The oasis of Crescent Lake at Dunhuang, China.
Spanning five countries – China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia – on two trains — the first-class Shangri-La Express and the luxury Golden Eagle — the Silk Road always seems to electrify our travelers.
“The trip was fabulous!!” one guest gushed, following this year’s trip in April. “I would recommend it to anyone…
“The guides were great about letting me and some of the other oldsters keep up,” said another. “Too many highlights to describe…
“Jeff and I agreed there really was no bad day. Thanks for making everything so easy.”
IRT traveler David Minnerly enjoying the Golden Eagle’s dining car. IRT Photo by Eleanor Hardy.
(We’d like to make it easy for you too. Contact us to book either Silk Road journey in 2021 — one in April, the other in October or 2022 — one in April, the other September-October.)
Meanwhile, how does the Society of IRT rate these trains?
Here’s our president, Eleanor Hardy, who traveled the Silk Road several years ago:
The Shangri-La Express: “Hands-down the best train in China. We do not consider this a luxury train, but the food, service and entire experience were considerably upgraded since the last time we’d ridden it.
“And since then, the sleeping cars have been upgraded again. Diamond Class cabins now have private en-suite shower and toilet.
“There is no better way to see these out-of-the-way destinations. ”
The Golden Eagle: “The Imperial Suites – three to a train – are worthy of their name. Staff is exceedingly accommodating, friendly, and some are bilingual.”
One of three Imperial Suites on the Golden Eagle. Bonus: these spacious accommodations also include private English-speaking guide. Photo by Golden Eagle.
Family picnics on the shores of Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace. IRT Photo by Owen Hardy.
- BEIJING: “The sprawling Summer Palace grounds are populated by friendly picnicking Beijinger families — large clusters of grownups surrounding one or two “Little Emperors” or “Empresses.” This is a major tourist attraction that still maintains a distinctly local flavor.”
The Mogao Thousand Buddha Complex. IRT Photo by Eleanor Hardy.
- DUNHUANG: “The Mogao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex is a must-see. The wildly colorful frescoes and massive statuary are visually stunning — and are important reminders of the vital role the Silk Road trade route played in spreading culture and religion in addition to fine cloth and spices.”
- SAMARKAND: “You have to visit Registan Square at least twice – once by day and again by night. The blues in the architecture here are magnificent, and the way the Square lights up after dark is spectacular!”
IRT travelers in front of the “Genghis Hole” of Merv. IRT Photo by Eleanor Hardy.
- MERV: “Unbelievably well-preserved evidence of 12th-century warfare: huge holes in the sides of the fortress wall where Genghis Khan aimed his catapults. Close by, the house where the king’s daughters jumped to their deaths to escape the approaching horde.”
Textiles in the markets of Khiva. IRT Photo by Eleanor Hardy.
- KHIVA: “Stunning madrasas, minarets, and bazaars. The markets here made for excellent shopping: richly embroidered textiles, colorful pottery, and ornate jewelry were plentiful.”
- MOSCOW: “Tours of the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil’s were thrilling – but we all agreed that our night at the Bolshoi Ballet was THE experience we would always remember from Moscow.”
2021 Dates: April 10-30; September 20-October 19;
2022 Dates (provisional) : April 4-24; September 28-October 18
Note: Already been to China, or short on time? A 13-day trip covering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russia is available. For more info, click here. Tour runs twice in 2021 and, provisionally, twice in 2022.
Did we mention?
The Silk Road adventure is more popular than ever, and space fills up fast. To book yours, call us at (800) 478-4881, +1 502-897-1725 if outside the US / Canada, or e-mail us: tourdesk@irtsociety.com.