Take an epic journey traversing a quarter of the globe and across three incredible nations. From the charm of imperial Beijing to the opulence of Moscow and St Petersburg, we journey through the vast grassy steppes of Mongolia, the seemingly impenetrable taiga forests of Siberia and the rolling Ural Mountains. Trans Mongolia Express Original 2008 GPA 6 15 Max 15, Avg 10 Europe, Asia Russia, China, Mongolia China Russia Culture/History, Wildlife/Nature 21 2 3 Arrive in Beijing at any time. Vibrant Beijing offers the grandeur of the Forbidden City and impressive Tiananmen Square. Wander the mighty Great Wall and feast on tasty Beijing Duck. Begin our rail journey on the weekly Beijing Moscow train full of lively traders stocked up with goods to sell all over Russia. Journey across the Gobi Desert in the lands once home to Genghis Khan and his marauding armies. Discover the charms of the Mongolian capital and the magic of staying in a ger in the peaceful forests of Terelj National Park. The vast grassy steppes seemingly roll on forever as our train heads north to the Russian border. We bid farewell to Mongolia as we approach Irkutsk, the 'Pearl of Siberia'. The charismatic city of Irkutsk has an interesting mix of traditional, Communist and classic Siberian architecture. We'll also spend a night at the quaint fishing village of Listvyanka on the shores of Lake Baikal. Travelling towards Europe, we cross the great Ob River at Novosibirsk and continue through Omsk to Ekaterinburg. A historic city filled with intrigue surrounding the murder of the Romanov family in 1918 is now lined with cafes and shops. Cross the Urals and travel over Siberia's bridges as forests and suburbs flicker past before arriving in the heart of Moscow. Explore Russia's bygone era of the Tsars with a visit to the magnificent Kremlin and Armoury. Wander the streets of this evocative city taking in the famous Red Square and the extraordinary St Basil's Cathedral. The opulent baroque architecture makes this city a visual masterpiece. Explore the treasures of the Hermitage, the summer palaces of Peterhof and Pushkin and witness the beauty of St Isaac Cathedral. Travellers arrive from all corners of the world during the day ; though there are no arranged activities on day 1 please arrive by 6pm as we have a group meeting followed by dinner. Note that your leader will collect your local payment (USD300 cash) at the group meeting on day 1. Due to the restrictions on changing money in Russia, only USD50 and USD100 notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted.Our journey commences in the Chinese capital, Beijing, which is one of the world's most impressive cities. There is so much to see in this vibrant city- some sights that you might want to visit during your free time include the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Lama Temple Monastery. A great way to visit these landmarks is to hire a bicycle and take to the streets, just like the Chinese do.
We spend one full day at the Great Wall on Day 2. An incredible piece of engineering, it stretches 6000 km westwards from the mountain ridges north of Beijing. It was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the 'barbarians' of the north.
On day 3, we take a visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Excitement and anticipation as we leave to board the Ulaanbaatar Express on the morning of day 4. On board we quickly settle in and enjoy unexpected views of the Great Wall as the train tackles the mountains before descending to the arid lands of Inner Mongolia and onwards to the very heart of Asia.

You awake to the stunning visual silence of the south Gobi, the horse and ger dotted steppe stretches from horizon to horizon, the occasional nomad encampment appears mirage-like through the carriage window. Shortly after midday on day 5 we arrive in the world's most remote capital - Ulaanbaatar. We will disembark and transfer to our hotel.

Crammed between superpowers Russia and China, the now independent nation of Mongolia is a true G.A.P Adventures destination that has only recently been opened up to tourism. The capital, Ulaan Baatar (UB), is a city in which new meets old as Mongolians in traditional dress mingle with the nation's business elite. The nation's close relationship with the old Soviet Union is evident in the Soviet style architecture and the old Russian cars.
Exploring the city's many museums is a real eye-opener into a turbulent history including the time of that most famous of Mongolia's historical figures, the feared and respected ruler, Ghengis Khan.

On day 6, we leave the metropolis and travel into Mongolia's Terelj National Park. This alpine park is a beautiful retreat with imposing rock formations and endless forests. We walk through the valleys, visit nomadic families and live simply overnight in a Ger camp.

On day 7, in the morning we return to the capital and visit Sukhbaatar Square and the National History Museum which reveals the remarkable and unique history of Mongolia. We leave Mongolia on a two-night train trip (40 hrs) that takes us into southern Russia. This train is the most local of all the trains we take on this journey and we shouldn't expect the height of luxury. A restaurant car is not normally provided and if it is, the food can be basic and limited. It's a good idea to stock up before you leave Ulaan Baatar.

