The 12 new fully en-suite sleeping cars feature state of the art amenities. Gold Class cabins have everything from power showers and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen and individual air conditioning - and at 77sq ft (7 sq m) they are among the largest rail cabins anywhere in the world. Fully en-suite, the bathrooms contain a separate shower cubicle. Silver cabins are more compact at 60sq ft (5.5 sq m) and have similar facilities with a fully en-suite wet room.
A particular delight of the Golden Eagle is two beautifully appointed restaurant cars, the venue for chefs to serve carefully-prepared meals using only the finest local ingredients. Whether it be the world-renowned 'Borsch', caviar or Omul - a fish unique to Lake Baikal - they offer a culinary experience representing the very best of Russia.
Meals are complemented by wines from around the world, as well as - naturally - vodka.
The social heart of the train is of course the bar car, a great place to relax and settle into the unhurried pace of life on board. Unwind in comfortable surroundings and watch the world go by as you get to know your fellow passengers; the bar stays open until the last person leaves.
 |
Cabin Dimensions Cabin area - 77 sq ft (7sqm) Cabin length - 6' 7" (2m) Cabin width - 11' 8" (3.6m) Lower bed width - 4' 5" (1.35m) |
 |
Cabin Dimensions Cabin area - 60 square feet, (5.5sqm) Cabin length - 6' 7" (2m) Cabin width - 9' (2.7m) Lower bed width - 4' (1.2m) Upper bed width - 2' 9" (85cm) |
The Trans-Siberian Express - Classic Route
15 days, Moscow - Vladivostok
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Undisputedly the world's greatest railway journey, the Trans-Siberian Railway runs from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent Russian steppes and alongside the shores of the world's largest freshwater lake. By the time our train arrives in Vladivostok it will have passed through eight time zones, and travelled over 6,000 miles - one quarter of the way around the world. Our Trans-Siberian Express tours take a leisurely two weeks for the journey, making sure you get plenty of time to take in and enjoy this Voyage of a Lifetime.
As well as Moscow, Russia's vibrant capital, we will also stop at Yekaterinburg - where the Romanovs were executed - Kazan, with its beautiful Kremlin, the 'Paris of Siberia' at Irkutsk and Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic. We will also stop off at Lake Baikal, to visit a traditional fishing village - and enjoy a barbeque at the water's edge.
As another highlight, our train will branch off the Trans-Siberian main line to take a trip into Mongolia for a visit to the capital, Ulaan Baatar, before we return to Russia for the remainder of the trip.
In Vladivostok we will have time to explore and tour round this rarely visited city which until relatively recently was completely closed to foreigners.
Yet the main attraction has to be the gradually changing scenery itself: from the climb through the Ural mountains (the boundary between Europe and Asia), to the wide open steppes and broad rivers we cross, travelling on the Trans-Siberian is the only way to truly take in the vastness and grandeur of the world's largest country.
 |
Itinerary - 15 Days Click here for full Westbound Itinerary Click here for full Eastbound Itinerary |
| Itinerary - 15 Days (Westbound) | |||||
| Day 1 | Vladivostok (arrivals) | Day 6 | Ulaan Baatar | Day 11 | Novosibirsk |
| Day 2 | Vladivostok | Day 7 | On Board | Day 12 | Yekaterinburg |
| Day 3 | Khabarovsk | Day 8 | Lake Baikal | Day 13 | Kazan |
| Day 4 | On Board | Day 9 | Irkutsk | Day 14 | Moscow |
| Day 5 | Ulan Ude | Day 10 | On Board | Day 15 | Moscow (departures) |
The Trans-Siberian Express via the BAM
14 days, Vladivostok - Moscow
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Itinerary - 14 Days Click here for full Westbound Itinerary |
| Itinerary - 14 Days | |||||
| Day 1 | Vladivostok (Flights arrive) | Day 6 | Novaya Chara | Day 11 | Yekaterinburg |
| Day 2 | Vladivostok | Day 7 | Severomuysk, Severobaikalsk | Day 12 | Kazan |
| Day 3 | Komsomolsk na Amur | Day 8 | Bratsk | Day 13 | Moscow |
| Day 4 | On Board | Day 9 | Sayan Mountains and Abakan | Day 14 | Moscow |
| Day 5 | Tynda | Day 10 | Novosibirsk | ||
Mongolia & the Russian Far East
Ulaan Baator - Vladivostok - 2009 Eastbound
|
|
|
|
|
| Itinerary - 7 Days Click here for full Itinerary Ulaan Baatar - Vladivostock |
|||||
| Day 1 | Ulaan Baatar | Day 4 | On Board | Day 7 | Vladivostock |
| Day 2 | Ulaan Baatar | Day 5 | On Board | ||
| Day 3 | On Board | Day 6 | Vladivostock | ||
The Silk Route
21 Days, Moscow - Beijing
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
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.
