Luxury Rail Vacation Brochure 2018 by Designers Up North Ltd

golden eagle luxury trains VOYAGE S O F A L IF E T IME BY PR IVAT E T R A IN

R AIL CRUISES 2018 - 2019

NORWAY

SWEDEN

GERMANY

Kirkenes (Norway) Nikel Murmansk

FINLAND POLAND LITHUANIA

GOLDEN EAGLE ROUTE MAP

LATVIA

ST. PETERSBURG

ESTONIA

Petrozavodsk BELARUS

MOSCOW

ROMANIA UKRAINE

PAGE

Vladimir & Suzdal

COLOUR KEY

Kazan

TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS Moscow - Vladivostok Vladivostok - Moscow

TRANS-SIBERIAN BAM EXPLORER Vladivostok - Ulaan Baatar

GEORGIA

Gori, Uplistsikhe & Mtskheta

TRANS-MONGOLIAN EXPRESS

Tbilisi Lake Sevan

Ulaan Baatar - Moscow 47

WINTER WONDERLAND

YEREVAN

Moscow - Ulaan Baatar - Vladivostok Vladivostok - Moscow 57

Baku

CASPIAN SEA

ARCTIC EXPLORER

Turkmenbashi

CASPIAN ODYSSEY Yerevan - Almaty

SILK ROAD Beijing - Moscow Almaty - Moscow Moscow - Almaty

KAZAKHSTAN UZBEKISTAN

Khiva

Moscow - St Petersburg St Petersburg - Moscow 65

Yekaterinburg

Volgograd

Darvaza

IRAN

Ashgabat Bukhara

Merv TURKMENISTAN

AFGHANISTAN

Tashkent KYRGYZSTAN Samarkand

ALMATY

Kamchatka Peninsula

RUSSIA

Novaya Chara Tynda Tynda

Novosibirsk

Komsomolsk

Novy Urgal

Severobaikalsk Abakan Irkutsk

Lake Baikal

Nerchinsk

Ulan Ude

Vysokogornaya

Komsomolsk

Vanino

Sovetskaya Gavan

Khabarovsk Sretensk

ULAAN BAATAR CHINA

MONGOLIA

Turpan

BEIJING Dunhuang

Xian

VLADIVOSTOK

JAPAN

WELCOME TO

GOLDEN EAGLE LUXURY TRAINS Since launching as GW Travel in 1989, we have developed a whole range of fully escorted rail cruises across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, carrying many thousands of delighted passengers.

required, or having that extra glass of wine with your meal complemented by your own private en-suite cabin. We want you to ultimately enjoy a relaxing and carefree experience. For 2018 we are also offering a collection of rail journeys across Europe, Persia and Asia. All featuring the signature touches of a Golden Eagle rail cruise, these journeys are highlighted on pages 88-89 or are available to view on our website www.getrains.com.

The majority of these tours either started or ended in Moscow, from where we operate the iconic Trans-Siberian and Silk Road journeys on board our exclusive train, the Golden Eagle. New for 2018, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re offering a unique opportunity to travel by private train through an outstanding area of untouched natural beauty of Siberia along the Baikal-Amur Magistral (BAM) line visiting some of the lesser known places and communities that go to form this iconic route, culminating with attending the spectacular Naadam Festival in Mongolia.

I invite you to look through our 201819 collection and feel certain that you will be inspired by our range of tours. On behalf of all the team at Golden Eagle Luxury Trains we look forward to welcome you on board one of our prestigious Voyages of a Lifetime by Private Train in the near future and to having the opportunity to share some special travel moments and experiences with you.

We are proud to offer these unique range of pioneering rail journeys to some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most remote and exotic destinations, all of which are designed and operated exclusively by us. Each tour is meticulously planned by our vastly experienced and knowledgeable team to offer you a wholly unique travel experience. A special part of our tours is the exceptional level of inclusivity that we provide, so that you do not have to worry about which excursion to take, the level of tipping

Tim Littler President & Founder Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited

STOP PRESS I am delighted to announce the launch of a new steam tour for late September 2018. Returning to the area of our very first Russian tour in 1992, we will cover 3,500 miles on a nostalgic rail journey from Moscow down to the North Caucasus and along the warm waters of the Black Sea coast, hauled throughout by restored Soviet era steam locomotives. Please register your interest by calling the UK office on +44 (0)161 928 9410 or visit www.getrains.com for more details.

CONTENTS

Foreword by Tim Littler, President & Founder

Rail Cruising By Private Train

What’s Included In The Tour Price

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express – Train Information Dining On Board Bar Lounge Car On Board Accommodation

Tour Itineraries

12 13 15

Trans-Siberian Express – Classic Trans-Siberian BAM Explorer (NEW) Trans-Mongolian Express – Naadam Festival Trans-Siberian Express – Winter Wonderland Arctic Explorer Caspian Odyssey Silk Road

21 31 39 47 57 65 73

Important Information About Our Tours

Tour Previews 2018-2019

Booking Conditions

As Eric Newby in his 1977 book The Big Red Train Ride succinctly stated,

‘ The Trans-Siberian is the big train ride.’ T H E T R A N S - S I B E R I A N E X P R E S S / FI R S T S U M M E R TO U R D E PA RT S M AY 2018

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golden eagle

RAIL CRUISING BY PRIVATE TRAIN

Rail cruising is a fantastic way to absorb the rich culture and cinematic landscape of the country. The programmes we offer are carefully designed to balance generous amounts of relaxation, while voyaging across the vast landscapes of Russia and Central Asia with sightseeing that opens a window into the soul and spirit of the places and communities we visit.

Thanks to the railway pioneers who drove railroads through some of the most inaccessible areas on earth, rail cruising uniquely allows us access to these remote regions; and whereas ocean cruising takes you to the edge of a country, rail cruising takes you to the very heart of it.

We offer our guests first-class customer service, a romantic exploration of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most remarkable sites and a room with a view that constantly changes. Aboard this luxury hotelon-wheels you can expect welcoming cabins, fine dining and elegant surroundings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no matter where you choose to explore.

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

golden eagle

UNIQUE ITINERARIES Our rail cruise itineraries are planned and operated exclusively by us and we never lose sight of the little things that really matter to you so that you can experience our Voyages of a Lifetime in a relaxed and informal manner. Our itineraries are designed to turn dreams of a lifetime into priceless memories and take in some of the most culturally diverse destinations the world has to offer. Whether you have always wanted to discover Siberia’s grand wilderness, Mongolia’s nomadic culture or explore ancient

history of the Silk Road, we have created an exclusive range of extraordinary rail cruises. With Russia and its neighbouring countries changing so rapidly, it remains an immensely exciting time to visit and draw back the veil on a

part of the world surrounded by intrigue, myth and legend not to mention that it also offers some of the most remarkable and iconic rail journeys in the world.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES VISITED ON OUR TOURS RUSSIA

CHINA

UZBEKISTAN

• • • • • •

• Mogao Caves, Dunhuang

• Itchan Kala, Khiva • Historic Centre of Bukhara • Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures

Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow Architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad, Moscow Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent, Moscow White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin Lake Baikal

• The Great Wall • Mausoleum of the First Qin

Emperor (Terracotta Warriors), Xian

• Imperial Palaces of the Ming and

Qing Dynasties (Forbidden City)

in Beijing

• Temple of Heaven: An Imperial

Sacrificial Altar in Beijing

AZERBAIJAN • Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah’s Palace and Maiden Tower • Gobustan Rock Art

Cultural Landscape, near Baku

ARMENIA

TURKMENISTAN

GEORGIA

• Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley, near Yerevan

• State Historical & Cultural Park ‘Ancient Merv’

• Historical Monuments of Mtskheta

• Monastery of Haghpat, near Lake Sevan

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | GOLDEN EAGLE

HISTORIC CENTRE OF BUKHARA (UNESCO)

A TYPICAL DAY ON BOARD YOUR PRIVATE TRAIN

FREEDOM OF CHOICE TOURING

Each rail cruise is a hand-picked collection of fascinating places, and each day brings a new opportunity for discovery – another chance to explore your world in a personal and meaningful way.

Customise your journey and enjoy the opportunity to select from an array of Freedom of Choice touring options that best suits your interests. Your off-train excursions will still take in all the major attractions of the places we are visiting but, in featured locations, you will be presented with a variety of activities from which to choose, and enjoy a tailor-made experience. In short, it means that your holiday is just that, your very own, and it’s all included in the tour price, with no more for you to pay. All Freedom of Choice tours are booked on board the train, so you don’t need to decide prior to the departure of the tour. It is the ultimate in flexibility.

On a typical day the Golden Eagle will travel through the night, as you sleep in your private cabin. Disembarking after breakfast the following morning you will be whisked away by coach or minibus to explore, for example, the sights and sounds of Lake Baikal, Samarkand, Yerevan or the Kremlin and Red Square, and at the end of the day return to the sanctuary of your hotel-onwheels, greeted by your cabin attendants with complimentary refreshments. Enjoy a hot shower in your private en-suite bathroom and then, as we set off again to your next destination, settle down with your travelling companions for pre-dinner drinks in the Bar Lounge Car followed by a meal, in one of the two Restaurant Cars, of local specialities and international cuisine, accompanied by a selection of fine wines. There is no need to hurry, the Restaurant Cars accommodate all the guests in a single sitting – so linger over coffee and reflect on the adventures of the day – or return to the bar for a night-cap and listen to the resident pianist. Some days will be spent partly or entirely on board the train providing an opportunity for guests to watch the landscape unfold. The Golden Eagle offers different on board activities and facilities so you might spend the time taking part in Russian language lessons, attending talks on the local history and culture, trying your hand at bridge, tasting vodkas, improving your photographic skills, or simply soaking up the atmosphere in the Bar Lounge Car.

We have a full range of Freedom of Choice touring to include hiking around Lake Baikal, cookery classes in Irkutsk and walking tours of Yekaterinburg. Look at the individual itineraries where we are operating Freedom of Choice Touring. Freedom of Choice options may be subject to variations dependent on finalised train timings and local weather conditions.

TOUR EXTENSIONS Extend your Voyage of a Lifetime by Private Train with one of our fantastic tour extensions. Our selection of tour extension options includes St Petersburg, Mongolia and the Gobi Desert, the Imperial City of Beijing, Shanghai and the stunning but remote Kamchatka Peninsula.

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

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

golden eagle

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE As far as possible our tours are all-inclusive with no hidden extras. What follows are all those elements which are included in the tour price. The only extra items you may need to budget for include personal expenses such as International and Internal flights that are not included in the itineraries, visa costs, insurance, selected drinks from the Bar Lounge Car and laundry.

EXPERIENCED TOUR MANAGERS

Our experienced Tour Managers are selected for their travel knowledge, and their linguistic and organisational abilities allowing you to relax and enjoy your rail cruise. We receive exceptional passenger comments about our Tour Managers and their aim is to ensure you enjoy every minute of your holiday.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE AIRPORT TRANSFERS Arrival and departure transfers are included.

HOTEL AND ON BOARD ACCOMMODATION

Although you will spend much of your time sightseeing or relaxing in the train’s public areas, you will find your cabin a welcome retreat at the end of a rewarding day. All hotels are of five-star standard, or the best available.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY

All meals are included, starting with dinner on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day. All departures feature one or two uniquely designed Restaurant Cars where you can enjoy the excellent waiter-served food and wine. Several times during the tour we will also sample authentic local cuisine with wine and a selection of drinks off the train, which is also included in the tour price.

The history and culture of the places we visit on our rail cruises will come alive through our expert local guides. All our tours include a wide-ranging sightseeing schedule to make the most of the time you have off the train and bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations. We believe it is the special little touches that help create magical memories.

PERSONAL HEADSETS

On all the off–train excursions, to enhance your enjoyment and insights into the places you visit, you will be provided with a lightweight personal headset on which to listen to your tour guide as you take in the sights. The range of the headset means that you do not need to worry about missing any of the guide’s commentary on your excursion, even if you prefer to wander away from the group.

ON BOARD DOCTOR AND MEDICAL FACILITIES

To give you peace of mind our tours are accompanied by a doctor who travels with us for the entire journey; so you can rest assured that medical assistance is always available. On call 24 hours a day, the doctor is on hand to give primary care as required. In almost every case, the doctor will be Englishspeaking and registered with the General Medical Council in the UK.

LUGGAGE HANDLING

DRINKS WITH MEALS

A generous drinks allowance, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is included with lunch and dinner on and off the train.

ON BOARD SERVICE

GUIDED OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS

You can expect service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin 24 hours a day.

As you only have to unpack once your luggage and belongings will stay with you on the train throughout the journey but, wherever necessary, porterage is included between the hotels and stations.

ALL GRATUITIES

You will not have to worry about tipping on or off the train on your rail journey with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains as all gratuities are included in the tour price.

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

www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

golden eagle

WELCOME ON BOARD THE GOLDEN EAGLE

The Golden Eagle has been carefully designed with emphasis on your comfort, relaxation and enjoyment. On 26 April 2007 HRH Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO and Dr Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways unveiled the Golden Eagle, our fully en-suite private touring train that brings unprecedented luxury to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest railway journey.

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

DINING ON BOARD THE GOLDEN EAGLE

A world of culinary delights.

A particular delight of the Golden Eagle is our beautifully appointed restaurant cars, a delightful venue in which to enjoy meals skillfully prepared by our Executive Chef and his on board restaurant team using the very best in ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. Depending on the number of guests on board, one or two of our restaurant cars will be on every departure. Enjoy the delights of an on-train breakfast each morning – the wonderful aroma of freshly-baked bread permeates the dining car, a wide selection of pastries, cereals, freshly squeezed orange juice and cold plates are available from our bountiful buffet. Alternatively enjoy a cooked breakfast brought to your table by our waiting staff, or try a Russian speciality, such as kasha, all complemented by steaming hot tea and coffee. If you are in need of a more relaxed start to the day, then opt for our continental breakfast basket with tea or coffee to enjoy at leisure in your cabin. For lunch and dinner, you will be welcomed by our resident waiting staff and enjoy fine food, great wines and attentive service in the welcoming atmosphere of the dining car. Whether it is dining on board the Golden Eagle the world-

renowned ‘Borscht’ or Omul, a fish unique to Lake Baikal, we offer a culinary experience that reflects the very essence of Russia, as well as highly accomplished international cuisine. Vegetarian and other dietary options are also available. During your tour, you will be personally invited to a special dining occasion, our celebrated ‘Caviar Dinner’, savouring some of Russia’s gastronomic specialities including black sturgeon and red pacific salmon caviar. All our meals at lunch and dinner are complemented by an excellent choice of wines from around the world, personally selected by our Company Founder, Tim Littler, along with mineral water, beer and soft drinks as well as – naturally – vodka. For that special occasion we also have available to purchase a selection of premium fine wines priced between $50 and $750 per bottle. Meals on board are a relaxed affair as the restaurant cars can accommodate all our guests in a single sitting. Throughout the journey there is an informal dress code, so you can enjoy our culinary experiences in convivial and relaxed surroundings and with our open seating policy you can dine wherever, and with whomever, you please.

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | GOLDEN EAGLE

RELAX AND UNWIND IN OUR BAR LOUNGE CAR

The social heart of the Golden Eagle is the Bar Lounge Car, a great place to relax and settle into the unhurried pace of life on board. Unwind in comfortable surroundings and watch the world go by as you get to know your fellow passengers and begin long-lasting friendships. Perhaps read a novel from our library to while away the time or challenge your friends to a game of bridge or backgammon. KAMCHATKA CRAB

Enjoy the delights of morning or afternoon tea in the Bar Lounge Car with delicious cookies freshly baked by our chefs.

Baked and served with a butter, garlic and herb sauce or

MUSHROOM JULIENNE Fresh mushrooms sauteed with cream and onion, topped with cheese and baked in the oven

It is here that our Tour Manager will also organise a programme of activities. Passengers will receive printed daily itineraries throughout the tour detailing train arrival and departure timings, latest weather forecasts for the next destination and information on the following dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excursions and activities.

PELMENY Traditional Siberian meat dumplings served in an earthernware pot with sour cream and meat broth or

The occasional day will be spent entirely on board and the Bar Lounge Car and Restaurant Cars will host an entertaining and enlightening range of activities such as Russian language lessons, popular local folk songs and engaging talks by expert lecturers on local history and culture. In the evening enjoy the sounds of the resident pianist playing on the baby grand piano in the Bar Lounge Car. From time to time we also host special concerts and every night the bar stays open until the last person leaves.

SAVVOURY CROQUETTES Served with a melange of grilled seasonal vegetables

DELICATE SWEET BLINIS Filled with summer fruit berries and served with lemon dressing or

A SELECTION OF CHEESE AND FRUIT

A sample dinner menu from the Golden Eagle is shown opposite.

