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Retracing one of the most
important trading routes
of ancient civilisation,
this remarkable tour
aboard the luxury Golden
Eagle and Shangri-La
Express trains
follows in the footsteps
of such legendary figures
as Alexander the Great and
Marco Polo.
Crossing both Russia and
China as well as some of
the remotest former Soviet
republics – Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan and
Uzbekistan – our journey
will take in some of the
most magnificent yet
little-visited sights from
the ancient world.
Eastbound trips start in
Russia’s capital Moscow
(westbound trips end
here), where we have
plenty of time to explore.
We travel on to Volgograd
– better known as
Stalingrad – where the
Soviets turned the course
of the Second World War,
before heading to far
remoter places that owe
their importance to a time
much further back in
history.
The Kara Kum desert is
followed by the amazing
2,500 year-old cities of
Khiva and Bukhara –
considered so important by
UNESCO that it supported
their restoration – as
well as Samarkand, the
‘Rome of the East’. Much
admired by Alexander the
Great, Samarkand is home
to Registan Square, a
spectacular open space
surrounded by beautiful
Islamic buildings and
considered one of the most
inspirational sights in
central Asia. In between
Khiva and Bukhara we take
a two-day excursion into
Turkmenistan and visit the
capital city of Ashgabat,
a huge modern folly in the
desert and a monument to
the recently deceased
President Sapamurat
Turkmenbashi. We also
visit the ancient city of
Merv before returning to
Uzbekistan.
After crossing the border
into our tour takes in the
fascinating Magao Thousand
Buddha cave complex (a
network of almost 500
grottoes containing over
2,000 statues and 45,000
murals created up to 1,700
years ago), the Jiayuguan
fortress at the end of the
Great Wall (considered one
of northern China’s most
spectacular sights) and
the world-famous
Terracotta Warriors, an
army of almost 6,000
statues recognised as one
of the greatest
archaeological finds of
the 20th Century. We end
our journey in Beijing,
the vibrant capital of
modern, confident China…
where the latest
architecture rubs
shoulders with Tiananmen
Square and the Forbidden
City.
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Itinerary - 21 Days
(Eastbound) |
| Days
1: Moscow |
| Arrive at
Moscow airport,
where you are met
and transferred to
the luxurious
five-star Marriott
Royal Aurora hotel
(or similar) located
in the heart of this
vibrant city for a
two-night stay. We
enjoy a welcome
dinner at our hotel,
whilst you meet your
fellow travellers
and, together, look
forward to the 21
day voyage that lies
ahead. |
| Days 2: Moscow |
| Our city tour
of Moscow
principally takes us
to Red Square, an
iconic symbol of
Russia’s former
military and
political might.
Here we see an
eclectic mix of
fascinating
architecture, such
as the ornate St
Basil’s Cathedral
with its magnificent
onion-domed spires,
the grandeur of The
Kremlin and the
sombre and evocative
site of Lenin’s
tomb. |
| Days 3: Onboard |
| In the morning
of Day 3, we board
the Golden Eagle
Trans-Siberian
Express. After
settling into our
modern, stylish
cabins, we enjoy
dinner in one of the
beautifully designed
restaurant cars as
our rail journey to
Beijing begins. |
| Day
4: Volgograd |
| 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 the
informative diorama
and absorbing museum
visit. In the
evening we enjoy a
beautifully prepared
dinner on board our
private train. |
| Day
5: Kara Kum
Desert,Turkmenistan |
| Today, we enjoy
a relaxing day
onboard as we travel
across the vast
expanses of the Kara
Kum desert. As
well as experiencing
the unique
landscape, we can
take the opportunity
to chat to fellow
passengers and maybe
take our first
Russian language
lesson. |
| Day
6: Khiva, Uzbekistan |
Crossing into
Uzbekistan, our
train travels
towards Urgench,
where we transfer 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, bazaars and
minarets within
Khiva’s ancient
walls.
|
| Day
7: Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan |
| In dramatic
contrast to Khiva,
we arrive in
Ashgabat, capital of
Turkmenistan - the
‘Las Vegas of the
Kara Kum’. Situated
between the Kara Kum
Desert and the Kopet
Dag mountain range,
its fountains,
golden domes and
towering modern
buildings appear
strangely
incongruous in this
desert setting. |
| Day
8: Merv,
Turkmenistan |
| Early morning
sees us arrive in
Mary, where we
transfer to the
ancient and mainly
unrestored city 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
twelfth century.
