
The Legendary Silk Road: From Almaty to Tashkent 15D/14N
Embark on an extraordinary 15-day luxury rail expedition across the historic Silk Road, traversing the diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Traveling aboard a specialized train, this curated itinerary seamlessly blends comfort with adventure, taking you from the green, alpine peaks of Almaty and Bishkek to the legendary, fairy-tale ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent.
Along the way, you will immerse yourself in local traditions through authentic culinary experiences, artisan workshops, and vibrant folklore performances, culminating in a comprehensive exploration of Central Asia’s most iconic architectural wonders.
Encounters with land and people, delicious specialties and pleasant travel in the wagons of the comfortable Orient Silk Road Express on the otherwise difficult to explore Silk Road in Central Asia make you the protagonist of this wonderful fairy tale.
Our route: Almaty, Bishkek, Samarkand, Dushanbe, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent
Tour Highlights
Explore the breath-taking Registan Square in Samarkand, the ancient fortress of Ark in Bukhara, and the beautifully preserved medieval clay-brick walls of Khiva.
Take in the crisp alpine air at the world’s highest ice-skating rink in Medeo, cruise the pristine waters of Issyk Kul Lake, and explore the lush trails of Ala-Archa National Park.
Enjoy a traditional lunch inside a national yurt-style restaurant, witness vibrant local folklore and costume shows, and visit an artisan family making paper from mulberry tree bark.
Visit legendary historic sites, including the palace-like Gur-i-Amir mausoleum (the tomb of Timur), the ancient Samanid Mausoleum, and the striking Russian Orthodox wooden cathedral in Almaty.
Relax aboard a dedicated special train featuring onboard educational lectures and inclusive meals, providing a unique and comfortable vantage point for watching the Central Asian landscape unfold.
Price from
$8,290.00
Enquire NowTour Information
Tour Operator:
Lernidee Trains & Cruises
Max group size:
Destination
Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Age range:
Tour id:
38236
Adventure Style:
Adventure, Cultural, Culture, Food & Culinary, History, Luxury, Nature & Adventure, Rail Journey
Inclusions:
- - 7 nights on board the special train in the booked category
- - 7 nights in good mid-range and comfort hotels in a double room with bath or shower
- - Meals according to the itinerary
- - Excursion and sightseeing program incl. entrance fees according to the itinerary
- - All transfers in the destination area according to the itinerary
- - Permanent bilingual tour guide during the train ride in the destination area and English- speaking tour guide for a maximum of 26 guests each
- - English speaking local guide
- - Doctor on board
- - Welcome with traditional folklore at Bukhara and Samarkand train stations
- - Visit an Uzbek family
- - Vodka and wine tasting
Exclusions:
- - Visa fees
- - Invitation letter for Kazakhstan and/or Tajikistan (if necessary). Please allow processing time.
- - Gratuities
- - International flights
- - Personal expenses
Departures:
Please contact our Sales team for the latest departures.Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Almaty
Depending on your flight connection, arrival in Almaty during the day and transfer to your centrally located hotel.
Your room is ready for check-in around 3:00pm.
No excursion programme or meals included on this day.
Overnight in Almaty.
Day 2: Almaty - "Father of Apples"
Should your flight arrive early in the morning, you will be taken to your comfort hotel, where your room is already ready for check-in.
Enjoy your delicious breakfast!
After a morning of relaxation, you will meet your tour guides and fellow travellers in the afternoon.
An impressive start to your voyage is a trip to Medeo, where the highest ice-skating rink in the world is located.
You visit Shymbulak Mountain Resort. Here you enjoy the crisp air and the breath-taking view before ending the day with a welcome dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Almaty.
Day 3: Almaty
In the morning, a city tour with Russian Orthodox wooden cathedral, wedding palace, circus, central mosque (from the outside) and central park with different monuments.
Lunch at the local yurt-style national restaurant.
In the afternoon, your journey with the special train begins. A welcome drink and a short lecture await you on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 4: At Issyk Kul Lake (Kyrgyzstan)
This morning you will reach the breathtaking Issyk Kul Lake.