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

TEA AND COFFEE

Entry Level Silver Class Cabin

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golden eagle

YOUR ON BOARD ACCOMMODATION The Golden Eagle is your luxurious hotel-on-wheels. Unpack just the once and settle into your well-appointed and comfortable en-suite cabin as you begin this voyage of a lifetime. One of your cabin attendants, available at all times, will be on hand to look after all of your needs.

The Golden Eagle, comprising three categories of cabins, featuring state-ofthe-art amenities, and all offering en-suite facilities, is the only private train of its kind operating in this part of the world. Our newly introduced Imperial Suites are the most spacious cabins on the Golden Eagle, and on any train in Russia. The Gold and Silver Class accommodation has been cleverly designed to maximise the available space as cabins convert from a sitting area by day into comfortable sleeping accommodation by night. On the occasions where we travel by day, your cabin provides a calm, personal space in which to read, enjoy a DVD or simply watch the landscape

unfold through the large picture window and the facility to adjust the air-conditioning for your own personal comfort. In your cabin you will find a copy of the Golden Eagle DVD library list; please inform your cabin attendants what you would like to watch and the DVDs can be delivered to your cabin free of charge. All three classes of cabin benefit from an evening turndown service and the services of a cabin attendant who is on call 24 hours a day. The on board cabin attendants are highly regarded by our guests for their impeccable service. In each cabin you will also find an excellent selection of luxury shower gels and shampoos, complemented by premium bath robes, slippers and a hairdryer.

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

golden eagle

IMPERIAL SUITES

Exemplary service starts with a complimentary bottle of Dom Perignon champagne when you board the train to toast the start of your wonderful adventure. Imperial Suites are the most spacious cabins available on board the Golden Eagle measuring 120 sq ft (11.1 sq metres) and benefiting from a large and luxurious double bed as well as a lounge area with dressing table.

Imperial Suite facilities include a private en-suite bathroom with power shower and the luxury of underfloor heating, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen, complimentary fully stocked minibar, safe, small library and two large picture windows to watch the world go by.

16 66

Imperial Suite guests will also benefit from the option of a private guide and chauffeured car service in most of the places we visit along the route, the inclusion of drinks from the Standard and Premium Bar List in the Bar Lounge Car, a laundry service and room upgrades to the next available category at the hotels which are featured in the itinerary.

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | GOLDEN EAGLE

IMPERIAL SUITE DIMENSIONS CABIN AREA

120 sq ft (11.1 sq m)

CABIN LENGTH

17ft 4ins (5.3m)

CABIN WIDTH

6ft 7ins (2m)

BED WIDTH

5ft (1.5m)

BED LENGTH

6ft 2ins (1.9m)

CABINS PER CAR

Toilet

1 Imperial Suite (+ 3 Gold Class Cabins)

Gold Class Cabins

Attendant Off Duty

Imperial Suite

Imperial Suite & Gold Class Carriage Floorplan

IMPERIAL SUITE SPECIFICATION • Sleeps 2 in King Size bed

• DVD/CD player with LCD screens

• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water

• Sitting area

• Private en-suite bathroom with full power

available at all times

• Remote controlled air-conditioning

shower and underfloor heating

• Drinks from the Bar Lounge Car included

and heating

• Bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer & luxury

from the Standard and Premium Bar List

• Recessed lighting and wardrobe

toiletries provided

(excluding Premium Wine List)

• Dressing table

• Towels and linens changed every second day

• Private car and guide options in selected cities

• Personal safe

or daily on request

for off-train excursion programme

• Complimentary minibar

• In-cabin dining available on request

• Laundry service included

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

golden eagle

GOLD CLASS GOLD CLASS DIMENSIONS CABIN AREA

77sq ft (7sq m)

CABIN LENGTH

11ft 8ins (3.6m)

CABIN WIDTH

6ft 7ins (2m)

LOWER BED WIDTH

4ft 5ins (1.35m)

UPPER BED WIDTH

2ft 9ins (85 cm)

BED LENGTH

6ft 2ins (1.9m)

CABINS PER CAR

SPECIFICATION • Sleeps 2 in either lower standard double bed or bunk style

Day • Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating

• Recessed lighting and wardrobe • Personal safe • Private en-suite bathroom with full power shower and underfloor heating • Bathrobes, slippers & luxury Night toiletries provided • DVD/CD player with LCD screens • Towels and linens changed every second day or daily on request • Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin available at all times • Drinks in the Bar Lounge Car included from the Standard Bar List

At 77 sq ft (7 sq metres) Gold Class cabins are extremely well-proportioned and have everything from a private bathroom with separate power shower cubicle and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, safe, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, large picture window as well as featuring a double lower bed and a single upper bed. Guests in Gold Class benefit from complimentary drinks off the Standard Bar List in the Bar Lounge Car. Configuration and styles of all cabins may vary

Toilet

Attendant On Duty

En-Suite Bathroom

Twin / Double Bedroom

• Laundry service available at an additional charge

Attendant Off Duty

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Gold Class Carriage Floorplan

golden eagle

SILVER CLASS SILVER CLASS DIMENSIONS CABIN AREA

60sq ft (5.5sq m)

CABIN LENGTH

8ft 8ins (2.6m)

CABIN WIDTH

6ft 7ins (2m)

LOWER BED WIDTH

3ft 6ins (1.1m)

UPPER BED WIDTH

2ft 9ins (85 cm)

BED LENGTH

6ft 2ins (1.9m)

CABINS PER CAR

SPECIFICATION Silver Class cabins, which are more compact at 60 sq ft (5.5 sq metres), feature a small double lower bed and a single upper bed as well as DVD/CD player, LCD screen, safe, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe and large picture window. The Silver Class cabins have a private en-suite wet room with a washbasin, toilet and shower. Configuration and styles of all cabins may vary

• Sleeps 2 in lower small double bed or bunk style • Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating • Recessed lighting and wardrobe • Personal safe • Private en-suite bathroom with ‘wet room’ style shower and toilet • Bathrobes, slippers and luxury toiletries provided • DVD/CD player with LCD screens • Towels and linens changed every second day or daily on request • Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times

Attendant OnDuty

Attendant Off Duty

En-Suite Bathroom

Twin / Double Bedroom

• Laundry service available at an additional charge

Silver Class Carriage Floorplan

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

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golden eagle

TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS MOSCOW - KAZAN - YEKATERINBURG - NOVOSIBIRSK - IRKUTSK - LAKE BAIKAL ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR - KHABAROVSK (WESTBOUND ONLY) - VLADIVOSTOK

Undoubtedly the world’s 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 world’s 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 Russia’s 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 on board 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 world’s total, and travelled an incredible distance of 6,500 miles (11,000 kilometres) through Russia and Mongolia. We are also offering the opportunity to travel by private train through an outstanding area of untouched natural beauty of Siberia in late June 2018 on a section of the Baikal-Amur Magistral line, an engineering feat of immense proportions built across some of the world’s most inhospitable terrain and a second tour in late June visiting some of the lesser known Siberian places and communities that go to form this iconic route. See pages 31-37. 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

golden eagle

TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS MOSCOW

Kazan

RUSSIA

Yekaterinburg

Novosibirsk Khabarovsk

CASPIAN SEA

KAZAKHSTAN

Irkutsk

Lake Baikal Ulan Ude

MONGOLIA

Ulaan Baatar

IRAN

VLADIVOSTOK

JAPAN

CHINA DAILY TOUR ITINERARIES

TOUR SCHEDULES EASTBOUND 2018

WESTBOUND 2018

May 6 -May 20 June 9 - June 23 July 23 - August 6 August 20 - September 3

May 19 - June 2 June 29* - July 13* August 5 - August 19 September 2 - September 16 * Trans-Siberian BAM Explorer (see pages 31-37)

EASTBOUND 2019

WESTBOUND 2019

May 5 - May 19 June 2 - June 16 July 22 - August 5 August 18 - September 1

May 18 - June 1 June 15 - June 29 August 4 - August 18 August 31 - September 14

ACCOMMODATION 1 night in Moscow | 12 nights on board the Golden Eagle | 1 night in Vladivostok

EASTBOUND

WESTBOUND

DAY 1

Arrive Moscow

Arrive Vladivostok

DAY 2 Moscow

DAY 2 Vladivostok

DAY 3 Kazan

DAY 3 Khabarovsk

DAY 4 Yekaterinburg

DAY 4

On board

DAY 5 Novosibirsk

DAY 5

On board

DAY 6

Ulaan Baatar

DAY 7 Irkutsk

DAY 7

Ulan Ude

DAY 8

Lake Baikal

DAY 8

Lake Baikal

DAY 9

Ulan Ude

DAY 9 Irkutsk

DAY 10

Ulaan Baatar

DAY 10

DAY 11

On board

DAY 11 Novosibirsk

DAY 12

On board

DAY 12 Yekaterinburg

DAY 13

On board

DAY 13 Kazan

On board

DAY 14 Vladivostok

DAY 14 Moscow

DAY 15

Depart Vladivostok

Depart Moscow

MOSCOW - KAZAN - YEKATERINBURG - NOVOSIBIRSK - IRKUTSK - LAKE BAIKAL ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR - KHABAROVSK (WESTBOUND ONLY) - VLADIVOSTOK

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golden eagle

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED

FINEST RAIL ACCOMMODATION Private en-suite accommodation 24-hour cabin attendant service Evening turndown service Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled water in-cabin 24 hrs a day Robes, slippers and luxury toiletries in-cabin Complimentary bottle of vodka in your Golden Eagle cabin

OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME Fully guided off-train excursions programme Fully included Freedom of Choice touring options which may vary due to final train times Personal Headsets to hear the professional guideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commentary Bottled water during excursions Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants with a generous drinks allowance, including international wines

GOLDEN EAGLE DIFFERENCE Experienced Tour Manager On board Doctor - English speaking Luggage porterage - from the time you are met at the airport until your departure No tipping policy Arrival and departure transfers Commemorative DVD with photos of your tour and tour information High quality Golden Eagle embroidered backpack Detailed Golden Eagle route map Illustrated Golden Eagle tour brochure

ON BOARD INCLUSIONS Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - starting with dinner on first day and finishing with breakfast on last day Generous drinks allowance, including international wine, with lunch and dinner Gala Caviar Dinner on board the Golden Eagle In-cabin breakfast option to start the day Afternoon tea and cakes on board the Golden Eagle

In-suite dining option for Imperial Suite guests Inclusive drinks packages for Gold Class and Imperial Suite guests Tea, coffee, bottled water, soft drinks and local beer in the Bar Lounge Car Stimulating on board talks Resident pianist in Bar Lounge Car On board Russian language lessons Live musical performances

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

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MOSCOW Москва

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, where we will enjoy an exclusive private viewing before visiting Red Square itself. This iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful façade of the world famous GUM department store which was constructed in Tsarist times, is also the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb. We will have lunch in Café Pushkin, a legendary Moscow restaurant with a décor that revives the atmosphere of an early 19th century mansion and serves traditional Russian cuisine and end the day with a tour of the opulent and unique stations of the Moscow metro - showpieces of Socialist art furnished with statues, frescoes and mosaics, unsurpassed anywhere in the world. If you have been to Moscow before we offer included Freedom of Choice touring where we show you other sights of Moscow such as the famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art) or the Space Museum. Your first evening in Moscow you will be invited to a champagne drinks reception before our exclusive welcome dinner (or farewell dinner if you are travelling on the Westbound tours). Specially selected international wines are included with dinner, as with all meals during the tour.

Included in our time spent in Moscow is one night at the five-star RitzCarlton. Located in Moscow city centre, and within a short walking distance of Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, guests will discover a classic and sophisticated ambience that gives way to contemporary cool in the most unexpected places, like from the rooftop O2 Lounge with its breathtaking views of Red Square and the rejuvenating surroundings of ESPA, the hotel’s world class spa. 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.

KAZAN Казань

820

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 Russia’s most famous opera singers, Feodor Chaliapin (1873-1938), we honour his memory with a private concert of his music.

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NOVOSIBIRSK Новосибирск

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 4 HRS

3336 KM

A modern ‘Soviet’ city, we experience the life and character of Novosibirsk’s 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 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 Novosibirsk’s 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.

IRKUTSK Иркутск

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HRS

You will also have time to wander through the main pedestrian area of Kazan and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city.

YEKATERINBURG Екатеринбург

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 2 HRS

1816 KM

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. We will also drive to the obelisk marking the geographical border and we can drink a glass of champagne with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia.

5185 KM

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 lace-like decorations that has given many of this region’s 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. We recreate the atmosphere of that time with a champagne reception and private concert. 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) to get an insight into the everyday life of an average Russian family.

Our Freedom of Choice programme features a visit to the recently opened Museum of Military Machinery. The museum houses an amazing collection of different types of military hardware including tanks, aircraft, boats and even armoured trains. You will also see a wide range of civilian vehicles (particularly Russian models). The museum is a real treat for anyone with an interest in the Soviet past, unparalleled by anything else along the route.

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

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FEW NATURAL SIGHTS CAN SURPASS THE BEAUTY AND GRANDEUR OF LAKE BAIKAL

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LAKE BAIKAL Озеро Байкал

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HRS

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 world’s 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, with a full appreciation of the engineering achievement which produced this part of the railway in the early twentieth century. To add to the grandeur of the day our Golden Eagle train will be hauled by a Soviet Era steam locomotive on this beautiful section of line. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photographs as the train winds its way along the lake. This will be an unforgettable part of your journey. For a preview of this beautiful section, our video is available to view on our website www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

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 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 prepared by our own chefs, including freshly smoked omul fish, in the delightful covered dining area 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 up Chersky Mount, or you can choose to take the chair lift, which offers some spectacular and panoramic hillside views of the grandeur of the lake below.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

Champagne reception at the station on departure Private viewing of Kremlin Armoury

Being hauled by a Soviet Era steam locomotive on the beautiful Lake Baikal section

Barbecue on the shore of Lake Baikal and a refreshing swim in the ice-cold waters of Lake Baikal

Visit a nomadic family in a Mongolian ger

Military brass band playing on Vladivostok Station

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

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ULAN BAATAR

ULAN UDE Улан-Удэ

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HRS

5640 KM

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.

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.

Monasteries housing a community of over 500 monks. The full name, Gandantegchinlen, translates as ‘the great place of complete joy’. At Chinggis Square (formerly 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 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.

We start the tour at Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist

Alternatively, there is an option to stay in the city as part of our Freedom of Choice touring. After Gandan

Улан Батор

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 4 HRS

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Monastery and Chinggis Square we visit the National Museum where we learn about the country’s intriguing history. We will 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 specialty cashmere. We will also enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian throat singing and contortionists. Please note: depending on final timings provided by the railway authorities we may substitute the railway journey from Russia into Ulaan Baatar with a private jet charter from Irkutsk so that we can maintain the advertised programme for Mongolia.

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

KHABAROVSK Хабаровск

8523 KM

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 7 HRS

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. Located next to the station we will pass the memorial to Yerofey Pavlovich Khabarov, the Far East explorer the city is named after, and see 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.

A GREAT EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME AND ONE NOT TO BE MISSED. WONDERFUL INSIGHT INTO SIBERIAN LIFE, CULTURE AND HISTORY. Anthea Sutherland, Australia

DAYS ON BOARD THE GOLDEN EAGLE Each Trans-Siberian departure has a number of days on board 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 TransSiberian railway or simply relax and enjoy the ever-changing landscape outside your window as it unfolds.

VLADIVOSTOK Владивосток

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 7 HRS

9288 KM

Vladivostok is a military port, located on the western shores of the Sea of Japan and is home to the Russian Navy’s 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. This evening you are invited to our farewell dinner (or welcome dinner if you are travelling on the Westbound tours). Specially selected international wines are included with dinner, as with all meals during the tour. Our hotel in Vladivostok, where we stay for one night, is the fourstar Hotel Hyundai.

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

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golden eagle TRANS-SIBERIAN

BAM EXPLORER FEATURING THE NAADAM FESTIVAL

VLADIVOSTOK - KHABAROVSK - SOVETSKAYA GAVAN - VANINO - VYSOKOGORNAYA - KOMSOMOLSK TYNDA - SRETENSK - NERCHINSK - IRKUTSK - LAKE BAIKAL - ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR

An exclusive opportunity to travel from Vladivostok by private train through an outstanding area of untouched natural beauty of Siberia on the Baikal-Amur Magistral (BAM) line, an engineering feat of immense proportions built across some of the world’s most inhospitable terrain whilst visiting some of the lesserknown Siberian places and communities that go to form this iconic route.

The BAM railway line was Russia’s big project that took almost 60 years to complete; its 3,400 km length penetrating this huge area of natural resources. The line was constructed in almost complete secrecy and behind this veil of silence and covertness existed gulags, military installations and Russia’s most advanced defence industries. It is an astonishing story seldom told. To this day very few foreigners have visited the area, so join us on a remarkable rail journey along a section of Russia’s final frontier. We then return to familiar ground of the main Trans-Siberian line to Irkutsk and the stunning Lake Baikal branch line before arriving in time to experience the spectacular Naadam Festival in Mongolia.

