Tashkent to Tehran via Central Asia 2018 · Mashad Imam Reza Shrine, Nader Shah Museum, Ferdowsi’s Mausoleum Mahan Shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali, Shahzadeh (Prince) Garden (UNESCO

Iran & the ‘Stans by Private TrainTashkent to Tehran via Central Asia

2018

© 1996-2018 MIR Corporation 85 South Washington St, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98104 • 206-624-7289 • 206-624-7360 FAX • Email [email protected] 2

This unusual rail journey by private train stretches from Uzbekistan, through Turkmenistan, and finally into Iran. Begin in Uzbekistan’s modern capital, Tashkent, and continue into the heart of the Silk Road, the rich UNESCO-listed oasis cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. In Turkmenistan, visit the important archaeological site of Merv, as well as the site of a 20th century mishap, the burning Darvaza Crater, called locally the “Door to Hell.” Enter mysterious Iran, discovering the ancient citadel of Rayen, the luxurious Shazadeh Garden in Mahan, the Fire Temple of Yazd, graceful Isfahan, Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, beautiful Shiraz, and at last, the vibrant capital, Tehran. Encounter eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way.

One westbound departure in 2018 – Private Rail Journey – 15 Days

March 28-April 11

Iran and the ‘Stans by Private TrainFrom Tashkent to Tehran via Central Asia

Aboard the Golden Eagle private train


Daily ItineraryDay 1, Wednesday Arrive Tashkent, UzbekistanDay 2, Thursday Tashkent • board the Golden Eagle private trainDay 3, Friday SamarkandDay 4, Saturday BukharaDay 5, Sunday KhivaDay 6, Monday Ashgabat, TurkmenistanDay 7, Tuesday MervDay 8, Wednesday Mashad, IranDay 9, Thursday Mahan • Rayen Day 10, Friday YazdDay 11, Saturday IsfahanDay 12, Sunday Persepolis • ShirazDay 13, Monday TehranDay 14, Tuesday TehranDay 15, Wednesday Depart Tehran

Note: This train also runs in the reverse direction, from Tehran to Tashkent. See page 18 for dates.

Tour Features• Enjoy the comfort and efficiency of your own private cabin on the Golden Eagle luxury train.• Survey a series of fascinating cities along the rail line.• Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the casual and relaxed atmosphere aboard the private train, dining in luxury and chatting over drinks in the lounge.• Relax deeply as you are carried into other lands, a world away from home.

Trip Highlights Tashkent Capital of Uzbekistan, Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater, Independence Square Samarkand Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulug Bek Observatory Bukhara Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ark Citadel, Palace of Moon and StarsKhiva City walls, Old Town, or Ichon Kala (UNESCO World Heritage Site)Ashgabat Capital of Turkmenistan, flamboyant gilded architectureMerv Archaeological site of five ancient cities, the earliest attributed to Cyrus the Great (UNESCO World Heritage Site)Mashad Imam Reza Shrine, Nader Shah Museum, Ferdowsi’s Mausoleum Mahan Shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali, Shahzadeh (Prince) Garden (UNESCO World Heri- tage Site)Rayen Arg-e Rayen ancient citadelYazd Fire Temple, Friday MosqueIsfahan Bridges over the Zayendeh River, Chehel Sotoon Palace, Vank Cathedral, Meidan Emam (Imam Square) (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bazaar of QaisariehPersepolis Ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Naghsh-e RostamShiraz Koran Gate, Hafez Tomb, Vakil Citadel Tehran State Jewels Museum, Golestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Itinerary

Day One, WednesdayArrive Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Arrive in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, and enjoy a day left free in this pleasant Soviet-style city, rebuilt with wide tree-lined boule-vards after a devastating earthquake in 1966. Passengers are met at the Tashkent airport and transferred to the four star Lotte City Tashkent Palace (or another of Tashkent’s leading hotels) for a one-night stayMeals: D – Lotte City Tashkent Palace or similar


Day Two, ThursdayTashkent • board the Golden Eagle

Enjoy a full day of touring today with your guide and group before boarding the private train. Wander the remnants of Tashkent's Old Town with its winding streets, mud-brick buildings and Middle Eastern feel. A visit to Old Tashkent begins with a stroll through a labyrinth of mud-walled houses surviving from the 19th century to Hast-Imam Square, where some of Tashkent’s oldest monuments remain. The 16th century Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum, the tomb of one of the first imams of the Muslim world, and Barak-Khan Madrassah, also 16th cen-tury, are flanked by the 19th century al-Bukhari Madrassah and the early 20th century Tillya Sheikh Mosque, which houses the oldest Koran in the world.

