From Tehran to Tashkent Aboard the Golden Eagle

This grand rail journey by private train stretches from Iran, through Turkmenistan, and finally into Uzbekistan. Begin in Iran’s dynamic capital, Tehran, and explore the ruins of Persepolis, romantic Shiraz, glorious Isfahan, Zoroastrian Yazd, and sacred Mashad. In Turkmenistan, discover ancient Merv and the marble monuments of the capital. Admire the glowing Silk Road oases of Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, and end in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.

A westbound departure from Tashkent to Tehran is also available, as well as a longer version of this route between Tehran and Moscow (eastbound / westbound).

15 Day Trip

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Overview Itinerary

MIR Signature Experiences on this Tour
  • Experience the busy markets and teahouses of Bukhara
    Experience the timeless character of Bukhara’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with its winding streets, colorful markets, and chaikhana (tea houses)....
    Read More
  • Contemplate the Eternal Flame
    Visit the Fire Temple in Yazd to see its eternal flame, said to have been burning since 470 AD; then contemplate the Towers of Silence, where Zoroastrians placed their dead....
    Read More
  • Survey the complex Persian architecture of beautiful Isfahan
    Survey the complex Persian architecture of Isfahan’s gracefully proportioned UNESCO-listed Imam Square, decorated with cobalt, turquoise and lapis lazuli mosaic tiles....
    Read More
  • Admire UNESCO-listed Gulestan Palace in Iran’s capital, Tehran
    Gulestan Palace is the oldest of Tehran’s historic monuments, begun in the 16th century as a fortress by the Safavid dynasty, and encompassing several palatial buildings around a cool green garden....
    Read More
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Why Travel with MIR on this Tour
  • Over 30 years of Central Asia travel experience
  • Travel programs such as Vassar, Dartmouth and the Harvard Museum of Natural History have chosen MIR to guide them to Central Asia
  • Twice named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
  • On-the-ground support and quality you can trust
  • Personalized travel planning from start to finish
  • Guides and tour managers that clients rave about
Download Detailed Itinerary
Rail Journey by Private Train Group Tour

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route.  Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance

Days 1-3: Tehran

Arriving in Iran’s capital, tour the State Jewels Museum and UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, then board the Golden Eagle Persia Express on its way to Shiraz, “City of Roses and Nightingales.”

Highlights

  • Golestan Palace, with the Marble Throne, created from 65 pieces of yellow Yazd marble
  • Crown Jewels at the Central Bank

Days 4-5: Persepolis, Shiraz, Isfahan

Explore the magnificent archaeological site of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings. In fabled Shiraz, visit the tomb of Iran’s favorite poet, Hafez. In beautiful Isfahan, wander graceful Imam Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great treasures.

Highlights

  • UNESCO-listed Persepolis, one of the most important sites of the Ancient World
  • “City of Roses and Nightingales,” Shiraz
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Days 6-8: Yazd, Rayen, Mahan, Mashad

Visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Yazd to see its eternal flame, said to have been burning since 470 AD. Discover the thousand-year-old mud-brick citadel of Rayen, and continue to Mahan, a small town famed for its luxurious Persian Shazadeh, or Prince Garden. In Mashad, admire the sacred shrine of Imam Reza and the poet Ferdowsi's mausoleum.

Highlights

  • 5th century Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Yazd
  • Towers of Silence
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Days 9-10: Merv, Ashgabat

Arriving in Turkmenistan, visit the ancient ruins of Merv, capital of the Seljuk Turks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the modern capital, Ashgabat, discover the white marble buildings so plentiful that they were awarded a Guinness World Record in 2013.

Highlights

  • Ruins of Marghiana and Archaeological Museum in UNESCO-listed ancient Merv
  • Capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, with marble and gold monuments

Days 11-13: Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

Cross the border into Uzbekistan and investigate Khiva, among the most important oases on the Silk Road. In Uzbekistan’s largest oasis city, Bukhara, highlights include the mud-brick Ark Citadel, the fortified residence of the emirs of Bukhara, and the Palace of the Moon and Stars. Spend some time in Samarkand, Tamerlane’s beautiful capital, admiring the Ulug Bek Observatory, Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the majestic Registan.