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 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 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.
 |
Itinerary - 21 Days Click here for full Moscow - Beijing Itinerary details the same (in reverse) for Beijing - Moscow |
| 2009 Silk Road - Itinerary - 21 Days (Westbound) | |||||
| Day 1-3 | Beijing (arrivals) | Day 9 | Turpan/Urumchi | Day 15 | Ashgabat |
| Day 4 | Luoyang | Day 10 | Board Crossing/Change trains | Day 16 | Merv |
| Day 5 | Xian | Day 11 | Almaty | Day 17 | Khiva |
| Day 6 | Lanzhou | Day 12 | Tashkent | Day 18 | Kara Kum |
| Day 7 | Jiayuguan | Day 13 | Samarkand | Day 19 | Vogograd |
| Day 8 | Dunhuang | Day 14 | Bukhara | Day 20-21 | Moscow |
Pre- or Post-Tour Extension
Kamchatka Discovery - 5 days
Click here for full Itinerary
Extend your Trans-Siberian Express journey by taking a breathtaking 5 day tour of the Kamchatka Peninsula on the Pacific Rim 'Ring of Fire'. This undiscovered land of active volcanoes, geysers and wild bear contains some of the world's most spectacular scenery. If you are travelling Eastbound, then your visit to Kamtchatka will be at the end of your tour and if you are travelling Westbound it is before starting your journey to Moscow.
Pre-Departure
- What is included in the price?
- What is not included in the price?
- How do I book my flights & are they included?
- Are visas included and how do I obtain them?
- Is insurance included and do I need it?
- What is the standard of Hotels that I will stay in as part of the tour?
- Do I need to tip when I am on the tour?
- What currency will I need to bring?
- Can I use credit cards and travellers cheques?
- Are transfers included?
- What happens when I arrive at the airport?
- What happens if I miss my flight, or am delayed?
- Are there any restrictions on the size and number of pieces of luggage I can bring?
- What is the dress on board the trains?
- What type of footwear is required?
- Do I need to take my own toiletries?
- Do I need to make any special prior arrangements if I am travelling with medication?
- Do I need any special vaccinations?
- What is the average age of the passengers?
- How many passengers will be on the tour?
Staff and Service
- How many Tour Managers are on board?
- Is there a doctor on board at all times?
- Is the Doctor English speaking?
- What happens in the event hospital treatment is needed?
- How many people do the train attendants look after?
- Are there porters to help with baggage?
Excursions
- Are there daily briefings on the places we pass through / visit?
- Are all off train excursions included in the price?
- Who is the guide for off train tours?
- Are the guides English speaking?
- I have limited mobility - am I able to go on all the excursions?
- What happens if I want to make my own arrangements during the hours off train times?
- How many people travel to the same sights at the same time?
Trains
Pre-Departure
What is included in the price?
All accommodation as per the itinerary; both on board the train and in hotels; all meals starting with dinner on the first day (on some tours this may differ slightly, so please refer to the specific itinerary); a generous allowance of wine, beer, soft drinks and tea and coffee with all lunches and dinners both on and off the train (except where stated otherwise); all arrival and departure transfers (providing you arrive/depart on the tour start/end date and except where stated otherwise); guided off train sightseeing excursions; the services of experienced tour leaders; complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day, all gratuities; a doctor (except where stated otherwise).
What is not included in the price?
International and domestic airfares; visa and excess baggage charges; insurance.
Personal expenses such as drinks in the bar car or laundry. On some tours there may also be an occasional optional activity that needs to be paid for locally.
How do I book my flights & are they included?
Flights are not included, but we can advise fares and book them for you if required. Please note that we do not advise that you book flights more than 60 days in advance.
Are visas included and how do I obtain them?
Visas are not included within the price and it is essential that they are obtained well in advance of departure. You may require a visa support letter. We use the services of a visa support agency. Please contact our reservations department for assistance or further information.
Is insurance included and do I need it?
It is a booking condition that you must be fully insured for any medical expenses that may be incurred whilst travelling. Comprehensive travel insurance policies can be obtained from our agent Campbell Irvine. Please contact us for more details.
What is the standard of Hotels that I will stay in as part of the tour?
Hotel accommodation as described in the tour itinerary is included in the price of the tour. All hotels are of a 4/5 star standard or best available. Room upgrades are available on request, subject to availability and an additional cost.
Do I need to tip when I am on the tour?
All gratuities are included in the tour price and we encourage passengers to refrain from offering gratuities to crew/hoteliers/drivers etc. We would prefer passengers to inform our management of any exceptional service received, and GW Travel will reward accordingly.
What currency will I need to bring?
For most tours we recommend taking US$ with you as they can be changed easily. You should only need money for bar and laundry bills and any souvenirs you would like to purchase along the way. It is possible to run a "tab" on board and make one payment at the end of the tour. If the bill is less than USD100 you will be required to make this payment in cash. International credit cards (VISA and Mastercard are both accepted) for payments over USD100. The Tour Manager will advise where you can exchange money along the way.