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

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TRANS-SIBERIAN BAM EXPLORER RUSSIA

Komsomolsk

Tynda

Kamchatka Peninsula Vysokogornaya Vanino Sovetskaya Gavan Khabarovsk

Lake Baikal

Irkutsk

Lake Baikal

Nerchinsk

Sretensk

Ulan Ude

VLADIVOSTOK ULAAN BATAAR CHINA

MONGOLIA

DAILY TOUR ITINERARIES

TOUR SCHEDULES WESTBOUND 2018

WESTBOUND

June 29 - July 13

ACCOMMODATION 1 night in Vladivostok | 10 nights on board the Golden Eagle | 3 nights in Ulaan Baatar

DAY 1 Vladivostok DAY 2 Vladivostok DAY 3 Khabarovsk DAY 4 Sovetskaya Gavan, Vanino, Vysokogornaya DAY 5 Komsomolsk DAY 6 On board DAY 7 Tynda

DAY 8 Sretensk & Nerchinsk DAY 9 Irkutsk DAY 10 Lake Baikal DAY 11 Ulan Ude DAY 12 Ulaan Baatar DAY 13 Ulaan Baatar DAY 14 Ulaan Baatar DAY 15 Ulaan Baatar

VLADIVOSTOK - KHABAROVSK - SOVETSKAYA GAVAN - VANINO - VYSOKOGORNAYA - KOMSOMOLSK TYNDA - SRETENSK - NERCHINSK - IRKUTSK - LAKE BAIKAL - ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED

FINEST RAIL ACCOMMODATION

OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME

Private en-suite accommodation Cabin attendant service Evening turndown service Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled water in-cabin 24 hrs a day Robes, slippers and luxury toiletries in-cabin Complimentary bottle of vodka in your cabin

Full guided off-train excursions programme Personal Headsets to hear the professional guideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commentary Fully included Freedom of Choice touring options, which may vary due to final train times Bottled water during excursions Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants with a generous drinks allowance, including international wines

GOLDEN EAGLE DIFFERENCE Experienced Tour Manager On board Doctor - English speaking Luggage porterage - from the time you are met at the airport until your departure No tipping policy Arrival and departure transfers High quality Golden Eagle embroidered backpack Detailed Golden Eagle route map

ON BOARD INCLUSIONS In-suite dining option for Imperial Suite guests Inclusive drinks packages for Gold Class and Imperial Suite guests Tea, coffee, bottled water, soft drinks and local beer in the Bar Lounge Car Stimulating on board talks Resident pianist in Bar Lounge Car Gala Caviar Dinner on board the train

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - starting with dinner on first day and finishing with breakfast on last day Generous drinks allowance, including international wine, with lunch and dinner In-cabin breakfast option to start the day Afternoon tea and cakes on board the train

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

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VLADIVOSTOK RU S S I A

DAYS

1-2

Arrive at Vladivostok Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the centrally located four-star Hotel Hyundai. We will enjoy a welcome reception dinner at our hotel, whilst you meet your fellow travellers and anticipate the 15-day voyage that lies ahead.

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.

Following a champagne reception at Vladivostok Railway Station, and with a military band playing on the platform, we will board the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. After settling into our modern, stylish cabins we enjoy dinner in the restaurant car as our rail adventure westwards begins.

KHABAROVSK ARC TIC RUSSIA

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 treelined streets. Located next to the station we will pass the memorial to Yerofey Pavlovich Khabarov, the Far East explorer the city is named after, and see the impressive World War Two memorial to the fallen soldiers.

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DAY

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.

Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | TRANS-SIBERIAN BAM EXPLORER

SOVETSKAYA GAVAN, VANINO & VYSOKORGONAYA RU S S I A

DAY

Sovetskaya Gavan, formerly Imperial Gavan (or Harbour), is situated to the north of Khabarovsk and is the eastern terminus of the Baikal-Amur mainline and therefore our starting point on the BAM. It has one of the best natural harbours of far eastern Russia and from 1950 until 1954, the town was the site of the prison gulag camp Ulminlag. From here we travel the short distance north to Vanino, a relatively new town built in 1944 and home to transit labour camps for the goldfields. We will also visit Vysokorgonaya, a gold mining and logging town that was a centre for Japanese prisoners of war. Most of the town was built by these prisoners and the railway station itself has a very distinctive architecture built in the form of a Japanese temple.

KOMSOMOLSK

DAY

RU S S I A

Komsomolsk reflects the majestic and expansive urban architecture of the Soviet era, including the stupendous Pervostroitelei Avenue, 80 metres wide and lined with 1970s and 1980s blocks with Soviet store fronts and signage intact, with parks and playgrounds hidden behind it.

TYNDA

The city was also the gulag capital of the Russian Far East, with over 900,000 prisoners estimated to have passed through its camps.Â

Heading further west we visit Tynda. With a population of around 40,000, it is the largest town for over 300 miles in any direction. It was built to be the administrative centre for the construction of the BAM route during the 1970s and our visit to a local museum gives us a fascinating insight into the building of this line.

ON BOARD

RUSSIA

DAY

RU S S I A

Today offers the perfect opportunity to practice your improving Russian or watch a DVD as you watch the world pass by. For those who like to socialise, the Bar Lounge Car is the perfect place to enjoy a chat with your fellow passengers as you listen to our resident musician.

SRETENSK & NERCHINSK RUSSIA

DAY

Among Russian historians, the name of Nerchinsk is associated with a late 17th century treaty that defined the border between Russia and China. Bypassed by the building of the Trans-Siberian line, Nerchinsk leads a forgotten existence with just a few reminders of its more illustrious past. Central to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heritage is the Butin Palace Museum, a palace adorned with huge mirrors. Sretensk is also a community that survives far from the beaten track of the main Trans-Siberian line and offers a rare and exclusive opportunity for our guests to see how families exist and livelihoods are maintained despite the isolation from major conurbations in this remotest part of Siberia.

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

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IRKUTSK RUSSIA

DAY

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 lace-like decorations that has given many of this region’s 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. 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.

LAKE BAIKAL RUSSIA

DAY

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 world’s 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 pictureperfect backdrop, with a full appreciation of the engineering achievement which produced this part of the railway in the early twentieth century. To add to the grandeur of the day our Golden Eagle train will be hauled by a Soviet Era steam locomotive on this beautiful section of line. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photographs as the train winds its way along the lake. This will be an unforgettable part of your journey. For a preview of this beautiful section, our video is available to view on our website www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

ULAN UDE RUSSIA

DAY

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ULAAN BAATAR M O NG O L I A

DAYS

12-15

Our rail adventure finally takes us into Mongolia and a three-night stay in its capital, Ulaan Baatar. Mongolia, once the very centre of an enormous empire led by Genghis Khan, is a country of beautiful landscapes and nomadic people, 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 conduct a short tour of Ulaan Baatar visiting the Gandan Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist Monasteries in Mongolia housing a community of over 500 monks. The full name, Gandantegchinlen, translates asÂ the great place of complete joy. At Chinggis Square (formerly Sukhbaatar Square) we can see the central monument to Genghis Khan; undoubtedly the most feared and revered Mongol.Â

This is a unique opportunity to be among the few non-Mongolians to experience the spectacular, but little known, Naadam Festival and soak up the exciting atmosphere of this national holiday. Once a religious ceremony, the festival now formally commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared itself a free country. In recent times, women have been allowed to enter and they now compete in two of the three events, horse racing and archery. During our stay in Ulaan Baatar we will attend the archery, wrestling and ankle-bone shooting events. Due to the popularity of the period around the Naadam Festival we reserve accommodation for our guests at a number of the best hotels in Ulaan Baatar including the Kempinski and Ramada. Please note, we cannot guarantee your preferred choice of hotel.

On our second day in Ulaan Baatar, we observe the elaborate opening ceremony of the Naadam Festival which consists of local dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians, before travelling outside Ulaan Baatar to watch the national horse race. The competitors in the riding events are all children between five and twelve, many of whom have been in the saddle since the age of one. As they race along the plains for 20 kilometres, thousands of spectators line the remote track to watch up to 1,000 horses with children sitting confidently astride their small but sturdy Mongolian steed. It is claimed such equestrian skills won Genghis Khan an empire that stretched from the Sea of Japan all the way to Europe. In the evening we will enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian throat singing and contortionists.

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

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TRANS-MONGOLIAN EXPRESS FEATURING THE NAADAM FESTIVAL

MOSCOW - KAZAN - YEKATERINBURG - NOVOSIBIRSK - IRKUTSK LAKE BAIKAL - ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR

For a fuller insight into Mongolia, why not experience our Naadam Festival Trans-Mongolian departure in July - a journey across Russia on board the Golden Eagle combined with a visit to the Mongolian national festival.

Naadam is the one and only Big Event in Mongolia - a spectacularly colourful national festival, held every year. Naadam literally means ‘three manly games’. Known as the world’s second oldest Olympics, it celebrates what defined civilisation in the Steppes eight centuries ago; archery, wrestling and horse riding. For a preview of the festival, our video is available to view on our website www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com

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

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TRANS-MONGOLIAN EXPRESS MOSCOW

Kazan

RUSSIA

Yekaterinburg

Novosibirsk CASPIAN SEA

Irkutsk

KAZAKHSTAN

Lake Baikal Ulan Ude

MONGOLIA IRAN

JAPAN DAILY TOUR ITINERARIES

TOUR SCHEDULES WESTBOUND 2018 July 10 - July 22 WESTBOUND 2019

EASTBOUND 2019

July 10 - July 22

July 1 - July 13

ACCOMMODATION 1 night in Moscow | 8 nights on board the Golden Eagle | 3 nights in Ulaan Baatar including two days at the Naadam Festival

EASTBOUND

WESTBOUND

DAY 1 Arrive Moscow DAY 2 Moscow DAY 3 Kazan DAY 4 Yekaterinburg DAY 5 Novosibirsk DAY 6 On board DAY 7 Irkutsk DAY 8 Lake Baikal DAY 9 Ulan Ude DAY 10 Ulaan Baatar DAY 11 Naadam Festival (Ulaan Baatar) DAY 12 Naadam Festival (Ulaan Baatar) DAY 13 Depart Ulaan Baatar

DAY 1 Arrive Ulaan Baatar DAY 2 Naadam Festival (Ulaan Baatar) DAY 3 Naadam Festival (Ulaan Baatar) DAY 4 Ulaan Baatar DAY 5 Ulan Ude DAY 6 Lake Baikal DAY 7 Irkutsk DAY 8 On board DAY 9 Novosibirsk DAY 10 Yekaterinburg DAY 11 Kazan DAY 12 Moscow DAY 13 Depart Moscow

MOSCOW - KAZAN - YEKATERINBURG - NOVOSIBIRSK - IRKUTSK LAKE BAIKAL - ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR

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golden eagle

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED

FINEST RAIL ACCOMMODATION

OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME

GOLDEN EAGLE DIFFERENCE Experienced Tour Manager On board Doctor - English speaking Luggage porterage - from the time you are met at the airport until your departure No tipping policy Arrival and departure transfers High quality Golden Eagle embroidered backpack Detailed Golden Eagle route map

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

golden eagle luxury trains

MOSCOW Москва

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME

breathtaking views of Red Square and the rejuvenating surroundings of ESPA, the hotel’s world class spa. 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.

KAZAN Казань

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME

820

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | TRANS-MONGOLIAN EXPRESS

IRKUTSK

YEKATERINBURG Екатеринбург

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 2 HOURS

1816 KM

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. Our Freedom of Choice programme features a visit to the recently opened Museum of Military Machinery. The museum houses an amazing collection of different types of military hardware including tanks, aircraft, boats and even armoured trains. You will also see a wide range of civilian vehicles (particularly Russian models). The museum is a real treat for anyone with an interest in the Soviet past, unparalleled by anything else along the route.

Иркутск

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 2 HOURS

5185 KM

LAKE BAIKAL Озеро Байкал

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HOURS

Few natural sights can surpass the beauty and grandeur of Lake Baikal and is a major highlight on our Trans-Mongolian journey. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and holds 20 per cent of the world’s 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. To add to the grandeur of the day our Golden Eagle train will be hauled by a Soviet era steam locomotive on this beautiful section of the line. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photographs as the train winds its way along the lake’s edge. This will be an unforgettable part of the journey.

NOVOSIBIRSK Новосибирск

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME

3336 KM

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 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.

Alternatively, south of the city you could visit Novosibirsk’s 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. To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

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ULAN UDE Улан-Удэ

5640 KM

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HOURS

ULAN BAATAR, MONGOLIA Улан Батор

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 4 HOURS

green Steppes, grazing livestock and white, nomadic Gers (Yurts) dotted all across the countryside. We start the tour at Gandan Monastery, one of Mongolia’s most important Buddhist Monasteries housing a community of over 500 monks. The full name, Gandantegchinlen, translates as ‘the great place of complete joy’. At Chinggis Square (formerly 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 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. Alternatively, there is an option to stay in the city as part of our Freedom of Choice touring. After Gandan Monastery and Chinggis Square we visit the National Museum where we learn about the country’s intriguing history. We will 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 specialty cashmere. We will also enjoy a performance of traditional Mongolian throat singing and contortionists.

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | TRANS-MONGOLIAN EXPRESS

THE NAADAM FESTIVAL Фестиваль Наадам ULAAN BAATAR, MONGOLIA

prime seating in the finish line stand that gives a fantastic view of the children and their horses as they complete the grueling 20 kilometre race. It is claimed such equestrian skills won Genghis Khan an empire that stretched from the Sea of Japan all the way to Europe. On the second day of the festival we will attend the archery, wrestling and ankle-bone shooting events. Due to the popularity of the period around the Naadam Festival we reserve accommodation for our guests at a number of the best hotels in Ulaan Baatar including the Kempinski and Ramada. Please note, we cannot guarantee your preferred choice of hotel.

On the first day of the festival, we observe the elaborate opening ceremony which consists of local dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians, before travelling outside Ulaan Baatar to watch the national horse race. The competitors in the riding events are all children between five and twelve, many of whom have been in the saddle since the age of one. As they race along the plains for 20 kilometres, thousands of spectators line the remote track to watch over 300 horses with children sitting confidently astride their small but sturdy Mongolian steed. We have To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

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golden eagle TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS

WINTER WONDERLAND MOSCOW - KAZAN - YEKATERINBURG - NOVOSIBIRSK - IRKUTSK LAKE BAIKAL - ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR - VLADIVOSTOK VLADIVOSTOK - KHABAROVSK - ULAN UDE - LAKE BAIKAL - IRKUTSK NOVOSIBIRSK - YEKATERINBURG - KAZAN - MOSCOW

Our tours along the Trans-Siberian route in winter are an exceptional and unique experience. Undoubtedly the world’s greatest railway journey, the Trans-Siberian Railway runs like a steel ribbon connecting east and west from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent Russian steppe and alongside the shore of the world’s largest freshwater lake. 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 grandeur of Russia’s rarely visited interior. Our special winter programme includes the opportunity to enjoy the iconic winter wonderland scenery by horse-drawn sleigh and the chance to watch ice fishing on Lake Baikal or take a dog-sledge or snowmobile on a captivating winter journey. To keep you warm in the Siberian winter when you are off the train, we provide complimentary hats, Russian traditional felt boots and gloves, specially designed to keep out the worst of the cold and they are yours to keep!