Highlights

  • Ichon-Qala, Khiva’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Tash-Hauli Palace, built in the 19th century for the khan and his wives
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Days 14-15: Tashkent

Visit Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, a modern city rebuilt in the Soviet style after an earthquake in 1966. Wander its Old Town, view the Uthman Koran, said to be the oldest in the world, and browse the Applied Art Museum to admire the embroidered coverlets called suzani.

Highlights

  • Old Town Tashkent, with its winding streets, mud-brick buildings and Middle Eastern feel
  • The Uthman Koran, thought to be the world’s oldest

See Dates & Prices for more details or to see suggested extensions.

Download Detailed Itinerary
Rail Journey by Private Train Group Tour

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route.  Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Tour Dates & Prices
Trip Length: 15 Days

Land Tour Price, Per Person

  • Silver Class, twin share
    $19,195
  • Silver Class, single
    $28,895
  • Gold Class, twin share
    $22,895
  • Gold Class, single
    $33,995
  • Imperial Suite Class, twin share
    $38,395
  • Imperial Suite Class, single
    $76,695

2019 Dates

  • October 13-27
  • FROM
  • $19,195
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What’s Included

On Your Tour

  • Accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle private train.
  • Per the itinerary, 3 nights of shared accommodation in well-located hotels.
  • All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day, including a generous, though not unlimited, allowance of wine or local beer (except in Iran), soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners.
  • Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities.
  • All guided off-train tours per itinerary.
  • The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while on board the train.
  • All gratuities.
  • Baggage handling.

Before Your Tour

  • Personalized pre-departure support from one of our knowledgeable Tour Specialists.
  • Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list and reading list.
  • Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
  • Customized visa application instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
  • Final document packet including luggage tags, final updates, and more.
  • Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international and internal airfares are not included in the land tour cost).
Download Detailed Itinerary
Rail Journey by Private Train Group Tour

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route.  Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare

MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.

More Info

Reading List

MIR recommends reading up before you leave home. So settle back in your armchair with some of our favorite books about our favorite places.

More Info

Visas

Most MIR programs require one or more visas, and each visa requires a completely blank page in your passport. Visa information for this particular tour is listed in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.

More Info

Travel Insurance

Stay a Little Longer…

MIR can arrange for an extended program in the Caucasus, Iran, or Central Asia before or after your tour. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.

Or, choose from one of these suggested itineraries:

Is this Trip Right for You?

This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers. Flexibility, a sense of humor and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are essential components to the enjoyment of this trip.

A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.

Read our Travel Journals

MIR's Travel Journals offer first hand accounts of MIR's fascinating destinations.

  • Jewels of Persia: Iran by Private Train

    Jewels of Persia: Iran by Private Train

    Douglas Grimes and Annie Lucas, MIR's President and Vice President, had the privilege of being aboard the inaugural journey of the first western private train allowed into Iran. A round trip journey from Budapest to Tehran and back aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train, this was a first-of-its-kind itinerary and an historic undertaking.... Read More

  • Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: An Enigmatic Exploration

    Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: An Enigmatic Exploration

    Follow along with MIR Corporation Tour Specialist Meaghan Samuels as she explores beautiful and enigmatic Iran on MIR's Ancient Persia, Modern Iran small group tour.... Read More

See All Journals
MIR in the News
See All Press & Awards
From the Blog
See All Blog Posts

Golden Eagle

The perfect combination of remote destinations and comfortable accommodations, rail journeys by private train open a world of discovery to travelers who enjoy comfort and leisure time as well as exciting new vistas.

The exclusive Golden Eagle private train furnishes the dream of Old World rail travel with modern comforts and amenities that make the journey as pleasant as the destination. The luxurious Golden Eagle is a fully en suite train and a restful and satisfying way to experience legendary rail routes.

Train & Hotel
Accommodations
Life Aboard
The Train
Train & Hotel Accommodations

Relax and enjoy the panorama rolling past your private window and disembark for guided off-train touring in fascinating towns and cities along the way.

Each sleeping carriage on the Golden Eagle has its own attendants who provide bed turndown service, plus tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day. Attendants keep an eye on everything while guests are away from the train. L’Occitane body products, as well as premium bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer, are provided in all cabin categories.

  • Imperial Suite

    Imperial Suite

    Imperial Suites are the most beautiful and spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle. Measuring a surprising 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meters), they are furnished with a luxurious king size bed, dedicated seating area, dressing table and private en suite facilities with large power shower and under floor heating. Individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows make the cabin a pleasant retreat.

