Japan and Mongolia Discovery

Tokyo, a city of awe-inspiring skyscrapers, an impressive modern metro system and limitless technology – this is where we start our Grand Trans Siberian Railway Journey. Join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at 5:00pm this evening for your Welcome Meeting as detailed on your Joining Instructions.

This morning we embark on a city tour of this dynamic city. We visit the Meijii Shrine and Asakuna Kannon Temple before a Shinkansen ‘Bullet Train’ takes us on a swift smooth ride to Kyoto.
Quiet temples, sublime gardens, colourful shrines and scurrying geishas - traditional Japan still lingers in this fascinating city. Today Kyoto unlocks for us her treasures of the Golden Temple, the Geisha district or Gion and Kiyomizudera Temple set on a hillside overlooking the city.

After breakfast we journey to Nara, the first permanent capital of Japan, and Todaiji Temple, reputedly the largest wooden building in the world, housing the Great Buddha.  Wander the old streets and sample some of the traditional food from stalls surrounding the temple complex. 

Today we join the hustle and bustle of Osaka and marvel at the clash of modern architecture and ancient traditions. 

Take the time to relax in this town of wooden houses, wander the streets where the lattice-bay windows entice us to sample some sake or view the traditional handicrafts of the region before boarding the train to Kanazawa. Kanazawa is one of the jewels of Japan, where the Samurai, merchants, geisha and lords have left an everlasting mark. Here we will visit the city’s best-known attraction, the beautiful Kenrokuen, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.

Our final destination in north of Kyoto to tranquil Takayama and wander the streets full of old wooden houses.

Returning by bullet train to Tokyo we enjoy our final few hours in Japan before boarding our plane to Ulaanbaatar the bustling capital of Mongolia.

Beyond the city one million Mongolian’s still live a traditional nomadic or semi nomadic life and the horse is central to their existence. We visit the Gandan Monastery, with its huge gold Buddha, the spiritual home of the Mongolian people, before traveling to the Khustai National Park where wild horses, known as Tahki or Przewalski horses are bred and reintroduced to the wild. Once close to extinction, Takhi are the world’s only true wild horse.
Mongolia is a country with such diverse landscapes and today we continue our way across the steppe to experience the uniqueness of the Bayangobi. Here we have the opportunity to hike in the stunning sand dunes that stretch over a distance of 80kms.  Tonight we stay in a ger, the traditional home of the Mongolian nomads.

This morning we explore the magnificent Khogno Khaan Natural Reserve with its diverse environments and wild inhabitants before continuing to the ancient capital of the Great Mongolian Empire in the valley of the Orkhon river, Kharkhorin. 
We visit Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1586 this was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and today is still considered by many to be the countries most significant. Over 100 temples were constructed, but most were destroyed during the Soviet era, nevertheless, Erdene Zuu retains much of its former glory and is a remarkable site to visit. Surrounded by beautiful white walls with 108 stupas, for centuries it was a spiritual and intellectual centre of Mongolia.
There is an extraordinary collection of Buddhist paintings, priceless religious objects, traditional costumes for Tsama religious dance and superb Buddhist iconography in true Mongolian and Tibetan style.

Before leaving the steppe we visit Orkhon waterfall, set in a beautiful location in the Khangai Mountains in the picturesque Orkhon Valley. If you`re feeling adventurous, enjoy a swim in this gorgeous area.

Today we visit Tuvkhun Monastery. Established by Zanabazar, the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia and great sculptor, as a place of solitude it soon grew as a significant monastery and place of pilgrimage after his death.

Gradually the steppe gives way to the fringes of the Great Gobi Desert as we make our way to the one of the most diverse aimags (provinces) in the Gobi. Bayanhongor has mountains in the north, deserts in the south, and is dotted with lakes as well as rivers and is renowned for its natural, sulphur-rich hot springs.

Continuing our journey through the Gobi Desert we pause to enjoy the next two nights at the Gobi Camel Camp, and a chance to explore the area and learn more about the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Mongolians. 

Climb Ih Bogd Mountain (3957m), should you wish to, the highest peak of the Gobi-Altai mountain range, and visit White Cave where evidence of early Stone Age habitation has been found.

We travel into the heart of the Gobi to one of its most remote and extreme areas where we will explore the spectacular canyon formations of Kherman Tsav. Carved out over many thousands of years the colourful canyon walls and rock formations provide a beautiful setting for an evening walk into the canyon. Dinosaur skeletons are to be found in the area as well as the unique flora and fauna of the Gobi Desert. Ibex and snow leopard are native to the region, while gazelles and wild asses can be seen on the nearby plains.

This morning we drive along dirt roads to the trek in the beautiful mountain regions of Toson Bumbin that is home to endangered snow leopards and herds of impressive ibex. We spend the afternoon exploring this spectacular part of the world.

The vast sand dunes of Khongoriin Els, some up to 200 metres high, stretch for 180 kilometres. Known as the ‘singing dunes’ due to the melodic sound the shifting sands make as the wind passes over their crest, Khongoriin Els are some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in Mongolia.  While here we have the opportunity to ride the two-humped Bactrian camels and venture into the dunes – your efforts to get to the top will be rewarded, the views from the sandy summit are beautiful!

We awake as the morning sun lights the desert sands with a golden glow allowing us ample time for a morning trek into the dunes or to simply soak in the amazing landscapes. After lunch we continue our journey to Bayanzag to witness an amazing sunset on the Flaming Cliffs – ensuring they live up to their description.
It was here in 1922 that the first fossilised dinosaur eggs and skeletons were found in Mongolia by Roy Chapman Andrews – a discovery that drew the whole world’s attention.

We continue through the Gobi Desert, encountering occasional ger encampments of nomadic families, reaching the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park and the incredible Yol Valley where even in the middle of a Gobi summer, the river remains frozen. Hike in the valley and admire the spectacular scenery while we stop for picnic lunch before visiting the local museum.

We leave the beautiful landscapes of the Gobi Desert, returning by air to Ulaanbaatar, one of the world’s most remote capitals, in the very heart of Asia.
We soak in the culture and sites of the capital, we visit the fascinating National Museum of Mongolian History. Tonight you are treated to an evening cultural performance and farewell dinner, where you will hear the unique Mongolian throat singing.

We say farewell to our fellow travellers and our journey comes to an end.