PERSIA & THE SILK ROAD

Transcription

1 PERSIA & THE SILK ROAD BY LUXURY PRIVATE TRAIN 2016 & 2017 In Association with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains

2 Persia & the Silk Road From Tashkent to Tehran aboard the Golden Eagle Private Train 12 th to 27 th November 2016; 25 th March to 9 th April 2017 & 1 st to 16 th November 2017 We have joined forces with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, the world s leading operator of long-distance luxury rail cruises to bring you a spectacular journey by private train. Experiencing the wonders of Persia and the Silk Road by private train is a magnificent undertaking offering the opportunity to absorb the rich culture and cinematic landscape of the region without the constant hassle of multiple hotel stays. Instead your luxury hotel travels with you and your view is a constantly changing one. This unique journey combines one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisations with the remarkable treasures of Persia and the chance to visit destinations rarely visited by Western tourists. Our journey begins with us retracing part of the Silk Road, which was a network of routes plied by merchants and traders between China and the Mediterranean. During our journey through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan we will follow in the footsteps of such legendary figures as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo. In Uzbekistan we explore the 2500 year-old cities of Khiva and Bukhara as well as Samarkand, the Rome of the East and home to the beautiful Registan Square. We will also venture into Turkmenistan and visit the capital city of Ashgabat and the ancient city of Merv to discover ancient history, hidden wonders and varying cultures, from the comfort of your private train. At the Turkmenistan and Iran border town of Sarakhs, important changes are made to the undercarriages of our train in preparation for our crossing onto the standard gauge tracks of Iran where our first call is the sacred city of Mashhad. Our exploration of Persia, a crossroad of Asia, with its infinitely varied countryside and outstanding monuments will be a rare insight into this ancient land. It is the home of Shia and Sunni Muslims, fire-worshipping Zoroastrians, as well as Armenian Christians and Jews remaining from the days of the Babylonian captivity. Since the Islamic revolution, the country has rebuilt its tourist infrastructure and the visitor will find the sites virtually unchanged from earlier days. We will see the sparkling turquoise domes of the Pearl of Persia, Isfahan, visit the World Heritage Site of Persepolis, explore Shiraz the City of Wine and Roses and the great desert city of Yazd home of Zoroastrianism. Our journey through Iran will end with a two night hotel stay in Tehran with its many palaces and fascinating history, a fitting end to our extraordinary journey. The Itinerary Day 1 London to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Fly by scheduled indirect overnight flight. Day 2 Tashkent. On arrival into Tashkent we will transfer to the International Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before we meet for dinner this evening. Day 3 Tashkent. Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and today we will spend time touring this modern, Soviet-style city which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of Our tour of the city includes the Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets and here in a small library we will be privileged to see one of Islam s most sacred relics the world s oldest Koran. We will continue to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts before boarding our private train, the Golden Eagle. his successors. Today we will visit some of its most significant sites including Registan Square, the refined elegance of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in Before dinner we will return to the now illuminated and awe-inspiring Registan Square. Bukhara Khiva TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN Ashgabat Tehran Merv Isfahan IRAN Sarakhs Mashhad Yazd Mahan Rayen Persepolis Shiraz Bukhara Tashkent Samarkand the Emir s enchantingly named, Palace of the Moon and Stars. This evening, weather and time permitting, we will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before our train departs. Day 6 Khiva. From Urgench we travel to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, we discover the impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and minarets within Khiva s ancient walls. Day 7 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan is known as the Las Vegas of the Kara Kum. Situated between the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat is a relatively modern city built upon the ruins of the Silk Road city of Konjikala and the Soviet city built after the devastating earthquake of The city s extravagant fountains, golden domes and towering modern buildings appear strangely incongruous in this desert setting. Highlights of our visit include a visit to the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque. Day 8 Merv. From Mary we transfer to the ancient and mainly unrestored remains of Merv. Once an important stopping point on the Silk Road, it claims to have briefly been the largest city in the world during the 12th century saw the demise of Merv, after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population depended on for its water. Early evening we arrive at the border town of Sarakhs and it is here we make the important changes to the bogies as we prepare to cross into and onto the standard gauge tracks of Iran. Day 4 Samarkand. Just the mention of Samarkand instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road, more so than any other town. Founded in the 6th century BC, Samarkand s stunning architecture hints at its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia and is particularly noted for its architectural remains from the 14th to the 17th century, when it flourished as the fabled capital of the Mongol Empire of Timur and Day 5 Bukhara. Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO sponsored the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in The highlight of this wonderful tour is a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara the despotic leaders who ruled until Soviet times. We then travel out of the city to experience Day 9 Mashhad, Iran. Following the change overnight of wheelsets we leave Sarakhs before dawn and an early morning arrival provides us with the whole day to explore the sacred city of Mashhad, which is home to the Imam Reza Holy Shrine, the largest mosque in the world in terms of its dimension, followed by a tour of the Nader Shah Museum. Following lunch in the city, we will visit the Tomb of Ferdowsi, the father of Persian Literature who lived over 1000 years ago. 2

