Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express
The Trans-Siberian Express is undoubtedly the most famous train route in the world, a journey from the west to the far east shrouded in intrigue and mystery. The railway actually encompasses three routes, the Trans-Siberian (from Moscow to Vladivostok), Trans-Mongolian and Trans-Manchurian, both to Beijing. The most luxurious and comfortable way to make this fabled journey is on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express train, Russia’s most luxurious private train journeying from Moscow to far eastern shores.
In old-world cabins with grand interiors and first-class service, passengers on The Golden Eagle also can also travel through Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and more. With tours ranging from 9 to 22 days and crossing eight time zones, make sure have plenty of time to take in and the Golden Eagle’s voyages of a lifetime.
Prices from: $12,995
Departing from: Moscow
Journey length: 9-22 days
Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express journey
Stretching across the world from Moscow to the Far East, the Trans-Siberian railway travels through Russia, Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and more. The Golden Eagle offers such routes, some taking a leisurely two weeks and crossing as many as eight time zones.
Ten itineraries are offered on the train in total, and all include hotel stays pre- and post- train. Travellers can opt for the original route across Siberia from Moscow to Vladivostok, or almost complete the route with a journey from Moscow to Ulaan Baatat for the Naadman Festival. Also in Siberia is the Trans-Siberian Winter Wonderland journey, from Moscow to Vladivostok during mid-winter, and a westbound version pulled by a steam engine.
Other highlights include Arctic Explorer – Quest for the Northern Lights, a journey from St Petersburg to Moscow via Murmansk, and the Silk Road, from Being to Moscow via Xian. Along with other Silk Road itineraries, there’s also a Caspian Odyssey journey, from Yerevan to Almaty via the Caspian Sea. Itineraries range from 12 to 22 days.
Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express train
When compared to the standard railcars of the Trans-Siberian railway, the Golden Eagle is pretty much a palace on wheels. Beneath the regal blue and gold livery are all-suite compartments, large panorama windows, two fine dining restaurants cars and a spacious bar lounge car.
With stained glass wall detailing, oak-panelling, plush cream leather sofas and feature lighting, the bar lounge car is a welcome retreat from a day of exploring. It’s the social hub of the train, hosting language teachers and lecturers by day, serving up afternoon tea and acting as a meeting point for the day’s activities. During the evening, the train’s resident pianist plays away on the baby grand and cocktails and nightcaps flow freely. The bar stays open until the very last passenger turns in for the night.
Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express Cabins
All all-suite accommodation on board the Golden Eagle is superlative, with oak wall panelling, royal blue carpets and antique-style furnishings. Two-berth Silver cabins are the most compact at 5 sqm, featuring a single upper and lower bed, TV screen with DVD player, safe, air-conditioning, wardrobe, large picture window and private en-suite shower room. Gold cabins are more spacious at 7sq m, and feature all the facilities and amenities of Silver cabins with passengers also benefiting from complimentary drinks off the Standard Bar List in the Bar Lounge Car.
Both Gold and Siler cabins come with complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water, robes, slippers and bathroom toiletries. The most opulent offering is the Imperial Suite, measuring 11.1 sq m and boasting a double bed, dressing table, lounge area, en-suite bathroom, small library, complimentary mini-bar, free premium beverages, laundry service, in-cabin dining and a bottle of Dom Perignon on arrival. All classes of suite are seating areas by day and transformed to sleeping quarters at night.
Food and drink
Dining on the Golden Eagle is a glamorous and indulgent affair, and all meals are curated and freshly prepared by the executive chef and his team. The menu includes modern takes on traditional Russian dishes, and delights like black sturgeon, borsch, red Pacific salmon caviar and fish local to Lake Baikal. Each day starts with a bountiful breakfast buffet and menu of hot dishes, whereas lunch and dinner are more formal affairs with many sit-down courses.
Ever-changing dishes made with locally sourced produce are served with a menu of fine wine pairings curated by Golden Eagles founder Tim Littler, along with draught beer and soft drinks. All meals are served in the two elegant restaurant cars, in the finest china, on white tablecloths and by white-gloved waiters. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements are all catered for.
Excursions
Venturing for thousands of miles, passengers certainly have many hours to fill, and ‘excursions’ happen both on and off the train. On board the Golden Eagle passengers can take part in Russian language classes and lecturers, and off train excursions range from city and museum tours to more unique experiences like cooking up some traditional Russian dishes with a local chef, visiting a traditional Russian Dacha (summer house), attending a local concert in Ulan Ude or visiting a shoreside Ice Festival in Lake Baikal, complete with a hovercraft ride across the lake to see ice fishing, dog sledges and snowmobiles. All excursions are included in the ticket and include all stops on the train route.
Dress code on the Golden Eagle
During the day, the dress code on the Golden Eagle is casual, with evenings calling for smart casual attire. For winter tours guests are advised to pack ski-type jackets and trousers and thermal underwear. On board, the train itself is well heated and normal indoor clothing can be worn.
Fellow passengers
While there are no age restrictions, the majority of travellers are aged 55+, the average age being 64.
What’s included
The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian offers an all-inclusive service on its service, and the cost of a ticket includes all accommodation (on train and in hotels), three meals a day (including a welcome and farewell dinner), alcoholic drinks with meals, and tea, coffee and mineral water at all times.
Tickets also include guided off-train excursions, the services of train stewards, access to the 24/7 on-board doctor, porterage and all gratuities. Imperial Suite passengers also have all beverages included (standard and premium) from the bar car, laundry and transfers, and Gold passengers have complimentary standard beverages from the bar car.