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ARRIVE IN RUSSIA’S CAPITAL WITH FREE TIME TO RELAX AT THE HOTEL AFTER YOUR JOURNEY
Arrive in Moscow today, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You can choose to enjoy your down time at your hotel room or make a discovery walk of the hotel vicinity.
MEALS: None Today
OVERNIGHT: Balschug Kempinski ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 2 - MOSCOW
CITY TOUR OF MOSCOW INCLUDING A VISIT TO THE KREMLIN
After breakfast, you will enjoy the panoramic tour of Moscow that give you an idea of capital’s dimensions. Explore the Red Square, the very heart of Moscow, with picturesque St. Basil’s Cathedral or enjoy the ride in Moscow subway with the stations that are more likely to be underground palaces. You will be impressed by the spectacular Cathedral of Christ the Savior or stunning view of Moscow standing on the Lenin Hills with your back towards Moscow University and other historical sites.
After lunch in the city, continue to the Kremlin, one of the best-known monuments in Russia and in the world. The guided tour takes you inside the former residence of the Russian Tzars. Enjoy some time in down town strolling along the ancient Arbat Street with its numerous cafes, souvenir shops. Later in the evening, you’ll board Imperial Russia Train. Enjoy your dinner onboard & get to know your travel companions.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Balschug Kempinski ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ or similar
DAY 3 - on the train
CONTINUE THE CITY TOUR BEFORE BOARDING THE TRAIN
After breakfast continue with the city tour ending in with your send off on he Imperial Russia train. The rest of the day is spent on the train with lunch and dinner ron board as you head South East towards Volograd.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 4 - VOLOGRAD
VISIT THE SIGHTS & MEMORIALS OF THIS CITY
After breakfast start a sightseeing city tour with a visit to the memorial complex "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" at Mamayev Hill including visit to all main sights.
After lunch visit the panoramic-museum depicting "The Battle of Stalingrad" and the legendary Pavlov’s house. We also visit the open-air exhibition "Weapon of Victory". This is one of the biggest WWII museums in the world with hundreds of unique exhibits, including the rifle of Zaitsev and a huge panoramic canvas. We take dinner in the city before rebounding the train.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 5 - ASTRAKHAN
EXPLORE THE CITY & VISIT A STURGEON FARM
Morning arrival in Astrakhan where we start a city tour visiting the main attractions including the Kremlin, St Vladimir ́s Church, the Monastery of Annunciation, the Theater of Opera and Ballet, the monument to Peter the Great and the Arch of Triumph. We also visit a local fish market to get out appetite ready for lunch.
After lunch we visit a local sturgeon farm outside the city. The guides will tell you how the sturgeons are bred and will show you the details of obtaining the black caviar. Dinner at the farm before returning to the train to continue our journey.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 6 - on the train
A FULL DAY ON THE TRAIN TRAVELLING ACROSS CENTRAL ASIA
On board the Imperial Russia Train. Enjoy activities onboard or just relax and watch the scenery go by.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 7 - KHIVA
EXPLORE THIS SUPERBLY PRESERVED DESERT CITY
This morning we arrive in Urgench in Uzbekistan where we leave the train for the short transfer to Khiva. Caravans come to China from West to East and our route starts from Khiva, a “museum city” under the sky. If you ever dreamed of getting into an Eastern fairy tale then here your dreams come true!
We take a tour o Khiva visiting the Itchan-Kala architectural complex, Ata Darvaza Gates, Said Alautdin Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya-Ark Castle, Juma Mosque and other Khiva sights.
After lunch Continue of the walking tour including Ak Mosque, Palvana Darvoza Gates, Tash-Hovli Palace, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Allahkuli Khan Madrassah, Islam Hodja Residence. Walk the narrow streets seeing the carved “ayvans” veranda and doors, majestic minarets and mausoleums. Dinner in the city before rejoining the train back in Urgench.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 8 - DARVAZA
VISIT THE BURNING CRATER IN THE DESERT
Breakfast After breakfast we leave the train for a transfer to Konye-Urgench, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of Turkmenistan’s most impressive world heritage sites, dotted with architectural masterpieces, including a minaret, which is one of the oldest of its kind in the world.
Return to the train for lunch before arrival to Ichoguz station where we transfer to the Darvaza gas crater. Darvaza is one of the most unusual places in Turkmenistan if not the world! The huge crater in the middle of desert has a diameter of 60 meters and depth of 20 and is called “the door to hell” due to its burning fires from gas seeping from the ground.
