The Golden Eagle

Trans-Siberian Express

One of the world’s greatest railway journeys, 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 the Golden Eagle 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.  The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express  takes a leisurely two weeks for the journey, making sure you have plenty of time to take in and enjoy this voyage of a lifetime.

As well as a tour of Moscow, Russia’s vibrant capital, we will also stop at Yekaterinburg, where the Romanovs were executed;  Kazan, with its beautiful Kremlin;  Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’ ;  Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic.  We will also stop  at Lake Baikal, to visit a traditional fishing village and enjoy a barbeque at the water’s edge.

The Golden Eagle  branches off the Trans-Siberian main line to take a trip into Mongolia for a visit to the capital, Ulaan Baatar, before returning to Russia for the remainder of the trip.

In Vladivostok, there is  time to explore and tour  this rarely-visited city, which until relatively recently, was completely closed to foreigners.

One of the main attractions of the journey has to be the gradually changing scenery;  from the climb through the Ural mountains (the boundary between Europe and Asia), to the wide open steppes and broad rivers, travelling on the Trans-Siberian is the only way to truly take in the vastness and grandeur of the world’s largest country.

The Golden Eagle is formed of 12 new fully en-suite sleeping cars featuring state of the art amenities as well as a range of sumptuous public  cars for dining and relaxing.

Itinerary & Routes

The Trans-Siberian Express runs on a number of routes Eastbound and Westbound.

The Classic Route

A 14-day adventure from Moscow to Vladivostok, via Mongolia.  This tour is also available Westbound from Vladivostok to Moscow.

Departures:

Moscow to Vladivostok:     July 30 – August 13;  August 25 – September 8.

Vladivostok to Moscow:    May 21 – June 4;  August 11 – 25;  September 8 – 22.

• Day 1     Vladivostok (arrivals)
• Day 2     Vladivostok
• Day 3     Khabarovsk
• Day 4     On board
• Day 5     Ulan Ude
• Day 6     Ulaan Baatar
• Day 7     On Board
• Day 8     Lake Baikal
• Day 9     Irkutsk
• Day 10   On board
• Day 11   Novosibirsk
• Day 12   Yekaterinburg
• Day 13   Kazan
• Day 14   Moscow
• Day 15   Moscow (departures)

Trans-Siberian Express via BAM

A 14 day alternative route, via the Baikal-Amur Mainline

This route follows the same tracks as the classic route as far as Novosibirsk.  The train then takes a route south to Novokuznetsk, before turning north over Lake Baikal.

A Westbound itinerary is also available.

• Day 1     Vladivostok (Flights arrive)
• Day 2     Vladivostok
• Day 3     Komsomolsk na Amur
• Day 4     On Board
• Day 5     Tynda
• Day 6     Novaya Chara
• Day 7     Severomuysk, Severobaikalsk
• Day 8     Bratsk
• Day 9     Sayan Mountains and Abakan
• Day 10   Novosibirsk
• Day 11   Yekaterinburg
• Day 12   Kazan
• Day 13   Moscow
• Day 14   Moscow

Mongolia & The Russian Far East

7 days from Ulaan Baatar to Vladivostok

For those with less time and a particular interest in Mongolia and the Russian Far East, this 7 day tour from Ulaan Baatar to Vladivostok allows you to experience the Eastern section of the classic Trans-Siberian train route.

• Day 1     Ulaan Baatar
• Day 2     Ulaan Baatar
• Day 3     On Board
• Day 4     On Board
• Day 5     On Board
• Day 6     Vladivostok
• Day 7     Vladivostok

Tariff 2012

Gold class twin share: £3,995 per person

Gold class single: £4,995 per person

THE SILK ROAD (MOSCOW TO BEIJING, AND BEIJING TO MOSCOW)

The Silk Road route is the same in both directions

Departures:

Westbound:    September 25 – October 15

Eastbound:     September 21 – October 11

21 days from Moscow to 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 – the  journey  takes in some of the most magnificent yet rarely-visited sights from the ancient world.  Eastbound trips start in Russia’s capital Moscow (westbound trips end here), with plenty of time to explore.

The Golden Eagle then travels on to Volgograd, often 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 crossing of the  Kara Kum desert is followed by the amazing 2,500 year old cities of Khiva and Bukhara, both 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 before he destroyed the ancient city, 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.

Between visits to Khiva and Bukhara, there is  a two-day excursion into Turkmenistan and a visit to the capital city of Ashgabat, a huge modern folly in the desert and a monument to the recently deceased President Sapamurat Turkmenbashi.  The ancient city of Merv is toured before returning to Uzbekistan.

After crossing the border into China, and changing trains (details below), the 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.

The  journey ends in Beijing, the vibrant capital of modern, confident China, where the latest architecture rubs shoulders with Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

• Day 1     Moscow, Russia
• Day 2     Moscow
• Day 3     Onboard
• Day 4     Volgograd
• Day 5     Kara Kum Desert, Kazakhstan
• Day 6     Khiva, Uzbekistan
• Day 7     Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
• Day 8     Merv
• Day 9     Bukhara, Uzbekistan
• Day 10     Samarkand
• Day 11     Tashkent
• Day 12     Alamty, Kazakhstan
• Day 13     Crossing into China (Change of Trains)
• Day 14     Urumchi & Turpan
• Day 15     Dunhuang
• Day 16     Jiayuguan
• Day 17     Xian
• Day 18     Beijing
• Day 19     Beijing
• Day 20     Beijing – The Great Wall
• Day 21     Beijing

Kamchatka Discovery

Pre- or Post-Tour Extension – 5 Days

Extend your Trans-Siberian Express journey by taking a breath-taking 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, your visit to Kamchatka will be at the end of your tour; if you are travelling westbound, it is before starting your journey to Moscow.

