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Shangri-La Express Golden Eagle Train Chinese Dancers Terracotta Warriors - Xi'an, China Ichan Khala Walls Khiva, Uzbekistan

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian – The Silk Road

Sail down the beautiful rivers
Sail down the beautiful rivers

The most epic rail journey in the world  - the renowned Trans - Siberian Express! Travel  6,500 miles on the luxurious Golden Eagle, your luxe hotel  on wheels. During your two weeks you will see some of the most unique places in the world, Lake Baikal, Ulaan Baatar, Vladivostok -  almost inaccessible by any other route and certainly not in the same level of comfort or luxury.  Four other journeys are possible with the Golden Eagle; perhaps the most evocative is The Silk Road. Following in the footstep of Marco Polo, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, it’s a 21 day adventure from Russia to China.

The Tour Includes:

  • All meals and wine, beer and soft drinks provided with Lunch and Dinner.
  • Experienced tour representatives throughout the tour.
  • Russian Interpreters able to speak English, German, French and Italian.
  • Comprehensive off-train sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary. Please note that all touring is with fellow-passengers at all times.
  • A doctor who travels with the train throughout the tour.
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water throughout the tour from your car attendant.

Accommodations:

Beijing: Three (3) nights at the Regent Hotel or similar; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily.

 Xian: One (1) night at the Sofitel Xian or similar; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily.

Dunhuang: One (1) night at the Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel or similar; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily. 

Shangri-La Express: One Cabin for Three (3) nights on board the Shangri-La Express. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included daily.

Golden Eagle: One Silver or Gold Class Cabin or Imperial Suite for Ten (10) nights on board the Golden Eagle. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included daily.

Moscow: Two (2) nights at the Baltschug Kempinski; Tax and Buffet Breakfast included daily.

The Tour Does Not Include:

  • Travel cancellation insurance.
  • Charges of a personal nature on the train or at the hotels (laundry, telephone, bar account, etc.)
  • Visas (as required) or Excess Baggage Charges, Airport Departure Taxes, Vaccination or Medical Costs.

Options and Extensions:

Please contact Exeter International for tour extensions and options in Russia. All tour extensions are on a private customized basis.

 Trip Departures: 

April 13-May 3, 2020

October 1-21, 2020

Download itinerary PDF here.

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ITINERARY

PRICING FROM

Silver Class $26,295.00 per person, double occupancy                                                   Silver Class $38,495.00 single occupancy   Gold Class $32,995.00 per person, double occupancy                                                          Gold Class $46,795.00 single occupancy   Imperial Class $48,395 per person, based on double occupancy.  Single occupancy rate available upon request.  

Day 1
Arrival | Arrival China

Upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you will be met and transferred to the five-star Regent Hotel (or similar), which is located in the historical centre of the city. This luxurious Beijing hotel is minutes from the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing shopping street, the Oriental Plaza and picturesque hutongs (old lanes).

We will enjoy a welcome reception dinner at a local restaurant, giving you the opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and look ahead to your 21 day voyage of a lifetime. 

Day 2
Beijing, China | Beijing, China Chinese Dancers

In our extensive touring programme of the Imperial City, we visit Tiananmen Square and explore the magnificently restored Forbidden City which was built in the early 14th century and was home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Our cultural exploration continues at the Temple of Heaven, built during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifices to the heavens, which is the grandest of the four great temples situated in Beijing. Here we experience enchanting displays of traditional dancing, singing and the delicately precise ancient art of calligraphy. We’ll also explore the small ‘hutong’ lanes of old Beijing by rickshaw and visit a local family in a traditional courtyard house.

Day 3
Beijing, China | Beijing, China Great Wall, China

During our three-night stay in Beijing we devote a whole day to the most awe-inspiring site in the whole of China – The Great Wall. This amazing edifice is perhaps the most evocative symbol of Chinese skill and precision. Originally built to protect the Chinese Empire from raids by nomadic tribes, it is the longest man-made structure in the world and part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We have the privilege of walking along a portion of the wall – the perfect opportunity to take some memorable photographs with your fellow guests.

