Jewels of Persia & the Silk Route by Private Train

Transcription

1 Jewels of Persia & the Silk Route by Private Train Moscow to Tehran via Central Asia 2016!

2 Jewels of Persia & the Silk Route by Private Train From Moscow to Tehran via Central Asia Aboard the Golden Eagle private train One eastbound departure in 2016 Private Rail Journey 18 Days November This unusual five-country rail journey by private train stretches from Russia through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and finally into Iran. Begin in Russia s capital, Moscow, celebrating the commencement of your adventure with a champagne reception in Kazansky Station s Imperial Waiting Room. Roll down through the vast desert of Kazakhstan, stopping to explore Russia s space launch facility, Baikonur, located deep in the Kazakh steppe. Continue to the heart of the Silk Road, the rich UNESCO-listed oases cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. In Turkmenistan, visit the important archaeological site of Merv, as well as the site of a 20th century mishap, the burning Darvaza Crater, called locally the Door to Hell. Enter mysterious Iran, discovering the ancient citadel of Rayen, the luxurious Shazadeh Garden in Mahan, the Fire Temple of Yazd, graceful Isfahan, Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, beautiful Shiraz, and at last, the vibrant capital, Tehran. Encounter eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way. Visit 2

3 Daily Itinerary Day 1!! Arrive Moscow, Russia Day 2!! Moscow board the Golden Eagle private train Day 3!! En route aboard the train Day 4!! Baikonur, Kazakhstan Day 5!! Tashkent, Uzbekistan Day 6!! Samarkand Day 7!! Bukhara Day 8!! Khiva Day 9!! Darvaza, Turkmenistan Ashkhabad Day 10!! Merv Day 11!! Mashad, Iran Day 12!! Mahan Rayen Day 13!! Yazd Day 14!! Isfahan Day 15!! Persepolis Shiraz Day 16!! Tehran Day 17!! Tehran Day 18!! Depart Tehran Visit 3

4 Tour Features Enjoy the comfort and efficiency of your own private cabin on the Golden Eagle luxury train. Survey a series of fascinating cities along the rail line. Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the casual and relaxed atmosphere aboard the private train, dining in luxury and chatting over drinks in the lounge. Relax deeply as you are carried into other lands, a world away from home. Trip Highlights Moscow!! Capital of Russia Baikonur!! Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Kazakh steppe Tashkent!! Capital of Uzbekistan, Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater, Independence!!!! Square Samarkand!! Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque,!!!! Ulug Bek Observatory Bukhara!! Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ark Citadel, Palace of Moon and Stars Khiva!!! City walls, Old Town, or Ichon Kala (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Darvaza!! Burning gas crater, called locally the Door to Hell Ashkabad!! Capital of Turkmenistan, flamboyant gilded architecture Merv!!! Archaeological site of five ancient cities, the earliest attributed to Cyrus the Great!!!! (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Mashad!! Imam Reza Shrine, Nader Shah Museum, Ferdowsi s Mausoleum Mahan!! Shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali, Shahzadeh Gardens (UNESCO World Heritage!!!! Site) Rayen!!! Arg-e Rayen ancient citadel Yazd!!! Fire Temple, Friday Mosque Isfahan!!! Bridges over the Zayendeh River, Chehel Sotoon Palace, Vank Cathedral, Meidan!!! Emam (Imam Square) (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bazaar of Qaisarieh Persepolis!! Ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage!!! Site), Naghsh-e Rostam Shiraz!!! Koran Gate, Hafez Tomb, Vakil Citadel Tehran!!! State Jewels Museum, Golestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Itinerary Day One Moscow, Russia Passengers are met at the Moscow airport and transferred to the five star Ritz-Carlton (or another of Moscow s leading hotels) for a one-night stay. The Soviet flag flew here for the last time on 25 December 1991, and since then central Moscow has been transformed. Moscow today is a booming metropolis, dignified yet dynamic, where ancient churches sit shoulder to shoulder with 21st century finan- Visit 4

