ORIENTAL ASIA - STA Travel Hub

More documents

Recommendations

Info

NAADAM FESTIVAL MONGOLIA LOCAL LIVING MONGOLIA FR $2,799 NOMADIC LIFE FR $999 Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar 15 DAYS Ulaanbaatar Ulaanbaatar 8 DAYS ORIENTAL ASIA Highlights • Explore this remote land of steppes, sand dunes and Genghis Khan! • Experience stays in traditional ger camps and meet a nomadic family • Cheer on the archers, wrestlers and horse riders at Naadam Festival Highlights • Horseback ride through the lush landscapes of Terelj National Park • Challenge local nomadic families to a friendly archery competition • Gain a deep understanding of Mongolian customs and tradition DAY ITINERARY DAY ITINERARY 01-02 03-04 05-09 Ulaanbaatar / Amarbayasgalant Arrive in Mongolia’s capital and explore the city streets. The next day you’ll start a 350km drive to Amarbayasgalant Monastery located in the stunning Iven Gol Valley. Stargazing tonight takes on a new meaning with your first stay in a traditional ger camp. (B, L, D) Selenge River Next, it’s on to the Selenge River before hiking up Pot Mountain, actually a volcanic crater, to marvel at the views. On Day 4, learn about Mongolian nomadic culture by staying with a nomadic family, with a chance to try a delicious traditional barbecue! (2B, 2L, 2D) Khovsgol Lake / Shine Ider / Great White Lake Mongolia’s largest lake, Khovsgol Lake, is next. Hike around the protected National Park and take part in horse riding, fishing or archery. On Day 7, visit the beautiful Lake District of Mongolia and spot wildlife in the hills. At the Great White Lake on Day 9 visit a volcano, crawl inside lava tubes and drink in the views. (5B, 5L, 5D) 01-02 03 04 Ulaanbaatar / Terelj National Park Arrive into Ulaanbaatar at any time. Feel free to venture into the city to explore. On Day 2, travel to reach your first nomadic family hosts by oxcart or horse through a stunning mountain river valley in the Terelj National Park. The night will be spent learning Mongolian techniques to saddle a horse and prepare an oxcart before dinner and a night of traditional Mongolian games. (L, D) Terelj National Park Horseback ride through beautiful forests and landscapes to a well-known nomadic seamstress and learn how to make traditional Mongolian garments and tie a horse bridle. You may have realised by now that this is most definitely not your normal holiday! (B, L, D) Terelj National Park Visit another nomadic family after a 9 km journey to learn the art of tying traditional knots to tether livestock and make buttons for traditional nomadic garments. (B, L, D) 10-11 12-15 Tsenger Hot Springs / Bayan Gobi Visit a monastery museum in Tsetserleg, and sample some treats from its yummy bakery, en route to Tsenger. Stay the night at a ger camp after a soothing soak in the hot springs. Arrive at the Bayan Gobi and opt for a hike to an oasis lake to see local wildlife, ancient stone carvings and a terrific desert sunset. (2B, 2L, 2D) Ulaanbaatar Return to Ulaanbaatar on Day 12 for the opening ceremony to see wrestling matches and archery contests. Watch the finish line of the Naadam horse race before the festival closing ceremony. Depart at any time on Day 15. (3B, 2L) 05-06 07-08 Terelj National Park On Day 5, practice with Mongolian bows and arrows before challenging nomads to an archery competition. After, it’s back in an oxcart for a 6 km trip to the next family. On Day 6, rise bright and early to help the nomads milk the cows before learning how to make traditional dairy products. Sample your efforts at breakfast before heading on a 7 km journey to the next destination. (2B, 2L, 2D) Terelj National Park / Ulaanbaatar Learn to steer an oxcart with your nomadic hosts and tuck into a traditional lunch before travelling back to the Mongolian capital for a last night as a group. On Day 8, depart at any time. (B, L) Inclusions Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard Physical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Hotel (4 nts), nomad family stay/camping (1 nt), Mongolian gers (9 nts, multishare) Transport: Private van Meals: 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 10 dinners Budget: Allow USD $55-75 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local guides Group Size: Max 16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAAMNF Departures 2014 START FINISH Jun 29 Jul 13 START FINISH Jul 10 Jul 24 Shine Ider Khovsgol Lake River Great White Lake Tsenger Hot Springs CHINA Amarbayasgalant Selenge River MONGOLIA Bayan Gobi Ulaanbaatar Inclusions Trip Style: Local Living Service Level: Basic Physical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Traditional ger (5 nts), basic hotels (2 nts) Transport: Public bus, oxcart, horse Meals: 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners Budget: Allow USD $55-75 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local guides Group Size: Max 16, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAAMNL Departures 2014 START FINISH Jun 21 Jun 28 Jul 19 Jul 26 START FINISH Aug 06 Aug 13 Aug 24 Aug 31 START FINISH Sep 14 Sep 21 Ulaanbaatar Terelj National Park MONGOLIA CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK 117
MONGOLIA & BEYOND Beijing St. Petersburg FR $4,160 19 DAYS Highlights • Travel the Trans Mongolian Railway • Soak in the vibe of electrifying Beijing • See the unique Great Wall of China • Visit the land of Genghis Khan • Live as a nomad in a ger camp • Admire the beauty of Lake Baikal • Explore the majestic city of Moscow • Indulge in opulent St. Petersburg ORIENTAL ASIA Departures 2014 FROM BEIJING START FINISH May 04 May 22 Jun 12 Jun 30 FROM ST.PETERSBURG START FINISH Jul 31 Aug 18 Aug 14 Sep 01 START FINISH Sep 04 Sep 22 START FINISH May 14 01 Jun Jun 18 Jul 06 Jul 02 Jul 20 Inclusions St. Petersburg Moscow START You might like FINISH Jul 16 Aug 03 Aug 13 Aug 31 Sep 10 Sep 28 INDIA RUSSIA Irkutsk START Ulaanbaatar MONGOLIA CHINA FINISH Sep 24 Oct 12 Trip Style: Experience Tour - featuring local guides in each city rather than a tour leader to accompany the whole journey Service Level: Standard Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Hotels (6 nts), Mongolian ger (2 nts), guesthouse (2 nts), train - 4 berth sleepers (8 nts) Transport: Train, minibus Meals: 11 breakfasts, 1 dinner Budget: Allow USD $380-475 for meals not included Group Leader: Local guides in each city Group Size: Max 15 Tour Code: MBBS / MBSB Twin berth supplement: Fr $1,430 Lake Baikal Ger Camp Beijing Classic Trans Siberian (14 Days) Fr $3,480 Board the Trans Siberian Railway for the world’s longest and most famous railway journey - one country, seven time zones and 9,288 kilometres (5,767 miles). Tour Code: CTSM Gobi and Nomads (15 Days) Fr $2,655 Complete a full Trans Mongolian journey and venture out into the realm of Genghis Khan, discovering the true hospitality of Mongolia’s nomadic people. Tour Code: GNBM/GNMB Lose yourself on this extraordinary journey between two of the world’s most inspiring and action-packed cities; from the electrifying vibe of Beijing to the extravagant palaces of St. Petersburg. This unique alternative to conventional touring is designed for travellers who enjoy the freedom and flexibility of independent travel combined with the benefits of travelling as a small group. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to walk on the Great Wall of China, make new friends on the legendary Trans Siberian Railway, admire the beauty of Lake Baikal and discover that Moscow is alive with culture, arts and buzzing nightlife. DAY 01-02 03 04-08 09-12 13-15 16-17 18-19 ITINERARY Beijing Welcome to Beijing, China’s capital, and a city of staggering proportions. Use the opportunity to visit the majestic Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world. The Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaux, stretching approximately 8,851 kilometres (5,500 miles) from the east to west of China. Visit the magnificent Summer