Golden Eagle Luxury Trains is a UK-based specialist founded in 1989 as GW Travel Ltd by Tim Littler, and today recognised as one of the world's leading operators of fully escorted private luxury rail journeys. The company changed its name to Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited in 2012 to better reflect its focus, and holds ATOL licence 10287 along with ABTA membership for full financial protection. Its Persian Odyssey is an 18-day itinerary aboard a private luxury train, travelling from Moscow southward through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and into Iran – a route that traces some of the most storied stretches of the ancient Silk Road. Travellers can expect five-star cabin accommodation with en-suite facilities, gourmet dining in an onboard restaurant, and a 24-hour cabin attendant service throughout the journey.
The journey begins in Moscow, where guests can admire landmarks such as St Basil's Cathedral and dine at Cafe Pushkin, a celebrated restaurant renowned for its ornate 19th-century decor and classical Russian cuisine. The train then heads east into Uzbekistan, visiting Samarkand – home to the magnificent Registan Square and its trio of tiled madrassas – and Bukhara, where the Ark fortress, a dramatic 15th-century citadel, stands as one of Central Asia's most evocative monuments. The ancient Silk Road city of Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded some 2,500 years ago, offers a skyline of minarets, mosques, and mud-brick walls that has changed little over the centuries.
Crossing into Turkmenistan, the itinerary includes a visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater – widely known as the "Door to Hell" – a dramatic natural phenomenon burning in the Karakum Desert. In Iran, the journey reaches Mashhad, Yazd, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tehran. Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the key excursions in Iran. The medieval mud-brick Rayen Castle in the Kerman Province, considered one of the best-preserved citadels in Iran, is another standout stop. All hotels used for off-train nights are of five-star standard or the best available in each location.
Golden Eagle's private train is purpose-built for long-distance luxury travel. Cabin grades range from Silver to Imperial, each with en-suite shower or bathroom. Meals are prepared onboard using fresh local ingredients, and all excursions, transfers, and entrance fees are included in the tour price. An expert tour director and local guides accompany the journey throughout, providing cultural and historical context at each destination. Prices for the Persian Odyssey started from around £14,985 per person when this brochure was published.
Yes. Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited remains an active company based in Altrincham, Cheshire. It continues to operate rail journeys across Central Asia, Europe, and China under its three train brands: the Golden Eagle, the Golden Eagle Danube Express, and the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains holds ATOL licence 10287, which provides financial protection for flight-inclusive bookings. The company is also a member of ABTA, meaning all bookings are subject to the association's financial and service standards.
Golden Eagle has offered the Persian Odyssey in both directions. The southbound version travels from Moscow toward Tehran, while the northbound version reverses the route from Tehran to Moscow. The core destinations – Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran – remain the same in both directions.
The Golden Eagle train offers several cabin grades, typically including Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Imperial categories. All grades include en-suite facilities; higher grades offer greater space, a private lounge area, and additional amenities. Specific cabin availability varies by departure date.
Spring and autumn are considered the ideal seasons for this itinerary. Iran in particular is most comfortably visited during these periods; summer temperatures can be extreme and winter travel presents logistical challenges across the region.
The tour price covers all onboard accommodation, all meals aboard the train, all guided excursions, entrance fees, transfers, and the services of a dedicated tour director throughout the journey. International flights to and from the start and end points are typically not included and are arranged separately.
This brochure is part of the Catalink archive and may no longer be available to order. The information above describes Golden Eagle Luxury Trains and their Persian Odyssey itinerary. For current details, visit the company's official website.
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