5 cial institutions, and where the new high-rise commercial district of Moscow-City is changing the face of the city forever. Meet fellow passengers at a welcome reception and dinner this evening. Meals: D Ritz-Carlton or similar Day Two Moscow board the Golden Eagle private train This morning in the magnificent Imperial Waiting Room at Moscow s Kazansky Station, enjoy a cold glass of Russian champagne and canapés as you chat with fellow travelers and the train staff. At Platform 1, a military brass band is playing and the Golden Eagle awaits. After settling in to your comfortable cabin, enjoy your first meal in one of the beautifully designed restaurant cars as the rail adventure begins. Day Three En route aboard the train Enjoy a relaxing day on board as the train travels across the vast expanses of western Kazakhstan. As well as experiencing the unique landscape, you can take the opportunity to chat with fellow passengers and maybe take part in a Russian language lesson. Day Four Baikonur, Kazakhstan Russia s premier space launch facility, Baikonur Cosmodrome is located deep in the arid Kazakh steppe. This is the place where the first spacecraft to orbit the earth, Sputnik I, was launched, and where Visit 5

6 Yuri Gagarin began his historic space flight, making him the first human being in space. Today Baikonur Cosmodrome includes nine launch complexes with 15 launch pads. The giant Soyuz rocket, ferrying astronauts and cosmonauts to the International Space Station, is launched here. An oxygen and nitrogen producing plant, a power station, 11 assembly buildings, communication sites and two airports are connected by roads and railways. The town, now open to non-russians, boasts apartments, hotels, a movie theater and a riverside park. On the visit to Baikonur, inspect the launch station of Yuri Gagarin s mission into space. Day Five Tashkent, Uzbekistan Arrive in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, and spend the morning touring this pleasant Soviet-style city, rebuilt with wide tree-lined boulevards after a devastating earthquake in Wander the remnants of Tashkent's Old Town with its winding streets, mud-brick buildings and Middle Eastern feel. A visit to Old Tashkent begins with a stroll through a labyrinth of mud-walled houses surviving from the 19th century to Hast- Imam Square, where some of Tashkent s oldest monuments remain. The 16th century Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, the tomb of one of the first imams of the Muslim world, and Barak-Khan Madrassah, also 16th century, are flanked by the 19th century al-bukhari Madrassah and the early 20th century Tillya Sheikh Mosque, which houses the oldest Koran in the world. The Uthman Koran, considered by Sunni Muslims to be the oldest Koran in the world, is safeguarded in the library of the Tillya Sheikh Mosque in the Muy Muborok Madrassah, where several of Mohammed's hairs are said to have been enshrined. Written on calfskin some time after the death of Mohammed, the manuscript is believed to have been compiled in Medina by Uthman, the third caliph of Islam. (Shi a Muslims believe that Uthman s successor, Ali, was the first true caliph, and his version of the Koran is held to be the only true version.) Only a third of the manuscript remains, about 250 large pages Visit 6

7 bound into a huge book. It has been inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The experience of viewing this 7th century sacred document is a powerful one. Browse the Applied Arts Museum. A wealthy czarist diplomat to Turkestan, Alexander Polovtsev, admiring Uzbek architecture, built a traditional mansion in 1898, inviting artisans from Samarkand, Bukhara and Fergana to decorate the interior. Featuring the painted carved plaster called ganche, carved wood and tile work, the house itself is a main attraction. Exhibits include the Uzbek embroidered wall coverings called suzani, ceramics, jewelry, rugs and musical instruments. Re-board the train this evening for dinner and overnight. Day Six Samarkand Today the train arrives in Samarkand, Tamerlane s blue-tiled capital. Perhaps the best-known of Silk Road towns, Samarkand, fabled oasis on the fringes of the Kyzyl Kum Desert, has been settled since the 6th century BC. UNESCO calls Samarkand the Crossroads of Cultures. It has been visited through time by many of the world s conquerors Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane. Tamerlane made it his capital city and gathered the finest architects, builders and artisans of the time to enhance its beauty. Admire gracious Registan Square, the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Ulug Bek s Observatory. Day Seven Bukhara Uzbekistan s best-preserved oasis city, Bukhara, is next. UNESCO-listed Bukhara offers cool shade and rest to the modern traveler as it did to the camel caravans that plied the Silk Road hundreds of years Visit 7