On day 9 we reach the town of Naushki where we go through our border formalities at the Mongolian/Russian borders, processing passports and waiting for nothing in particular. Local entrepreneurs sometimes arrive to sell food on the platform and sometimes they don't. We re-board the train around 4 pm and continue on to Irkutsk. On day 10, the long journey brings us to the charming Siberian city of Irkutsk where we transfer to a bus for a short trip out to Listvyanka (approx. 2 hrs).

Old buildings and timeworn mansions lend a beauty to this remote but flourishing city, sometimes called "The Paris of Siberia". Founded over 350 years ago it prospered as a market town on the ‘Tea Route’ between China and Europe. Irkutsk today is proud of its place in Russian history, and is always a highlight of any Trans Mongolian rail journey. We embark on our tour of Irkutsk and visit the central market, cathedrals and many of the old buildings with pretty wooden lacework, and, with our local guide we learn the history of the Decembrists and their exile to Irkutsk in the 1860's. This evening we transfer to Lake Bailkal and our home stay.

Explore the shores of Lake Baikal, where you will marvel at the vastness of this inland ‘sea’. Over 600 kilometres long and up to 80 kilometres wide, Baikal contains one-fifth of the earth's fresh water and is home to many unique species. We enjoy the lakeside village of Listvyanka and a chance to walk along the lakeshore and for the adventurous - a swim!

Returning from the lake on day 11, we stop at the Museum of Wooden Architecture to gain an insight into the traditional lives of Siberian people. The Trans-Siberan Railway is the world's most famous train line. It is also the longest, extending from Moscow across Siberia to the far flung town of Vladivostok. We experience part of this celebrated train odyssey, boarding in Irkutsk for the long journey to Moscow ( approx. 65 hours).

Life on board is a great social occasion for our Russian hosts and we have the opportunity to share our experiences with them. Travelling towards Europe we cross the great Ob River at Novosibirsk and continue through Omsk to Ekaterinburg.

On day 14, we'll arrive in the evening to Ekaterinburg, a city founded by Peter the Great in 1723 and situated just 40 kilometres inside Asia.
Ekaterinburg's main attractions are its associations with historical events and on our city tour we will take in the history and intrigue surrounding the murder of the Romanov family, an event which ushered in the Communist era in 1918. On day 14, have the chance to explore the Romanov graves or just relax in town at your leisure.

On day 15, we re-board the Trans-Siberian Railway. Today we say farewell to Asia as we cross the Urals and enter Europe aboard the train to Moscow. As we boom over the steel bridges spanning Siberia’s nerve system of 5,000 rivers, the flickering silvers and greens of the
birch forests speed past.

