The Grand Silk Road by Luxury Train

Walk along the restored Badaling section of the Great Wall, a significant structure in history. Marvel at the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Return to Beijing for a leisurely afternoon.

In the evening, indulge in a traditional Peking Duck dinner at a local restaurant before your last night in your hotel.

Enjoy a full day tour of Beijing, including visits to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Summer Palace.

Alternatively, explore Beijing’s modern architecture, including the Olympic Village, CCTV Tower, and National Museum.

This evening, board the luxurious Golden Eagle Silk Road Express and settle into your cabin before a special welcome dinner on board.

Overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, visit Xi’an’s ancient city walls and the Great Mosque, one of the oldest and largest in China. Following, visit to the Terracotta Warriors  — 6,000 life-size figures standing guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor. These statues are considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Enjoy an evening of Tang Dynasty cuisine, music, and dance.

Overnight on board.

Day at leisure on board the train as it travels to Dunhuang.

Enjoy the picturesque views from the Observation Car, or unwind in the Bar Lounge Car with a fine selection of wines and cocktails.

Dinner is served in one of the two dining cars. Overnight on board.

Following breakfast, disembark to explore The Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often referred to as the “Cave of a Thousand Buddhas.” Enjoy performances by local folk artists as you explore the caves.

After lunch, trek along the Silk Road by camelback before concluding at Crescent Lake, a stunning natural oasis.

Rejoin the train for drinks, dinner, and overnight on board.

This morning, delve into the rich history of the Silk Road with a special lecture at the Hilton Qinghai-Golmund, followed by a lunch in the hotel.

In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the Chaerhan Salt Lake or join a guided city tour.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Enjoy a relaxing morning on board as the train arrives in Hotan, your next destination.

Visit an exclusive Atlas Silk and Carpet workshop and witness artisans crafting intricate textiles using traditional techniques.

In the evening, join your fellow guests in the dining car for a festive farewell dinner and overnight on the train.

Today, say goodbye to the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express as it arrives in Kashgar.

Visit the Apark Khoja Tomb and the charming old town to see unique Gaotai folk houses and cultural tapestry of the region.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, board a private flight to the vibrant city of Almaty, where you will check-in for a one-night stay at the five-star Ritz-Carlton Almaty (or similar).

Begin the day with a city tour that includes a visit to Panfilov Park and the Zenkhov Cathedral, which was built entirely out of wood.

In the evening, board the Golden Eagle for a special welcome dinner to begin the next part of your adventure.

This morning, explore the traditional Kyrgyz nomadic lifestyle, learning about life in yurts, their craftsmanship, and horse breeding and training.

Next, witness a breathtaking Golden Eagle hunting demonstration, a 4,000-year-old tradition. You’ll hear about the history of hunting with birds of prey, the unique traits of the Golden Eagle, and the cultural significance of this ancient Kyrgyz practice.

In the afternoon, visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, once a caravan stop on the Great Silk Road. Highlights include Ala-Too Square and a tour of parks rich in Soviet history, featuring statues of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and the Red Guards Memorial.

Dinner is served on board the train.

The city of Bukhara was restored by UNESCO for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. Visit The Ark, the fortified residence of Bukhara’s Emirs. Explore Poi-Kalyan Square, home to the iconic Kalyan Mosque.

Experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere as you visit the bustling Trading Domes and relax at Lyabi-Hauz Square, a lively gathering spot surrounded by a pool, mulberry trees, and charming tea rooms. Following, travel outside the city to see the Emir’s beautifully named ‘Palace of the Moon and Stars.’

In the evening, weather permitting, enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before the train continues to Turkmenistan.

Overnight on the train.

Transfer to the ancient and unrestored remains of Merv. Once an important stopping point on the Silk Road, it claims to have briefly been the largest city in the world during the 12th century.

Dinner and overnight on the train.

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital, is often called the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum.’ Located between the Kara Kum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountains, it is a modern city built on the ruins of the ancient Silk Road city of Konjikala and was rebuilt after a devastating 1948 earthquake.

The city features extravagant fountains, golden domes, and modern buildings that stand out in the desert landscape. Highlights include visits to the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque.

Disembark the train at Ichoguz for an optional trip to the Darvaza gas crater, known as the ‘Door to Hell.’ This 70-meter-wide crater, burning for over 40 years, is a truly unforgettable experience.

Dinner and overnight on the train.

Today includes a visit to Khiva, an ancient city founded 2,500 years ago and once a key trading post on the Silk Road. Now a World Heritage Site, it sits at the crossroads of routes linking Mongolia, Russia, China, and Persia.

Dinner and overnight on the train.

Visit the UNESCO-honored statue of Amir Timur and his Ak-Saray Palace. This palace in Shahrizabz took over a quarter of a century to build, and was originally decorated with colorful, highly detail mosaic but also included delicate calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur’an.

Return to the train for a dinner and overnight on board.

This morning, visit Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, and the Kohi Navruz Palace. Enjoy a guided tour with a local expert who will tell the fascinating story of the palace.

After the tour, enjoy tea and local delicacies in the palace before returning to the train.

Dinner and overnight on the train.

Today, visit some of the most significant sites of Samarkand, including Registan Square, the Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory.

In the evening, venture to the illuminated Registan Square, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular light show from the front row that showcases the rich history of Samarkand.

Overnight on the train.

This morning, visit the famous necropolis Shakh I Zindah, a stunning collection of mausoleums. Following, travel to the ancient settlement of Afrasiab for a museum tour.

Return to the train for lunch while your journey continues on through Uzbekistan to the Fergana Valley.

Enjoy drinks, dinner, and an overnight on board.

This morning, visit the ancient city of Margilan, famous for its production of silk. Witness the process of silk making at the Margilan Factory, which is considered the best of its kind in Uzbekistan.

From Margilan, continue onto Rishtan, home to Uzbekistan’s world-famous ceramic industry, for a pottery demonstration by local artisan Rustam Usmanov.

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

This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board the Golden Eagle as you return to Tashkent.

After breakfast onboard, you will disembark the train for your transfer to your departing flight.