Golden Eagle: Caspian Odyssey (Yerevan to Almaty) (Tour code: 12627)

Upon arrival at Yerevan International Airport you will be met and transferred to the five-star Alexander Hotel, where you stay for two nights.

Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at an authentic local restaurant – the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travellers and look forward to the journey across six captivating countries of the South Caucasus region and Central Asia.

Why not extend your stay in Yerevan with additional nights before the tour to explore more of the city and region at your leisure?

Lobby of Hotel Alexander

Today's touring will take you 23 miles (37 km) out of Yerevan to the ancient Geghard Monastery. The beautiful monastery contains a number of churches and tombs, many of them cut into the rock. The complex of medieval architecture is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the head of the Azat Valley.

You'll also visit the 1st Century pagan temple of Garni, built to worship the Sun God Mitra. Explore the remains of an ancient fortress, palace and baths there. Lunch will also be enjoyed at this stunning location. 

This evening, guests will head to the Armenia Wine Company, located close to Yerevan. Here you will have the opportunity to explore the entire process of Armenian wine making technology, walk through the factory cellars, learn about the evolution of Armenian wine making history at the special museum and try the premium wines followed by authentic and exclusive dinner.

View of Mount Ararat

This morning, you will visit The Cascade, a giant stairway made of limestone. The stairs afford walkers unobstructed views of central Yerevan and Mount Ararat in the distance. Located inside the staircase is the Casfesjian Museum of Modern Art, where you'll be making a short visit.

Leaving Yerevan - the journey takes you to Lake Sevan, where guests will stop for lunch.  Along with Lake Van and Lake Urmia, Sevan was considered one of the three great lakes of the historical Armenian Kingdom, collectively referred to as the Seas of Armenia; it is the only one within the boundaries of today’s Republic of Armenia.

After lunch, continue by coach, to Armenian-Georgian border in Bagratashen driving through the spa town of Dilijan well known for its forest landscapes and medicinal mineral water before making a stop at the coffee & brandy stop at Avan Dzoraget Hotel. 

This evening guests will arrive into the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, where you will stay for the next three nights at the Marriott Hotel (or similar). 

Lake Umria, Armenia

Heading into Georgia, visit Tbilisi. Hemmed in by the Surami Range, the city extends for 17 miles (27 km) along the banks of the River Kura. The old part of the city still retains much of its original layout, a spider’s web of narrow winding streets and alleyways.

Historical sites you visit include the 13th century Metekhi church, a cross cupola church which forms part of the Royal Residential complex, and the 5th century Sioni Cathedral, the main church of Tbilisi. You'll also visit the recently built Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world and take a walking tour of the old town and Rustaveli Avenue. Here you will see the Great Hall of the Georgian Philharmonia, built in 1969-71, which has been acknowledged as one of the finest public buildings since the Second World War. You'll see the treasures of the city housed in the Janashia Museum of Georgia.

Houses at Tbilisi, Georgia

Gori is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, founded in the 7th century AD as Tontio. Visit the Stalin Museum,

The famous cave city of Uplistsikhe dates from the 6th century BC and is first mentioned in the chronicles of the 1st century AD. Like the other cave-towns of Georgia, it is rooted in the prehistoric traditions of the peoples of the Near East. There were numerous attempts to destroy Uplistsikhe. Only in the 13th century, however, did the hordes of Genghis Khan’s son Khulagu succeed in doing so, after capturing and destroying many fortresses in Transcaucasia with the help of siege machines. 

Late afternoon, explorations will take you to the city of Mtskheta, Georgia’s Old Capital. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, Mtskheta became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. During today you will also enjoy a private performance of traditional Georgian polyphonic singing – this is an immersive experience which offers a truly unique insight into the beautiful local culture and heritage.

Uplistsikhe, Georgia

This morning guests will visit a Georgian winery.

After lunch in the city you will board a private jet for the short flight to Baku. Upon arrival, guests stay for three nights at the Four Seasons Baku.

City of Baku

Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, lies on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and the southern side of the Apsheron Peninsula, around the wide, curving sweep of the Bay of Baku. The core of present-day Baku is the Old Town, or fortress of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survive, as does the 90 ft (27 m) tower of Kyz-Kalasy (Maiden Tower, 12th century).

The walled old town is highly picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings. These include the Palace of the Shirvan-Shahs, now a museum, the oldest part of which dates from the 11th century. Also of the 11th century is the Synyk-Kala Minaret and Mosque (1078-79).