The Uthman Koran, considered by Sunni Mus-lims to be the oldest Koran in the world, is safeguarded in the library of the Tillya Sheikh Mosque in the Muy Muborok Madrassah, where several of Mohammed's hairs are said to have been enshrined. Written on calfskin some time after the death of Mohammed, the manuscript is believed to have been compiled in Medina by Uthman, the third caliph of Islam. (Shi’a Muslims believe that Uth-man’s successor, Ali, was the first true caliph, and his version of the Koran is held to be the only true ver-sion.) Only a third of the manuscript remains, about 250 large pages bound into a huge book. It has been inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The experience of viewing this 7th century sacred document is a powerful one.

Browse the Applied Arts Museum. A wealthy czarist diplomat to Turkestan, Alexander Polovtsev, ad-miring Uzbek architecture, built a traditional mansion in 1898, inviting artisans from Samarkand, Bukhara and Fergana to decorate the interior. Featuring the painted carved plaster called ganche, carved wood and tile work, the house itself is a main attraction. Exhibits include the Uzbek embroidered wall cover-ings called suzani, ceramics, jewelry, rugs and musical instruments. Board the train this evening to set off

on the journey to Tehran. After settling in to your comfortable cabin, enjoy your first meal in one of the beautifully designed restaurant cars as the rail adven-ture begins.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Three, FridaySamarkand

Today the train arrives in Samarkand, Tamerlane’s blue-tiled capital. Perhaps the best-known of Silk Road towns, Samarkand, fabled oasis on the fringes of the Kyzyl Kum Desert, has been settled since the 6th century BC. UNESCO calls Samarkand the “Crossroad of Cultures.” It has been visited through time by many of the world’s conquerors – Al-


exander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane. Tamerlane made it his capital city and gathered the fin-est architects, builders and artisans of the time to enhance its beauty. Admire gracious Registan Square, the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Ulug Bek’s Observatory. Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Four, SaturdayBukhara

Uzbekistan’s best-preserved oasis city, Bukhara, is next. UNESCO-listed Bukhara offers cool shade and rest to the modern traveler as it did to the camel caravans that plied the Silk Road hundreds of years ago. The Old Town in Bukhara has a unified feel, drawn together by a central reflect-ing pool and plaza, by commonality in the struc-ture of the domed bazaars and by the major monuments ringing the old town. Explore the 2,000-year-old Ark Citadel and the emir’s Palace of the Moon and Stars. Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Five, SundayKhiva

Today explore Khiva, one of the most impor-tant trade centers on the Silk Road. Khiva’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been extensively preserved and restored, and exists today much as it did hundreds of years ago. Approaching the old town, modern-day travelers face the same sight as Silk Road caravans did, the dun-colored city walls, the main gate opening on a dusty stone thoroughfare, merchants hawking their wares from each side, and the distinctive minarets watching over the whole scene. Tonight the train crosses into Turkmenistan.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Six, MondayAshgabat, Turkmenistan

The train pulls in to the capital of Turk-menistan, Ashgabat, for a city tour. In spite of its location on a trade route, Ash-gabat never achieved the status and influ-ence of other Silk Road cities like Khiva or Bukhara. In 1881 the Russians built a for-tress on the site as a buffer against English-dominated Persia, and by the early 20th century Ashgabat was a prosperous and flourishing city. In 1948 a massive earth-quake leveled the city, killing over two-thirds of the population. Recently Ashga-bat has seen a boom in new construction,


which has had a major impact on the look of the city. New marble and gold monuments have sprung up all over town.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Seven, TuesdayMerv

Today the train arrives in Mary; board a coach to nearby Merv to explore the ruins. The earliest of the five ancient cities at Merv is attributed to Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC. Merv was the cen-ter of several succeeding civilizations, and became an important way station on the great Silk Road be-tween the 2nd and the 13th centuries, when it was sacked and burned by the Mongols. The year 1794 saw the demise of Merv, after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam that the population depended on for its water. The ruins of Merv were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 because of the wealth of ongoing information they offer about the evolution of urban centers.

