Along the Great Silk Road by Private Train

14 days
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61 reviews  
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
This trip has been discontinued. Instead see Central Asia Explorer Southeast Asia Uncovered South East Asia Coast Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo, traveling by private train to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Attend a lecture by an archaeologist in Samarkand, and visit the birthplace and tomb of Tamerlane.

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Board the private Orient Silk Road Express for a remarkable journey along the Great Silk Road
    • Visit seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bukhara, home to nearly a thousand monuments
    • Disembark in Khiva, to explore the palaces, mosques, minarets and tombs of its inner keep, Itchan Kala
    • Attend a lecture by a local archaeologist in Samarkand and join a local merchant for a special tandir roasted dinner
    • Meet an Uzbek craftsman's family who make paper from mulberry bark

What's this trip about?

    This trip has been discontinued. Instead see Central Asia Explorer Southeast Asia Uncovered South East Asia Coast Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo, traveling by private train to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Attend a lecture by an archaeologist in Samarkand, and visit the birthplace and tomb of Tamerlane.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 18 people
Age range10 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityAlmaty, Kazakhstan
End CityAshgabat

Travel Themes

  • Train & Rail Journeys

Destinations

Activities

  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Trains & Rail

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 18

Trip includes

    • All accommodations
    • Meals and fully guided sightseeing (including park and entrance fees) as noted in the itinerary.
    • Airport transfers to/from hotel/ship in the first/last published city regardless of day of arrival and departure.
    • Services of A&K Tour Director or appropriate Guide on extensions
    • Local bottled water during sightseeing ,porterage of two (2) pieces of baggage.
    • Hotel taxes and gratuities throughout, except to the Tour Director

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive Almaty, Kazakh

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty

Arrive in the chic and inviting city of Almaty, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Almaty | Enduring Ascension Cathedral

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Explore Zenkov Russian Orthodox Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest all-wood buildings. After lunch in a traditional yurt (tent), board your train.

Day 3: Turkestan | Land of the Turks

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Arrive in Turkestan to visit the tomb of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a domed hall, mosque and bronze ritual cauldron.

Day 4: Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Eccentric Capital

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Visit the 16th-century Kukeldash Madrasa, and the Kavoj and Amir Timur monuments. Schedule permitting, attend the great Tashkent Navoi Opera.

Day 5: Shakhrisabz | Tamerlane’s Green Town

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Travel to the surrounding mountain region to see a traditional folklore performance and mingle with the local residents. Follow the Great Silk Road to Shakhrisabz, birthplace of the barbaric Mongol prince, Tamerlane. Take in the bazaar here on an engaging Market Visit.

Day 6: Samarkand | Legendary City of the Silk Road

Accommodation: Registan Plaza Hotel 

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Explore Samarkand, including Shah-i-Zinda. Later, see the excavation sites of Afrasiab before attending a lecture by a local archaeologist.

Day 7: Samarkand | Local Crafts and Traditions

Accommodation: Registan Plaza Hotel  

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Visit a silk carpet factory and meet with a traditional Uzbek craftsman’s family to watch paper being made from mulberry bark on an authentic Artisan Experience. Continue to the observat...

Day 8: Samarkand | Culinary Treasures

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Samarkand is famous for its bread; this morning you assist local bakers in its preparation.

Day 9: Khiva | Pristine Ancient City

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Disembark at the oasis of Khiva, the only city in central Asia to survive in its entirety from ancient times. Its inner keep, Itchan Kala, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore this open-air museum — its palaces, mosques, minare...

Day 10: Bukhara | Magic of Old Turkestan

Accommodation: Zargaron Plaza Hotel 

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Kyzyl Kum Desert, is home to nearly a thousand monuments that recall the halcyon days of trading along the Great Silk Road. See the Kalyan Minaret and the Labi-Hauz Ensemble. Gather this evening in the home of a local merchant for a special tandir roasted dinner.

Day 11: Bukhara | Royal Fortress and Unique Mosque

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Explore the magnificent Mire-e-Arab Madrasa and the Samanid Mausoleum, home to the ancient rulers of Bukhara. Later, view the summer residence of the last emir and the only women’s mosque in the world.

Day 12: Merv, Turkmenistan | Queen of the World

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Arrive in Merv, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, to view its impressive desert walls, ramparts and ruins, including those of the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and the Virgin Fortress (Kis Kale).

Day 13: Ashgabat | Gleaming City of Love

Accommodation: Sofitel Oguzkent Ashgabat  

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Visit the old Parthian city of Nisa and explore Ashgabat and its National Museum. Tonight, celebrate your adventure with a Scenic Sundowner followed by a festive farewell dinner.

Day 14: Depart Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast

Board your international flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $17,595
Price per day$1,257
Single supplement (single occupancy)$5,895
Last Updated: 6/9/2018

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Abercrombie & Kent.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International and Internal airfare
    • Passport and visa charges
    • Personal Expenses

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

13 Breakfast,12 lunch, 12 Dinner

Age Requirements
10 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
abercr-AloSilAbe

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