Upon arrival in Beijing, guests will be warmly welcomed and transferred in luxury to the prestigious Four Seasons Beijing, where a two-night stay awaits in the epitome of five-star comfort. That evening, join fellow travellers for an exclusive welcome reception and dinner, setting the tone for an exceptional journey along the Silk Road.

Overnight Stay at Hotel Four Seasons in Beijing

Today’s adventure begins with a morning visit to the Great Wall at Badaling, one of the most iconic symbols of ancient China. Here, guests can walk along a beautifully restored section, soaking in the breathtaking views and imagining the historical figures who once guarded this marvel.

In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore Beijing’s lively mix of ancient traditions and modern vibrancy.

In the evening, gather for a sophisticated dining experience at a celebrated Peking Duck restaurant. This Beijing speciality, cherished for centuries, is expertly prepared and carved at your table, offering a delectable insight into Chinese culinary mastery.

Overnight Stay at Hotel Four Seasons in Beijing

Today, a comprehensive tour of Beijing’s historic heart reveals the grandeur of China’s ancient dynasties. Explore the Forbidden City, the sprawling imperial palace where emperors ruled for nearly 500 years. Stroll through Tiananmen Square, a place of great historical significance, before discovering the Summer Palace, a serene retreat adorned with beautiful gardens, temples, and lakes.

Alternatively, delve into Beijing’s modern allure with a tour of contemporary landmarks: marvel at the architectural feats of the Olympic Village and the iconic “Bird’s Nest” Stadium, glimpse the striking design of the CCTV Tower, and explore the National Museum for a modern-day perspective on China’s cultural evolution.

In the evening, we board the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, your luxurious home for the next leg of the journey. Settle into your elegant suite before enjoying a welcoming dinner in the dining car, as we begin our journey westward in true comfort.

Overnight onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

Overnight Stay at Hotel Four Seasons in Beijing

In Xi’an, we explore the ancient city walls and the historic Great Mosque, one of China’s oldest and largest mosques, blending Islamic and Chinese architectural styles. Later, we visit the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army – a life-sized army of soldiers, chariots, and horses, buried with China’s First Emperor to protect him in the afterlife. This UNESCO site, often hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World, offers a mesmerising insight into ancient Chinese beliefs and artistry.

In the evening, delight in an authentic Tang Dynasty dinner, where the ambiance is enhanced by a captivating performance of traditional music and dance, evoking the grandeur of ancient Xi’an.

Overnight onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

Today is a day of leisure as we traverse the Chinese landscape aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express. Take in the panoramic scenery from the observation car’s floor-to-ceiling windows, the largest of any train in China, or unwind in the bar car with a selection of fine wines and spirits.

Overnight onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

Arriving in Dunhuang, we explore the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its ancient Buddhist art. This “Cave of a Thousand Buddhas” is a spiritual oasis that has inspired pilgrims and artists for centuries, adorned with vibrant murals and statues that date back over a thousand years. Local folk artists serenade us with music, adding an atmospheric touch to our journey through this sacred complex.

After a delightful lunch, we embark on a camel trek along the Silk Road to the enchanting Crescent Lake, an oasis nestled among towering dunes. This tranquil crescent-shaped lake has endured millennia of desert winds and remains a cherished symbol of resilience and beauty.

Overnight onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

Our day in Golmud includes an enlightening lecture at the Hilton Qinghai-Golmud on the Silk Road’s history, highlighting its role as a bridge between East and West. Guests may choose to explore the Chaerhan Salt Lake, a surreal landscape of salt flats and mineral deposits, or enjoy a guided tour through Golmud’s vibrant city streets, before we re-board the train.

Overnight onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

Enjoy a leisurely morning on board before an exclusive visit to Hotan’s Atlas Silk and Carpet Workshop. Here, witness master artisans create intricate silk fabrics and carpets using time-honoured techniques passed down through generations. In the evening, we step back in time with a tour of Yotkan Ancient City. Once the heart of the Buddhist Kingdom of Khotan, this ancient city flourished along the Silk Road, its temples and cultural centres revealing Hotan’s rich legacy as a nexus of trade and spirituality.

Return to the train for a farewell dinner, marking the close of this unforgettable leg of your journey.

Overnight onboard Golden Eagle Silk Road Express

In Kashgar, one of the most important trading hubs on the Silk Road, you will visit the Apak Khoja Tomb and the charming old town, where the atmosphere of centuries past still lingers. Explore the unique Gaotai folk houses and the rich cultural tapestry of the region. After a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, take a private flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s vibrant city, where you will spend a luxurious night at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty, rounding off your journey in style.

Overnight stay at Hotel Ritz Carlton in Almaty

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and is notable for its wide tree-lined boulevards. Surrounded by the majesty of the Tien Shan Mountains, this beautiful city derives its name from ‘alma’ meaning ‘apple’. Just a short distance from the city, apple orchards thrive in abundance. Our morning city tour includes a visit to Panfilov Park where we visit the Zenkhov Cathedral which was built entirely of wood.

This evening, step aboard an icon of the rails, the Golden Eagle and settle in for a special welcome dinner as your adventure continues.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Today, we enjoy an extended visit to the magnificent Lake Issyk-Kul, a true natural wonder nestled in the heart of the Kyrgyz mountains. Stretching over 170 kilometres in length and up to 70 kilometres wide, it is recognised as the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Its name, meaning “warm lake”, reflects its remarkable resistance to freezing – the result of a unique combination of depth, mineral richness, and geothermal activity beneath its surface. Framed by towering, snow-capped peaks, the lake offers a serene beauty.