3 Rayen Tashkent Zazd Persepolis Day 10 Mahan & Rayen. After breakfast we alight in Mahan, where we visit the 19th century Royal building, Prince Garden and tomb. We later visit the sanctuary and tomb of the famous, Soufi, Shah Nematollah Vali, dating back to the Mongol Era. We continue by road onto Rayen. The 20,000 square metre Rayen castle is situated beneath the snow-capped Mount Hezar in the Province of Kerman. A huge Medieval mud brick citadel, it was considered second only to Bam before the 2003 earthquake. Rayen displays all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel (it was inhabited until 150 years ago) and is extremely well preserved. It is considered one of the most interesting sites in Iran. We re-join the train at dusk in time for dinner as we depart for Yazd. Day 11 Yazd. Yazd is thought to be one of the oldest cities in the world and a centre of Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic faith founded in Iran 3500 years ago. Our tour takes in the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, Amir Chakhmagh Square and the 14th century Friday Mosque, home to one of Persia s finest and exquisite mosaics. Day 12 Isfahan. This enchanting city, which served as Persia s capital from 1598 to 1722, is 2,500 years old and one of the oldest in Iran. As a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy, Isfahan has a rich mix of languages, religions and customs. The city is famous for its silver filigree and metal work, array of great historical monuments, and its life-giving river, the Zayandeh-Rood, which has given the city its beauty. Isfahan is packed with some of Iran s best sights and today we spend a whole day in the city, visiting the Chehel Sotoon Palace and the Vank Church in the Armenian Quarter. Following a traditional Iranian lunch we move on to Naghshe Jahan Square, a World Heritage Site and the second largest man-made square in the world, where the Ali Qapou Palace and Shah and Sheikh Lutfullah Mosques can be found. Here, the time is yours to enjoy the huge square and pick up a bargain at the handicraft Bazaar of Qaisarieh. Day 13 Persepolis & Shiraz. Following breakfast onboard we stop at Sadat Shaha, for the home of Persepolis, another World Heritage Site. Perhaps Iran s most important archaeological site, this ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire dates back to the 6th century. Even now, the ruins are extremely impressive. We also view the Necropolis (Naghshe Rustam). After lunch we continue by bus to Shiraz, a city with many strings to its bow, poetry, literature, wine, flowers and amazing gardens and fruit trees. A visit to the Quran Gate, Hafez Tomb and the Vakil Citadel are the highlights of our afternoon tour. Day 14 Tehran. After breakfast we reach our final destination, Tehran where we disembark the Golden Eagle and transfer to the five-star Espinas International Hotel (or similar) for a two night stay. Day 15 Tehran. Our city tour begins with our visit to the Crown Jewels Museum in the Central Bank of Iran Building, with its vast array of crown jewels used by the Qajar and Pahlavid royalty and the legendary Peacock Throne. Also we visit the Golestan Palace with its renovated Versaillesinspired mirror-encrusted Marble Throne Hall used for the coronation of the last Shah. Most of the remaining brick and tile buildings date back to the 19th century Qajar dynasty. On our final evening we will enjoy a special Farewell Dinner and take the opportunity to reflect on our pioneering journey along the Silk Road to the heart of Persia. Day 16 Tehran to London. Following breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our indirect scheduled flight to London. Please note that the 12 November 2016 and 25 March 2017 departures are also available commencing from Moscow with two additional nights stopping at Kara Kum Desert and Baikonur. Please contact us for further details. prices per person Based on double occupancy. Train Category Silver Class Gold Class Imperial Suite Silver Class for sole use Gold Class for sole use Imperial Suite for sole use Price Price includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, overnight hotel accommodation in Tashkent, 11 nights aboard the Golden Eagle Private Train, two nights hotel accommodation in Tehran, full board (except for lunch on day 2 and day 16), wine with meals at lunch and dinner (except for Iran where soft-drinks will be served), drinks from the Bar Car (excluding certain premium drinks and only nonalcoholic drinks served whilst in Iran), excursions, transfers, airport taxes, services of a tour manager, a doctor on board the train, porterage, gratuities. Not Included: Travel Insurance, visas, lunch on day 2 and day 16. N.B.The itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions. Participants need to be aware that the consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in Iran and both men and women need to be conservatively dressed, with head scarves worn at all times bywomen. Visas for the tour can take between 6-8 weeks to obtain. +44 (0)

