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Private Train Info | |
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Accommodations on
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Life on the Private Train | |
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The Silk Road by Private Train
The Princes of Muscovy traded precious furs – sable, ermine and fox – for the silks of China that reached their borders on the backs of swaying camels along the old Silk Road. Today you can make the epic journey between Beijing and Moscow on a comfortable private train instead of, as in the old days, hazarding the wild deserts and fierce tribes of Central Asia with a caravan of well-armed merchants. The Silk Road route operates from Beijing to Moscow and vice versa. Please note: Smaller segments of this 21-day rail journey are now available, capturing the magic of the Silk Road in a shorter time frame. Travel between Moscow and Almaty or between Urumqi and Beijing.
Days 1-3: Moscow Check into a five star hotel. Founded in 1147 by Yuri Dolgoruky, Moscow celebrated its 850th anniversary in 1997. Visit Red Square, the Kremlin, and the classic sites before boarding the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train. Days 4-5: Volgograd, Kara Kum Desert On the banks of the River Volga, Stalingrad (now Volgograd) was the scene of one of the most important battles of World War II. The train crosses into Kazakhstan and rolls through the Kara Kum Desert, where you may see a camel or two. Day 6-8: Khiva, Ashkabad, Merv Crossing into Uzbekistan, admire Khiva, among the most important trade centers on the Silk Road. Arrive in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashkabad, and take a tour of this modern city. Visit the ancient ruins of Merv, capital of the Seljuk Turks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Days 9-11: Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, cross into Kazakhstan Awaken to Uzbekistan’s largest oasis city, Bukhara. The highlights here are the mud-brick Ark, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, and the Lyabi-Hauz plaza, its atmosphere cooled by the lovely reflecting pool in its center. Spend a day admiring the Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulug Bek Observatory and Registan Square in Samarkand, Tamerlane’s beautiful capital. Visit Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, a modern city rebuilt in the Soviet style after an earthquake in 1966. The Russia/Central Asia portion of the itinerary (Moscow to Almaty) is available on its own without China portion of the journey. Please see the Russia and Central Asia train tour page for more information. Days 12-13: Almaty, cross into China In Almaty, tour Kazakhstan's business capital and largest city, including a visit to the 170-foot wooden Zenkov Cathedral and lunch in a Kazakh mountain yurt. Cross the Chinese border and transfer to the waiting Shangri-La Express private train. Days 14-15: Urumqi, Turpan, Dunhuang Arrive in Urumqi, the modern "capital" of western China. Visit Turpan, the hottest city in China, with an ancient underground irrigation system that has fed its orchards and vineyards for centuries. Make a stop in the ruined city of Jiaohe, built in the 2nd century near Turpan. In Dunhuang, explore the UNESCO-listed Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves, containing almost 500 frescoed grottoes carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago. Days 16-17: Jiayuguan, Xi'an Visit the 14th century fortress at the end of the Great Wall and stop at the fort and museum in Jiayuguan. Reboarding the train, roll through the Gobi towards Xi'an. Stop to inspect the armies of Terra Cotta Warriors guarding the grave of an emperor since 200 BC, and enjoy an evening Tang Dynasty cultural performance. Days 18-21: Beijing Arriving in Beijing, transfer to a premier hotel for a three-night stay. Take in the classic sights of China’s greatest city, including the imposing Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City and enormous Tiananmen Square. Visit the Great Wall at Badaling and toast the successful completion of the journey at a farewell dinner. The China portion of the itinerary (Urumqi to Beijing) is available on its own without the Central Asia portion of the journey. Please see the China train tour page for more information. Trip Details
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MIR Signature Features
- Meet travelers from around the globe and converse while sampling traditional Russian and classic Asian cuisine
- Marvel at Russia's tribute to the fallen heroes of World War II in Volgograd
- Take in Central Asia's vibrant bazaars in legendary Samarkand and Bukhara
- Journey to the mystical waters of Tianchi (Heavenly) Lake in remote Western China
- Follow in the footsteps of explorers through the desert sands of the Gobi to the Great Wall of China
Map - Click to Enlarge
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
Silk Road Eastbound
Suggested Extensions
Extend your stay in either China or Russia. Contact us for details.« View a Printer-Friendly PDF of this information
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Some images on this page coursey Peter Guttman
