Orient Silk Road Express: from Uzbekistan to Kazakistan

The day begins with a close-up look at this green oasis in the steppe / you can admire the Kukeldash Madrassa, the Kavoj and Amir Timur monuments and the typical mud brick houses / lunch / accommodation on board the Orient Silk Road Express and departure towards Bukhara / overnight stay on full board

Arrival in Bukhara, a jewel nestled in the middle of the Kizilkum Desert with its celestial domes from the golden age of the Silk Road / strolling among the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites you will discover the Kalyan Minaret and the walls adorned with mosaics of the Lyab-i Hauz around one of the few remaining howz in Bukhara / the romantic setting of one of the city’s courtyards will host a dance show and a parade of colorful folk costumes while time is marked by the rhythm of traditional music / transfer to the hotel / overnight stay on a full-board basis

In the morning, the magical atmosphere of a thousand and one nights in Bukhara opens up between the ancient walls of the Mir-i Arab Madrasa and the Ismail Samani Mausoleum / the exploration continues with the Ark of Bukhara, the royal citadel within the city, an emblem of oriental splendor / the day ends with a visit to the only female mosque in the world, a Sufi complex and pilgrimage center about fifteen kilometers from the city / return to the hotel / overnight stay on a full-board basis

Enjoy your last morning among the winding streets of charming Bukhara, located in the heart of the mythical State of Sogdiana conquered by Alexander the Great, which in the following centuries became an important cultural center and the homeland of the philosopher Avicenna / Train departure for Khiva / Overnight stay on full board

After breakfast, the train will reach the southern part of the Zhetysu region, where the walled city of Khiva stands. The visit of this magnificent oasis begins with its heart: the Kalta Minor Minaret; then you will discover the palaces, mosques, and mausoleums, among the best examples of medieval oriental architecture that have survived to the present day. Lunch and return aboard the Orient Silk Road Express train. Overnight stay on full board.

Welcome to Samarkand, the legendary pearl of the Orient since the time of Timur! / The discovery of the city, which dominated the entire Middle East during the Timur period, begins from the necropolis of Shah-e Zinde, passing through the excavations of Afrosiab and the magnificent Registan square, with its magnificent gold and blue walls / Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay on a full-board basis

The second day in Samarkand begins with a focus on local tradition, observing the skilled hands of Uzbek spinners giving life to magnificent traditional silk carpets in a factory in the city. The journey through the Islamic history of Samarkand continues with a visit to the Ulugh Beg Observatory, one of the oldest in the world, the ruins of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the imposing Gur-e Amir Mausoleum. Return to the hotel and overnight stay on a full-board basis.

Today we leave for Shahrisabz, not far from Samarkand, a treasure chest of another UNESCO site, a legacy of the Mongol conqueror Timur, who filled the city with monuments to his success. Today, the ancient palaces among the stalls of the city market tell of the power of a great past empire. The afternoon is dedicated to Shahrisabz’s present, through a meeting with the locals and a traditional show. In the evening, return aboard the train for an exclusive Uzbek wine tasting in the restaurant car! Overnight stay on full board.

Cross the border with Kazakhstan and reach the city of Turkistan / visit the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, one of the most significant examples of Timurid architecture, which earned the building the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site, elevating it to a symbol of the entire country / then the train journey continues towards Bishkek / overnight on board with full board

Here is Kyrgyzstan! / Arrival in Bishkek, the capital and largest city of the country, located at the foot of a mountain range, the Tian Shan / Guided tour through the National Historical Museum and then to the Ala Archa park / Afterwards the journey continues towards Lake Issyk-Kul / Overnight on board with full board

When the morning sun shines on your cabin, you will find yourself travelling in a region of great natural beauty / the train stops at Cholpon-Ata, where you take a boat trip on Lake Issyk-Kul, / after a day spent on its shores, you return on board and set off for Almaty / overnight stay on board with full board

Cross the border and enter Kazakhstan, arriving after lunch, in the early afternoon, in Almaty, a green metropolis at the foot of the Ili Alatau mountain range. The city opens its doors to showcase the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, built entirely of wood, the Wedding Palace, the Almaty Circus, and the Central Mosque, one of the largest in the world! In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner in a Kazakh yurt to discover the local flavors and customs. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay with breakfast.

airport transfer