Naadam is the one and only Big Event in Mongolia – a lively national festival, held every year from July 11th – 13th. Naadam means “three manly games”. Known as the world’s second-oldest Olympics, it celebrates what defined civilisation in the Steppes eight centuries ago; archery, wrestling and horse riding. The competitors in the riding events are all children aged between five and twelve, many of whom have been in the saddle since the age of one. As they race along the plains for 20 kilometers, thousands of spectators line the remote track to watch up to 650 children sitting confidently astride their small but sturdy Mongolian steed. It is claimed that such equestrian skills won Genghis Khan an empire that stretched from the Sea of Japan all the way to Europe.

In recent times, women have been allowed to enter and they now compete in two of the three events, horse racing and archery. Once a religious ceremony, the festival now formally commemorates the 1921 revolution when Mongolia declared itself a free country.

This is a unique opportunity to be among the few non-Mongolians to experience this spectacular but little known festival and soak up the exciting atmosphere of this national holiday. Our tour combines the Naadam Festival with an amazing overland journey to Moscow on board our Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train.

Luxury Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express

The 12 new fully en-suite sleeping cars feature state of the art amenities.
Gold Class cabins have everything from power showers and underfloor heating to a DVD/CD player, LCD screen and individual air conditioning – and at 77sq ft (7 sq m) they are among the largest rail cabins anywhere in the world. Fully en-suite, the bathrooms contain a separate shower cubicle.
Silver cabins are more compact at 60sq ft (5.5 sq m) and have similar facilities with a fully en-suite wet room.

A particular delight of the Golden Eagle is our two beautifully appointed restaurant cars, the venue for our chefs to serve carefully-prepared meals using only the finest local ingredients. Whether it be the world-renowned ‘Borsch’, caviar or Omul – a fish unique to Lake Baikal – we offer a culinary experience representing the very best of Russia.

Our meals are complimented by wines from around the world, as well as – naturally – vodka.

Yet the social heart of our train is of course the bar car, a great place to relax and settle into the unhurried pace of life on board. Unwind in comfortable surroundings and watch the world go by as you get to know your fellow passengers… the bar stays open until the last person leaves.

Westbound Itinerary

Day 01 / Arrive Ulaan Baatar
International arrivals are met and transferred to a centrally located hotel in the heart of this intriguing city. There is free time to explore before we have a welcome reception and dinner in a city restaurant. This is a great time to get to know fellow travellers with whom we will be sharing this 13 night adventure.

Day 02 / Ulaan Baatar
Today we spend a full day at the festival. We get to observe the elaborate opening ceremony which consists of local dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians, before watching the main competitions.

Day 03 / Ulaan Baatar
After a further half day at the Festival, we take a city tour which includes a visit to the Gandam Monastery. After spending some time at the central square with its impressive monument to the legendary ruler, Gengis Khan, we visit the National Museum which gives us a comprehensive insight into this fascinating land and people.

Day 04 / Ulaan Baatar
We have a day to enjoy the magnificent alpine scenery of Terelj, one of the most beautiful places in Mongolia. We can take a leisurely stroll through meadows carpeted with edelweiss and a dazzling variety of other wild flowers; view fascinating rock formations against a backdrop of pine covered mountains; or wander along the wooded banks of a mountain stream.

The more adventurous of us can go horse riding in the 300,000 hectare Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Alternatively, we can spend the day in Ulaan Baatar with its many opportunities for leather or cashmere shopping. Tonight we board the Golden Eagle and have time to settle into our modern, stylish cabins before enjoying dinner in one of our beautifully designed restaurant cars. There is then time to listen to our resident pianist in the comfortable bar car.

Day 05 / Ulan Ude
This morning we have time to relax on board the Golden Eagle. As well as watching the ever changing scenery, there is time to chat with fellow guests in the bar car, or maybe watch a DVD in our cabins. Crossing the border into Russia we arrive in Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic. Our tour here includes a visit to the Village of Old Believers where we have time to learn about the local culture and history of these unique people.

Day 06 / Lake Baikal
Just one of the many highlights of our journey; we wind our way through tunnels and round cliffs along the shoreline of Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake. The scenery we pass is stunning and the snow-covered mountains on the distant shore form a beautiful background to this awe-inspiring lake. Stopping at one of the bays we have a barbeque on the beach (weather permitting). The brave can even go for a swim! We then board a hydrofoil which takes us to Listvyanka, a small Baikal village nestled at the base of the surrounding hills.