1794 saw the demise
of Merv, after the
Emir of Bukhara
destroyed the dam
which the population
depended on for its
water. After our
fascinating
exploration we
return to our train
for dinner. |
| Day
9: Bukhara,
Uzbekistan |
| Bukhara is
quite simply
outstanding. Like
Khiva, UNESCO backed
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. |
Day
10: Samarkand,
Uzbekistan
|
| Founded in the
6th Century BC,
Samarkand’s stunning
architecture hints
at its former status
as one of the most
important cities in
Asia. 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. After
dinner we will visit
the illuminated and
awe-inspiring
Registan Square
before returning to
our train for a late
evening departure. |
| Day
11: Tashkent |
| Today we arrive
in the capital city
of Uzbekistan and
spend the morning
touring this modern
Soviet-style city
which was rebuilt
following the
devastating
earthquake of 1966.
We re-board the
train for lunch as
we head towards
Kazakhstan and
Almaty. This
afternoon gives us
the opportunity to
relax with friends
or listen to one of
the informative
lectures designed to
give us a greater
insight into this
fascinating region. |
Day
12: Almaty,
Kazakhstan
|
| Just before
lunch we arrive in
Almaty – the largest
city in Kazakhstan.
This beautifully
verdant city derives
its name from ‘Alma’
meaning ‘apple’.
Just a short
distance from the
city, apple orchards
thrive in abundance.
Surrounded by the
majesty of the Tien
Shen Mountains, we
will enjoy a
traditional lunch in
a Kazak ‘yurt’, a
dwelling place of
this region’s
nomadic people.
Tonight is our final
evening onboard the
Golden Eagle and
will be marked by a
farewell banquet. |
Day
13: Crossing into
China
|
| As we arrive at
the Kazakh border of
Druzhba, we bid the
Golden Eagle a final
farewell. The border
crossing takes 5
hours but our
patience is rewarded
as the Shangri-La
Express private
train awaits us in
Alanshankou, the
Chinese border
station. We are now
at liberty to settle
into our comfortable
cabins as we head
further into the
intriguing landscape
of China. A welcome
dinner is served in
the restaurant cars,
giving us our first
taste of authentic
Chinese cuisine. |
Day 14: Urumchi
and Turpan
|
| Urumchi is
located in a verdant
oasis between the
lofty ice capped
Bogda Peak, the vast
Salt Lake, the pine
covered Southern
Hill and the
alternating fields
and sand dunes of
the Zunggar Basin.
Urumchi boasts an
entry in the
Guinness Book of
Records for being
the city furthest
from any sea in the
world – a staggering
1,400 miles
(2,500km) from the
nearest coastline.
This morning we
visit the renowned
mummy exhibition at
the Provincial
Museum. After
lunch we travel to
Turpan, where the
Flaming Mountains
create a magnificent
backdrop. We then
take a fascinating
tour to the ancient
underground
irrigation system
that has
successfully fed the
rich orchards and
vineyards for
centuries. Our final
destination is the
elegantly decaying
sand city of Jiaohe
that was founded in
108 BC. |
| Day
15: Dunhuang |
| Before lunch we
arrive in the small
oasis-city of
Dunhuang, where we
will 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 a 1,000
year period.
In the 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.
Tonight we
experience dinner
and a local folk
performance in this
magical setting. |
| Day
16: Jiayujuan |
| This morning
our private train
arrives in
Jiayuguan. Famous
for being the first
pass at the most
westerly point of
the Great Wall of it
was given the rather
poetic name:
‘The first and
greatest pass under
Heaven’. Our tour
takes us to the
perfectly restored
fortress at the end
of the Great Wall
which dates back to
1372.
Considered one of
the greatest sites
in northwest we
spend time here and
visit its excellent
museum. This
afternoon we spend
time in the Bar Car
either attending a
lecture on the Great
Wall or simply relax
as the landscape
unfolds before us. |
Day 17:
Xian - Terracotta
Warriors
|
| Our fascinating
journey of discovery
takes us to Xian.
Our morning arrival
gives us several
hours to explore the
world famous
Terracotta Warriors,
discovered by
peasants only 30
years ago. The 6,000
terracotta figures
and their horses are
one of the greatest
archaeological finds
of the 20th Century.
This evening we
enjoy the Tang
Dynasty Dinner,
Music and Dance
Show, a wonderful
performance of
ancient
entertainment. |
| Day 18:
Beijing |
| Spending our
last day onboard the
Shangri-La Express
we wind our way
northwards towards
the capital of
Beijing. Having
travelled a mammoth
7,000 miles
(11,250km) from
Moscow, we bid
farewell to our
train crew and
transfer to the
five-star Regent
Hotel (or similar)
for a three-night
stay. |
| Day 19:
Beijing |
|
Today we
visit Tiananmen
Square and then
explore the
magnificently
restored Forbidden
City. Our cultural
exploration
continues at the
Temple of Heaven,
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.
|
| Day 20:
Beijing |
|
We devote
our final full day
in Beijing to the
most awe-inspiring
site in the whole
of China - The
Great Wall. This
amazing edifice is
one of the few
man-made
structures visible
from outer space
and perhaps the
most evocative
symbol of Chinese
skill and
precision. At
Badaling we have
the privilege of
walking along a
portion of the
wall – the perfect
opportunity to
take some
memorable
photographs with
your fellow
guests. Our
farewell banquet
is hosted in an
authentic Peking
Duck restaurant,
where we say
goodbye to our
fellow travelling
companions.