The train is a simple affair with enough modern luxuries for a comfortable journey. The carriage bathrooms are well equipped and even have hot water, though if you wish to have a shower you will need to bring your own shower attachments. An attendant is assigned to every carriage to look after your needs and each compartment has four convertible beds, with luggage storage space provided. The old-style restaurant car tends to have a jovial atmosphere and can offer interesting insights into local cuisine.Trains have a habit of running on Moscow time even though there may be several hours time difference, resulting in interesting meal times. Station platforms nearly always have an array of food for sale at stalls run by the Babushkas.There are lists of stations that the train will stop at and the time they stay there, ranging from two to twenty minutes. Always double check with the carriage attendant - it's a long wait for the next train to come through! We arrive in Moscow on day 16.
The great city of Moscow has seen Russia through some of her most turbulent years. The city has survived the trauma and tribulations of centuries of revolution, from the days of the Tzars through the communist era to the growing pains of democracy. Despite the glamour and show of modern capitalism, exploring Moscow is like taking step back in time. Names of places such as the 'Kremlin' and the 'Red Square', bring forth unforgettable images of the Cold War era. It's worthwhile taking the time to explore the streets of this evocative city and visit Ivan the Terrible's extraordinary St Basil's Cathedral.
On day 17 we take a guided tour around the Kremlin.
On day 18, you have the morning free to explore at your leisure before we catch our last train to St Petersburg in the late evening. It's an early arrival in St Petersburg. One of Europe's finest, the city is largely built of baroque European architecture combined with the opulent palaces of Russian royalty. Its tree lined streets and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a favourite destination for travellers. On the morning of day 19 we take a walking tour of the city and explore the treasures of the luxuriant Hermitage Palace.
On day 20, A free day to perhaps travel beyond the city to the fabulous summer palaces of Peterhoff & Pushkin or explore the many spectacular buildings that St Petersburg has to offer and in the evening we meet for our farewell dinner. 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2120 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2120 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2120 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD 3030 2655 1860 1330 3665 2655 2070 Local Payment 300 USD Accommodation Hotels (11 nts), homestay (1 nt), overnight trains (7 nts), Mongolian ger (1 nt, multishare). Brief Highlights Beijing, Great Wall, Ulaan Baatar, Terelj National Park, Lake Baikal, Irkutsk, Ekaterinburg, Moscow, St Petersburg Brochure Notes You will require a letter of invitation for Russia for this trip in order to get your Russian visa. You must complete the visa information form which will be automatically sent to you via email at time of booking. Combination Departure Departs selected Sundays, year round DepEnd Sun-Sat Group Leader Tour leader throughout. Group Size Max 15, Avg 10 Included Highlights Guided tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing, Excursion to the Great Wall, Ulaan Baatar's Winter Palace and Gandan Monastery, Terelj National Park excursion with local guide, Guided tour of Moscow's Kremlin and Armoury, St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum, Guided walking tour in St Petersburg, Guided tour of Ekaterinburg. Local Payment USD300 Max Pax 15 Meal Budget Allow USD315 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details. Meals Included 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners. Min Pax 6 Recommendation Why not extend this trip by adding Capitals of the East - see trip code ERCE. StartFinish Beijing to St Petersburg Transport Train, private bus, taxi, metro, walking. A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
A Word of Warning Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your group trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader. If this is unsuccessful, please refer to our Emergency Contact. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please contact your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Brochure Intro Take an epic journey traversing a quarter of the globe and across three incredible nations. From the charm of imperial Beijing to the opulence of Moscow and St Petersburg, we journey through the vast grassy steppes of Mongolia, the seemingly impenetrable taiga forests of Siberia and the rolling Ural Mountains. Checklist Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher. Health requirements arranged.
Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card, money pouch
First aid kti
Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
Lightweight travel towel, mosquito repellent
Refillable water bottle, cutlery and plastic mug for the train journeys, ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper
Tampons can be difficult to buy in these countries
Phrase books, the Trans-Siberian Handbook by Bryn Thomas is a good book to have on this journey
Inner sheet/sleeping sheet for train journeys - sheets are provided on the train but you may want to bring your own
Comfortable clothes for the train - tracksuits and open toe shower shoes are the best combination, raincoat or umbrella
Some warmer clothes if the air conditioning on the train is turned up high Continuing Point Graphic Continuing Point Instructions Departure Tax Departure Tax is included in all International and Domestic tickets in China, Thailand & Vietnam. Detailed Trip Notes 1. This is an epic train journey that covers almost half of the world. You will be travelling through countries that speak little or no English, where transport often runs only when it is full (and often overflowing), where hotels have very different ideas of service and amenities, where the plumbing can sometimes be temperamental and the power will often just vanish. Many of the places we visit are not used to people travelling outside of large coach tours so they will be uncertain of how to deal with us. Bureaucracy is rife and border crossings seemingly never-ending. This is a very challenging trip covering a wide range of peoples, cultures, religious and political beliefs and is a trip that involves a lot of travelling. If you are able to bring with you a lot of patience and a huge sense of humour, then your experience will be greatly enhanced.
2. Due to the Moscow-Irkutsk train timetable, the itinerary on this trip may alter slightly. Depending on the day of the month the train leaves from Moscow to Irkutsk and vice versa, you will either be spending an extra night in either Moscow or Mongolia on this trip.
3. You will require a Letter of Invitation for Russia for this trip in order to get your Russian visa. You must complete the visa information form which will be automatically sent to you via email upon time of booking.
Dossier Disclaimer The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Dossier Intro Take an epic journey traversing a quarter of the globe and across three incredible nations. From the charm of imperial Beijing to the opulence of Moscow and St Petersburg, we journey through the vast grassy steppes of Mongolia, the seemingly impenetrable taiga forests of Siberia and the rolling Ural Mountains. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact G.A.P Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

G.A.P Adventures Local Office – Beijing, China
Beijing Office Tel: +86-10-8779-6501

China Manager Emergency Mobile: +86-1343 958 8732 - Blair (China)

Asia Operations Manager Mobile: +66-879 118 802 - Gabe (Thailand)

