The Legendary Silk Road by Rail: Almaty to Tashkent

Fly to Almaty, Kazakhstan

(N)

Meal basis:
As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Almaty

Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s cultural centre. Transfer to the Rahat Palace Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. Afternoon excursion to Medeo, home to the world’s highest ice-skating rink. Ride the cable car 3,164 metres up to the Talgar Pass, enjoying the crisp mountain air and panoramic views before your welcome dinner. (N)

Almaty

Morning city tour including the Russian Orthodox Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings. Lunch in Kazakh yurts before transferring to the Orient Silk Road Express train. (B, L, D)

Issyk-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan

This morning, arrive at Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan. Visit the Centre of Nomadic Culture before time at leisure for a walk along the shore of this vast saline lake. After a boat trip on the Issyk-Kul, your train makes its way to Bishkek. Overnight aboard the train. (B, L, D)

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Arrive at the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek for a tour of its numerous sights, including an excursion into the spectacular Ala-Archa National Park, 35 kilometres south of the city. Overnight in Plaza Hotel Bishkek (or similar). (B, L, D)

Bishkek

Enjoy a relaxing day of lectures aboard your train as it makes the journey to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Overnight aboard the train. (B, L, D)

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Full-day tour of Samarkand, with visits to Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the imposing madrasas on Registan Square, and the excavation sites of Afrasiyob – among the oldest ruins of this ancient city. Stay at the Hotel Grand Samarkand (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, L, D)

Samarkand

Another day to explore Samarkand, with a chance to see the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the Gur Amir mausoleum. You also visit a silk carpet factory, and a family of craftspeople who specialise in making paper from tree bark. (B, L, D)

Shahrisabz

Today, you attend a traditional folklore show before visiting Shahrisabz, birthplace of Timur. In the evening, your rail journey continues to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Overnight aboard the train. (B, L, D)

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Arrive this morning in Dushanbe, the mountain-bound capital of Tajikistan, exploring its many sights on a tour. In the late afternoon, return to your train for the journey to Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Overnight aboard the train. (B, L, D)

Bukhara

Arrive in Bukhara, whose UNESCO-listed monuments recall the glory days of the Silk Road. Visit the 12th-century Kalyan Minaret, the Lyabi-Hauz architectural ensemble, and the statue of smiling folk hero Nasreddin riding a donkey. In the courtyard of a madrasa, you attend a folklore show with music, traditional dance and a presentation of colourful national costumes. Overnight at Hotel Asia Buchara (or similar). (B, L, D)

Bukhara

Full-day city tour, including visits to the ornate Mir-i-Arab madrasa, the Ark fortress, the Samanid Mausoleum, and Sitorai Molhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Uzbekistan’s last emir. Board the train for an evening departure. Overnight aboard the train. (B, L, D)

Khiva

Today, visit the oasis city of Khiva with its great gates and clay-brick bastions. A walking tour takes you around the well-preserved medieval palaces, mosques, mausoleums, minarets and madrasas. Overnight aboard the train. (B, L, D)

Tashkent

Arrive this afternoon in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. Take a city tour, visiting the Kukeldash Madrasah, Timur monuments, and traditional clay houses. This evening, attend a farewell dinner. Overnight at Hotel Mercure (or similar). (B, L, D)

Fly home

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.