Other notable historic buildings are the Law Court (Divan-Khan), the Dzhuma-Mechet Minaret, and the mausoleum of the astronomer Seida Bakuvi. Around the walls of the fortress, the regular streets and imposing buildings of modern Baku rise up the slopes of the amphitheatre of hills surrounding the bay.

Maiden Tower, Baku

You have the choice this morning of free time, or joining a tour to Gobustan Rock Art Cultural landscape.  Located 40 miles (64 km) from Baku on the west bank of the Caspian Sea, Gobustan is an outstanding archaeological site of more than 6,000 pre-historic rock engravings. The area also features the remains of inhabited caves, settlements and burials. This is followed by lunch overlooking the Caspian Sea.

Returning to the city in the afternoon, you can choose to enjoy free time in the city or visit a local theatre. Dinner will be held in a traditional local restaurant this evening.

Flame Towes of Baku

Following breakfast take a morning flight onboard a private plane to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Situated between the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat is a relatively modern city built upon the ruins of the Silk Road city of Konjikala and the Soviet city built after the devastating earthquake of 1948.

The city’s extravagant fountains, golden domes and towering modern buildings appear strangely incongruous in this desert setting. Highlights on our visit include a trip to the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque.

Upon arrival - guests will board the Golden Eagle. Once settled into your cabins, lunch will be served in the Restaurant Cars. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore Ashgabat and highlights on your panoramic city tour includes visits to the National Museum and Wedding Palace.

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

A further morning of touring in Turkmenistan features a visit to nearby Nisa, an ancient settlement of the Parthians, and was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

The Golden Eagle departs Ashgabat at lunch and makes a scheduled stop tonight at Ichoguz. Guests will leave the train and make a short journey to Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater, a spectacular sight best seen at night. Located in the middle of the Kara Kum desert where the area is rich in natural gas, the 70-metre wide crater is known by the locals as the ‘Door to Hell’ and has been burning for over 40 years. A unique experience that is not to be missed.

Darvaza's Burning Gas Crater

The train travels towards Urgench, from where you transfer to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the historic routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and PerIransia. A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, discover its impressive mosques, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.

Ancient city of Khiva

Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO sponsored the renovation of much of the city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The most enjoyable aspect of this city is to just immerse oneself in the atmosphere of this unique and ancient city and re-live some of its fascinating history at the crossroads of Asia. The main highlight of this wonderful tour is a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara – the despotic and ruthless leaders who ruled until Soviet times. 

Immerse yourself in the lively pulse of the city as you will explore the bustling Trading Domes of Bukhara and gather at Lyabi-Hauz Square, a vibrant social hub cocooned by a pool and embraced by the soothing shade of mulberry trees and local tea rooms.

This evening, weather permitting, you will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before the train departs – a unique farewell to an incredible city.

Ark of Bukhara

Just the mention of Samarkand instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road, more so than any other town. Founded in the 6th century BC, Samarkand’s stunning architecture hints at its former status as one of the most important cities in Asia and is particularly noted for its architectural remains from the 14th to the 17th century, when it flourished as the fabled capital of the Mongol empire of Timur and his successors.

Today, visit some of its most significant sites including Registan Square, the refined elegance of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428.

Prepare for an unforgettable evening in Samarkand that will leave an indelible mark on your memory. As the sun sets and night descends upon this ancient city, guests will be whisked away to the illuminated Registan Square, where an extraordinary spectacle unfolds. From your prime front-row seats, you’ll be treated to a dazzling light show that weaves the rich tapestry of Samarkand’s history and significance.

Registan Square, Samarkand

Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and we spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. Our tour of the city includes the Old Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets and here in a small library we’ll be privileged to see one of Islam’s most sacred relics – the world’s oldest Koran. This is followed by a visit to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.

This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner onboard the Golden Eagle as we head overnight to our final destination of Almaty.

Alisher Navoi at Tashkent, Uzbekistan

This morning arrive into Almaty, your final destination and bid farewell to the Golden Eagle. Today take a tour of Almaty including a visit to Panfilov Park, located in the heart of the city, and home to the Zenkov Cathedral, a 19th century Russian Orthodox Church made entirely of wood.

Overnight guests stay for one night at the Ritz-Carlton, Almaty, or similar. 

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Following breakfast you will be transferred to Almaty Airport for your onward flight. 

Why not extend your stay in Almaty with additional nights to explore more of the city and surrounding region at your leisure?