In the early evening, the train arrives at the border town of Serakhs. Here the engineers make the important changes to the bogies to the standard gauge tracks of Iran.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Eight, WednesdayMashad, Iran

Arrive early in Mashad and take the day to explore this holy city. Admire theImam Reza Shrine. In 817 the eighth grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Reza, died here suddenly on a journey. Word spread that he had been poisoned, and pilgrims began arriving at

his burial site, renaming the city Mashad, meaning “Place of Martyrdom.” The Imam’s tomb has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, and is now one of the holiest Shi’ite shrines in Iran, visited by some 15 million Shi’ite Muslims a year.

Explore the Nader Shah Museum. Nader Shah Afhar ruled Iran in the 18th century. His imposing statue stands outside the museum while inside, a collection of his weapons is available for public view. Sometimes called "Iran's Napoleon," Nader Shah was expansive, but doomed Persia to financial ruin with his military exploits. He was assassinated in 1747, but his legacy lives on. He was one of the greatest


benefactors of Mashad's holy shrine and had numerous works of art created in the city of Isfahan.

Enjoy lunch in the city before traveling to Tus and Ferdowsi's Mausoleum, one of Iran's most beloved sites. Ferdowsi, who lived around the year 1000, was a great Persian poet who wrote the Shahnameh, an influential epic. He is credited with reviving the Persian language and helping bring it into modernity, very much like what Chaucer did for the English vernacular. His tomb is set in a lovely area with a large pool surrounded by trees and flowers, and has been rebuilt twice since its original construction in 1933.Return to the train this evening where dinner will be served onboard.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Nine, ThursdayRayen • Mahan

After breakfast this morning, disembark to explore the ancient fortress of Arg-e Rayen. This small mud-brick citadel is at least a thousand years old, but its foundations could be much older. The sturdy

ramparts and the watchtowers surround a governor's mansion, a military garrison and a bazaar and stables. Located in the foothills of the Hezar Mountains, Rayen was famous for its handmade knives, which were said to guarantee victory to their possessors.

Continue by coach to Mahan, a small town famed for its tomb of the Sufi leader, Shah Nematollah Vali, and for its luxurious Persian garden, the Bagh-e Shahzadeh, or Prince Garden.

One of perhaps ten true Persian gardens left in Iran, the

UNESCO-listed Shahzadeh is a walled oasis surrounding the palace of the former governor of Kerman. Built in the 1880s, the garden’s highlight is a stairway of terraced pools flowing one into the next below the white palace. The graceful composition is set in front of a mountainous backdrop that is sometimes dusted with snow. Groves of flowering almond and pomegranate trees perfume the air.

After enjoying the fragrant Prince Garden, visit the tomb of Sufi leader, poet and mystic Shah Nematollah Vali, born in the 14th century and making his home in Mahan after wandering Central Asia


for many years. Founder of the Nematollahi order of Sufis, he is said to have been 100 years old when he died in 1431. His mausoleum complex, including three courtyards, a reflecting pool, minarets and a mosque, is renowned for its tilework and its faceted interior ceiling. The tomb has been a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years.

Rejoin the train at dusk.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Ten, FridayYazd

Spend the day in Yazd today. Stretching between two deserts, the ancient town of Yazd has a quiet history most notable for its reputation along the caravan routes as a silk weaving center. Founded in the 5th century AD, its isolated location and desert climate proved to be the city’s greatest assets, concealing it from the waves of invaders that destroyed other more favorably situated cities.

Yazd means “to feast and worship” and many people here maintain the Zoroastrian traditions that this word expresses. Zoroastrians fleeing Arab invaders found safe haven in Yazd, as did artists and poets escaping the Mongols. Combined, they made Yazd a city of tolerance and beauty.

Zoroastrians from around the world visit the Fire Temple in Yazd (Ateshkade) to see its eternal flame, said to have been burning since 470 AD. The flame is visible through a glass in the entrance hall; only Zoroastrians can enter the hall where it burns, attended by priests. The flame represents the Zoroastrian supreme being, Ahura Mazda.

Admire the beautiful three-story facade of the Amir Chakhmaq Complex in the center of Yazd. Built to commemorate and mourn the death of Hussain bin Ali, the first Shi'a Imam, the handsome symmetrical building is decorated with deep arched niches that are illuminated at night.

