Luxury Overland Tours

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Australia – Beijing (China)

Depart Australia with Singapore Airlines, via Singapore, to Beijing. We arrive late this evening (Adelaide guests arrive morning of Day 2) and check in to the luxurious Peninsula Beijing, centrally located and with easy access to Beijing’s major sights.

Day 2

Beijing

Enjoy a Hutong Rickshaw tour this morning and visit a traditional Beijing house. Return to the hotel for lunch. Alternatively, enjoy a free morning to allow time to relax after the long journey and enjoy the facilities of our luxurious hotel.

After lunch take a tour of the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven before returning late afternoon. This evening we enjoy a special Peking Duck Welcome Dinner.

Day 3

Beijing

Today we drive to the Great Wall of China and take a walk atop of the wall. Later today we experience the spine tingling feeling of walking across historic Tiananmen Square. We also visit the Forbidden City.

Choose from a selection of restaurants at our hotel for a dine-around dinner this evening.

Day 4

Join Shangri-La Express – Xian

Enjoy a relaxing morning before joining the Shangri-La Express to commence our 11,226km journey to Moscow. Settle into your comfortable cabin and get to know fellow travellers. Throughout the journey our guest lecturer will give talks in the lounge, this afternoon join a talk introducing the history of the Silk Road. Lunch and dinner are served in the dining cars and the bar/lounge car is the convivial social centre of the train. Complimentary wine, beer and soft drink are served with all lunches and dinners on the train.

Day 5

Xian

After an early morning arrival into the ancient city of Xian we tour the highlights of the city, including the Great Mosque and the 14km city walls. This afternoon we visit the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered by peasants barely 30 years ago. The 6,000 Terracotta figures, arranged in row after row of warriors and horses, are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century.

Alternatively, we will offer a visit to the Han Yangling Museum. This tomb, dating back 2,000 years, with its adjoining museum is one of China’s finest undiscovered secrets.

Early evening we head back to the city for dinner and entertaining Tang Dynasty Show before rejoining the train for the overnight journey to Lanzhou in the comfort of your cabin.

Day 6

Lanzhou

Morning arrival into Lanzhou, a vital city on the Silk Road due to its principal crossing point of the mighty Yellow River. A visit to the Gansu Provincial Museum here provides evidence of the kind of goods that moved in an eastward direction along the Silk Road and the famous ‘galloping horse’ dating from the Eastern Han period that was found in a nearby tomb. A late afternoon departure is followed by dinner this evening onboard the train.

Day 7

Dunhuang

We arrive in the small oasis city of Dunhuang to visit the fascinating Mogao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex. Containing almost 500 grottoes, carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago, they are filled with an amazing collection of sculptures and murals depicting the evolution of Buddhist religious art over a 1,000-year period. Over 2,000 statues and 45,000 murals still remain. We have lunch with a local folk performance in this magical setting. In the afternoon we take a camel ride to one of the natural wonders of the Gobi Desert, Crescent Lake, which has been a source of water among the incredible sand dunes for thousands of years.

Day 8

Turpan – Urumchi

This morning we visit Turpan with the Flaming Mountains as its stunning backdrop. We will see the centuries old underground irrigation system that feeds the rich orchards and vineyards, and the fascinating deserted sand city of Jiaohe. This afternoon we drive to Urumchi, which is located in a green oasis between the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak, the vast Salt Lake in the east, the rolling pine covered southern hill and the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest. It is the largest city and one of the most spellbinding in western China. This afternoon our city tour includes the renowned Mummies Exhibition in the Provincial Museum.

Day 9

Join Golden Eagle Express - Alashankou

After a final breakfast onboard the Shangri-La Express, we pass through the dramatic mountain scenery of Druzhba before arriving in Alashankou, where border controls are carried out. Patience is a virtue at this remote location. We transfer to the waiting Golden Eagle Express train for the continuation of our journey to Moscow.

Day 10

Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Just after breakfast we arrive in the largest city in Kazakhstan, Almaty. The city is beautifully set in a valley in the foothills of the Tien Shen Mountains. We will have lunch in a ‘yurt’, a traditional Kazakh dwelling of the nomadic people of this region. After dinner this evening enjoy listening to the resident pianist in our comfortable bar car whilst enjoying a drink with new friends.

