Samar Magic Tours-Travel Beijing-Mongolia on the Train-16days starting in Beijing (Go West!)...

Solar Eclipse-2009!		Mr. Gomez Hostel		"Chinggis" Tourist Camp

16 days starting in Beijing and ending in Ulaanbaatar. Go West!
Meeting Point: Beijing, China
Departure Point: Ulaanbataar (no included the international air)
Minimum group: 2 adults or more persons
Tour duration: 16 days/15 nights

This is the most interesting route. Join us aboard the train to go West!. Travel the legendary Trans-Mongolian railway, starting in Beijing to Mongolia. An incredible journey in just sixteen days. The active adventure is complete; a brilliant and unforgettable experience on an exciting combination of the Mongolian and Chinese railways ( from Beijing, China continue down into Ulan Bator, Mongolia, by train with stops at important cities along the way. These trains have 2-berth compartments for 2 persons and 4-berth compartments for 4 persons, all very comfortable.

One departure each Monday, and Friday, starting in Beijing- valid from May to October.

2009 Tour Costs per person for a minimum of 2 adults or more persons
from $ 2,999.00 or 2,499.00 Euros

Tour Code: SMT-PM-16D

This is a unique and cheap way to discover China, and Mongolia. A train tour you will never forget. The longest and most famous railway journey in the world, the Trans Mongolian traverses Mongolia from China. We advise to arrange as much as possible before starting the trip by booking of the start package listed below, so we can make all the necessary preparations.

Train No.	Destination	Departure time	Arrival time	Hours	Distance in km
23 Extra	Beijing-Ulaanbaatar Valid from June 11-October 27	7:40am Tue	14:30 Wed	33 1/2	1561
23	Beijing-Ulaanbaatar	7:40am Sat	14:30 Sun	331/2	1561

Notes: The schedule for train # 23 from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar changes every year in May. Train #23 Beijing to Ulaanbaatar departs on Tuesdays until 27th May 2008 and is run by Chinese Railways. From 7th June 2008 train #23 switches departure to Saturdays and is run by Mongolian railways. It is likely that Chinese Railways will operate an extra service departing Beijing on Tuesdays during the peak summer months but this won’t be confirmed until late April.

***The Train Fare is subject to change without notice.

VALID FROM MAY 22-OCTOBER 16, 2009

Day 1
MON, FRI

Arrive in Beijing
Arrival in Beijing from LA or from your country destination. Welcome and Overnight at Courtyard Marriott Hotel 4

or similar.

Day 2
TUE, SAT

Depart Beijing by Train No. 23 (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Beijing International Railway Station. We board the Trans-Mongolian No. 23 and depart at 07:40am. As we leave behind the crowds of Beijing, the train heads north towards the Mongolian border. We pass through mountainous countryside and enjoy several parts of the Great Wall. After, we have passed the Chinese-Mongolian border, the train makes its way into the famous Gobi desert. You will travel from Beijing to Ulaan Bataar in 33 1/2hours. Night by train.

Day 3
WED, SUN

Arrive in Ulaan Bataar (D)
Arrive in Ulaanbataar (UB) at 14:30. Meet and transfer to the hotel. Free time at hotel. 18:00-See Mongolian traditional folk songs and dance concert. Welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at Flower Japanese Top Hotel, 3

or similar.

Day 4
THU, MON

Ulaanbaatar-Nomad's Tuul River Valley (B, L, D)
In the morning, visit Gandan Lamasery, the largest Monastery in Mongolia (80 foot tall statue of Buddha, practicing Tibetan Buddhist Lamas), the Buddhist ceremony at 10:00AM and the experience of the Tibetan-Buddhist tradition. Today is spent on a guided city tour of Ulaanbataar, highlights include Sukhbataar Central Square, the "Chinggis" Khan's main monument, the National History Museum where you will see artifacts from Mongolia from the Stone Age to the present, and displays of the development of Mongolian arts and culture and the Natural Museum, where you will see two complete dinosaur skeletons, which were found in the Gobi - the giant flesh-eating Tarbosaurus, 15m tall and four to five tons in weight, and the little duck-billed plant-eating Saurolophus , and displays of Mongolia's geography, flora and fauna. Lunch in local restaurant. Afterward, drive to the "Tuul river Nomad's Valley" (55kms/27.5miles)-this is a beautiful valley of streams. There are national gers in beautiful natural locations, so it's easy to meet with locals and see their daily lives, interact with them. The river Tuul is one of the longest rivers of the country, flowing from the Khentii Mountain Range. The valley of the river has been called sacred for centuries by the nomads as they truly respect the nature especially the rivers and the surface water. In route, we stop to observe and to take some amazing photos to the 40 meter (~133,3 feet) Statue of "Genghis or Chinggis" Khan on a big horse on Tsonjin Boldog Hill is located just ~3kms (~1,5miles) to "Chinggis" Tourist Traditional Ger Camp. Welcome dinner with traditional mongolian meal (khorkhog), which is mutton cooked with hot rock and with vegetables, water, potatoes, and onion. Overnight in "Chinggis" Tourist Base Ger Camp. Have your first ger camp experience. "Chinggis" Tourist Camp is Highly recommended by "Lonely Planet Mongolia" by the author Michael Kohn.