8 ago. The Old Town in Bukhara has a unified feel, drawn together by a central reflecting pool and plaza, by commonality in the structure of the domed bazaars and by the major monuments ringing the old town. Explore the 2,000-yearold Ark Citadel and the emir s Palace of the Moon and Stars. Day Eight Khiva Today explore Khiva, one of the most important trade centers on the Silk Road. Khiva s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been extensively preserved and restored, and exists today much as it did hundreds of years ago. Approaching the old town, modern-day travelers face the same sight as Silk Road caravans did, the duncolored city walls, the main gate opening on a dusty stone thoroughfare, merchants hawking their wares from each side, and the distinctive minarets watching over the whole scene. Tonight the train crosses into Turkmenistan. Day Nine Darvaza, Turkmenistan Ashkabad Take the opportunity this evening to leave the train for a nighttime excursion to the Darvaza Gas Crater. Darvaza is a tiny town of about 350 semi-nomadic Teke tribal people just outside the Door to Hell, one of Turkmenistan's most unusual sights. Located about 160 miles north of Ashkabad in the Kara Kum Desert, Darvaza was a site of natural gas exploration in the 1970s. The story goes that the drilling equipment was swallowed up by a huge sinkhole filled with gas. Engineers decided to burn off the gas to make the cavern safe for more drilling. It has been burning ever since, and blazes with an incredible strength that's visible from miles away. Visit 8

9 This morning the train pulls in to the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashkabad, for a city tour. In spite of its location on a trade route, Ashkabad never achieved the status and influence of other Silk Road cities like Khiva or Bukhara. In 1881 the Russians built a fortress on the site as a buffer against Englishdominated Persia, and by the early 20th century Ashkabad was a prosperous and flourishing city. In 1948 a massive earthquake leveled the city, killing over two-thirds of the population. Recently Ashkabad has seen a boom in new construction, which has had a major impact on the look of the city. New marble and gold monuments have sprung up all over town. Day Ten Merv Today the train arrives in Mary; board a coach to nearby Merv to explore the ruins. The earliest of the five ancient cities at Merv is attributed to Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC. Merv was the center of several succeeding civilizations, and became an important way station on the great Silk Road between the 2nd and the 13th centuries, when it was sacked and burned by the Mongols. The year 1794 saw the demise of Merv, after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam that the population depended on for its water. The ruins of Merv were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 because of the wealth of ongoing information they offer about the evolution of urban centers. In the early evening, the train arrives at the border town of Serakhs. Here the engineers make the important changes to the bogies to the standard gauge tracks of Iran. Day Eleven Mashad, Iran Arrive early in Mashad and take the day to explore this holy city. Admire the Imam Reza Shrine. In 817 the eighth grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Reza, died here suddenly on a journey. Word spread that he had been poisoned, and pilgrims began arriving at his burial site, renaming the city Mashad, meaning Place of Martyrdom. The Imam s tomb has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, Visit 9

10 and is now one of the holiest Shi ite shrines in Iran, visited by 12 million Shi ite Muslims a year. Explore the Nader Shah Museum. Nader Shah Afhar ruled Iran in the 18th century. His imposing statue stands outside the museum while inside, a collection of his weapons is available for public view. Sometimes called "Iran's Napoleon," Nader Shah was expansive, but doomed Persia to financial ruin with his military exploits. He was assassinated in 1747, but his legacy lives on. He was one of the greatest benefactors of Mashad's holy shrine and had numerous works of art created in the city of Isfahan. Enjoy lunch in the city before traveling to Tus and Ferdowsi's Mausoleum, one of Iran's most beloved sites. Ferdowsi, who lived around the year 1000, was a great Persian poet who wrote the Shahnameh, an influential epic. He is credited with reviving the Persian language and helping bring it into modernity, very much like what Chaucer did for the English vernacular. His tomb is set in a lovely area with a large pool surrounded by trees and flowers, and has been rebuilt twice since its original construction in Return to the train this evening where dinner will be served onboard Visit 10