Day 4
Xian, China | Xian, China Terracotta Warriors - Xi'an China

This morning we depart Beijing and travel to Xian on the exhilarating new high speed railway line. Travelling at speeds of up to 300kms per hour (190 miles per hour) the bullet train will cover the distance of 1,144kms (710 miles) in a time of approximately 5 hours.

Arriving in Xian early this afternoon, we will have several hours to explore the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered by peasants only 40 years ago. The 6,000 terracotta figures and their horses are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.

Alternatively, as part of our Freedom of Choice programme we will offer a visit to the Han Yangling Museum. This tomb, dating back 2,000 years with its adjoining museum, is one of China’s best kept secrets.

Tonight we stay overnight at the centrally located Sofitel Xian and enjoy the Tang Dynasty Dinner, Music and Dance Show, a wonderful performance of ancient entertainment.

Day 5
Xian, China | Xian, China Terracotta Warriors - Xi'an, China

Following breakfast at the hotel we will admire Xian’s historical architecture on a cycle along the ancient city walls and experience the bustling street culture of the Muslim Quarter with a visit to the Great Mosque.

Later this afternoon we will board the Shangri-La Express for the next stage of our journey across China. A welcome dinner of authentic Chinese cuisine is served onboard in the Restaurant Cars, as we travel towards Dunhuang.

Imperial Suite and Gold Class passengers will be accommodated in the private en suite Diamond Class cabins on board the Shangri-La Express, whilst Silver Class will be allocated Heritage Class cabins, which have shared shower and toilet facilities. Upgrades for Silver Class passengers to Diamond Class are available at an extra charge and subject to availability. A waitlist will be in operation for upgrades based on ‘date of booking’ order. Ask the Reservations Department for details. 

Day 6
Dunhuang, China | Dunhuang, China China

Following a leisurely morning onboard, we arrive in the small oasis city of Dunhuang. This afternoon we explore the vast natural beauty of the Gobi Desert by camel. Here we discover Crescent Lake. Hidden amongst towering sand dunes, it has sustained life in this region for millennia.

We stay for one night at the Silk Road Dunhuang hotel and tonight we experience dinner and a local folk performance in this magical setting.

Day 7
Dunhuang, China | Dunhuang, China Dunghan, China

We wake early this morning to experience sunrise over the magnificent sand dunes, before we visit the fascinating Magao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex. This impressive site contains almost 500 grottoes, carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago. Inside we will see an amazing collection of beautiful sculptures and murals depicting the evolution of Buddhist religious art over this 1,000 year period.

Later this afternoon we will rejoin the Shangri-La Express for our onward journey to Turpan.

Day 8
Turpan, China | Turpan, China Turpan, China

Turpan is the location where the Flaming Mountains create a magnificent backdrop. We take a fascinating tour to the ancient underground irrigation system that has successfully fed the rich orchards and vineyards for centuries. We will visit the Museum of Turpan with its 5,000 artefacts detailing the rich history of the area and includes the Ancient Mummy exhibition with exhibits dating back 3,200 years.

Our final destination is the elegantly decaying sand fortress city of Jiaohe that was founded in 108 BC and became an important trading route along the Silk Road until it was abandoned in the 13th century following a raid by Genghis Khan.

Day 9
Crossing into Kazakhstan | Crossing into Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, Mountains, Almaty

After a final breakfast on board the Shangri-La Express, we pass through dramatic mountain scenery before arriving at the Chinese border station of Alashankou. The border crossing takes approximately 5 hours, however our patience is rewarded as our private train, the Golden Eagle, awaits us in Druzhba, the Kazakh border station.

Day 10
Almaty, Kazakhstan | Almaty, Kazakhstan Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and is notable for its wide tree-lined boulevards. Surrounded by the majesty of the Tien Shan Mountains, this beautifully verdant city derives its name from ‘alma’ meaning ‘apple’. Just a short distance from the city, apple orchards thrive in abundance.

Our city tour includes a visit to Panfilov Park where we have the opportunity to visit the Zenkhov Cathedral which was built entirely of wood. We’ll also go out of the city to the Chimbulak resort, where a cable car ride will give you spectacular views of Almaty and the mountains.

