Set out for the ancient Geghard Monastery this morning. Amid lush greenery and jagged cliffs, this medieval complex of churches and tombs includes structures carved directly from the mountain’s rockface. Wind your way through the fantastical structures and gaze down upon the rolling Azat River below.
Travelling on to Garni Temple, you’ll witness the only remaining Greco-Roman temple in the former Soviet states. Don’t be fooled by its classical style, however. This 1st-century clifftop site is believed to have been constructed in honour of the ancient Armenian sun god Mihr. Explore the ruins of the fortress and baths, then sit down to a scenic lunch.
This evening, head to the Armenia Wine Company, where you’ll discover their unique wine-making process, from cellar to bottle, sampling premium wines before an exclusive dinner.
Before departing this incredible city, pay a visit to the utterly unique Cascade – a set of 572 steps climbing five striking stone terraces. Originally conceived of by architect Alexander Tamanyan decades before the vision would be brought to life, the puzzle-like structure and its manicured gardens now house the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, where you’ll descend for a brief look at the varied works within.
Bid farewell to Yerevan and hit the trail, bound for high Lake Sevan. One of three great lakes in historic Armenia, this enchanting body of water is the perfect spot for a panoramic lunch.
After you’ve reenergised with beautiful views and exquisite food, you’ll travel by coach through the forest landscapes leading to the Georgian border, stopping at the spectacular Tufenkian Avan Dzoraget Hotel at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains for coffee and brandy.
In the evening, you’ll arrive in Tbilisi with time to settle into your stylish hotel.
The bustling capital of Georgia, Tbilisi is a West Asian culture hub, famed for its beautiful mountainside scenery and striking architecture. Bounded by the Likhi Mountain Range, Tbilisi’s narrow streets span out from the riverside in a winding web of history.
Today, set out to explore the 13th-century Metekhi Church, poised atop a cliff overlooking the Kura River, followed by a visit to the magnificent Sioni Cathedral, a 6th-century masterpiece with spectacularly colourful interior design. Continue to the climbing heights of the younger Holy Trinity Cathedral, among the world’s largest Orthodox churches, then take a walking tour of Old Tbilisi as you start down central Rustaveli Avenue. Nearby, the Tbilisi Concert Hall stands proudly, a striking circular symbol for the city since its completion over 50 years ago. Later, discover the city’s plentiful treasures and learn of its resilience through a turbulent history at the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia.
Rise for breakfast, then make your way to the nearby city of Gori. Gori holds a unique place in global history as one of Georgia’s oldest cities and the birthplace of notorious Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Visit the Stalin museum to learn more about his fraught history and take a moment to pause and reflect on the harrowing reality of this dictator’s destructive power.
Nearby, the ruins of Uplistsikhe transport you back to the 6th century BCE. Once home to more than 20,000, this ancient municipality was cut from the rock to create a cave city of elaborate tunnels and fortress-like design, even including a millennia-old amphitheatre. Guarded by an all-but-sheer rockface and the flow of the Mtkvari River, the storied halls of this echoing keep are unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Later this afternoon, you’ll arrive in Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia. Here, in one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, you’ll be treated to a private performance of traditional Georgian polyphonic singing. Through powerfully resonant harmonies, tap into a vein of local culture that simply cannot be captured in words.
This evening, return to Tbilisi for a night at ease in your decadent hotel.
This morning, travel to one of Georgia’s renowned wineries for a taste of 8,000 years of wine-making tradition. As the birthplace of wine, Georgia has spent generations developing unique and distinctive methods of production, from using the egg-shaped, earthenware ‘Qvevri’ holding vessels to the cultivation of centuries-old vines. Taste the rich heritage as you sample the historic wines of this lovingly restored cellar.
Return to Tbilisi for a refreshing lunch, then board your private jet, bound for neighbouring Azerbaijan in the most indulgent style. Upon arrival in Baku, check in at your magnificent hotel and spend the rest of your evening at leisure.
On the western shores of the captivating Caspian Sea, Baku has developed over several millennia to become a bustling capital, known for its historic fortifications and verdant parks. At 28-metres below sea level, Baku is the world’s lowest lying capital city.
At the centre of Baku lies the Old City, dating back to at least the 12th century. From labyrinthine alleys to the towering fortress walls surrounding the Icheri Sheher, this historic sanctuary houses some truly magnificent structures. Gaze on the distinct rounded walls of the Maiden Tower and the elegant 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs. At 11th-century Muhammad Mosque, the scars of the 1723 Russian bombardment are immortalised in its name. After a cannonball destroyed the top of the minaret, the long-standing ruin gave Muhammad Mosque its new title: Siniq Qala, or ‘broken tower’. Visit the Mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, constructed for the famed 15th-century Azerbaijani philosopher, then wander among its many beautiful courtyards.
Wake to a hearty breakfast and take the opportunity to join another Freedom of Choice tour to Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Emerging from the rugged landscape at the edge of the Caspian Sea, this collection of over 6,000 engraved rocks tells the story of approximately eight millenia of human habitation, depicting dance scenes, numerous animals and astronomical features.
Afterwards, sit down for a delicious lunch overlooking the vast Caspian Sea. Returning to Baku in the afternoon, you have the option to visit a local theatre or spend the rest of the day freely exploring this vibrant city. In the evening, dine at a local restaurant with your fellow travellers, uncovering Azerbaijan’s unique culinary heritage with a taste of traditional cuisine.