11 Day Twelve Rayen Mahan After breakfast this morning, disembark to explore the ancient fortress of Arg-e Rayen. This small mud-brick citadel is at least a thousand years old, but its foundations could be much older. The sturdy ramparts and the watchtowers surround a governor's mansion, a military garrison and a bazaar and stables. Located in the foothills of the Hezar mountains, Rayen was famous for its handmade knives, which were said to guarantee victory to their possessors. garden, the Bagh-e Shahzadeh, or Prince Garden. Continue by coach to Mahan, a small town famed for its tomb of the Sufi leader, Shah Nematollah Vali, and for its luxurious Persian One of perhaps ten true Persian gardens left in Iran, the UNESCO-listed Shahzadeh is a walled oasis surrounding the palace of the former governor of Kerman. Built in the 1880s, the garden s highlight is a stairway of terraced pools flowing one into the next below the white palace. The graceful composition is set in front of a mountainous backdrop that is sometimes dusted with snow. Groves of flowering almond and pomegranate trees perfume the air. After enjoying the fragrant Prince Garden, visit the tomb of Sufi leader, poet and mystic Shah Nematollah Vali, born in the 14th century and making his home in Mahan after wandering Central Asia for many years. Founder of the Nematollahi order of Sufis, he is said to have been 100 years old when he died in His mausoleum complex, including three courtyards, a reflecting pool, minarets and a mosque, is renowned for its tilework and its faceted interior ceiling. The tomb has been a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years. Rejoin the train at dusk. Visit 11

12 Day Thirteen Spend the day in Yazd today. Stretching between two deserts, the ancient town of Yazd has a quiet history most notable for its reputation along the caravan routes as a silk weaving center. Founded in the 5th century AD, its isolated location and desert climate proved to be the city s greatest assets, concealing it from the waves of invaders that destroyed other more favorably situated cities. Yazd means to feast and worship and many people here maintain the Zoroastrian traditions that this word expresses. Zoroastrians fleeing Arab invaders found safe haven in Yazd, as did artists and poets escaping the Mongols. Combined, they made Yazd a city of tolerance and beauty. Zoroastrians from around the world visit the Fire Temple in Yazd (Ateshkade) to see its eternal flame, said to have been burning since 470 AD. The flame is visible through a glass in the entrance hall; only Zoroastrians can enter the hall where it burns, attended by priests. The flame represents the Zoroastrian supreme being, Ahura Mazda. Admire the beautiful three-story facade of the Amir Chakhmaq Complex in the center of Yazd. Built to commemorate and mourn the death of Hussain bin Ali, the first Shi'a Imam, the handsome symmetrical building is decorated with deep arched niches that are illuminated at night. Originally founded in the 12th century and added to in the 14th and 15th, the Friday Mosque stands on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian fire temple and is renowned as one of the best-preserved mosques of its age in the country. Its beautiful tiled entrance portal, or iwan, is the highest in Iran. The dome and altar inside the mosque display sophisticated tile decoration and decorative brickwork, though much is restoration from the 18th and 19th centuries. Yazd Visit 12

