Singapore to St Petersberg overland tour

country:	Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
departures:	Departs most Sundays throughout the year
price:	From £3395 (12 weeks) excluding flights, plus local payment US $1450. Price includes: Hotels/guesthouses, apartments, homestay, overnight train, overnight boat, monastery and Mongolian ger, 21 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners. All departure dates are guaranteed

Overland tours in Asia

the amazing things you'll be doing

This is an enormous journey that could only be described as epic, taking you from the thriving island-state of Singapore all the way to the glittering palaces of St Petersburg.

Along the way, taste the many flavours of multi-cultural Malaysia, temple-hop in Thailand, travel back in time in laid-back Laos and experience the energy of Vietnam, before seeing the many marvels of the Middle Kingdom.

You'll also get to spend a memorable night in a traditional Mongolian 'ger' tent, ride the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, stand on the shores of largest freshwater lake on earth and explore the magnificent Kremlin on this amazing 84-day journey through Asia and beyond.

Highlights: Check out Singapore's hottest shopping spots, explore ancient Melaka, enjoy traditional Malay hospitality in a jungle getaway, hawker-hop in Penang, snorkel in the sultry waters of Ko Samui, take a longtail boat along Bangkok's khlongs, and see Bangkok from a longtail boat.

Revel in Chiang Mai's charms, cruise the Mekong River, enjoy laid-back Vientiane, sit back with a coffee in Hanoi, experience the beauty of Halong Bay, see the amazing Longji rice terraces, explore the magical scenery of Yanghshuo, ride the Star Ferry, explore ancient and modern in Hong Kong, discover the beauty of Yangshou, cruise down the Yangzi River, and see the Three Gorges.

Take in the views from Emei Mountain, make friends with giant pandas in Chengdu, be amazed by Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, stand atop the Great Wall of China, experience vibrant Beijing, climb the Great Wall, wander through the fascinating Forbidden City, experience traditional life in Mongolia, take a dip in Lake Baikal, watch the taiga roll by on the trans-Siberian Railway, explore Moscow's magnificent Kremlin, and finish by admiring the opulence of St Petersburg.

