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 Moscow
Flights are met at Moscow airport and guests are transferred to a centrally located five star hotel for a two-night stay. We enjoy a private welcome reception followed by dinner. This is a great time to get to know fellow travellers with whom we will be sharing this unforgettable 21 night journey.
Overnight: Moscow (2 nights) (D)

Day 02- 03: Moscow
Our days here include a city tour of Moscow, visits to Red Square and the Kremlin, with its magnificent Armoury. In the afternoon of day 3 we board our Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train and have time to settle into our modern and stylish cabins before dinner in one of our beautifully designed restaurant cars. (B, L, D)

Day 03: 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.
Overnight: On Board (15 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 04: Volgograd
Situated on the banks of the Volga River, Stalingrad (as the city was known in Soviet times) was the scene of probably the most important battle in World War II. The Russians finally turned back the Nazi advance to the Caucasian oil fields in Baku at this city and changed the course of the Second World War. We visit the sobering Mamayev Kurgan war memorial, followed by the excellent diorama and museum. After dinner this evening we can listen to the resident pianist in our comfortable bar car whilst enjoying a drink with new friends. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Kara Kum
We can enjoy a relaxing day on board as we head through Kazakhstan’s Kara Kum desert. As well as enjoying the scenery and the remote villages we briefly stop at from time to time there is also a chance to relax in the bar car, chat to fellow passengers and maybe have our first Russian language lesson. (B, L, D)

Day 06: 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 since 1991 for the city’s 2,500th anniversary celebrations. Lunch and dinner are served on board the train. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Ashgabat
We arrive in the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’, the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. A huge modern folly in the desert, which is a monument to the recently deceased President Sapamurat Turkmenbashi. Situated between the Kara Kum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range the scenery that forms the backdrop to the city is one of extremes. (B, L, D)

Day 08: Merv
We arrive into Mary in the early morning and transfer by bus to the ancient city of Merv. Once an important stop on the Silk Road, Merv was left to ‘die’ in 1794 after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population depended upon for water. On our tour we visit at least one of the five walled cities contained within the 50-square mile area before returning to the train for dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Bukhara
We arrive the splendid city of Bukhara. Like Khiva, UNESCO funded the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The highlight of our tour includes a visit to The Ark, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. 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. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Samarakand
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 includes 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 Khanum Mosque, the Ulug Beg observatory and the awe-inspiring Registan Square. After dinner we visit the illuminated Registan Square. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Tashkent
We arrive in the capital city of Uzbekistan and spend the morning touring before re-boarding the train for lunch. This afternoon we can socialise on the train or maybe take in one of the lectures and lessons on offer to give us a greater insight into this fascinating region. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Almaty
Just before lunch we arrive in the largest city in Kazakstan, Almaty, which is set to play host to the 2011 Asian Winter Games. Beautifully set in a valley in the foothills of the Tien Shen Mountains, we have lunch in a Kazak ‘yurt’, a traditional dwelling place of the nomadic people of this region. Tonight is our final evening on board the Golden Eagle and we mark the occasion with a farewell banquet. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Crossing into China
We bid our Golden Eagle a final farewell as we arrive on the border of Kazakstan. Our adventure continues as we 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 to our new cabins. A welcome dinner is served and we get our first taste of authentic Chinese cuisine. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Urumchi
Arriving in the morning, Urumchi looks like a part of Switzerland or Canada set in the midst of the Gobi desert. It is the largest city and one of the most spell binding in the western half of China. After lunch on the train we visit Turpan with the Flaming Mountains as its stunning backdrop. (B, L, D)

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 of Buddhist religious art. In the afternoon we take a camel ride to one of the natural wonders of the Gobi Desert, Crescent Lake, which has been a source of water among the incredible sand dunes for thousands of years. Tonight we dine and experience a local folk performance in this magical setting. (B, L, D)

Day 16: Jiayuguan
This morning we arrive in Jiayuguan. Famous for being the first pass at the most westerly point of the Great Wall, it was given the name “The first & greatest pass under Heaven” and was considered a key waypoint along the ancient Silk Road. 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. This afternoon we have time to relax in the bar car and learn more about this immense fortification line. (B, L, D)

Day 17: Xian
Mid-day arrival into the ancient city of Xian. Our tour takes in the highlights of the city including the Great Mosque, the 14 km city walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This afternoon is dedicated to visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered 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. Early evening we head back to the city for dinner and the excellent Tang Dynasty show. (B, L, D)

Day 18: Beijing
Today we spend our last day on board the Shangri-la Express as we wind our way northwards towards Beijing, where we arrive early evening. Having travelled almost 7,000 miles (11,226km) from Moscow, we bid farewell to our train crew and transfer to the five-star hotel.
Overnight: Beijing (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 19-21: Beijing
During our time here we visit Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the magnificently restored Forbidden City, home to the Emperors and their numerous concubines. We also visit one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of China, the Great Wall at Badaling and the Ming Tombs. On day 21, after breakfast guests are transferred to the airport for international flight departures. (B, L, D)

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 12 & Nov 04 2009 English Speaking Departures Apr 09, Oct 11 & Nov 02

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.