Day 1 Your First Footsteps on the Silk Road
As your flight lands at the Almaty Airport, you get your first glimpse of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. After you de-board the plane, your driver meets you and takes you straight to your hotel for the night. As you watch the scenery on the way to the Almaty city center, you get chills of excitement in anticipation of your sixteen-day excursion on the ancient Silk Road.
Overnight: Rahat Palace Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 The Metropolis of Kazakhstan, Almaty
You wake up refreshed and waste no time getting to know your surroundings. First on the day’s agenda is a sightseeing tour, where you see the Ascension Cathedral, the Kazakh State Circus, and the Almaty Central Mosque. In the distance, you can see the outline of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains, giving you a preview of what is to come on your journey. In the afternoon, you enjoy a welcome lunch of local cuisine in a traditional Kazakh yurt. After you say goodbye to the friendly faces and amazing sights of Almaty, it is time to board your private train. As you board, a porter helps with your luggage. Later, your tour guide welcomes you aboard and gives a casual talk about what to expect on the trip. After a refreshing welcome drink, you depart for the next country on your tour, Kyrgyzstan.
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 3 Out in the Country: A Day at Lake Issyk-Kul
As the morning sun find its way into your compartment, you see that you are arriving at the greater Lake Issyk-Kul area. You immediately realize that you are now in the midst of great natural beauty, a big difference from the sprawling metropolis of Almaty. Your first stop in this lush region is Cholpon-Ata, where you enjoy a boat ride on Lake Issyk-Kul, one of the largest lakes in the world. The breathtaking views of this enormous lake make you feel as if you’re at sea. Back on land, you go on a mountain excursion, which includes a picnic lunch and a Kyrgyz folk dance. After your full day by the lake, you are ready for the comfort of your private train. Once on board, you depart for Bishkek. A nightcap and good conversation prepare you for the next day’s adventure.
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 4 Another Day, Another Adventure: The City of Bishkek
On your second day in Kyrgyzstan you find yourself in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital and largest city. Like Almaty, it is situated at the foot of a mountain range, the Tian Shan. You now begin to realize that Central Asia will never let you down. There is so much to see here, that you already have the feeling that you’ll be back again, and it’s only day four of your journey! Your guide takes you through the city, explaining everything clearly as you go. A visit to a bazaar gives you a peek into the everyday life of Bishkek citizens. After the market, you visit the National Historical Museum then take a ride outside the city to the Ala Archa National Park.
As the sun sets, you are ready to board your private train for Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 5 Tashkent, the City of Stones
As you wake from a comfortable sleep, your private train rolls into Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, also known as the City of Stones. Although you’ve now experienced only two Central Asian countries, you feel as though you’re an expert. Your tour guide has been very informative from the beginning, and the staff on board has made you feel at home. Needless to say, you are ready for the day’s new sights. On your guided tour of Tashkent, you see the medieval Kukeldash Madrasa, the Amir Timur Museum and traditional Uzbek houses. After taking the day to discover the largest capital city in Central Asia, you are prepared to take the night for further discovery. An opera or concert in a music hall would do just fine as would a drink at the hotel bar.
Overnight: Grand Mir Hotel (or similar) (BLD)
Day 6 An Ancient Crossroads in the Valley
After breakfast, you spend the morning on board your private train, crossing the Kamchik Pass in the Qurama Mountains. By the afternoon, you reach Kokand, an important crossroads on the ancient Silk Road. You learn from your guide that it was once was the capital of an Uzbek kingdom—the Khanate of Kokand. You visit the Khan’s Palace, now a museum, which was the home of Khudayar Khan who had once reigned over the area. After taking in the city’s sights, you have the chance to visit a local family and help bake traditional bread. After an enjoyable day of exploration, you board your private train, which whisks you off to another adventure.
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 7 Traveling Through Time in Shahrisabz
On the way to Shahrisabz, you pass through a remote mountainous region of Uzbekistan, accessible only by your private train. Upon arrival, you immediately notice the eclectic character of the city. One of Central Asia’s most ancient cities, its architecture is a mix of Greek, Turkic and Mongol, which make it unique in the region. It is most notably the birthplace of Timur—a Mongol emperor from the 14th century. The city’s old center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to one of many architectural highlights, including the White Palace, Timur’s so-called summer home. Later, you enjoy a folk dance that puts the region’s unique culture on full display. After a day of exploration, that evening you depart for Samarkand—another UNESCO World Heritage Site—on your private train. On board you are invited to a tasting of Uzbek wines.
Overnight: On board (BLD)
Day 8 Samarkand: City of Monuments
Today, you spend the day visiting the sights of Samarkand, which was considered the world’s most beautiful and prestigious city in Timur’s time. As your guide shows you the sights, you find it hard to keep your eyes on each one as he explains them. There are so many things to see that you wish you had two sets of eyes! The city is filled with architectural monuments, including the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the Afrasiab archaeological site and museum, and Registan Square. The city is known for its Islamic influence, which is clearly shown through the beautiful mosaics, minarets and domes of its mosques and madrasas. By the time you get back to the hotel for dinner, you are glad that you have more than one day in this amazing city.
Overnight: Registan Plaza Hotel (or similar) (BLD)
