golden eagle luxury trains

VOYAG ES O F A L I FET I ME BY P R I VAT E T R AI N TM

TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

golden eagle

trans-siberian express
moscow - kazan - yekaterinburg - novosibirsk - irkutsk - lake baikal
ulan ude - ulaan baatar - khabarovsk (westbound only) - vladivostok

Undoubtedly the worlds greatest railway journey, the Trans-Siberian Railway

runs like a steel ribbon across mysterious Russia connecting east and west
from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent and endless steppe and
alongside the shore of the worlds largest freshwater lake. Opened in stages
between 1891 and 1916, this extraordinary engineering achievement is a vital
link for all the communities that live in close proximity to the line and to travel
along this route is by far the best way to experience the vastness and grandeur
of Russias rarely visited interior.
The official length of the Trans-Siberian line between Moscow and Vladivostok
is 9,288 kilometres, making it the longest single-service railway in the world.
As part of our itinerary we will also travel along the branch line at Lake Baikal
and away from the main Trans-Siberian line when we head into Mongolia and
its capital Ulaan Baatar.
Our classic Trans-Siberian Express tours onboard the Golden Eagle between
Moscow and Vladivostok take a leisurely two weeks. By the time your journey
ends we will have passed through eight time zones, a third of the worlds
total, and travelled an incredible distance of 6,500 miles (11,000 kilometres)
through Russia and Mongolia.
As Eric Newby in his 1977 book The Big Red Train Ride succinctly stated, The
Trans-Siberian is the big train ride. All the rest are peanuts.

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

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golden eagle

trans-siberian express
moscow

Kazan

RUSSIA

Yekaterinburg

Novosibirsk
CASPIAN
SEA

Khabarovsk
Lake Baikal

KAZAKHSTAN

Irkutsk

Ulan Ude

MONGOLIA

Ulaan Baatar

vladivostok

IRAN

JAPAN

CHINA

daily tour itineraries

tour schedules
EASTBOUND 2014
May 4 18

WESTBOUND 2014
May 17 31

EASTBOUND

WESTBOUND

Day 1

Arrive Moscow

Day 1

Arrive Vladivostok

June 1 15

June 14 28

Day 2

Moscow

Day 2

Vladivostok

July 27 August 10

August 9 23

Day 3

Kazan

Day 3

Khabarovsk

Yekaterinburg

Day 4

Onboard

Day 5

Novosibirsk

Day 5

Onboard

August 24 September 7

September 6 20

Day 4

EASTBOUND 2015
May 3 17

WESTBOUND 2015
May 16 30

Day 6

Onboard

Day 6

Ulaan Baatar

Day 7

Irkutsk

Day 7

Ulan Ude

May 31 June 14

June 13 27

Day 8

Lake Baikal

Day 8

Lake Baikal

July 26 August 9

August 8 22

Day 9

Ulan Ude

Day 9

Irkutsk

August 23 September 6

September 5 19

Day 10

Ulaan Baatar

Day 10

Onboard

Day 11

Onboard

Day 11

Novosibirsk

Onboard

Day 12

Yekaterinburg

Day 13

Onboard

Day 13

Kazan

Day 14

Vladivostok

Day 14

Moscow

Day 15

Depart Vladivostok

Day 15

Depart Moscow

Day 12

tour includes
1 night in Moscow | 12 nights onboard the Golden Eagle | 1 night in Vladivostok

moscow kazan yekaterinburg novosibirsk irkutsk lake baikal

ulan ude ulaan baatar khabarovsk (westbound only) vladivostok
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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private Train | TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

The tour was extremely wellorganised, all the staff were

outstanding and we were
pleasantly surprised that the
tour had many more inclusions
and tours than advertised.

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

21

tour highlights

St Basils Cathedral, Moscow

moscow
0 KM |
Time zone: Moscow time

Our touring programme of Moscow principally takes us to the

grandeur of the Kremlin the spiritual, historical and political
heart of Moscow and to see the treasures of the Tsars in the
Armoury Chamber. We also visit Red Square, an iconic symbol of
Russias former military and political might with its eclectic mix of
fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basils Cathedrals
magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful faade of the world
famous GUM department store, constructed in Tsarist times, and
the sombre and evocative site of Lenins tomb.
With our Freedom of Choice touring options you may instead wish
to travel out of the city centre to Sergiev Posad, home to one of
the most beautiful monasteries in Russia and the historical and
spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church or visit the famous
State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art).