Please note: We can arrange flights from the UK.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Singapore. Sip a Singapore Sling in the hotel where it was born - the Raffles - or look for a sari in Little India.
Day 2:	Melaka. Admire the unique Peranakan architecture of Chinatown or toss a coin into the ancient well on Bukit China to ensure your return.
Day 3-4:	Kuala Lumpur. Lose yourself in the multicultural mix that is KL - stroll Dataran Merdeka, shop in Suria KLCC or scale the 272 steps up to the temple at Batu Caves.
Day 5-6:	Homestay. Sample succulent tropical fruits such as rambutan or durian before seeing how traditional Malays live. Sit cross-legged on the floor for meals and be sure only to use your right hand!
Day 7-8:	Penang. Visit the butterfly farm for an insight into the enormous variety of Malaysian insects, take a rickshaw tour through the streets of Georgetown, or tuck into local treats at the street stalls on Gurney Drive.
Day 9:	Nakhon Si Thammarat. Famous for its shadow puppets, Nakhon Si Thammarat also has a great night market where a first taste of Thai hawker food may be had.
Day 10-12:	Ko Samui. Dive beneath the surface with a snorkel to discover the underwater treasures of Ang Thong National Marine Park - an archipelago of untouched islands surrounded by pristine coral reefs pulsing with life.
Day 13:	Overnight train. Wake early to watch sunrise over the beach or to enjoy a final swim before boarding the train to Bangkok.
Day 14-16:	Bangkok. Glide through Bangkok's canals on longtail boats and gaze at the world's largest reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.
Day 17:	Chiang Mai. With over 300 temples, a whole host of restaurants and wonderful night and day markets, there's something for everyone in this cosmopolitan city.
Day 18:	Chiang Khong. Get a final taste of Thai food in this frontier town before crossing the river to Laos.
Day 19:	Pak Beng/Mekong. RiverRide a barge down the majestic Mekong, cruising into the revered Pak Ou Caves.
Day 20-22:	Luang Prabang. Take a sawngthaew to the spectacular Kuang Si Falls, before exploring lovely Luang Prabang.
Day 23-25:	Vientiane. Trawl the vibrant morning market for local treasures or visit Phat That Luang, Laos' most important national monument.
Day 26:	Lak Sao. Set amid strikingly beautiful forests, mountains and karsts, Lak Sao is a scenic place to stop before crossing into Vietnam.
Day 27-29:	Hanoi. Wander the wide streets of Hanoi taking in pagodas, lakes and French-style cafes or head to the Old Quarter for some serious shopping.
Day 30-32:	Halong Bay. Explore caves and discover quiet bays dotted with fishermen and pearl farmers as we cruise among the majestic limestone islands.
Day 33-34:	Hua Shan/Luizhou. Enjoy a peaceful first night in China in Hua Shan, accessible only by boat.
Day 35-36:	Chengyang. Step back in time and cross into the Dong village of Chengyang over one of the many 'wind and rain' footbridges.
Day 37-38:	Longji. Enjoy the incredible views from the 'dragon's backbone' of rice terraces.
Day 39-41:	Yangshuo. Explore the magical countryside around Yangshuo, where spectacular limestone mountains surround quaint market villages.
Day 42-44:	Hong Kong. Dynamic Hong Kong has ancient sights and modern delights a-plenty. Cruise the harbour, wander through Old World streets or shop till you drop.
Day 45-47:	Yangshuo. Immerse yourself in the beautiful countryside surrounding Yangshou by taking a bike ride through rustic villages and rice paddies. Enjoy an optional cruise down the Li River, past stunning limestone mountains.
Day 48-50:	Yangzi River. Take a journey along this truly magnificent waterway and become a part of the evolving landscape of the Three Gorges and Yangzi River. Show some daring and try the interesting snacks - buy from the locals at stops along the way.
Day 51-52:	Chengdu. Home to wonderfully spicy Sichuan cuisine, Chengdu also boasts traditional tea houses and many markets. Visit the Giant Panda Reserve to witness conservation efforts being made to save this endangered species.
Day 53-56:	Leshan/Emei Shan. See the big Buddha at Leshan before journeying to the holy mountain of Emei Shan. Stay in an isolated monastery and make a morning visit to the mountain summit.
Day 57-59:	Xi'an. This is a wonderful city to explore. See the ancient Terracotta Warriors and view the city from above on the old city walls. Enjoy some quiet time at the Great Mosque or head to the park to watch locals practicing tai chi and ballroom dancing.
Day 60-67:	Beijing. Take in the best of imperial Beijing with a visit to Tiananmen Square and the impressive Forbidden City. For a final adventure, climb up to the mighty Great Wall for spectacular views.
Day 68-71:	Ulaanbaatar and Ger Camp. Cross the Chinese border and journey into the grasslands of Genghis Khan. Enjoy traditional Mongolian hospitality with an overnight stay in a ger tent.
Day 72:	Trans-Mongolian Railway. The train ride north through the vast steppes takes us towards the heart of Russia - Siberia.
Day 73-74:	Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. Once a gold rush town and place of exile, Irkutsk is full of 19th century architectural charm. Learn the romantic story of the Princess of Siberia with a visit to the museum that once was her home. Enjoy a homestay visit on the shores of Lake Baikal.
Day 75-77:	Trans-Siberian Railway. The route of the famed Trans-Siberian railway covers vast terrain, crossing the taiga and travelling through five time zones on its way from Asia to Europe.
Day 78:	Suzdal. Visit the past in Suzdal, once the capital of Russia. Admire the glittering skyline of domes in a town that feels untouched by time.
Day 79-81:	Moscow. Wander the streets of this exciting city and take in the famous Red Square, St Basil's Cathedral and the magnificent Kremlin, a name that conjures up images of the glory of tsars and the power of the Soviets.
Day 82-84:	St Petersburg. The elegant city of St Petersburg is the final destination of this epic journey.

small group adventure holiday

This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more)

Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!

how this holiday makes a difference

This trip visits a local NGO in Penang who work with the physically handicapped in order to help them adjust to an independent lifestyle outside of the home. Offering a respite centre as well as training our groups are able to visit the centre and volunteer some of their time. In Laos we have a very special project that all groups have the options to visit and support. Phet the Asiatic tiger was orphaned and for sale in a local market before being sponsored by us and its passengers. Phet now lives just our side of Luang Prabang at the Kuang Sii waterfalls, where together with local authorities her environment and food is enabling her to live quite happily. All groups have the opportunity to help support Phet by purchasing buffalo meat and donating it to her keepers.

While in Mongolia you spend a night in a traditional ger (Mongolian felt tent) situated in one of the country's magnificent national parks. Our driver Mia and guide Nemo will no doubt help you to understand more about local traditions and customs of the area, such as stopping at an orvoo to ask the spirits for good luck on our journey.

Here our travelers support the work of Lotus Children's Home. There is a list of needed items in our pre trip departure information if you would like to make a donation.

We cross into Russia by train and disembark near Lake Baikal, one of the world's most precious ecological sites where we experience village life staying with our local friend Nikolai and his family. You'll get to try all kinds of traditional cooking and fresh produce, including fish straight from the lake.

You'll definitely get to rub shoulders (literally!) with Muscovites and St Petersburgians as we explore these two great Russian cities since our prime method of getting around will be local public transport like the metro, trolley buses and trams.

At the completion of your journey you can donate any unwanted toiletries or unneeded clothing to our project in St Petersburg, Nochlezhka, an organization that helps the many homeless people living in the city.

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