Have you ever thought about taking the Trans Siberian Express across Russia? Does it sound exotic, romantic and exciting, like something out of an old mystery novel? But has the condition of the trains and the fact that it takes nearly two weeks been putting you off? Well wait no longer, in the spring of 2007 the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express was launched. It is a luxury train that makes the trip across the continent more like a cruise instead of train trip.
The 11 day trip takes you from Moscow through the Ural Mountains, over the steppes of Russia, then you cross from the continent of Europe into Asia and end the trip in Vladivostok, a mire 6000 miles (10,600 kilometers) away or one third of the way around the world.
The Golden Eagle train is a private twelve car luxury train with two classes of cabins, Gold and Silver. The Gold cabins are considered to be among the largest train cabins in the world at 77 square feet (7 square meters). They have power showers, under floor heating, entertainment centers, individual air conditioning and a full en-suite bathroom with a separate shower cubicle. The Silver cabins are only 60 square feet (5.5 square meters) and “have similar facilities with a fully en-suite wet room.”
Dining facilities include two restaurant cars where chefs prepare meals using local ingredients such as caviar, Borsch and Omul, a fish only found in Lake Baikal. All meals are complimented by a selection of wines and vodka. There is a comfortable bar car that stays open until the last person leaves. Train travel at its finest reminiscent of the days before airplanes filled our skies.
The train stops at several interesting places along the way. The first stop is Kazan, the “picturesque capital of Tatarstan” located on the Volga River. Spend half a day touring the area and visit the Kremlin fortress, now a UNESCO world heritage site.
The next day you will cross the Europe/Asia divide and then arrive in Yekaterinburg, the capital of the Urals. Stand with one foot in each continent and visit the church located on the Romanov execution site where the last of the Royal family met their demise.
The next stop will be in Siberia in Novosbirisk, considered a modern “Soviet” city where the worlds largest Opera house is located.
After two more days of travel you reach Irkutsk, considered to be the “Paris of Siberia” where exiled aristocrats were sent after the failed revolution of 1825. The city is known for its classic wooden architecture and culture.
After winding your way through tunnels, around cliffs, and past snow covered mountains you will arrive Lake Baikal, the world‘s largest fresh water lake. Enjoy an afternoon swim or have a BBQ on the beach before visiting one of the small villages in the area.
The next stop is Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic and home to the “Old Believers” who in the 17th century split from the reformed Russian church and continued to practice in the unreformed, traditional methods of the church. During Imperial Russia, the Old Believers were persecuted and forced to flee from the capital of Moscow, settling in the Buryat Republic.
Then it is on to Mongolia where you will visit Ulann Baatar. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a Ger (Yurt) restaurant with the nomadic descendants of Gengis Khan and his army.
At last you arrive in Vladivostok, the final stop on your epic journey. Tour this historic Russian military town and say good bye to the Golden Eagle as this is the end of the line.
Traveling cross country by train, especially a country as vast and diverse as Russia, is a unique and culturally rewarding journey. The luxurious Golden Eagle train makes the trip even more enjoyable. So why not take a couple of weeks and make the journey of a lifetime on the Trans Siberian Express.