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Our Golden Eagle train, on selected departures, will be hauled by a

Russian steam locomotive for the first/last section of the journey.
With the opportunity to photograph the locomotive in Moscow
Kazansky Station it makes for an unforgettable way to start, or end,
your journey onboard Russias premier train, the Golden Eagle.
Included in our time spent in Moscow is one night at the five-star
Marriott Royal Aurora, or similar. Located in Moscow city centre, and
within walking distance of Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, this
luxury hotel offers spacious accommodation with butler service for
each guest room the only hotel in Moscow to offer this fine service.
Why not extend your stay in Moscow with additional nights to
explore more of the city at your leisure or have time to take in a
performance at the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre? Tickets need
to be pre-booked and are subject to schedule and availability.

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

Voyages of a Lifetime by Private Train | TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

kazan
820 KM |
Time zone: Moscow time

Situated on the River Volga, the picturesque and historic city of Kazan
is the capital of Tatarstan. Here we have the opportunity to see for
ourselves its rich tapestry of history and culture. One of the highlights of
this city tour is our exploration of the Kremlin Fortress, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Within the walls of this ancient citadel we will explore its
stunning mosque and picture-perfect onion-domed cathedral.
As Kazan is the birthplace of one of Russias most famous opera
singers, Feodor Chaliapin (1873-1938), we honour his memory with a
private concert of his music.
You will also have time to wander through the main pedestrian area of
Kazan and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city.

Classic wooden architecture, Irkutsk

the imposing Opera House is located. An architectural marvel, it

houses two permanent ballet and opera companies and is one of
the largest opera houses in the world. In front of the Opera House,
we visit an impressive statue of Lenin a marvellous opportunity to
have your photograph taken with this iconic political leader.
Alternatively, south of the city you could visit Novosibirsks excellent
Railway Museum on our Freedom of Choice tour. The museum
displays locomotives and rolling stock from the late 1800s, including
carriages of the Tsars, through to the Soviet era. Or choose to go to
the Mineralogical Centre with its fine display of Siberian minerals.

yekaterinburg
1814 KM |
Time zone: Moscow time + 2 hours

Founded in 1723 by Peter the Great, Yekaterinburg, is the capital

of the Urals. Known as the Great Divide, the Ural Mountains create
the natural border between Europe and Asia so that the cultural
and architectural influences of European and Asian civilisations
come together in this fascinating and cosmopolitan landscape.
Our city tour takes us to the poignant site where the Romanov,
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, was executed with his family by the
Bolsheviks in 1918 following 78 days of imprisonment. Now a
church dedicated to their memory, this site provides us with a
powerful insight into the turmoil of the Russian Revolution.

For those interested in art there is also the Freedom of Choice option to
visit the State Art Museum with an extensive collection including icons,
Siberian art and numerous distinctive mountainscapes by celebrated
spiritual Russian painter Nicholas Roerich. It also displays temporary art
and photography exhibitions by local and international artists.

Our Freedom of Choice programme will also offer activities such as

a walking tour of the city, or explore the intriguing Soviet military
past in a visit to Yekaterinburg Military Museum which displays
fragments of the U2 American spy-plane flown by Gary Powers
that was shot down in this area in 1960 during the Cold War.

Our visit to Irkutsk, the Paris of Siberia, takes in the most significant
sites and museums in this fascinating city, including an exploration
of the classic wooden architecture with its intricately carved lacelike decorations that has given many of this regions buildings such
a distinctive and unique appearance. We also visit the Volkonsky
House Museum, which is dedicated to the memory of the aristocrats
who were exiled to this remote outpost after the failed Decembrists
uprising of 1825, and we recreate the atmosphere of that time with
a champagne reception and private concert.

novosibirsk
3336 KM |

irkutsk
5185 KM |
Time zone: Moscow time + 5 hours

Time zone: Moscow time + 3 hours

A modern Soviet city, we experience the life and character of

Novosibirsks rich culture where the arts and science predominate.
The city is located in the heart of Russia and is situated on both
banks of the River Ob. Our city tour takes us to Lenin Square where

You could learn to cook some traditional Russian dishes with a local
chef and prepare your own lunch with our Freedom of Choice option.
Or you might also wish to visit a traditional Russian Dacha (summer
house) or an urban apartment to get an insight into the everyday life
of an average Russian family.

