Retracing one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation, this remarkable tour 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 seldom visited sights from the ancient world.
You will travel in the luxury of two exclusive private trains - The Golden Eagle and in China the Shangri-la Express, to make your amazing journey of discovery as comfortable as possible. On both trains skilled chefs will offer you the finest food from both Russian and Chinese cuisine and a selection of wines from around the world. You will observe the ever changing scenery of Russia and China from the comfort of your train, a 5* hotel on wheels! You will travel through the Kara Kum desert to the amazing two and a half thousand year old cities of Khiva and Bukhara, as well as Samarkand, the 'Rome of the East'. After crossing the border into China, 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 dating from at the latest 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. 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.
There has never been a more comfortable and pleasant way to discover the world and visit so many exciting places in one journey , so if you ever dreamt of following the steps of ancient merchants, warriors and explorers the time is now.
Sightseeing tours in Moscow including Kremlin, St. Basil's cathedral, Red Square and Armoury. In the afternoon of day 3 we board our Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train.
Day 4 VOLGOGRAD
Arrival to Volgograd - the “hero city” (as the city was known in Soviet times)- the scene of probably the most important battle in World War II. In the evening we can listen to the resident pianist in our comfortable bar car.
Day 5 KARA KUM
Onboard. Our journey continues through Kazakhstan’s Kara Kum desert.
Day 6 KHIVA
Arriving to Uzbekistan. Transfer to Khiva - once one of the most important trading centres at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia.
Day 7 ASHGABAT
We arrive in the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’, the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat.
Day 8 MERV
We arrive into Mary in the early morning and transfer by bus to the ancient city of Merv, once an important stop on the Silk Road.
Day 9 BUKHARA
We arrive in Uzbekistan’s largest oasis city, the splendid Bukhara.
Day 10 SAMARKAND
Arrival to Samarkand – the jewel of the Islamic world, ‘the Paris of the Muslim World’, ‘Rome of the East’.
Day 11 TASHKENT
City tour in Tashkent – capital of Uzbekistan.
Day 12 ALMATY
We arrive in the largest city in Kazakstan, Almaty, which is set to play host to the 2011 Asian Winter Games.
Day 13 CROSSING INTO CHINA
After crossing to China we board our awaiting Shangri-La Express private train and spend the rest of the day settling in to our new cabins. A welcome dinner is served and we get our first taste of authentic Chinese cuisine.
Day 14 URUMCHI
Arrival to in Urumchi - the largest city and one of the most spell binding in the western half of China. After lunch we visit Turpan with the Flaming Mountains as its stunning backdrop.
Day 15 DUNHUANG
Arrival to Liuyang and transfer to the small oasis city of Dunhuang to visit the fascinating Magao, Thousand Buddha Cave Complex. In the afternoon - a camel ride to one of the natural wonders of the Gobi Desert, Crescent Lake. Tonight we dine and experience a local folk performance in this magical setting.
Day 16 JIAYUGUAN
Arrival to Jiayuguan - a key waypoint along the ancient Silk Road, “The first & greatest pass under Heaven” .
Day 17 XIAN
Mid-day arrival into the ancient city of Xian. Our tour takes in the highlights of the city including. Afternoon is dedicated to visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors. In the evening we head back to the city for dinner and the excellent Tang Dynasty show.
Day 18 BEIJING
Today our last day on board the Shangri-la Express. Arrival in the evening to Beijing. Upon arrival transfer to the five-star Peninsula Palace hotel, (or similar) for dinner and a three night stay.
Day 19-21 BEIJING
Stay in Beijing. During our time here we visit Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the magnificently restored Forbidden City, also the Great Wall at Badaling and the Ming Tombs. On day 21 guests are transferred to the airport for international flight departures.
Major Highlights of this Tour:
Famous Moscow sites
Kara Kum desert – mysterious black sand
Khiva – museum tow
Ashkabad – one the most stunning capitals in the world
Bukhara – UNESCO World Heritage site
Samrkand – the Silk Road jewel
Dunhuang - the fascinating Thousand Buddha Cave Complex.
Jiayuguan - the first & greatest pass under Heaven
Beijing – host for 2008 summer Olympics
For detailed itinerary of the tour please click here
PRICES
LAND-ONLY PRICE: £7445 PACKAGE PRICE: from £8095 NO HIDDEN COSTS!
Accommodation & meals: 2 nts 5* hotel DBL Moscow, 3 nts 5* hotel DBL Beijing, 15 nts trains; three meals each day Transport: small minibus or coach Tour staff & support: English-speaking guide, transfer driver, English speaking tour manager Other services & Info >>>
TOUR MAP
If you want to view the Map of Russia, please click here
