The Baikal Region - Trans-Siberian Railroad - Far East - Siberia - Moscow - Saint Petersburg - Gold Ring - Silver Ring - Ecological safari - Hunting and fishing - Chinggis Khan - Silk Road - Great Tea Road - Travel Asia

It is hard to express in words the whole beauty of Asia, so one should see it with his own eyes. The Countries of East Asia, famous for their ancient culture, traditions, customs and unique landscapes will reveal their mysteries to you during this journey.

"Baikal Travel Co." invites you to take part in fascinating tours over the Asian part of Russia, and the countries of East Asia, during which you discover the culture of Japan, Korea and China, see the boundless steppes of Mongolia and the rough beauty of the "holly sea" - the Siberian Lake Baikal.

Your tour will begin with a visit to the Siberian city of Irkutsk, which is considered a treasure house of the spiritual culture of Siberia. Founded in 1661 by the Cossack Yakov Pokhabov, Irkutsk has been located for more than 300 years on the banks of the Angara River, the beloved daughter of "father" Baikal. There are about 700 monuments of history and culture in Irkutsk . The most interesting for the guests of our city are the historical ensembles in its central part: The Spasskaya (Saviour) church, the Epiphany Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Church, the monument to explorers of Siberia, the Ohlopkov Drama theater.

Day 1. After arrival and accommodation at one of the best hotels of the city you'll make a fascinating excursion around the old city, during which you see numerous historic and cultural places of interest. At night - dinner of traditional Siberian cuisine with folk concert.

Day 2. After breakfast you depart for Lake Baikal, also is called "The pearl of Siberia". Lake Baikal is situated only 70 km from Irkutsk, and you can easily reach it by comfortable bus or motor ship, provided by our company. Lake Baikal is the biggest and the deepest lake in the world and contains 23 % of the world reserves of fresh water. While visiting Lake Baikal you'll be convinced that it is really the most beautiful amongst all lakes of the world. The Museum of Lake Baikal history and the open-air museum 'Angara village' will add to your knowledge of Lake Baikal.

Day 3. You depart by plane from Irkutsk to Ulaan Baatar, the capital of Mongolia, a city of contrasts, built by the Khan Gombodorge in honor of his son in 1639. At that time it bore the beautiful name "Urga". You will be accommodated at one of the central hotels of the city. During the city tour you'll visit the active Gandan monastery - the largest center of Buddhist culture in Mongolia.

Day 4. Today you'll visit the former winter and summer palaces of the last emperor of Mongolia Bogdykhan, where you'll learn about the life and traditions of the Mongolian Bogdykhans from the 17 century till the end of their reign in 1924. During this day you'll visit the Natural History Museum, where unique exhibits are kept - fossilized dinosaur skeletons and eggs, found in the Gobi desert.

After visiting Mongolia we offer you a choice you can continue your tour and can visit one of the Far Eastern countries: Japan, Korea or China.

" Baikal Travel Co." invites you to visit one of these countries during the tour "Journey of endless glamour".

The coast of Japan is the first in Asia to meet the rising sun. Again and again it illuminates the 4 large Japanese islands - Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, which lie in the form of semicircle by northeastern shore. The country and its people meet the burning luminary to continue creating, working, and living. The landscapes of the Country of Rising Sun are formed as a result of volcanic activity. And the real symbol of the country is Mt. Fujiyama.

Japan combines ancient traditions and most up to date technologies.

Continuation of the Tour.

Day 5. You fly from Ulaan Baatar to Osaka on board of MIAT Mongolian airlines. After landing in Kansai international airport and descending down the ladder of the plane, you for the first time step on the land of this great Asian country, famous for its unique historical and industrial achievements. You will be accommodated at a comfortable hotel in Osaka. At night you'll have dinner of Japanese cuisine.

Day 6. After breakfast you'll travel in the super express 'bullet train' to Kyoto City. After only half an hour you will find yourself in the ancient capital of the country. We offer you to visit the Temple of 1001 Buddha situated in the city. The old Imperial Palace will strike you by its wise simplicity and clear outlines. After lunch in a Japanese restaurant, you'll continue your journey on the high-speed Shinkansen train and in an hour you'll reach the next point of your journey - Nagoya City. This city is known by its own old central blocks, where many craft shops are situated. You will be accommodated at one of the city's hotels. After supper you will have chance to walk along its streets and buy souvenirs.

Day 7. You continue your journey by a high-speed train. In 90 minutes you will arrive in the modern capital of Japan - Tokyo. This city has a lot of places, which are worth seeing: the Tokyo tower, The Imperial Palace, The Kabuki Theater. You'll see all this during the city tour.

For dinner you'll try dishes of Japanese cuisine, famous for its variety.

Day 8. Departure by air.