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| Day 21:
Beijing |
|
Following
breakfast, you
will be
transferred to
Beijing airport
for international
departures.
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| You
may join for just a
section of these
tours as follows: |
| Please
ask us for more
information and
prices |
|
Moscow - Almaty (13
days tour) |
Russia
to Kazakhstan aboard
Golden Eagle train.
Programme as per the
Eastbound itinerary
above, joining on
day 1 in Moscow,
disembarking in
Almaty on day 12 as
fellow travelers
continue to China. |
|
2012 Prices
Full Journey - Moscow to
Beijing 21 Days
|
Prices per person
for 2012
|
|
Silver Class
|
| |
£
|
US
$
|
€
|
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Twin
|
12,995
|
20,795
|
15,995
|
|
Single
|
18,995
|
29,195
|
22,495
|
|
Deposit
|
750
|
1,500
|
1,000
|
|
Gold Class
|
|
£
|
US
$
|
€
|
|
Twin
|
16,195
|
25,995
|
19,995
|
|
Single
|
23,195
|
37,095
|
28,495
|
|
Deposit
|
1,000
|
2,000
|
1,500
|
|
Eastbound 2012 Dates
|
|
21
September - 11
October
|
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Westbound 2012 Dates
|
|
25
September - 15
October - SOLD
OUT - WAITLIST
ONLY
|
|
Part Journey - Moscow to
Almaty 13 Days
|
Prices per person
for 2012
|
|
Silver Class
|
| |
£
|
US
$
|
€
|
|
Twin
|
8,995
|
14,395
|
10,195
|
|
Single
|
12,995
|
20,795
|
14,795
|
|
Deposit
|
750
|
1,500
|
1,000
|
|
Gold Class
|
|
£
|
US
$
|
€
|
|
Twin
|
11,095
|
17,795
|
12,595
|
|
Single
|
15,595
|
24,995
|
17,695
|
|
Deposit
|
1,000
|
2,000
|
1,500
|
|
Eastbound 2012 Dates
|
|
21
September - 3
October
|
|
14
October - 26
October (Heritage
class not
available)
|
|
Westbound 2012 Dates
|
|
3
October - 15
October
|
|
|
|
2013 Prices
Full Journey - Moscow to
Beijing 21 Days
|
Prices per person
for 2013
|
|
Silver Class
|
| |
£
|
US
$
|
€
|
|
Twin
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Single
|
-
|
tbc
|
-
|
|
Deposit
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Gold Class
|
|
£
|
US
$
|
€
|
|
Twin
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Single
|
-
|
tbc
|
-
|
|
Deposit
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
2013 Dates
|
Eastbound
|
Westbound
|
26
Mar - 15 Apr
|
24 Sep - 14
Oct
|
|
2013 Prices
Part Journey - Moscow to
Almaty 13 Days
| Prices
per person for 2013 |
|
Silver
Class |
Gold
Class |
Imperial Class |
|
GBP
£ |
Euro
€ |
USD
$ |
GBP
£ |
Euro
€ |
USD
$ |
GBP
£ |
Euro
€ |
USD
$ |
| Twin |
£9,695 |
€10,995 |
$15,495 |
£11,895 |
€13,595 |
$18,995 |
£18,695 |
€21,395 |
$29,995 |
| Single |
£13,995 |
€15,995 |
$22,395 |
£16,795 |
€19,195 |
$26,895 |
£26,195 |
€29,895 |
$41,895 |
|
2013 Dates
|
Eastbound
|
Westbound
|
22
Mar - 03 Apr
|
03 Apr - 15
Apr
|
20
Sep - 02 Oct
|
02 Oct - 14
Oct
|
|
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IMPORTANT
Visa
Information:
British citizens
will require
single entry visas
for Russia and
Turkmenistan and
double entry visas
for Uzbekistan and
Kazakhstan. Please
allow at least 2
months to obtain
your visas. Other
nationalities
should see their
local consulates
for visa
information.
Please note that
all visa
requirements are
subject to change.
Special
Offer - UK
residents only:
Please ask about
our FREE visa
service. You pay
only the
applicable
Consular fee.
Prices are land
only. Flights not
included.
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