100% customisable travel idea
Central Asia A special train to the land of Tamerlane
Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan
100% customisable travel idea
Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan
100% customisable for you
Night on board, arrival the following day.
Transfer and overnight stay in a hotel.
In your itinerary - Guided tour of Almaty. Talgar Peak, the highest point of the Trans-Ili Alatau, the northernmost spur of the Tian Shan Mountains, towers over the city. It is also surrounded by fields, vineyards and apple orchards. Between 1904 and 1907, the Russians built the beautiful wooden Ascension Cathedral, which stands in the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen The park is home to the unusual turn of the century building that houses the Museum of Musical Instruments and the impressive Memorial of Glory. The inscription on the memorial reads "Russia is vast, but there is nowhere to retreat, Moscow is behind us!". The Central Mosque was built during the decade following Kazakhstan's independence. Its blue dome showcases traditional Islamic architectural style. The Kazakh State Circus is housed in a Soviet-era building from 1972. It looks a lot like a large white yurt. The circus is home to a unique blend of traditional skills including juggling, flying trapeze and clowns.
In the afternoon, board the train and head for Kyrgyzstan. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Cholpon-Ata and Issyk-Kul Lake. Your train stops at Cholpon-Ata, on the northern shore of the lake (which is one of the largest saline lakes in the world). The Tian Shan, or Mountains of Heaven rise up to the south. On a clear day, the view is stunning. The resort town was a major tourist destination during the Soviet era. People came from all the socialist republics to enjoy the combined benefits of the air and water. Today, breathing in the fresh air, you take to the water for a boat trip. It's always fun to go sailing, but in this case, it's the best way to truly appreciate the lake's vastness in real life. Just north of Cholpon-Ata, an open-air gallery of Scythian petroglyphs documents the lives of ancient horse riders on the steppes.
Get back on the train and travel to Bishkek. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Guided tour of Bishkek. The grid layout of the Kyrgyz capital makes it impossible to get lost. Frunze as it was formerly known is very orderly, with official buildings and residential blocks lined up together. Its wide avenues and green spaces make it feel spacious. On Ala-Too Square, a statue called Erkindik, meaning Freedom has replaced the statue of Lenin (which has simply been transported to a smaller square). At Osh Bazaar, you can buy food, handicrafts and clothing , including the famous white felt hats or kalpaks. The Museum of Fine Arts displays some lovely traditional pieces.
Board the train and head to Uzbekistan. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Guided tour of Tashkent. At the entrance to the historic city, admire the majestic Kukeldash Madrasah. This 16th century centre of Islamic learning is a perfect example of architecture of this kind. It features a high iwan or portal, an inner courtyard garden surrounded by galleries and student cells, and more. Next, at the heart of the modern district, you visit Amir Timur Square, where the statue of Tamerlane stands between the grand Soviet-era Hotel Uzbekistan and the brand new Palace of International Forums. Then, in the beautiful park that bears his name, there is the monument to the poet and philosopher Alisher Navoï, 1441-1501, a shining star of the Timurid Renaissance. The city's famous opera house is named after him too. Designed by Alexei Shchusev , who was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1941, 1946, 1948 and 1952 , it brings the day to a close on a lyrical note.
Back to the train and onwards to Kokand, in the Ferghana Valley. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Guided tour of Kokand. The city was a pawn in the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires for control of Central Asia in the 19th century. Today, you can admire the Khudayar Khan Palace, the splendour of which was supposed to surpass all previous palaces. It was partially destroyed by the Soviets, but its splendid decorations eloquently reflect the skill of the craftsmen of the time. You might even have time to visit the Friday mosque to see the nearly one hundred carved wooden columns, an architectural feat that looks a bit like a forest.
