La Route de la Soie en train (Orient Silk Road Express)

What to know before you look closer

• International flights from Paris to Tashkent and from Almaty back to Paris are not included in the from-price; arrange separately or request Discovery Trains assistance.
• The single supplement is substantial: the from-price for a double compartment is 4,580 EUR, but single occupancy starts at 9,130 EUR, more than double.
• Onboard accommodation ranges from shared bathroom compartments (Habibi and Ali Baba tiers) to private en-suite cabins (Calife tier); confirm your chosen tier before booking.

The moments this trip is built around

• Day 3Cable car excursion to the Chimgan mountains and Amirsoy ski station, with panoramic lunch overlooking the landscape before boarding the Orient Silk Road Express with a welcome drink.
• Day 4Walking tour of Khiva, an oasis city of ochre and turquoise behind earthen walls, visiting the UNESCO-listed Kalta Minor minaret and historic mosques and madrasas.
• Day 9Exploration of Samarkand's Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Afrasiab archaeological site, and the Registan square with its three turquoise-domed madrasas.
• Day 13Time at Lake Issyk Kul to swim or walk around the water, followed by a boat excursion on the lake before the train continues toward Almaty.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the package?

Yes. Seven nights aboard the Orient Silk Road Express are included, along with all meals, guided sightseeing, and entrance fees. International flights to and from the route are not included.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

It is escorted. Discovery Trains provides a bilingual onboard guide (for groups up to 26 travelers) and experienced local Francophone guides at each stop. All transfers, tours, and meals are arranged.

What are the onboard cabin options?

Four tiers: Habibi (quad compartment with shared bathroom, from 4,580 EUR), Ali Baba (two-bed compartment with shared bathroom, from 6,940 EUR), Aladin (two-bed compartment with shared shower, from 7,690 EUR), and Calife (two-bed compartment with private en-suite, from 12,740 EUR).

How many nights do we spend in hotels versus on the train?

Seven nights on the train and seven nights in hotels. Hotels include the Mercure Tashkent (2 nights), Grand Samarkand (2 nights), Omar Hayam in Bukhara (1 night), Plaza Hotel Bishkek (1 night), and Rahat Palace in Almaty (1 night).

When does the trip run?

Departures are available in September 2026, October 2026, and April 2027, with prices from 4,580 EUR to 4,780 EUR depending on the date and cabin tier.

What is included in the price?

All transfers, 7 nights on the train in your chosen category, 7 nights in listed hotels (double rooms), all meals, guided sightseeing and entrance fees, the onboard bilingual guide and local guides, a doctor onboard, and folk performances in Bukhara and Samarkand. Wine and vodka tastings and a stay with an Uzbek family are included. Travel journal provided electronically.