The longest and the most famous railway journey in the world, the Trans-Siberian Railway traverses the whole expanse of Russia from Europe to the Orient. Few other journeys enable the passenger to relax so completely during their course, and to become lost in the rhythm of the journey as time zones and the urgency to arrive both become meaningless.
Day 1 : Moscow
Group flights are met at Moscow airport and passengers transferred to a five-star Hotel, for a two-night stay. In the evening meet fellow passengers at the welcome dinner in the hotel.
Day 2 : Moscow
A full day touring Moscow, including Red Square and the Kremlin, with its magnificent Armoury. Lunch and dinner are served in city restaurants.
Day 3 : Moscow
After breakfast guests have free time in the morning before meeting for lunch in the city. An early evening departure on our exclusive Trans-Siberian Express train as we head south towards Volgograd. Dinner served on board.
Day 4 : Volgograd
On the banks of the Volga River, Stalingrad (as the city was known in Soviet times) was the scene of probably the most important battles in World War II. The Russians finally turned back the Nazi advance to the Caucasian oil fields in Baku at this city. It was a true turning point in the war. Prior to the Nazi defeat (in which the city was virtually destroyed and cost hundreds of thousands of lives) Hitler’s armies had not lost a battle. After Stalingrad, they never won another. We visit the sobering Mamayev Kurgan war memorial, followed by the excellent diorama and interesting museum. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board.
Day 5 : Kara Kum
A relaxing day on our Trans-Siberian Express private train as we head through Kazakhstan’s Kara Kum desert. Enjoy the scenery and the remote villages we briefly stop at from time to time. All meals are served on board today.
Day 6 : Khiva
We cross into Uzbekistan for our afternoon arrival in Urgench and transfer to this 2,500-year old city. Khiva was once one of the most important trading centres at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. Its former wealth is evident in the fabulous buildings, mosques, bazaars and minarets that are within the walled city and which have been restored with the support of UNESCO for the city’s 2,500th anniversary celebrations. Lunch is served on board the train and dinner is in one of the former summer residences of the Khan. We return to the train for our overnight run to Merv.
Day 7 : Merv
We arrive in the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’, the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, where we spend the day touring this amazing new city constructed by President for life, Sapamurat Turkmenbashi. Early evening we return through the desert to Uzbekistan and Bukhara.
Day 8 : Ashgabat
We arrive in the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’, the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, where we spend the day touring this amazing new city constructed by President for life, Sapamurat Turkmenbashi. Early evening we return through the desert to Uzbekistan and Bukhara
Day 9 : Bukhara
We arrive in Uzbekistan’s largest oasis city, the splendid Bukhara. Smaller than other cities in the country, it is perhaps just as, if not more, impressive as the larger Samarkand. Like Khiva UNESCO renovated much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The highlight of the tour includes a visit to The Ark, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, rulers infamous for their cruelty, and who survived into Soviet times. Lunch is within one of the city’s many medressehs (beautifully-tiled Islamic schools). We then travel out of the city to visit the Emir’s Palace of the Moon and Stars. Dinner on board as we head towards Samarkand.
Day 10 : Samarkand
Many words have been used to describe this jewel of the Islamic world, ‘the Paris of the Muslim World’, ‘Rome of the East’. The list of its admirers is endless, Marco Polo, Tamerlane and Alexander the Great. Founded in the 6th century BC, its architecture gives an indication of its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia. We spend the day visiting the many fabulous buildings including the Bibi Kharum Mosque, the Ulag Beg observatory and the awe-inspiring Registan Square. Dinner is near the illuminated Registan Square, after which we return to the train for an evening departure.
Day 11 : Tashkent
We arrive in the capital city of Uzbekistan and spend the morning touring this pleasant, modern, Soviet-style city, which was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake levelled it in 1966. We re-board the train for lunch as we head towards Kazakstan and Almaty. Dinner on board.
Day 12 : Almaty
Just before lunch we arrive in the largest city in Kazakstan, Almaty. Beautifully set in a valley in the foothills of the Tien Shen Mountains, we have lunch in a traditional Kazak ‘yurt’, and then spend the afternoon touring. We re-board the train for our final dinner and evening on board the Trans-Siberian Express.
Day 13 : Crossing into China
We bid our Trans-Siberian Express a final farewell as we arrive on the border of Kazakstan. We change trains and spend over five hours crossing into China. Patience is a virtue today! We board our awaiting Shangri-La Express private train and spend the rest of the day settling in. Our first dinner is served on board the Shangri-La Express.
Day 14 : Urumchi
Our tour today includes Heavenly Lake, stationed 6,200ft (1,900 metres) high, and dominated by the 17,700ft (5,445-metre) high Bogda Feng, or ‘Peak of God’. This idyllic setting looks like a part of Switzerland or Canada set in the midst of the Gobi desert. Dinner on board the train as we travel through the Gobi desert.
Day 15 : Dunhuang
We arrive after lunch in Liuyang and transfer to the small oasis city of Dunhuang to visit the fascinating Magao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex, which contains almost 500 grottoes, carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago, and filled with an amazing collection of sculptures and murals depicting the evolution of Buddhist religious art over a 1,000-year period. Over 2,000 statues and 45,000 murals still remain. Afternoon visit by camel to Crescent Lake and the amazing sand dunes of the Gobi desert. Evening folk show and dinner near the dunes before returning to the train for a late night departure.
Day 16 : Jiayuguan
This morning we arrive in Jiayuguan. The fortress at the end of the Great Wall is situated here and dates back to 1372, perfectly restored it is considered one of the great sights of North-western China. We visit the fort and museum before our lunchtime departure and we spend the afternoon continuing through the Gobi towards Xian.
Day 17 : Xian
Mid-morning arrival in the ancient city of Xian. We tour the city today with the highlights being the Great Mosque, the 14-km city walls, Drum and Bell Towers, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered by peasants barely 30 years ago. The 6,000 Terracotta figures, arranged in row after row of warriors and horses, are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. If time permits we will visit Huaqing Lake and hot springs on the way back to the city for dinner and Tang Dynasty show. After dinner return to the train for our last night on board.
Day 18 : Beijing
We spend the day winding our way northwards towards Beijing, where we arrive early evening. Having travelled 11,353km from Moscow, we bid farewell to our train crew and transfer to the five-star Peninsula Palace hotel, or similar for dinner and a three night stay.
Day 19 : Beijing
Breakfast in the hotel. Our city tour includes Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City. Dinner is in the hotel restaurant.
Day 20 : Beijing
After breakfast we visit the Great Wall at Badaling and Ming Tombs. Lunch is in the city and in the afternoon you will have free time at the week-end market (open every day) and later that evening we have our final farewell dinner at a Beijing Duck restaurant.
Day 21 : Beijing
After breakfast in the hotel, guests are transferred to the airport for international flight departures.
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