Golden Eagle: Jewels of the Silk Road

Overview

Travel onboard the Golden Eagle, and travel through three of hte captivating 'Stans', each bearing the marks of Soviet influence yet distinct in their independence. From the magnificent mosques and bustling bazaars of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to the breath-taking verdant expanse and ethereally tranquil landscapes of Kazakhstan, this incredible 8-day adventure is your invitation to one of the world’s greatest train journeys.

Inclusions

24-hour cabin attendance service

Five-star post hotel accommodation in Almaty

All gratuities

Arrival and departure transfers

Experienced Tour Management team

Expertly guided off-train excursions

Freshly prepared meals on board

Generous drinks allowance, including international wines with lunch and dinner

Golden Eagle Gala Caviar dinner

Luggage porterage throughout the journey

Private ensuite accommodation on the Golden Eagle train – Silver Class Twin Cabin

Services of a UK-registered Doctor and medical facilities on board

Itinerary

Download Itinerary Expand All

Day 1 Ashgabat

Arrive at Ashgabat Airport.

The capital of Turkmenistan is known as the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’. Situated between the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat is a relatively modern city built upon the ruins of the Silk Road city of Konjikala and the Soviet city built after the devastating earthquake of 1948.

Upon arrival - guests will be taken to board the Golden Eagle. Once settled into your cabin, lunch will be served in the Restaurant Cars. This afternoon guests will have the opportunity to explore Ashgabat and highlights on today's panoramic city tour includes visits to the National Museum, Wedding Palace and Kipchak Mosque. Dinner served onboard the Golden Eagle.

Lunch, Dinner

Kipchak Mosque, Ashgabat

Day 2 Ashgabat & Darvaza

A further morning of touring in Turkmenistan features a visit to nearby Nisa, an ancient settlement of the Parthians, and was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

The Golden Eagle departs Ashgabat at lunch and makes a scheduled stop tonight at Ichoguz. Guests will leave the train and make a short journey to Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater, a spectacular sight best seen at night. Located in the middle of the Kara Kum desert where the area is rich in natural gas, the 70-metre wide crater is known by the locals as the ‘Door to Hell’ and has been burning for over 40 years. A unique experience that is not to be missed.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Darvaza | Credit: Andrea Peto

Day 3 Khiva

Today, the Golden Eagle travels towards Urgench, from where guests will transfer 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, discover its impressive mosques, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Khiva | Credit: Andrea Peto

Day 4 Bukhara

Bukhara is quite simply outstanding.The highlight of this wonderful tour is a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. The touring programme today will also transport guets 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 maksura rooms, pillar-domed galleries, and deeply recessed niches.

Immerse yourself in the lively pulse of the city as you 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.

This evening, weather permitting, you will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before the train departs – a unique farewell to an incredible city.

Breakfast, Dinner

Kalyan Mosque, Bukhara

Day 5 Samarkand

More so than any other town, just the mention of Samarkand instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road. Founded in the 6^th 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, 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, you will be whisked 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.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Samarkand

Day 6 Tashkent

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan - today, guests will spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. The tour of the city includes the Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets and here in a small library guests 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.

Tonight, savour a Farewell Dinner aboard the Golden Eagle as you embark on an overnight journey to the final destination, Almaty.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tashkent train station

Day 7 Almaty

This morning, arrive into Almaty, the final destination and bid farewell to the Golden Eagle. Today, take a tour of Almaty including a visit to Panfilov Park, located in the heart of the city, and home to the Zenkov Cathedral, a 19th century Russian Orthodox Church made entirely of wood.

Overnight stay for one night at the Ritz-Carlton, Almaty (or similar).

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Almaty

Day 8 Almaty

Following breakfast you will be transferred to Almaty Airport for your onward flight.

Why not extend your stay in Almaty with additional nights to explore more of the city and surrounding region at your leisure?

