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 Tashkent through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Almaty.

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

What is not included?

International airfare to Tashkent or from Almaty, 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: Tashkent to Almaty in 15 Days

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

MIR Corporation runs this 15-day private train journey aboard the Orient Silk Road Express, starting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and ending in Almaty, Kazakhstan, crossing Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan along the way. The first two days explore Tashkent's Amir Timur Square and Kukeldash Madrassah, with an optional day trip into the Chatkal Mountains at Chimyon, before boarding the train on day 3 and crossing the Kyzyl Kum Desert to Khiva. The route continues to ancient Bukhara, Tamerlane's hometown of Shahrisabz, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, and blue-tiled Samarkand, with visits to Registan Square and the Ulug Bek Observatory. The final leg crosses into Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek and mountain-ringed Lake Issyk-Kul before the journey ends in Almaty. 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.
The day 2 side trip into the Chatkal Mountains at Chimyon is listed as optional, not a guaranteed part of the itinerary.
Visa fees, if required, are not included, and gratuities to local guides, drivers and porters are also excluded.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Start in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital and largest city.
Day 2overnight: Tashkent
Tashkent
Tour Amir Timur Square and Kukeldash Madrassah; optional day trip into the Chatkal Mountains at Chimyon.
Day 3railovernight: Orient Silk Road Express
Board the Orient Silk Road Express to Khiva
Board the Orient Silk Road Express and cross the Kyzyl Kum Desert toward Khiva.
Day 4overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Khiva
Wander the UNESCO-listed Old Town (Ichon-Qala), Tash-Hauli Palace, Juma Mosque and the Kunya Ark.
Day 5overnight: 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 6railovernight: Orient Silk Road Express
Bukhara
Traditional Uzbek performance and dinner at a former madrassah before rejoining the train.
Day 7overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Shahrisabz
Continue to Shahrisabz, hometown of Tamerlane, and visit the UNESCO-listed ruins of his Ak Saray (White Palace).
Day 8overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
Continue to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and explore its monumental architecture including Rudaki Park.
Day 9overnight: Samarkand
Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
Continue to blue-tiled Samarkand, Tamerlane's legendary capital; visit Bibi Khanum Mosque and Registan Square.
Day 10overnight: Samarkand
Samarkand
Visit the Ulug Bek Observatory, a silk carpet factory, and a workshop making handcrafted paper using 8th-century methods.
Day 11railovernight: Orient Silk Road Express
Depart Samarkand
Rejoin the Orient Silk Road Express toward Kyrgyzstan.
Day 12overnight: Bishkek
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
Explore Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's modern capital, and Ala Archa National Park just outside the city.
Day 13overnight: Orient Silk Road Express
Issyk-Kul
Continue to vast, mountain-ringed Lake Issyk-Kul and learn about nomadic traditions, including a visit to the Museum of Nomadic Civilizations.
Day 14overnight: Almaty
Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Conclude the tour in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city; visit Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral, and have lunch in a traditional Kazakh yurt.
Day 15
Departure from Almaty
Tour concludes in Almaty.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3The train crosses the Kyzyl Kum Desert toward Khiva after boarding in Tashkent.
Day 4Wandering Khiva's UNESCO-listed Old Town (Ichon-Qala), Tash-Hauli Palace and the Kunya Ark.
Day 6A traditional Uzbek performance and dinner at a former madrassah in Bukhara before rejoining the train.
Day 7A visit to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Tamerlane's Ak Saray, the White Palace, in Shahrisabz.
Day 13Learning about nomadic traditions at vast, mountain-ringed Lake Issyk-Kul, including a visit to the Museum of Nomadic Civilizations.

Included

Accommodation aboard the Orient Silk Road Express private train
Hotel accommodation per the itinerary (2 nights in Tashkent, 1 night in Bukhara, 2 nights in Samarkand, 1 night in Bishkek, 1 night in Almaty)
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, 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 Tashkent through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Almaty.
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 Tashkent, one in Bukhara, two in Samarkand, one in Bishkek and one in Almaty; the other nights are spent aboard the Orient Silk Road Express.
What is not included?: International airfare to Tashkent or from Almaty, gratuities to local guides and drivers, visa fees, and travel insurance are not included.