The Silk Road

The full train comprises of three categories of sleeping cars which feature state of the art amenities, all with en-suite facilities and luxury toiletries. All of the cabins and communal carriages were refurbished in 2018 to the highest of standards and the accommodation has been cleverly designed to maximise the available space as cabins convert from a sitting area by day into a cosy sleeping area by night. All cabin categories benefit from an evening turndown service and a cabin attendant is on hand 24 hours a day.

Imperial Suites

The Imperial Suites are the most spacious cabins available, measuring 120 square feet and benefiting from a large and luxurious king size bed, lounge area with dressing table and two large picture windows. The facilities include private en-suite bathroom with power shower and underfloor heating, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe and a DVD/CD player with LCD screen. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided. Guests will also benefit from a complimentary fully stocked minibar, included drinks from the standard and premium bar list from the Bar Car (excluding premium wine list), included laundry service, the option of in-suite dining and hotel room upgrades.

Gold Class

At 77 square feet, Gold Class cabins are well proportioned and have everything from a private bathroom with power shower and underfloor heating to a DVD/ CD player with LCD screen. The cabins also feature individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, large picture window and a double lower bed or the option to use the upper bunk bed. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided. Guests in Gold Class enjoy included drinks from the standard bar list from the Bar Car.

Silver Class

Silver Class cabins are more compact at 60 square feet but have similar facilities to those of Gold Class. The Silver Class cabins have their own ensuite wet room with washbasin, toilet and shower. The cabins feature a small double lower bed and single upper bed as well as DVD/CD player with LCD screen, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe and large picture window. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided.

The Bar Lounge Car is the perfect location to relax and unwind as you watch the ever-changing scenery pass by. Reminisce about the day’s adventures with fellow passengers over afternoon tea or perhaps challenge your friends to a game of cards before dinner. As evening falls, enjoy the sounds of the resident pianist playing on the baby grand piano in the Bar Lounge Car.

Each morning, enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet in the beautifully appointed Restaurant Car, offering a fresh selection of fruit, cereals, cold plates and freshly squeezed orange juice. For something more substantial enjoy a breakfast cooked to order by the onboard Chef. At lunch and dinner you will enjoy a delightful culinary experience inspired by the countries we venture through. All meals are skillfully prepared by the Executive Chef and his onboard team, using the very best ingredients and locally sourced wherever possible. Attentive service and an excellent choice of wines accompany lunch and dinner, in addition to bottled mineral water, draught beer and soft drinks. Expect a relaxed and convivial atmosphere at meal times with the freedom to dine wherever, and with whomever, you please in a single sitting.

Throughout the journey, you can expect a service which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services and the Train Tour Manager is there to co-ordinate all of the elements and to assist you as required. There is a Wi-Fi service on board though coverage is limited and will usually only be available as we pass through larger cities and towns. However, the aim is to provide internet access in a local hotel or restaurant for guests at least every other day.

Train Directory

Please find below further details pertaining to the train or click on the booklet to download. 

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains are a leader in exclusive private train tours and we are delighted to offer a selection of cabins aboard their private train, the Golden Eagle, that brings unprecedented luxury to the world’s greatest railway journeys.

The Golden Eagle has been carefully designed with an emphasis on comfort, relaxation and enjoyment and all of the beautifully appointed cabins and communal carriages underwent a soft refurbishment in 2018. There are three accommodation categories consisting of Silver Cabins, Gold Cabins and Imperial Suites, all featuring private en-suite bathrooms, state-of-the-art amenities, and the services of a cabin attendant who is on call 24 hours a day.

The public areas include the Restaurant Car where you can enjoy a meal of local specialities and international cuisine, accompanied by a selection of fine wines, and the wonderful Bar Lounge Car which is the ideal place for a pre-dinner drink, to relax after the day’s excursion or simply to soak up the atmosphere and watch the landscape unfold through the large picture windows.

From the ease of this wonderful private train you will discover fascinating places that would otherwise not easily be reached and, after a day of exploration, you can relax amid the comfortable surroundings, enjoying fine cuisine and discreetly attentive service.

