Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, the world's leading operator of exclusive, long-distance luxury rail tours, offers the opportunity to journey into some of the most culturally diverse locations the world has to offer. Destinations range from the grand wilderness of Siberia to the disparate crossroads of South Caucasus, and the Nomadic lands of Mongolia to the drama of the Arctic Circle. Among the pioneering voyages offered for 2015 is the new Arctic Explorer – a quest to see the Northern Lights.

Join a fully escorted rail cruise to uncover vast landscapes and exotic locations from the comfort of the private train, the Golden Eagle. Once aboard the hotel-on-wheels, passengers can relax in the knowledge that every need will be taken care of, from cabin attendants on hand 24 hours a day to fine dining menus and even an onboard doctor. Private en-suite cabins, some with double beds, provide a comfortable haven while the elegant Bar Lounge Car is the social hub. A variety of on-board activities is on offer, including Russian language lessons, talks on local history and vodka tasting sessions.

Off-train, passengers are able to customise their experience with a range of Freedom of Choice touring options offered at no extra cost. Choose from: joining a cooking class in Irkutsk; visiting a traditional Russian Banya (sauna); horse riding in Mongolia's Gorkhi-Terelj National Park; and sharing lunch with a local family in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to name but a few.

VOYAGES OF A LIFETIME

Trans-Siberian Express: Undoubtedly the greatest rail journey on the planet, the Trans-Siberian Express weaves its way from East to West, travelling through Russia, over the Urals and across the endless Steppe. Journey along the Trans-Siberian line, the longest single-service railway in the world stretching from Moscow to Vladivostok, and detour along the shores of Lake Baikal, hauled by a Soviet-era steam locomotive, and into Mongolia. Over two weeks, pass through eight time zones and cover a distance of 11,000kms. Highlights include a private viewing of the Kremlin; a glass of champagne with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia at Yekaterinburg; a refreshing swim in Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world; a folk performance in the Old Believers Village at Ulan Ude; and a tour of Gandan Monastry in Ulaan Baatar, home to 500 monks. Price: from £9,895 all-inclusive, including 12 nights onboard the Golden Eagle and 2 nights' hotel accommodation. Departures in 2015: Eastbound – 5 May, 5 June, 26 July, 22 Aug; Westbound – 18 May, 18 June, 8 Aug, 4 Sept.

Winter Wonderland: Travel the Trans-Siberian in winter to experience winter wonderland scenery and detour to the historic city of Vladimir and to the pastoral town of Suzdal, where guests can enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride and watch a choral performance by the resident monks at St. Euthymius Monastery. Lake Baikal is completely frozen in winter and provides a great spot for a range of snowy activities: visit an Ice Festival, drive a snowmobile, take an exhilarating dog sled ride, or observe ice fishing and sample the catch. Passengers are provided with hats, felt boots and gloves to brave the sub-zero temperatures. Price: from £9,895 all-inclusive, including 12 nights onboard the Golden Eagle and 2 nights' hotel accommodation. Departures in 2015: Eastbound – 22 Feb; Westbound – 6 March.

***NEW*** Arctic Explorer: This new tour to seek out the Northern Lights has the added bonus of a guest astronomer onboard. Step aboard in St Petersburg to embark upon a rail adventure deep into the Arctic Circle. Leave the train behind at Nikel to travel by bus across the Russian/Norwegian border to Kirkenes. Spend two nights here to visit the Snow Hotel, enjoy a husky excursion and take a tour in pursuit of the magnificent Aurora Borealis. Rejoin the Golden Eagle to travel to Murmansk, Petrozavodsk, Vladimir and Suzdal enroute to Moscow, a fitting finale. Travelling in December, celebrate New Year and Rozhdestvo (Russian Christmas, celebrated on 7 Jan) in style. Price: from £7,495 all-inclusive, including 6 nights onboard the Golden Eagle and 5 nights' hotel accommodation. Departures: 29 Dec 2014, 29 Dec 2015.

Trans-Mongolian Express: This special tour journeys from Moscow to Ulaan Baatar to take in the Naadam Festival. This colourful annual festival is the world's second oldest Olympics and translates as 'three manly games', involving archery, wrestling and horse riding. Golden Eagle guests spend three nights in Ulaan Baatar and have the unique opportunity to be among the few non-Mongolians to witness the festivities which include an elaborate opening ceremony with local dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians, and a 20kms horse race where competitors are children aged between 5 and 12 years. Whilst offering a fuller insight into Mongolia, this tour also visits Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal and Ulan Ude. Price: from £9,895 all-inclusive, including 8 nights onboard the Golden Eagle and 4 nights' hotel accommodation. Departures in 2015: Eastbound – 1 July; Westbound – 10 July.

Silk Road: Following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Marco Polo along one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation, this epic 21-day journey stretches from Moscow to Beijing. Passing through Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and China, reaching areas only accessible by train, passengers can enjoy this adventurous route in comfort and style. The passage begins on the Golden Eagle, and switches onto the Shangri-La Express in China. Expect to see some of the most magnificent, yet little-visited, sites and oasis cities from the ancient world. Highlights include: the architectural sites at Samarkand; seeing the oldest Koran in the world at Tashkent; exploring the Gobi Desert by camel; touring the Great Wall of China; and discovering the famous Terracota Warriors in Xian. Price: from £15,395 all-inclusive, including 10 nights onboard the Golden Eagle, 5 nights on the Shangri-La Express and 5 nights' hotel accommodation. Departures in 2015: Eastbound – 19 Sept; Westbound – 23 Sept, 22 Oct. A 13-day Taste of the Silk Road journey between Moscow and Almaty (or vv) is also available from £10,595.

Caspian Odyssey: This breathtakingly beautiful journey discovers the mysteries, diversities and traditions of the South Caucasus before crossing the Caspian Sea to explore the great trading posts of the Silk Road. Beginning in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, the Golden Eagle takes a scenic route around stunning Lake Sevan before weaving through Georgia and Azerbaijan. At Baku, the train is loaded onto a cargo ferry for the crossing to Turkmenistan where guests visit the capital, Ashgabat, and Darvaza's famous burning gas crater. Next stop is Uzbekistan to visit the ancient city of Khiva, Samarkand and Tashkent ahead of the final port of call, Almaty in Kazakhstan. Price: from £13,395 all-inclusive, including 11 nights onboard the Golden Eagle and 4 nights' hotel accommodation. Departure: 15 Oct 2015.

** Prices are per person, based on 2 sharing an en-suite cabin in Silver Class (Gold and Imperial also available) on the Golden Eagle, and include all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks, fully guided off-train excursions programme, porterage throughout, arrival and departure transfers, the services of a Tour Manager and all gratuities. Hotel accommodation is 5* (4* in Vladivostok and Kirkenes). Flights are extra. **

For further information contact Golden Eagle Luxury Trains (www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com, 0161 9289410).