Day 11

Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

Today we spend a relaxing morning onboard the train, socialising or maybe taking in one of the lectures and lessons on offer to give us a greater insight into this fascinating region. After lunch we arrive in the capital city of Uzbekistan and spend the afternoon touring this pleasant, modern, Soviet-style city, which was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake levelled it in 1966. After visiting the Museum of Fine Arts we have dinner on the train as it departs for Samarkand.

Day 12

Samarkand

Many words have been used to describe this jewel of the Islamic world, ‘the Paris of the Muslim World’ and ‘Rome of the East’ are a few. Its admirers include; Marco Polo, Tamerlane and Alexander the Great. Founded in the 6th century BC, its architecture gives an indication of its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia. We spend the day visiting the many fabulous buildings including the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the awe inspiring Registan Square. Dinner is near the illuminated Registan Square, after which we return to our luxurious train for a late evening departure.

Day 13

Bukhara

Traversing the Kyzyikum desert during the night we awake to the splendour of Uzbekistan’s largest oasis city, Bukhara. Smaller than other cities in the country, it is perhaps just as, if not more, impressive than the larger Samarkand. Like Khiva, UNESCO funded the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The highlight of our tour includes a visit to The Ark, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, rulers infamous for their cruelty and who survived into Soviet times. Lunch is within one of the city’s many madrasahs (beautifully-tiled Islamic schools). We then travel out of the city to visit the Emir’s Palace of the Moon and Stars before rejoining our train this evening. After dinner, sit back and enjoy a nightcap during your journey to Merv.

Day 14

Merv (Turkmenistan)

We arrive into Mary in the morning and transfer by coach to the ancient city of Merv. In the 12th century, Merv was an important stop on the Silk Road and was briefly the largest city in the world. It was left to ‘die’ in 1794 after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam, which the population depended upon for water. On our tour we visit at least one of the five walled cities contained within the 130sq km area.

Day 15

Ashgabat

We arrive in the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’ and the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. A huge modern folly in the desert land which is a monument to the late President Saparmurat Turkmenbasy. Situated between the Kara Kum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range the scenery that forms the backdrop to the city is one of extremes.

Day 16

Khiva (Uzbekistan)

We cross back into Uzbekistan for our afternoon arrival in Urgench and transfer to the 2,500-year old city of Khiva, once one of the most important trading centres at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. Its former wealth is evident in the fabulous buildings, mosques, bazaars and minarets that are within the walled city and which have been restored with the support of UNESCO since 1991 for the city’s 2,500th anniversary celebrations. Lunch is in the city before we rejoin the train for dinner.

Day 17

Crossing The Kazakh Desert

A day to enjoy facilities of the Golden Eagle Express and the relaxed pace of life onboard whilst traversing the harsh terrain of the Kazakh Desert. Our guest lecturer will piece together the links between the cities of the Silk Road. We plan to pause at some remote villages along the way.

Day 18

Volgograd (Russia)

We enter Russia and arrive at the city of Volgograd, resting on the banks of Europe’s longest river, the Volga. Formerly called Stalingrad, the casualties during World War II were horrific and we will visit the remarkable War Memorial and War Cemetery. Later this afternoon we depart for Moscow. Tonight is our final evening onboard the ‘Golden Eagle Express’ and we mark the occasion with a farewell banquet.

Day 19

Moscow

Breakfast and lunch are served on the train before we arrive in Moscow early this afternoon. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city on our way to our luxury hotel.

Choose from a selection of restaurants at our hotel for a dine-around dinner this evening.

Day 20

Moscow

Depart for a full day of Moscow sightseeing beginning with a private early entrance to the Kremlin grounds to undertake a tour of the famous Armoury Museum and its priceless treasures. We then continue our tour of Moscow, travelling to the suburbs to see the buildings of the Moscow University, the Sparrow Hills, Novodevichy Convent, Peace Park and Gorky Park. Enjoy our Farewell Dinner this evening.

Day 21

Depart Moscow

Choose a free morning or visit Lenin’s Tomb in Red Square, where dwindling numbers of the faithful come to pay their respects.

Depart Moscow this afternoon flying Singapore Airlines, via Singapore.

Day 22

Arrive Australia

Early evening arrival into Australia.