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from the UK: 0870 999 0144.
Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.
Mobile: + 1 647 504 6467
Emergency Fund Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Feedback After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G.A.P Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gapadventures.com/evaluations
Finishing Point Hotel We use the following hotels in St.Petersburg for our groups.
Please check with our sales department to see which one is used for your trip.
Hotel Luxa on Nevsky
44 Nevsky Prospect
St.Petersburg 191186
Russia
Tel: +7 812 336 4392
and
Hotel Anabel at Nevsky 88
88 Nevsky Prospect
St.Petersburg 191025
Russia
Tel: +7 812 579 8211
Group Leader Description All G.A.P Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. Health There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information about before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements . Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc.
Important Notes 1. This is an epic train journey that covers almost half of the world. You will be travelling through countries that speak little or no English, where transport often runs only when it is full (and often overflowing), where hotels have very different ideas of service and amenities, where the plumbing can sometimes be temperamental and the power will often just vanish. Many of the places we visit are not used to people travelling outside of large coach tours so they will be uncertain of how to deal with us. Bureaucracy is rife and border crossings seemingly never-ending. This is a very challenging trip covering a wide range of peoples, cultures, religious and political beliefs and is a trip that involves a lot of travelling. If you are able to bring with you a lot of patience and a huge sense of humour, then your experience will be greatly enhanced.
2. Due to the Moscow-Irkutsk train timetable, the itinerary on this trip may alter slightly. Depending on the day of the month the train leaves from Moscow to Irkutsk and vice versa, you will either be spending an extra night in either Moscow or Mongolia on this trip.
3. You will require a Letter of Invitation for Russia for this trip in order to get your Russian visa. You must complete the visa information form which will be automatically sent to you via email upon time of booking.
4. A minimum of 4 travellers is required for this trip to run.
5. Booking Theatre tickets in advance:
To avoid disappointment we reccommend that you book any theatre performances that you wish to attend in Moscow or St Petersburg in advance. Please consider carefully which performances you are going to want attend and make sure that the dates correspond to your trip. Here are some useful internet sites to check for what will be on (ballet, opera, exhibitions, etc) in Moscow and St Petersburg when you are there. In particular we reccommend you see what's playing at the Bolshoi and Mariinsky, as it may be difficult to get tickets when you are there especially during White Nights in St Petersburg. The most useful sites to check in English are www.mariinsky.ru, www.bolshoi.ru and www.ticketsofrussia.com.
6. Due to the restrictions on changing money in Russia, only USD50 and USD100 notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted.
7. On arrival in Russia you will receive a double immigration card, you must fill out both parts and one is taken away upon entry, the other must remain with your passport at all times and you must have it on leaving Russia to hand to the relevant authorities. Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Joining Hotel Dong Jiao Min Xiang Hotel - 东交民巷饭店
23A Dong Jiao Min Xiang,
Dong Cheng District,
北京市正义路东交民巷甲23号
Beijing China
Phone: +86-10 6524-3311 Joining Hotel Image HarmonyHotel.gif Joining Instructions You will need to get a taxi or airport bus to the joining point. Metered taxis are available outside the terminal building. The taxi ride from the airport to our starting point hotels takes about 45 minutes and should cost around 80-100 Yuan (plus 10 yuan for the airport expressway toll). Please AVOID taxi touts who tell you that they have a metered taxi parked outside the airport. The airport bus costs 16 Yuan and drops you off at the International Hotel which is about a 5-10 minute walk to our hotel. FROM MAY 1, 2005 - If you have pre-purchased an arrival transfer our local operator Ms. Chen (Mobile 13910388356) will have sent a driver to the airport and will wait at the ENTRANCE / EXIT DOOR #7 holding a sign with your name. Please exit the baggage claim area of the arrivals hall and proceed to Entrance / Exit # 7. Please note that Beijing Airport arrivals is very crowded with people picking up
passengers so please be patient. If you have any problems finding the driver go to the information desk at door #7 and ask them to call Ms. Chen on her mobile. Keeping in Touch If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Laundry Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Aboard the expedition ship Explorer laundry facilities are provided at a charge.
Local Dress When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout the area. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and practical. As a general guideline shoulders and knees should be covered at all times - shorts, singlets and tank tops are not suitable. Local Flights All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
Local payment description Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment.  This amount is the final payment for your tour.  Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour.  This helps G.A.P Adventures keep our prices competitive and in-turn, pass our costs savings on to you. Payment is to be made to your leader or G.A.P Adventures representative upon arrival in cash in the requested currency. Please see our website, brochure or your trip documents and invoice for local payment.
Meals Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G.A.P Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G.A.P Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical and culture shock ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Money Exchange China : USD1 = 7 Yuan. Mongolia: USD1= approx. 1165 Tugriks. Russia: USD1= 23.65 Roubles. For security reasons the safest way to carry your money is as travellers cheques. The easiest cheques to change are Thomas Cook or American Express in US currency. Please note though there can be very long delays when changing travellers cheques. The easiest and quickest way is to change USD cash but you must be aware of the security risk of carrying large sums of money. In any case some money should be taken as cash in case of emergencies. Black markets do exist but we strongly advise that you do not get involved. We recommend that you don't use money changers on the street. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger shops and restaurants but only in the bigger cities. Some banks in Beijing, Irkutsk, Moscow and St Petersburg (but not Ulaan Bataar) will allow cash advances against a credit card but cash withdrawals are subject to a 3% to 4% service charge.

