How much does it cost?

From $8,295 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,295 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The tour spends 7 nights aboard the Orient Silk Road Express, traveling from Almaty through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to Tashkent.

Is this trip escorted?

Yes, an experienced Train Tour Manager accompanies the group, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.

What hotels are included?

Two nights in Almaty, one in Bishkek, two in Samarkand, one in Bukhara and one in Tashkent; the other nights are spent aboard the Orient Silk Road Express.

What is not included?

International airfare to Almaty or from Tashkent, gratuities to local guides and drivers, visa fees, and travel insurance are not included.

MIR Corporation · Private train journey

Essence of the Silk Road & Beyond by Private Train: Almaty to Tashkent in 15 Days

Private train journey across 4 Central Asian countries, Almaty to Tashkent

MIR Corporation runs this 15-day private train journey aboard the Orient Silk Road Express, starting in Almaty, Kazakhstan and ending in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, crossing Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan along the way. The first two days explore Almaty, including a cable car ride into the Tien Shan mountains, before boarding the train on day 3. The route stops at mountain-ringed Lake Issyk-Kul, Bishkek, and blue-tiled Samarkand, with visits to Registan Square and the Ulug Bek Observatory, before continuing to Tamerlane's hometown of Shahrisabz, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, and the ancient city of Bukhara. Day 13 crosses the Kyzyl Kum Desert to reach Khiva, the last great oasis on the Silk Road, before the journey ends in Tashkent. An experienced Train Tour Manager and local guides lead all off-train touring, and meals and transfers are included throughout. This suits history-minded travelers and experienced rail travelers who want an immersive, guided journey across four Central Asian countries rather than a short city break.

What to know before you look closer

Cabin class makes a large difference in price: Kalif class nearly doubles the double-occupancy rate to USD 15,495, up from USD 8,295 for Ali Baba class.
Visa fees, if required, are not included in the price.
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters and other service personnel are not included.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Almaty
Arrival in Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Start the tour in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, amid the Tien Shan mountains. Visit Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral, and have lunch in a traditional Kazakh yurt.
Day 2overnight: Almaty
Almaty
Cable car ride into the Tien Shan mountains above Almaty.
Day 3railovernight: Orient Silk Road Express
Board the Orient Silk Road Express
Board the Orient Silk Road Express to begin the rail journey.
Day 4overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan)
Cross into Kyrgyzstan and spend time at vast, mountain-ringed Lake Issyk-Kul.
Day 5overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Issyk-Kul - nomadic traditions
Learn about nomadic traditions in the Kyrgyz countryside, including a visit to the Museum of Nomadic Civilizations.
Day 6overnight: Bishkek
Bishkek
Arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's modern capital; visit Ala Archa National Park just outside the city.
Day 7overnight: Samarkand
Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
Continue to blue-tiled Samarkand, Tamerlane's legendary capital; visit Bibi Khanum Mosque and Registan Square.
Day 8overnight: Samarkand
Samarkand
Visit the Ulug Bek Observatory, a silk carpet factory, and a workshop making handcrafted paper using 8th-century methods.
Day 9overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Shahrisabz
Continue to Shahrisabz, hometown of Tamerlane, and visit the UNESCO-listed ruins of his Ak Saray (White Palace).
Day 10overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
Continue to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and explore its monumental architecture including Rudaki Park.
Day 11overnight: Bukhara
Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Disembark in Bukhara, Central Asia's most ancient living city; explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, Labi-Hauz Plaza and Ark Citadel.
Day 12railovernight: Orient Silk Road Express
Bukhara
Enjoy a traditional Uzbek performance and dinner at a former madrassah before rejoining the train.
Day 13overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Khiva
Cross the Kyzyl Kum Desert to Khiva, the last great oasis on the northern Silk Road caravan route; explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town and Kunya Ark.
Day 14overnight: Tashkent
Tashkent
Arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital and largest city; tour Amir Timur Square and Kukeldash Madrassah.
Day 15
Departure from Tashkent
Tour concludes in Tashkent.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A cable car ride into the Tien Shan mountains above Almaty.
Day 4Time at vast, mountain-ringed Lake Issyk-Kul after crossing into Kyrgyzstan.
Day 9A visit to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Tamerlane's Ak Saray, the White Palace, in Shahrisabz.
Day 12A traditional Uzbek performance and dinner at a former madrassah in Bukhara before rejoining the train.
Day 13The train crosses the Kyzyl Kum Desert to reach Khiva, the last great oasis on the northern Silk Road caravan route.

Included

Accommodation aboard the Orient Silk Road Express private train
Hotel accommodation per the itinerary (2 nights in Almaty, 1 night in Bishkek, 2 nights in Samarkand, 1 night in Bukhara, 1 night in Tashkent)
Water, coffee and tea with meals
Meals per itinerary
Arrival/departure airport transfers on tour start/end dates and cities
All guided off-train tours per itinerary
The services of an experienced Train Tour Manager, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring
Complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water round the clock from your car attendant on board
Baggage handling
Pre-departure electronic document with packing suggestions, reading list, country information, maps and tips
Electronic final update bulletin

Not included

International airfare or surface transport to the point of joining/leaving the tour
Optional pre- or post-tour extensions
Any drinks other than water, coffee and tea, or drinks outside of mealtimes
Gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters and other service personnel
Visa fees, if required
Excess baggage charges, passport fees, airport departure fees
Vaccination or medical costs
Items of a personal nature (phone calls, email, laundry, alcohol, etc.)
Trip cancellation, medical and evacuation insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From $8,295 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,295 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The tour spends 7 nights aboard the Orient Silk Road Express, traveling from Almaty through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to Tashkent.
Is this trip escorted?: Yes, an experienced Train Tour Manager accompanies the group, with local guides for scheduled off-train touring.
What hotels are included?: Two nights in Almaty, one in Bishkek, two in Samarkand, one in Bukhara and one in Tashkent; the other nights are spent aboard the Orient Silk Road Express.
What is not included?: International airfare to Almaty or from Tashkent, gratuities to local guides and drivers, visa fees, and travel insurance are not included.