13 Day Fourteen Isfahan Under the rule of Shah Abbas the Great of the 16th-century Safavid dynasty, Isfahan became a celebrated and beautiful city, referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan, meaning half of the world. Even after centuries of turmoil and destruction at the hands of foreign invaders, Isfahan s grace is palpable. Shah Abbas II built the Chehel Sotun Palace in Set in a park by a long pool between the Ali Qapu Palace and Chahar Bagh Avenue, the pavilion was used for receptions and entertainment. The name means 40 Columns, and refers to the 20 wooden columns supporting the entrance to the Great Hall, multiplied by their reflection in the pool. Inside are wonderful frescoes, miniatures and ceramics. Continue to the Armenian Quarter. The sand colored stonework of Vank Cathedral conceals a beautifully ornate interior, with delicate tilework and gilt embellishments. Vank is an important historical reminder of the Armenian migration to Isfahan and is located in the Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa. During the 17th century, Armenians began settling at the southern bank of the Zayendeh Roud River and the cathedral dates from some of the earliest settlements in Used now as a museum, a memorial to the Armenian genocide and as the home of a historic printing press, Vank is still at the heart of the community of Armenian-Iranians and houses over 20,000 volumes of literary and religious works in Armenian. Maiden-e Naghsh-e Jahan, also known as Imam Square, in the center of Isfahan, is one of the largest urban squares in the world. Shah Abbas the Great built the graceful ensemble in the early 17th century after he moved the capital here. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the square was the symbolic center of the Safavid Empire. Some of the buildings Visit 13

14 surrounding the square are the fabulous Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace and the Quaisarieh Bazaar. Only on Fridays, Namaaz-e Jom eh, Friday prayer, is held in this square. Enter Isfahan's amazing 17th-century bazaar at the Quaisarieh entrance on Imam Square and stroll the narrow lanes lined with artisans and shopkeepers. More than a mile of covered walkway shelters brass and copperware craftsmen, jewelers, miniature painters, rug merchants and throngs of shoppers. Day Fifteen Persepolis Shiraz This morning, explore one of the most important sites of the Ancient World and the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, Persepolis. Arguably the greatest of the Persian dynasties, the period of Achaemenid rule, from the 7th to the 4th century BC, saw the empire at its greatest extent, both in territory and in political, artistic and philosophical respects. Darius I initiated the building of Persepolis, a huge undertaking of art and architecture. Spend some time exploring this venerable UNESCO-listed city, some of the most fascinating ruins in the world. View the famous bas-reliefs showing kings, courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of the Persian Empire's tributary nations. Continue to the monumental rock carvings at Naghsh-e Rostam, thought to be the tombs of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. Carved in the Elamite, Achaemenian and Sassanid periods, the cliff walls contain the façade of a palace. Admire the Kabe-Zardosht fire temple and sanctuary, and seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs, including Shapur I's famous victory over Roman Emperor Valerian. Next continue to Shiraz. The fabled city of Shiraz has a remarkable history stretching over 2,500 years. It is the capital of Fars province where the Persian language of Farsi originated. One of the most important cities of the Islamic medieval period, Shiraz has reigned as the capital of several Islamic dynasties. A major artistic, religious and academic center, the city is famed for its poetry, its luxuriant gardens, its learning centers and extravagant architecture. Beautiful, romantic and hospitable, Shiraz is the Visit 14

15 favorite of many travelers, and remains one of the most enjoyable places to visit in all of Iran. Surrounded by a lovely garden, the Tomb of Hafez, Iran s favorite poet, is a place of pilgrimage and reverence. Hafez was born and died in Shiraz in the 14th century, and his poetry is memorized by many Iranians. The marble tombstone is engraved with some of his verses. The teahouse by a cooling pool is a wonderful place to sit and people-watch. Just west of the Vakil Bazaar, the front entrance of the 18th century Vakil Mosque stands across from a simple reflecting pool. The tile work of the restored mosque is considered a masterpiece of the Qajar era, and its evening prayer hall is upheld by 48 carved stone pillars. Day Sixteen Tehran Arrive in Tehran, and check into a deluxe hotel for the last two nights of the tour. After the Mongols destroyed the Silk Road city of Rey, Tehran rose in its place as the region s most important trading center. By 1789, Tehran had become the capital of Persia under the Qajar ruler, Agha Mohammed Khan. While the city grew in prominence, it remained basically unchanged until the massive modernization efforts Visit 15

