Trans Siberian Railway Aboard the Tsar's Gold Train (Beijing-Moscow)

22 days
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4.8/5 Excellent
25 reviews  
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Group Tour
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...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • See the treasures of the Tsars in the Armoury Chamber
    • Visit Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military
    • Visit the poignantly sobering Mamayev Kurgan war memorial
    • Enjoy a relaxing day onboard as we travel across the vast expanses of the Kara Kum desert
    • Visit to the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque.
    • Visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara
    • Visit the fascinating Magao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex.

What's this trip about?

    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 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.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityMoscow
End CityBeijing

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature

Trip includes

    • Experienced Tour Managers: Our experienced tour managers and their assistants are selected for their travel knowledge and their linguistic and organisational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday.
    • Arrival and Departure Transfers: Arrival and departure transfers are included.
    • Hotel and Onboard Accommodation: Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train’s public areas, you will find you hotel room or cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. All hotels are of 5 star standard or, in certain locations, the best available. Room upgrades are available on request and at extra cost.
    • Welcome and Farewell Dinners: Each tour begins with a Welcome Dinner, an ideal opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers; for the Tour Manager to brief you on the trip; and introduce you to the Golden Eagle Luxury Trains team and the Tour Doctor. The Farewell Dinner is the perfect end to your adventure by private train where you can relive the journey and look ahead to future tours
    • Route Guide, Itinerary and Information Pack: When you board the train there will be a brochure in your cabin detailing more about your journey and the places en-route. Our Tour Manager will organise a programme of briefings on the cities or places we visit and, each evening, will issue a programme for the next day’s touring schedule.
    • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily: All departures feature one or two uniquely designed restaurant cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine off the train.
    • Drinks with Meals and from the Bar Lounge Car: A generous drinks allowance is included with lunch and dinner. For passengers travelling in Gold Class onboard the Golden Eagle, drinks from the Standard Drinks List in the Bar Lounge Car are also included. For Imperial Suite guests, drinks from both the Standard and Premium Bar Lists in the Bar Lounge Car are included.
    • Onboard Service: You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottle drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.
    • Guided Off-Train Excursions: The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little touches that help create magical memories. Imperial Suite guests will benefit from the option of a private car and guide in the majority of places we visit along the route.
    • Freedom of Choice Touring: Customise your journey and enjoy the opportunity to select from an array of Freedom of Choice Touring options that best suits your interests. Your off-train excursions will still take in all the major attractions of the places we are visiting but, in featured locations, you will be presented when you are onboard the train with a variety of activities from which to choose, and enjoy a tailor-made experience. Look at the individual itineraries where we are operating Freedom of Choice Touring. Freedom of Choice Touring options may be subject to variations dependent on finalised train timings and local charges. Touring options available will typically be advised in the evening prior to the day’s tour.
    • Personal Headsets: On all the off–train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and comprehension of the places you visit, you will be provided with a lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour guide as you take in the sights. So you do not need to worry about missing any of the interesting details on your excursions.
    • Onboard Doctor and Medical Facilities: To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. Normally, the doctor will be English speaking and be registered with the General Medical Council in the UK.
    • 24 Hour Service Attendant: Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.
    • Porterage: As you only have to unpack once, your luggage and belongings will stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever necessary, porterage is included between the hotel and stations.
    • All Gratuities: You will not have to worry about tipping on and off the train on your rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are included in the tour price.

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Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Moscow (RUSSIA)

Upon arrival at Moscow Airport, you will be met and transferred to the five-star Marriott Royal Aurora hotel (or similar). Located in Moscow city centre, and within walking distance of Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, this luxury hotel offers spacious accommodation...

Day 02: Moscow – Freedom of Choice Touring

Our touring programme of Moscow today 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 f...

Day 03: On Board

On the morning of Day 3, we board the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Upon arrival at Moscow Kazansky Station, you will be greeted in the magnificent Imperial Waiting Room with a cold glass of Russian Champagne and canapes as you mix with the other guests and are...

Day 04: 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 po...

Day 05: Kara Kum (KAZAKHSTAN)

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 with fellow passengers and maybe take our first Russian language lesson.

Day 06: 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 ...

Day 07: Ashgabat (TURKMENISTAN)

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 b...

Day 08: Merv

Early morning sees us arrive in Mary, where we transfer to the ancient 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...

Day 09: Bukhara (UZBEKISTAN)

Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO funded 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...

Day 10: Samarkand

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 particula...

Day 11: Tashkent

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 nar...

Day 12: 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 orc...

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. We are now at liberty to settle into our comfortabl...

Day 14: Turpan

Turpan is the location where the Flaming Mountains create a magnificent backdrop. We take a fascinating tour of the ancient underground irrigation system that has successfully fed the rich orchards and vineyards for centuries. We will also visit the Museum of Turpan w...

Day 15: Dunhuang

In the small oasis city of Dunhuang, we will visit the fascinating Magoo 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 mural...

Day 16: Dunhuang

We wake early this morning to experience sunrise over the magnificent sand dunes, followed by breakfast. Today we will 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.

Day 17: Xian

Our fascinating journey of discovery takes us to Xian. 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 t...

Day 18: Xian

Following breakfast, at the hotel, we will admire the city’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 depart Xian onboard the Shangri-La Express headed for our final destination, Beijing.

Day 19: Beijing

Spending the last day onboard the Shangri-La Express we wind our way northwards towards the capital of China, Beijing. Having travelled a mammoth 7,000 miles (11,250kms) from Moscow we bid farewell to our train crew and transfer to the five-star Regent Hotel for a thr...

Day 20: Beijing

In our extensive touring program 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 conti...

Day 21: Beijing

During our three-night stay in Beijing, we devote one 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 Emp...

Day 22: Beijing/Departure

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Beijing Airport for international departures.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $24,595
Price per day$1,118
Last Updated: 7/16/2018

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Bestway Tours & Safaris.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour (except where stated otherwise)
    • Charges of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at certain museums etc.)
    • Any optional trips such as Bolshoi Ballet/Opera etc., pre- or post-tour extensions
    • Alcoholic and soft drinks in the bar outside of meal times
    • Visa or Excess Baggage Charges, Airport Departure Taxes, Vaccination or Medical Costs
    • Insurance (it is a booking condition that passengers have adequate insurance)

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
bestwa-TraRaiBeiBesSaf

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