    Additional Information

    Imperial Suite dimensions – 2 suites per departure / 1 suite per carriage:

    Cabin area (total, including bathroom) – 120 sq ft (11.1 sq m)
    Cabin length – 17′ 4″ (5.3 m)
    Cabin width – 6′ 7″ (2 m)
    Bed length – 6′ 2″ (1.9 m)
    Bed width – 5′ (1.5 m)

    (click on photo to see larger version)


  • Gold Class

    Gold Class

    Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and feature modern en suite amenities including power showers, under floor heating, a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, remote-controlled air-conditioning/heating, recessed lighting and wardrobe and a personal safe. Each cabin is configured with upper and lower berths, and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy.

    Additional Information

    Gold Class cabin dimensions – 5 cabins/carriage:

    Cabin area (total, including bathroom) – 77 sq ft (7 sq m)
    Cabin length – 11′ 8″ (3.6 m)
    Cabin width – 6′ 7″ (2 m)
    Size of bathroom – 6′ 6″ x 4′  (2.4 sq m)
    Bed length – 6′ 2″ (1.9 m)
    Lower bed width – 4′ 5″ (1.35 m)
    Upper bed width – 2′ 9″ (85 cm)

    Lower bed converts to a sofa for daytime use.

    Note: The 5th compartment is of a slightly different layout (68 sq ft), and will normally be allocated to single guests.

    (click on photo to see larger version)


  • Silver Class

    Silver Class

    Silver Class cabins are more compact than Gold Class cabins with similar facilities. Silver Class cabins feature the same amenities as Gold Class cabins but in a smaller space and with a smaller, wet room-style shower area.

    Additional Information

    Silver Class cabin dimensions – 6 cabins/carriage:

    Cabin area (total, including bathroom) – 60 sq ft (5.5 sq m)
    Cabin length – 8′ 8″ (2.6 m)
    Cabin width – 6′ 7″ (2 m)
    Size of bathroom – 4′ 6″ x 3′ (1.25 sq m)
    Bed length (upper & lower) – 6′ 2″ (190 cm)
    Lower bed width – 3′ 6″ (1.1 m)
    Upper bed width – 2′ 9″ (85 cm)

    (click on photo to see larger version)


  • Hotel Accommodations

    Hotel Accommodations

    The first and last nights of most tours are spent in well-appointed four and five star hotels. Some tours feature additional hotel nights. Please review the detailed itinerary for specifics pertaining to each tour and departure. Additional nights before and after any tour can be arranged on request.

Life Aboard the Train
Dining Car of the Golden Eagle,/i> luxury private train Photo credit: Golden Eagle Luxury Private Train

The Golden Eagle private train provides everything you need for a pleasurable journey. Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the relaxed and casual environment onboard, with no need to wear formal attire on excursions or while dining. Bear in mind that no alcohol will be served onboard while traveling through Iran.

Train formations are not fixed, as the composition varies to suit the number of passengers on a given departure. Iran departures will generally range 35-65 passengers.  The exact configuration of the train on any particular journey may not be determined until close to departure. 

Please note that a variety of cabins styles are in use aboard the train. Decor, layout, type and number of dining, bar and sleeping cars on your journey may differ from the sample images depicted in our brochures/websites.

  • Bar/Lounge Car

    Bar/Lounge Car

    A Bar/Lounge Car is a favorite destination in the train formation and is typically included on most departures. The lounge offers a relaxing and comfortable area where you can enjoy a drink, take language lessons, and gather around the piano with other passengers.

    Additional Information

    (click on photo to see larger version)


  • Dining Cars

    Dining Cars

    Dining Cars feature local and European cuisine complemented by a selection of local and European wines (except on trips in Iran). Dining cars are multi-purpose, used for on-board lectures and viewing documentaries. One or more dining cars may be included in the train formation of any given departure depending on the number of passengers.

    Additional Information

    (click on photo to see larger version)


  • Off-Train Tours

    Off-Train Tours

    Rail journeys feature an extensive selection of educational city tours in the various stops on our routes. Private coaches and local guides whisk you away from your private train for fascinating half- or full-day forays into the principal towns and cities, sometimes including an in-city dining opportunity. Read through this tour’s itinerary for more information (found on the Itinerary & Map tab of this page).