13 Days

2012 (Moscow - Almaty)Tour Schedule:
20 March - 01 April
21 September - 03 October
15 October - 27 October



2012 (Almaty - Moscow) Tour Schedule:
01 April - 13 April
03 October - 15 October





2012 Tour Prices

Silver Class:

Gold Class:

Tour Includes:

~ 2 nights in Moscow
~ 10 nights onboard the Golden Eagle
~ 1 night in Almaty

For complete inclusions please refer to 'What's included in the tour price'


Itinerary:

Day 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
13 day voyage that lies ahead. (Please note there will be a main group of travellers on the tour that
will travel from Moscow to Beijing as a 21 day journey)
 
Day 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.  
 
Day 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 Almaty in Kazakhstan 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 some 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
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
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.  Lunch and dinner are served onboard our train.
 
Day 7, ASHGABAT
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
golden domes and towering modern buildings appear strangely incongruous in this almost biblical
setting.
 
Day 8, MERV
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
Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO helped fund 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. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant before we travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s
enchantingly named, Palace of the Moon and Stars. 

Day 10, SAMARKAND
Founded in the 6th Century BC, Samarkland’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 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
in a local restaurant 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 before we enjoy our final evening on board the Golden Eagle.
 
Day 12, ALMATY
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 we
transfer from the Golden Eagle to the 5 star Inter-Continental Hotel for a 1 night stay.
 
Day 13, ALMATY
After breakfast, transfer to the Almaty International Airport for your onward flight home.