Golden Eagle: Republics of the Silk Road

Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before your flight from the UK to Tashkent, where, on arrival, you’ll be met for a private transfer to your five-star hotel. On your first evening in the capital of Uzbekistan, you’ll be invited to a champagne reception before a welcome dinner accompanied by specially selected fine wines – the perfect way to begin your Central Asian odyssey in style. 

Stay: Hyatt Regency, Tashkent

Today begins with a guided tour of Tashkent, a fascinating city that bears the hallmarks of its Soviet past while offering an introduction to the kind of striking Islamic architecture found throughout Uzbekistan and its neighbours. Much of it was destroyed by a major earthquake in April 1966 and was subsequently rebuilt as a model Soviet city with wide avenues, grand squares and imposing monumental buildings. During the tour, you’ll take in Tashkent’s modernist sights as well as its Old City, which contains numerous mosques, mausoleums and the enormous, blue-domed Chorsu Bazaar. You’ll also get to see one of the oldest Korans in the world and visit the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

Having immersed yourself in the city’s history and culture, later on you’ll board the Golden Eagle to begin your luxury rail journey through Central Asia. After setting into your elegantly appointed private cabin, head to the dining car to enjoy your first gourmet dinner onboard, showcasing the culinary traditions of the region you’ll be travelling through.

Stay: Golden Eagle 

Leaving the capital behind, the first leg of your Golden Eagle experience sees you journey between three ancient cities in Uzbekistan. First, you’ll arrive in Kokand, a crucial trading post on the Silk Road, where a guided tour will take you to the majestic Palace of Khudayar Khan (known as the Pearl of Kokand) and the Jami Mosque, Kokand’s most impressive mosque. From here, you’ll continue by coach to Rishtan, the epicentre of Uzbekistan’s world-renowned ceramics industry, where you’ll uncover the secrets of ancient pottery during an up-close craft demonstration by a local artisan. Your final stop is Margilan, a city nestled in the south part of the Fergana Valley, which is particularly well known for producing some of Central Asia’s finest silk. While visiting a local family, you’ll learn all about the process of making silk, from mulberry trees used to feed the silkworms to hand weaving colourful ikat fabric on traditional looms.

Stay: Golden Eagle 

Best known as the birthplace of Amir Timur, the Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in the 14th century, Shahrisabz was once a major cultural and political centre of the region. Within its medieval centre are several monuments that form part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, including a large statue of Amir Timur and the ruins of Ak-Saray Palace, built between 1380 and 1404. After taking in the history of Shahrisabz, reboard the Golden Eagle as your journey continues towards the border with Tajikistan. 

Stay: Golden Eagle 

Arriving in the second country of your Golden Eagle journey, today you’ll have the chance to explore Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, which lies on the banks of the Varzob River. You’ll begin by exploring the Museum of National Antiquities, followed by a guided tour with a local expert who’ll tell you the fascinating history of the opulent Kohi Navruz palace, which was originally designed as a teahouse before morphing into one of Central Asia’s grandest palaces. Admire the glistening chandeliers, intricate mosaics and elegant wood carvings of this magnificent structure, before making a stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Ismail Samani monument, commemorating the first King of Tajiks, eventually rounding off your tour of Dushanbe at Independence Square and the Mekhrgon Bazaar. It’s then time to reboard the Golden Eagle, heading back across the border into Uzbekistan once more, soundtracked by the soothing tones of the train’s resident pianist. 

Stay: Golden Eagle 

The next checkpoint on your Central Asian odyssey is Bukhara, one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in the region and undoubtedly one of Uzbekistan’s most captivating destinations, harbouring more than 2,000 years of history. Its historic centre remains largely intact, replete with a treasure trove of mosques, minarets and madrasas dating back to between the 10th and 17th centuries. One structure, however, dates back considerably further: the Ark of Bukhara, an immense mud-brick citadel built around the fifth century AD, once inhabited by the Emirs of Bukhara who ruled until Soviet times. This is the highlight of a richly informative guided tour that will also bring you to the Kalyan Mosque, the Trading Domes and Lyabi-Hauz Square, centered around a rectangular-shaped pool and lined with mulberry trees and traditional tea houses. Then, you’ll head just outside the city to visit the Palace of Moon-like Stars and, weather permitting, enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before continuing your journey aboard the Golden Eagle. 