16 of the 1920s. Since then, Tehran has grown in population from less than 300,000 to a metropolis of more than eight million. Modern Tehran is full of shops, museums, mosques, minarets, restaurants, teahouses and a sprawling bazaar. Meals: B, L, D Espinas Hotel or similar Day Seventeen Tehran Make a visit to the Golestan Palace complex, the oldest of Tehran s historic monuments, begun in the 16th century as a fortress by the Safavid dynasty. Encompassing several palatial buildings around a cool green garden, the complex includes the Marble Throne, created from 65 pieces of yellow Yazd marble. In 2013, Golestan Palace was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. During today s touring visit the glittering State Jewels Museum. Among other treasures, the State Jewels Museum safeguards the Darya-ye-Nur, the world's largest uncut diamond, and the Peacock Throne, covered with over 23,000 gems. The collection is housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran. This evening, gather for a gala farewell dinner. Meals: B, L, D Espinas Hotel or similar The journey comes to an end today with transfers to the airport for international departures. Meals: B Day Eighteen Depart Tehran About The Golden Eagle Train Train Accommodations Three styles of accommodation are available on board the luxury Golden Eagle: Imperial Suites, Gold Class and Silver Class, each with private en suite facilities. Imperial Suites feature a king size bed, while Gold and Silver Class cabins are furnished with an upper/lower berth configuration. Imperial Suites Imperial Suite cabins are the most beautiful and spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle. Measuring a surprising 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meters), they are furnished with a luxurious king size bed, dedi- Visit 16

17 cated seating area, dressing table and private en suite facilities with large power shower and under floor heating. Individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows make the cabin a pleasant retreat. Imperial Class guests also enjoy butler service, a selection of complimentary drinks from the premium bar list, laundry service and room upgrades at hotels. Limited availability. Imperial Suite Cabins: 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meter) Sleeps 2 in king size bed Sitting area In cabin dining options Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating Recessed lighting and wardrobe Dressing table Personal safe Minibar Private en suite bathroom with full power shower and under floor heating Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries DVD/CD player with LCD screens Towels and linens changed daily Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times Dedicated butler service Drinks from the Bar Car included from the Standard and Premium Bar List (excluding Premium Wine List) Laundry service included Hotel room upgrade to next available category I cabin per carriage (plus 3 Gold cabins) Note: cabin configurations and decor may vary from samples depicted Gold Class Visit 17

18 Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and feature modern en suite amenities including power showers, under floor heating, a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, remote-controlled air-conditioning/heating, recessed lighting, a wardrobe and a personal safe. Each cabin is configured with upper/lower berths and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy. Gold Class Cabins: 77 sq ft (7 sq meters) Sleeps 2 in either lower standard (4ft 5in) double bed or bunk style Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating Recessed lighting and wardrobe Personal safe Private en-suite bathroom with full power shower and under floor heating DVD/CD player with LCD screens Towels and linens changed regularly Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin Drinks from the Bar Car included from the Standard Bar List Laundry service available for a fee 5 cabins per carriage (Note: The 5th compartment is of a slightly different layout 68 sq ft and will normally be allocated to single guests.) Visit 18

19 Silver Class Silver Class cabins are smaller than Gold Class cabins but still have en suite facilities, though with a smaller shower area. Silver Class cabins feature the same amenities as Gold Class cabins but in a smaller space. Each Silver Class Sleeping Car has six two-bedded cabins, accommodating a maximum of 12 passengers per car. Silver Class Cabins: 60 sq ft (5.5 sq meters) Sleeps 2 in lower small double bed (3ft 6in) or bunk style Remote-controlled air-conditioning and heating Recessed lighting and wardrobe Personal safe Private en suite bathroom with wet-room style shower and toilet DVD/CD player with LCD screens Towels and linens changed regularly Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin Laundry service available for a fee 6 cabins per carriage Visit 19

