THE
SILK ROAD BY PRIVATE TRAIN
BEIJING TO MOSCOW (
Westbound )
A cultural tour of China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan & Russia 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. |
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