Day 07 / Irkutsk
We have a morning arrival into the “Paris of Siberia”, Irkutsk. Our tour includes a cultural immersion into the major sights and museums of this fascinating city, which include the classic wooden architecture that this area is renowned for. This afternoon after a tour of the Count Volkonsky’s house museum we enjoy a private concert performed in our honour.

Day 08 / Abakan
Heading west we enjoy the peaceful pace on board enjoying the scenery. Today there will be the choice of attending one of the various lectures and lessons on board, socialising in the bar car and if time permits, we will have a short stop in Krasnoyarsk, which lies on the Yenisei river and is the third largest city in Siberia.

Day 09 / Novosibirsk
We stop in this modern “Soviet” city and visit the famous Opera House, Lenin Square and Akadem Gorodok. This fascinating “Academy Town” is the educational and scientific centre of Siberia.

Day 10 / Yekaterinburg
This afternoon we arrive in Yekaterinburg, the last city in Asia and capital of the Urals. Our city tour includes the Romanov execution site, now a Church dedicated to the memory of the Russian Royal family and the monument to the Europe/Asia divide where we can stand with a foot in each continent.

Day 11 / Kazan
After a morning arrival we have time to discover Kazan, the picturesque capital of Tatarstan on the Volga River. One of the highlights of today is our visit to the Kremlin fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site, containing a stunning mosque and Russian Orthodox cathedral. Tonight we have our final dinner on board the Golden Eagle, our home for the last 7 days.

Day 12 / Moscow
Mid-morning arrival in Moscow. We spend the rest of the day touring the amazing sites of this vibrant city, including Red Square and the Kremlin. We transfer to a centrally located five-star hotel for a one-night stay and enjoy our farewell dinner where we say our goodbyes.

Day 13 / Moscow
After breakfast in the hotel, free time in the rapidly-changing Russian capital brings our tour to an end (note that it is possible that the Kremlin visit could be this morning). Airport transfers are provided for our departing flights.

The Naadam Festival – Luxury Trans-Mongolian Eastbound Jun 30 – Jul 12, 2009

Day 01 / Arrive Moscow
Day 02 / Moscow
Day 03 / Kazan
Day 04 / Yekaterinburg
Day 05 / Novisibirsk
Day 06 / Abakan
Day 07 / Irkutsk
Day 08 / Lake Baikal
Day 09 / Ulaan Baatar
Day 10 / Ulaan Baatar
Day 11 / Ulaan Baatar
Day 12 / Ulaan Baatar
Day 13 / Depart Ulaan Baatar

Tour Dates 2008

• Jun 30 – Jul 12, Eastbound

Tour Cost Per Person

Gold Class

• EUR €10,695 Twin
• EUR €14,995 Single

Silver Class

• EUR € 8,695 Twin
• EUR €12,495 Single

Tour Cost Includes

• All accommodation as per the itinerary; both on board the train and in hotels
• All meals starting with dinner on the first day (on some tours this may differ slightly, so please refer to the specific itinerary)
• A generous allowance of wine, beer, soft drinks and tea and coffee with all lunches and dinners both on and off the train (except where stated otherwise)
• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day
• All arrival and departure transfers (providing you arrive/depart on the tour start/end date and except where stated otherwise)
• Guided off train sightseeing excursions
• Services of experienced tour leaders
• All gratuities
• A doctor (except where stated otherwise).

Tour Cost Excludes

• International and domestic airfares
• Visa and excess baggage charges
• Insurance
• Personal expenses such as drinks in the bar car or laundry
• On some tours there may also be an occasional optional activity that needs to be paid for locally

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Retracing one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation, this remarkable tour follows in the footsteps of such legendary figures as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo.

Crossing both Russia and China as well as some of the remotest former Soviet republics – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – our journey will take in some of the most magnificent yet little-visited sights from the ancient world. Eastbound trips start in Russia’s capital Moscow (westbound trips end here), where we have plenty of time to explore. We travel on to Volgograd – better known as Stalingrad – where the Soviets turned the course of the Second World War, before heading to far remoter places that owe their importance to a time much further back in history.

The Kara Kum desert is followed by the amazing 2,500 year-old cities of Khiva and Bukhara – considered so important by UNESCO that it supported their restoration – as well as Samarkand, the ‘Rome of the East’. Much admired by Alexander the Great, Samarkand is home to Registan Square, a spectacular open space surrounded by beautiful Islamic buildings and considered one of the most inspirational sights in central Asia. In between Khiva and Bukhara we take a two-day excursion into Turkmenistan and visit the capital city of Ashgabat, a huge modern folly in the desert and a monument to the recently deceased President Sapamurat Turkmenbashi. We also visit the ancient city of Merv before returning to Uzbekistan.