Breakfast

Almaty

Accommodation

Golden Eagle

Upgrade available

LIFE ABOARD THE GOLDEN EAGLE

The Golden Eagle has been carefully designed with emphasis on your comfort, relaxation and enjoyment. In addition to our private en-suite sleeping cabins, we offer a beautifully appointed Bar Lounge Car and Restaurant Cars.
The Golden Eagle, comprising three categories of cabins, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and en-suite facilities, is the only private train of its kind operating in these regions of the world.

SILVER CABIN

Silver Class cabins, which are more compact at 60 sq ft (5.5 sq metres), feature a small double lower bed and a single upper bed as well as DVD/CD player, LCD screen, safe, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe and large picture window.

The Silver Class cabins have private en-suite wet room with a washbasin, toilet and shower.

Sleeps 2 in lower small double bed or bunk style
Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating
Recessed lighting and wardrobe
Personal safe
Private en-suite bathroom with 'wet-room' style shower and toilet
Bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer and toiletries provided
DVD/CD player with LCD screens
Towels and linens changed every second day or daily on request
Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times
Laundry service available at an additional charge
Drinks in the Bar Lounge Car included from the Standard Bar List

Room Upgrades

Gold Cabin

At 77 sq ft (7 sq metres) Gold Class cabins are extremely well-proportioned and have everything from a private bathroom with separate power shower cubicle and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, safe, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, large picture window as well as featuring a double lower bed and a single upper bed.

Guests in Gold Class benefit from complimentary drinks off the Standard Bar List in the Bar Lounge Car.

Sleeps 2 in either lower standard double bed or bunk style
Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating
Recessed lighting and wardrobe
Personal safe
Private en-suite bathroom with full power shower and underfloor heating
Bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer and toiletries provided
DVD/CD player with LCD screens
Towels and linens changed every second day or daily on request
Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin available at all times
Drinks in the Bar Lounge Car included from the Standard Bar List
Laundry service available at an additional charge

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Imperial Suite

Imperial Suites are the most spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle measuring 120 sq ft (11.1 sq metres) and benefiting from a large and luxurious double bed as well as a lounge area with dressing table.

Imperial Suite facilities include a private en-suite bathroom with power shower and the luxury of underfloor heating; individual air-conditioning; wardrobe; DVD/CD player with LCD screen; complimentary fully stocked minibar; safe; small library and two large picture windows to watch the world go by.

Exemplary service starts with a complimentary bottle of Dom Perignon champagne when you board the train to toast the start of your wonderful adventure.

A note for Imperial Suite guests:
A private guide and chauffeured car service is included in many of the destinations we visit on your journey, however, in locations where there are a limited number of experienced and qualified tour guides available, we may offer a shared car service among Imperial Suite guests. Imperial Suite guests will also benefit from the inclusion of drinks from the Standard and Premium Bar list in the Bar Lounge Car, a laundry service and room upgrades to the next available category at the hotels which are featured in the itinerary.

Sleeps 2 in a large Double Bed (1.5m by 1.9m)
Sitting area
Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating
Recessed lighting and wardrobe
Dressing table
Personal safe
Private en-suite bathroom with full power shower and underfloor heating
Bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer and toiletries provided
Complimentary minibar
DVD/CD player with LCD screens
Towels and linens changed every second day or daily on request
Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times
In-cabin dining available on request
Drinks from the Bar Lounge Car included from the Standard and Premium Bar List (excluding Premium Wine List)
Private car and guide options in selected cities for off-train excursion programme
Laundry service included

Prices are dynamic based on travel dates. Please proceed to Book Now or Contact Us for details.

Additional information

The bar lounge car is the perfect location to relax and unwind as you watch the ever changing scenery pass by. Reminisce the day’s adventures with fellow passengers over afternoon tea or perhaps challenge your friends to a game of cards before dinner.
Throughout your journey the Bar Lounge Car and Restaurant Cars will host a variety of entertaining and enriching activities such as Russian language lessons and engaging lectures on local history and culture from expert guest speakers.
It is also here that your Tour Manager will organise a programme of activities for the journey ahead. Daily itineraries detailing train arrival and departure timings and information on the following day’s excursions and activities will be provided, plus useful weather forecast and time zone information.
As evening falls, enjoy the sounds of the resident pianist playing on the baby grand piano in the Bar Lounge Car. Each night the bar stays open until the last person leaves.
Expect a relaxed and convivial atmosphere at mealtimes with the freedom to dine wherever, and with whomever, you please in a single sitting. An informal dress code is applied throughout the journey.
Configuration and styles of Gold Class & Imperial Suite cabins vary with seating and sleeping arrangements. Requests for a preferred cabin arrangement will be noted, but cannot be guaranteed. Please ask for details.

