St Petersburg to Bali - Babushkas, Buddhas and beaches

Itinerary

Days 1-2 St Petersburg

Begin the odyssey in Russia's extravagantly beautiful cultural capital. Stroll through its leafy parks, visit one of its quirky museums or even follow in the footsteps of Rasputin on a walking tour of the city.

Days 3-4 Moscow

Orthodox churches stand proudly alongside Soviet icons and chic modern boutiques in the nation's capital. Be transported back in time at the Kremlin and don't miss the eccentric St Basil's Cathedral.

Days 5-7 Trans-Siberian Railway

Sip tea as the lush taiga rolls by - it's all in a day's work on this journey along the world's most famous train line.

Days 8-9 Irkutsk

Wander through the streets of Irkutsk and explore the city's interesting mix of traditional Siberian and communist-era architecture.

Days 10-11 Lake Baikal

Experience the serenity of the world's deepest lake.

Days 12-13 Ulan Ude

Discover the striking city of Ulan Ude with its unique mix of indigenous and Russian cultures. From here, venture on into the old stomping grounds of the fearsome Genghis Khan.

Day 14 Nomad Camp

Spend a night in the rolling hills of the Mongolian countryside and sleep in a traditional felt tent known as a 'ger'.

Days 15-16 Ulaanbaatar

Witness the old and new faces of Ulaanbaatar - make time to see the Winter Palace of the last emperor and the recently restored Gandan monastery.

Days 17-19 Beijing

Explore the many sights and sounds of China's impressive capital.

Days 20-21 Great Wall

No trip to China is complete without a visit to the Great Wall. Walk along a remote section of the structure and spend the night in a simple guesthouse nearby.

Days 22-24 Xi'an

Meet the local Hui people in the Muslim Quarter, admire the distinctive Great Mosque or ride a bike around the impressive Ming dynasty city wall. Don't miss a visit to the famed 2,200-year-old Terracotta Warriors.

Days 25-27 Shanghai

Walk along the elegant Bund, check out the space-age skyscrapers of Pudong or go bargain-hunting in Yuyuan Bazaar. Perhaps catch a performance by the famous Shanghai Acrobats in the evening.

Days 28-31 Yangshuo

With its smoky horizons, dramatic limestone peaks and lush countryside, Guangxi is one of China's most photogenic regions. There's plenty of time to try tai chi, take cooking lessons or cycle along country lanes.

Days 32-34 Longji Terraces

From an ethnic minority village, explore the towering and extensive Longji rice terraces on foot. Marvel at this incredible feat of farm engineering.

Days 35-36 Hong Kong

The stay in Hong Kong is short so be prepared for some fast-paced action. Head to the shops and bargain hard, cruise the harbour, take a cable car to Victoria Peak or check out the local nightlife.

Days 37-40 Kaili

Be immersed in a world of colourful local dress, traditional architecture and the unique culture of the Miao people on a three-day adventure through the countryside of Guizhou province. Trek past mountains and markets and spend nights in sleepy villages.

Day 41 Kunming

Wander through the bird and flower markets or take a day trip out to the otherwordly Stone Forest. Be sure to try some local fruit wine in the evening.

Days 42-45 Sapa

Cross the border to Vietnam and discover a different world. Starting at the old French hill station of Sapa, trek through the extraordinary rural mountainscapes that are home to the colourful H'mong, Tay and Dzao people.

Days 46-47 Hanoi

Return to the fast pace of city life on overnight train to Hanoi. Use free time to wander the tree-lined boulevards, shop for mementos in the Old Quarter or catch a sitting of Hanoi's famous water puppet show.

Day 48 Halong Bay

Cruise the sparkling waters of Halong Bay, feast on a sumptuous seafood lunch and perhaps cool off with an afternoon swim.

Days 49-50 Hanoi

Take an optional walking tour to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Days 51-52 Hue

Explore the sights of Hue - perhaps cycle out to the royal tombs of the Nguyen emporers or visit the Imperial Citadel with its Forbidden Purple City.

