There is little that inspires the traveler's imagination as much as the ancient Silk Road - a 2,000 year old trail linking Europe and Asia. It is a journey unlike any other in the world and one that conjures up images of Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Marco Polo and other early travelers. Our private air-conditioned Chinese and Russian trains offer two classes of sleeping car accommodation, with beautifully appointed dining cars and a bar / lounge car, providing the discerning traveler with the opportunity to travel the Silk Road in comfort and style. Sit back and enjoy the journey as the many wonders of Central Asia unfold. From the Great Wall of China, Beijing's Forbidden City and Tianmen Square, Xian and the Terracotta Warriors, the extraordinary Mogao Caves at Dunhuang with the greatest collection of Buddhist sculptures and murals from the 4th to the 14th centuries, you reach the beautiful Heavenly Lake at Urumchi, near the Chinese border. Passing into Kazakstan, Almaty is nestled in the Tien Shan Mountains, and Uzbekistan's modern capital of Tashkent provides a stark contrast to the three incredible Muslim cities of Samarkand - with its awesome Registan Square, Bukhara - full of stunning mosques, minarets, madressahs and fortresses, and the ancient feudal city of Khiva, at the crossroads to Russia, Mongolia, China and Persia. Onward across the Kara Kum desert leads to Russia where the huge Mamayev Kurgan war memorial of Volgograd bears sobering testimony to the turbulent recent history of the city better known as Stalingrad. Finally our epic journey concludes in Moscow, former center of the communist world, with its trademark Red Square, Kremlin and brilliant St Basil's Cathedral.

Day 01: Arrive Beijing
Independent arrival at Beijing Airport. Transfers available for all passengers arriving at Beijing Capital Airport to the Peninsula Palace Hotel, or similar, where we stay for three nights. Afternoon free to relax before meeting fellow passengers at the welcome dinner.
Overnight: Peninsula Palace Hotel or similar, Beijing (3 nights) (D)

Day 02: Beijing
After breakfast a city tour of China’s thriving capital city takes in all the famous landmarks including the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Lunch and dinner in the city. (B, L, D)

Day 03: 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 weekend market (open every day). Dinner at a speciality Peking duck restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Board the train
Free morning before transferring to Beijing West station (reputedly the world’s largest) to board China’s most prestigious private train, the ‘China Orient Express’ at the start of your 11,353 km journey to Moscow. Lunch as we depart. In the afternoon settle into your cabin as we head for Xian.
Overnight: Train (16 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Xian
After breakfast we arrive 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. (B, L, D)