Day 11
Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Tashkent, Uzbekistan Puppets, Market, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and we spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. Our tour of the city includes the Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets and here in a small library we’ll be privileged to see one of Islam’s most sacred relics – the world’s oldest Koran. This is followed by a visit to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

Day 12
Samarkand, Uzbekistan | Samarkand, Uzbekistan Bibi Khyam Mosque, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Just the mention of Samarkand instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road, more so than any other town. Founded in the 6th century BC, Samarkand’s stunning architecture hints at its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia and is particularly noted for its architectural remains from the 14th to the 17th century, when it flourished as the fabled capital of the Mongol empire of Timur and his successors.

Today we will visit some of its most significant sites including Registan Square, the refined elegance of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428. Before dinner we will return to the now illuminated and awe-inspiring Registan Square.

Day 13
Bukhara, Uzbekistan | Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO sponsored the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The highlight of this wonderful tour is a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara – the despotic and ruthless leaders who ruled until Soviet times.

We then travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named, Palace of the Moon and Stars. This evening, weather and time permitting, we will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before our train departs.

Day 14
Merv, Turkmenistan | Merv, Turkmenistan Shangri-La Express

From Mary we transfer to the ancient and mainly unrestored remains of Merv. Once an important stopping point on the Silk Road, it claims to have briefly been the largest city in the world during the 12th century.

1794 saw the demise of Merv, after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population depended on for its water.

Day 15
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan | Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Golden Eagle Train

Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan is known as the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’. Situated between the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat is a relatively modern city built upon the ruins of the Silk Road city of Konjikala and the Soviet city built after the devastating earthquake of 1948.

The city’s extravagant fountains, golden domes and towering modern buildings appear strangely incongruous in this desert setting. Highlights on our visit include a visit to the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque.

Day 16
Darvaza, Turkmenistan | Darvaza, Turkmenistan Nowruz performers, Khiva

The Golden Eagle makes a brief scheduled stop at Ichoguz, where we have the option to leave the train and make a short journey to Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater, a spectacular sight best seen at night. 

Located in the middle of the Kara Kum desert where the area is rich in natural gas, the 70 metre-wide crater is known by locals as the ‘Door to Hell’ and has been burning for over 40 years. A unique experience that is not to be missed. 

Day 17
Khiva, Uzbekistan | Khiva, Uzbekistan Golden Eagle Train

From Urgench we travel to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia.

A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, we discover its impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.

Day 18
Kara Kum, Kazakhstan | Kara Kum, Kazakhstan Golden Eagle Transiberian Express Lake Baikal

Today we enjoy a relaxing day onboard as we travel across the vast expanse of the Kara Kum desert. As well as experiencing the unique landscape, you can take the opportunity to chat to fellow passengers and maybe take a Russian language lesson.

Day 19
Volgograd, Russia | Volgograd, Russia Volgograd, Russia

Standing on the banks of the Volga, Stalingrad, as the city was known in Soviet times, was the dramatic scene of one of the most important Second World War battles. The Russians heroically turned back the Nazi advance here to alter the course of the war. We visit the poignantly sobering Mamayev Kurgan war memorial, followed by an informative museum visit.

Day 20
Moscow, Russia | Moscow, Russia

aving travelled a mammoth 7,000 miles (11,250kms) from Beijing we arrive into Moscow, our final destination.

Included in our time spent in Moscow is two nights at the five-star Ritz-Carlton. Located in Moscow city centre, and within walking distance of Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, guests will discover a classic and sophisticated ambience within this luxury hotel.

Day 21
Moscow, Russia | Moscow, Russia GUM, Moscow

Our touring programme of Moscow principally takes us to the grandeur of the Kremlin – the spiritual, historical and political heart of Moscow – and to see the treasures of the Tsars in the Armoury Chamber. We also visit Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful facade of the world famous GUM department store, constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb.

With our Freedom of Choice touring option you may instead wish to travel out of the city centre to Sergiev Posad, home to one of the most beautiful monasteries in Russia and the historical and spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church or visit the famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art).

Day 22
Departure | Moscow, Russia Bolshoi Theatre - Moscow, Russia

After breakfast in your hotel, you will be transferred to Moscow Airport for your onward flight.

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