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

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lake baikal

Signature
Experiences

Time zone: Moscow time + 5 hours

Champagne reception and military brass

band playing at the station on departure
Private concert in Irkutsk

Barbecue on the shore of Lake Baikal

Swim in the ice-cold waters of Lake Baikal

Visit a nomadic family in a Mongolian ger

Few natural sights can surpass the beauty and grandeur of Lake
Baikal and is a major highlight on our Trans-Siberian journey. Lake
Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and holds 20 per cent of the
worlds freshwater. Also known as the Pearl of Siberia it is home
to a unique breed of freshwater seal and over 50 species of fish
including omul. For five hours we wind our way through tunnels along
cliff hugging tracks above the lake with a vista of snow capped peaks
along the far shore forming a picture-perfect backdrop.
Weather permitting, we stop in an extremely picturesque location by
the lake for photographic opportunities and for the brave hearted
there is time for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear and ice-cold

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private Train | TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

waters of Baikal. Travelling onwards to the end of the Baikal branch

line, we leave the train and travel by boat on the lake to Listvyanka,
a small Baikal settlement nestling at the base of the surrounding
hills and visit the Lake Baikal Museum and Aquarium where you
can learn about the flora and fauna of the lake.
We will enjoy a delicious barbecue, including freshly smoked omul
fish, prepared by our own chefs on the shore of Lake Baikal to
complete a memorable day.
As part of our Freedom of Choice excursion programme you can
choose a hiking opportunity that offers some spectacular and
panoramic hillside views of the lake below.

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

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Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Mongolia

ulan Ude

Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery of wild Mongolia, having the
opportunity to visit a traditional Ger and meet a nomadic family or try
our hand at horse-riding, an intrinsic part of Mongolian life.

5640 KM | -
Time zone: Moscow time + 5 hours

The ethnic and cultural diversity of Ulan Ude, the capital of the
Buryat Republic, offers a unique insight into its heritage. As we
tour the area you will notice the different faces of these welcoming
Buryat people. During our exploration of the Old Believers Village
we have the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of
these religious people as we are treated to a concert featuring local
traditions and folk singing.

ulaan Baatar, Mongolia

Alternatively there is an option to stay in the city as part of our

Freedom of Choice touring. After Gandan Monastery and Sukhbaatar
Square we visit the National Museum where we learn about the
countrys intriguing history. Well also see Bogd Khan Winter Palace
Museum, the winter residences of Bogd Khan, the last Mongolian
emperor, built between 1893 and 1903. We can also explore the city
and have some free time for shopping for Mongolian souvenirs, and
their speciality cashmere.
We will also enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian throat
singing and contortionists.

Time zone: Moscow time + 4 hours

Our Trans-Siberian adventure takes us into Mongolia and a visit to its

capital, Ulaan Baatar. Mongolia, once the very centre of an enormous
empire led by Genghis Khan, is a country of beautiful landscapes,
nomadic people and rich in culture and history. Mongolia is famous
for its endless green Steppes, grazing livestock and white, nomadic
Gers (Yurts) dotted all across the countryside.
We start the tour at Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolias most
important Buddhist Monasteries housing a community of over 500
monks. The full name, Gandantegchinlen, translates as the great
place of complete joy. At Sukhbaatar Square we can see the central
monument to Genghis Khan, undoubtedly the most feared and
revered Mongol. We then drive out of the city to Gorkhi-Terelj National
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days onboard the

golden eagle
Each Trans-Siberian departure has a number of days onboard
the Golden Eagle. These days offer the opportunity to unwind
and reflect on the many sights and sounds we have experienced
or are about to experience on our rail journey so far.
Chat to your fellow passengers, take a Russian language
class, listen to a talk on Soviet or Russian history, learn about
the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway or simply relax
and enjoy the ever-changing landscape outside your window
as it unfolds.

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

Voyages of a Lifetime by Private Train | TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

khabarovsk

WESTBOUND ONLY

vladivostok

8523 KM |

9288 KM |

Time zone: Moscow time + 7 hours

Time zone: Moscow time + 7 hours

Located 15 miles (25 kilometres) from the border with China,

Khabarovsk stretches along the banks of the Amur River. Khabarovsk
was founded as a military post in 1858, but the region had been
populated by several indigenous peoples of the Far East for many
centuries. It is now a busy city with tree-lined streets.
Well visit the memorial to Yerofey Pavlovich Khabarov, the Far East
explorer the city is named after, and the impressive World War Two
memorial to the fallen soldiers. We will also have time at the Regional
Museum where the local history has been well-preserved with a rich
collection of artefacts describing the cultural and natural history of
the region.

Vladivostok is a military port, located on the western shores of the

Sea of Japan and is home to the Russian Navys Pacific Fleet. Due
to its military importance, the city was closed to foreigners between
1930 and 1992. Vladivostok (literally translated as Ruler of the
East) offers visitors an interesting opportunity to explore its principal
military attractions including a visit to a preserved World War Two
submarine. Our city tour will also take us to the iconic suspension
bridge over Golden Horn Bay, one of the largest of its kind worldwide,
which opened in 2012 for the APEC conference.
Our hotel in Vladivostok, where we stay for one night, is the four-star
Hotel Hyundai.

Siberia

To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

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