4 Heart of Persia Discover Iran s wonders aboard the Golden Eagle Private Train 24 th Nov to 7 th Dec 2016; 6 th to 19 th April 2017; 13 th to 26 th Nov 2017 In 2016, the Golden Eagle, will make history as the first fully en-suite luxury train to tour Iran. This Heart of Persia tour may not always follow the itinerary stepby-step, but will delight and enthrall with the potential for a surprise or two along the way. Travelling through Persia with its infinitely varied countryside and rich cultural history we will visit seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We are sure to receive a warm welcome during our visit and whilst on our guided excursions we will wander around iconic turquoise-tiled domes and minarets, view the extraordinary ruins of the Achaemenid s ancient capital at Persepolis, discover Yazd, thought to be one of the oldest cities in the world and spend time in Shiraz, Persia s cultural capital. The Itinerary Tehran Susa Shushtar Pol-E Sefid Mashad Kashan IRAN Isfahan Yazd Kerman Persepolis Mahan Rayen Shiraz Day 1 London to Tehran, Iran. Fly by scheduled indirect flight. We will arrive in the late evening or early hours of Day 2 and transfer to the fivestar Espinas Hotel (or similar) for a two night stay. Day 2 Tehran. After a leisurely breakfast relax and enjoy the facilities of our hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome reception dinner whilst you meet your fellow travellers on this highly anticipated journey. Day 3 Tehran. The highlight of our stay in Tehran is undoubtedly the visit to the breathtaking Crown Jewels Museum in the Central Bank of Iran Building, with its vast array of crown jewels used by the Qajar and Pahlavid royalty. We will also take the opportunity to visit the prestigious National Museum of Iran, opened in 1937, detailing many periods of the rich history of the country with some artefacts dating back approximately 30,000 years. During our guided tour we will also explore the city s Grand Bazaar, situated in the southern heart of Tehran, it is a historical market with a seemingly neverending maze of bustling alleyways. Late this afternoon we transfer to Tehran railway station with its huge portraits of Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Kamenei at the entrance to board the Golden Eagle, our home for the next ten nights. Settle in to your cabin and later enjoy dinner as the train begins its exciting voyage through Iran. Day 4 Mashhad. An early morning arrival provides us with the whole day to explore the city of Mashhad, which is home to the Imam Reza Holy Shrine, the largest mosque in the world in terms of its dimension, followed by a tour of the Nader Shah Museum. After lunch in the city, we will visit the Tomb of Ferdowsi, the father of Persian Literature who lived over 1000 years ago. Day 5 Rayen & Mahan. After lunch we alight in Rayen where the 20,000 square metre Rayen castle is situated beneath the snow-capped Mount Hezar in the Province of Kerman. A huge Medieval mud brick citadel, it was considered second only to Bam before the 2003 earthquake. Rayen is considered one of the most interesting sites in Iran and displays all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel (it was inhabited until 150 years ago) and is extremely well preserved. We continue by road to Mahan where we visit the 19th century Royal building, Prince Garden and tomb and later visit the sanctuary and tomb of the famous, Soufi, Shah Nematollah Vali, dating back to the Mongol Era. Day 6 Kerman. This morning we travel to the desert trading city of Kerman. The city has a mud-brick core centred around the historic and very lively bazaar, where we will have some free time. We will visit a 19th century tea house and the Hamam Ganj Ali Khan, now restored and transformed into a museum. Wonderful frescoes adorn the walls and wax dummies illustrate the workings of a traditional bathhouse. Later this afternoon we re-join the Golden Eagle for dinner as we travel onwards to Yazd. Day 7 Yazd. Yazd is thought to be one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back over 3000 years. Our tour takes in the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and Silent Towers, Amir Chakhmagh Square and the Friday Mosque, home to one of Persia s finest mosaics (both 14th century) and finally the water museum. Lunch will be served in the Moshir Garden Hotel which features a lovely Pomegranate Garden (Yazd is famous for pomegranates). Day 8 Isfahan. This enchanting city which served as Persia s capital from 1598 to 1722 is one of the oldest in Iran. As a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy, Isfahan has a rich mix of languages, religions and customs. The city is famous for its silver filigree and metal work, array of great historical monuments and the Life-Giving River, the Zayandeh-Rood, which has given the city its beauty. Isfahan is packed with some of Iran s best sights and today we spend a whole day in the city, visiting the Vank Church in the Armenian Quarter. Following a traditional Iranian lunch we move on to Naghshe Jahan Square, a World Heritage Site and the second largest man-made square in the world, where the Ali Qapou Palace and Shah and Sheikh Lutfullah Mosques can be found. Enjoy some time at leisure and perhaps pick up a bargain at the handicraft Bazaar of Qaisarieh. Day 9 Persepolis & Shiraz. Following breakfast onboard we arrive in Sadat Shaha, for the nearby ruins of Persepolis, another World Heritage Site. Perhaps Iran s most important archaeological site, this ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire dates back to the 6th century. Even now, the ruins are extremely impressive. Our final visit today is to the Necropolis at nearby Naghsh-e Rustam. After lunch we continue by road to Shiraz, Persia s cultural capital. Dating back over 4000 years it is also known as the city of poets, literature, wine and flowers. A visit to the Quran Gate, Hafez Tomb and the Vakil Citadel are amongst the highlights of our afternoon tour. Isfahan Day 10 Kashan. This morning finds us in the ancient city of Kashan where we visit the Fin garden, Iran s oldest garden dating from 1590 and a World Heritage Site. We also explore 4

