Route: Beijing – Xi’an – Dunhuang – Urumqi – Almaty – Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Merv – Ashgabat – Khiva – the Kara-Kum – Wołgogród – Moscow

Day 1. Beijing
Welcome at the airport and then drive to the Peninsula Palace or another of the same class .Afternoon free, opportunity to get acquainted with other participants of the expedition with a welcome dinner.

Day 2. Beijing
After breakfast, full day tour of the city, including the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

Day 3. Beijing
After breakfast, stroll to the Great Wall of China and visiting the tomb of the Ming family. Dinner and then drive to the train station, where the most luxurious train in China will be ready to go – China Orient Express, where we will go in it over 10 thousand kilometers of road to Moscow.

Day 4. Beijing – Xi’an
In the early afternoon arrival of the train to the ancient city of Xi’an. City tour of its Grand Mosque, a 14-kilometer city wall, the teachings herein towers. A visit to a local pagoda and then walk to the lake Huaging and rustic hot springs. Lunch and dinner on the town. Transportation to the Sheraton Hotel, where accommodation is provided.

Day 5. Xi’an
The morning is devoted to visiting the Museum of the Terracotta Army. Found by villagers 30 years ago more than 6,000 terracotta figures depicting armed warriors is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. Back on the train, dinner.

Day 6. Dunhuang
Morning drive train through the Gobi desert, in the afternoon arrival of the train to Liuyang, and then drive to the small town of Dunhuang purpose of visiting the complex Magao. It consists of almost 500 caves filled with sculptures and paintings of Buddhist art. More than 2,000 statues and 45,000 murals still in excellent condition. Dinner at the restaurant. Overnight in Dunhuang.

Day 7. Dunhuang
Morning visit to the Sand Dunes where the more adventurous can take part in the race on camels to Moon Lake. Return to the train for lunch and departure of the Gobi Desert in the distal direction.

Day 8. Turpan
Turpan is the location where the Flaming Mountains create a magnificent backdrop. We take a fascinating tour to the ancient underground irrigation system that has successfully fed the rich orchards and vineyards for centuries. We will visit the Museum of Turpan with its 5,000 artefacts detailing the rich history of the area and includes the Ancient Mummy exhibition with exhibits dating back 3,200 years.

Our final destination is the elegantly decaying sand fortress city of Jiaohe that was founded in 108 BC and became an important trading route along the Silk Road until it was abandoned in the 13th century following a raid by Genghis Khan.

Day 9. Drive to Kazakhstan
After a final breakfast onboard the Shangri-La Express, we pass through dramatic mountain scenery before arriving at the Chinese border station of Alashankou. The border crossing takes approximately 5 hours, however our patience is rewarded as our private train, the Golden Eagle, awaits us in Druzhba, the Kazakh border station.

Day 10. Almaty
Arrival in the largest city in Kazakhstan, after breakfast. The area is famous for its beautiful valleys located in the Tien Shen, in one of them dinner will be served in a traditional Cossack yurt . The rest of the day is devoted to sightseeing and return to the train for dinner.

Day 11. Tashkent
Arrival in the capital of Uzbekistan. Afternoon tour of the city, which was rebuilt after the great earthquake that struck the region in 1966. After visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art back to the train for dinner and then drive to Samarkand.

Day 12. Samarkand
Many words have been used to describe this city – “the jewel of the Islamic world”, “Paris of the Muslim world,” “Rome of the East” are just some of them. List of worshipers is infinitely long, and we can find on it for example; Marc Polo, Tamerlane, Alexander the Great and many others list of exotic places. Founded in the sixth century B.C., thanks to its unique architecture it is one of the most important cities in Asia. A day dedicated to visiting the main facilities such as mosque Bibi Kharum observatory Ulugh Beg, illuminated Registan Square, in whose glow will be given dinner. Back on the train and possibly moving at night on their way.

Day 13. Bukhara
Arrival to Bukhara, the biggest city-oases of Uzbekistan, Sightseeing, whose main point is to visit the Ark, the fortified residence of the emir, the ruler known for his exceptional cruelty. Lunch at one of the many in madrassas (Islamic schools beautifully decorated, popular in the area). After lunch a trip outside the city and visit the Palace of the Moon and Stars belonging to the emir. Dinner on the train.

Day 14. Merv
From Mary we transfer to the ancient and mainly unrestored remains of Merv. Once an important stopping point on the Silk Road, it claims to have briefly been the largest city in the world during the 12th century.

1794 saw the demise of Merv, after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population depended on for its water.

Day 15. Ashgabat
Ashgabat, 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.

The city’s extravagant fountains, golden domes and towering modern buildings appear strangely incongruous in this desert setting. Highlights on our visit include a visit to the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque.

Day 16. Khiva
Drive through Uzbekistan to Urgench. There, the train stops, to be able to visit a population of 2,500 years in the city of Khiva, which has historically been an important trading center on the road between Mongolia, Russia, China and Paris. This is reflected in the wonderful buildings, mosques, bazaars and mosques – because the city was inscribed on the World Heritage List. Lunch at one of the former summer residence of the family Chan. Back to the train and departure towards Russia. Dinner on the train.

Day 17. Kara-Kum
The train traverses a route through the territory of Kazakhstan, passing through the desert terrain of Kara-Kum. Note the scenic views and a few small villages encountered along the way, while some are planned stops. All meals on the train.

Day 18. Wołgogród
The city is situated on the banks of the Volga, in the days of communism known as Stalingrad, it witnessed arguably the most important battle of the Second World War. The Russians turned their march into the final of the German army, whose aim was rich in oil deposits Baku. After Stalingrad Germany have not won a single battle. A visit to the City Museum and then return to train at the last, given dinner here.

Day 19. Moscow
In the afternoon arrival of the train to Moscow. Transfer to a five-star Baltschug Kempinski hotel opposite the Kremlin and Red Square. Walk around the area. Farewell dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20-21. Moscow
After breakfast at the hotel explore the rapidly changing Russian capital. The last day – transportation to the international airport for departure.

Dates of journey in 2017: Sep 26 – Oct 16

Price:
Silver Class – from $24.490
Golden Class – from $30.690
Imperial Class – from $43.890

Prices per person in a twin cabin. Full board, drinks (depends of travel class) and trips included.