This morning, we invite you to immerse yourself in the rich nomadic heritage of Kyrgyzstan with a privately arranged cultural event along the lake’s shores. A captivating display of traditional sports and games that have been passed down through generations. While archery may be familiar, few have encountered the spectacle of horseback wrestling, hunting with majestic Golden Eagles, or “ordo” – a strategic game played with cow kneecaps.

This experience is a celebration of steppe culture in all its vibrant detail – from music and dance to intricate costumes and demonstrations of time-honoured crafts. It is a rare and enthralling glimpse into a way of life that continues to flourish in the highlands of Central Asia. This day promises a unique and authentic insight into the cultural heart of the region, offering memories that will linger long after your journey ends.

After the festival there will be the option to visit the outdoor Museum of the Petroglyphs before returning to the Golden Eagle for dinner.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Originally a caravan rest stop serving the travellers that came through the area along the Great Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan’s capital city, Bishkek, is the location of our afternoon sightseeing. Here we will visit the Ala-Too Square, built 1984 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic in Kyrgyzstan and a city tour of the local parks, rich in Soviet history, including statutes of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and the Memorial for the Red Guards.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Today we arrive in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. We spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city, which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966.

Our tour of the city includes the Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets. In a small library here we will be privileged to see one of Islam’s most sacred relics – the world’s oldest Koran. This is followed by a visit to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Today, we travel to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, we discover its impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Nestled in the enchanting north-west of Uzbekistan, the city of Nukus boasts a captivating setting, surrounded by three magnificent deserts: the Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum, and Ustyurt. Here, a pristine and untouched landscape unfolds before your eyes, adorned with endless stretches of sandy vistas, enchanting dunes, and towering peaks that beckon adventure.

Our voyage through Nukus leads us to the extraordinary Igor Savitsky State Museum of the Fine Arts, a true hidden gem in this remote oasis. Aptly nicknamed the ‘Louvre in the Sands,’ this extraordinary museum houses Central Asia’s most extensive art collection, featuring a staggering 100,000 avant-garde masterpieces and crafts from the Karakalpak region. Prepare to be mesmerised by the artistic treasures that await, promising a unique experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

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.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

This afternoon we visit Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, situated on the Varzob River. First, explore the Museum of National Antiquities, housing exhibits of history and regional art, before the main highlight of the city: the opulent Kohi Navruz Palace. Enjoy a guided tour with a local expert guide, who will tell the fascinating story of the teahouse-turned palace. You will explore each beautiful hall decorated with breathtaking chandeliers, while learning about each of the artists and designers that worked incredibly hard to build and decorate this majestic palace.

We continue our touring programme with more historic sites of Tajikistan’s largest city. We visit the Ismail Samani monument, recognising the first King of Tajiks, before going onwards to the Independence Square and Mekhrgon Bazaar for a taster of local life in Dushanbe.

Tonight, enjoy an evening of relaxation onboard the Golden Eagle, enjoying the melodies of our resident pianist as we venture across the border into Uzbekistan.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Believed to be the birthplace of Amir Timur, the military prodigy who modelled himself on Genghis Khan and used similar violent methods to conquer and control his Empire, we visit the UNESCO-honoured statue of Amir Timur and his Ak-Saray Palace. This majestic palace in Shahrizabz took over a quarter of a century to build, and was originally decorated with colourful, highly detailed mosaic but also included delicate calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur’an. Amid the decorative facing, there is an inscription showing the date 798 (1395 – 1396 AD) which was when the building was completed.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Just the mention of Samarkand instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road, more so than any other town. Founded in the 6th century BC, Samarkand’s stunning architecture hints at its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia and is particularly noted for its architectural remains from the 14th to the 17th century, when it flourished as the fabled capital of the Mongol empire of Timur and his successors.

Today, we will visit some of its most significant sites including Registan Square, the refined elegance of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428.

Prepare for an unforgettable evening in Samarkand that will leave an indelible mark on your memory. As the sun sets and night descends upon this ancient city, we will whisk you away to the illuminated Registan Square, where an extraordinary spectacle unfolds. From your prime front-row seats, you’ll be treated to a dazzling light show that weaves the rich tapestry of Samarkand’s history and significance.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

Spend the morning continuing to explore Samarkand, with a visit the famous necropolis Shakh I Zindah, a stunning collection of mausoleums dating back to the 9th century. From here we travel to ancient settlement of Afrasiab to visit a museum which houses ancient artefacts collected during the excavation of the city, including the famous frescoes from the Palace of Varkhuman, which date back to the 7th century.

We return to the train for lunch and continue our journey through Uzbekistan towards the Fergana Valley.

Overnight on board The Golden Eagle

This morning, we visit the ancient city of Margilan, famous for its production of silk, considered by many as the best in Central Asia. Here we will visit the Margilan Factory which is considered the best of its kind in Uzbekistan. Producing 6,000 metres of silk per month, the factory has preserved a manual and traditional method of silk production. We will explore the whole process of making silk from the mulberry trees used to feed the silkworms to the hardworking staff hand weaving the colourful ikat fabric on traditional looms.

From Margilan we continue onto Rishtan which is home to Uzbekistan’s world-famous ceramic industry. Here we will discover the secrets of the techniques of the ancient craft from prominent local artisan Rustam Usmanov. Witness the magic of pottery in action during a close-up demonstration by a master professional at work and get a behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into decorating these exquisite ceramics.

Kokand is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan and served as a critical trading post on the Silk Road. Highlights of our touring include the majestic Palace of Khudayar Khan (the Pearl of Kokand), and the Jami Mosque, Kokand’s most impressive Mosque.

This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner on board the Golden Eagle as we return to Tashkent for Overnight in Hotel

Overnight stay at Hotel JW Marriott Tashkent