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation has been cleverly designed to maximise the available space as cabins convert from a sitting area by day into a cosy sleeping area by night. The train offers three categories of sleeping compartment as follows:

IMPERIAL SUITES

The Imperial Suites are the most spacious cabins available, measuring 120 square feet and benefiting from a large and luxurious king size bed, lounge area with dressing table and two large picture windows. The facilities include private en-suite bathroom with power shower, underfloor heating, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe and a DVD/ CD player with LCD screen. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided. Guests will also benefit from a complimentary fully stocked minibar, including drinks from the standard and premium bar list from the Bar Car (excluding premium wine list), a complimentary laundry service, the option of in-suite dining and hotel room upgrades.

GOLD CLASS

At 77 square feet, Gold Class cabins are well proportioned and have everything from a private bathroom with power shower and underfloor heating to a DVD/ CD player with LCD screen. The cabins also feature individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, large picture window and a double lower bed or the option to use the upper bunk bed. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided. Guests in Gold Class enjoy included drinks from the standard bar list from the Bar Car.

SILVER CLASS

Silver Class cabins are more compact at 60 square feet but have similar facilities to those of Gold Class. The Silver Class cabins have their own en-suite wet room with washbasin, toilet and shower. The cabins feature a small double lower bed and single upper bed as well as DVD/CD player with LCD screen, individual air-conditioning, wardrobe and large picture window. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also provided.

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

All public cars are fitted with air-conditioning. Each cabin/suite features individually controlled air-conditioning and heating. BED LINEN Bed linen is changed every third day. Your car attendant will make up your bed each evening during dinner.

DAILY PROGRAMME

Passengers will receive printed daily itineraries throughout the tour detailing train arrival and departure times, the latest weather forecasts for the next destination and information on the following day’s excursions and activities.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department at Noble Caledonia. Once on board, please speak with the Chef on arrival to reconfirm and the onboard staff will endeavour to accommodate your needs. We regret that not all dietary requests can be guaranteed.

DINING & DRINKING

Meals are skilfully prepared by the Executive Chef and his onboard restaurant team using the very best ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. Every morning the wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread permeates the dining car and a wide selection of pastries, cereals, freshly squeezed orange juice and cold plates are available from the buffet. Alternatively, enjoy a cooked breakfast brought to your table by the waiting staff, all complemented with tea and coffee. For lunch and dinner, enjoy fine food, great wines and attentive service in the welcoming atmosphere of the dining car. The onboard cuisine reflects the very essence of Russia and highly accomplished international cuisine is also on offer. Two meal choices are offered at lunch and dinner and these meals are complemented by a generous drinks allowance with a choice of wines, mineral water, beer and soft drinks. Meals on board are a relaxed affair. The restaurant cars can accommodate all guests in a single sitting and, with the open seating policy, you can dine wherever, and with whomever, you please.

DISABLED FACILITIES

We regret that the train is not suitable for wheelchair dependent passengers as wheelchairs, even collapsible ones, cannot manoeuvre along the train or between some carriages where there are 90- degree turns. Noble Caledonia should be notified of any mobility impairments.

DRESS CODE

Throughout the journey there is an informal dress code. You may experience varying temperatures so please pack clothes for warm and cooler weather.

ELECTRICITY

The sockets on the train, and in your compartment, accept standard two-pin European plugs, with electricity operating on 220 volts. Hairdryers are provided in each compartment. We recommend that you bring a universal adaptor with you.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the unlikely event that an emergency should occur during your journey, please remain calm and follow the instructions of the train staff. The train will be brought to a halt for any required action. Do not jump from a moving train.

LAUNDRY SERVICE

A laundry service is available at an additional charge. Most items (except heavy materials, such as jeans) are delivered to your cabin within 24 hours. For Imperial Class passengers, the laundry service is included at no extra charge. There are no dry-cleaning facilities en-route or on board the train.

LUGGAGE STORAGE

Luggage storage is available in your cabin/suite. However, since space on board is limited, we do recommend taking soft-sided luggage rather than hard-side cases.

LOST PROPERTY

Before you leave the train, please check your compartment carefully to ensure you do not leave anything behind. If you discover you have left any items behind, please contact Noble Caledonia. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection, and any costs incurred will be at your own expense.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

A Doctor is available 24 hours a day.

