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Commencing our trip in the historic city of Helsinki, we travel overland across the giant landmass of Asia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. We travel south across Russia, bound for the steppes of Kazakhstan and the shrinking Aral Sea before entering the wild Tian Shan range - the 'Mountains of Heaven'. We camp in Siberia's Altai before crossing into Mongolia to stay in a traditional yurt (or 'ger') with nomadic reindeer herders. From here it's a stunning overland trip across the forbidding Gobi Desert to China, visiting the Great Wall at Mutianyu before heading to Beijng and journey's end.

what's included?

Week 1: The European Capitals:

• 2 nights to explore ambient city of Helsinki
• 2 nights in the ancient Russian city of Novgorod
• 2 or 3 night stay in St Petersburg incl. city tour

Week 2: The Golden Ring & Volga:

• 2 nights in Russia’s 'third capital', Nizhny Novgorod
• Visit to the majestic town of Vladimir, capital of the Rus kingdom
• 2 nights in and around the fairytale town of Suzdal
• 3 nights in the capital Moscow incl. city tour

Week 3: Russian & Kazakh Steppe:

• 2 night stay in Kazan, the capital of Tartarstan
• 2 nights on the banks of the Volga in Samara
• Overland journey across the Russian and Kazakh steppe

Week 4: Kazakh Steppe & southern Kazakhstan :

• Overland into southern Kazakhstan
• Visit Aral and if possible see the eerie discarded ships left from the retreated Aral Sea
• 2 nights to explore the Islamic blue-domed Khanate of Turkestan
• Visit to the ancient 10th Century ruined city of Sauren
• Travel through the stunning Tian Shan of the Aksu-Dzhabagly NP

Week 5: Southern Kazakhstan:

• Overland through the Tian Shan and Altai Shan Mountains
• 3 nights for culture, clubs and R&R in the big smoke of Almaty

Week 6: Tian Shan & Altai Shan Mts:

• Wild camping in remote mountain scenery
• Explore the stunning Siberian Altai Mountains

Week 7: Southern Siberia & Mongolia:

• Cross the border into the remote lands of Mongolia's Altai Mountains
• Journey through the lake district of northern Mongolia, wild camping at night
• Wild camping in remote areas, often beside stunning lakes

Week 8: Northern Mongolian Lakes:

• Journey through Mongolia’s most stunning wilderness
• 3 nights at stunning Huvsgul Lake
• 2 night ger (yurt) homestay with the Tsaatan nomads and their reindeer herds

Week 9: Ghenghis Khan Country:

• Hiking at the Tsenher hot springs
• Visit to the Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake and Volcano NP

Week 10: Gobi Desert:

• Mongolian ger (yurt) homestay and camel trekking at Khongorin Els
• Journey along the Orhon River
• Mongolian ger (yurt) homestay and explore the Yolin Am Iced Valley
• Overland across the vast Gobi Desert

Week 11: Gobi Desert & Inner Mongolian Grasslands:

• Explore the Ming Tombs
• Enter China in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia
• Time to visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu
• Overland across the grasslands and plains of the southern Gobi

what can I do on the way?

(Activities available at extra costs)

• Hermitage entrance and tour
• Visit the ballet in St Petersburg or Moscow (if tickets available)
• Kremlin entrance
• Tour around Russian Cosmodrome at Baikonur if time and permits allow
• Ride horses with Kazakh or Mongol nomads
• Ride camels in the Gobi Desert
• Explore the Ming Tombs
• Guided visits to the Summer Palace & Forbidden City in Beijing

General Notes:

Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels or hostels. Because of its nature, this itinerary may vary.

We strongly recommend that you contact Real Russia (our Russian agent) with regard to obtaining visas for this trip. Please click the relevant link below which will take you to Real Russia's own website and information.

EASTBOUND TRIPS VISA NOTES:
Please click here to go to the Real Russia website for all the visa notes for this trip.

WESTBOUND TRIPS VISA NOTES:
Please click here to go to the Real Russia website for all the visa notes for this trip.