Day 06: Lanzhou
Lunch- time arrival into Lanzhou; A vital City on the Silk Route due to its principal crossing point of the mighty Yellow River. A visit to the Gansu Provincial museum here provides evidence of the kind of goods that moved in an Eastward direction along the Silk Route, along with the famous ‘galloping horse’ dating from the Eastern Han period that was found in a nearby tomb. Also included today is a visit to the Longmen Grottoes; undoubtedly the most spectacular sight in the vicinity with a vast array of more than 100,000 Buddhist sculptures situated in 1,352 grottoes. Dinner on board the train and an early evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 07: 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. Lunch is in the City and we visit both the fort and the museum before returning to the train for a dinnertime departure. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Dunhuang
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 remain. This afternoon we visit the Sand Dunes where we take a camel ride to Crescent Moon Lake. Dinner near to the dunes with a local folk show. Late departure as our journey across the Gobi desert continues. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Urumqi
Lunch-time arrival in Urumchi. In the afternoon we visit Heavenly Lake, situated at 1,900 metres elevation, and dominated by the 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 at the hotel before rejoining the train for a departure. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Crossing to Kazakhstan
Your final breakfast on board the Chinese train, in Druzhba we pass through dramatic mountain scenery before arriving in Alashankou, where border controls are carried out. The border crossing takes five hours and patience is a virtue! We transfer to our waiting ‘Trans-Siberian Express’ private train for the continuation of our journey to Moscow. Lunch and dinner on the Russian train. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Almaty
Arriving in Almaty after breakfast, you tour the flourishing former capital of Kazakstan, nestled in the foothills of the Tien Shen Mountains. Visit the magnificent 170-foot (56 metre) high wooden Zenkhov Cathedral during your morning city tour before having lunch in a Kazak yurt in the mountains, some 25 kms from the city. Early evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Tashkent
Arriving in Almaty after breakfast we tour the flourishing former capital of Kazakhstan, nestled in the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains. We visit the magnificent 170 foot (56 metre) high wooden Zenkhov Cathedral during your morning city tour before having lunch in a Kazak Yurt in the mountains, some 25 kms from the city. Mid-afternoon departure. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Samarkand
Many words have been used to describe this wonderful city – ‘Rome of the East’, ‘Pearl of the Muslim World’ – with Alexander the Great, Marco Polo and Tamerlane among its most well-known admirers. 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 touring the many fabulous buildings including the Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulug Beg observatory and end at the awe-inspiring Registan Square, one of the most inspirational sights in all of Central Asia. After dinner we return to the Square to see it splendidly lit up, and enjoy an evening of traditional dancing and music. Return to the train for a midnight departure. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Bukhara
The quintessential Central Asian town whose name, more than any other, instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road. Many words have been used to describe this wonderful city – ‘Rome of the East’, ‘Pearl of the Muslim World’ – with Alexander the Great, Marco Polo and Tamerlane among its most well-known admirers. Founded in the 6th century BC its architecture gives an indication of its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia. You will spend the day touring the many fabulous buildings including the Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulug Beg observatory and culminating in Registan Square, one of the most awe-inspiring sights in all of Central Asia. The square will be illuminated after a dinner with traditional dancing and music. We return to the train for a departure around midnight. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Ashgabat
We arrive in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat and tour this newly-constructed ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum desert.’ The old city has been replaced with a modern, multi-fountain, gold gilded centre dedicated to ‘President for life’, Sapamurat Turkmenbashi. Dinner in the City before returning to the train for a late evening departure. (B, L, D)

Day 16: Merv
After breakfast we pull into Mary and are transported by bus to the ancient Silk Road city of Merv, a city left to ‘die’ after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam, which the population depended upon for water. The 50 square mile area houses five different walled cities of which we visit one. Lunch in the City. (B, L, D)

Day 17: Khiva
Mid-morning the train crosses back into Uzbekistan arriving in Urgench. We are driven the short distance to Khiva to tour this fascinating Silk Road city on the Amu Darya, which was 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 UNESCO’s help for its recent 2,500th anniversary. Lunch in the city and dinner on the train as we depart North bound for Russia. (B, L, D)

Day 18: Kara Kum
A relaxing day on board the train heading through Kazakstan’s Kara Kum desert. Enjoy the scenery and the remote villages we briefly stop at from time to time. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on the train. In the evening we pass into Russia and follow the Volga northwards. (B, L, D)

Day 19: Volgograd
On the banks of the River Volga, Stalingrad, as the city was known in Soviet times, was the scene of probably the most important battle of World War II. The Russians finally turned back the Nazi advance to the Caucasian oil fields in Baku in the famous battle that claimed many hundreds of thousands of lives. Up to this defeat Hitler had lost no major battles, after Stalingrad he won none; it was the turning point of the war but Stalingrad had paid an enormous price. The city had been virtually destroyed and today we visit the sobering Mamayev Kurgan war memorial, followed by the excellent diorama and interesting museum before we return to our train for our final dinner on the ‘Trans-Siberian Express’. (B, L, D)

Day 20: Moscow
Lunchtime arrival in Moscow where our tour concludes with a night at the hotel. Afternoon visit to Red Square and the Kremlin. Farewell dinner will be held in the city.
Overnight: Hotel Metropol or similar, Moscow (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 21: Depart Moscow
After a sumptuous breakfast in the hotel, a morning sightseeing tour of the rapidly-changing Russian capital brings your tour to an end. Airport transfers provided to connect with afternoon flight departures. (B)

Train Composition

We offer two classes of sleeping car accommodation on our trains. First class and Deluxe class.