5 Sialk Hills archaeological site, dating back almost 8000 years and the 19th century houses, Brojerdi and Taba. Kashan is the most important centre for Persian carpets and after lunch in a local restaurant we will visit the impressive and ancient bazaar to explore the exquisite carpets on offer, before returning to our train midafternoon. As dinner is served we pass through Qom and arrive at Dorud, in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains around midnight. Day 11 Shushtar & Susa. As dawn rises, admire the magnificent scenery as we meander through the mountainous landscape before arriving in Shushtar after breakfast. We first visit the Hydraulic system that dates back to 590 BC and still provides water to the town of Shushtar. We continue to the Choghazambil site dating back to 1250 BC and then tour the ancient city of Susa before re-joining the train for the spectacular return journey through the Zagros Mountains. Day 12 Pol-E Sefid. After breakfast we leave our train for a spectacular drive through the Alborz Mountains as we head towards Pol-e Sefid where our Iranian train awaits. This afternoon we enjoy the ever-changing, mountainous landscapes as we climb the Trans-Iranian Railway, crossing the infamous Veresk bridge, hailed as the Bridge of Victory in World War II, and the outstanding Three Golden Lines spiral, as we make our way back to the Golden Eagle for our final dinner aboard the train. Kashan Reyan Persepolis Day 13 Tehran. After breakfast we reach Tehran where we disembark the Golden Eagle and transfer to the five-star Espinas International Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay. This morning we visit the Golestan Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its renovated Versaillesinspired mirror-encrusted Marble Throne Hall used for the coronation of the last Shah. Most of the remaining brick and tile buildings date back to the 19th century Qajar dynasty. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Gala Dinner at our hotel. Day 14 Tehran to London. Following breakfast we transfer to the airport for our indirect scheduled flight to London. prices per person Based on double occupancy. Train Category Silver Class Gold Class Imperial Suite Silver Class for sole use Gold Class for sole use Imperial Suite for sole use Price Price includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 10 nights aboard the Golden Eagle, 3 nights hotel accommodation in Tehran, full board (except for dinner on day 1 and lunch on day 14), soft drinks, excursions, transfers, airport taxes, services of a tour manager, a doctor on board the train, porterage, gratuities. Not Included: Travel Insurance, visas, dinner on day 1, lunch on day 14. N.B.The itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions. Participants need to be aware that the consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in Iran and both men and women need to be conservatively dressed, with head scarves worn at all times by women. Golestan Palace, Tehran +44 (0)