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

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WINTER WONDERLAND MOSCOW

Kazan

RUSSIA

Yekaterinburg

Novosibirsk Khabarovsk

CASPIAN SEA

KAZAKHSTAN

Irkutsk

Lake Baikal

MONGOLIA

IRAN WESTBOUND

Ulan Ude Ulaan Baatar

VLADIVOSTOK

JAPAN

CHINA

EASTBOUND

DAILY TOUR ITINERARIES

TOUR SCHEDULES EASTBOUND 2018

WESTBOUND 2018

February 21 - March 7

March 5 - March 19

EASTBOUND 2019

WESTBOUND 2019

February 12 - February 26

February 24 - March 10

ACCOMMODATION 1 night in Moscow | 12 nights on board the Golden Eagle | 1 night in Vladivostok

EASTBOUND

WESTBOUND

DAY 1 Arrive Moscow DAY 2 Moscow DAY 3 Kazan DAY 4 Yekaterinburg DAY 5 Novosibirsk DAY 6 On board DAY 7 Irkutsk DAY 8 Lake Baikal DAY 9 Ulan Ude DAY 10 Ulaan Baatar DAY 11 On board DAY 12 On board DAY 13 On board DAY 14 Vladivostok DAY 15 Depart Vladivostok

DAY 1 Arrive Vladivostok DAY 2 Vladivostok DAY 3 Khabarovsk DAY 4 On board DAY 5 On board DAY 6 Ulan Ude DAY 7 Lake Baikal DAY 8 Lake Baikal DAY 9 Irkutsk DAY 10 On board DAY 11 Novosibirsk DAY 12 Yekaterinburg DAY 13 Kazan DAY 14 Moscow DAY 15 Depart Moscow

EASTBOUND: MOSCOW - KAZAN - YEKATERINBURG - NOVOSIBIRSK

WESTBOUND: VLADIVOSTOK - KHABAROVSK - ULAN UDE

IRKUTSK - LAKE BAIKAL - ULAN UDE - ULAAN BAATAR - VLADIVOSTOK

LAKE BAIKAL - IRKUTSK - NOVOSIBIRSK - YEKATERINBURG KAZAN - MOSCOW

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golden eagle

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED

FINEST RAIL ACCOMMODATION

OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME

Private en-suite accommodation 24-hour cabin attendant service Evening turndown service Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled water in-cabin 24 hrs a day Robes, slippers and luxury toiletries in-cabin Complimentary bottle of vodka in your cabin

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - starting with dinner on first day and finishing with breakfast on last day Generous drinks allowance, including international wine, with lunch and dinner Gala Caviar Dinner on board the train In-cabin breakfast option to start the day Afternoon tea and cakes on board the train

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

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MOSCOW Москва

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 Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful façade of the world famous GUM department store, constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb. We will have lunch in Café Pushkin, a legendary Moscow restaurant with a décor that revives the atmosphere of an early 19th century mansion and serves traditional Russian cuisine. Included in our time spent in Moscow is one night at the five-star RitzCarlton. Located in Moscow city centre, and within a short walking distance of Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, guests will discover a classic and sophisticated ambience that gives way to contemporary cool in the most unexpected places, like from the rooftop O2 Lounge with its breathtaking views of Red Square and the rejuvenating surroundings of ESPA, the hotel’s world class spa. On the Eastbound departure, if you have been to Moscow before we offer a Freedom of Choice touring option to Vladimir and Suzdal (see opposite). On the Westbound departure, due to an evening arrival on Day 14, the Moscow city tour will take place on Day 15. We recommend you book your

departure flight for after 4pm this day or extend your stay in Moscow with an additional night, and have time to take in a performance at the worldrenowned Bolshoi Theatre. Tickets need to be pre-booked and are subject to schedule and availability.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE

Freedom of Choice option as an alternative to the Moscow touring programme

VLADIMIR ладимир

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME

The historic city of Vladimir was founded in 990 and is one of Russia’s oldest communities with an architectural wealth. The whole city was decreed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour takes in Uspensky Cathedral, built between the 12th and 15th centuries. It is considered one of the most important and beautiful of Russian cathedrals, where many of the prominent Russian Tsars were crowned.

SUZDAL Суздаль

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME

The pastoral town of Suzdal is one of Russia’s most perfectly preserved walled cities dating back to 1024 and is located 22 miles (35 kilometres) from Vladimir. Here we visit the atmospheric St. Euthymius Monastery to witness an enchanting choral performance.

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | WINTER WONDERLAND

KAZAN Казань

820 KM

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME

YEKATERINBURG Екатеринбург

NOVOSIBIRSK Новосибирск

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 4 HOURS

1816 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.

3336 KM

A modern ‘Soviet’ city, we experience the life and character of Novosibirsk’s rich culture where the arts and sciences 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 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, our Freedom of Choice tour goes south of the city to visit Novosibirsk’s excellent Railway Museum, which displays locomotives and rolling stock from the late 1800s, including carriages of the Tsars, through to the Soviet era.

IRKUTSK Иркутск

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HOURS

5185 KM

Our visit to Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’, takes in the most significant sites in this fascinating city, including an exploration of the classic wooden architecture with its intricately carved lace-like decorations that has given many of this region’s buildings such a distinctive and unique appearance. We also visit the Decembrist House museum which is dedicated to the memory of the aristocrats who were exiled to this remote outpost after the failed uprising of 1825. As an additional option for your day in Irkutsk you may wish to visit a traditional Russian Banya (sauna).

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

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LAKE BAIKAL Озеро Байкал

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HOURS

Our day by Lake Baikal offers a real highlight of travelling through Siberia in winter. Few natural sights can surpass the beauty and grandeur of Lake Baikal and today will be an unforgettable part of our Trans-Siberian journey. For five hours we wind our way through tunnels along cliff hugging tracks above the frozen lake with a vista of

snowcapped peaks along the far shore forming a picture-perfect backdrop. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and during winter is completely frozen. We are taken in a hovercraft on the frozen lake to the place where the dog sledges and snowmobiles are situated and you will enjoy the perfect vantage point to appreciate the

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magnificence of this unspoiled location. There is the opportunity to watch the under-ice fishing and try the freshly caught fish which will be smoked in a mobile smokehouse and served warm with ice-cold vodka. Delicious! On the westbound departure we will spend an additional day in the spectacular Baikal area.

Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | WINTER WONDERLAND

ULAN UDE

VLADIVOSTOK

Улан-Удэ

5640 KM

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 5 HOURS

ULAAN BAATAR, MONGOLIA Улан Батор

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 4 HOURS

BY AIR / EASTBOUND ONLY

Our eastbound 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 Mongolia’s most important Buddhist Monasteries housing a community of over 500 monks. The full name, Gandantegchinlen, translates as ‘the great place of complete joy’. At Chinggis Square (formerly Sukhbaatar Square) we can see the central monument to Genghis Khan, undoubtedly the most feared and revered Mongol, and visit the National Museum where we learn about the country’s intriguing history. We also have the opportunity to visit a traditional Ger and meet a nomadic family. Please note, depending on final timings provided by the railway authorities we may substitute the railway journey from Russia into Ulaan Baatar with a private jet charter from Irkutsk so that we can maintain the advertised programme for Mongolia.

KHABAROVSK Хабаровск

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 7 HOURS

8523 WESTBOUND ONLY

Владивосток

TIME ZONE: MOSCOW TIME + 7 HOURS

9288 KM

Vladivostok is a military port, located on the western shores of the Sea of Japan and is home to the Russian Navy’s 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. Please note that our Winter Wonderland tours always operate as small group departures (normally less than 40 guests, compared to up to 100 on summer departures). Reduced numbers mean more intimate groups and a shorter formation of Golden Eagle sleepers with a restaurant appropriate to the number of guests. Russian Railways attach our carriages to the rear of a regular train each day, however your on board experience will be unaffected, there being no connection between our carriages and the main train.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

See the iconic Winter Wonderland scenery by horse-drawn sleigh

Experience a traditional Russian Banya (sauna)

Watch ice fishing at Lake Baikal and sample the catch

Ride a dog-sledge or snowmobile

Witness an enchanting choral performance in St Euthymius Monastery, Suzdal (Freedom of Choice)

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

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ARCTIC EXPLORER A QUEST TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

MOSCOW - SUZDAL - VLADIMIR - PETROZAVODSK - MURMANSK KIRKENES (NORWAY) - ST PETERSBURG

Renowned for its theatrical landscapes and dramatic climate, the Arctic Circle is one of the world’s most mystifying places to explore. Not only that, but its enviable geographical position means it is a prime location for seeing the spectacular Northern Lights at their best. This compelling 12-day itinerary offers a unique contrast between two of Russia’s most majestic cities and the remote, yet charming communities deep within the Russian and Norwegian Arctic Circle. Commencing in St Petersburg we visit some of the city’s most prominent historical and cultural sites before embarking on this remarkable arctic adventure on board the Golden Eagle. Our quest to see the Aurora Borealis begins in the small mining town of Kirkenes in Norway, one of the greatest vantage points for seeing this incredible natural phenomenon. This two-night highlight combines our guided Aurora searching with a fantastic daytime activity programme, including a visit to the extraordinary Snow Hotel and a 3-hour Crab Fishing adventure. As our adventure continues, we experience the culture and lifestyle of those living in the harsh climates of the Russian Arctic Circle, and visit some of Russia’s oldest cities as we travel onwards to our final destination, Moscow. Itinerary operates in the reverse direction in February.

UPGRADE TO THE SNOW HOTEL For a really memorable experience why not upgrade to a night in the Kirkenes Snow Hotel in the Arctic Circle? BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! To Book Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 or Call Your Travel Agent

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ARCTIC EXPLORER Kirkenes (Norway)

Barents Sea

Nikel Murmansk

NORWAY

SWEDEN

Arct ic Ci rcle

FINLAND

ST PETERSBURG

RUSSIA

Petrozavodsk

ESTONIA LATVIA POLAND BELARUS MOSCOW

Vladimir & Suzdal

DAILY TOUR ITINERARIES

TOUR SCHEDULES St Petersburg – Moscow

February 11, 2018 - February 22, 2018 February 2, 2019 - February 13, 2019

Moscow – St Petersburg

December 29, 2018 - January 9, 2019

ACCOMMODATION 2 nights in St Petersburg | 6 nights on board the Golden Eagle | 2 nights in Kirkenes (Norway) | 1 night in Moscow

DAY 1 Arrive St Petersburg DAY 2 St Petersburg DAY 3 St Petersburg DAY 4 On board DAY 5 Kirkenes (Norway) DAY 6 Kirkenes (Norway) DAY 7 On board DAY 8 Murmansk DAY 9 Petrozavodsk DAY 10 Vladimir & Suzdal DAY 11 Moscow DAY 12 Depart Moscow

DAY 1 Arrive Moscow DAY 2 Moscow DAY 3 Vladimir & Suzdal DAY 4 On board DAY 5 Murmansk DAY 6 Kirkenes (Norway) DAY 7 Kirkenes (Norway) DAY 8 Nikel Murmansk DAY 9 Petrozavodsk DAY 10 St Petersburg DAY 11 St Petersburg DAY 12 St Petersburg

MOSCOW - SUZDAL - VLADIMIR - PETROZAVODSK - MURMANSK - KIRKENES (NORWAY) - ST PETERSBURG

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golden eagle

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED

FINEST RAIL ACCOMMODATION

OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME

Full guided off-train excursions programme Complimentary Siberian felt boots, hat and scarf Personal Headsets to hear the professional guideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commentary Bottled water during excursions Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants with a generous drinks allowance, including international wines

GOLDEN EAGLE DIFFERENCE Experienced Tour Manager On board Doctor - English speaking Luggage porterage - from the time you are met at the airport until your departure No tipping policy Arrival and departure transfers On board Astronomer High quality Golden Eagle embroidered backpack Detailed Golden Eagle route map

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - starting with dinner on first day and finishing with breakfast on last day Generous drinks allowance, including international wine, with lunch and dinner Gala Caviar Dinner on board the train In-cabin breakfast option to start the day Afternoon tea and cakes on board the train

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

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MOSCOW RUSSIA

DAYS

1-2

During our stay in Moscow we visit the Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful façade of the world famous GUM Department store, constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb. Our touring programme also 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. In Moscow, we will stay in the centrally located five-star Ritz-Carlton (or similar), for a one-night stay.

VLADIMIR & SUZDAL R U SSI A

DAY

The historic city of Vladimir was founded in 990 and is one of Russia’s oldest communities. With an architectural wealth, it has been decreed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour takes in Uspensky Cathedral, built between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. It is considered one of the most important and beautiful of Russian cathedrals, where many of the prominent Russian Tsars were crowned. From Vladimir we travel to Suzdal, one of Russia’s most perfectly preserved walled cities dating back to 1024, located 35 kilometres from Vladimir. Here we visit the atmospheric St Euthymius Monastery to witness an enchanting choral performance. No Russian winter experience would be complete either without the horse-drawn sleigh ride through this stunning location.

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | ARCTIC EXPLORER

ON BOARD

I N SID E TH E A RC TIC C IRCLE, R U SSI A

DAY

MURMANSK

DAY

I N SI D E T HE AR CT I C CI R CLE , R U SSI A

On each of our Arctic Explorer itineraries we have the opportunity to have a relaxed day on board the Golden Eagle as our train crosses the Arctic Circle on our quest to see the Northern Lights. We can reflect on the many sights we are about to experience on our rail journey, maybe listen to a talk or simply relax and enjoy the ever-changing winter landscape outside our window.

Murmansk is a city halfway between Moscow and the North Pole, and 120 miles (193 km) north of the Arctic Circle. As the main city of the Kola Peninsula, it started as a tiny settlement and Arctic trading post. In 1916, under pressure from the British to establish a support port, Murmansk was founded.

Our guest astronomer will host an afternoon tea with freshly baked Russian cakes and talk about the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in our stylish bar car. On our February tour today is Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, share a special dinner with us on board to celebrate!

Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, the port is ice-free year round. Homeport of Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nuclear-powered icebreakers, visit the Nuclear Icebreaker Museum Ship.

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

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KIRKENES A RC TIC NORWAY

DAYS

6-7

We leave our train with an overnight bag at the Russian border station of Nikel and we transfer by bus (90 minutes’ drive) across the Russian/ Norwegian border to Kirkenes for a two-night stay at the Thon Hotel (or similar). We will visit the magical Snow Hotel just 15 km outside Kirkenes. We will have a welcome drink in the snow bar and a tour of the Snow Hotel with its ice sculptures and snow painting by local and international artists. After a traditional meal including a reindeer hot dog in the snow hotel’s warm lodge restaurant we will take an evening bus tour in search of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

If the sky is clear our guest astronomer will be on hand to advise us during star-gazing and will bring the night sky to life with his extensive knowledge. The next morning a unique winter experience awaits on our King Crab Fishing adventure. The excursion begins with a snowmobile drawn sleigh across the frozen fjords. Warm clothing and a helmet is provided. Through a hole in the ice you will be shown by your master guide how to catch the magnificent Arctic King Crab (which can span two metres and weigh up to 15kgs). We then continue by sleigh to the nearby Fisherman’s Lodge. It is here by a cosy log fire that your King Crab meal awaits. The crabs you catch will be prepared and cooked for you here. Later we return to the Snow Hotel to see the resident reindeers and visit the biggest husky dog farm in eastern Finnmark or return to Kirkenes Village for a walking tour.

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | ARCTIC EXPLORER

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN KIRKENES You may like to book some additional optional activities such as a Snowmobile Safari (2 hours) Snow Shoe Walking Tour (2 hours), take a magical excursion by husky dog sledge (2 hours) or go in search of the Northern Lights by husky dog sledge (4 hours). Each sledge is pulled by a team of eight dogs, and can seat two people and a driver called a dog musher. These activities have limited places and should be requested at the time of booking the tour - please contact us for prices.

UPGRADE TO THE SNOW HOTEL For a really memorable experience why not choose the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;coolestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hotel check-in around and stay overnight at the Snow Hotel? Upgrades to the snow hotel are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. The Snow Hotel stays at a constant minus five degrees centigrade and thermal sleeping bags are provided. Showers, toilets and a Scandinavian sauna are provided in a building next to the Snow Hotel.

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

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PETROZAVODSK

DAY

ARC TIC RUSSIA

Petrozavodsk stretches along the western shore of Lake Onega – the second largest lake in Europe. It is one of the major cultural and industrial centres of the North-West of Russia. We take a city tour of this capital of the Republic of Karelia.

ST PETERSBURG R U SSI A

DAYS

10-12

St Petersburg is a stunning city, crowded with splendid palaces, impressive historical monuments, wide boulevards, beautiful bridges and is renowned as the Ballet Capital of the World. We have a guided tour of Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin and the Hermitage Museum, the former Winter Palace of the Tsars which houses the royal art collection of over three million works. It is one of the world’s largest and most impressive art museums. There is also a city tour featuring the key sights including St Isaac’s Cathedral and Nevsky Prospect. Make your evening in St Petersburg extra special by purchasing a ticket for a ballet or opera performance at one of the worldrenowned St Petersburg theatres (subject to schedule and availability and pre-booked at least six weeks prior to departure). Included in our time spent in St Petersburg is two nights in the luxurious Grand Hotel Europe (or similar).

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Voyages of a Lifetime by Private TrainTM | ARCTIC EXPLORER

DECEMBER TOUR HIGHLIGHTS DAYS 1 & 2 MOSCOW Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Moscow’s Christmas markets, shop for festive treats in the GUM Department Store and marvel at the beautiful sights of Moscow’s historic buildings dressed in snow. DAY 3 (ON BOARD) NEW YEAR’S EVE Attend an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party on board the Golden Eagle. DAY 9 (PETROZAVODSK) RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS EVE Enjoy a traditional Christmas meal and celebrate Russian-style. DAYS 11 & 12 ST PETERSBURG The city is beautifully decorated for Rozhdestvo (Russian Christmas) which is celebrated in Russia on January 7.

FEBRUARY TOUR HIGHLIGHTS 2018 DAY 4 (ON BOARD) VALENTINE’S DAY Attend a special Valentine’s Dinner on board. DAY 9 PETROZAVODSK Visit Kizhi Island on Lake Onega (weather and ice permitting) and explore its beautiful open-air museum of wooden architecture.