Here we have a BBQ dinner with local wines and vodka tasting and visit the crater before a late return to the train.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 9 - ASHGABHAT
TOUR TURKMENISTAN’S ECCENTRIC CAPITAL
Arrival in Ashgabat for a sightseeing tour of the city, including Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque and 1st President Mausoleum, Nisa – the residence of the Parthian Kings (one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex and the Monument of Neutrality.
In the afternoon we visit the National History Museum, Ashgabat Hippodrome, Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque ruins, Turkmen carpet museum and explore the city fruit and vegetable market. Before dinner in the city we view the illuminated city at night and return to the train.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 10 - MERV
EXPLORE THE ANCIENT RUINS OF THIS ONCE VIBRANT SILK ROAD CITY
Morning arrival at Mary stationer a transfer to Old Merv. Merv is one of the oldest and best-preserved oasis-cities along the Silk Road in Central Asia with a variety of monuments surviving the ravages of time and attracting archaeologists and tourists alike.
In the afternoon we visit Mary ́s local museum of history and explore the town visiting the old church of Alexander Pokrovsky, the city market and the trade center. Dinner in the city before returning to the train.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 11 - BUKHARA
VISIT ONE OF THE SILK ROAD’S MOST FAMOUS CITIES
Morning arrival in Bukhara, a city famed for its Mediaeval architecture with over 140 preserved buildings from the period. We start a city tour that includes the Ismael Samani Mausoleum (the tomb of representatives of the Samanid dynasty), Bolo-Hauz Mosque, Citadel Ark - a city in the city. We also see the Poi Kalon Ensemble, the religious heart of Sacred Bukhara which consists of the Minaret Kalon, Kalyan Mosque, Miri Arab Madrassah, Ulugbek’s Madrassah, Madrassah Nodir Divanbeghi and the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble. We can also visit the Bukhara Dome Bazaar which is an excellent place to search for souvenirs. Return to the station to reborn the train for dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 12 - SAMARKAND
THIS CITY IS THE ARCHITECTURAL JEWEL OF THE SILK ROAD
Long ago the cities of Uzbekistan were trading centers along the Great Silk Road, but Samarkand was located on the crossroad - Road to West and Europe, roads to the East to China and roads to the South to India all met here in Samarkand.
Alexander The Great and Genghis Khan were the conquerors whose names were closely related to the history of this city and the famous general Amir Timur turned Samarkand into the capital of his empire.
Today we have a full day city tour including the Mausoleum Guri Emir - Tamerlane's Tomb, a visit to the morning East Siab Bazaar, Registan Square - Madrassah Ulugbek, Madrassah Shir-Dor, Madrassah Tillya-Kori, Bibi Khanum Mosque, the Architectural Complex Shakh-i-Zinda and the Ulugh Beg observatory.
Return to the train with dinner on board.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 13 - TASHKENT
SOME TIME TO EXPLORE THE UZBEK CAPITAL BEFORE CONTINUING BY TRAIN TO KAZAKHSTAN
Arrival to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and which has been inhabited for more than 2000 years. During these years it has gone from a small village to the biggest city in Uzbekistan with a population over 2.5 million people.
We take a city tour through old part of the city. Visiting the religious complex Khasti Imam: consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Muy-Mubarak Mosque the location of the Koran of Khalif Osman and the gold hair of the prophet Muhammad. we also see the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan and explore the Chorsu Bazaar.
Lunch in the city before returning to the train.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 14 - TURKESTAN
ENTER KAZAKHSTAN & VISIT THE HISTORIC CITY OF TURKESTAN
Today we enter Kazakhstan and stop at the city of Turkestan. Turkestan was founded around 500 AD at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. The city was known as the spiritual and political center of the Turkic-speaking people in the 16th to 18th centuries and was the capital of the Kazakh Khanate.
We drive to Sauran city which was functioning in the the 13th to 18th centuries and was one of the most powerful Turkestan castles. In the middle of the 18th century the city was the capital of Ak Orda. We make a walking tour to the historical monuments of the old Sauran.
After lunch we transfer to the Mausoleum complex of Khoja Akhmet Yassawy. Then visit Hodzha Ahmed YASSAVI mausoleum complex, historical-cultural reserve- museum Aziret-Sultan, Darvaza (gates) of 18 - 19th centuries, Esim Кhan mausoleum, Rabiga Sultan Begim mausoleum, Akhmed Yassawi khanaka-mausoleum, “Zhuma" mosque, underground mosque Khilvat, oriental baths, Big khilvet, Chillyakhana and the archeological site of ancient settlement Kultobe.
