You arrive in Tashkent and are transferred to a centrally located hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Grand Mir (or similar)
Day 2 Tashkent, the Green Oasis
Your sightseeing tour of the city offers a closer glimpse of this green oasis in the steppe. You see the Madrassa Kukeldash, the Kavoj and Amir Timur monuments, and the typical Kazakh mud brick houses. In the evening your train departs for Bukhara.
Overnight on board. Meals included: breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D)
Day 3 The City with a Desert Lighthouse
The city of Bukhara, located in the middle of the Kyzylkum Desert, has some one thousand architectural monuments recalling the golden age of the Great Silk Route. Exotic spices, furs, and especially silk were stored and traded in the city’s caravanserais. In Bukhara’s Old Town (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), you see the almost fifty-metre tall Kalyan Minaret and the Lyab-I Hauz Ensemble by the pond, among other sights. In a madrassa courtyard you watch a performance of local dances, and a presentation of colourful national costumes with musical accompaniment.
Overnight: Hotel Asia Bukhara (or similar). (BLD)
Day 4 Bukhara, the Noble One
Bukhara, which also bears the by-name Sherif (the noble one), has preserved its ancient oriental countenance in its extensive, unparalleled collection of authentic architecture. During the morning, we drive you to the splendid Mir-e-Arab Madrassa and the Samanid Mausoleum, one of Central Asia’s most beautiful structures. Afterwards you tour the massive Ark Citadel, a city within a city that was once the seat of government of Bukhara’s former rulers. There you view the Throne Room, after which you go to the last emir’s Summer Residence. Your stay is completed with a visit to the world’s only women’s mosque, at a Sufi complex and pilgrimage centre about fifteen kilometres outside of the city.
Overnight: Hotel Asia Bukhara (or similar). (BLD)
Day 5 Bukhara
The morning is yours to spend as you please. Your train leaves for Khiva, Uzbekistan in the afternoon.
Overnight on board. (BLD)
Day 6 Khiva, a Tale from 1001 Nights in Stone
After breakfast, your train will have arrived at the southern extent of the Zhetysu (seven rivers) landscape, at the oasis of Khiva. Standing at the mighty town wall with its gates and bastions of mud brick, you feel transported into another world. Life still pulses around the base of the Kalta Minor Minaret, just as it did in former times. Your tour allows you to take in the atmosphere and sights of the oasis. Its palaces, mosques, minarets, mausoleums, and madrassas (Muslim religious schools) represent some of the best-preserved examples of oriental town architecture from medieval times. Your private train leaves for Samarkand in the evening.
Overnight on board. (BLD)
Day 7 Samarkand, Crossroad of Cultures
Today is spent visiting the sights of this famous historic city, which during the rule of Timur was considered the world’s most beautiful and prestigious city. The Necropolis of Shah-e Zinde (the living Shah), the excavation sites at Afrosiab (with a museum tour), and Registan Square are certainly among the most notable architectural ensembles in Central Asia. It is also historically important as the site where many Uzbek women burned their veils (paranjas) in 1917, to mark their arrival in a new era.
Overnight: Registan Plaza Hotel (or similar). (BLD)
Day 8 Samarkand, the Magnificent
Your day in this fascinating city includes a tour of a silk carpet manufactory, a visit to an Uzbek craftsman’s family to see paper being made from mullberry bark, stops at the Ulug Beg Observatory and the ruins of the Bibi Khanum Mosque, and viewing the interior of the palace-like Gur Emir Mausoleum.
Overnight: Registan Plaza Hotel (or similar). (BLD)
Day 9 On the Great Silk Road to Shahrisabz
Today under bright blue skies, you explore the city of Shahrisabz, including its historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formerly known as Kesh, Shahrisabz is the birthplace of fourteenth-century Mongol conqueror Timur. Many of the monuments you visit here were built as testaments to his power, including Ak-Saray, his summer palace. Later you enjoy a traditional folklore performance in a small village, where you meet some of the locals. That evening you enjoy a tasting of Uzbek wine on board your private train, which departs for Turkestan.
