Legendary Silk Road (Almaty to Tashkent)

Upon arriving in Almaty, travellers will be greeted at the airport by a friendly tour guide and transferred to the hotel for a two-night stay. Enjoy the rest of the day to relax/recover at your leisure.

Morning at leisure in Almaty, with lunch on your own. In the early afternoon, visit the Medeo complex, home to the world's highest ice-skating rink. Take a cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort, reaching 3,180 meters at Talgar Pass. Enjoy the first group dinner before returning to the hotel for the night. (B/D)

Check out of the hotel and explore cosmopolitan Almaty in the morning, known for its unique blend of Central Asian and Russian influences. Visit landmarks such as Zenkov Cathedral, Wedding Palace, Kazakh State Circus, and the exterior of the Central Mosque. Enjoy lunch in a yurt-inspired restaurant before boarding the Orient Silk Road Express. A relaxed gathering in the dining car allows you to meet fellow travellers and learn more about the train. Depart from Almaty and have your first onboard meal as you head south to Kyrgyzstan. Overnight on the train, entering Kyrgyzstan either this evening or in the early hours of day 4. (B/L/D)

This morning, arrive at the stunning Issyk-Kul Lake, a vast body of water spanning 6,236 square kilometers at an altitude of 1,607 meters above sea level. Nestled in the Tien Shan Mountains, it is one of the world's deepest and largest lakes, surrounded by dramatic peaks. Explore the Center of Nomadic Culture and take in the lake's beauty, with an optional dip in its chilly waters. Experience a boat trip on the lake before reboarding the train for the next leg of the journey to Bishkek. Overnight on board. (B/L/D)

This morning, reach Bishkek, formerly known as Frunze, renowned as one of the world's greenest capital cities. Explore the city with an introductory tour, uncovering the charm of this often overlooked capital with a population of just under one million. Later, venture to the nearby Ala Archa National Park, boasting peaks nearing 5,000 meters. Overnight in a Bishkek hotel. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and return to the train for departure from Bishkek, en route to Uzbekistan. Spend the day and night traveling to Samarkand, where on board, you can relax with informative lectures or simply enjoy the scenery from your compartment. (B/L/D)

Arrive in legendary Samarkand, the first of our Uzbek 'Silk Road' cities. With a population of approximately one million, it differs from other Silk Road cities, resembling bustling Tashkent. After disembarking for a two-night hotel stay, explore Shahi-i-Zinda, Afrosiyab, and the iconic Registan Square with its famous Madrassahs. Overnight in a hotel. (B/L/D)

Explore Samarkand further with a full day of sightseeing, including visits to a Silk Carpet manufacturer and a traditional paper-making workshop using mulberry tree bark. Discover the Ulug Bek Observatory, Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Gur-i-Amum Mausoleum Complex, the final resting place of Amir Timur, founder of the Timurid Empire. Overnight in a hotel. (B/L/D)

Today, arrive in Shakhrisabz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a historic center of spectacular beauty. Explore the city, the birthplace of Amir Timur, before continuing your journey to Tajikistan, the fourth country on the tour. As night falls, the train will pass through Kumkurgon, marking the southernmost point of our journey, just over 60km/27 miles from the Afghan frontier. Overnight on board. (B/L/D)

Arrive in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital, a city blending Soviet, Persian, and modern influences. Explore the culturally rich city, including a potential visit to the Navruz Palace. Board the train for another night as you depart Tajikistan, heading back to Uzbekistan, with Bukhara as the next destination. (B/L/D)

Arrive today in Bukhara, a captivating Silk Road city with a history spanning millennia. Step into another world in Bukhara's Old Town, immersed in a rich history of Samanids, Khwarazmids, and Timurids. Highlights include the spared Kalyan Minaret from Chinggis Khan's invasion, the Lab-i Hauz Ensemble, and the Nasreddin monument. Later, enjoy a folklore show in a madrassah courtyard, featuring music, national costumes, and traditional dances. Overnight in a hotel. (B/L/D)

Check out of your hotel and dedicate the day to further exploration of Bukhara. Visit the Mir-I Arab Madrassah, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, and the impressive Ark of Bukhara—an enormous fortress that served its function until 1920 when the Emirate of Bukhara fell to the Soviets. Later, return to the train and embark on a night journey towards Khiva. Overnight on board. (B/L/D)

Arrive in Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Silk Road's most impressive cities. Nestled west of the Amu Darya River, Khiva served as a crucial oasis for Silk Road traders. Khiva, steeped in a 2,500-year history, comes alive with highlights mainly from the 17th century onward. The city resembles a living museum, displaying stunning palaces, mosques, minarets, madrassahs, and mausoleums.Return to the train for your final night as you head back to Tashkent. (B/L/D)

Arrive in Tashkent, the largest city in Central Asia and formerly the 4th largest city in the USSR, after lunch. Disembark from the train for a final time and partake in an introductory tour of the captivating capital. Highlights include the Kukeldash Madrasah, dating back to the late 16th century, and the central Kavoj and Amir-Timur monuments. (B/L/D)

This morning check out of your hotel after breakfast and you'll be transferred to Tashkent International Airport (TAS) in good time for your departure flight home. (B)