The intriguing countries of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan—the “Five Stans”—are located at a historic crossroads of trade, religion, language, and the arts. Aboard the private luxury train, the Golden Eagle, enjoy some of the world's most stunning monuments and fascinating modern cultures. Your journey begins in the historic Kazakhstan capital of Almaty, takes you along the great trading posts of the Silk Road including fabled Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, before arriving at your final destination of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Throughout your odyssey, savor the delights of the Golden Eagle—first-class service, sumptuous cuisine paired with fine wines, engaging lectures, and active days with informative guides. This is an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Arrive: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Depart: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Light walking and hiking are required to scenic nature areas, local towns, villages, and sites of historical and cultural interest.
A particular charm of the Golden Eagle is the beautifully appointed restaurant cars, a delightful venue in which to enjoy meals skillfully prepared by the Executive Chef and his on-board restaurant team using the very best ingredients locally sourced whenever possible. Depending on the number of guests on board, one or two restaurant cars will be on every departure.
Enjoy the pleasures 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 the buffet. Alternatively, enjoy a cooked breakfast brought to your table by the wait staff, all complemented by hot tea and coffee. If you are in need of a more relaxed start to the day, then opt for a continental breakfast basket with tea or coffee to enjoy at leisure in your cabin.
For lunch and dinner you will be welcomed by the on-board team and enjoy fine food, great wines and attentive service in the welcoming atmosphere of the dining car. The Golden Eagle offers a culinary experience that reflects the essence of the places you visit, 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, savoring gastronomic specialties including black sturgeon and red pacific salmon caviar.
Meals at lunch and dinner are complemented by an excellent choice of wines from around the world.
Meals 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, and with the open-seating policy you can dine wherever, and with whomever, you please.
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 set out by coach or minibus to explore, for example, the sights and sounds of Samarkand, Mashhad, Persepolis and Tashkent, and at the end of the day return to the sanctuary of your hotel-on-wheels, greeted by your cabin attendants with complimentary refreshments.
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 attending talks on the local history and culture, trying your hand at bridge, improving your photographic skills, or simply soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying afternoon tea in the Bar Lounge Car. Perhaps read a novel from the library, challenge your friends to a game of bridge or backgammon, or attend an engaging talk given by on-board lecturers on local history and culture.
During morning or afternoon tea in the Bar Lounge Car with delicious, freshly baked pastries, your Tour Manager will organize a program 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 day's excursions and activities. 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, there are special concerts. Every night the bar stays open until the last person leaves.
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
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With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.