Originally founded in the 12th century and added to in the 14th and 15th, the Friday Mosque stands on the site of an ancient Zoroastrian fire temple and is renowned as one of the best-preserved mosques of its age in the country. Its beautiful tiled entrance portal, or iwan, is the highest in Iran. The dome and altar inside the mosque display sophisticated tile decoration and decorative brickwork, though much is restoration from the 18th and 19th centuries.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle


Day Eleven, SaturdayIsfahan

Under the rule of Shah Abbas the Great of the 16th-century Safavid dynasty, Isfahan became a cele-brated and beautiful city, referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan, meaning “half of the world.” Even after centuries of turmoil and destruction at the hands of foreign invaders, Isfahan’s grace is palpable.

Shah Abbas II built the Chehel Sotun Palace in 1647. Set in a park by a long pool between the Ali Qapu Palace and Chahar Bagh Avenue, the pavilion was used for receptions and entertainment. The name means “40 Columns,” and refers to the 20 wooden columns supporting the entrance to the Great Hall, multiplied by their reflection in the pool. Inside are wonderful frescoes, miniatures and ceramics.

Continue to the Armenian Quarter. The sand colored stonework of Vank Cathedralconceals a beautifully ornate interior, with delicate tilework and gilt embellishments. Vank is an important historical reminder of the Armenian migration to Isfahan and is located in the Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa. During the 17th century, Armenians began settling at the southern bank of the Zayendeh Roud River and the cathedral dates from some of the earliest settlements in 1606. Used now as a museum, a memorial to the Armenian genocide and as the home of a historic printing press, Vank is still at the heart of the community of Armenian-Iranians and houses over 20,000 volumes of literary and religious works in Armenian.Maiden-e Naghsh-e Jahan, also known as Imam Square, in the center of Isfahan, is one of the largest urban squares in the world. Shah Abbas the Great built the graceful ensemble in the early 17th century after he moved the capital here. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the square was the symbolic center of the Safavid Empire. Some of the buildings surrounding the square are the fabulous Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace and the Quaisarieh Bazaar. Only on Fridays, Namaaz-e Jom’eh, Friday prayer, is held in this square.

Enter Isfahan's amazing 17th-century bazaar at the Quaisarieh entrance on Imam Square and stroll the narrow lanes lined with artisans and shopkeepers. More than a mile of covered walkway shelters brass and copperware craftsmen, jewelers, miniature painters, rug merchants and throngs of shoppers.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle


Day Twelve, SundayPersepolis • Shiraz

This morning, explore one of the most important sites of the Ancient World and the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, Persepolis. Arguably the greatest of the Persian dynasties, the

period of Achaemenid rule, from the 7th to the 4th century BC, saw the empire at its greatest extent, both in territory and in political, artistic and philosophical respects. Darius I initiated the building of Persepolis, a huge undertaking of art and architecture. Spend the day exploring this venerable UNESCO-listed city, some of the most fascinating ruins in the world. View the famous bas-reliefs showing kings, courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of the Persian Empire's tributary nations.

Continue to the monumental rock carvings at Naghsh-e Rostam, thought to be the tombs of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. Carved in the Elamite, Achaemenian and Sassanid periods, the cliff walls contain the façade of a palace. Admire the Kabe-Zardosht fire temple and sanctuary, and seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs, including Shapur I's famous victory over Roman Emperor Valerian.

Next continue to Shiraz. The fabled city of Shiraz has a remarkable history stretching over 2,500 years. It is the capital of Fars province where the Persian language of Farsi originated. One of the most important cities of the Islamic medieval period, Shiraz has reigned as the capital of several Islamic dynasties. A major artistic, religious and academic center, the city is famed for its poetry, its luxuriant gardens, its learning centers and extravagant architecture. Beautiful, romantic and hospitable, Shiraz is the favorite of many travelers, and remains one of the most enjoyable places to visit in all of Iran.

Surrounded by a lovely garden, the Tomb of Hafez, Iran’s favorite poet, is a place of pilgrimage and reverence. Hafez was born and died in Shiraz in the 14th century, and his poetry is memorized by many Iranians. The marble tombstone is engraved with some of his verses. The teahouse by a cooling pool is a wonderful place to sit and people-watch.

Just west of the Vakil Bazaar, the front entrance of the 18th century Vakil Mosque stands across from a simple reflecting pool. The tile work of the restored mosque is considered a masterpiece of the Qajar era, and its evening prayer hall is upheld by 48 carved stone pillars.Meals: B, L, D – Aboard the Golden Eagle

Day Thirteen, MondayTehran

Arrive in Tehran, and check into a deluxe hotel for the last two nights of the tour.