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

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CASPIAN ODYSSEY YEREVAN - LAKE SEVAN - TBILISI - GORI - UPLISTSIKHE - MTSKHETA - BAKU CROSS THE CASPIAN SEA - ASHGABAT - DARVAZA GAS CRATER - KHIVA BUKHARA - SAMARKAND - TASHKENT - ALMATY

Explore the countries on both the eastern and western shores of the Caspian Sea - Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. With their location at the crossroads of trade, religion, language and the arts, these countries are home to fascinating modern cultures as well as some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most ancient and timeless architecture. From our starting point in the historic Armenian capital of Yerevan, we begin our captivating exploration of two halves by exploring the beauty and rich history of the South Caucasus as we weave through Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Bounded by the Black Sea to the west and Caspian Sea to the east and the Caucasian Mountains to the north with stunning scenery all around, this journey promises to be a unique adventure, all experienced from the comfort of our private luxury train. From the South Caucasus we then cross the Caspian Sea from Baku and continue along the great trading posts of the Silk Road in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, before arriving into our final destination of Almaty. The Caspian Odyssey is a breathtakingly beautiful and remarkable journey as we discover the mysteries, diversity and traditions of this part of the world.

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CASPIAN ODYSSEY GEORGIA

Gori, Uplistsikhe & Mtskheta Tbilisi Lake Sevan

RUSSIA

ARMENIA

YEREVAN

AZERBAIJAN

Baku Turkmenbashi

CASPIAN SEA

UZBEKISTAN

TURKMENISTAN

KAZAKHSTAN

Khiva

Darvaza Ashgabat

IRAN

ALMATY

Bukhara Tashkent Samarkand

tour schedules

CHINA

KYRGYZSTAN

daily tour itineraries DAILY TOUR ITINERARIES

TOUR SCHEDULES DAY 1

2018 TOUR

2019 TOUR

September 21 - October 6

September 19 - October 4

ACCOMMODATION 1 night in Yerevan | 11 nights on board the Golden Eagle | 2 nights in Baku | 1 night in Almaty

Arrive Yerevan

DAY 9 Ashgabat

DAY 2 Yerevan

DAY 10

On board

DAY 3

Visit Darvaza Gas Crater

Lake Sevan & Dilijan

DAY 4 Tbilisi

DAY 11 Khiva

DAY 5

Tbilisi & Telavi

DAY 12 Bukhara

DAY 6

Gori, Uplistsikhe

DAY 13 Samarkand

& Mtskheta

DAY 14 Tashkent

DAY 7 Baku DAY 8

DAY 15 Almaty

Cross The Caspian Sea DAY 16

Depart Almaty

YEREVAN - LAKE SEVAN - TBILISI - GORI - UPLISTSIKHE - MTSKHETA - BAKU - CROSS THE CASPIAN SEA - ASHGABAT DARVAZA GAS CRATER - KHIVA - BUKHARA - SAMARKAND - TASHKENT - ALMATY

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED

FINEST RAIL ACCOMMODATION

OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME

Full guided off-train excursions programme Personal Headsets to hear the professional guideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commentary Bottled water during excursions Authentic dining experiences in local restaurants with a generous drinks allowance, including international wines

GOLDEN EAGLE DIFFERENCE Experienced Tour Manager On board Doctor - English speaking Luggage porterage - from the time you are met at the airport until your departure No tipping policy Arrival and departure transfers High quality Golden Eagle embroidered backpack Detailed Golden Eagle route map

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - starting with dinner on first day and finishing with breakfast on last day Generous drinks allowance, including international wine, with lunch and dinner Gala Caviar Dinner on board the train In-cabin breakfast option to start the day Afternoon tea and cakes on board the train

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

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Hellenic Temple of Garni, Armenia

YEREVAN ԵՐԵՒԱՆ ARMENIA

DAYS

1-2

The Yerevan skyline is dominated by Mount Ararat in nearby Turkey, with its snow covered peak towering in the distance. Yerevan has a rich history and was occupied as early as 6,000 BC. The fortress of Erebuni was erected there in the 8th century BC. Seized by a succession of conquerors, the city later passed back and forth between the Turks and the Persians until 1827, when it was taken by Russia. It became the capital of Soviet Armenia in 1920 and following the demise of the Soviet Union, the capital of the new nation of Armenia. On arrival we stay for one night at the centrally-located Armenia Marriott hotel, or similar. Why not extend your stay in Yerevan with additional nights before the tour to explore more of the city at your leisure? Our touring will take us 23 miles (37 km) out of Yerevan to the ancient Geghard Monastery. The beautiful monastery contains a number of churches and tombs, many of them cut into the rock. The complex of medieval architecture is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the head of the Azat Valley.

palace and baths there. Back in Yerevan city we will visit the Cascade giant stairway and inside it the Casfejian Museum of Modern Art. In the evening we board our Golden Eagle private train and start our adventure to Almaty.

LAKE SEVAN & DILIJAN ՍԵՒԱՆԱ ԼԻՃ ԵՒ ԴԻԼԻՋԱՆ ARMENIA

Our train takes a scenic route today around the stunning Lake Sevan and we make a short stop to walk to the beach for a photo opportunity. Along with Lake Van and Lake Urmia, Sevan was considered one of the three great lakes of the historical Armenian Kingdom, collectively referred to as the Seas of Armenia; it is the only one within the boundaries of today’s Republic of Armenia. We will continue to Dilijan to visit the nearby Monastery of Haghpat, built between the 10th and 14th centuries. Its beautiful location in dense wood in the gorges of two small mountain rivers make an atmospheric backdrop for St. Astvatsatsin Church, its most important building. We will have an Armenian cognac reception at Avan Dzoraget Hotel on the Debed River, nestled among the forest-covered hills and rocky slopes of the Caucasus Mountains.

We will also visit the 1st century pagan temple of Garni, built to worship the Sun God Mitra. We will explore the remains of an ancient fortress,

DAY

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TBILISI & TELAVI ԵՐԵՒԱՆ

DAYS

4-5

ARMENIA

Heading into Georgia, we visit Tbilisi. Hemmed in by the Surami Range, the city extends for 17 miles (27 km) along the banks of the River Kura. Despite the wars and fires which caused innumerable changes in the topography of Tbilisi, the old part of the city still retains much of its original layout, a spider’s web of narrow winding streets and alleyways. Historical sites we visit include the 13th century Metekhi church, a cross cupola church which forms part of the Royal Residential complex, and the 5th century Sioni Cathedral, the main church of

Tbilisi. We will also visit the recently built Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and take a walking tour of the old town and Rustaveli Avenue. Here we will see the Great Hall of the Georgian Philharmonia, built in 1969-71, which has been acknowledged as one of the finest public buildings since the Second World War. We will see the treasures of the city housed in the Janashia Museum of Georgia.

Caucasus Mountain range. This region is known as a birthplace of Georgian viticulture and wine-making. We tour the Tsinandali country estate of the Alexandre Chavchavadze family with a marvellous garden, house-museum, park and winery dating back to the 19th century, located near Telavi, a couple of hours’ drive from Tbilisi.

We also explore the beautiful Kakheti region, which borders the Great

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GORI, UPLISTSIKHE CAVE CITY AND MTSKHETA გორი, უფლისციხე და მცხეთა GEORGIA

the regular streets and imposing buildings of modern Baku rise up the slopes of the amphitheatre of hills surrounding the bay. DAY

Gori is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, founded in the 7th century AD as Tontio. Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, was born here in 1879 and he spent his childhood years in the city and later (1888-94) studied at its theological seminary. The small house where Stalin was born is preserved under a canopy outside the huge columned palace-like building that houses the Stalin Museum. To the side of the museum is Stalin’s private railway carriage. The museum is filled with interesting photographs of the man responsible for more deaths and suffering than any other human being. The famous cave city of Uplistsikhe dates from the 6th century BC and is first mentioned in the chronicles of the 1st century AD. Carved into rocky plateau we find huge echoing halls, meandering corridor-streets, chambers for pagan worship and even the remains of Georgia’s oldest theatre, complete with auditorium, stage and orchestra pit. Like the other cave-towns of Georgia, it is rooted in the prehistoric traditions of the peoples of the Near East. On one side the fortress was protected by the Mtkvari and an almost vertical rock face, on the other, by powerful fortifications. Its strategic position on the approaches to Gori and, in particular, its strong defences made it possible to control the surrounding terrain. There were numerous attempts to destroy Uplistsikhe. Only in the 13th century, however, did the hordes of Genghis Khan’s son Khulagu succeed in doing so, after capturing and destroying many fortresses in Transcaucasia with the help of siege machines. The 5,000 inhabitants of Uplistsikhe perished and life ended forever in the fortress.

We will offer an alternative tour to Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Located 40 miles (64 km) from Baku on the west bank of the Caspian Sea, Gobustan is an outstanding archaeological site of more than 6,000 prehistoric rock engravings. The area also features the remains of inhabited caves, settlements and burials. We stay for two nights at the five-star Four Seasons, Baku (or similar), while our train is loaded on the ferry and transported across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan.

CROSS THE CASPIAN SEA FROM AZERBAIJAN TO TURKMENISTAN

DAY

Early morning our empty train is loaded onto a cargo ferry for a 12-14 hour crossing of the Caspian Sea from Baku to the town of Turkmenbashi. Formerly known as Krasnovodsk, it is the western terminus of oil and natural gas pipelines and of the Trans-Caspian Railway, which links the Caspian region with central Asia. Upon arrival at the port at Turkmenbashi our train will be offloaded and will travel overnight to Ashgabat. Meanwhile we will fly from Baku directly to Ashgabat.

Late afternoon we visit the city of Mtskheta, Georgia’s Old Capital. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, Mtskheta became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. During today we will also have a private performance of traditional Georgian polyphonic singing.

BAKU БАКУ

AZERBAIJAN

DAY

Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, lies on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and the southern side of the Apsheron Peninsula, around the wide, curving sweep of the Bay of Baku. The bay, sheltered by the islands of the Baku Archipelago, provides the best harbour of the Caspian Sea, while the Apsheron Peninsula gives protection from violent northerly winds. Baku derives its international importance from its huge oil industry. The core of present-day Baku is the Old Town, or fortress, of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive, as does the 90 ft (27 m) tower of Kyz-Kalasy (Maiden Tower, 12th century). The walled old town is highly picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings. These include the Palace of the Shirvan-Shahs, now a museum, the oldest part of which dates from the 11th century. Also of the 11th century is the SynykKala Minaret and Mosque (1078-79). Other notable historic buildings are the Law Court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet Minaret, and the mausoleum of the astronomer Seida Bakuvi. Around the walls of the fortress,

ASHGABAT АШХАБАД TURKMENISTAN

DAY

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 trip to the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque.

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DARVAZA BURNING GAS CRATER ГАЗОВЫЙ КРАТЕР ДАРВАЗА TURKMENISTAN

DAY

The Golden Eagle makes a brief scheduled stop at Ichoguz, where we have the opportunity to leave the train and make a short journey to Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater, a spectacular sight best seen at night. Located in the middle of the Kara Kum desert where the area is rich in natural gas, the 70-metre-wide crater is known by the locals as the ‘Door to Hell’ and has been burning for over 40 years. A unique experience that is not to be missed.

KHIVA ХИВА

UZBEKISTAN

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES DAY

Our train travels towards Urgench, from where we transfer to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, we discover the impressive mosques, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.

Armenian Cognac tasting in Dilijan Private performance of Georgian polyphonic singing

Darvaza Burning Gas Crater lights up the night sky in the Kara Kum desert

Evening drinks reception on the beautifully lit Registan Square, Samarkand

See the world’s oldest Koran in Tashkent

BUKHARA БУХАРА UZBEKISTAN

DAY

Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO sponsored the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The most enjoyable aspect of this city is to just immerse oneself in the atmosphere of this unique and ancient city and re-live some of its fascinating history at the crossroads of Asia. The main highlight of this wonderful tour is a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara – the despotic and ruthless leaders who ruled until Soviet times. We then travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named, ‘Palace of the Moon and Stars’.

SAMARKAND САМАРКАНД UZBEKISTAN

TASHKENT ТАШКЕНТ

DAY

UZBEKISTAN

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and we spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. Our tour of the city includes the Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets and here in a small library we will be privileged to see one of Islam’s most sacred relics – the world’s oldest Koran.

DAY

Just the mention of Samarkand instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road, more so than any other town. Founded in the 6th century BC, Samarkand’s stunning architecture hints at its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia and is particularly noted for its architectural remains from the 14th to the 17th century, when it flourished as the fabled capital of the Mongol empire of Timur and his successors. Today we will visit some of its most significant sites including Registan Square, the refined elegance of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428. Before dinner we will return to the now illuminated and awe-inspiring Registan Square.

This is followed by a visit to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

ALMATY АЛМА-АТЫ KAZAKHSTAN

DAYS

15-16

We will take a tour of Almaty including a visit to Panfilov Park, located in the heart of the city, and home to the Zenkov Cathedral, a 19th century Russian Orthodox Church made entirely of wood. Overnight we stay in the Ritz-Carlton hotel (or similar), before transferring to Almaty Airport to begin your journey home.

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

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THE SILK ROAD BEIJING - XIAN - DUNHUANG - TURPAN - ALMATY - TASHKENT - SAMARKAND - BUKHARA MERV - ASHGABAT - DARVAZA GAS CRATER (WESTBOUND ONLY) - KHIVA KARA KUM DESERT - VOLGOGRAD - MOSCOW

Retracing one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation, the Silk Road follows in the footsteps of such legendary figures as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo. For centuries, merchants and adventurers journeyed on ancient routes through some of the most testing landscapes in the world trading silk, spices and perfumes. These ‘highways’ – stretching some 4,000 miles (6,400 km) – collectively came to be called the ‘Silk Road’. Crossing though China and some of the remotest former Soviet Republics, en-route to Moscow, our epic journey on board the Golden Eagle through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and an ever-changing landscape will take in some of the most magnificent yet little visited sites and oasis cities from the ancient world. Whilst the journey may present great difficulties for the independent traveller, our tour provides the opportunity to travel in comfort and safety. A true feeling of adventure and pioneering awaits on this unique tour by private train.

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THE SILK ROAD MOSCOW

BEIJING

RUSSIA MONGOLIA

Volgograd

KAZAKHSTAN

Xian Turpan Almaty

UZBEKISTAN

CASPIAN SEA

Khiva Ashgabat Merv

KYRGYZSTAN

Tashkent Samarkand Bukhara TAJIKISTAN

CHINA

DAILY TOUR ITINERARIES

TOUR SCHEDULES WESTBOUND 2019 April 16 - May 6 (Beijing - Moscow)

Dunhuang

April 24 - May 6 (Almaty - Moscow) October 3 - October 15 (Almaty - Moscow)

WESTBOUND ACCOMMODATION (Almaty - Moscow) 1 night in Almaty | 10 nights on board the Golden Eagle 2 nights in Moscow

WESTBOUND (Beijing - Moscow)

WESTBOUND (Almaty - Moscow)

DAYS 1-3 Beijing DAY 4 Beijing - Xian DAY 5 Xian DAY 6 Dunhuang DAY 7 Dunhuang DAY 8 Turpan DAY 9 Border Crossing DAY 10 Almaty DAY 11 Tashkent DAY 12 Samarkand DAY 13 Bukhara DAY 14 Merv DAY 15 Ashgabat DAY 16 Khiva DAY 17 Kara Kum Desert DAY 18 Volgograd DAY 19 Arrival in Moscow DAY 20 Moscow DAY 21 Moscow

DAY 1 Almaty DAY 2 Almaty DAY 3 Tashkent DAY 4 Samarkand DAY 5 Bukhara DAY 6 Merv DAY 7 Ashgabat DAY 8 Khiva DAY 9 Kara Kum Desert DAY 10 Volgograd DAY 11 Arrival in Moscow DAY 12 Moscow DAY 13 Moscow

BEIJING - XIAN - DUNHUANG - TURPAN - ALMATY - TASHKENT - SAMARKAND - BUKHARA - MERV - ASHGABAT DARVAZA GAS CRATER (WESTBOUND ONLY) - KHIVA - KARA KUM DESERT - VOLGOGRAD - MOSCOW

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golden eagle

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED

FINEST RAIL ACCOMMODATION

OFF-TRAIN EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME

GOLDEN EAGLE DIFFERENCE Experienced Tour Manager On board Doctor - English speaking Luggage porterage - from the time you are met at the airport until your departure No tipping policy Arrival and departure transfers High quality Golden Eagle embroidered backpack Detailed Golden Eagle route map

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - starting with dinner on first day and finishing with breakfast on last day Generous drinks allowance, including international wine, with lunch and dinner Gala Caviar Dinner on board the train In-cabin breakfast option to start the day Afternoon tea and cakes on board the train

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

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BEIJING 北京 CHINA

DAYS

1-4

Beijing mixes both ancient and modern and is where we spend three nights staying at the five-star Regent Beijing hotel, which is located in the historical centre of the city. This luxurious Beijing hotel is minutes from the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing shopping, the Oriental Plaza and picturesque hutongs.

miles) west of Beijing. Cuandixia is known for its architecture and the natural beauty of the area. It is home to more than 500 well preserved courtyard houses dating to the Ming and Qing dynasties. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA During our stay in Beijing we devote time to the most awe-inspiring site in the whole of China – The Great Wall. This amazing edifice is perhaps the most evocative symbol of Chinese skill and precision. Originally built to protect the Chinese Empire from raids by nomadic tribes, it is the world’s longest man-made structure in the world and part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. We have the privilege of walking along a portion of the wall – the perfect opportunity to take some memorable photographs with your fellow guests. We host our exclusive welcome dinner in an authentic Peking Duck restaurant. The banquet will be complemented by specially selected international wines, as with all our meals, as well as a glass of local rice wine also known as ‘firewater’ as befitting this special occasion.

