Highlights

• London/U.K. - Bruges/Belgium - Rhine Valley/Germany - Prague/Czech Republic - Warsaw/Poland - Vilnius/Lithuania - Riga/Latvia - St Petersburg/Moscow/Russia - Trans Siberian Railway Journey to Beijing - Lake Baikal - Ulan Bator/Mongolia - Treleji National Park/Mongolia - Beijing/China : including visit to the Great wall of China - Xi-an/China : including a visit to the Terracotta Warriors - Cruise Beijing to Anchorage on the Diamond Princess Cruise liner - Busan/South Korea - Vladivostok/Russia - Sapporo/Japan - Anchorage/Alaska - Denali NP/Alaska - Ferry down the Inside Passage - San Francisco - Yellowstone Park - Chicago - The Great Lakes - Niagara Falls - New York

ITINERARY

Europe to Russia

The start to this epic adventure kicks off in London, crosses the Channel on our first ferry journey and heads east as we pass through northern France and into Belgium, where we spend our first evening in the beautiful medieval town of Bruges. With its meandering waterways and classic buildings and many chocolate shops, this is a wonderful place to spend our first evening en route.

The next country we travel through is Germany and after travelling down the Rhine Valley we cross into the Czech Republic and arrive in the beautiful city of Prague. After a day exploring its ancient castles and stunning palaces (not to mention tasting its famous beers) we move on and cross into Poland. Our first visit is to the famous city of Krakow, Poland's second city and cultural capital, where we have a chance to not only experience the world heritage listed city centre but also you may be able to visit the site of the infamous concentration camp, Auschwitz, which is nearby. ÝTravelling north we cross the country to the capital Warsaw, with its historic old town and vibrant post communist culture.

Next we go to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania and the first of the three Baltic countries - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia we visit before crossing the border and entering Russia. Vilnius, Riga and Tallin are increasingly popular as alternative destinations to the more traditional European cities and we will have time to explore all three. Crossing into Russia we head for the cosmopolitan city of St Petersburg - often called 'Venice of the north' and easy to explore by boat. There are many sights to see in this former capital including the Winter Palace, the famous Church of the Spilt Blood and the Hermitage museums. After two days here we travel to Russia's capital city - Moscow.Ý This is a city that needs no introduction and is awash with history both recent and ancient; you can explore Izmailovsky Market and the metro system, Red SquareÝfamous for the May Day parades during the Soviet regime and the site of Lenin's Mausoleum. ÝThe Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage site and centre of Russia's poitical, religious and historical heritage since the 13th century, is certainly is worth a visit.

Russia - Mongolia - China

The trip then takes a new and exciting dimension when we leave the bus and jump on board the legendary Trans Siberian Railway. This icon of travel within Russia will allow the journey to while away the vastness of Russia whilst allowing everyone on board to further embrace the whole Russian experience.

From Moscow's suburbs the train moves east towards Vladimir and passes the golden spires and domes of the Assumption Cathedral, the Bogolyubovo, a 12th century monastery complex on our way to Nizhny Novgorod. Then, on to Yekaterinburg, we pass through theÝgreen rolling foothill landscapes of the Ural Mountains. Next is Omsk and the passing of the 2102km point from Moscow and significantly it is at this point that we reach a landmark which is the official border of Siberia. Here we continue and cross one of the world's longest rivers by way of traversing the fabulous 870m Ob River bridge. Stopping at Irkutsk we get a chance to stretch our legs and have a look around at the sights like the beautiful wooden buildings and the Church of the Saviour and the Znamensky monastery. This is also where we take a couple of days to see Lake Baikal - the world' deepest lake! Leaving the train for a while we go north to the Primorsky Mountains on Baikal's western shore experience the vastness which is Lake Baikal. We then sail to Olkhon Island, the largest lake island in the world where we have a rare opportunity to rest and stay overnight with local fishermen' families. A walk can be done through the village to the Cape of Burkhan to see the famous Crag of Shaman (Rock Temple) which was generally regarded as one of the 9 sanctuaries of Asia. You will also be able to take an optional tour in an ex Russian military jeep to explore the island more and see the classic Lake Baikal vistas, including the coastal sand dunes and stretches of beach. The views from the 200m high cliffs of Khoboy Cape at the northern tip of the island are fabulous. Finishing our time on Lake Baikal we then return to Irkutsk where we board the Trans Mongolian train.

Crossing into Mongolia we travel overnight to Ulan Bator, the country's capital, where we spend the rest of the day. There is plenty to see here such as the Sukhbaatar Square, the Gandantegchinlen Khiid temple as well as the National Museum of Mongolian History. In the evening there is a chance to see contortionists, dancers, opera singers and the bizarre Mongolian throat singers at the Tumen Ekh Ensemble Palace.Ý 50 miles northeast of Ulan Bator is the Terelj National Park where we immediately feel the cool alpine air and view the magnificent mountain scenery. If we are lucky we can get to see hawks, eagles and even wild camels! There is then the option of an excursion on horseback and foot through the valleys past streams and up winding mountain paths to Ariyapala Temple - a great place to meditate and soak up the amazing views. We then return back to the Turtle Rock and spend the night in the Ger Camp situated by the spectacular Gorkhi River valley. This is an incredible wilderness with green meadows carpeted with edelweiss and a variety of other wildflowers and incredible rock formations against a backdrop of pine-covered mountains.

