Caspian Odyssey by Private Train
Explore the countries on both the eastern and western shores of the
Caspian Sea - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia. With their location at the crossroads of trade, religion,
language and the arts, these countries host fascinating modern cultures
as well as some of the earth's most ancient and ageless architecture.
Days 1-2: Almaty, Tashkent
Arrive in Almaty, the largest city in Central Asia's
wealthiest country, Kazakhstan. After lunch in a yurt and a city tour, depart aboard
the luxury Golden Eagle private train. Get to know the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, a
modern city with reconstructed traces of its old town.
Days 3-5: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Darvaza
Visit three Uzbek
UNESCO Sites, the Silk Road oases of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. In
Turkmenistan, disembark for a drive though the desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater,
called locally "The Door to Hell."
Day 5: Novosibirsk
Stop in Novosibirsk, a Siberian town that grew into a city due to its position on the Trans-Siberian line. Visit the massive Opera House, Lenin Square and the Ob River, flowing 3,500 miles from its source to the Arctic.
Days 6-8: Ashkabad, Turkmenbashi, Baku
Explore the flamboyant gilded
architecture of Turkmenistan's capital, Ashkabad. Disembark at the country's only
seaport, Turkmenbashi, and board a ferry across the Caspian to Azerbaijan's capital,
Baku. Check into a fine hotel and tour the UNESCO-listed Old Town, encircled by
medieval city walls. Reboard the train on its way to Tbilisi.
Days 9-11: Tbilisi, Borjomi, Kutaisi, Gori, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta
In Georgia's capital,
Tbilisi, admire the 4th century Narikala Fortress. Tour Borjomi, a resort town
celebrated for its mineral water. Visit Kutaisi to admire
UNESCO-listed Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery.
Stop at Stalin's hometown, Gori, the cave town of Uplistsikhe and UNESCO-listed Mtskheta.
Days 12-13: Yerevan
The rail journey
ends in Armenia's capital, Yerevan,
a city older even than Rome.
Trip Details
| Westbound: |
From Almaty to Yerevan |
| Length of Trip: |
13 Days |
| |
| Departures in 2012: |
1 |
| Dates: |
October 27-November 8 |
| |
| |
1 nights hotel, 11 nights onboard the Golden Eagle private train.
|
 |
| |
| 2012 Land Tour Cost Per Person: |
|
| Silver Class, twin share |
$13,395 |
| Silver Class, single |
$19,995 |
| Gold Class, twin share |
$17,195 |
| Gold Class, single |
$24,395 |
| Imperial Class, twin share |
$26,795 |
| Imperial Class, single |
$37,995 |
|
Map - Click to Enlarge
Day-by-Day Itinerary
| Day 1: |
Almaty, board the train |
|
| Day 2: |
Tashkent |
|
| Day 3: |
Samarkand |
|
| Day 4: |
Bukhara |
|
| Day 5: |
Khiva, Darvaza |
|
| Day 6: |
Ashkabad |
| Day 7: |
Turkmenbashi, Baku |
|
|
| Day 8: |
Baku |
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| Day 9: |
Tbilisi |
|
| Day 10: |
Borjomi, Kutaisi |
|
| Day 11: |
Gori, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta |
|
| Days 12-13: |
Yerevan |
|
|
Suggested Extensions
Extend your stay in
either the Caucasus or Central Asia or both.
Contact us for details.
Some images on this page courtesy of James Carnehan, Michel Behar
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