In our extensive touring programme of the Imperial City, we visit Tiananmen Square and explore the magnificently restored Forbidden City, which was built in the early 14th century and was home to the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Our cultural exploration continues at the Temple of Heaven, built during the Ming Dynasty to offer sacrifices to the heavens, which is the grandest of the four great temples situated in Beijing. Here we experience enchanting displays of traditional dancing, singing and the delicately precise ancient art of calligraphy. We’ll also explore the small ‘hutong’ lanes of old Beijing by rickshaw and visit a local family in a traditional courtyard house. Alternatively, with our Freedom of Choice touring programme we offer a tour to Cuandixia ancient village, nestled in the mountains 90kms (56

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XIAN 西安 CHINA

DAYS

4-5

Our fascinating journey of discovery takes us to Xian. We will have several hours to explore the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered by peasants only 40 years ago. The 6,000 terracotta figures and their horses are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.

Also on our extended visit to Xian, we will admire the city’s historical architecture on a cycle along the ancient city walls and experience the bustling street culture of the Muslim Quarter with a visit to the Great Mosque. We spend one overnight at the Sofitel Xian, located right in the heart of the city wall district. We will take the exhilarating new high-speed railway line between Beijing and Xian. Travelling at speeds of up to 300kms per hour (190 miles per hour) the bullet train will cover the distance of 1,144kms (710 miles) in a time of 4 hours and 40 minutes.

Alternatively, as part of our Freedom of Choice programme we will offer a visit to the Han Yangling Museum. This tomb, dating back 2,000 years with its adjoining museum, is one of China’s best kept secrets.

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DUNHUANG 敦煌 CHINA

DAYS

6-7

In the small oasis city of Dunhuang we will visit the fascinating Magao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex. This impressive site contains almost 500 grottoes, carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago. Inside we will see an amazing collection of beautiful sculptures and murals depicting the evolution of Buddhist religious art over this 1,000-year period. In the afternoon we explore the vast natural beauty of the Gobi Desert by camel. Here we discover Crescent Lake. Hidden amongst towering sand dunes, it has sustained life in this region for millennia. We stay for one night at the Silk Road Dunhuang hotel and tonight we experience dinner and a local folk performance in this magical setting before waking for breakfast the following morning and experience the magnificent sunrise over the sand dunes.

TURPAN 吐鲁番 CHINA

DAY

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.

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ALMATY АЛМА-АТЫ KAZAKHSTAN

SAMARKAND DAY

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and is notable for its wide tree-lined boulevards. Surrounded by the majesty of the Tien Shan Mountains, this beautifully city derives its name from ‘alma’ meaning ‘apple’. Just a short distance from the city, apple orchards thrive in abundance. Our city tour includes a visit to Panfilov Park where we have the opportunity to visit the Zenkhov Cathedral which was built entirely of wood. We will also go out of the city to the Chimbulak resort, where a cable car ride will give you spectacular views of Almaty and the mountains. On arrival we stay for one night at the centrally-located Ritz-Carlton hotel (or similar). Why not extend your stay in Almaty with additional nights before the tour to explore more of the city at your leisure?

TASHKENT ТАШКЕНТ UZBEKISTAN

DAY

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and we spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. Our tour of the city includes the Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets and here in a small library we’ll be privileged to see one of Islam’s most sacred relics – the world’s oldest Koran. This is followed by a visit to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

АМАРКАНД UZBEKISTAN

DAY

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES

Evening drinks reception on the beautifully lit Registan Square, Samarkand

See the world’s oldest Koran in Tashkent

Ride camels through the sand dunes to Dunhuang’s Crescent Moon Lake

Look in awe at the Terracotta Warriors in Xian

Climb the Great Wall of China

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BUKHARA БУХАРА U Z B E K I S TA N

DAY

Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO sponsored the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The highlight of this wonderful tour is a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara – the despotic and ruthless leaders who ruled until Soviet times. We then travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named, Palace of the Moon and Stars. This evening, weather and time permitting, we will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before our train departs.

MERV Мерв

T URKME NISTA N

DAY

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.

DARVAZA BURNING GAS CRATER

ASHGABAT АШХАБАД T URKME NISTA N

DAY

ГАЗОВЫЙ КРАТЕР ДАРВАЗА T U R K M E N I STAN

WES T BO U N D O N LY

KHIVA ХИВА

UZBEKISTAN

DAY

From Urgench we travel to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, we discover its impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.

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

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KARA KUM DESERT

K AZ AK HSTAN / DAY S O N B OAR D O U R P R I VAT E T R AI N

DAY

We will enjoy a relaxing day on board the Golden Eagle as we travel across the vast expanses of the Kara Kum desert. Each Silk Road departure has a number of days or half days on board our private train as we travel to our next destination. This time offers 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, listen to a talk on the history of the Silk Road and its people along the route, simply relax with a good book or enjoy the ever changing landscape outside your window as it unfolds before you.

VOLGOGRAD R U SSI A

DAY

Standing on the banks of the Volga, Stalingrad, as the city was known in Soviet times, was the dramatic scene of one of the most important Second World War battles. The Russians heroically turned back the Nazi advance here to alter the course of the war. We visit the poignantly sobering Mamayev Kurgan war memorial, followed by an informative museum visit.

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MOSCOW RUSSIA

DAYS

19-21

On our final evening in Moscow you will be invited to a champagne drinks reception before the exclusive farewell dinner. Specially selected international wines are included with dinner, as with all meals during the tour. Included in our time spent in Moscow are two nights at the five-star Ritz-Carlton. Located in Moscow city centre, and within a short walking distance of Red Square and the Bolshoi Theatre, guests will discover a classic and sophisticated ambience that gives way to contemporary cool in the most unexpected places, like from the rooftop O2 Lounge with its breathtaking views of Red Square and the rejuvenating surroundings of ESPA, the hotel’s world class spa. 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.

If you have been to Moscow before we offer included Freedom of Choice touring where you can visit other sights of Moscow such as the famous State Tretyakov Gallery (National Museum of Fine Art) or the Space Museum.

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

SHANGRI-LA EXPRESS

Modern comfort in an ancient country… the Shangri-La Express, with the option of private en-suite facilities, guarantees you good living even in the remotest of places.

Meals are served in the train’s spacious restaurant car, where our dedicated chefs serve a western breakfast followed by a wide range of authentic Chinese specialities at lunch and dinner, using only the finest local ingredients. As well as soft drinks, tea and coffee, meals are accompanied by a selection of wines from around the world. Equally enjoyable is the unique ambience of the piano bar car, where our resident pianist will entertain you during the evenings. Staying open until the last person leaves, the bar is the perfect place to get to know your fellow passengers… or simply while away some time, reading or taking in the scenery while enjoying your favourite drink.

Please Note - Tours running through both Russia and China on the Silk Road will use the Golden Eagle for the Moscow – Almaty part of the journey. Imperial Suite passengers will be guaranteed a twin berth cabin with private en-suite facilities on the Chinese Private Train, Gold Class passengers will be allocated a twin berth cabin with private en-suite facilities on a first come, first served basis (subject to availability) and will be advised at the time of booking. Silver Class passengers will receive twin berth cabins with shared facilities. Subject to availability upgrades to cabins with private en-suite facilities will be offered to Silver Class passengers in order of confirmed bookings received with deposit and final balance paid.

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ON BOARD ACCOMMODATION

SHANGRI-LA EXPRESS Heritage Class

Diamond Class

• • • • •

Sleeps one or two in lower twin berths Shared shower, wash basin and toilet facilities in each carriage Towels, robes and slippers provided Towels and linens changed regularly Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin

CABIN AREA: 36 SQ FT (3.4 SQ M)

Sleeps one or two in double bed format Private en-suite facilities (shower, toilet & wash basin) Towels, robes and slippers provided Towels and linens changed regularly Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin

CABIN AREA: 75 SQ FT (6.9 SQ M)

Configuration and styles of all cabins may vary

Shangri-La Express Carriage Floorplan

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

golden eagle

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR TOURS

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

All accommodation as per the itinerary; both on board the train and in hotels; all meals starting with dinner on the first day; a generous allowance of wine, beer, soft drinks and tea and coffee with all lunches and dinners both on and off the train; all arrival and departure transfers; guided off-train sightseeing excursions; the services of experienced tour leaders; complimentary tea, coffee and bottled water 24 hours a day; all gratuities; and a doctor travelling with the group.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

International and domestic airfares (unless part of the itinerary); visa and excess baggage charges; insurance. Personal expenses such as drinks in the Bar Lounge Car or laundry. On some tours there may also be an occasional optional activity that needs to be paid for locally.

PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION

It is your responsibility to be in possession of a valid passport and visa for your trip. A passport with a minimum of 6 monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; validity is required for all our rail tours. Many of the remote and exotic countries we visit require visas. Visa costs are not included in the price of the tour and these must be purchased independently. This can often be an involved and time consuming process and, as this is such an important aspect of your holiday, we can assist you with advice and any supporting documentation. We do not take any responsibility for any passengers in possession of incorrect or invalid visas. Please contact our Customer Services department for help and information. For customers in the United Kingdom we can put you in contact with our recommended visa support agency.

ACCESS TO WI-FI

Wi-Fi is available on board for guest use whilst travelling in most countries. The Wi-Fi connection is subject to a fair use policy and dependent on cellular signal. There will be times when we will be travelling through areas with limited or zero coverage. Therefore, please do not expect a reliable service when we are moving or in remote areas. On all tours we aim to provide internet access in a local hotel or restaurant for passengers at least every other day. Our Tour Manager will keep you informed of all the opportunities to use Wi-Fi and provide password access when necessary.

INSURANCE

It is a booking condition that you must be fully insured for any medical expenses that may be incurred whilst travelling. Comprehensive travel insurance policies for UK travellers can be obtained from Campbell Irvine.

VACCINATIONS

As our rail journeys visit areas of developing countries, we strongly advise that you consult your doctor or a medical centre for specific health advice.

ON BOARD DOCTOR

We provide a Doctor on board all our tours who is available 24 hours a day. They carry a fully stocked medical kit but it is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations, prescribed and precautionary medicine for the countries you are visiting before travelling with us.

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INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

Flights are not included (unless part of the itinerary) but we can advise fares and book them for you if the flights originate in the UK. Please note that we do not advise that you book flights more than 60 days in advance of the tour departure date (see Booking Conditions).

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Hotel accommodation as described in the tour itinerary is included in the price of the tour. All hotels are of a 5-star standard or best available. Room upgrades are available on request, subject to availability and at an additional cost.

ITINERARIES

TRAVELLER HEALTH CONDITIONS

To get the most out of our tours, passengers must be able to walk at least a mile per day at normal walking speed. The traveller represents that neither he/she has any physical or mental condition or disability that could create a hazard to him/herself or other members of the tour. We reserve the right to refuse travel to anyone who, in the opinion of the tour doctor or tour manager would be incapable of completing the tour or would cause unacceptable delays to the rest of the group. In these circumstances there would be no refund for any unused part of the tour. If in doubt, please call us for advice.

PROFESSIONAL AND FULLY PROTECTED

Accommodation and tour itineraries, including the provision of steam haulage, are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as advertised and as per the rail timings received.

Air holiday packages that include air booked with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Ltd are ATOL protected with the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 3408. You can be confident that, in the unlikely event of our insolvency, all monies paid to us in advance of booking will be refunded or, if necessary, arrangements made for repatriation if you are already abroad.

SPECIAL REQUESTS

BOOKING CONDITIONS

We pride ourselves on offering you a personalised and knowledgeable service and will make every effort to meet any of your special dietary, room or travel requests. Also we are very happy to cater for any special occasion or anniversary that you are celebrating whilst you are with us. Please advise us at the time of booking.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS

Many of our guests are single travellers and of course passengers travelling as small groups, families, couples or singles are all equally welcome.

GRATUITIES

All gratuities are included in the tour price and we strongly encourage passengers to refrain from offering gratuities to crew/hoteliers/drivers etc. We would prefer passengers to inform our management of any exceptional service received, and we will reward accordingly.

LANGUAGE

The primary tour language will be English. French, German and Spanish speaking guides are available on selected 2018 departures or on request at an additional cost. Please contact us for more information. Other languages may be available on request.

MEETING POINTS

Details of hotel/airport meeting points will be printed on the tour vouchers and departure packs that will be sent to you one month prior to departure.

MINIMUM PASSENGER REQUIREMENTS

All our rail tours require a minimum number of passengers to operate. Should this not be reached, we will run a modified service of carriages attached to regular service trains to accommodate a smaller group or offer an alternative tour. If no alternative is suitable a full refund will be offered. Reduced numbers mean smaller and more intimate groups, and a shorter train, as we leave unfilled cars behind. Occasionally Russian Railways will be combining our Golden Eagle carriages with regular trains departing at similar times. Your on board experience and off-train tours will be unaffected and, as there will be no connection between our carriages and the regular trains, the Golden Eagle carriages will remain totally private and you will not notice any difference to the quality, comfort and enjoyment of your holiday.

Our full booking conditions can be found on pages 90 - 92.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important, therefore travel insurance is a must whenever you travel abroad. You can buy either single trip or annual multi-trip travel insurance through specialist insurance brokers Campbell Irvine, underwritten by AXA Insurance (UK) plc*. To arrange cover or to obtain a quotation please contact Campbell Irvine directly or apply online at www.campbellirvine.com. Tel: 0207 938 1734 or e-mail: info@campbellirvine.com. Full details of the cover provided will be shown on your policy documentation, which will be sent to you by Campbell Irvine. We would ask you to please read the terms of your policy carefully to ensure you understand the cover provided, which includes certain terms, conditions, exclusions and excesses. In common with most travel insurance, cover is excluded for any defined pre-existing medical condition from which you or any person upon whom travel depends are suffering. If in doubt please contact Campbell Irvine’s pre-departure medical helpline in confidence on 0844 826 2686, as additional cover may be purchased directly from the insurer’s medical screening helpline for certain existing medical conditions. Please note that if you choose not to take insurance from Campbell Irvine then we require confirmation that you have an alternative policy that provides cover which is as wide as Campbell Irvine’s policy. In this case you will be asked to provide us with the name of your alternative insurer and your policy number together with the 24-hour medical emergency assistance contact number. We will require this information at least six weeks prior to travel with us. Cover photo supplied by Max De Zarobe. Other selected photographs in this brochure have been supplied courtesy of Martin Kers and Andrew Mills (www.photomills.co.uk).

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

INTRODUCING

TOU R P R EV I EW S FOR 2018 - 2019

BALKAN ODYSSEY

GRAND ALPINE EXPRESS

TREASURES OF EASTERN EUROPE

BUDAPEST - VENICE / VENICE - BUDAPEST*

BUDAPEST - VENICE

VENICE - BUDAPEST

Budapest • Lajosmizse • Sighisoara • Brasov Veliko Tarnovo • Plovdiv • Belgrade • Mostar Sarajevo • Ljubljana • Trieste • Venice

Budapest • Vienna • Semmering Pass • Lake Achen Innsbruck • Zurich • St Gotthard Pass • Lake Como Milan • Lake Garda • Verona • Trieste • Lake Bled Ljubljana • Venice

Venice • Prague • Zittau • Berlin • Gdynia Gdansk • Malbork • Krakow • Bratislava • Vienna Keszthely • Budapest

DEPARTS 8 June – 18 June

DEPARTS 15 June – 25 June*

22 June – 2 July

DEPARTS 26 August – 8 September

9 September – 19 September

SICILIAN ODYSSEY

CHAMPAGNE EXPRESS

NEW YEAR IN VIENNA

VENICE – TAORMINA / TAORMINA – VENICE*

VENICE – PARIS / PARIS – VENICE*

BUDAPEST – VIENNA - BUDAPEST

See individual itineraries at www.getrains.com as they vary depending on the direction

Budapest • Keszthely • Graz • Vienna • Cesky Krumlov Prague • Kosice • Budapest

DEPARTS

17 September– 28 September

4 October – 15 October

25 September – 6 October*

12 October – 23 October*

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DEPARTS 28 December – 5 January

In addition to the featured collection of Trans-Siberian and Silk Road itineraries included in this brochure, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains is extending its range of rail cruises for 2018 and beyond to including a number of new and exciting itineraries across Europe and Asia. For further information on these tours visit the website at www.getrains.com. Alternatively, register your interest now with our Reservations Team on +44 (0)161 928 9410 and we will send you the full itinerary and prices.