6 Bar Lounge THE GOLDEN EAGLE On 26 April 2007 HRH Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO unveiled the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, a private train that brings unprecedented luxury to the world s greatest railway journey. The Golden Eagle has been carefully designed with an emphasis on your comfort, relaxation and enjoyment. Your Accommodation The full train comprises of three categories of sleeping cars which feature state of the art amenities, all with en-suite facilities and luxury L Occitane toiletries. All accommodation has been cleverly designed to maximise the available space as cabins convert from a sitting area by day into a cosy sleeping area by night (with the exception of the new Imperial Suites). All cabin categories benefit from an evening turndown service and a cabin attendant is on hand 24 hours a day. Imperial Suites The Imperial Suites are the most spacious cabins available, measuring 120 square feet and benefit from a King Size bed, a lounge area with dressing table, private en-suite facilities with power shower, under floor heating, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, personal safe, DVD/ CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided. Guests will also benefit from a selection of complimentary drinks from the premium bar list, included laundry service, option of in-suite dining and hotel room upgrades to the next available category according to itinerary. Gold Class At 77 square feet, Gold Class cabins are wellproportioned and have everything from power showers and under-floor heating to a DVD/ CD player, LCD screen and individual airconditioning, wardrobe, large picture window and a double lower bed or the option to use the upper bunk bed. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided. Guests in Gold Class also enjoy included drinks from the standard bar list from the Bar Car. Silver Class Silver Class cabins are more compact at 60 square feet but have similar facilities to those of Gold 6

7 Restaurant Imperial Suite Class. The Silver Class cabins have their own en-suite wet room with washbasin, toilet and shower. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided. Life Onboard Each morning, enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet in the beautifully appointed Restaurant Car, offering a fresh selection of fruit, cereals, cold plates and freshly squeezed orange juice. For something more substantial enjoy a breakfast cooked to order by the onboard Chef, all accompanied by steaming hot tea and coffee. At lunch and dinner you will enjoy a delightful culinary experience inspired by the countries we venture through. All meals are skilfully prepared by the Executive Chef and his onboard team, using the very best ingredients and locally sourced wherever possible. Vegetarian and other dietary options are also available. Attentive service and an excellent choice of wines accompany lunch and dinner, in addition to bottled mineral water, draught beer and soft drinks. Expect a relaxed and convivial atmosphere at meal times with the freedom to dine wherever, and with whomever, you please in a single sitting. An informal dress code is applied throughout the journey. The Bar Lounge Car is the perfect location to relax and unwind as you watch the ever changing scenery pass by. Reminisce the day s adventures with fellow passengers over afternoon tea or perhaps challenge your friends to a game of cards before dinner. Throughout your journey the Bar Lounge Car and Restaurant Cars will host a variety of entertaining and enriching activities such as language lessons and engaging lectures on local history and culture from expert guest speakers. It is also here that our Tour Manager will organise a programme of activities for the journey ahead. Daily itineraries detailing train arrival and departure timings and information on the following day s excursions and activities will be provided, plus useful weather forecast and time zone information. As evening falls, enjoy the sounds of the resident pianist playing on the baby grand piano in the Bar Lounge Car. Each night the bar stays open until the last person leaves. Gold Class +44 (0)

8 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0) All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Ports subject to change. Cover image: Bukhara, Uzbekistan _S