After the Mongols destroyed the Silk Road city of Rey, Tehran rose in its place as the region’s most im-portant trading center. By 1789, Tehran had become the capital of Persia under the Qajar ruler, Agha Mo-

hammed Khan. While the city grew in prominence, it remained basically unchanged until the massive mod-ernization efforts of the 1920s. Since then, Tehran has grown in population from less than 300,000 to a me-tropolis of more than eight million. Modern Tehran is full of shops, museums, mosques, minarets, restaurants, teahouses and a sprawling bazaar.Meals: B, L, D – Espinas Hotel or similar

Day Fourteen, TuesdayTehran

Make a visit to the Golestan Palace complex, the oldest of Tehran’s historic monuments, begun in the 16th century as a fortress by the Safavid dynasty.

Encompassing several palatial buildings around a cool green garden, the complex includes the Marble Throne, created from 65 pieces of yellow Yazd marble. In 2013, Golestan Palace was inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.

During today’s touring visit the glittering State Jewels Museum. Among other treasures, the State Jew-els Museum safeguards the Darya-ye-Nur, the world's largest uncut diamond, and the Pea-cock Throne, covered with over 23,000 gems. The collection is housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran.

This evening, gather for a gala farewell dinner.Meals: B, L, D – Espinas Hotel or similar

Day Fifteen, Wednesday Depart Tehran

The journey comes to an end today with transfers to the airport for international departures.Meals: B


About The Golden Eagle TrainTrain AccommodationsThree styles of accommodation are available on board the luxury Golden Eagle: Imperial Suites, Gold Class and Silver Class, each with private en suite facilities. Imperial Suites feature a king size bed, while Gold and Silver Class cabins are furnished with an upper/lower berth configuration.

Imperial SuitesImperial Suite cabins are the most beautiful and spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle.Measuring a surprising 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meters), they are furnished with a luxurious king size bed, dedi-cated seating area, dressing table and private en suite facilities with full power shower and under floor heating. Individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows make the cabin a pleasant retreat. Imperial Class guests also enjoy butler service, a selection of complimentary drinks from the premium bar list, laundry service and room upgrades at hotels. Limited availability.

Imperial Suite Cabins:• 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meter)• Sleeps 2 in king size bed • Sitting area• In-cabin dining options• Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating• Recessed lighting and wardrobe• Dressing table• Personal safe• Minibar• Private en suite bathroom with full power shower and under floor heating• Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries• DVD/CD player with LCD screens• Towels and linens changed daily• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water available at all times• Dedicated butler service• Drinks from the Bar Car included from the Standard and Premium Bar List (excluding Premium

Wine List)• Laundry service included• Hotel room upgrade to next available category• I cabin per carriage (plus 3 Gold cabins)

Note: cabin configurations and decor may vary from samples depicted


Gold Class Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and feature modern en suite amenities including power show-ers, under floor heating, a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, remote-controlled air-conditioning/heating, re-cessed lighting, a wardrobe and a personal safe. Each cabin is configured with upper/lower berths and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy.

Gold Class Cabins:• 77 sq ft (7 sq meters)• Sleeps 2 in either lower standard (4ft 5in) double bed or bunk style• Remote controlled air-conditioning and heating• Recessed lighting and wardrobe• Personal safe• Private en suite bathroom with full power shower and under floor heating• DVD/CD player with LCD screens• Towels and linens changed regularly• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin• Drinks from the Bar Car included from the Standard Bar List• Laundry service available for a fee• 5 cabins per carriage (Note: The 5th compartment is of a slightly different layout – 68 sq ft – and

will normally be allocated to single guests.)


Silver ClassSilver Class cabins are smaller than Gold Class cabins but still have en suite facilities, though with a smaller shower area. Silver Class cabins feature the same amenities as Gold Class cabins but in a smaller space. Each Silver Class Sleeping Car has six two-bedded cabins, accommodating a maximum of 12 pas-sengers per car.

Silver Class Cabins:• 60 sq ft (5.5 sq meters)• Sleeps 2 in lower small double bed (3ft 6in) or bunk style• Remote-controlled air-conditioning and heating• Recessed lighting and wardrobe• Personal safe• Private en suite bathroom with “wet-room” style shower and toilet• DVD/CD player with LCD screens• Towels and linens changed regularly• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water in cabin• Laundry service available for a fee• 6 cabins per carriage


Dates for 2018 – Private Rail JourneyThe land itinerary is scheduled to operate on the following dates. Please note that you need to depart the U.S. at least one day prior to the tour start date, due to airline flight schedules.