Day 1

Flight arrivals in Petropavlovsk, the capital city of this little-known peninsula. Transfer from your flight to a centrally located hotel.  There is a  welcome dinner.

Day 2

The region is home to over 160 volcanoes, of which 29 are still active.  After a tour of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky area, we take an Mi8 helicopter over 3 of the most spectacular – Korryaksky, Avachinsky and Kozhelsky – on our way to Geyser Valley.  Discovered in 1941, it is the only geyser field in Eurasia.  This 6km-long basin has over 90 geysers, and is the second largest in the world.  The largest geyser, Velikan, is capable of producing a jet of water reaching up to 130 feet (40 meters). Overnight  in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Day 3

Today another private helicopter is taken to visit volcanoes south of the city – Gorely, Viluchinsky and Mutnovsky – where, weather permitting, we will land in the crater.  Our flight continues to Kurilskoye Lake and the Yuzhno-Kamchatskiy Reserve, which contains the world’s largest concentration of brown bears.  Accompanied by a Park Ranger, we will view wild bears and stellar sea eagles.

From mid-July to the end of September, the bears can be seen catching salmon as an estimated 6 million run upriver from the sea of Okhotsk to spawn in Kurilskoye Lake.  On our return, we stop at the Ksudoch Volcano for a brief visit to the crater’s edge overlooking a large lake.  The walls of the crater are coloured  red, gold, brown, and grey from volcanic activity.

This is one of Kamchatka’s most beautiful and least-visited places.  Return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky for overnight stay.

Day 4

Morning tour of the highlights of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.  After lunch we visit an Itelmen settlement.  The native inhabitants of Kamchatka, the Itelmens are thought to have settled in this region over 6,000 years ago, having migrated from China.  Traditionally fisherman and fur hunters, they are reputedly the best herbalists among the Nordic people.

Day 5

Transfer to the airport for departing flights.

Note:  Day 4 may take place any point during the  stay, depending on weather and flying conditions.  All flights subject to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions.  In the event of this happening, there will be an alternative programme by road.

Cabin Acommodation: Imperial Suites

The Imperial Suites are the most spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle measuring 120 sq ft (11.2 sq metres).

They benefit from their own large and luxurious fixed King Size bed as well as a dedicated sitting area with dressing table.

Suite facilities include private en-suite facilities with large power shower and underfloor heating, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows.

Guests will also have a dedicated butler service, a selection of complimentary drinks from the premium bar list, included laundry service and room upgrades to the next available category at our selected hotels as per the itinerary.

• Area: 120 sq ft (11.1 sq m)
• Width: 17ft 4ins (3.6m)
• Length: 6ft 7ins (2m)
• Bed Width: 5ft/1.5m; sleeps 2 in (UK) King Size bed
• Bed Length: 6ft 2ins (1.9m)
• Cabins per car: 1 (plus 3 Gold Class Cabins)

• Sitting area
• Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating
• Recessed lighting and wardrobe
• Dressing Table
• Personal safe
• Private en-suite bathroom with full power shower and underfloor heating
• Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries provided; towels & linens changed daily
• DVD/CD player with LCD screens
• Drinks from the Bar Car included from the Standard and Premium Bar List (excluding Premium Wine List); complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times
• Dedicated Butler Service with laundry service included

Cabin Accommodation: Gold Class

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.

• Cabin area: 77 sq ft (7sqm)
• Cabin length: 6′ 7″ (2m)
• Cabin width: 11′ 8″ (3.6m)
• Lower bed width: – 4′ 5″ (1.35m)

• 77 sq ft (7 sq metres)
• Sleeps 2 in either lower standard (4ft 6) double bed or bunk style
• Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating
• Recessed lighting and wardrobe
• Personal safe
• Private en-suite bathroom with full power shower and underfloor heating
• DVD/CD player with LCD screens
• Towels and Linens changed regularly
• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin
• Drinks from the Bar Car included from the Standard Bar List
• Laundry service available for a fee
• 5 cabins per carriage

Cabin Accommodation: Silver Class

Silver cabins are more compact at 60sq ft (5.5 sq m) and have similar facilities with a fully en-suite wet room.

• 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)

• 60 sq ft (5.5 sq metres)
• Sleeps 2 in lower small double bed (4ft) or bunk style
• Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating
• Recessed lighting and wardrobe
• Personal safe
• Private en-suite bathroom with ‘wet-room’ style shower and toilet
• DVD/CD player with LCD screens
• Towels and Linens changed regularly
• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin
• Laundry service available for a fee
• 6 cabins per carriage

Restaurant Cars

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.

Lounge Car

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.

General Information

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, 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; guided off train sightseeing excursions; the services of experienced tour leaders; complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day, all gratuities; the services of a doctor (except where stated otherwise).

Gratuities

All gratuities are included in the tour price.  Passengers are asked to refrain from offering gratuities to crew/hoteliers/drivers etc.

Luggage

There is limited storage space inside the cabin for luggage storage.  Soft-topped luggage is easier to store.  Clients can have assistance to store their luggage.

Dress Code

During the day, dress is casual both on and off the train.   In the evening we suggest smart casual.

Tariff

For full  details and quotes for Trans-Siberian railway tours and journeys, please contact us on +44 (0)1249 890176.

We’ll be happy to answer your questions and provide you with a full quote.

STOP PRESS – 2013 Fares for the Golden Eagle

Many Golden Eagle 2012 journeys are nearly sold out, so these fares may help your planning for 2013.  If the train journey you require is not described above, please contact us for details:

Booking & Reservations

We’ll be happy to answer any questions and make all your arrangements for you.

We book the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express directly on your behalf.

Contact us in the UK : +44 (0)1249 890176 or info@luxurytrainclub.com