 09 Starts TueEnds Tue MoscowBeijing 2010 27- Apr- 1018- May- 10 01- Jun- 1022- Jun- 10 06- Jul- 1027- Jul- 10 10- Aug- 1031- Aug- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243