After crossing the border into China, our tour takes in the fascinating Magao Thousand Buddha cave complex (a network of almost 500 grottoes containing over 2,000 statues and 45,000 murals created up to 1,700 years ago), the Jiayuguan fortress at the end of the Great Wall (considered one of northern China’s most spectacular sights) and the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, an army of almost 6,000 statues recognised as one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th Century. We end our journey in Beijing, the vibrant capital of modern, confident China… where the latest architecture rubs shoulders with Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

2008 Tour Dates

• Eastbound Oct 13 – Nov 02
• Westbound Oct 16 – Nov 05

Tour Cost Per Person

Gold Class

• EUR €14,995 Twin
• EUR €20,995 Single (not available for Eastbound ride)

Silver Class

• EUR €11,995 Twin
• EUR €16,495 Single (not available for Eastbound ride)

Day 01 / Arrive Moscow
Flights are met at Moscow airport and guests are transferred to a centrally located five star hotel for a one-night stay. We enjoy a private welcome reception followed by dinner. This is a great time to get to know fellow travellers with whom we will be sharing this unforgettable 21 night journey.

Days 02 – 03 / Moscow
Our days here include a city tour of Moscow, visits to Red Square and the Kremlin, with its magnificent Armoury. In the afternoon of day 3 we board our Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express private train and have time to settle into our modern and stylish cabins before dinner in one of our beautifully designed restaurant cars.

Day 04 / Volgograd
Situated on the banks of the Volga River, Stalingrad (as the city was known in Soviet times) was the scene of probably the most important battle in World War II. The Russians finally turned back the Nazi advance to the Caucasian oil fields in Baku at this city and changed the course of the Second World War. We visit the sobering Mamayev Kurgan war memorial, followed by the excellent diorama and museum. After dinner this evening we can listen to the resident pianist in our comfortable bar car whilst enjoying a drink with new friends.

Day 05 / Kara Kum
We can enjoy a relaxing day on board our Trans-Siberian Express private train as we head through Kazakhstan’s Kara Kum desert. As well as enjoying the scenery and the remote villages we briefly stop at from time to time there is also a chance to relax in the bar car, chat to fellow passengers and maybe have our first Russian language lesson.

Day 06 / Khiva
We cross into Uzbekistan for our afternoon arrival in Urgench and transfer to this 2,500-year old city. Khiva was once one of the most important trading centres at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. Its former wealth is evident in the fabulous buildings, mosques, bazaars and minarets that are within the walled city and which have been restored with the support of UNESCO since 1991 for the city’s 2,500th anniversary celebrations. Lunch and dinner are served on board the train.

Day 07 / Ashgabat
We arrive in the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’, the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. A huge modern folly in the desert which is a monument to the recently deceased President Sapamurat Turkmenbashi. Situated between the Kara Kum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range the scenery that forms the backdrop to the city is one of extremes.

Day 08 / Merv
We arrive into Mary in the early morning and transfer by bus to the ancient city of Merv. Once an important stop on the Silk Road, Merv was left to ‘die’ in 1794 after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population depended upon for water. On our tour we visit at least one of the five walled cities contained within the 50-square mile area before returning to the train for dinner.

Day 09 / Bukhara
We arrive in Uzbekistan’s largest oasis city, the splendid Bukhara. Like Khiva, UNESCO funded the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The highlight of our tour includes a visit to The Ark, the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. Lunch is within one of the city’s many medressehs (beautifully-tiled Islamic schools). We then travel out of the city to visit the Emir’s Palace of the Moon and Stars.

Day 10 / Samarkand
Many words have been used to describe this jewel of the Islamic world, ‘the Paris of the Muslim World’, ‘Rome of the East’. The list of its admirers includes Marco Polo, Tamerlane and Alexander the Great. Founded in the 6th century BC, its architecture gives an indication of its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia. We spend the day visiting the many fabulous buildings including the Bibi Kharum Mosque, the Ulag Beg observatory and the awe-inspiring Registan Square. After dinner we visit the illuminated Registan Square, before returning to the train for an evening departure.

Day 11 / Tashkent
We arrive in the capital city of Uzbekistan and spend the morning touring before re-boarding the train for lunch. This afternoon we can socialise on the train or maybe take in one of the lectures and lessons on offer to give us a greater insight into this fascinating region.