Day 5
FRI, TUE

Horseback Exploration (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Mongolian Horseback Exploration to enjoy this amazing scenery of wide-open steppe with rolling hills in the background and river, we recommend you take a walk around the Tuul river or into the foothills to witness this amazing landscapes and wild life. Horseback riding tour along the Tuul river, so it's easy to meet with locals and see their daily lives, interact with them, take water adventures, go trekking, swimming in the Tuul river. Overnight at the "Chinggis" Tourist Base Camp.

Day 6
SAT, WED

Terelj National Park-Turtle Rock-Arryabal Temple (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Today, we drive to Terelj National Park for a walking tour to Turtle Rock and hiking to the Arryabal Buddhist monastery on the top of the mountain. It is famous for its amazing rock formations, pristine alpine scenery and varied bird life. The Terelj National Park incorporates parts of Khenty Mountain Range. The forest consists of Aspen, Larch and Birch trees which support wolf, eagles. birds, and others animals. Picnic lunch is provided. In the afternoon, drive back to Chinggis tourist ger camp. Free time for mongolian archery, etc. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7
SUN,THU

Middle Gobi (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Drive to Middle Gobi on the way visit ruins of Sum Khukh Burd Temple, one of the few monasteries and temples to survive the communist purges in 1930s. Boxed lunch on the way. Next stop is in Bagazarin Chuluu. Free time for photo opportunities. We recommend you take a walk around the Bagazarin Chuluu. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 8
MON,FRI

Gobi desert (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Today, we drive to the legendary "Flaming Cliffs"; named for its glowing orange rock that is rich with dinosaur fossils in Bayanzad (dinosaur excavation site) to explore the Gobi Dinosaur Cemetery and to follow the historic trail of paleontologist / explorer Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 9
TUE,SAT

Gobi desert (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Drive to "Yol Valley Protected Area in Gobi Gurvan Shaikhan National Park" for trekking and an opportunity to photograph the stunning landscape, the Gobi Glacier and the wildlife of the cradled in the foothills of the Altai Mountains. Hike through the valley before visiting the local natural history museum for an overview of the flora and fauna of the area. Afterward, drive to visit the camel family. Enjoy Nomad hospitality. Visit a camel-breeding farm to get introduce to their lifestyle and taste the khoormog, camel milk. Optional camel riding. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 10
WED, SUN

Gobi desert (B, L, D)
Breakfast. After breakfast, drive to the largest sand dunes Hongoryn Els in Gobi desert. It is the biggest sand dunes in Mongolia and lasts 200kms and app. 40-50 ms high. Has an extraordinary length of 180 kms and 15-20 m. Climb up the towering piles of sand standing hundreds of metres high and later walk along Hongor River. Wildlife here includes ibex and gazelle and rare wild camels. See the largest sand dunes. Bactrian Camel (two-humped) Safari tour. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 11
THU, MON

Ongiin Steppe (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Overland journey through famous Ongiin Steppe to the ruins of the Ongiin Monastery. In the afternoon walk to the ruins of the Ongiin Monastery. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 12
FRI, TUE

Karakorum (B, L, D)
Breakfast. This morning, we drive through the grassland toward Karakhorum-was founded in 1220 at the crossroads of the Silk Road. It was the capital of the Mongol Empire until Kublai Khan moved it to Beijing. Visitors, such as Marco Polo, described its ornate building, including a 2500 sq. meters Palace of Worldly Peace. In 1792 the Monastery still had 62 temples and 10,000 lamas. But in 1930 it became a victim of the Stalin's purges. All but three of the Temples were destroyed and most of the monks were either killed or sent to Siberia. Today the restoration of the Monastery is the government's top priority. Free time. Dinner and overnight in tourist base camp.

Day 13
SAT, WED

Erdene zuu monastery-Ugii lake (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Visit "Erdene Zuu" monastery, and the Turtle monument. The monastery grounds and several chapels depicts excellent examples of Buddhist iconography dating from the sixteenth century.Our journey continuing further drive to the freshwater Lake Ogii. This freshwater lake is located in the valley of the Orkhon River. Ogii lake is a wonderful place for birdlife (cranes and ducks, to name just a few species, migrate to the area around late April). This a freshwater lake located in the valley of the Orkhon River. Optional activities: relaxing, fishing, boating, or kayak at the Ugii lake. Overnight in tourist camp.