This morning, board your private jet once more for an enjoyable flight to Ashgabat. Reconstructed following a 1948 earthquake, Turkmenistan’s capital is now known as the ‘White Marble City’. Vast boulevards, elaborate fountains and innumerable monuments offer a dazzling display of marble magnificence and golden grandeur.
Upon landing, disembark and transfer to the Golden Eagle, where it’s time to set out on your luxurious rail journey. Privately owned and meticulously designed, this spectacular train possesses an the Old World majesty matched only by the unparalleled quality of service and amenities on board. Travelling in an air-conditioned and heated Silver Class cabin, you’ll spend your time in supreme comfort between each exciting stop. Recline with complimentary tea or coffee and watch a familiar film on your TV, then freshen up with luxury toiletries in your private ensuite bathroom.
Settle into your spacious cabin, and make your way to the Golden Eagle’s restaurant car for a sumptuous meal prepared by the skilled team of onboard chefs. Later, join your guide for an afternoon spent unpacking Turkmenistan’s complex history at the National Museum, home to countless ancient treasures, then crane your neck to the glittering gold heights of the eye-catching Wedding Palace.
Tonight, retire to the bar car for a refreshing drink with your travelling companions, then return to your cabin and slip into a plush bathrobe and slippers for a restful evening.
Rise and shine for an early outing to the ancient settlement of Nisa. Once capital of the Parthian Empire, its UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins offer a glimpse into the Greco-Roman influences on the region’s ancient architecture.
Stepping back aboard the glorious Golden Eagle, you’ll be treated to another delicious lunch as you leave behind the vast Ashgabat streets. Late this evening, stop briefly in Ichoguz for the chance to visit the gargantuan Darvaza gas crater – known colloquially as the ‘Door to Hell’ – where a perpetual fire has burned for 40 years.
Today, cross into Uzbekistan on your way to the ancient trading post of Khiva. Founded 1,500 years ago, Khiva sat at the crossroads of the Silk Road stretching between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. Down cobbled streets and along imposing fortress walls, take the time to uncover Khiva’s rich cultural heritage, captured best by its marvellous mosques, madrassas and minarets. Get a taste for Uzbekistan among the colourful stalls of the city’s bazaars and mingle with the locals selling their wares.
After a hearty breakfast in the dining car, prepare to discover the wonders of beautiful Bukhara. An integral hub of trade and travel dating back over 2,500 years, Bukhara is now a living reminder of the region’s ancient civilisations. At the heart of Bukhara’s story is ‘The Ark’, a sprawling 5th-century fortress that served as the former residence of Bukhara’s emirs.
Continue to the grand complex of Poi-Kalyan, where one of Central Asia’s largest mosques stands resolute beneath dual cerulean domes. While the original 12th-century mosque fell in the conquests of Genghis Khan, the breathtaking structure that stands today dates back to the 16th century and perfectly captures the ingenuity of Central Asian architectural design.
Beneath the rolling roofs of Bukhara’s eye-catching trading domes, a world of bustling exchange unfolds. These exceptional structures have witnessed centuries of comings and goings, while nearby Lyabi-Hauz Plaza has offered shady respite to generations of weary travellers as they rest under the branches of wise old mulberry trees, stretching their limbs in the refreshing presence of the central pool.
Tonight, the Golden Eagle waits for you as you enjoy a special starlit barbeque on the station platform (weather permitting).
Along the Silk Road, the cities of Central Asia bore witness to the rise and fall of great civilisations. With millennia of history to their names, the streets of Samarkand are paved with tales of great leaders, ferocious battles and epic journeys. Here, visit captivating and significant sites, from Registan Square at the centre of the ancient city, to the looming walls of the 14th-century Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Study the skies through the 15th-century innovations of Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, then return to Registan Square, which glows with kaleidoscopic light in the evening.
After a long day of sightseeing, it’s time to hop back aboard your railway hotel for a sumptuous dinner and perhaps an after-dinner drink in the bar car.
Arrive in Tashkent today and take a tour of its modern Soviet sights. Capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent was rebuilt following the catastrophic earthquake of 1966. Pay a visit to the glorious Old City and step inside majestic Tillya Sheikh Mosque to see one of the world’s oldest copies of the Quran. Later, explore the historic trains of the Soviet era and walk away with a new appreciation for the wondrous workings of your own luxury locomotive. Finish the day at the Museum of Applied Arts, where you can study the intricate craftmanship of Uzbek ceramics and textiles.
This evening, celebrate the approach of your far-reaching adventure’s last stop with a spectacular farewell dinner aboard the Golden Eagle. Toast to new friends, then retire to your comfortable cabin to watch the countryside trundle by as you make your way on to Kazakhstan.
Your morning begins as you alight one last time and set out for a tour of Almaty, situated at the foothills of the sweeping Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Known as the ‘City of Apple Trees’, Almaty owes its name to this fruit with Kazakh origins.
Meander through idyllic green avenues in the Panfilov Memorial Park, taking a moment to contemplate its imposing memorial to the ‘Panfilov Heroes’ – a group of 28 soldiers honoured for their efforts defending a village on the outskirts of Moscow during World War II. At the centre of the park stands the colourful Zenkov Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Church constructed entirely with wood, even forgoing the use of nails.
In the evening, spend your time at leisure, exploring further or relaxing at your opulent hotel.
After one final breakfast, it’s time to transfer to Almaty International Airport (ALA). You may be saying goodbye to the charming beauty of Western and Central Asia, but the warmth of your journey will be a memory to cherish for years to come.