Can I use credit cards and travellers cheques?
ATM machines are now available in all large towns and cities along our routes, however, we do not recommend that you rely on ATMs alone for money. We also do not recommend bringing travellers cheques as they are virtually impossible to exchange.
Are transfers included?
Arrival and departure transfers are included on most of our tours if you arrive on the first day of the tour and depart on the last day.
What happens when I arrive at the airport?
If you have an arrival transfer, you will be met by one of our representatives who will be waiting with a GW Travel sign. If arriving by air, this will be after immigration, once you have collected all of your luggage and cleared customs.
What happens if I miss my flight, or am delayed?
Prior to departure you will receive final documentation which will include a 24-hour Emergency Contact Card. This displays the telephone numbers of our representatives in both the country of arrival as well as our offices in the UK. If you have any problems you can call the appropriate person detailed on the card.
Are there any restrictions on the size and number of pieces of luggage I can bring?
There is limited storage space inside your cabin. We recommend taking soft-topped luggage as it is easier to store.
What is the dress on board the trains?
During the day dress is casual both on and off the train. In the evening we suggest smart casual.
What type of footwear is required?
Since every tour requires some walking we recommend you pack some comfortable walking shoes. A rubber sole is recommended to avoid possible slipping.
Do I need to take my own toiletries?
We provide shampoo and shower gel; but you may wish to bring your preferred brands with you.
Do I need to make any special prior arrangements if I am travelling with medication?
You need to ensure you have the correct quantities of prescription medication. We strongly advise that you seek medical clearance prior to travelling. Our on-board doctor must be advised if you are travelling with prescription medication.
Do I need any special vaccinations?
As with all overseas travel, your client will need to contact their GP or local travel clinic to get the most up to date information on what vaccinations if any are required.
What is the average age of the passengers?
Although we have no age restrictions on our tours, the majority of our travellers are 55 +. The average age is 64.
How many passengers will be on the tour?
This all depends on the individual departure. Our maximum capacity is 120, but some of our departures will leave with less than that.
Staff and Service
How many Tour Managers are on board?
There is one senior Tour Manager on board and also a number of assistants depending on the total number of passengers.
Is there a doctor on board at all times?
GW Travel provides a doctor, who travels with the train and passengers at all times (apart from on our Canadian tours). The doctors are available 24-hours a day and are responsible for primary health care. They do carry medicines, but if you are taking prescription medication, please bring enough supplies to last for the duration of your trip.
Is the Doctor English speaking?
Under normal circumstance we always provide an English speaking doctor, however there may be exceptional circumstances when that will not be possible.
What happens in the event hospital treatment is needed?
We will make every effort to ensure that you receive the highest possible level of care and if required, will get in touch with your relatives at home.
How many people do the train attendants look after?
This depends on the actual train, but on average 2 attendants look after 12 passengers.
Are there porters to help with baggage?
There are porters at each of the hotels and at the station to help us get our luggage on and off the train.
Excursions
Are there daily briefings on the places we pass through / visit?
When you board the train there will be a brochure specific to you chosen route detailing more about their journey and the places en route in your cabin. The Tour Manager also organises a programme of briefings on the cities we visit throughout the journey.
Are all off train excursions included in the price?
On the majority of our tours all excursions are included. Occasionally we may offer an optional excursion that requires extra payment. If you do not wish to take an off train excursion you can either stay on board the train or make some private arrangement. You will then be responsible for ensuring that you are back at the train by the departure time as the train will not be able to wait and must leave as per the schedule.
Who is the guide for off train tours?
We provide local English speaking guides.
Are the guides English speaking?
Yes, the local guides speak English as well as the on-board Tour Manager. If you wish to have a guide in a language other than English, you need to ensure that this request is made at the time of booking and we will aim to provide one (charges may apply).
I have limited mobility - am I able to go on all the excursions?
If you need a wheelchair this must be arranged at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate the request. However, it may not be possible to go on all of the excursions.
What happens if I want to make my own arrangements during the hours off train times?
You can make your own arrangements but you will need to advise the Tour Manager and it is your responsibility to ensure you are back at the train by the departure time as the train will not be able to wait and must leave as per the schedule.
How many people travel to the same sights at the same time?
The buses carry up to 35 passengers and tours may be divided into groups to visit specific sights/museums etc.
Trains
Are the trains run by steam?
Only our Canadian trip is hauled by steam. All of our other trains are powered by electric or diesel engines.
Can passengers make a request to see the engine or/ and to drive?
For safety reasons we can not allow passengers to drive the train, however when we are stopped in the stations it is possible to see the engine. Please ask the Tour Manager who will be able to make the request on your behalf.
