Jewels of the Silk Road: Golden Eagle

Arrival 

Upon arrival, you'll board the Golden Eagle train. 

The Golden Eagle luxury train offers an all-inclusive experience with 24-hour cabin attendant service, an experienced tour management team, and an onboard UK-registered doctor. Guests enjoy freshly prepared meals, authentic local dining experiences, and a generous drinks allowance, including international wines with lunch and dinner. The journey includes expertly guided off-train excursions, arrival and departure transfers, all gratuities, and luggage porterage throughout. 

After settling into your cabin, lunch will be served in the Restaurant Cars. In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore Ashgabat, known for its extravagant fountains, golden domes, and towering modern buildings that create a striking contrast in the desert landscape. Highlights of your visit include trips to the National Museum and the Wedding Palace, offering insights into Ashgabat's history and culture. 

Turkmenistan Features & Departure 

This morning, your tour in Turkmenistan includes a visit to Nisa, an ancient Parthian settlement recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Nisa, comprising the remains of Old and New Nisa, was one of the earliest and most significant cities of the Parthian Empire, which thrived from the mid-3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. The site preserves unexcavated remnants of an ancient civilization that skillfully blended traditional cultural elements with Hellenistic and Roman influences. 

After lunch, the Golden Eagle departs Ashgabat, making a scheduled evening stop at Ichoguz. Here, you'll disembark for a short journey to the Darvaza gas crater, famously known as the "Door to Hell." This 70-meter-wide crater, located in the heart of the Karakum Desert, has been burning for over four decades due to natural gas emissions. The crater's fiery glow is especially spectacular at night, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. 

Welcome to  Uzbekistan 

Your journey continues as the train travels toward Urgench, from where you'll transfer to the ancient city of Khiva, founded approximately 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road's most significant trading posts and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khiva lies at the crossroads of routes connecting Mongolia, Russia, China, and Persia. This magnificent city emerges from the desert, showcasing a wealth of impressive architecture. Within Khiva's ancient walls, you'll step back in time to explore its remarkable mosques, bustling bazaars, and towering minarets. 

Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO sponsored 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. Our touring programme will also transport us to the grandeur of Poi-Kalyan Square, home to the iconic Kalyan Mosque, a living relic of traditional Islamic design. Stroll through the mosque’s large pillar-domed galleries and deeply recessed niches, and you will be transported to a bygone era.

Immerse yourself in the lively pulse of the city as we explore the bustling Trading Domes of Bukhara and gather at Lyabi-Hauz Square, a vibrant social hub cocooned by a pool and embraced by the soothing shade of mulberry trees and local tea rooms. We then travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named ‘Palace of the Moon and Stars’.

This evening, weather permitting, we will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before our train departs.

Samarkand is a city that immediately evokes the grandeur of the Silk Road. Founded in the 6th century BC, its remarkable architecture reflects its historical significance as one of Asia’s most important cities. The city is especially known for its stunning architectural heritage from the 14th to the 17th century when it flourished as the capital of Timur and his successors.

Today, you will visit some of its most significant landmarks, including Registan Square, the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Ulugh Beg Observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428.

As evening falls, prepare for an unforgettable experience in Samarkand. As night descends upon the ancient city, you will be taken to the illuminated Registan Square, where an extraordinary spectacle awaits. From your front-row seat, enjoy a dazzling light show that brings Samarkand’s rich history to life.

Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, was extensively rebuilt in a modern Soviet style following a devastating earthquake in 1966. Your tour of the city includes the Old Town, characterized by narrow streets lined with traditional homes and religious buildings. Here, in a small library, you'll have the privilege of viewing one of Islam's most sacred relics—the world's oldest Koran. The tour continues with visits to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

In the evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner onboard the Golden Eagle as the train heads overnight to your final destination, Almaty.

Arrival in Almaty

This morning, you arrive in Almaty, your final destination, and bid farewell to the Golden Eagle. Today's tour includes a visit to Panfilov Park, located in the heart of the city. Within the park stands the Ascension Cathedral, also known as Zenkov Cathedral, a 19th-century Russian Orthodox Church constructed entirely of wood. Completed in 1907, the cathedral is notable for being built without nails and is considered one of the tallest wooden churches in the world, standing at 56 meters.

Panfilov Park is named in honor of the Panfilov Heroes, 28 soldiers from an Almaty infantry unit who died defending Moscow during World War II. The park features a war memorial commemorating these soldiers, making it a significant historical and cultural site in Almaty.

Exploring Panfilov Park and the Ascension Cathedral offers a glimpse into Almaty's rich history and architectural heritage.

Departure 

Following breakfast you will be transferred to Almaty Airport for your onward flight.

Why not extend your stay in Almaty with additional nights to explore more of the city and surrounding region at your leisure?