UPDATED TRAIN INFO

We no longer have First and Deluxe Class – we have the newly launched (2007) Gold & Silver Class cabins (New Heritage Class is available on selected departures). The train that we use is the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express in Russia, and the Shangri La Express in China.

Gold & Silver Class on the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express offers luxurious accommodation that equals or surpasses the best luxury trains in the world today. Each cabin provides double or bunk style beds. Every cabin (Gold & Silver) has its own en-suite shower and WC, together with audio system and DVD / VCR with latest flat screen plasma television, air-conditioning with individual climate control, a wardrobe for clothes, and space for luggage storage. Gold Class cabins are more spacious and feature full power shower in their en-suite with under-floor heating. There is a restaurant car and a large bar& lounge car which is the most social part of the train.

In China there are no fully en-suite cars available, but the Shangri La Express offers the best available train in China. The first class sleeping car features eight cabins which have bunk style beds, bedside table & clothes storage. All cabins share a washroom between each cabin which is lockable from the inside. A toilet is located at each end of every sleeping car. Passengers on board the Shangri La Express have use of a shower carriage which is the best shower carriage available. It features 8 private shower cabins which include a large walk in shower, changing vestibule area, hairdryers, shaving plug sockets and large mirrors. For the Silk Road tour, the journey uses both the Golden Eagle Train (Russian sector) and the Shangri La train (China sector) For this tour, Clients that book Gold Class for the Golden Eagle will automatically receive two inter-connecting cabins for the Shangri La part of the journey.

The restaurant car(s) will serve three meals per day (except where meals are taken off the train) and each sleeping car will have two attendants who clean the cabins and do a turn down service each night during dinner enabling passengers to return to their cabins to find their beds made for them.

We do not operate a 'fixed formation' train, we vary the composition to suit the number of passengers. Maximum capacity is 96 passengers and we generally expect to run each departure with a minimum of 64 passengers. A typical train formation for 64 passengers is 13 cars, comprising Silver class sleeping cars, Gold class sleeping cars, Restaurant and Bar cars. There is no shower car on the Trans Siberian Express (Golden Eagle) train as all the cabins have private en-suite facilities, the shower carriage is only for the Shangri La train in China. Staff, Generator and Kitchen cars, with a total staff complements of around 40-60. These are the finest trains available, they are comfortable, well appointed modern trains offering a taste of luxury for your adventurous journey through China and Russia.

THE SILK ROAD
For the Silk Road we operate with 2 private trains as we travel between Moscow and Beijing - the Golden Eagle from Moscow through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the Kazakhstan border and then as we cross into China, we transfer to the Shangri-La Express and continue this remarkable 21 day journey onwards to Beijing.

THE GOLDEN EAGLE - Trans Siberian Express

On 26 April 2007 HRH Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO unveiled the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express®, our new train that brings unprecedented luxury to the world’s greatest railway journey.

Our full train comprises of twelve fully en-suite Silver and Gold Class sleeping cars which feature state of the art amenities. 77 sq ft (7 sq metres) Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and have everything from power showers and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen and individual air-conditioning. Silver Class cabins are more compact at 60 sq ft (5.5 sq metres) but have similar facilities .

A particular delight of the Golden Eagle is one of our beautifully appointed restaurant cars, the venue for our chefs to serve carefully-prepared meals using wherever possible only local ingredients. Whether it be the world-renowned ‘Borscht’ or Omul – a fish unique to Lake Baikal – we offer a culinary experience representing the very essence of Russia. Our meals are complemented by wines from around the world, as well as – naturally – vodka.

Yet the social heart of our train is the bar 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. Enjoy the sounds of the pianist playing in the evenings; and the bar stays open until the last person leaves.

CABIN DIMENSIONS Cabin area – 77 sq ft (7sqm) Cabin length – 6’ 7” (2m) Cabin width – 11’ 8” (3.6m) Lower bed width – 4’ 5” (1.35m) Upper bed width – 2’ 9” (85cm) Bed Length – 6’ 3” (1.9m) Cabins per car: 5

CABIN DIMENSIONS Cabin area - 60 square feet, (5.5sqm) Cabin length – 6’ 7” (2m) Cabin width – 9’ (2.7m) Lower bed width – 4’ (1.2m) Upper bed width – 2’ 9” (85cm) Bed length (upper & lower) – 6’ 3” (1.9m) Cabins per car: 6

THE SHANGRI-LA EXPRESS (CHINA)

Modern comfort in an ancient wilderness…the Shangri-La Express guarantees you good living even in the remotest places.

Our twin-berth cabins are the perfect private retreat, comfortably furnished and traditionally decorated with the varnished wood and brass reminiscent of a different age. Each includes a ‘Pullman’ table and deep armchair alongside a large picture window; a perfect place from which to take in China’s ever-changing scenery. A state of the art shower car complements the two washrooms/WC’s in every sleeping carriage.

Meals are served in the train’s spacious restaurant cars, 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 special is the unique ambience of the piano bar car, where our resident pianist is always happy to take requests. Staying open until the last person leaves, the bar is the perfect place to get to know your fellow passengers… or simply wile away some time, reading or taking in the scenery while enjoying your favourite drink.

Note that tours running through both Russia and China will use the ‘Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express’ for the Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan part of the journey.

CABIN DIMENSIONS Cabin area – 38’ 4’’ sq ft (3.6sqm) Cabin length – 6’ 7” (2m) Cabin width – 6’ 2” (1.9m) Lower bed width – 2’ 5” (0.75m) Upper bed width – 2’ 3” (0.7m) Bed Length – 6’ 2” (1.9m) Cabins per car: 8