THE SILK ROAD
MOSCOW TO ALMATY (Eastbound)
A cultural tour of Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan & Kazakhstan

This tour between Moscow and Almaty is a section of the main Silk Road by Private Train tour that runs for 21 days between Moscow and Beijing. You will travel together from Moscow to Almaty before you leave the main group as they continue to Beijing.

Day 1: MOSCOW
Arrive at Moscow airport, where you are met and transferred to the luxurious five-star Marriott Royal Aurora hotel (or similar) located in the heart of this vibrant city for a two-night stay. We enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel, whilst you meet your fellow travellers and, together, look forward to the 21 day voyage that lies ahead.

Day 2: MOSCOW
Our city tour of Moscow principally takes us to Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and political might. Here we see an eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s Cathedral with its magnificent onion-domed spires, the grandeur of The Kremlin and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb.

Day 03: On Board
In the morning of Day 3, we board the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. After settling into our modern, stylish cabins, we enjoy dinner in one of the beautifully designed restaurant cars as our rail journey to Beijing begins.

Day 04: Volgograd
Standing on the banks of the Volga, Stalingrad, as the city was known in Soviet times, was the dramatic scene of some 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 the informative 3D diorama and absorbing museum visit. In the evening we enjoy a beautifully prepared dinner on board our private train.

Day 05: Kara Kum
Today, we enjoy a relaxing day onboard as we travel across the vast expanses of the Kara Kum desert. As well as experiencing the unique landscape, we can take the opportunity to chat to fellow passengers and maybe take our first Russian language lesson.

Day 06: Khiva
Crossing into Uzbekistan, our train travels towards Urgench, 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 its impressive mosques, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls, restored with support from UNESCO. Lunch and dinner are served onboard our train.

Day 07: Ashgabat
In dramatic contrast to Khiva, we arrive in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan - the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’. Situated between the Kara Kum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, its golden domes and towering modern buildings appear strangely incongruous in this almost biblical setting.

Day 08: Merv
Early morning sees us arrive in Mary, where we transfer to the ancient city 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 twelfth century. 1794 saw the demise of Merv, after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population depended on for its water. After our fascinating exploration we return to our train for dinner.

Day 09: Bukhara
Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO funded 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. Lunch is taken within a stunningly ornate medresseh (beautifully tiled Islamic school). We then travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named, Palace of the Moon and Stars.

Day 10: Samarakand
Founded in the 6th Century BC, Samarkland’s stunning architecture hints at its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia. Today we will visit some of its most significant sites including 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. After dinner we will visit the illuminated awe-inspiring Registan Square before returning to our train for a late evening departure.

Day 11: Tashkent
Today we arrive in the capital city of Uzbekistan and spend the morning touring this modern Soviet-style city which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. We re-board the train for lunch as we head towards Kazakhstan and Almaty. This afternoon gives us the opportunity to relax with friends or listen to one of the informative lectures designed to give us a greater insight into this fascinating region.

Day 12: Almaty
Just before lunch we arrive in Almaty – the largest city in Kazakhstan. This beautifully verdant city derives its name from ‘Alma’ meaning ‘apple’. Just a short distance from the city, apple orchards thrive in abundance. Surrounded by the majesty of the Tien Shen Mountains, we will enjoy a traditional lunch in a Kazak ‘yurt’, a dwelling place of this region’s nomadic people. Tonight is our final evening onboard the Golden Eagle and will be marked by a farewell banquet.

Day 13: Depart Almaty
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Almaty airport for international departures.

For Train Info - Please click here

Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Sep 18
Inclusions
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Accommodation aboard our private trains (number of nights in accordance with itinerary) International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour (except where stated otherwise) Hotel accommodation in accordance with itinerary Charges of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at certain museums etc.) All meals starting with dinner on day one until breakfast on the final tour day; including a generous allowance of wine, local beer or soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners on and off the train Any optional trips such as Bolshoi Ballet/Opera etc., pre- or post-tour extensions Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive/depart on the tour start/end dates in the tour start/end cities Alcoholic and soft drinks in the bar outside of meal times Guided off-train tours according to itinerary Visa or Excess Baggage Charges, Airport Departure Taxes, Vaccination or Medical Costs The services of an experienced Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring Insurance (it is a booking condition that passengers have adequate insurance) Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant   Gratuities to local guides, drivers, tour management and train staff   Detailed route guide, itinerary and information pack   A Doctor who will travel with the train throughout the tour
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Rate Silver Class US $ 12795 US $ 18495 Gold Class US $ 15795 US $ 22195 Special Note: Silver Class Deposit for this particular tour will be $1500 per person. Gold Class Deposit for this particular tour will be $2000.00 per person. Final tour payment is due no later than 95 days prior.
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 2000 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1800
Participants
Please call for details
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.