A visit to the Centre of Nomadic Culture will bring you closer before you have time for a walk.
After a boat trip on the Issyk Kul, your train makes its way to Bishkek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 5: Bishkek
After breakfast on board you will reach the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
On a tour, you will discover their numerous sights. With about 100m² of green space per inhabitant, Bishkek is one of the greenest cities in the world! And, of course, the Ala-Archa National Park is also part of the programme.
You spend the night in a comfort hotel in Bishkek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Bishkek.
Day 6: Train Day
After breakfast, your train is leaving.
Enjoy a relaxing day of lectures as your special train travels to Samarkand.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 7: Samarkand
Today, you will experience the sights of this renowned and historic site, which was known under the rule of Timur as the most beautiful and important city in the world: the burial town of Shah-i-Zinda (“The Living King”), the excavation sites of Afrasiyab (with museum tour) and Registan Square were certainly the most impressive construction ensemble in Central Asia.
Registan Square is surrounded by three mighty madrasas. The huge and magnificent portals impressive in terms of decoration and colour.
In the background, the domes of the mosques glitter like in the Middle Eastern fairy tale. In 1917, the women of Uzbekistan burned their face veils at this historic site and embarked on a new era.
Here in Samarkand you will spend the next two nights in a mid-range hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 8: Samarkand the Splendid
Today, you visit a silk carpet manufactory and a Uzbek artisan family that makes paper from mulberry tree bark, you will see the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the ruins of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
The palace-like Gur-i-Amir mausoleum complex can be visited from the inside. It houses the tomb of Timur, who made his capital a paradise as a famous builder, but also went down in history as a feared conqueror.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 9: Time Travel
After breakfast, your special train will continue on its way.
Today, you will see a folklore show of the unique tradition of this region that seems to have fallen out of time.
Afterwards you will go to Shahrisabz in the birthplace of Timur.
In the evening, you travel with the special train to Dushanbe.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 10: Dushanbe
After arriving in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, in the morning, you will discover numerous sights on a tour.
Among the many parks in the city, a visit to Rudaki Park is a great way to relax in the countryside.
In the late afternoon you will return to your special train and head towards Bukhara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 11: Noble Bukhara
Located in the middle of the Kyzylkum Desert, Bukhara has about one thousand monuments that recall the glory days of the Great Silk Road.
In the old town you can see the almost 50 metre high Kalyan minaret and the Lab-i Hauz ensemble at the pond. In front of the Nasreddin monument listen to some of his stories and legends.
In the courtyard of a madrasa, you will experience a folklore show with music, local dances and a presentation of colourful national costumes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 12: The Samanid Mausoleum
Today, you explore Bukhara during a full-day tour.
The entire city seems like a large, unique, and authentic architectural museum that has retained its old Middle Eastern countenance.
In the morning we will take you to the magnificent Mir-i-Arab and the most valuable building in Central Asia, the Samanid Mausoleum.
Then take a tour through the mighty fortress of Ark, a city in the city that was once the seat of government of the rulers of Bukhara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 13: Khiva Fairy Tale from 1001 Nights
Today, visit the Khiva Oasis, from one of the best-known fairy tales from 1001 Nights.
You will stand in front of the mighty city wall of Khiva with its gates and bastions of clay bricks, you will think you’ve been transported to another world. Around the Kalta Minor Minaret, life still pulsates today just as it did in ancient times.
During a walking tour you can enjoy all the sights: Palaces, mosques, minarets, mausoleums and madrasas form one of the best-preserved ensembles of medieval Middle Eastern town planning.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 14: Tashkent
In the early afternoon your special train arrives in Tashkent.
You enjoy a city tour of various highlights and monuments including Kukeldash Madrasah, the Kavoj and Amir-Timur monuments, and the typical clay houses.
After the goodbye dinner, you will spend the night in a mid-range hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 15: Tashkent Departure
Today, you will check out from your hotel and you will be transferred to the airport for your onwards flight.
Farewell!
