The Legendary Silk Road Tour – Turkmenistan

Day 1: Ashgabat

Transfer to your First-Class hotel in Ashgabat.

Day 2: Ashgabat

In the morning visit the colourful Tolkuchka Bazaar, a typical oriental market, one of the largest in Central Asia, where in addition to camels one can also buy precious silver jewellery and valuable carpets. Then drive to the old Parthian city of Nisa. In Ashgabat’s National Museum you will be able to see ruins of ancient Nisa. After lunch take a city tour and become acquainted with today’s capital Ashgabat, known for the unmistakable handwriting of the Turkmenbashi, the leader of the Turkmens. Dine with locals and later depart on your Private Train. [B,L,D]

Day 3: Merv

In the early morning you arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv with its gigantic walls and ramparts in the desert. See impressive ruins of old buildings, such as the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, the Virgin Fortress (Kis Kale), the cold room and other mausoleums. Enjoy lunch in the picturesque courtyard of an artist, before boarding your Private Train for Bukhara. [B,L,D]

Day 4: Bukhara

Situated in the middle of the Kyzyl Kum desert, Bukhara features approximately a thousand monuments, which recall the halcyon days of the Great Silk Road. Foreign spices, furs and especially silk fabrics were stored and handled in the caravansaries. In the old city (UNESCO-World Culture Heritage) see the Kaljan Minaret and the Labi-Hauz Ensemble. Enjoy dinner in the courtyard of a Madrasah with musical accompaniment, local dances and a presentation of colourful national costumes. Spend the night in a centrally located upper Middle-class hotel in Bukhara. [B,L,D]

Day 5: Bukhara

Experience the city in an all-day tour program, including lunch. Bukhara is a large, unique and authentic art museum that maintains its old oriental face. In the morning, we guide you to the magnificent Mire-e-Arab Madrasah and the most beautiful and precious building in Central Asia, the Samanid Mausoleum.Then take a tour through the fortress Ark and see there the coronation hall. Visit the summer residence of the last Emir. At the end of your stay see the only women’s mosque in the world. In the evening, your train departs for the overnight journey to Khiva. [B,L,D]

Day 6: Bukhara

In the morning, explore Bukhara on your own. In the afternoon your Private Train continues in the direction of Khiva. Dinner and overnight on board. [B,L,D]

Day 7: Khiva

After breakfast go to the Southern border of the seven river lands, in the oasis of Khiva. Tour the palaces, mosques, minarets, mausoleums and Koranic schools which show you what medieval oriental urban development must have been like. You will enjoy lunch in the atmosphere of the former Summer Palace of the Emir. In the evening depart to Samarqand. [B,L,D]

Day 8: Samarqand

Today experience the historical importance of Samarqand, one of the most beautiful cities in the world during Tamerlane’s time. The grave city Shah-e-zende («the living Shah»), the excavation sites of Afrosiab and the Registan Square present an impressive collection of Central Asian architecture. Spend the night in a First-Class hotel in Samarqand. [B,L,D]

Day 9: Samarqand

Visit a silk carpet factory and an Uzbek craftsman’s family, see paper manufactured from mulberry bark, the observatory of Ulug Beg, the ruins of the Bibi Khanum Mosque and the palace-like Gur Emir Mausoleum. Overnight in your First-Class hotel in Samarqand. [B,L,D]

Day 10: Shakhrisabz

Enjoy an excursion into the surrounding mountain region where forgotten ceremonies of Shaman cults are still held. Experience a folklore performance in the unique tradition of this region and get to know the inhabitants in their surroundings. A friendly welcome is guaranteed! Next, follow the Great Silk Road and arrive in the green city, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Here, in Shakhrisabz (a UNESCO-World Heritage Site) tour the monumens of the barbaric Mongol Prince and also have the opportunity to experience the bustle of this lively town. In the evening, return to your Private Train and continue to Tashkent. On board: Uzbek wine tasting. [B,L,D]

Day 11: Tashkent

In the morning, arrive in Tashkent at the foot of the Tien Shan Mountains. On your sightseeing tour experience the green oasis of the Steppe: the Madrasah Kukeldash, the Kavoj and Amir Timur monuments and the opera. In the evening, attend the famous Tashkent Navoy Opera (depending on the schedule). Return to your Private Train and depart for Kasachstan. [B,L,D]

Day 12: Turkestan

After breakfast and lunch on board arrive at the city of Turkestan in Kazakhstan (border checks occur in the comfort of your cabin). See the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its dome hall, mosque and well- house. Return to your Private Train and travel on to Almaty − at dinner it will be time to say farewell to your friendly train staff. [B,L,D]

Day 13: Almaty

Arrive to Almaty after lunch. Enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Almaty, situated at the foothills of the northern Tien Shan Mountains. View the wide, tree-lined avenues and the many parks and street cafes. Visit the Zenkov Russian Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings. In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner in country-specific yurts. Transfer to the airport. A day room or overnight hotel can be arranged depending on flight departure time. [B,L,D]

Day 14: Almaty

An epic journey comes to an end!