Palace and enjoy the history and significance of the amazing Forbidden City with its complex of remarkable halls, palaces and gates. Soak in the colours and sounds, smells and tastes of this buzzing city. Trans Mongolian Railway Time to start the scenic journey west as you board your first train to travel into the heart of Asia. See the wheels being changed at the border and then watch the changing landscapes as you travel through the Gobi Desert and over the steppe of southern Mongolia, and on to Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar / Mongolian Steppe Arrive to the dynamic city of Ulaanbaatar, known for its great leader Genghis Khan. In the afternoon travel out across the grasslands where you will get to experience life as a nomad as you spend two nights in a Mongolian ger set amongst the spectacular rock formations and rolling hills of Terelj National Park. On Day 8, return to Ulaanbaatar and board the Trans Mongolian Express to Siberia. Trans Mongolian Railway / Irkutsk / Lake Baikal Watch the landscapes change as you whizz to Irkutsk. Almost in the centre of Asia, Irkutsk is the nearest big city to the glorious Lake Baikal. Known as the ‘Paris of Siberia’, the town is filled with 18th Century churches, brightly-painted shutters and log houses decorated with wooden lacework. Explore the spectacular region around the world’s oldest, deepest and largest (by volume) freshwater lake from the sleepy village of Listvyanka. Trans Siberian Railway Welcome on board the longest railway line in the world, the Trans Siberian Railway, for the scenic journey west, across spectacular mountains and rivers, and on to cosmopolitan Moscow. Settle into life on board in your comfortable four-berth compartment, enjoy the company of your travel companions and meet some locals in the dining car. Moscow Prepare to be amazed by the fascinating city of Moscow, bursting with energy and packed with contemporary art galleries and bohemian cafés. Discover Moscow’s metro system and experience the echoing vastness of Red Square. Admire the splendid twirled cupolas of St. Basil’s Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Russian Orthodox monuments, and the Kremlin itself, a treasure house of magnificent relics and monuments of art. In the evening, flock to one of Moscow’s great wine bars and restaurants or enjoy a buzzing scene of nightclubs and underground bars. On Day 17, board the overnight express to St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg Arrive in charming St. Petersburg and start exploring the richly-filled palaces and museums, wide boulevards and canals. The gilded halls of the Hermitage Museum are adorned with the works of Da Vinci, Rembrandt and many other great masters. Known as Russia’s ‘Window to the West’, St. Petersburg is sure to seduce with its dazzling architecture, whilst just beyond the city lie the incomparable summer palaces of the Tsars at Petrodvorets. If you are here in summer, experience the legendary white nights, when the sun barely dips below the horizon. Your journey wraps up on Day 19 and you are free to depart at any time. 118 VISIT WWW.STATRAVEL.COM.AU
Page 1 and 2: ORIENTAL ASIA ORIENTAL ASIA Average
Page 3: TIBET ADVENTURE ANCIENT FR $2,999 E
Page 7 and 8: THE VODKATRAIN FR $3,320 Beijing St
Page 9 and 10: ORIENTAL ASIA THE RUSKI HUSKI Beiji
Page 11 and 12: CHINA & HONG KONG ORIENTAL ASIA TOP
Page 13 and 14: ESSENTIAL CHINA Beijing Hong Kong F
Page 15 and 16: CHINA EXPRESS BEIJING TO SHANGHAI F
Page 17 and 18: CHINA ADVENTURE (ACTIVE) HIDDEN CHI
Page 19 and 20: THE DRAGON TRIP: HONG KONG TO HONG
Page 21 and 22: HONG KONG ORIENTAL ASIA GLAMPACKER
Page 23 and 24: ROCK SOLID ROCK SOLID COSMO HOTEL P
Page 25 and 26: SHANGHAI ORIENTAL ASIA SHOESTRING S
Page 27 and 28: DISCOVER JAPAN Tokyo Tokyo FR $4,59
Page 29 and 30: TOKYO ORIENTAL ASIA SHOESTRING rock
Page 31 and 32: KYOTO & BEYOND ORIENTAL ASIA rock s

ORIENTAL ASIA - STA Travel Hub

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?