Day 14
SUN, THU

Amarbayagaslant monastery (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Drive to "Amarbayasgalant" monastery, situated in the northern central Mongolia. After Erdene Zuu Khiid in Karakhorum, Amarbayasgalant Khiid is considered the most important monastery in Mongolia. It's also one of the most beautiful. Free time. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 15
MON, FRI

Ulaanbaatar (B, L, D)
Breakfast. In the morning, visit Amarbayasgalant monastery and attend the Buddhist ceremony-was originally built in 1737 by the Manchurian king Kansu, who dedicated it to the great Mongolian Buddhist and sculptor, Zanabazar. In the 1930s and were destroyed 10 of the 37 temples and statues. The monastery was restored between 1975 and 1990 with the help of UNESCO. You're welcome to watch the 30 resident monks conduct their daily ceremonies, compared to over 2000 in 1936. Afterward, continuing further drive back to Ulaanbaatar. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Some shopping. Farewell dinner. Overnight at hotel

Day 16
TUE, SAT

Departure Mongolia (B)
Breakfast . Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight ( *not included the International air) or continue on with optional extension to Baikal lake or to Moscow, Russia on train (online request)

WHAT IS INCLUDED:
-Train No. 23 ticket from Beijing-Ulaan Bataar ( in 2-beds or in 4-beds berth compartment).
-1 night at Courtyard Marriott Hotel 4

or similar in twin share in Beijing with daily breakfast.
-2 nights at the Flower Japanese Top Hotel 3

or similar in twin share room in Ulaanbaatar city.
-11 nights at the Tourist Ger Base Camps in twin share, inside Mongolia.
-Legend:(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner as specified above.
-Excursions per program with entrance fees and local English (other languages on request).
-One Mongolia barbecue welcome dinner at "Chinggis" Tourist Camp.
-One Mongolian Folklore Performance in Ulaan Bataar.
-All transfers by private transport, included the patrol.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
-International air tickets.
-Meals in trains.
-Personal cost.
-Tips to the guides and the drivers.
-Visas.
-Airport taxes.
-Medical insurance.
-Drinks.
-Transfers to and from airports for participant making own arrangements; optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour; personal expenses such as excess or overweight baggage charges, laundry, telephone/cable/fax/email charges, liquor or soft drinks, room service; gratuities for personal services;

SUMMER DEPARTURES-2009, STARTING IN BEIJING:

May	22	29
June	5,8	12,15	19,22	26,29
July	3,6	*10,13	17,20	24,27	31
August	7,3	14,17	21,24	28,31
September	4,7	11,14	18,21	25,28
October	2,7	9,14	16

TESTIMONIALS
From: "agnes myers"
To: "Samar Magic Tours"
Subject: Beijing-Ulaanbataar-Moscow by Transmongolian Express (tour dates in Mongolia: August 16-August 25, 2006)
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 12:02:37 -0600

Hello Samar Magic Tours!,

It was so nice to hear from you. We speak of you often and have fond memories of our visit with you. Thank you for the help with the money planning for the train. We had no worries about having enough money. Your counterpart in Moscow was very good and informative and we enjoyed the city tour with her. We ventured into the city on the Metro on our own the next day. The train journey was very relaxing and we did alot of reading, resting, sleeping and eating. The compartment next to us was occupied by a nice Russian couple who shared some food with us and we did our best to communicate with them, even tho they spoke no English and we spoke no Russian. A greeting and a smile seemed to be universal. One funny experience we encountered were the traders on the train. They sold items at every stop even from the windows. Prior to each stop we were well advised to stay out of the aisles or we would be run over by the traders running back and forth with their merchandise. We held up considerably well on the 20+ hour journey home from Moscow to the US. We were happy to arrive safely and be reunited with our families.
Love, Elisa and Agnes, USA
Mrs. Elisabeth Bachmann Thigpen / Mrs. Agnes Anne Myers. top

*TRAVEL IN EARLY JULY-There is a Special itinerary, costs and departures for Naadam Festival Tours. It is celebrated on July 11, and 12 (this an annual festival of culture, sports and trade occurs during this time). The Naadam Festival is a Mongolia's celebration of the three manly games: horse racing, archery, and wrestling. Please, make your reservations at your earliest convenience, 180 days prior to Naadam Festival Tour!. Especially hotels, entrance fees to Naadam Festival, buses and flights in and out of Ulaan Bataar are fully booked at this time!. Seats can be difficult to get in July during Naadam Festival!.

Note: Tour and Tour Information are subject to change.

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