How much does it cost?

From CHF 4,665 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,722 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. Seven nights aboard the chartered Orient Silk Road Express are included in the package. All meals on board, transfers between the train and hotels, and a permanent German-speaking head guide are part of the price.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. A permanent German-speaking head guide leads the entire journey. A German-speaking group guide accompanies up to 26 guests (12 in the Kalif category), plus local guides at each destination.

What hotels are included?

Seven nights in middle-class and comfort-class hotels, with a double room and bath or shower. One night each in Tashkent (comfort), Bukhara (middle-class), one night in Bishkek (comfortable), two nights in Samarkand (middle-class), and one night in Almaty.

When does this trip run?

Railtour Suisse offers seven departures across 2026 and 2027, in March, April, September, and October. The route can also be booked in the opposite direction (Almaty to Tashkent).

railtour suisse · Escorted rail journey

Orient Silk Road Express: Tashkent - Almaty or v.v.

15-day chartered train through Central Asia from Tashkent to Almaty

Railtour Suisse's Orient Silk Road Express is a 15-day chartered train journey through the heart of Central Asia, departing from Tashkent and ending in Almaty. Travelers spend seven nights aboard the specially fitted train and seven nights in middle-class and comfort hotels, exploring five UNESCO World Heritage sites across Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. On day 4, the train arrives at the oasis of Khiva, where mud-brick city walls and the Kalta Minor Minaret transport visitors to a medieval world. Day 5 brings the highlights of Bukhara, including the 50-metre Kaljan Minaret in the Kysylkum desert, followed by performances of local music and dance. The journey continues through mountain passes and across the Silk Road, with guided sightseeing in Dushanbe, two nights in Samarkand to explore the Registan Square and Afrosiab sites, and time at Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. A permanent German-speaking head guide and group guides (maximum 26 guests per guide) lead all excursions, and a doctor travels on board. All meals, transfers, and entrance fees are included. This tour suits repeat rail travelers, history lovers, and those seeking guided comfort with a mixture of escorted sightseeing and two free days in Samarkand.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen CHF 220 since 4 Jul, to CHF 4,665.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 2 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Flights to and from Switzerland are not included in the from-price; book these separately
Some sightseeing excursions (for example, the full-day Bukhara program on day 6 and the Samarkand excursion on day 10) are optional add-ons, not included in the base price

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Tashkent
Flight Switzerland-Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
View detailed itinerary, departure dates and prices
Day 2overnight: Tashkent
Tashkent
Day 3overnight: Tashkent
Tashkent
Day 4overnight: Khiva
Khiva (Uzbekistan)
Day 5overnight: Bukhara
Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Day 6overnight: Bukhara
Bukhara
Day 7
Time travel
Day 8overnight: Dushanbe
Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
Day 9overnight: Samarkand
Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
Day 10overnight: Samarkand
Samarkand
Day 11
On the Silk Road
Day 12overnight: Bishkek
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
Day 13overnight: Lake Issykkul
At Lake Issykkul (Kyrgyzstan)
Day 14overnight: Almaty
Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Day 15
Return journey

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Explore the oasis of Khiva, standing before the mud-brick city walls and Kalta Minor Minaret, surrounded by palaces, mosques, minarets, and madrasas of medieval Oriental architecture
Day 5Visit Bukhara in the Kysylkum desert, viewing the 50-metre-high Kaljan Minaret and Labi-Hauz ensemble, then experience a folklore show with local music and national costumes in a madrasah courtyard
Day 9Explore the Registan Square in Samarkand, the most impressive architectural ensemble in Central Asia, surrounded by three mighty madrasahs, plus the Shah-e-sende tomb city and Afrosiab excavation sites
Day 13Visit the Center for Nomadic Culture and take a boat tour on Lake Issyk-Kul before the train departs for Almaty

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From CHF 4,665 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,722 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. Seven nights aboard the chartered Orient Silk Road Express are included in the package. All meals on board, transfers between the train and hotels, and a permanent German-speaking head guide are part of the price.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. A permanent German-speaking head guide leads the entire journey. A German-speaking group guide accompanies up to 26 guests (12 in the Kalif category), plus local guides at each destination.
What hotels are included?: Seven nights in middle-class and comfort-class hotels, with a double room and bath or shower. One night each in Tashkent (comfort), Bukhara (middle-class), one night in Bishkek (comfortable), two nights in Samarkand (middle-class), and one night in Almaty.
When does this trip run?: Railtour Suisse offers seven departures across 2026 and 2027, in March, April, September, and October. The route can also be booked in the opposite direction (Almaty to Tashkent).