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Essence of the Silk Road & Beyond by Private Train: Tashkent to Almaty in 15 Days

Photo credit: Abdu Samadov

Duration

15 Days

Price

From $8,095

Trip Type

Rail Journey

Group Size

Varies

Activity Level

1 2 3 4 5

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From Tashkent to Almaty in 15 Days Aboard the Orient Silk Road Express

Overview

Traverse four of the five ‘Stans of Central Asia on this private rail journey along the Silk Road. Begin in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s Capital. Stop in Tamerlane’s UNESCO-listed home town, Shahrisabz and visit the three famed Uzbek Silk Road oases – Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara. All of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Dip into Dushanbe in Tajikistan to explore the leafy capital city and its interesting architecture. Continue into Kyrgyzstan to inspect the capital, Bishkek. Take a boat ride on the country’s most beautiful lake, Issyk-Kul. The tour concludes in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Experience four UNESCO sites in 15 days, with seven hotel nights and seven nights onboard the comfortable Silk Road Orient Express private train.

A westbound departure from Almaty to Tashkent is also available.
A shorter 14-day rail journey over a similar route (but without Tajikistan) is also available.

Travels to: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan

Photos and details: Discover what life is like aboard the Orient Silk Road Express private train.

National Museum of Dushanbe. Photo credit: Jake Smith

Map

Itinerary

Days 1-4: Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Khiva
Start in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital and largest city. Tour some of its most noteworthy sights, including Amir Timur Square and Kukeldash Madrassah.Cross the Kyzyl Kum Desert to the city of Khiva, the last great oasis on the northern Silk Road caravan route. Wander through the winding alleys of the UNESCO-listed Old Town filled with minarets, cobbled alleys, mosques, and the beautifully preserved Kunya Ark, the original residence of the ruling khans.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Tashkent’s Kukeldash Madrassah, one of the largest 16th century madrassahs remaining in Central Asia, constructed of baked brick with a classic glazed tile facade
- Amir Timur Square, dominated by an equestrian statue of the conqueror Tamerlane
- Enjoy a day trip outside of Tashkent into the rocky and forested terrain of Chimyon in the Chatkal Mountains
- Khiva’s Old Town (Ichon-Qala in Uzbek), a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Tash-Hauli Palace, built in the 19th century for the khan and his four wives
- Juma Mosque, famous for its carved wooden pillars
- Kunya Ark, the original residence of Khiva’s khans
Days 5-6: Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Disembark in beautiful Bukhara, Central Asia’s most ancient living city. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town encompasses more than 140 protected monuments, including the Labi-Hauz Plaza at the heart of the city and the Ark Citadel, Bukhara’s original fortress. Take in a traditional Uzbek performance along with dinner at a former madrassah.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Bukhara’s evocative Old Town, with its ageless domed bazaars and central Labi-Hauz Plaza, adorned with a reflecting pool
- Ark Citadel, Bukhara’s giant ancient fortress
- A performance and dinner at a local madrassah
- The 10th-century Samani Mausoleum, one of Central Asia’s oldest intact monuments
- The spectacular Kalon Mosque and Minaret – a classic Central Asian scene
Days 7-8: Shahrisabz, Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
Back on board, continue to Shahrisabz, hometown of the 14th century conqueror Tamerlane, and visit the UNESCO-listed ruins of his Ak Saray (White Palace), one of Tamerlane’s most ambitious architectural undertakings. Continue to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajiksitan, Here you’ll explore the monumental architecture of this isolated, mountainous nation.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Shahrisabz’s Ak Saray, a monumental palace complex that includes the remains of a massive portal covered with brilliant blue, white, and gold tile mosaics
- Rudaki Park and other architectural highlights in Dushanbe
Days 9-11: Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
Continue to blue-tiled Samarkand, Tamerlane’s legendary capital, hailed by UNESCO as “the crossroad of cultures.” Take in massive Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulug Bek’s incredible observatory, and gracefully proportioned Registan Square. Tour of a silk carpet factory and visit a workshop where handcrafted paper is made using a method that dates from the 8th century.

HIGHLIGHTS
- UNESCO-listed Samarkand’s Registan Square, bordered by three beautiful madrassahs
- The 14th century conqueror Tamerlane’s architectural legacy in Samarkand, including Bibi Khanum Mosque, the largest of its day
- Shah-i-Zinda, a row of mausoleums and tombs that collectively span the history of Samarkand
- Ulug Bek Observatory, where Tamerlane’s grandson made historic advances in astronomy
- Seeing artisans make beautifully crafted carpets and paper using age-old techniques
Days 12-13: Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Issyk-Kul
Your next stop after Uzbekistan is the neighboring, mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan. Here spend some time exploring the capital, Bishkek. Then continue to Lake Issyk-Kul, a vast, high-altitude lake ringed by mountains where will have the opportunity to learn about nomadic traditions.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s modern capital
- Ala Archa National Park – beautiful, forested mountains located just outside of Bishkek
- Vast Lake Issyk-Kul, ringed by mountains and one of Central Asia’s iconic sights
- The Museum of Nomadic Civilizations, a center dedicated to Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic past
Days 14-15: Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Conclude the tour in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and a thriving business center situated amid the majestic Tien Shan mountain range. Visit Panfilov Park, a hub of the city and home to Zenkov Cathedral and have lunch in a traditional Kazakh yurt.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Panfilov Park, a green oasis in the middle of Almaty where locals meet to stroll and unwind
- Colorful Zenkov Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden structures in the world and an impressive feat of engineering that survived a massive 1911 earthquake unscathed
- Lunch in a traditional Kazakh yurt

Detailed Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Minimum group size: Minimums vary – call for confirmation status

Land Tour Price, Per Person.

What's Included

Activity Level

Level 2: Moderate

Gallery

1/7 Everyday life in Khiva, Uzbekistan. Jens Frank
2/7 The colorful Zenkov Cathedral in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Michel Behar
3/7 National Museum of Dushanbe. Jake Smith
4/7 The Orient Silk Express Train.
5/7 The luxurious dining wagon of the Orient Silk Express train.
6/7 UNESCO-listed Samarkand’s Registan Square.
7/7 Lake Issyk-Kul, the second-largest high-altitude lake in the world.

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Traveler Reviews

"Every day was a surprise, it was nothing at all like I expected. The food, the people, the scenery, I was just constantly amazed by it all. We met the nicest people and learned so much. I really liked the extra things that enriched our experiences at each stop. I loved every minute!!"

S. Hughes

Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Essence of the Silk Road & Beyond by Private Train: Tashkent to Almaty in 15 Days

From Tashkent to Almaty in 15 Days Aboard the Orient Silk Road Express

Overview

Map

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

What's Included

Activity Level

Gallery

Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary below.

Traveler Reviews

Enthralling Uzbekistan: Our Favorite Things to See & Do

14 Experiences You Can Only Have When Traveling to Central Asia

8 Takeaways on Visiting Uzbekistan from a First-Time Visitor

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Essence of the Silk Road & Beyond by Private Train: Tashkent to Almaty in 15 Days

From Tashkent to Almaty in 15 Days Aboard the Orient Silk Road Express

Overview

Map

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

What's Included

Activity Level

Gallery

Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary below.

Stay A Little Longer...

Traveler Reviews

Stories To Inspire

Enthralling Uzbekistan: Our Favorite Things to See & Do

14 Experiences You Can Only Have When Traveling to Central Asia

8 Takeaways on Visiting Uzbekistan from a First-Time Visitor

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Get Our News Straight To Your Inbox