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Shanghai Option

Leave home three days early and combine your tour of the ancient Silk Road with a visit to the dynamic and bustling city of Shanghai prior to the beginning of the main tour in Beijing. Enjoy three days and two nights in lively Shanghai, a shopper’s paradise, renowned for its bargains. Shanghai has regained its place as the leading commercial centre in China and has always been different to the nation’s other cities. It was the ‘window to the west’ in past times when the British and French had their own concession areas in the city. Our tour includes three nights accommodation, meals, transfers and two half day tours. You will be accompanied by a member of The Captain’s Choice Tour Escort Team but not necessarily the Tour Doctor.

Depart Australia
Depart Australia with Singapore Airlines, via Singapore, to Shanghai.

Arrive Shanghai (China)
Arrive Shanghai early this morning. On arrival you will be driven to the
Le Royal Meridien, conveniently located in the heart of Shanghai along the famous Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Shanghai’s main shopping district, just a ten minute walk from the Bund. This morning is free to settle in – perhaps take a stroll past the historic European style buildings on the Bund or join the throng of shoppers on Nanjing Road. We will leave the hotel around midday for a welcome lunch and a tour of Shanghai. Sights include a visit to the 400 year old Yu Garden with its decorative pavilions, ponds and fascinating Chinese architecture. The tour will feature the main sights of Shanghai and will also visit the renowned modern Shanghai Museum. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before attending a unique acrobatic show.

Shanghai – Zhujiajiao – Shanghai
Located in a suburb of Shanghai city and known as ‘Shanghai’s Venice’, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town well known throughout the country, with a history of more than 1,700 years. Covering an area of 47sq km, the little fan-shaped town glimmers like a bright pearl in the landscape of lakes and mountains. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Zhujiajiao before returning to our hotel early afternoon. Enjoy some free time before dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner we take a cruise on the Huangpu River. When the sun sets, the river is veiled in the glittery neon lights on its banks. By cruising on Huangpu River in the evening you can experience its silence and beauty under the moonlight.

Shanghai – Beijing
Join a lunchtime flight to Beijing. On arrival transfer to the five star Peninsula Beijing, located in the heart of Beijing. Enjoy a free afternoon. Tomorrow meet your fellow travellers on Day 2 of the main tour.

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St Petersburg Option

After the conclusion of the main tour in Moscow, spend three days and nights in the incredible city of St Petersburg. Founded in 1703, Russia’s former capital is undoubtedly still its cultural heart. St Petersburg’s canals are reminiscent of Venice, she boasts churches, monasteries and palaces of great splendour; and is home to The Hermitage, one of the world’s finest museums. The St Petersburg extension will be accompanied by a member of The Captain’s Choice Tour Escort Team, but not necessarily the Tour Doctor.

Moscow – St Petersburg
After lunch at a local restaurant we join the express train to St Petersburg. On arrival we will transfer up Nevsky Prospekt to the Grand Hotel Europe, our home for the next three nights.

St Petersburg
Enjoy a morning tour visiting the famous Hermitage Museum, including the Winter Palace, the former state residence of the Russian Emperors. The Hermitage contains over two million works of art that are exhibited in a number of galleries so our morning will be devoted to our visit here.

Stay on at The Hermitage for the remainder of the afternoon or join a tour of Yusupov Palace. On a quiet stretch of the Moika River stands a long yellow building, which was once the residence of the wealthy and respected Yusupov family and which saw one of the most dramatic episodes in Russia’s history – the murder of Grigori Rasputin. Visit the beautifully recreated interiors of the palace where the full story of the murder of Rasputin will unfold before you.

This evening, there is an option to enjoy the ‘Feel Yourself Russian’ folk show (additional cost).

St Petersburg
This morning we will travel 30kms to the village of Pushkin. We will visit the incredibly ornate Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo) Palace, built by Catherine The Great in 1744. The lavish rooms and gardens will live long in your memory. Enjoy a delicious Russian lunch before we return to St Petersburg for a city tour and take a cruise on the canals and Neva River for a different view of this incredible city. This evening, we enjoy our final dinner in St Petersburg.

Depart St Petersburg
This morning we will tour along Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main boulevard to see the Bronze Horseman – Peter The Great, the Admiralty Building and the richly gilded
St Isaac’s Cathedral. Join an afternoon flight to Frankfurt with Lufthansa, connecting with Singapore Airlines flights home, via Singapore.

Travelling
Arrive Australia
Early evening arrival into Australia.

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