Stay: Golden Eagle 

Entering the third country of your trip, Turkmenistan, your next stop is Merv. Formerly a major hub on the ancient Silk Road, and according to some historians, once one of the world’s largest cities, it was razed to the ground by Shah Murad of the Emirate of Bukhara in the late 18th century and was completely deserted thereafter.

The following day, you’ll arrive in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, situated between the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range. It’s an interesting fusion of modernity and tradition, mostly reconstructed during the Soviet era following a devastating earthquake in 1948. On a guided tour, you’ll pass by countless ornate fountains, futuristic monuments, golden domes and contemporary buildings that contrast starkly with the city’s harsh, arid surroundings. You’ll also stop by the National Museum and have the chance to visit a local circus for a special performance of Akhal-Tekke horses. Back onboard the Golden Eagle, a scheduled stop at Ichoguz offers the opportunity to disembark for a trip to the burning gas crater of Darvaza, somewhat ominously nicknamed the ‘Gates of Hell’. Right in the middle of the Kara Kum desert, this 70-metre wide crater is a spectacular sight, best seen at night, and has been burning for over 40 years.

Stay: Golden Eagle 

Returning to Uzbekistan, you’ll arrive in the ancient city of Khiva, founded around the sixth century BC. Although sometimes overlooked in favour of more renowned Silk Road cities in Central Asia, it’s a thoroughly worthwhile stop, brimming with cultural riches and historical intrigue. Its labyrinthine walled city, Itchan Kala, is awash with impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and minarets, and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Exploring it truly does feel like taking a step back in time to a bygone era.

Stay: Golden Eagle 

Over the next two days, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Samarkand, one of the most evocative locations on the ancient Silk Road and the former capital of the Timurid Empire between the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Founded in the seventh century BC, it has been a crossroads of cultures and trade for over 2,500 years, and is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. On your first day here, you’ll visit some of Samarkand’s most emblematic landmarks, including Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque and Ulugh Beg Observatory. As the sun begins to set, you’ll be treated to front-row seats for a dazzling light show at Registan Square – a truly mesmerising and unforgettable experience.

The following morning, your explorations of Samarkand will continue with a visit to the necropolis of Shakh I Zindah, a stunning collection of mausoleums dating back to the ninth century. Then, you’ll head to the ancient settlement of Afrasiab to visit a museum that houses ancient artefacts collected during the excavation of the city, including frescoes from the Palace of Varkhuman, which date back to the seventh century. Later on, return to the Golden Eagle as you continue north in the direction of your next country, Kyrgyzstan. 

Stay: Golden Eagle 

Crossing over into Kyrgyzstan, you’ll soon arrive on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, the second-largest mountain lake in the world, stretching over 170 kilometres in length and up to 70 kilometres in width. Its name means ‘warm lake’, alluding to the fact that despite being located at 1,607 metres above sea level, it rarely ever freezes due to its high salinity, extreme depth and geothermal heat from below the ground. As you take in the resplendent views of the lake and the surrounding snow-capped peaks, you’ll learn about local lifestyles and crafts with a yurt building demonstration. This is followed by a demonstration of the millenia-old Kyrgyz nomadic tradition of eagle hunting and a folkloric show by local performers. In the afternoon, you’ll have time to get a feel for life in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, another major stop on the ancient Silk Road. You’ll visit Ala-Too Square, built in 1984 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, and embark on a sightseeing tour of the city’s parks, rich in Soviet history, including statues of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and the Memorial for the Red Guards.

Stay: Golden Eagle 

The final stop of your Golden Eagle journey brings you to your fifth Central Asian country and the largest city in Kazakhstan, Almaty, set against the imposing backdrop of the Tien Shan Mountains. It was the capital of Kazakhstan between 1929 and 1997 before being replaced by Astana, and is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, thriving arts scene, excellent museums and rich variety of architectural styles. Its name means ‘father of apples’, which points towards the abundance of apple orchards that characterise the surrounding region. On a morning sightseeing tour, you’ll visit Panfilov Park, the baroque-style Zenkov Cathedral and Independence Square. In the evening, enjoy your final gourmet dinner aboard the Golden Eagle as you cap off your Central Asian adventure in style. 

Stay: Golden Eagle 

After one last breakfast onboard, disembark the Golden Eagle in Almaty and take a private transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.