Golden Eagle

The Trans-Siberian Express is a legend among rail journeys, with a selection of routes taking in the spectacular scenery, historic cities and fascinating cultures of a vast region stretching from the Russian capital Moscow to the port city of Vladivostok on Russia's Pacific Coast along with the Silk Route countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan as well as China and Mongolia.

Life onboard

Everything about the Golden Eagle screams old-world luxury. It all begins as you step onboard to be greeted with the soothing sounds of the train’s resident pianist and a glass of vintage champagne, served among the dark-wood grandeur of the bar car – also the venue for afternoon teas and expert lectures. The restaurant carriage is equally delightful, with full-board menus of made-to-order breakfasts and dinners featuring the likes of salmon caviar. It’s all washed down with complimentary drinks. Then, come the evening, you’ll retire to your cosy en-suite cabin, where plush sofas convert to both an upper berth and a small double bed. And, while all feature LCD screens and a 24-hour service from personal attendants, upgrades mix in extra space, underfloor heating and drinks at the bar included in the price. The wood-panelled Imperial Suites are a special highlight.

Bar car on the Golden Eagle

Routes

The train’s iconic offering is, of course, its Trans-Siberian route. Taking 6,000 miles and 16 days, it traces snow-capped mountains, great Mongolian plains and Siberia’s wild expanse to sweep between Moscow and Vladivostok. And throughout, you’ll stop for unique excursions, from yurt visits and private concerts complete with champagne receptions to stops at frontier Tsarist towns. There’s also the option of the shorter 14-day Trans-Mongolian Express, which follows the same route but finishes earlier in Ulaanbaatar. But, for something entirely different, look to the 21-day Silk Road journey. It begins in Beijing aboard China’s most-luxurious private train before swapping back to the Golden Eagle to travel through the ‘Stans and on to Moscow. Expect Xian’s Terracotta Warriors, Gobi-Desert camel rides, Central-Asian exoticism and Soviet severity.

The Mongolian Steppe