Luxury rail travel company Golden Eagle has announced a new 22-day itinerary across Central Asia titled “The Great Silk Road by Train”, positioning it as one of the most ambitious high-end rail journeys in the region.
The 3,862-kilometre trip will begin in Beijing and finish in Tashkent, crossing five countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Guided excursions at every stop will be led by specialists from GeoEx, the company’s adventure travel partner.
A Silk Road route built around UNESCO icons
The itinerary is designed around some of the most significant cultural and historic landmarks along the ancient Silk Road.
Highlights in China include Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Great Wall, followed by Xi’an’s Terracotta Army and the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. Further west, the journey continues into Uzbekistan, where passengers will visit the historic Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva – all UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The trip also includes experiences positioned as once-in-a-lifetime add-ons, including camel riding in the Gobi Desert and a private flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city.
Two Golden Eagle trains and Belle Époque interiors
The journey will operate using two Golden Eagle trains: the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express and the flagship Golden Eagle.
Golden Eagle says the train interiors are styled in a La Belle Époque aesthetic, featuring luxury carpets, heavy drapery and extensive wood detailing.
All cabins include private bathrooms, panoramic windows, and entertainment systems with DVD/CD players. Accommodation is offered in:
- Silver Class cabins (5.5 sq m)
- Gold Class cabins (7 sq m)
- Imperial Suites (11 sq m), featuring a king-size bed, lounge area and heated floors
Onboard amenities also include a lounge bar with a piano and dining cars serving regional cuisine inspired by the Silk Road.
Pricing and departure dates
Prices start from $50,700 per person based on double occupancy. The fare includes accommodation, meals, transfers and insurance.
The first departure is scheduled for 21 September to 12 October 2026, with the next journey planned for 30 August to 22 September 2027.
