14 Days The Silk Road Of Central Asia | Train Journeys
14 Days The Silk Road Of Central Asia | Train Journeys
from $6,308.00
Departure Dates:
12 April & 18 October 2016 (Ashgabat to Almaty)
31 March & 6 October 2016 (Almaty to Ashgabat)
Cabin:
Traveling Date:
Quantity:
“This journey makes you familiar with the manifold cultures along the legendary Silk Road and numerous localities that made history, among them no less than 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Tien Shan Mountains, the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are richly endowed with history and culture, a flavour of which you will sample on this exciting train journey.”
TRAIN ITINERARY
DAY 8: SAMARQAND, INTERSECTION OF CULTURES
(B/L/D)
Experience the historical prominence of Samarqand, the most beautiful city in the world in Tamerlane’s time.
- The grave city Shah-e-zende (“the living Shah”)
- Excavation sites of Afrosiab
- The Registan Square present an impressive collection of Central Asian architecture
- Overnight in a First-Class hotel in Samarqand
DAY 9: SAMARQAND, THE MAGNIFICENT
(B/-/D)
- Visit a silk carpet factory and an Uzbek craftsman’s family
- Paper manufactured from mulberry bark
- The observatory of Ulug Beg
- The ruins of the Bibi Khanum Mosque and the palace-like Gur Emir Mausoleum
- Overnight in a First-Class hotel in Samarqand
DAY 10: THE GREAT SILK ROAD TO SHAKHRISABZ
(B/L/D)
- Excursion into the surrounding mountain region where elsewhere forgotten ceremonies of Shaman cult still are held
- Folklore performance in the unique tradition of this region and get to know the inhabitants in their authentic everyday life
- Tour of Shakhrisabz (UNESCO-World Heritage Site): Monumental memorials of the barbaric Mongol Prince
- Return to train for overnight. Onboard: Uzbek Wine Tasting
DAY 11: TASHKENT, THE GREEN OASIS
(B/L/D)
- Arrival in Tashkent at the foot of the Tien Shan Mountains.
- Sightseeing tour: The Madrasah Kukeldash, the Kavoj and Amir Timur monuments and the opera
- Return to train for overnight
DAY 12: NOMAD’S PILGRIMAGE CENTER, TURKESTAN
(B/L/D)
- Arrival at the city of Turkestan in Kazakhstan
- Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its dome hall, monumental mosque and well house
- Return to train for overnight
DAY 13: ALMATY, THE FATHER OF APPLES
(B/L/D)
City tour Almaty: Visit the Zenkov Russian Cathedral, one of the worlds tallest all wood buildings, the wedding palace, the circus and the central mosques
In the evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner in country-specific yurts
DAY 14: DEPARTURE
Transfer to the Airport and catch your international flight back to Singapore.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ASHGABAT
Arrival and transfer to your First-Class hotel in Ashgabat.
DAY 2: FORMER ROYAL CITY OF NISA AND CAPITAL ASHGABAT
(B/L/D)
- Colourful Tolkuchka Bazaar (Largest typical oriental market in Central Asia)
- Visit the Old Parthian city of Nisa, the Ashgabat’s National Museum
- City Tour of Ashgabat
- Return to train for overnight
DAY 3: MERV, THE ANCIENT PEARL OF THE EAST
(B/L/D)
- Arrival at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv
- Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
- The Virgin Fortress (Kis Kale)
- Return to train for overnight
DAY 4: BUKHARA, THE CITY WITH THE DESERT LIGHTHOUSE
(B/L/D)
Situated in the middle of the Kyzyl Kum desert, Bukhara features about one thousand monuments, which recall the halcyon days of the Great Silk Road.
- Old City of Bukhara: Kaljan Minaret and the Labi-Hauz Ensemble
- Nasreddin-on-the-donkey monument
- Dinner in the courtyard of a Madrasah with musical accompaniment, local dances and a presentation of colourful national costumes
- Overnight in Bukhara Hotel
DAY 5: BUKHARA, THE NOBLE
(B/L/D)
- Mire-e-Arab Madrasah
- The Samanid Mausoleum (most precious building in Central Asia)
- Tour through the fortress Ark, Coronation Hall, summer residence of the last Emir, only Women’s mosque in the world
- Overnight in Bukhara Hotel
DAY 6: BUKHARA - KHIVA
(B/L/D)
- Free and easy day in Bukhara before boarding the train to Khiva.
- Return to train for overnight.
DAY 7: A FAIRY TALE OF 1001 NIGHTS
(B/L/D)
Arrival at the Southern border of the seven river lands, in the oasis of Khiva. When you stand before the mighty city wall of Khiva with its gates and bastions of clay brings, you are in another world:
- Tour of Khiva (Medieval urban development): Palace, mosques, minarets, mausoleums and Koranic schools
- Return to train for overnight
CABINS
RATES INCLUDED:
- Multi-lingual Tour Director
- Experienced local guides for a maximum of 25 guests per group
- Doctor on board
- 6 overnights in upper Middle- or First-Class hotels
- 7 overnights on the train according to the booked category
- All meals according to program (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Sightseeing program including all entrance fees
- Guided transfers to and from all airports and train stations according to program
- Sightseeing tours/guided walks in Ashgabat, Bukhara, Khiva, Samarqand, Taschkent and Almaty
- Traditional welcome in the train stations of Mary, Bukhara, Samarqand and Urgentch
- Lunch/dinner with an Uzbek and a Turkmen family as well as in a Madrasah with folklore
- Wine and Vodka tasting
- Log book with information about the Silk Road
RATES NOT INCLUDED:
- International Flights and taxes Guides and assistants when not specified Camera or Video fees
- Lunch and dinner not mentioned in itinerary
- Tipping for local guide and driver
- Services other than mentioned Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
- Everything not mentioned in "Rates Included"