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Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

The Legendary Silk Road by Rail: Almaty to Tashkent

15-day Central Asia rail journey on Orient Silk Road Express, Almaty to Tashkent

Illustration of The Legendary Silk Road by Rail: Almaty to Tashkent

Cox & Kings' 15-day Legendary Silk Road by Rail is a tailor-made journey for rail travellers seeking deep immersion in Central Asia's ancient cultures and monuments. Departing from the UK, you fly to Almaty and spend seven nights aboard the Orient Silk Road Express as it travels through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to Tashkent, with six additional nights in hotels. The itinerary balances time on the train with guided exploration of cities: you ride a cable car above Almaty to Talgar Pass, visit Issyk-Kul Lake and the Centre of Nomadic Culture in Kyrgyzstan, spend two full days exploring Samarkand's Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and Registan Square, and tour Bukhara and Khiva's UNESCO-listed medieval architecture. Folklore shows, visits to local craftspeople, and meals with Uzbek families provide cultural context. The tour suits repeat rail travellers, history lovers, and those drawn to guided discovery of Silk Road heritage. Activity level is moderate.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price does not cover a return flight to the UK; international flights are included as part of the package, so confirm the exact departure point.
  • Hotels are listed as 'or similar', meaning the final accommodation may differ depending on availability.
  • Two departure months shown in the evidence (July and May-September range); confirm exact dates with Cox & Kings before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly from the UK to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

  2. Day 2overnight: Rahat Palace Hotel

    Almaty

    Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s cultural centre. Transfer to the Rahat Palace Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. Afternoon excursion to Medeo, home to the world’s highest ice-skating rink. Ride the cable car 3,164 metres up to the Talgar Pass, enjoying the crisp mountain air and panoramic views before your welcome dinner.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Orient Silk Road Express (overnight aboard train)

    Almaty

    Morning city tour including the Russian Orthodox Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings. Lunch in Kazakh yurts before transferring to the Orient Silk Road Express train.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Orient Silk Road Express (overnight aboard train)

    Issyk-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan

    This morning, arrive at Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan. Visit the Centre of Nomadic Culture before time at leisure for a walk along the shore of this vast saline lake. After a boat trip on the Issyk-Kul, your train makes its way to Bishkek. Overnight aboard the train.

  5. Day 5overnight: Plaza Hotel Bishkek

    Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

    Arrive at the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek for a tour of its numerous sights, including an excursion into the spectacular Ala-Archa National Park, 35 kilometres south of the city. Overnight in Plaza Hotel Bishkek (or similar).

  6. Day 6railovernight: Aboard the train

    Bishkek

    Enjoy a relaxing day of lectures aboard your train as it makes the journey to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Overnight aboard the train.

  7. Day 7overnight: Hotel Grand Samarkand Superior

    Samarkand, Uzbekistan

    Full-day tour of Samarkand, with visits to Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the imposing madrasas on Registan Square, and the excavation sites of Afrasiyob – among the oldest ruins of this ancient city. Stay at the Hotel Grand Samarkand (or similar) for 2 nights.

  8. Day 8overnight: Hotel Grand Samarkand Superior

    Samarkand

    Another day to explore Samarkand, with a chance to see the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the Gur Amir mausoleum. You also visit a silk carpet factory, and a family of craftspeople who specialise in making paper from tree bark.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Aboard the train

    Shahrisabz

    Today, you attend a traditional folklore show before visiting Shahrisabz, birthplace of Timur. In the evening, your rail journey continues to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Overnight aboard the train.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Aboard the train

    Dushanbe, Tajikistan

    Arrive this morning in Dushanbe, the mountain-bound capital of Tajikistan, exploring its many sights on a tour. In the late afternoon, return to your train for the journey to Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Overnight aboard the train.

  11. Day 11overnight: Asia Bukhara Hotel

    Bukhara

    Arrive in Bukhara, whose UNESCO-listed monuments recall the glory days of the Silk Road. Visit the 12th-century Kalyan Minaret, the Lyabi-Hauz architectural ensemble, and the statue of smiling folk hero Nasreddin riding a donkey. In the courtyard of a madrasa, you attend a folklore show with music, traditional dance and a presentation of colourful national costumes. Overnight at Hotel Asia Buchara (or similar).

  12. Day 12railovernight: Aboard the train

    Bukhara

    Full-day city tour, including visits to the ornate Mir-i-Arab madrasa, the Ark fortress, the Samanid Mausoleum, and Sitorai Molhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Uzbekistan’s last emir. Board the train for an evening departure. Overnight aboard the train.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Aboard the train

    Khiva

    Today, visit the oasis city of Khiva with its great gates and clay-brick bastions. A walking tour takes you around the well-preserved medieval palaces, mosques, mausoleums, minarets and madrasas. Overnight aboard the train.

  14. Day 14overnight: Mercure Tashkent

    Tashkent

    Arrive this afternoon in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. Take a city tour, visiting the Kukeldash Madrasah, Timur monuments, and traditional clay houses. This evening, attend a farewell dinner.

  15. Day 15

    Fly back to the UK.

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Cable car ride 3,164 metres up to Talgar Pass with panoramic mountain views above Almaty.
  • Day 3Board the Orient Silk Road Express in Almaty after touring the Russian Orthodox Zenkov Cathedral and dining in Kazakh yurts.
  • Day 4Visit the Centre of Nomadic Culture at Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan and take a boat trip on the vast saline lake.
  • Day 7Full-day Samarkand tour of Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the madrasas of Registan Square, and excavation sites of ancient Afrasiyob.
  • Day 11Explore Bukhara's UNESCO-listed monuments including the 12th-century Kalyan Minaret and attend a folklore show in a madrasa courtyard.

Included

  • International flights (and domestic flights if applicable)
  • UK departure and overseas airport taxes
  • Accommodation & meal basis as described
  • Local transfers in a private chauffeur-driven vehicle
  • Guided sightseeing & entrance fees where applicable
  • 7 nights of rail travel with overnight stays as described

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes seven nights aboard the Orient Silk Road Express, traveling from Almaty through Issyk-Kul, Bishkek, Samarkand, Shahrisabz, Dushanbe, Bukhara and Khiva to Tashkent. The remaining six nights are in hotels.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Cox & Kings provides guided sightseeing where applicable, and the itinerary includes guided tours at each major stop. However, some days are described as 'at leisure', such as free time at Issyk-Kul Lake.
What is the total duration?
15 days and 14 nights. International flights from the UK are included.
Which countries does the trip visit?
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
What meals are included?
The package includes meals as described in the itinerary. Highlights include a welcome dinner, lunch in Kazakh yurts, a meal with a local Uzbek family, and a farewell dinner. Specific meal inclusions for each day should be confirmed with Cox & Kings.
When does this tour run?
Departures are available in July and May through September, with prices ranging from GBP 8,795 to GBP 13,500.

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