SWISS RAIL SPECTACULAR

PERSIAN ODYSSEY

HEART OF PERSIA

LONDON - ZURICH – INTERLAKEN – ZURICH

MOSCOW – TEHRAN / TEHRAN – MOSCOW*

TEHRAN - TEHRAN

London • Zurich • Basel • St. Moritz • Rheinschlucht Gorge • Gotthard Fortress • Furka Pass • Gornergrat Zermatt • Interlaken • Jungfrau • Brienz • Lake Lucerne Mount Rigi • Zurich

Moscow • Baikonur • Tashkent • Samarkand • Bukhara Khiva • Darvaza Gas Crater (Northbound) • Ashgabat Merv • Mashhad • Mahan • Rayen • Yazd • Isfahan Persepolis • Shiraz • Tehran

Tehra • Mashhad • Kerman • Rayen • Mahan • Yazd Isfahan • Shiraz • Persepolis • Kashan • Shustar Chogha Zanbil • Susa • Pol-e Safid • Tehran

DEPARTS

17 July - 26 July

DEPARTS

25 March – 11 April

8 April – 21 April

28 October – 14 November*

18 October – 31 October

CHINA & TIBET DISCOVERY URUMQI – KASHGAR - LHASA Urumqi • Kashgar • Turpan • Dunhuang • Jiayuguan Xining • Qinghai-Tibet Railway • Lhasa

DEPARTS 11 April -22 April, 2019

REQUEST OR DOWNLOAD YOUR BROCHURE

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

Call +44 (0)161 928 9410 Or visit www.getrains.com

BOOKING CONDITIONS In these Booking Conditions references to ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’ are to Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited a company registered in England and Wales (Company Number 02567148) whose registered office is at Denzell House, Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4QF. Our email address is mail@ goldeneagleluxurytrains.co.uk. Our VAT number is 603 554365. Please read carefully the following conditions to which your booking is subject (“Booking Conditions”). Please also ensure that you have carefully read and understood the relevant tour itinerary, and the pre-departure information featured on our website, all of which form the basis of your contract with us. In these Booking Conditions, references to ‘you’ or ‘your’ include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred.

Please let us know if you need an alternative version of these booking conditions such as large print, braille or cd. 1 QUALITY STANDARDS & FLEXIBILITY 1.1 We aim to avoid surprise or disappointment by informing you of the following matters at this stage and if you have any doubts or concerns please raise these with us. Most customers acknowledge these matters as part of the travelling experience. 1.2 Please be aware that some of the facilities you encounter on our tours may not be to the standard which you may find on a conventional holiday or at home, except for the hotels and trains we use. We often travel in areas which, relatively speaking, have seen few tourists and the infrastructure is often not fully developed. Whilst services are improving, by signing these Booking Conditions you understand that there may be problems with plumbing, bureaucratic service, unpaved and uneven surfaces, the non-availability of public restrooms and similar. 1.3 Please be aware that in operating our tours we rely upon other people and businesses. Tours do not always run as planned and, whilst we will always try our best to stick to the planned itinerary, please treat it as a guide rather than a strict timetable. Although we cannot always please all parties when changing an itinerary, our clients should anticipate changes being required. 2 CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING 2.1 When you make a booking you guarantee that you have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these Booking Conditions. We do not accept a booking and no contract exists between us until we receive your deposit (or full payment if booking within 60 days of departure), we confirm your booking in writing (the “Booking Confirmation”) and if appropriate, we receive a signed Booking Form. The Booking Form, these Booking Conditions, and any other written information we brought to your attention before we confirmed your booking, form the basis of the contract between us. If your confirmed arrangements include a flight, we (or if you booked via an authorised agent of ours, that agent) will also issue you with an ATOL Certificate. 2.2 A Booking Confirmation and ATOL Certificate will be sent to you or, if you booked through an agent, to your agent upon receipt of the Booking Form (if appropriate) and deposit. The Booking Confirmation will specify exactly what has been requested by you or your travel agent and it is your responsibility to check the Booking Confirmation and ATOL Certificate and advise us, or your travel agent, immediately in the event of any error as changes cannot be made later. 2.3 Any money paid to an authorised agent of ours in respect of a booking covered by our ATOL is held by that agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust at all times, but subject to the agent’s obligation to pay it to us for so long as we do not fail financially. If we do fail financially, any money held at that time by the agent or subsequently accepted from the consumer by the agent, is and continues to be held by that agent on behalf of and for the benefit of the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust without any obligation to pay that money to us. 2.4 You are required to make us are aware of any special requirements when making your booking (such as those relating to your health and dietary requirements and room types in hotels e.g. twin or double). Whilst every effort will be made by us to try and arrange your reasonable special requests, we cannot guarantee

that they will be fulfilled. The fact that a special request has been noted on your confirmation invoice or any other documentation or that it has been passed on to the supplier is not confirmation that the request will be met. Failure to meet any special request will not be a breach of contract on our part unless the request has been specifically confirmed. We do not accept bookings that are conditional upon any special request being met. 2.5 We are not a specialist disabled holiday company, but we will do our utmost to cater for any special requirements you may have. If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability which may affect your stay, please provide us with full details before we confirm your booking so that we can try to advise you as to the suitability of your chosen arrangements. We may require you to produce a doctor’s certificate certifying that you are fit to participate in the tour. Acting reasonably, if we are unable to properly accommodate the needs of the person(s) concerned, we will not confirm your booking or if you did not give us full details at the time of booking, we will cancel it and impose applicable cancellation charges when we become aware of these details. 3 ACCURACY 3.1 We endeavour to ensure that all the information and prices on our website are accurate, however occasionally changes and errors occur and we reserve the right to correct prices and other details in such circumstances. You must check the current price and all other details relating to the arrangements that you wish to book before you make your booking. 4 TRAVEL INSURANCE 4.1 It is a condition of your booking and your responsibility to ensure that you have sufficient and valid travel insurance to cover your booking with us. We reserve the right to decline your booking if adequate proof of such current and valid travel insurance is not provided to us when requested in accordance with clause 4.2 below. Please note that we do not check individual policies for suitability. Upon request, we can refer you to an insurance broker for travel insurance; however we make no recommendation as to the suitability of, and accept no liability whatsoever in relation to, such insurance broker and or the travel insurance provided. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including cancellation charges, pre-existing medical conditions, medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness. 4.2 You must supply us with the name, address and telephone number of your insurers, your policy number and the 24 hour medical emergency telephone number at least six weeks prior to travel. Any pre-existing medical conditions must be declared both to us and to your insurer; failure to do so may invalidate your travel insurance policy. 4.3 If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available. 5 PAYMENT & PRICE VARIATION 5.1 We reserve the right to alter the prices of tours shown in our brochure and or on our website at any time. You will be advised of the current price of the tour prior to the Booking Confirmation. We also reserve the right to correct errors in the prices of confirmed bookings. 5.2 You must pay the deposit required within 7 days of receiving our initial invoice (or full payment if booking within 60 days of departure). The initial invoice is not a booking confirmation but simply a request from us for payment of the deposit. Deposit amounts may vary dependant on the tour and cabin type. The deposit amounts are indicated for each tour on the price grid, but may be subject to change and you will be notified of the exact deposit amount at the time of booking. If you do not pay the deposit within 7 days of receipt of the invoice, we will not accept your booking. 5.3 We accept payment by cheque, credit card and debit card. If you pay by credit card, a charge of 2% will apply for all transactions (no charge will be applied for payments made by cheque or debit card). 5.4 If you do not supply the correct credit or debit card billing address and/or cardholder information, the issue of your tickets may be delayed and the overall costs may increase. We reserve the right to cancel your booking and levy cancellation charges if payment is declined or if you have supplied incorrect credit card information. We also reserve the right to undertake checks (including the electoral

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roll) in order to minimise credit card fraud. 5.5 We only accept payments in US Dollars with the exception of UK residents (payments in £ Sterling) and residents of the ‘Euro-zone’ countries (payments in Euros). 5.6 We must receive the balance due in relation to your booking at least 60 days prior to the tour departure date or in full, upon receipt of the invoice, if the booking is made 60 days or less from the tour departure date. Please note that we will not send a further invoice for payment of the balance and it remains your responsibility to ensure the balance is paid by the due date. If full payment is not received in cleared funds 60 days prior to the tour departure date then we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled and the appropriate cancellation charges will apply. 5.7 We do not expect to make surcharges or partial refunds but we reserve the right to do so in accordance with clauses 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9. When the price of your chosen arrangements has been confirmed, then, subject to the correction of errors, we will only increase or decrease the price due to changes in transportation costs (including the price of fuel); and to changes in the currency exchange rate used to calculate your arrangements; and to dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports. 5.8 However, we will absorb and you will not be charged for any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges and/or additional services or travel arrangements. You will be charged for the amount over and above that, plus an administration charge of £1.00 per person together with an amount to cover agents’ commission. If this means that you have to pay an increase of more than 10% of the cost of your holiday (excluding insurance premiums, amendment charges and/or additional services or travel arrangements), you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any insurance premiums, amendment charges and/or additional services or travel arrangements) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us as referred to in Clause 8 (major changes). You have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel your holiday or choose an alternative holiday. If you do not tell us that you wish to do so within this period of time, we are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice, whichever is the later. Should the price of your holiday go down due to the changes mentioned above, by more than 2% of your confirmed holiday cost, then any refund due will be paid to you. However, please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place. 5.9 We promise not to levy a surcharge within 30 days of the start of your tour. No refunds will be made within this period either. 6 YOUR CHANGES TO A TOUR 6.1 If you wish to alter your booking (for example, a change of date or transfer details) we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible to make changes particularly close to the tour departure date. Certain changes (e.g. flight bookings, extra nights and alterations to train accommodation) may not be made or accepted within 45 days of the tour departure date and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements. Any request for an alteration to a booking must be made in writing by the person who made the booking in accordance with Clause 2.1 or your travel agent. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee of £50 per amendment and any further charge to cover any costs and fees we incur. You should be aware that these costs may increase the closer to the tour departure date that changes are made and therefore any request for a change should be made as soon as possible. Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above. 6.2 If any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person(s) may transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you and satisfying all the conditions applicable to the arrangements) providing we are notified not less than 28 days before departure and you pay an amendment fee of £50 per person transferring, meet all costs and charges incurred by us and/

or incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. If you are unable to find a replacement, cancellation charges as set out in clause 7 will apply in order to cover our estimated costs. Otherwise, no refunds will be given for passengers not travelling or for unused services. 6.3 Cutting your holiday short If you are forced to return home early, we cannot refund the cost of any travel arrangements you have not used. If you cut short your holiday and return home early in circumstances where you have no reasonable cause for complaint about the standard of accommodation and services provided, we will not offer you any refund for that part of your holiday not completed, or be liable for any associated costs you may incur. Depending on the circumstances, your travel insurance may offer cover for curtailment and we suggest that any claim is made directly with them. 7 YOUR CANCELLATION OF A TOUR 7.1 A cancellation of a booking must be made without delay, in writing and be signed by the person who made the booking in accordance with Clause 2.1 or your travel agent. The date of cancellation is the date on which your letter, fax or e-mail is received by us, and it is your responsibility to ensure that we have received your communication. There will be a cancellation charge to compensate us for making your booking, as we have already incurred costs and the risk that we will be unable to resell your place(s). The charges are as follows (and exclude travel insurance premiums and amendment charges which are non-refundable): Period before tour departure date Cancellation charge 61 days or more Less than 60 days

Loss of deposit paid or due 100% of the cost of the booking

Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above. We will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your travel insurance policy you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges. 8 OUR CHANGES TO A TOUR Pre-departure 8.1 Arrangements for our tours are made many months in advance and occasionally changes may have to be made (including but not limited to the cancellation and/or substitution of guest speakers) and we reserve the right to do so at any time. Most of these changes will be minor (e.g. a modified service of carriages attached to a regular service train) and we will advise you or your travel agent of them as soon as possible. 8.2 In the event of any major changes, e.g. a change in price equal to or exceeding 10% of the cost of your holiday in accordance with clauses 5.7 and 5.8 (unless such increase is due to events beyond our reasonable control), a change of outward departure time or overall length of time you are away of twelve or more hours, a change to accommodation of a materially lower standard, a significant change of itinerary missing out one or more major destinations substantially or altogether, a change of UK airport (excluding change of London airports) or a change of flight time by more than 12 hours) you or your travel agent will be informed of these at the time of booking or as soon as possible, if there is time before your departure and the provisions of clause 9.2 shall apply. 8.3 If a major change to your tour becomes necessary you may either: (a) accept the changes; (b) accept an alternative tour of a comparable standard from us if we have a suitable tour available (we will refund the price difference if a tour of lower price is taken); or (c) accept an alternative tour of a superior standard from us if a suitable tour is available provided that you pay the price difference; or (d) cancel your reservation and receive a full refund. You must inform us of your decision as soon as possible. Where you choose option (a), (b) or (c) (you accept the changes) we will inform you of any additional costs before you make your decision and reserve the right to charge you for any additional charges incurred by us in making those changes. Where you choose option (d) the provisions of clause 9.2 may apply (save for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;major changeâ&#x20AC;? being an increase in the price of 10% or more in accordance with clause 5).

8.4 Due to changes in airline schedules or other operating reasons after our tours are booked, it is sometimes necessary to change the airline, airport or aircraft notified to you or your travel agent. Any changes to the actual airline after you have received your tickets will be notified to you as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. Such a change is deemed to be a minor change and the provisions of clause 8.1 (as appropriate) shall apply. Other examples of minor changes include alteration of your outward / return flight by less than 12 hours and or changes to aircraft type. Post-departure 8.5 On rail tours that include haulage by specific locomotives, travel in specific carriages, or on specific lines, whilst every effort will be made to ensure that these features are provided as advertised, there can be occasions when, for reasons outside of our control, the specific features cannot be provided. In this situation we will endeavour to provide alternative traction, accommodations or routing such as the circumstances allow. If we cannot make suitable alternative arrangements or if you refuse to accept these for good reason, we will arrange to transport you back to your tour departure point or to the point our contracted services commenced as soon as we reasonably can. 8.6 However, we and our agents at all times reserve the right to make such substitutions in relation to aspects of the tour for mechanical, operating or other matters required for reasons beyond our reasonable control (such as any war or terrorist activities (threatened or actual), riot, civil unrest, closure of airports, industrial action (threatened or actual), political conditions, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, changes to or cancellation of air, river, sea or rail services or any other events outside our reasonable control). 8.7 We reserve the right on occasions (at our sole discretion), due to effective load management procedures on the train, to provide cabin upgrades for selected passengers without additional charge. Such cabin upgrades are not guaranteed, cannot be requested and may only be notified on the first day of the tour. 8.8 We and our agents at all times reserve the right, without liability to you, to cancel and or amend any programme of guest speakers without notice to you and this shall always be a minor change. For the avoidance of doubt, you shall not be entitled to cancel your tour and or any refund of monies paid by you, due to the cancellation and or amendment to a programme of guest speakers. In the event that you cancel your tour due to such reasons, the cancellation charges set out in clause 7.1 shall apply. 9 OUR CANCELLATION OF A TOUR 9.1 We reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel your tour (including but not limited to where the minimum number of travellers required for a particular tour has not being reached) and in this event you will receive a full refund of all the money that you have paid to us in relation to the cancelled tour. We will not cancel your trip less than 60 days before scheduled tour departure date except for reasons of Force Majeure or failure to pay the final balance of the price of the tour. 9.2 Compensation We will pay you reasonable compensation for making a major change or cancelling a tour, save where it is done for: (i) unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our reasonable control (and which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised); (ii) your failure to pay the final balance of the price of the tour; (iii) (because our tours are based upon an economic minimum number of passengers) if a minimum number of travellers is not reached; (iv) where we make a minor change; (v) where we make a major change or cancel your arrangements more than 60 days before departure; (vi) where the change or cancellation by us arises out of alterations to the confirmed booking requested by you; (vii) where we are forced to cancel or change your arrangements due to Force Majeure (see clause 17). We recommend that you take out insurance with cancellation cover and do not make arrangements incidental to the tour more than 60 days prior to scheduled tour departure date.