20 Our Tour Operator: This program is operated by MIR Corporation in a cooperative marketing agreement with National Trust Tours. MIR Corporation is a Tour Operator specializing in the region for over 28 years. National Trust Tours has made the choice to work with the best. Regional knowledge is crucial to the success of any trip to our corner of the world. MIR combines detailed information about geography and infrastructure, history and art, language and culture, with the depth of knowledge that comes only from decades of regional experience. You may wonder how we differ from other tour operators Destination Specialization MIR focuses exclusively on the exceptional region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This area has been our overriding passion since 1986; we don t do the rest of the world. Our hard-earned expertise gained over the last 28 years can take you from end to end of the largest country in the world Russia and to all of its neighbors. We specialize in travel to Siberia, the Silk Route, St. Petersburg & Beyond. Our destinations include: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltics (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), the Balkans Visit 20

21 (Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Central Asia (the five Stans), Iran, the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), Mongolia, China, Tibet and Central/East Europe (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania). We are excited to be working together with National Trust Tours. Dates for 2016 Private Rail Journey The land itinerary is scheduled to operate on the following dates. Please note that you need to depart the U.S. at least one day prior to the tour start date, due to airline flight schedules. November 10-27, 2016 Note: This train also runs in the reverse direction, Westbound from Tehran to Moscow Westbound departure dates are: April 10-27, 2016 December 5-22, Package Prices Land Tour Cost Per Person: Silver Class, twin share! $20,995 Silver Class, single!! $31,595 Gold Class, twin share! $24,995 Gold Class, single!! $37,495 Imperial Suite, twin share! $41,995 Imperial Suite, single!! $79,995 Private Train Tour Deposits Per person: Silver Class deposit!! $2,000 Gold Class deposit!! $2,500 Imperial Suite deposit! $5,000 A non-refundable deposit and completed reservation form/signed release are required to hold space. Land Tour Includes 14 nights accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle private train. 1 night hotel accommodation Moscow, 2 nights hotel accommodation in Tehran. All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day, including a generous, though not unlimited, allowance of wine or local beer (except in Iran), soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners. Visit 21

22 Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the tour start/end cities. All guided off-train tours per itinerary. The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring. Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while onboard the train. All gratuities. Baggage handling. Not Included International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour. MIR is able to arrange your air itinerary in economy or business class. If you wish to obtain an air quote, please contact us for details. Items of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at museums, etc.) Optional pre- or post-tour extensions. Drinks in the bar car and outside of meal times. Visa fees, any excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination or medical costs. Travel and trip cancellation insurance Interested in travel insurance? To learn more about all the benefits of purchasing travel insurance, please contact National Trust Tours at Rail Journey by Private Train Private Train tours are in a class of their own, offering the opportunity to experience remote destinations in unparalleled style. These all-inclusive, overview tours aboard the fully-chartered Golden Eagle luxury private train bring together passengers from around the world. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers. Important Notes: Is This Trip Right For You? This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers. Flexibility, a sense of humor and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are essential components to the enjoyment of this trip. This itinerary features a significant amount of touring on foot. Many streets and sidewalks are uneven, and some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases. Museums generally do not have elevators. On the train, restaurant and bar cars may be some distance from your sleeping car. Although porterage is provided where possible, you may have to carry your baggage for short distances. Visit 22

23 Passengers may encounter problems getting on and off trains; there may be low platforms, steep steps and/or gaps between the platform and the train. In true expedition style, some delays or changes in the itinerary are likely. Important Notice Regarding Prescription Drugs Please be advised that some countries in Central Asia, most notably Turkmenistan, but also Uzbekistan, have recently stepped up their border/customs inspection and enforcement activities for arriving and departing travelers concerning pharmaceutical drugs. Individual baggage searches are very rare for travelers visiting via private train, but are certainly a possibility. If you need to carry prescription medications with you of any kind, you are reminded to carry an amount suitable for personal use only, in original labeled packaging and with a copy of the prescription. Please note that some prescription drugs, including certain pain relievers such as Tramadol and Hydrocodone, which are somewhat common in the U.S., are completely prohibited from entry into Turkmenistan, even for personal use with a foreign prescription. Another prohibited medication in Turkmenistan is pseudoephedrine. Please be sure to bring alternative medication with you as these drugs (among others call for details) are simply not allowed at the present time. If you have concerns about prescription drugs you need to have with you as you travel through Central Asia, please contact your Tour Specialist before your departure for more information. Are You Prepared? The National Trust for Historic Preservation strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. For additional information, please contact National Trust Tours at Weather Moscow is a wonderful city to visit any time of the year. In the spring, expect temperatures degrees Fahrenheit. July and August bring a range of and October temperatures are cooler to cold, with highs in the mid-40s. Rain is possible year round. Central Asia experiences hot summers and cold winters. The best times to travel to these countries are in spring and fall, to catch the best temperatures between the hot parts of the summer and the cold winters. Rain is minimal. April-May brings temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while late August-September temperatures are typically Those whose plans don't allow travel in April- May or August-September can still catch great opportunities to visit as early as March, or as late as November. At these times, comfortable touring weather is still called for, with warm days and cooler nights/ early mornings. Travelers to Central Asia in March and November might want to bring along some additional warmer layers to help adjust to the difference between mountainous areas and desert areas. Visit 23