March 28-April 11, 2018

Note: This train also runs in the reverse direction, eastbound from Tehran to Tashkent.2018 eastbound departure dates are:October 28-November 11, 2018

2018 Package PricesLand Tour Cost – Per Person:Silver Class, twin share $17,495Silver Class, single $26,595

Gold Class, twin share $20,995Gold Class, single $31,995

Imperial Suite, twin share $34,995Imperial Suite, single $67,995

Private Train Tour Deposits – Per person:Silver Class deposit $2,500 Gold Class deposit $3,000Imperial Suite deposit $5,500

A non-refundable deposit and completed reservation form/signed release are required to hold space. Land Tour Includes• 11 nights accommodation aboard the Golden Eagle private train.• 1 night hotel accommodation Tashkent, 2 nights hotel accommodation in Tehran.• All meals starting with dinner on Day 1 until breakfast on final tour day, including a generous, though

not unlimited, allowance of wine or local beer, soft drinks and water with all lunches and dinners. • Arrival/departure transfers, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates and in the

tour start/end cities.• All guided off-train tours per itinerary.• The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.• Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant while on-

board the train.• All gratuities.• Baggage handling.

Not Included• International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour. MIR is able to ar-

range your air itinerary in economy or business class. If you wish to obtain an air quote, please con-tact us for details.


• Items of a purely personal nature (laundry, telephone, bar account, photography at museums, etc.)• Optional pre- or post-tour extensions.• Drinks in the bar car and outside of meal times.• Visa fees, any excess baggage charges, airport departure taxes, vaccination or medical costs.• Travel and trip cancellation insurance

Interested in travel insurance?To learn more about all the benefits of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp or contact Travel Guard at 1.877.709.5596.

Rail Journey by Private TrainPrivate Train tours are in a class of their own, offering the opportunity to experience remote destinations in unparalleled style. These all-inclusive, overview tours aboard the fully-chartered Golden Eagle luxury private train bring together passengers from around the world. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Important Notes: Is This Trip Right For You?• This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking

involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers. Flexibility, a sense of humor and a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services are essential components to the enjoyment of this trip.

• This itinerary features a significant amount of touring on foot. Many streets and sidewalks are un-even, and some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases. Museums generally do not have elevators.

• During touring excursions, availability of western toilets is unreliable, especially in Iran. Many public toilets encountered during touring, at museums, at restaurants and so forth are squat toilets, and handrails may be inadequate.

• On the train, restaurant and bar cars may be some distance from your sleeping car. Although por-terage is provided where possible, you may have to carry your baggage for short distances.

• Passengers may encounter problems getting on and off trains; there may be low platforms, steep steps and/or gaps between the platform and the train.

• In true expedition style, some delays or changes in the itinerary are likely.

Technically, insurance is required for travel in Iran and you are recommended to have proof of in-surance available to show border patrol/customs agents if they inquire. Please be prepared for the possi-bility you could be asked to purchase insurance on the spot depending on the border patrol authorities handling your entry. While this is a more common occurrence at land border crossings versus airport arrivals, we are not aware of private train travelers being asked for proof of insurance in general.

Another challenge for women travelers while in Iran is the need to wear Islamic dress at all times when in public, even on the bus or at breakfast in the hotel. Women are expected to respect the local dress code of covered hair and no exposed skin except for the face and hands. This can consist of a headscarf and a loose long-sleeved over-garment, like a loose dress or tunic over slacks. Please call for more specific details.

We recommend that you read the U.S. State Department’s Consular Information Sheet and travel warn-ing regarding travel to Iran. Check http://travel.state.gov/ for up-to-date travel information.


Important Notice Regarding Prescription DrugsPlease be advised that some countries in Central Asia, most notably Turkmenistan, but also Uzbekistan, have recently stepped up their border/customs inspection and enforcement activities for arriving and de-parting travelers concerning pharmaceutical drugs. Individual baggage searches are very rare for travelers visiting via private train, but are certainly a possibility. If you need to carry prescription medications with you of any kind, you are reminded to carry an amount suitable for personal use only, in original labeled packaging and with a copy of the prescription.