Returning to Ulan Bator, we are soon on our way to China where we travel through incredible Chinese countryside, crossing the Great Wall of China and finally arriving in the Capital, Beijing.

China

Our travels through China begin with a couple of days in Beijing and a chance to see Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, before we hop on the overnight sleeper train to Xi'an. Here we have time to see the famous Terracotta Warriors and other sights like the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. We now head north to the ancient town of PingyaoÝand then on to Datong stopping at the Hanging Temple & Yungang Grottos en route. Now we drive back to Beijing for the next exciting leg of this epic journey, but not before having the chance to visit the Badaling Great Wall & Ming Tomb.

China - South korea - Russia - Japan - Alaska

This is the chance to take it easy in relative luxury as we take the only means of getting to Alaska from China on the Cruise liner the Diamond Princess. Setting sail from the Chinese coast at Dalian, the ship cruises through the Yellow Sea to Busan in South Korea before stopping back in Russia at Vladivostock. The ship then crosses the Sea of Japan to stop at Sopporo for a very brief taste of Japan before starting the long journey north through the Bering Sea to Alaska and Anchorage.

Alaska - Canada - USA

Arriving in Alaska this is the beginning of the last incredible section of our journey with temperate rainforests, snow-capped mountains, and crystal-clear seas that are home to abundant wildlife.

Leaving the civilization of Anchorage, we drive on to one of the centrepieces of our trip where we have plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife on the tundra and taiga on our way to Denali National Park, the crown jewel of Alaska's parks. With six million acres, Denali is home to caribou, moose, wolves, foxes, bald eagles, and bears, as well as wildflowers, spruce groves, and possible views of the three-mile high peak of Mt. McKinley. Plenty of options here include treks into the wilderness, Nenana RiverÝrafting or take a flight seeing trip to see this fascinating area from the air. Moving on to Fairbanks, you can take a dip in the Chena Hot Springs and we will also drop into 'Chicken'(yes really!) where we might try our luck at panning for gold! Set at the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike rivers, Dawson City was the heart of the Yukon's great gold rush, and is home to the original "sourtoe" cocktail. After a visit to historic Whitehorse, enjoy a relaxing soak in the Tahkini Hot Springs and at nearby Skagway ride the incredible White Pass and Yukon Railroad; a vintage narrow-gauge train that climbs from sea-level to 880 meters (2885 feet) in just 20 minutes. You will have the option of taking a flight seeing trip over Glacier BayÝin a classic Cessna bush plane or why not hike the Rapinski Ridge Trail in the search for wildlife.

Boarding a ferry in Haines we cruise down the Lynn Canal to Juneau, isolated to the extent that it is only reachable by boat or air, and the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. Here we can see the blue ice of the Juneau Ice field on the East Glacier Loop Trail, or take a tram to the top of Mt. Roberts for spectacular views of mountains, glaciers, fjords, and temperate rainforests. Back on the ferry we head to Petersburg, where we can look for spawning salmon along the Blind River Rapids, or hike to Raven's Roost for spectacular views of the Wrangell Narrows before continuing on to Prince Rupert. A visit to Mt. Layton Hot Springs will entice you with an array of hot water pools, slides, and an exciting cannonball drop. Leaving British Colombia we pass Seattle on our way to San Francisco.

USA - San Francisco - New York

Leaving the west coast we turn north east to Northern Nevada and can hike to the glacier-carved lakes of Lamoille Canyon, then unwind in one of our favourite hot springs. In the forested mountains of Salmon, Idaho, you can take an optional white-water rafting trip on what Lewis and Clark referred to as "the river of no return...", followed by a hike to the incredible hot spring waterfall.

Getting to the Grand Tetons National Park we can hike around Jenny Lake to the base of Hidden Falls, or deep into Paintbrush Canyon, under the shadow of glacier covered peaks. Then on to the world's first National Park, Yellowstone, to discover this amazing wilderness. Wonder at the reliability of Old Faithful, before a beautiful drive along the Yellowstone River takes us through Hayden Valley - home to moose, bison, and even grizzly bears and hike to Artist Point for views of Yellowstone Falls.

On to Gardiner in Montana, which is a classic cowboy town, before having a close encounter of the third kind at Devil's Tower in the South Dakota Black Hills, featured in the cult movie. Stopping at Pine Ridge Reservation, have an authentic Indian Tacos and then watch for prairie dogs en route to very scenic South Dakota, and a living ghost town or for bison as we enter Badlands National Park.

Get some time on the Great (forested) Plains of Minnesota, for a day of swimming and walking before hitting the great metropolis of Chicago, with its amazing architecture, museums, or even hit the beach along Lake Michigan.Ý Niagara Falls needs no introduction and you have to take the optional Maid of the Mist boat tour or walk across the Canadian border for an even better view. On the final leg we stop at the Delaware River where if it's warm enough you can swim and take an optional float trip. After a last night in the Catskill Mountains we finally pull into New York, our destination of our truly once in a lifetime epic journey.