Your local payment needs to be paid in US$ cash, we recommend that you arrive with your local payment money already exchanged. If you do not have time to change your money before you arrive, money exchanges can be found close to our starting point hotel. Please check the Welcome Note at reception for location of money changers. A 3-4% commission applies to any money exchanged at the bank.

Newsletter Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G.A.P Adventures, subscribe at http://www.gapadventures.com/newsletter_signup
Optional Activities We suggest you bring along USD200 for additional sightseeing.

St Isaacs Cathedral (St Petersburg) - USD10
Peters Walking Tours (St Petersburg) - USD14-18
Canal tour (St Petersburg) - USD10
Mariinsky Theatre (St Petersburg) - various USD25 - USD250
Peterhof (St Petersburg) - USD17
River Cruise (Moscow) - USD8
KGB museum tour (Moscow) - USD15
Pushkin Fine Arts Museum (Moscow) - USD8
Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow) - USD8
St Basils Cathedral (Moscow) - USD5
Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow) - various USD50 - USD250
Regional Museum (Irkutsk ) - USD4
Russian Banya (Listvyanka) - USD5
Boat Trip (Lake Baikal) - USD40 p/boat p/hr
Horse riding at ger camp (Ulaan Baatar) - USD5 p/hr
Temple of Heaven (Beijing) - USD5
Summer Palace (Beijing) - USD5
Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica In April of 2006 G.A.P Adventures became one of four new full members in IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators). IAATO was founded in 1991 to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic and now includes 80 members that carry about 95% of all annual tourists to Antarctica. In 1996 IAATO developed an independent Onboard Observer program to ensure that companies applying to become members meet their detailed and extensive regulations for visiting Anatarctica. This past Antarctic season Gap carried one such observer onboard the Explorer and we met IAATO standards. Subsequent to this, G.A.P Adventures was voted in as full member to IAATO at their 17th annual meeting.

IAATO developed a set of Guidelines for tourists to Antarctica, which were subsequently adopted by the Antarctic Treaty parties as part of their Environmental Protocol. It educates the passengers on how to approach, observe and relate to the Antarctic animals and their environment.

It is both G.A.P Adventures's and IAATO's hope that our passengers will return home with a basic understanding of the continent and will be ambassadors for the Great White Continent.

Due to its remote and isolated environment, Antarctica remains a pristine wilderness home to rare flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. As a responsible tour operator, G.A.P Adventures is committed to the conservation of Antarctica by minimizing the impact on the region’s wildlife and fragile environment. We follow all internationally agreed regulations of conduct onshore, and ensure that the ship and Zodiacs are operated in an environmentally responsible manner. Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation The Planeterra Foundation is a non-profit organization that was developed by G.A.P Adventures as a way to give back to the people and places visited on our tours. For more information about the projects that you can help to support please visit www.planeterra.org.
Responsible Travel We believe strongly in low impact or rather positive impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimize the negative aspects of tourism on the local cultures and environments that we visit and highlight the positive aspects. We hope that one of the joys of travelling with the Great Adventure People will be in meeting the local people and travelling to more remote areas. Unfortunately, tourism can radically alter what it was that inspired the industry in the first place. It is for this reason that we as travellers have a responsibility to minimize our impact on the people and environments we enjoy. Through our examples and attitudes we can ensure that our visits have minimal impact on the environment and that we foster positive cultural exchanges between ourselves and our local hosts. Please see the Responsible Travel section of our website for guidelines you can follow to help us in our efforts to conserve the places and cultures we love to visit, and to ensure similar experiences for future travellers. We thank you for your efforts in helping us act responsibly in our travels and hope that these guidelines assist you in having a wonderful trip! Should you require more information on minimizing your impact while travelling, feel free to contact us at adventure@gap.ca.
Safety and Security Single Travellers We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Spending Money Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping Tipping Kitty - Tipping is an integral part of this region and is essential to a smooth trip. Your leader can advise you regarding amounts to drivers, guides, hotel staff etc.
Any tip that you wish to give your leader in recognition of excellent service is always appreciated. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Validity Valid for all trips departing January 1, 2008 - December 31st 2008. Visas It is your responsibility to arrange visas before you travel. Your travel agent can assist. China: all nationalities require a visa. When filling out the visa application form list the trip's starting Point Hotel (details below) as the ""company or person to visit in China"". Mongolia: a visa is required for travel in Mongolia and it is your responsibility to arrange your own visa before you travel. When filling out the visa application form please list "Monkhutuch Trade & Travel, Bayanzurkh Duureg
13-r Horoolol 12-179, Ulaan Baatar. Tel: +976 11 99199291" as the hosting company or individual in Mongolia. We plan to enter Mongolia on Day 4 of the trip, travelling by rail.