Please note that some prescription drugs, including certain pain relievers such as Tramadol and Hy-drocodone, which are somewhat common in the U.S., are completely prohibited from entry into Turkmenistan, even for personal use with a foreign prescription. Another prohibited medication in Turk-menistan is pseudoephedrine. Please be sure to bring alternative medication with you as these drugs (among others – call for details) are simply not allowed at the present time.

If you have concerns about prescription drugs you need to have with you as you travel through Central Asia, please contact your Tour Specialist before your departure for more information.

Are You Prepared?A Travel Guard travel insurance plan can help cover your vacation investment, offset expenses from travel mishaps and provide you with emergency travel assistance. To learn more about all of the benefits of purchasing a Travel Guard travel insurance plan, please visit www.travelguard.com/mircorp

If you are not already enrolled in STEP, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, please consider enrolling. For more information: https://step.state.gov/step/

WeatherCentral Asia experiences hot summers and cold winters. The best times to travel to these countries are in spring and fall, to catch the best temperatures between the hot parts of the summer and the cold winters. Rain is minimal. April-May brings temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while late August-September temperatures are typically 75-95+. Those whose plans don't allow travel in April-May or August-September can still catch great opportunities to visit as early as March, or as late as No-vember. At these times, comfortable touring weather is still called for, with warm days and cooler nights/early mornings. Travelers to Central Asia in March and November might want to bring along some addi-tional warmer layers to help adjust to the difference between mountainous areas and desert areas.

Please remember, weather at all times of year has an element of the unpredictable. This information comes from www.weatherbase.com and is based on data from previous temperatures on record. It is always advisable to check with www.weatherbase.com closer to your departure date for current condi-tions and forecasts.

International AirfareMIR’s in-house, full-service air department is available to assist with your air travel needs. Check with MIR before booking air on your own, as we are happy to research and compare the best published fares available. Airfare varies depending on a wide variety of factors, such as dates of travel, seat availability, special airline promotions, how restrictive ticket changes are, how long the fares can be held without


purchase, routing considerations such as stopovers, and more. Tour dates are based on the land tour only.

Please call us at 800-424-7289 to discuss air options and routings for this program, and to request a quote for your specific plans and dates of travel. We will be happy to put together a no-obligation sug-gested air itinerary and estimate for you at your request.

VisasThree visas are required for this tour: a single-entry Uzbek visa, a single-entry Turkmen visa and a single-entry Iranian visa. Please note, your specific air routings or any pre- and post-tour extensions may re-quire additional visas or additional entries. Extensive pre-tour paperwork is necessary to obtain the re-quired visas. MIR will provide you with the necessary applications and instructions.

An estimate of current visa costs for U.S. passport holders, based on standard processing time, is $557. Your exact visa fees may differ as visa costs can depend on a number of factors, such as state of resi-dence, processing time, and return shipping. Visa fees are always subject to change.

In the past some travelers have made their own visa arrangements instead of using MIR’s preferred pro-vider for their visa processing; either using their own visa service or attempting to process directly with the embassies/consulates. We strongly recommend you discuss it with us before choosing an alternate visa processing method to help avoid difficulties and visa problems.

Pre and Post-Tour Extensions MIR can arrange for an extended program in Russia or Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus or the ‘Stans. Contact us for more information.

Also Nearby...For more tours to this region, you may want to check out:

Flexible Essential Trips – Classic Private JourneysEssential Iran Enhanced, 12 days. Spend twelve days sampling Iran’s cities, walking through history, discovering Zoroastrian life, studying archaeological sites and admiring gorgeous Islamic architecture. From cosmopolitan Tehran to breathtaking Isfahan, get to know five illustrious Iranian cities and six out-standing UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Essential Kyrgyzstan, 8 days. On this comprehensive journey among the soaring peaks, glacial lakes and steep valleys of the Kyrgyz outback, spend a night with a village family, learning the traditional way to make felt, bake flatbread in a clay oven and milk a mare. Visit with a seasoned eagle hunter and admire dramatic landscapes of ochre and umber sandstone formations.

Essential Tajikistan, 8 days. Rarely-visited Tajikistan is wreathed in spectacular mountains and colored with the influence of Persia, the Islamic world and Russia. Meet local people at Fergana Valley markets, explore the ruins of ancient Penjikent and share a meal in a warm Tajik home. Visit the country’s capital, Dushanbe, where an airy, light-filled space is home to the modern National Museum of Tajikistan.


