Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, operating under GW Travel Ltd (founded in 1989 by Tim Littler in Altrincham, Cheshire), established itself as one of the world's leading providers of exclusive long-distance rail journeys. The company ran the very first private Trans-Siberian Express tour in May 1996, and rebranded as Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited in 2012 to reflect its expanding portfolio of private train experiences. The Land of the Midnight Sun was a 12-day rail journey travelling from Moscow through northern Russia and across the Arctic Circle into Norway, combining extraordinary natural scenery with imperial Russian heritage. This fully escorted, all-inclusive tour was aimed at adventure travellers who wanted to experience remote destinations in comfort and style.
The tour began with a two-night stay in Moscow, giving travellers time to explore Red Square, the Kremlin, and the Armoury Chamber, home to the treasures of the Tsars. From Moscow, the train travelled through the historic Golden Ring, stopping at Vladimir (founded in 990) and the medieval walled city of Suzdal, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites noted for their preserved Russian Orthodox architecture. The route continued north through Petrozavodsk on the shores of Lake Onega, and a hovercraft transfer carried passengers to Kizhi Island, where the celebrated Cathedral of the Transfiguration – constructed entirely of wood in 1714, without a single metal nail – stands as one of Russia's most remarkable structures.
Continuing northward, the train reached Murmansk, an Arctic port on the Barents Sea roughly halfway between Moscow and the North Pole. Passengers then crossed into Norway, where the drama of the Norwegian fjords replaced the Russian taiga. The summer solstice segment offered the extraordinary experience of the midnight sun: natural daylight persisting into the small hours, with excursions by RIB boat on Bokfjord allowing guests to witness the phenomenon from the water. This section of the journey, deep in the Arctic wilderness, was the defining highlight of the tour.
The Golden Eagle private train operated as a hotel on wheels, with cabin attendants available around the clock, fine dining menus with wine and beer included, and an onboard doctor travelling with each departure. All excursions were fully guided and included in the fare, alongside porterage, arrival and departure transfers, and gratuities. The tour concluded with a two-night stay in St Petersburg at the Grand Hotel Europe, with visits to St Isaac's Cathedral, Nevsky Prospect, and the wider city. Prices for the tour started from around £7,995 per person, with higher-grade cabins available at additional cost.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has been featured in Forbes, Conde Nast Traveller, The Telegraph, The Times, and The Guardian. The company operates multiple branded private trains including the Golden Eagle (Central Asia and Russia), the Golden Eagle Danube Express (Europe), and the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express (Asia). Tours are designed for travellers seeking access to remote and culturally significant destinations that are difficult to reach independently. The UK head office is based in Altrincham, Cheshire, and the company celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019.
The Land of the Midnight Sun tour ran in the summers of 2016 and 2017, routing through Russia and into Norway via the Arctic. Following the conflict in Ukraine from 2022 onwards, Golden Eagle suspended all operations of its private train inside Russia, which affected this itinerary and others that relied on the Russian rail network.
Yes. As of 2026, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains continues to operate journeys. The company has shifted its programme toward European and Central Asian routes following the suspension of Russia-based tours. The Danube Express and Silk Road Express remain active products.
Golden Eagle tours are all-inclusive. The fare typically covers all meals and drinks on board, guided excursions at each destination, hotel stays at the start and end of the journey, porterage, transfers, the services of a Tour Manager, and gratuities. International flights are usually excluded and must be booked separately.
The Golden Eagle private train offers Silver Class, Gold Class, and Imperial Suite accommodation. Each grade provides a private en-suite cabin; the higher grades offer more space, upgraded furnishings, and additional amenities. Pricing varies significantly by class.
The company is headquartered in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. It was originally founded as GW Travel Ltd in 1989 and rebranded as Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited in June 2012.
The Land of the Midnight Sun was a 12-day escorted journey. It included two nights in Moscow, five nights on board the Golden Eagle train travelling through Russia and into Norway, and two nights in St Petersburg at the Grand Hotel Europe, along with hotel stays in the Arctic section of the route.
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