Republics of the Silk Road: Tashkent-Almaty

This morning, enjoy a guided city tour introducing Almaty’s rich history and cultural heritage. Highlights include a stroll through Panfilov Park, home to an impressive Second World War memorial, and a visit to the remarkable Zenkov Cathedral.

This afternoon, board the Golden Eagle, where you can settle into your private ensuite cabin and begin your luxury rail journey in earnest.

This evening, gather on board for a Welcome Dinner, marking the start of an unforgettable adventure.

Today, you will enjoy an extended visit to the magnificent Lake Issyk-Kul, a true natural wonder nestled in the heart of the Kyrgyz mountains.

You are invited to immerse yourself in the rich nomadic heritage of Kyrgyzstan with a privately arranged cultural event along the lake’s shores. A captivating display of traditional sports and games that have been passed down through generations.

This day promises a unique and authentic insight into the cultural heart of the region, offering memories that will linger long after your journey ends.

After the festival there will be the option to visit the outdoor Museum of the Petroglyphs before returning to the Golden Eagle for dinner.

This afternoon you will arrive in Bishkek. Originally a caravan rest stop serving the travelers that came through the area along the Great Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan’s capital city, Bishkek, is the location of our afternoon sightseeing.

Here we will visit the Ala-Too Square, followed by a city tour of the local parks, rich in Soviet history, including statutes of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and the Memorial for the Red Guards.

Following your tour, rejoin the train and continue your journey towards Tashkent.

Today we arrive in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. We spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city, which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966.

Your tour begins in the Old Town with a visit to the Khast-Imam Complex, followed by a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the richly decorated former residence of Imperial Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev. You will then have time in Independence Square, a symbol of modern Uzbekistan.

You also visit the Railway Museum, offering insight into the pivotal role rail travel has played in the region’s development.

Today, you travel to the ancient city of Khiva.

As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture.

Stepping back in time, you will discover its impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.

Your voyage through Nukus today leads to the extraordinary Igor Savitsky State Museum of the Fine Arts, a true hidden gem in this remote oasis. Nicknamed the ‘Louvre in the Sands,’ this extraordinary museum houses Central Asia’s most extensive art collection, featuring a staggering 100,000 avant-garde masterpieces and crafts from the Karakalpak region.

Today, you arrive in Bukhara and begin with a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. Following, you will visit Poi-Kalyan Square.

Immerse yourself in the lively pulse of the city as you explore the bustling Trading Domes of Bukhara and gather at Lyabi-Hauz Square. You then travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named ‘Palace of the Moon and Stars’.

This evening, weather permitting, you will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform before our train departs.

This afternoon you visit Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, situated on the Varzob River.

First, explore the Museum of National Antiquities, followed by the opulent Kohi Navruz Palace. Enjoy a guided tour with a local expert guide.

Continue your touring program with more historic sites of Tajikistan’s largest city. Your visit the Ismail Samani monument, before going onwards to the Independence Square and Mekhrgon Bazaar for a taster of local life in Dushanbe.

Today’s visit is to the UNESCO-honored statue of Amir Timur and his Ak-Saray Palace.

This majestic palace in Shahrizabz took over a quarter of a century to build, and was originally decorated with colorful, highly detailed mosaic but also included delicate calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur’an.

Today we will visit some of Samarkand’s most significant sites, including Registan Square, the refined elegance of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428.

Before dinner, you will return to the now illuminated and awe-inspiring Registan Square for a light show that weaves the rich tapestry of Samarkand’s history and significance.

Spend the morning continuing to explore Samarkand, with a visit the famous necropolis Shakh I Zindah, a stunning collection of mausoleums dating back to the 9th century.

From here, travel to ancient settlement of Afrasiab to visit a museum which houses ancient artifacts collected during the excavation of the city.

Return to the train for lunch and continue our journey through Uzbekistan towards the Fergana Valley.

This morning, visit the ancient city of Margilan, famous for its production of silk, considered by many as the best in Central Asia. Here you will visit the Margilan Factory which is considered the best of its kind in Uzbekistan.

From Margilan, you continue onto Rishtan, which is home to Uzbekistan’s world-famous ceramic industry. Here you will discover the secrets of the techniques of the ancient craft from prominent local artisan Rustam Usmanov.

Kokand is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan and served as a critical trading post on the Silk Road. Highlights of your touring here includes the majestic Palace of Khudayar Khan (the Pearl of Kokand), and the Jami Mosque, Kokand’s most impressive Mosque.

This evening, you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board the Golden Eagle as you return to Tashkent where you stay for a one-night at the five-star JW Marriott hotel (or similar).

After breakfast in your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.