Essential Turkmenistan, 11 days. From the golden monuments of Ashgabat and the ruins of Parthian Nisa, head into the mountains to overnight in a village home. Visit the Caspian seaport, Turkmenbashi, explore UNESCO-listed Merv and learn about traditional crafts. Camp at the “Door to Hell” and survey Kunya-Urgench, ancient capital of Khorezm.

Essential Kazakhstan, 7 days. Begin in the new city of Astana, capital of Kazakhstan only since 1997. Fly to Chimkent and discover the historic city of Turkistan with its UNESCO-listed mausoleum of a re-vered Sufi sheikh. Fly to Almaty and explore spectacular Charyn Canyon, with its strange rock formations and colorful strata.

Essential Uzbekistan, 10 days. Beginning in the modern capital, Tashkent, roam the great Silk Road oa-ses of Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva, all of them UNESCO Sites. Admire their mosques, madrassahs and minarets clad in ceramic tiles the color of the desert sky.

Essential Iran, 10 days. Visit a trio of Iran’s finest cities to discover Persian treasures and modern Is-lamic daily life. See spirited Tehran, the country’s marketplace, romantic Shiraz with its miles of roses, and beautiful Isfahan, its arched bridges glowing in the evening light.

Conditions of ParticipationYour participation on a MIR Corporation trip is subject to the conditions contained in the 2018 Tour Reservation Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement. Please read this document carefully and contact us with any questions.

Cancellation and Refund Policy Please note that no partial refunds are available for any missed days of a tour or any whole or part of a tour, accommodation, meal or any other service not utilized by the participant during the tour. The quoted price represents a package price for the services offered and an itemization of individual compo-nent costs will not be provided. Please understand there will be no exceptions to our cancellation poli-cies regardless of your situation. Should you need to cancel your travel plans, please notify us in writing immediately. At the time we receive written notification of cancellation, the following charges apply:

Scheduled Rail Journeys by Private Train: 121 or more days prior to departure----------------deposit due or paid in full of $2,500, $3,000 or $5,50065-120 days prior to departure-----------------------------50% of the land tour cost64 days prior to departure or after trip departure----no refund

ReferencesWe encourage you to speak directly with satisfied past travelers. Please request a list of references.

Why MIR?Regional knowledge is crucial to the success of any trip to our corner of the world. MIR combines de-tailed information about geography and infrastructure, history and art, language and culture, with the depth of knowledge that comes only from decades of regional experience. You may wonder how we dif-fer from other tour operators…


Destination SpecializationMIR focuses exclusively on the exceptional region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This area has been our overriding passion since 1986; we don’t do the rest of the world. Our hard-earned expertise gained over the last three decades can take you from end to end of the largest country in the world – Russia – and to all of its neighbors. We specialize in travel to Siberia, the Silk Route, St. Petersburg & Be-yond. Our destinations include: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltics (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), the Balkans (Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Central Asia (the five ‘Stans), Iran, the South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), Mongolia, China, Tibet, the DPRK (North Korea) and Central/East Europe (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ro-mania).

30 Years of ExperienceA travel company doesn’t last 30 years in the business without a solid track record. MIR has helped thousands of individuals achieve their travel goals. Our dedication and experience have earned us their trust and the trust of many well-respected institutions. Today MIR is the preferred tour operator for mu-seum, alumni and special interest organizations across the country.

Recommended & RespectedMIR has twice been rated one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure. Several of our tours have won awards in top travel publications, such as Outside magazine and National Geographic Traveler. Our trips have been featured in books like Riding the Hula Hula to the Arctic Ocean and 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

More Questions?Please feel free to call us with questions at 1-800-424-7289, 8:30am-5:30pm Pacific Time.


MIR Corporation85 South Washington Street, Suite 210Seattle, WA 98104800-424-7289, 206-624-7289Fax [email protected]

Sellers of Travel: Washington# 601-099-932, California# 2082306-40© Photos: GW Travel, MIR Corporation, Peter Guttman, Warren & Janny Strickland, Russ & Ellen Cmolik, Annie Lucas, Douglas Grimes, Martin Klimenta, Devin Connolly, Jake Smith


Tashkent to Tehran via Central Asia 2018 · Mashad Imam Reza Shrine, Nader Shah Museum, Ferdowsi’s Mausoleum Mahan Shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali, Shahzadeh (Prince) Garden (UNESCO

Documents