Korea is a country, where the past and present are combined in beautiful harmony. Situated on the Korean peninsula in one of the most mountainous regions of the world, South Korea occupies the territory of about 99 thousand square km. Here you can feel the glamour, coming from the monuments of its past: splendid palaces, fortress gates , Buddhist temples. Korea has made a remarkable economic progress during last decades without losing its century old traditions.

Continuation of the Tour.

Day 5. You leave Ulaan Baatar on board of Korean Air. After a 3 hour flight you land at Kimpo international airport in Seoul - the capital of South Korea. Transfer and accommodation in the hotel, dinner of Korean cuisine and rest before the new day, full of promises and unique impressions.

Day 6. Breakfast. During the city tour you will visit the Old City and the business part of the city, where the high skyscrapers sit side by side by monuments of ancient oriental architecture. In the Old City district the Toksugung Palace is situated - one of the first in Korea built in Renaissance style, the Anglican's Cathedral, the monument to admiral Li Sushini - a Korean hero. Your guide will tell you about the history and culture of the country.

At night you will try dishes of the local cuisine.

Day 7. Breakfast. Today you'll make a fascinating trip to the ethnographic museum "Korean village". Here you will familiarize with the folk customs of the Korean peninsula. There are more than 240 buildings and a small amphitheater for musical and dance performances in the open-air museum. Here you'll observe the way of life of the Korean people. After an outdoor lunch you return to Seoul.

Day 8. Transfer to the airport. Departure

China is the most populous country in the world. There are great possibilities for the leisure and cognitive tourism here. China has not only distinctive unique monuments of its ancient history and culture, but also unique natural phenomena and a distinctive way of living of the local people.

Certainly, the main place of interest of China is the symbol of China, the eighth wonder of the world - the Great Wall. Tourists from all over the world come to see this grandiose structure. Our company offers you to visit this miraculous country and experience it yourself.

Continuation of the Tour.

Day 5. You leave Ulaan Baatar on board of a Air China plane and after 2 hours you arrive in Beijing - capital of China. You'll be accommodated and have a rest in one of the best hotels of city. In the evening - you'll have dinner of Chinese national cuisine.

Day 6. After breakfast you'll make a trip to one of the wonder of the world - The Great Wall. This wonder had been made by many generations of Chinese. You'll reach this famous architectural and historic monument by bus, accompanied by experienced guide. You'll remember forever the lunch by this stone miracle of the world. In the afternoon you'll visit the Ming Tombs - resting place of the famous Ming Dynasty emperors of China.

Day 7. A visit to the famous Tian An Men Square, where in 1949 'New China' was proclaimed. Not far from Beijing you'll visit the Summer Palace - former residence of the Qing emperors. The unique ambiance of this palace will impress you.

Day 8. Departure by air.

" Baikal Travel Co." also offers a special exclusive tour to China - a continuation of the journey from Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia to China with a caravan of Russian jeeps "Safari".

Day 5. You depart to the south of Mongolia toward Erenhot on the Mongolian-Chinese border. The road is not a short one - 660 km, and passes through the Great Gobi desert. It is one of the most enigmatic regions of Central Asia. In 4 hours the first stop in the small town of Khor will be made, where you'll have lunch and short rest. And on the road again. The caravan of motor vehicles moves to Sain-Shanda. You'll have a wonderful possibility to enjoy the picturesque landscape from the windows of the car. Approximately in 5 hours the caravan makes a stop in Sain-Shanda, where you'll have dinner and be accommodated for the night.

Day 6. The last 120 km to the Chinese-Mongolian border will take at least 4-5 hours, since the road is not easy. The caravan passed this road once. Today you'll enjoy here modern service and national color. Mongolia borders only with two states: Russia and China. On the north and west the border passes on tops of high mountains and river valleys, but the longest part of it runs trough the Gobi plains. Erenhot is such an area. After crossing the borders you'll step on into a even more ancient country, the land of China. The distance from the border to the capital Beijing is about 800 km. Overnight you will stay in Datong City.

Day 7. The of Russian jeeps caravan gets closer and closer to Beijing. The road passes through a valley, you observe the vivid nature - miraculous lakes and clean winding rivers. The variety of the natural landscapes and vegetation won't leave you indifferent. You will witness the way of life of the local population, feel the beating rhythm of modern China, this amazing and enigmatic country.

Day 8. You'll have an interesting acquaintance with Beijing during the overview excursion round the city. You'll visit the greatest square in the world - Tian An Men, located on 44 hectares, the Temple of Heaven - built in 1406 - 1420, The Forbidden City - the imperial Palace of the Ming dynasty. 24 emperors of China lived here.

Day 9. You'll visit the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs. In the evening you'll try dishes of national Chinese cuisine and the famous "Beijing duck".

Day 10. You can leave Beijing by plane to any spot of the world.

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The Baikal Region - Trans-Siberian Railroad - Far East - Siberia - Moscow - Saint Petersburg - Gold Ring - Silver Ring - Ecological safari - Hunting and fishing - Chinggis Khan - Silk Road - Great Tea Road - Travel Asia