Departure dates:

29 Sep - 06 Oct 2024
20 Sep - 27 Sep 2025

Excluded

International airfares and taxes
Domestic airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified in our holiday package
Visa expenses, processing, and issuance fees
Meals other than as specified in our holiday package
Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature (mini-bar, phone call, laundry, etc.),
Or any other travel expense that has not been included in our holiday package

FAQs

Who are Entire Travel Group?

Welcome to Entire Travel Group. We offer exceptional travel experiences across our extensive range of Entire Holiday Packages, Entire Group Journeys, Entire Rail Journeys, and Entire Cruise Journeys. With our industry-leading Peace of Mind Booking Plan, you can Book Now with flexibility and confidence.

Entire Travel Group is celebrating over 50 years of passionately delivering unique and memorable travel experiences. We are an Australian, family-owned, award-winning business with a friendly team ready to match your expectations to the perfect holiday experience.

Entire Travel Group used to be known by the individual brands shown in the footer of the website. The company has not changed, but we have amalgamated under one brand - Entire Travel Group.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

Is Entire Travel Group Australian owned and operated?

Entire Travel Group is proudly Australian family owned and operated and as it stands today represents 50 years of experience, progress, and evolution. We proudly support the community with our long-term commitment to many important charity organisations. We were awarded the best operator in our class at the most recent National Travel Industry Awards.

Is Entire Travel Group industry accredited?

Entire Travel Group is both ATAS and CATO Accredited. ATAS is actively administered by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA). The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the trade association representing the land supply sector of the Australian Travel Industry.

Does Entire Travel Group have industry awards?

Entire Travel Group was honoured at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards with Most Oustanding Wholesaler - Product / Service.

As our team works tirelessly to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, it was exciting to have this acknowledged with the highest recognition. The award is also a testament to the quality of our partners around the globe, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support of our customers.

Are the Entire Travel Group holiday packages exclusive?

In some cases, we are the sole representative in Australia for the overseas travel operator. In other circumstances the product developed has been exclusively built for Entire Travel Group and can’t be found elsewhere.

What’s unique about Entire Travel Group Holiday Packages?

They are not group tours with set departures - they are pre-designed, purpose built, independent holiday packages full of unique and memorable experiences.
Our holiday packages have been exclusively built for us in collaboration with our handpicked suppliers, who also offer full on-ground support for the clients.
We are offering unique travel experiences which cannot be found elsewhere.
Many packages include our “Freedom of Choice” options which allow you to tailor the holiday experience. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.
They include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan.
A wide selection of our packages are compliant with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Covid Safe Travels.

Our motto for Independent Holiday Packages is start your holiday when and with who you want!

Our Independent Holiday Packages are NOT group tours with set departure dates. Group Tours have specific set departure dates, and of course, you are travelling with unknown passengers in a coach. These tours are great for certain travellers and there are many reputable tour operators providing a wide range of options around the world.

At Entire Travel Group, our focus is Independent Holiday Packages. Available daily, they are pre-designed, purpose built, packaged itineraries full of memorable experiences delivered by our hand-picked local partners.

Our holidays suit every demographic, from couples to singles, to retirees to families and everyone else in between.

Why travel with Entire Travel Group?

Of Entire Travel Group's attributes, we have settled on "When Experience Matters" as the quality we believe adds the most value to our customers. We have the experience to ensure your itinerary makes the dream holiday possible. Our continually enhanced technology allows our team to provide a quality customer service experience, and our partnerships with outstanding operators ensure we are confident of the on-ground experience for our customers.