Russia: All nationalities require a visa to visit Russia.

You will need a visa support letter to enable you to obtain your Russian visa.
You can obtain this letter through our visa support agent in Russia by completing our on line visa application. The visa support link will be sent to you or your travel agent, by email, at the time you confirm your booking. You must read the instructions carefully and fill out all the details. Your visa support letter will be emailed to you or your travel agent directly within 10 working days upon submission of your online application.

Once you have received your visa support letter you can apply for your Visa by going to your closest Russian embassy or by using a visa service recommended by your travel agent. Do not obtain your visa until 6 weeks prior to your trip departing in the unlikely event that your departure is canceled. Take this letter to the embassy along with your passport, three passport photos, the completed visa application form (please see below for helpful hints to completing your application), a copy of your trip voucher and proof of onward travel from Russia and they will issue the visa. It can take up to 15 working days for the embassy to issue your visa.

Helpful Hints for completing your application.
*Please wait until you receive your visa support letter before completing your application as information must match in order for you to receive your visa from the embassy.
* The visa support letter states two periods of stay at two separate hotels, one in Moscow and one in St Petersburg. These hotels may not be the exact hotels that you will be staying at during your trip. It is critical however, that when you complete your Russian visa application that you copy the hotels that are on your visa support letter rather than those that are on your G.A.P voucher or dossier.

*Answers to questions on Visa Application:
1. The type/purpose of visa: Tourism
2. Company or organization in Russia to be visited: Karelia Plus
3. Name of Russian Travel Agency: Karelia Plus (if support letter is dated after 16 August, 2008) Rait-Karon Ltd.(if support letter is dated prior to 16 August, 2008)
4. Reference number of Russian tour agency: This is in the top right hand corner of your visa support letter
5. Route of Journey: Copy the dates and cities that appear below your name on the left hand side of your visa support letter (Moscow & St Petersburg)
6. Confirmation voucher/Invitation number: This usually starts with SPC


Fees vary with nationalities but the cost for a 30-day single entry tourist visa is approximately US$40. Most countries have a Russian embassy or consulate. Some websites that have information are: www.russialink.org.uk/embassy/ ,www.russianembassy.org/ and www.sydneyrussianconsulate.com

We Want Your Photos Want to see your photos and/or stories in print or on the web? Then enter our "Great G.A.P Adventures Photo Story Contest". Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/contests/photo-story-contest to upload your photo stories! There are travel and camera prizes worth more than $5000 available to be won! If you prefer to submit slide film or photos instead of digital entries online, just make sure they are clearly marked with your name and contact details on each and the place where it was taken. Unfortunately, we are unable to return any entries. Send mailed entries to "Photo Editor" at our head office.
Web Intro From the grace of imperial Beijing to the opulence of Moscow and St Petersburg, we journey through the vast grassy steppes of Mongolia, the seemingly impenetrable taiga forests of Siberia and the rolling Ural Mountains. What to Take You will be on the move a good deal, so pack as lightly as possible. It is in your own interest as you are expected to carry your own luggage, though distances are never great. Most travellers carry their luggage in a pack, which is the most suitable. Suitcases are not recommended for G.A.P Adventures travellers! It is important that your bag can be locked. You will also need an overnight pack for the Terelj stay. This should be big enough to carry a spare set of clothes and basic necessities (approx. 30 litre/8 gallons capacity). Your Fellow Travellers As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.