24 Please remember, weather at all times of year has an element of the unpredictable. This information comes from weatherbase.com and is based on data from previous temperatures on record. It is always advisable to check with weatherbase.com closer to your departure date for current conditions and forecasts. International Airfare MIR s in-house, full-service air department is available to assist with your air travel needs. Check with MIR before booking air on your own, as we are happy to research and compare the best published fares available. Airfare varies depending on a wide variety of factors, such as dates of travel, seat availability, special airline promotions, how restrictive ticket changes are, how long the fares can be held without purchase, routing considerations such as stopovers, and more. Tour dates are based on the land tour only. Please call us at to discuss air options and routings for this program, and to request a quote for your specific plans and dates of travel. We will be happy to put together a no-obligation suggested air itinerary and estimate for you at your request. Visas Four visas are required for this tour: a single-entry Russian visa, a single-entry Uzbek visa, a single-entry Turkmen visa and a single-entry Iranian visa. Please note, your specific air routings or any pre- and posttour extensions may require additional visas or additional entries. Extensive pre-tour paperwork is necessary to obtain the required visas. MIR will provide you with the necessary applications and instructions. An estimate of current visa costs for U.S. passport holders, based on standard processing time, is $782. Your exact visa fees may differ as visa costs can depend on a number of factors, such as state of residence, processing time, and return shipping. Visa fees are always subject to change. In the past some travelers have made their own visa arrangements instead of using MIR s preferred provider for their visa processing; either using their own visa service or attempting to process directly with the embassies/consulates. We strongly recommend you discuss it with us before choosing an alternate visa processing method to help avoid difficulties and visa problems. Pre and Post-Tour Extensions MIR can arrange for an extended program in Russia or Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus or the Stans. Contact us for more information. Visit 24

25 Conditions of Participation Your participation on a MIR Corporation trip is subject to the conditions contained in the 2016 Tour Reservation Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. Please read this document carefully and contact us with any questions. Cancellation and Refund Policy Please note that no partial refunds are available for any missed days of a tour or any whole or part of a tour, accommodation, meal or any other service not utilized by the participant during the tour. The quoted price represents a package price for the services offered and an itemization of individual component costs will not be provided. Please understand there will be no exceptions to our cancellation policies regardless of your situation. Should you need to cancel your travel plans, please notify us in writing immediately. At the time we receive written notification of cancellation, the following charges apply: Scheduled Rail Journeys by Private Train: 95 or more days prior to departure deposit due or paid in full of $2,000, $2,500 or $5, days prior to departure % of the land tour cost 64 days prior to departure or after trip departure----no refund References We encourage you to speak directly with satisfied past travelers. Please request a list of references. More Questions? Please feel free to call us with questions at National Trust Tours th Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC info@nationaltrusttours.com Photos:, Peter Guttman, Warren & Janny Strickland, Lindsay Fincher, Jamshid Fayzullaev, Jake Smith, Martin Klimenta, Russ & Ellen Cmolik, Annie Lucas, Douglas Grimes Visit 25