For more details please visit - About Us | Entire Travel Group

How does the Peace of Mind Booking Plan work?

Our Peace of Mind Booking Plan allows you to book with confidence in the new international travel environment. With low deposits, a cooling off period and a flexibility period where you can cancel and rebook later, we really do have you covered.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

Is there a cooling-off period?

Look for packages with our Peace of Mind Booking Plan logo on the website.

We understand that occasionally plans may change, so we give you the confidence to proceed with a cooling off period.
You may cancel for any reason within 7 days, where you will receive a 100% refund of your $100 per person deposit.

For more details please visit - Peace of Mind Booking Plan | Entire Travel Group

What is Freedom of Choice?

At Entire Travel Group we understand that our customers have their own personal tastes and interests - so throughout our packages look for “Freedom of Choice” which gives you the ability to tailor your holiday from the various experiences offered on selected days. Like a sommelier matching wine to a meal, we have used our experience to carefully select and offer the right experiences in each location.

The Freedom of Choice options are included in the package price, and the price remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

Our Freedom of Choice program offers flexibility, by allowing you to choose from different options on pre-selected days in the itinerary.

Our per person price includes one tour on each Freedom of Choice day in the itinerary.
The price of the package remains the same regardless of the choice you make on each day.

For more details please visit - Freedom of Choice | Entire Travel Group

What is Book Now?

Book Now offers you the ability to make a reservation on our website for Holiday Packages that include our Peace of Mind Booking Plan. But it’s not just a static offer – you have complete flexibility from travel dates, passenger numbers, single supplements, room upgrades, optional extras, flexible booking terms and more.

Our team will contact our overseas suppliers and confirm all arrangements.
A Confirmation from our reservation system will be sent in the coming days.
The Booking Number on this confirmation supersedes the website reference.

What forms of payment can be used at Entire Travel Group?

To confirm a booking using our on-line Book Now process, a credit card must be used to pay the refundable deposit.
For additional payments on the booking, Entire Travel Group supports bank transfer, credit card, TravelPay B2B, PaymentGate.
For further details please visit our Payments page.

How secure is the Entire Travel Group's on-line payment portal?

Entire Travel Group have partnered with TravelPay to ensure secure on-line credit card payments.
TravelPay is a level 1 PCI DSS compliant, which gives you peace of mind that your payment card data is in safe hands.
Entire Travel Group does not store any credit card information.

For more details please visit - Security and Compliance - TravelPay

Can you book my international airfares?

On some Islands Holiday Packages (e.g. Fiji), it is practical to include flights, so where we have done this it is indicated by the plane icon.

However, on the majority of our Holiday Packages, we do not include international flights.

We found that many customers may prefer to:

Travel on a specific airline of their choice
Have the flexibility to book flights with Frequent Flyer points
Select flight dates that may be different to our Holiday Package start/end dates
Use a Travel Credit already held with the airline
Use their travel agent for this service

We are able to assist with flights on any Holiday Package, so please just notify us during the Book Now process or contact our team.

Should I take travel insurance?

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. During the Book Now process please confirm you require assistance, and our team will be in contact with you.

What should I do before travelling?

Before you travel it is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate documentation including visas. If you are travelling on a passport other than Australian or New Zealand, you will require a permit to re-enter Australia. It is your responsibility as the traveller and/or travel booker to meet all government entry requirements.

For more information please visit - Before you travel | Entire Travel Group

How does a Travel Agent make a booking?

Please visit the Entire Travel Group's Agent Portal. We are here to support our industry partners with a range of informative updates, marketing collateral for campaigns and a reward & recognition program.

How do I start a Booking?

On any page that has Book Now simply follow the booking process.
You must select the Travel Agent tick box and provide correct details.
To confirm a booking only the refundable deposit is required.
An agency credit card must be used for this initial payment.

How do I contact Entire Travel Group?

For more information please visit - Contact us | Entire Travel Group

Golden Eagle: Jewels of the Silk Road (Tour code: 13978)

Highlights

Overview

Inclusions