ONBOARD ACCOUNT

Any extra expenses can be settled directly on the train. Please note that debit and credit cards are not accepted on board and that payment must be made in cash in US Dollars or Euros.

PASSPORTS

All passports are collected by the Train Manager upon embarkation. Passports are necessary to facilitate immigration formalities between borders. If required, your Train Manager will provide the necessary forms for you to fill out.

PUBLIC AREAS

Unwind in the comfortable surroundings of the Bar Lounge Car and watch the world go by. Perhaps read a novel from the library or partake in a game of bridge or backgammon. Morning and afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the Bar Lounge Car with delicious cookies freshly baked by the chefs. The occasional day will be spent entirely on board and the Bar Lounge Car and Restaurant Cars will host an entertaining and enlightening range of activities such as Russian language lessons, popular local folk songs and engaging talks by expert lecturers on local history and culture.

END OF STAY QUESTIONNAIRE

Your comments are important to us, therefore, we ask that you fill in the questionnaire sent with your final documents. We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and in order to do this we request feedback from our guests.

SECURITY & SAFE

Each car has two car attendants, one of whom is always on duty. All cabins on the Golden Eagle have a safe which is located inside the wardrobe. The attendants remain with the train during the city tours.

SERVICE

You can expect service on board which is attentive, friendly and unintrusive. Your car attendants provide 24-hour housekeeping and bedding turndown services, with one attendant always on duty to assist you and to ensure you are comfortable in your cabin/suite. Complimentary tea, coffee and bottled drinking water are available in your cabin/suite 24 hours a day.

SMOKING POLICY

On board the train, smoking is only allowed in the last sleeping car’s end vestibule. Smoking is allowed off the train during stops however please be mindful of other passengers.

TRAIN TOUR MANAGER

The Train Tour Manager is there to coordinate all elements of the tour and, if you encounter any problems, you should approach him/her directly and they will do their best to assist. Your Train Tour Manager will greet you when you arrive and travel with you throughout the tour.

TELEPHONE CALLS

There is no telephone system on board.

TELEVISION

A DVD/CD player with LCD screen is available in all cabins/suites.

TOILETRIES

All cabins and suites are supplied with the following complimentary amenities:

• Shower gel • Conditioning Shampoo • Body Lotion • Soap • Shower caps • Tissues/Cotton buds

WI-FI

There is a Wi-Fi box on board, powered by a 4G sim. Coverage may be limited when travelling through more remote locations. On touring days off the train, internet access will be provided at a local hotel or restaurant when possible. The Tour Manager will keep you informed of all opportunities to use Wi-Fi and provide password access when necessary.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.

The train comprises of just two cabin categories, the Diamond Class cabins with a large double bed and private en-suite wet room, or the Heritage Class cabins which are more compact with two single beds and shared toilet facilities. All cabins have a large picture window from which to enjoy the passing landscapes.

At 75 square feet, Diamond Class cabins are the most spacious compartments available on the Shangri-La Express, featuring a large double bed, individual desk with freestanding chair, a large picture window and a double wardrobe. Diamond Class cabins have a private en-suite wet room with washbasin, toilet and shower. Towels, robes and slippers are provided in the cabin, along with complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water.

Heritage Class cabins are more compact, at 36 square feet, featuring two lower berth single beds, a large picture window and luggage storage above the door. Complimentary towels, robes and slippers are provided, in addition to tea, coffee and mineral water, available from your cabin attendant throughout the day. Toilet and showering facilities are located at each end of the sleeping carriage. The shower room features a separate shower cubicle, hairdryer and separate changing area.

 

Meals are served in the train’s spacious Restaurant Car, where the dedicated chefs serve a western breakfast followed by a wide range of authentic Chinese specialities at lunch and dinner, using only the finest local ingredients. As well as soft drinks, tea and coffee, meals are accompanied by a selection of wines from around the world. Equally enjoyable is the unique ambience of the piano Bar Car, where the resident pianist will entertain you during the evenings. Staying open until the last person leaves, the bar is the perfect place to get to know your fellow passengers or simply while away some time, reading or taking in the scenery whilst enjoying your favourite drink.