Days 53-55 Hoi An

Dig the relaxed vibe in Hoi An with a stroll around town, an exploration of its fascinating market or maybe a rest on nearby Cua Dai Beach. This is a great stop to have a suit tailored or improve your culinary skills with a cooking lesson.

Days 56-58 Nha Trang

Beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters await in Nha Trang. Chill out and consider a snorkelling excursion or a boat trip to the nearby islands.

Days 59-60 Ho Chi Minh City

The air hums with the heady sound of bargaining in the shopping city of Ho Chi Minh, where streets are lined with enticing wares. Head underground on an optional tour to explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.

Day 61 Phnom Penh

Elegant Phnom Penh is full of fascinating sights including the gorgeous Silver Pagoda and the sobering Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.

Day 62 Homestay

Witness everyday Cambodian life and enjoy a traditional-style dinner on a homestay.

Days 63-65 Sihanoukville

Unwind in the tropics in Sihanoukville, a riot of beaches, mangrove forests and atmospheric little bars.

Day 66 Phnom Penh

Back in Phnom Penh there is time to hit the Central Market or maybe indulge in a massage.

Day 67 Kompong Cham

The locals here make their living fishing and farming so it's a good place to get a look at Cambodia's cottage industries. The temples at 'Man Hill' and 'Woman Hill' are well worth a visit.

Days 68-70 Siem Reap/Angkor Wat

Gateway to the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, Siem Reap has other highlights including the floating village of Tonle Sap, tasty Khmer restaurants and the Gecko Environment Centre.

Days 71-74 Bangkok

Explore the hectic streets of bustling Bangkok or take to the river for a longtail boat cruise.

Day 75 Overnight Train

Leave the hustle and bustle behind and take a sleeper train south to Surat Thani.

Days 76-77 Khao Sok National Park

Head to Khao Sok National Park by songthaew. Take a guided walk through the jungle to a small Buddhist temple and stay overnight in rustic bungalows.

Days 78-80 Krabi

Mellow out on pristine beaches, snorkel among colourful reefs or go island-hopping.

Days 81-82 Penang

Chinese temples, colourful bazaars and night markets combine to make a fascinating introduction to Malaysia.

Days 83-84 Kuala Lumpur

Get a glimpse of the city's Islamic life at the Masjid Jamek or head out to Bangsar for a taste of 'KL' nightlife.

Days 85-86 Port Dickson

Grab a little rest and relaxation or jump into the many optional activities on offer including sea rafting and jungle trekking.

Day 87 Melaka

A historic fusion of Chinese, Indian, Malay and European influences, Melaka retains an old-world air. Try a riverboat ride, stop in at a temple or mosque or climb the steps to St Paul's Church.

Day 88 Singapore

At Newton Circus, indulge in an extensive range of cuisines reflecting the country's multicultural heritage.

Day 89 Jakarta

Discover the capital of Indonesia - a city with a diverse culture and cosmopolitan flavour. Once known as Batavia under Dutch rule, the Old Town still boasts some interesting colonial-era architecture.

Days 90-92 Pangandaran

Get close to local wildlife on a nature walk. Don't miss the sunset on the west beach - fruit bats taking off overhead make this a delightfully eerie experience.

Days 93-95 Yogyakarta

Java's cultural centre is perfect for seeing traditional dance performances or the incredible Borobudur.

Day 96 Seloliman Nature Reserve

Unwind on this peaceful retreat while learning about ecological farming from volunteer hosts.

Day 97 Mount Bromo

Get in touch with Javanese herbal medicine before our journey to the amazing Tengger Caldera and Mount Bromo.

Days 98-99 Lovina

Greet the sunrise on Mount Bromo. Free time in Lovina means there are ample opportunities to swim, snorkel or go dolphin spotting.

Day 100 Tirta Gangga

Relax amid terraced rice fields or swim in Raja's Water Palace, where pools are fed by underground springs.

Days 101-103 Ubud

Go wild with a traditional kecak dance to cap off this adventurous odyssey. There is also plenty of time to explore the cultural heart of Bali - perhaps pop into a gallery, visit the monkey forest or sip a cocktail or two.