Day 12 / Almaty
Just before lunch we arrive in the largest city in Kazakstan, Almaty, which is set to play host to the 2011 Asian Winter Games. Beautifully set in a valley in the foothills of the Tien Shen Mountains, we have lunch in a Kazak ‘yurt’, a traditional dwelling place of the nomadic people of this region. Tonight is our final evening on board the Golden Eagle and we mark the occasion with a farewell banquet.

Day 13 / Crossing into China
We bid our Golden Eagle a final farewell as we arrive on the border of Kazakstan. Our adventure continues as we spend over five hours crossing into China. Patience is a virtue today! We board our awaiting Shangri-La Express private train and spend the rest of the day settling in to our new cabins. A welcome dinner is served and we get our first taste of authentic Chinese cuisine.

Day 14 / Urumchi
Arriving in the morning, Urumchi looks like a part of Switzerland or Canada set in the midst of the Gobi desert. It is the largest city and one of the most spell binding in the western half of China. After lunch on the train we visit Turpan with the Flaming Mountains as its stunning backdrop.

Day 15 / Dunhuang
We arrive after lunch in Liuyang and transfer to the small oasis city of Dunhuang to visit the fascinating Magao Thousand Buddha Cave Complex, which contains almost 500 grottoes, carved between 700 and 1,700 years ago, and filled with an amazing collection of sculptures and murals of Buddhist religious art. In the afternoon we take a camel ride to one of the natural wonders of the Gobi Desert, Crescent Lake, which has been a source of water among the incredible sand dunes for thousands of years. Tonight we dine and experience a local folk performance in this magical setting.

Day 16 / Jiayuguan
This morning we arrive in Jiayuguan. Famous for being the first pass at the most westerly point of the Great Wall, it was given the name “The first & greatest pass under Heaven” and was considered a key waypoint along the ancient Silk Road. The fortress at the end of the Great Wall is situated here and dates back to 1372. Perfectly restored it is considered one of the great sights of North-western China. This afternoon we have time to relax in the bar car and learn more about this immense fortification line.

Day 17 / Xian
Mid-day arrival into the ancient city of Xian. Our tour takes in the highlights of the city including the Great Mosque, the 14 km city walls and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This afternoon is dedicated to visiting the world famous Terracotta Warriors, discovered barely 30 years ago. The 6,000 Terracotta figures, arranged in row after row of warriors and horses, are one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century. Early evening we head back to the city for dinner and the excellent Tang Dynasty show.

Day 18 / Beijing
Today we spend our last day on board the Shangri-la Express as we wind our way northwards towards Beijing, where we arrive early evening. Having travelled almost 7,000 miles (11,226km) from Moscow, we bid farewell to our train crew and transfer to the five-star Peninsula Palace hotel, (or similar) for dinner and a three night stay.

Days 19 – 21 / Beijing
During our time here we visit Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the magnificently restored Forbidden City, home to the Emperors and their numerous concubines. We also visit one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of China, the Great Wall at Badaling and the Ming Tombs. On Day 21 guests are transferred to the airport for international flight departures.

2008 21-Day Silk Road Itinerary (Westbound)

Days 1-3 / Beijing (arrivals)
Day 04 / Luoyang
Days 5-6 / Xian
Day 07 / Lanzhou
Day 08 / Dunhuang
Day 09 / Turpan/Urumchi
Day 10 / Board Crossing/Change trains
Day 11 / Almaty
Day 12 / Tashkent
Day 13 / Samarkand
Day 14 / Bukhara
Day 15 / Ashgabat
Day 16 / Merv
Day 17 / Khiva
Day 18 / Kara Kum
Day 19 / Vogograd
Days 20-21 / Moscow

Tour Cost Includes

• All accommodation as per the itinerary; both on board the train and in hotels
• All meals starting with dinner on the first day (on some tours this may differ slightly, so please refer to the specific itinerary)
• A generous allowance of wine, beer, soft drinks and tea and coffee with all lunches and dinners both on and off the train (except where stated otherwise)
• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day
• All arrival and departure transfers (providing you arrive/depart on the tour start/end date and except where stated otherwise)
• Guided off train sightseeing excursions
• Services of experienced tour leaders
• All gratuities
• A doctor (except where stated otherwise)

Tour Cost Excludes

• International and domestic airfares
• Visa and excess baggage charges
• Insurance
• Personal expenses such as drinks in the bar car or laundry
• On some tours there may also be an occasional optional activity that needs to be paid for locally