Please note: where arrangements with a higher price than the original arrangements are offered by us and accepted by you, the difference in price will be deducted from any compensation payable. In no case will we pay compensation if the arrangements offered by us and accepted by you are of a higher price than those originally booked by you and in the same location where no additional payment is made by you. If we become unable to provide a significant proportion of the arrangements that you have booked with us after you have departed, we will make alternative arrangements for you at no extra charge and, if appropriate in all the circumstances, will pay you reasonable compensation. 10 TRAIN SCHEDULES & FLEXIBILITY 10.1 The trains used for our tours usually run on busy main lines, cover huge distances and operate to pre-agreed schedules. Occasionally operational, mechanical or other reasons beyond our control can cause delays resulting in rescheduling, reducing or cancelling parts of the cultural and sightseeing program in order to maintain our overall schedule. On our specialist steam hauled tours delays are not unusual as there are no longer servicing points for these historic locomotives. 10.2 No refunds will be made if time constraints dictate that elements of the cultural and sightseeing program or route are reduced to maintain our overall schedule or if any accommodation, sightseeing, meals or services are not utilised. 11 CONDITIONS OF SUPPLIERS 11.1 Many of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions which will form part of your contract with us. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions. Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from us or the supplier concerned. 12 VISAS, AIR TICKETS & PASSPORTS 12.1 Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and or Consulate, however general information about passport and visa requirements which apply to British Citizens is set out in our tour update letter. 12.2 Generally a full passport with at least 6 months validity from the end of the tour is required for all our tours. However, it is your responsibility to check your passport, visas and air tickets to ensure that they have been issued correctly for the correct dates and to advise us, or your travel agent, immediately in the event of any error. Any guidance we provide is provided in good faith however you and other members of your party should ensure that you obtain all the necessary documentation and visas prior to departure as we accept no responsibility if you cannot travel or for the refused or delayed entry of a passenger into a country because of incorrect documentation and/or you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements. Any repatriation charges will be the responsibility of the passenger. 12.3 Please note that in the event you are unable to obtain a visa, have an issued visa revoked or are otherwise unable to travel to your chosen destination due to changes in foreign policy, government or state regulations, visas rules or other such political reasons, we shall have no liability to you. We will not be liable to provide you with any refunds or compensation. You may be able to rely on your travel insurance in these circumstances. 12.4 Non British passport holders, including other EU nationals, should obtain up to date advice on passport and visa requirements from the Embassy, High Commission or Consulate of your destination or country(ies) through which you are travelling, 12.5 We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. 12.6 Up to date travel advice can be obtained from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visit https://www.gov.uk/ travelaware. More information can be found in Clause 29.

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13 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS 13.1 Travel documents will be issued after receipt by us of the full price or final balance for the tour and not normally later than fourteen days prior to departure. Tickets are usually available on departure when a booking is made within 7 days of departure. Please take your Booking Confirmation with you on departure. It is your responsibility to contact us immediately upon receipt of your travel documents in the event that they contain any errors. 14 BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE 14.1 irline free baggage allowances can vary depending upon the airline and we recommend that you check your flight tickets and/or contact the relevant airline if in doubt. Baggage maximum weight limits on trains, used for our tours are 50kg per person which should not be exceeded without our prior approval. 14.2 Where private aircraft are included in the tour itinerary there will be a baggage maximum weight limit which will be advised to you approximately 90 days prior to the tour departure date. 15 OUR LIABILITY TO YOU 15.1 We will accept responsibility for the arrangements we agree to provide or arrange for you as an “organiser” under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 as set out below. Subject to these booking conditions, if we or our suppliers negligently perform or arrange the services which we are obliged to provide for you under our contract with you, as set out on your confirmation invoice, taking into consideration all relevant factors (for example following the complaints procedure as described in these Booking Conditions and the extent to which ours or our employees’ or suppliers’ negligence affected the overall enjoyment of your tour), we will pay you reasonable compensation. Please note that it is your responsibility to show that we or our supplier(s) have been negligent if you wish to make a claim against us. 15.2 We will not be responsible or pay you compensation for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost or other claim of any description if it results from: (a) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected; (b) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party unconnected with the provision of the services contracted for and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable; (c) unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond ours or our supplier(s) control, the occurrence of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or (d) an event which either ourselves or our suppliers could not, even with all due care, have foreseen or forestalled. 15.3 We limit the amount of compensation we may have to pay you if we are found liable under this clause: (a) loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions and money, The maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is an amount equivalent to the excess on your insurance policy which applies to this type of loss per person in total because you are assumed to have adequate insurance in place to cover any losses of this kind. (b) Claims not falling under (a) above and which don’t involve injury, illness or death The maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is twice the price paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you or your party has not received any benefit at all from your booking. (c) Claims in respect of international travel by air, sea and rail, or any stay in a hotel i) The extent of our liability will in all cases be limited as if we were carriers under the appropriate Conventions, which include The Warsaw/Montreal Convention (international travel by air); The Athens Convention (with respect to sea travel); The Berne/Cotif Convention (with respect to rail travel) and The Paris Convention (with respect to hotel

arrangements). You can ask for copies of these Conventions from our offices. Please contact us. In addition, you agree that the operating carrier or transport company’s own ‘Conditions of Carriage’ will apply to you on that journey. When arranging transportation for you, we rely on the terms and conditions contained within these international conventions and those ‘Conditions of Carriage’. You acknowledge that all of the terms and conditions contained in those ‘Conditions of Carriage’ form part of your contract with us, as well as with the transport company and that those ‘Conditions of Carriage’ shall be deemed to be included by reference into this contract. ii) In any circumstances in which a carrier is liable to you by virtue of the Denied Boarding Regulation 2004, any liability we may have to you under our contract with you, arising out of the same facts, is limited to the remedies provided under the Regulation as if (for this purpose only) we were a carrier. iii) When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question. 15.4 It is a condition of our acceptance of liability under this clause that you notify any claim to ourselves and our supplier(s) strictly in accordance with the complaints procedure set out in these conditions. You agree to cooperate fully with us in respect of any legal proceedings which we may take against a third party in relation to the non-performance or improper performance of the services involved in providing the tour supplier. 15.5 Where any payment is made, the person(s) receiving it (and their parent or guardian if under 18 years) must also assign to ourselves or our insurers any rights they may have to pursue any third party and must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require. 15.6 Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss or expense or other sum(s) of any description: (a) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you; or (b) relate to any business. 15.7 Excursions or other tours not provided by us that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on our tour are not part of the tour provided by us. For any such excursion or tour that you book, your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of such excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the course of the provision by the operator. 16 FLIGHT DELAYS AND HELP & ASSISTANCE 16.1 If you or any member of your party misses your flight or other transport arrangement, it is cancelled or you are subject to a delay of over 3 hours for any reason, you must contact us and the airline or other transport supplier concerned immediately. 16.2 The Package Travel Regulations 1992 provide that in the event that you experience difficulty on the occurrence of circumstances described in clauses 15 (2) (a) (b) (c) or (d) of these Booking Conditions, we will provide you with prompt assistance. Where you experience a delay which is not owing to any failure by us, our employees or sub-contractors, this prompt assistance is likely to extend to providing help in locating refreshments, accommodation and communications but not paying for them. Any airline or other transport supplier may however pay for or provide refreshments and/ or appropriate accommodation and you should make a claim directly to them. Subject to the other terms of these conditions, we will not be liable for any costs, fees or charges you incur in the above circumstances, if you fail to obtain our prior authorisation before making your own travel arrangements. 16.3 Under EU Law, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. If the airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Civil Aviation

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Authority at www.caa.co.uk/passengers. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday price from us. If, for any reason, you do not claim against the airline and make a claim for compensation from us, you must, at the time of payment of any compensation to you, make a complete assignment to us of the rights you have against the airline in relation to the claim that gives rise to that compensation payment. A delay or cancellation to your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. 16.4 We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in clause 17 of these Booking Conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on any flight who, for example, fails to check in or board on time). 16.5 The carrier(s), flight timings and types of aircraft shown in this brochure or on our website and detailed on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. We shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of it. The latest flight timings will be shown on your tickets which will be despatched to you approximately two weeks before departure. You should check your tickets very carefully immediately on receipt to ensure you have the correct flight times. If flight times change after tickets have been dispatched we will contact you as soon as we can to let you know. 16.6 Please note the existence of a “Community list” (available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/ air-ban/list_en.htm) detailing air carriers that are subject to an operating ban with the EU Community. 16.7 This brochure is our responsibility, as your tour operator. It is not issued on behalf of, and does not commit the airlines mentioned herein or any airline whose services are used in the course of your travel arrangements. 17 FORCE MAJEURE 17.1 Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Booking Conditions, we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by any event which we could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. These events can include, but are not limited to war, threat of war, civil unrest, terrorist activity and its consequences or the threat of such activity, riot, the act of any government or other national or local authority, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster and adverse weather conditions and all similar events outside our control (“Force Majeure”). Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure. We will follow the advice given by the Foreign Office. 18 SAFETY ON RAIL TOURS 18.1 Railways are busy and potentially dangerous places. If you alight other than at scheduled stops at recognised stations, or visit any railway installation, whether included or not in the tour, you do so entirely at your own risk and are advised that your travel insurance MAY NOT cover you in case of mishap. Permission to travel on the locomotives, or on any other part of the train not normally accessible, may be given during the tour however you do this entirely at your own risk. 19 BEHAVIOUR 19.1 As the tour involves travelling in a group you agree to accept the full authority of our designated Tour Manager. 19.2 Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, our personnel and other persons with whom passengers have contact during our tour. We reserve the right at our absolute discretion to terminate without notice the tour arrangements of any passenger whose behaviour is such that it does or is likely to, in our reasonable opinion, or in the opinion of any airline pilot, Tour Manager, accommodation owner or manager, their servants or agents or any other person in authority, cause distress, damage, danger or annoyance to any of our other

customers, employees or any other person, or to cause damage to property. In these circumstances we may require that the relevant passenger leave the tour as soon as practicable. In such circumstances we will not be liable for any refund, compensation or costs incurred by you and or the relevant passenger whatsoever. 19.3 You and/or your party may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions and we will hold you and each member of your party jointly and individually liable for any damage or losses caused by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the hotel manager or other supplier prior to departure. If you fail to make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us as a result of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you. 19.4 We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behaviour of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your booking arrangements or with us. 20 FINANCIAL PROTECTION 20.1 Where air travel is included in the tour price and where flights are taken as an option in our brochure, you benefit from ATOL protection. We provide this security by way of Air Travel Organiser’s License granted by the Civil Aviation Authority under ATOL number 3408. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists the flight, accommodation, car hire and/or other services that are financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, where you have booked and boarded an international flight from the U.K., the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad or will arrange to refund to you any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk. The price of our flight inclusive arrangements includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL Scheme. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. 20.2 We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL Scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). 20.3 If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. 20.4 If you book arrangements other than an ATOL protected flight or package holiday from us, your monies will not be financially protected. Please ask us for further details. 21 HEALTH 21.1 Please ensure that you inform us of any relevant medical conditions or health issues prior to booking a tour. Also inform your Tour Manager at the beginning of the tour. Where possible a doctor will usually be on board during our tours. Please note that our doctors are fully insured for claims brought within the UK, but not elsewhere. Foreign citizens must therefore note that

any issues or claims arising from medical treatment are therefore subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales and must be brought within the UK in order for them to benefit from the cover under the insurance policy which has been arranged. 21.2 A moderate degree of physical fitness is needed to participate in our tours, which are rated as moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. You may encounter unpaved sidewalks, uneven surfaces and problems getting on and off trains (perhaps due to low platforms, steep steps and gaps between the platform and the train). On the trains used for the tour, restaurant, bar and shower cars may be some distance from your sleeping car and although we use reasonable endeavours to arrange porterage you may have to carry your luggage for short distances. Flexibility, a sense of humour, the ability to walk at least a mile a day and keep up with your fellow passengers will be essential components to the enjoyment of your tour. 21.3 In the event that we (at our sole discretion) agree to accept a booking from a passenger who uses a wheelchair, due to the poor facilities available to disabled passengers in many countries visited during the tour and the characteristics of the tour facilities set out in Clause 21.2 above, such passengers must be accompanied for the duration of the tour by at least one person who is willing to push that passenger’s wheelchair when required. 21.4 Passengers should refer to guidance published by the Department of Health which is available from travel agents or from the Department of Health - see www.doh.gov.uk. All passengers should check with their doctor before departure as to which inoculations are considered necessary or recommended for the area in which you will be travelling during the tour. Such precautions do not take the place of insurance. In some foreign countries the standard of hygiene and safety may differ from those in the UK. For your own protection you should take particular care with hygiene and to what you eat and drink whilst abroad. 21.5 If in the reasonable opinion of any person in authority (including our Tour Manager acting in accordance with the opinion of a medical practitioner), your physical and or mental condition means that you should not continue with the tour we may require that you leave the tour as soon as practicable. In such circumstances, we will not be liable for any refund, compensation or costs incurred by you whatsoever. 22 DATA PROTECTION 22.1 In order to process your booking we need to use the personal information that you provide. Some of this personal information may be “sensitive personal data” such as details of any disabilities, or dietary/religious requirements. We must pass the personal information we collect to relevant suppliers of your booking such as airlines, hotels and transport companies. The information may also be provided to security or credit checking companies, public authorities such as customs/immigration (if required by them), the Information Commissioner’s Office, and or as required by law. Additionally, where your tour (or part thereof ) is outside the European Economic Area (EEA), controls on data protection in your destination may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we cannot provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons (including but not limited to third parties outside the EEA). You are responsible for ensuring that other members of your party are aware of and consent to this clause. 22.2 We would like to hold information (including email address), where collected by us, for our own future marketing purposes. If you do not wish to receive such approaches in future, please inform us as soon as possible. 22.3 ou acknowledge and understand that from time to time photographers and or film makers may be present during the tour, and images produced by such photographers and or film makers may feature you and other passengers (the “Images”). You herby grant to us permission to use such Images throughout the world for any of our commercial or non-commercial purposes in all and any media, in its original format or edited or altered in any way which we deem appropriate. You also confirm that you consent to us storing copies of the Images for the purposes set out in this Clause 22.3 and or transferring such Images to a

destination outside the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) or storing them at a destination outside the EEA for the purposes set out in this Clause 22.3. 23 SEVERABILITY 23.1 If any provision of these Booking Conditions shall be found by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the other provisions of these Booking Conditions and all provisions not affected by such invalidity or unenforceability shall remain in full force and effect. The parties hereby agree to attempt to substitute for any invalid or unenforceable provision a valid or enforceable provision which achieves to the greatest extent possible the economic legal and commercial objectives of the invalid or unenforceable provision. 24 COMPLAINTS 24.1 In the unlikely event that you have any problem or complaint during your tour please bring it to the attention of the Tour Manager immediately so that he or she has the opportunity to find a solution. Should a problem remain unresolved during the tour then please write to us at your Head/Registered Office promptly upon your return and, in any event, within 28 days of your return from the tour. In the event that you do not tell us in that period this may affect our ability to investigate complaints and may impact on the way that your complaint is dealt with. 24.2 We strongly recommend that you communicate any complaint to the supplier of the relevant services and our representative without delay and complete a report form during the tour. If you do not follow this simple procedure we will have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint during the tour and this may affect your rights under these Booking Conditions. 24.3 Please note that we do not offer an Alternative Dispute Resolution service. However, you can access the European Commission Online Dispute (ODR) Resolution platform at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/. 25 LAW & JURISDICTION These Booking Conditions and any agreement to which they apply are governed in all respects by English law. We both agree that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises between us out of or in connection with your contract or booking will be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only. 26 ADVANCE PASSENGER INFORMATION A number of Governments are introducing new requirements for air carriers to provide personal information about all travellers on their aircraft to the Authorities before the aircraft leaves the UK. The data will be collected either at the airport when you check in or in some circumstances when, or after you make your booking. Accordingly, you are advised to allow extra time to check in for your flight. Where we collect this data, we will treat it in accordance with our privacy policy. 27 FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE You are responsible for making yourself aware of Foreign Office advice and State Department warnings in regard to the safety of the countries and areas in which you will be travelling and to make your decisions accordingly. Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure. (See clause 17).

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golden eagle

DARJEELING MAIL MUMBAI - UDAIPUR - JAIPUR - DELHI - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA FORT AGRA (TAJ MAHAL) - VARANASI - DARJEELING - KOLKATA

Join us in February 2019 and embark on a stunning coast to coast rail journey across Northern India on board the luxurious Deccan Odyssey. A truly unique experience offering a real flavour and insight into this exotic destination. From the warm-heartedness of the people to the scenery and wonderful sights and sounds, a private rail journey through India is a memorable experience. For further information on this tour visit the website at www.getrains.com. Alternatively, register your interest now with our Reservations Team on +44 (0)161 928 9410 and we will send you the full itinerary and prices.