Route
Baku • Khiva • Bukhara • Samarkand • Tashkent • Bishkek • Lake Issyk-Kul • Almaty
A dazzling exploration of the lands where civilisation began and where the great religious and political ideologies were born. Journeying aboard the Golden Eagle, you travel through a fascinating patchwork of countries, stitched together by a shared history of Sovietisation yet fiercely independent in identity, from the mosques and bazaars of Uzbekistan to the tranquil mountain landscapes of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Jewels of the Silk Road is the Golden Eagle's shorter Central Asian journey, a nine-day adventure that gathers the very finest of the region into a single itinerary. It begins in Baku, the striking capital of Azerbaijan on the shore of the Caspian Sea, then crosses to the desert cities of Uzbekistan and continues into the mountains of Kyrgyzstan before ending beneath the peaks of Kazakhstan in Almaty.
For travellers with less time to spare, this is the Silk Road distilled. You reach Khiva not by a long overland leg but by a private flight across the Caspian, and from there the Golden Eagle carries you to Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent, three of the greatest cities the trade routes ever produced, before a final flourish among the nomads of Lake Issyk-Kul. Everything, from five-star hotels to guided excursions and fine dining with wine, is included in the fare.
Baku, the Azerbaijani capital on the Caspian Sea, where the journey begins
Journey Highlights
A Private Flight to Khiva
Rather than a long overland leg, you cross from Baku to the desert city of Khiva by private plane over the Caspian Sea, one of the most memorable arrivals in luxury rail travel, before joining the Golden Eagle.
The Great Silk Road Cities
Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand represent the high point of Islamic architecture and scholarship, and each is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khiva rises from the desert as a perfectly preserved walled city, Bukhara is a living medieval townscape, and Samarkand is crowned by the incomparable Registan.
Registan Square by Night
Front-row seats for a spectacular evening light show on the most celebrated public square in the Islamic world. As night falls over Samarkand, the three great madrasas are illuminated and the Timurid history of the city is brought vividly to life.
Nomad Games at Lake Issyk-Kul
On the shore of the world's second-largest alpine lake, a privately arranged festival celebrates Kyrgyz nomadic culture, with horseback wrestling, traditional archery, the strategy game of ordo and the ancient art of hunting with golden eagles.
The World's Oldest Koran
In a small library in the old town of Tashkent, you are privileged to see one of Islam's most sacred relics, the Uthman Koran, widely regarded as the oldest surviving copy in the world.
All-Inclusive Aboard the Golden Eagle
The only private train of its kind in the region, the Golden Eagle offers three classes of en-suite cabin, fine dining with a generous drinks allowance, guided excursions, gratuities and an on-board doctor, all included in one fare.
Day by Day
Arrival in Baku
On arrival at Baku airport you are met and transferred to a stylish, centrally located five-star hotel in the Azerbaijani capital, a city of striking contrasts where medieval walls stand beside bold modern towers on the shore of the Caspian Sea. There is time to relax after your journey and take in your first impressions.
This evening you are invited to an exclusive Welcome Dinner, a chance to meet your fellow travellers and the tour management team. Specially selected international wines accompany the meal, as they will with every meal throughout the tour.
Welcome Dinner included. Overnight at a five-star hotel in Baku.
Khiva
After breakfast you take a morning flight aboard a private plane from Baku across the Caspian to Khiva, one of the most remarkable arrivals in luxury rail travel. Founded some 2,500 years ago, Khiva became one of the Silk Road's most important trading posts, standing at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, you discover the mosques, madrassas, bazaars and soaring minarets held within the ancient walls of Itchan Kala, the most complete medieval Islamic city in Central Asia. Here you join your private train, the Golden Eagle, and settle into your elegant en-suite cabin.
All meals included. First night aboard the Golden Eagle.
Itchan Kala, the perfectly preserved walled heart of Khiva, reached by private plane
Bukhara
Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, much of the city was carefully restored with UNESCO support in time for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999, preserving a remarkable historical and architectural heritage. The highlight of the tour is a visit to The Ark, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara who ruled here until Soviet times. You continue to the grandeur of Poi-Kalyan Square, home to the iconic Kalyan Mosque, where pillared galleries and deeply recessed niches transport you to a bygone era.
Immerse yourself in the lively pulse of the city as you explore the bustling Trading Domes and gather at Lyabi-Hauz Square, a vibrant social hub set around a pool and shaded by mulberry trees and local tea rooms. This evening, weather permitting, a barbecue is served on the station platform, a unique and atmospheric farewell before the Golden Eagle departs.
All meals included. Overnight aboard the Golden Eagle.
Poi-Kalyan Square in Bukhara, one of the best preserved medieval cities in the Islamic world
Samarkand and Registan Square
More than any other town, just the mention of Samarkand conjures evocative images of the Silk Road. Founded in the 6th century BC, its stunning architecture hints at its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia, particularly the monuments raised between the 14th and 17th centuries, when it flourished as the fabled capital of Timur and his successors.
Today you visit some of its most significant sites, including the incomparable Registan Square, the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Ulugh Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories, built in 1428. As night descends upon the ancient city, you are whisked to the illuminated Registan Square for a dazzling light show that weaves together the rich history of Samarkand, watched from prime front-row seats.
All meals included. Overnight aboard the Golden Eagle.