First class offers comfortable accommodation in air-conditioned cars with nine twin-berth compartments, all fitted with lower berths on the Trans Siberian Express, and eight twin-berth compartments, upper / lower, on the China Orient Express. The beds convert into comfortable sofas for daytime travel and there is ample space for luggage storage under the beds and in a recess above the corridor. Clothes hangers are provided and the cars are well appointed with mirrors, bedside table, reading lamps and space for the storage of small items. On the China Orient Express a washbasin and shower is shared between adjacent compartments. On the Trans Siberian Express there is a completely separate shower car. A washroom / toilet is located at each end of every sleeping car, one of which contains a chemical WC for the convenience of passengers' use during station stops.

Deluxe class on the Trans Siberian Express offers luxurious accommodation that equals or surpasses the best luxury trains in the world today. Each car provides four compartments, each of which can be configured for double, twin or single occupancy. Every cabin has its own en-suite shower and WC, together with audio system and DVD / VCR with latest flat screen plasma television, air-conditioning with individual climate control, a wardrobe for clothes, and space for luggage storage. There is also a small bar / lounge for the exclusive use of the passengers in each car. In China there are no fully en-suite cars available, but the China Orient Express offers the best accommodation available. The cars are the same as the first class sleeping cars, with eight compartments sharing a washroom and shower between adjacent compartments. A washroom / toilet is located at each end of every sleeping car. In deluxe class couples will be allocated two compartments with a washroom between, singles will share the washroom with another single.

The restaurant car(s) will serve three meals per day (except where meals are taken off the train) and each sleeping car will have two attendants who provide tea and coffee throughout the tour and make up the beds each night during dinner. A Bar Car will also be included in the formation of both trains.

We do not operate a 'fixed formation' train, we vary the composition to suit the number of passengers. Maximum capacity is 96 passengers and we generally expect to run each departure with a minimum of 64 passengers. A typical train formation for 64 passengers is 13 cars, comprising First class sleeping cars, Deluxe class sleeping cars, Restaurant and Bar cars, Shower car (Trans Siberian Express only), Staff, Generator and Office cars, with a total staff complements of around 40-60. These are comfortable, well appointed modern trains, ideal for your long journey through China and Russia.

For more information/pictures of the train (Russian portion) please feel free to download/view the following images:
Train Facilities 1, Train Facilities 2, Restaurant & Bar Car Facilities, Sleeping Car Facilities

Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Oct 15 & Nov 07 2009 English Speaking Departures Apr 12, Oct 14 & Nov 05

Inclusions

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Accommodation aboard our private trains (number of nights in accordance with itinerary) International Airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour (except where stated otherwise) Hotel accommodation in accordance with itinerary Charges of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at certain museums etc.) All meals starting with dinner on day one until breakfast on the final tour day; including a generous allowance of wine, local beer or soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners on and off the train Any optional trips such as Bolshoi Ballet/Opera etc., pre- or post-tour extensions Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive/depart on the tour start/end dates in the tour start/end cities Alcoholic and soft drinks in the bar outside of meal times Guided off-train tours according to itinerary Visa or Excess Baggage Charges, Airport Departure Taxes, Vaccination or Medical Costs The services of an experienced Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring Insurance (it is a booking condition that passengers have adequate insurance) Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant Gratuities to local guides, drivers, tour management and train staff Detailed route guide, itinerary and information pack A Doctor who will travel with the train throughout the tour

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Silver Class US $ 16,895 • CA $ 16,895 US $ 7,100 • CA $ 7,100 Gold Class US $ 20,895 • CA $ 20,895 US $ 9,100 • CA $ 9,100 Special Note: Silver Class: Deposit for this particular tour will be US$ 5000.00 per person. Gold Class: Deposit for this particular tour will be US$ 7500.00 per person. Final tour payment is due no later than 120 days prior.

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 2200 USA - West Coast US $ 1800 Canada - East Coast CA $ 2000 USA - East Coast US $ 1600

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 64 and a maximum of 116 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.