Overnight on board. (BLD)
Day 10 Turkestan, Centre of Nomad Pilgrimage
Border formalities at the Kazakhstan border are completed in the comfort of your compartment and you arrive before noon in the city of Turkestan. You visit the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the most significant examples of Timurid architecture. Afterwards you continue on towards Bishkek aboard your private train.
Overnight on board. (BLD)
Day 11 Another Day, another Adventure: The City of Bishkek
On your first 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. Your guide takes you through the city, explaining everything clearly as you go. 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 Lake Issyk-Kul.
Overnight on board (BLD)
Day 12 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. 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. After your day by the lake, you are ready for the comfort of your private train. Once on board, you depart for Almaty. A nightcap and good conversation prepare you for the next day’s adventure.
Overnight on board (BLD)
Day 13 Almaty, Father of the Apple
Your train arrives in Almaty after lunch. A sightseeing tour of the city offers you an impression of this green metropolitan city at the foot of the mighty Ile Alatau Mountains. You see the imposing Zenkov Russian Orthodox Cathedral built entirely of wood, the Wedding Palace, the Almaty Circus, and the Central Mosque. That evening you are served a tasty dinner in a traditional Kazakh yurt.
Overnight/day room (depending on time of departure flight): Rahat Palace (or similar). (BLD)
Day 14 Return Home
Today you will fly home, at the end of a very special journey.
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
This journey makes you familiar with the manifold cultures along the legendary Silk Road and numerous localities that made history, among them no less than 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are richly endowed with history and culture, a flavour of which you will sample on this exciting journey by Private Train.
Highlights of Your Journey
Receive traditional welcome ceremonies in Bukhara and Samarkand
Learn about traditional crafts and traditions, such as silk carpet weaving
Visit the fascinating excavation site of ancient Afrasiyab
Get a unique view of the 600-year-old Ulugh Beg Observatory
Take in the natural beauty of the Tian Shan mountains
Taste the adventure! Enjoy vodka and Uzbek wine tastings
Rates Include
7 overnights on the Private Train according to the booked category
6 overnights in hotels
All meals according to program (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
Sightseeing program including all entrance fees according program
Guided transfers to and from all airports and train stations according to program
Multi-lingual Lernidee Tour Director
Experienced local guides for a maximum of 26 guests per group
Doctor on board
Traditional welcome in the train stations of Bukhara, and Samarkand
Lunch/dinner with an Uzbek family
Wine and Vodka tasting
Log book with information about the Silk Road
Not Included
Visa fees
Gratuities
International flights
Personal expenses
Entry Requirements
You may require a visa, depending on your nationality. (Please check with your local embassy)
No vaccinations required
Habibi
This compartment has sleeping berths (26.4 × 72.4 in /67 × 184cm) for up to four guests. A table near the window separates lower and upper berths on either side. Each car has nine compartments, with washroom facilities at both ends.
Ali Baba
This compartment has two lower berths (27.5 × 74.8 in/67 × 184 cm each), as well as a table and additional storage space. Each car has nine compartments, with washroom facilities at both ends.
Aladdin
This category features two lower beds (27.5 × 74.8 in/67 × 184 cm each), a small table and storage space. Each car has eight compartments and a shower, together with washroom facilities at both ends. Guests in this category also receive one bathrobe per compartment.
Sultan
This category features two beds, upper and lower (31.6 × 68.5 in/80 × 174 cm and 43.3 × 72.4 in/110 × 184 cm) These compartments also offer comfortable seating, a larger table and a small closet. Each room has its own private bathroom, complete with integrated shower. The cars in this category are comprised of just six compartments.
Kalif
The Orient Silk Road Express’ grandest accommodation. The Kalif category features two beds, upper and lower (31.6 × 68.5 in/80 × 174 cm and 44 × 72.4 in/112 × 184 cm). Each compartment includes a closet, safe and private bathroom with a separate shower cabin. Each car in this category is limited to four compartments and a maximum of just eight guests.