The madrasas of Registan Square in Samarkand, lit for the evening light show
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, and today you tour this modern city, largely rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. The tour includes the atmospheric Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets, and here, in a small library, you are privileged to see one of Islam's most sacred relics, the world's oldest surviving Koran.
The touring programme continues with a visit to the Railway Museum, a reminder of the pivotal role rail travel has played in the region, and the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in a richly decorated former residence.
All meals included. Overnight aboard the Golden Eagle.
Scenic Rail and Bishkek
Enjoy a more leisurely day of scenic rail travel as the Golden Eagle traverses the wide-open landscapes of Uzbekistan before crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan. In the late afternoon you arrive in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, and disembark for an introductory tour of the city.
Your guided sightseeing reveals Bishkek's distinctive Soviet-era character, shaped during its development as capital of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic. You visit Ala-Too Square, created in 1984 to mark the 60th anniversary of the republic, and stroll through several of the city's leafy parks. These public spaces offer a compelling window into the country's 20th-century history, with monuments and statues associated with the Soviet period, including those of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, and the Memorial to the Red Guards.
All meals included. Overnight aboard the Golden Eagle.
Lake Issyk-Kul and the Nomad Games
Today you enjoy an extended visit to the magnificent Lake Issyk-Kul, a natural wonder nestled in the heart of the Kyrgyz mountains. Stretching more than 170 kilometres in length and up to 70 kilometres wide, it is the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Its name means warm lake, a reference to its resistance to freezing, the result of great depth, mineral richness and geothermal activity beneath the surface. Snow-capped peaks frame a scene of serene beauty.
This morning a privately arranged cultural event immerses you in the nomadic heritage of Kyrgyzstan, a captivating display of traditional sports and games passed down through generations. While archery may be familiar, few will have encountered the spectacle of horseback wrestling, hunting with majestic golden eagles, or ordo, a strategy game played with animal bones. It is a celebration of steppe culture in all its vibrant detail, from music and dance to intricate costumes and time-honoured crafts. Afterwards there is the option to visit the outdoor Museum of Petroglyphs before returning to the Golden Eagle for the Farewell Dinner.
Farewell Dinner included. Overnight aboard the Golden Eagle.
Lake Issyk-Kul, the second-largest alpine lake in the world, and the setting for the Nomad Games
Almaty
This morning you arrive in Almaty, your final destination, and bid farewell to the Golden Eagle. Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, distinguished by wide, tree-lined boulevards and a stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains. Your city tour includes Panfilov Park in the heart of the city, home to the remarkable Zenkov Cathedral, a 19th-century Russian Orthodox church built entirely of wood without the use of a single nail.
Tonight you stay at a five-star hotel in Almaty, the Ritz-Carlton or similar, a fitting place to reflect on an extraordinary journey along the Silk Road.
All meals included. Overnight at a five-star hotel in Almaty.
Farewell to Almaty
After breakfast you are transferred to Almaty airport for your onward flight, bringing to a close an unforgettable journey along the Silk Road, from the Caspian shore of Baku to the mountains of Kazakhstan. If you wish, we can arrange additional nights in Almaty to explore more of the city and the surrounding region at your leisure.
Breakfast included. Departure transfer included.
What Is Included
All Accommodation
Five-star hotel accommodation in Baku and Almaty, and private en-suite accommodation throughout your time aboard the Golden Eagle.
The Flight to Khiva
The private flight from Baku across the Caspian to Khiva, where you join the train, along with all arrival and departure transfers.
All Meals
Freshly prepared meals on board using the finest local ingredients, together with authentic dining in carefully chosen local restaurants. Seven breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners in all.
Drinks and Fine Dining
A generous drinks allowance, including international wines with lunch and dinner, and the celebrated Golden Eagle Gala Caviar Dinner.
Guided Excursions
Expertly guided off-train excursions as detailed in the itinerary, led by experienced local guides at every stop.
Gratuities and Porterage
All tips and gratuities, on and off the train, together with luggage porterage throughout the journey.
Tour Management Team
An experienced Golden Eagle tour management team, together with a 24-hour cabin attendant service, accompanies the group throughout the journey.
On-Board Doctor
A UK-registered doctor and full medical facilities travel on board the Golden Eagle for the duration of the rail journey.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Visited
Itchan Kala, Khiva
The perfectly preserved inner city of Khiva, the most complete medieval Islamic city in Central Asia, enclosed by its ancient desert walls.
Historic Centre of Bukhara
One of the best preserved medieval cities in the Islamic world, with more than 2,000 years of continuous history.
Samarkand, Crossroads of Cultures
The legendary Silk Road capital of Timur's empire, home to Registan Square, the Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulugh Beg observatory.
Fares 2027
| Cabin Class | Twin (per person) from | Single (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Class | £12,400 | £18,700 |
| Gold Class | £16,200 | £27,000 |
| Imperial Suite | £36,350 | £72,700 |
Departure Date 2027
| Route | Departure | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Baku to Almaty | 7 October 2027 | 15 October 2027 |
All fares are per person and given as a guide price. Prices are shown in Pounds Sterling. Fares can vary with currency fluctuations, so please call or email for confirmed up-to-date pricing. A deposit of 25% of the tour cost is required at the time of booking. It is advised not to book flights until three months prior to departure to ensure the tour is confirmed. Hotels are on request and cannot be processed until a deposit is received.