Return to the train for your last night onboard.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 15 - ALMATY
ARRIVE AT THE END OF THE LINE IN THIS REMOTE CAPITAL CITY
Morning arrival in Kazakhstan’s former capital of Almaty. Transfer to the hotel with some free time before lunch in the city and an afternoon tour.
We visit the Panfilov Park, named after the 28 Panfilov guards from Almaty, who died heroically defending Moscow against the Nazi invasion in 1941, the world’s most elevated wooden church Zenkov Cathedral. We drive past the modern highlights of the city and the futuristic and busy Al Farabey street, the Presidential Palace and the Monument of Independence.
Dinner at a local restaurant before a free evening the hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 16 - ALMATY
TOUR THIS FINE CITY & LEARN ABOUT KAZAKH CULTURE
After breakfast we transfer to the Green Bazaar and then to The State Museum, the largest museum in Kazakhstan, and one of the largest museums in Central Asia. The museum houses are the most significant collection of Kazakh historical, archaeological, and modern cultural and political artefacts.
After lunch in the city we head out to the Big Almaty Lake, the main storehouse of freshwater in Almaty city, which is located in gorge of the Big Almatinka river and is considered to be the highlight of the Trans-Ili Alatau, rising to 2510 meters above sea level and within the Ili Alatau-National Park. Due to the height, in summer the lake water temperature does not exceed 8°.
On the way back from The Big Almaty Lake the tour continues to a Falconry farm “Sunkar”. The “Sunkar” is the first Falconry Centre in Kazakhstan. It was established in 1989 for the purpose of breeding rare and endangered species of birds of prey and their reintroduction back into the wild.
Dinner and a folklore show at Kok-Tobe before returning to the hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
OVERNIGHT: On the Imperial Russia Train
DAY 17 - end of tour
DEPART KAZAKHSTAN WITH THE MEMORIES OF THIS EPIC RAIL JOURNEY
After breakfast we transfer to the Green Bazaar and then to The State Museum, the largest museum in Kazakhstan, and one of the largest museums in Central Asia. The museum houses are the most significant collection of Kazakh historical, archaeological, and modern cultural and political artefacts.
After lunch in the city we head out to the Big Almaty Lake, the main storehouse of freshwater in Almaty city, which is located in gorge of the Big Almatinka river and is considered to be the highlight of the Trans-Ili Alatau, rising to 2510 meters above sea level and within the Ili Alatau-National Park. Due to the height, in summer the lake water temperature does not exceed 8°.
On the way back from The Big Almaty Lake the tour continues to a Falconry farm “Sunkar”. The “Sunkar” is the first Falconry Centre in Kazakhstan. It was established in 1989 for the purpose of breeding rare and endangered species of birds of prey and their reintroduction back into the wild.
Dinner and a folklore show at Kok-Tobe before returning to the hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast
IMPERIAL RUSSIA TRAIN
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Tour INCLUDES
• 2 nights in a 5* hotel in Moscow. • 2 nights in a 5* hotel Almaty. • Full board Accommodation Onboard the Imperial Russia Train. • Bathrobe and slippers. • Excursions with local guides according to the program. • Guides speaking English, German, French, Spanish (other languages on request for language groups from 10 persons travelling on board the «Imperial Russia» Train). • Tea/coffee throughout the day. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner as indicated in the itinerary. • Transfers: All transfers are included providing you arrive on the start / finish days of the tour. • Brief informative lectures on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, geography and history of the countries visited. • Doctor onboard. • Porterage is included between the hotels and stations. • English Speaking Tour Director throughout the Tour. • Experienced Tour Managers.
Tour EXCLUDES
• International flights - we can book these for you if you wish. • Visas - we provide the paperwork and can recommend visa agents to help with applications • Tips and own expenses • All beverages in bar car • Photo and video footage at the sightseeing sites in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. • “Tailor made” excursions. You have possibility to extend your Tour. We offer additional excursions in every city within the Tour and in other cities of Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. • Travel Insurance (every passenger is obliged to have a medical insurance for the whole duration of the Tour) • Vaccinations: Consult your doctor for specific health advice.
CABIN CLASSES
Full details on the cabin classes available on Imperial Russia.
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