Back on the train and travel to Shakhrisabz and Samarkand. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Shakhrisabz, where Amir Timur, also known as Tamerlane was born in 1336. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city boasts a wealth of architectural wonders. One of the greatest buildings is Ak Saray Palace, or the White Palace, built at the end of the 14th century. The majestic ruins vividly evoke the vast scale of the palace which was envisioned as a symbol of the empire's strength, wealth, and artistic brilliance. Kok Gumbaz Mosque with its huge blue ceramic dome was built in the 15th century as a tribute from Ulugh Beg to his father. Amir Timur's Crypt is simple and empty, since the great ruler, who died in 1405, is buried in Samarkand. And that is where you are heading now. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Guided tour of Samarkand. The tour starts at Afrasiyab, an ancient archaeological site. Occupied from the 5th century BC to the 13th century, it documents the history of Samarkand. The earliest known chess pieces were found here, along with highly valuable murals known as the Paintings of the Ambassadors. They are thought to depict the four principal civilisations in Central Asia in the 7th century: Chinese, Indian, Iranian and Turkish. At Shah-e Zindeh, a series of mausoleums for the Timurid aristocracy cluster around the tomb of a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. The ornamental pishtaks, domes and virtuoso mosaics of glazed bricks come together to form a breathtaking masterpiece. The next stop is Registan, the square where people gathered to hear royal proclamations, which is surrounded by three impressive madrasahs. Ulugh Beg is from the 17th century, and Sher-Dor and Tilla-Kari are from the 18th century. Overnight stay in a hotel.
In your itinerary - Continue exploring Samarkand. Today, there's more impressive attractions, such as the Ulugh Beg Observatory, the crowning achievement of 15th century astronomy! Bibi Khanym Mosque is a testament to the architectural prowess of Amir Timur. Next to the mosque is the Siab Bazaar, with its stalls selling a wide variety of breads, fruits, vegetables, spices and more. Around Amir Timur’s mausoleum, made of green jade stones from Mongolia, the prayer for the dead is still recited under the dome of the Gur-e-Amir. After that, you visit a carpet workshop where thousands of silk threads are knotted by hand to create beautiful rugs. There's still time for a tour of a silk paper workshop too. As has long been the tradition, paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is used to make the silk paper. Once the branches have been stripped of their bark, the bast fibres are collected, then boiled and beaten into a pulp. This pulp is then diluted, spread on frames, pressed, dried, polished, packed and weighed. Overnight stay in a hotel.
The morning is free, for you to do as you wish. In the afternoon get back on the train and travel to Khiva. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Guided tour of Khiva. Travellers have long been impressed by the formidable walled inner city of Khiva, with its four gates and walls reaching 33 feet (10 metres) high. Inside the walls, the narrow streets, squares and historical sites are like an open air museum. One of the highlights is the old fortress, Kunya Ark, residence of the Khans of Khiva from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Djouma Mosque features carved columns, which are even older than the mosque itself, which dates from the 18th century. The poignant Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum is the resting place of the furrier, poet and wrestler who lived from 1247-1326. He was held in high esteem by the people of Khiva. The building, constructed between the 14th and 20th centuries, is covered with beautifully decorated blue glazed tiles. You might be lucky and hear prayers being sung inside the complex. Return to the train and travel to Bukhara. Night on board.
In your itinerary - Guided tour of Bukhara. The tour begins with the Lyab-i-Hauz complex, which is home to the largest madrasah in Central Asia. Koukeldach, which means sun friend or milk brother, was built in the 16th century during the reign of Abdullah-Khan II. Next, you stop in front of the statue that depicts Khodja Nasreddin riding his donkey. This character, half comedian and half philosopher, is a beloved figure in the folklore of the Muslim world. There are many collections of short stories about him, and you will enjoy listening to some of the tales of his wit and wisdom. After the madrasah, it's time for a less academic, more fun side of Islamic culture. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dance performance and Uzbek dinner at Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah. Overnight stay in a hotel.
In your itinerary - Continue exploring Bukhara. The tour of the most beautiful attractions continues. The Ark, or the citadel is one of them. Built in the 16th century by the Uzbek Shaybanids, its curved walls contain a mosque, a reception hall, barracks and a treasury - it's like a town within a town. Nearby is the Bolo Haouz Mosque with its forest of slender wooden columns and richly decorated features reflected in the peaceful pool. The Samanid Mausoleum, dating from the 9th and 10th centuries and excavated in 1934, has been meticulously restored. You will also stop to see the curious Sitori i Mokhi Khosa, the former summer palace of the city's last emir, built in an Islamic style which hints at St Petersburg! With its gorgeous decorations, mirrors, stained glass, a collection of Chinese porcelain, pavilions and a pond - it's a beautiful example of traditional 19th century Uzbek art and architecture, cut short by the 1917 revolution. In the garden, peacocks screech, fan out their tails to impress the peahens but still can't fly any better than chickens. Overnight stay in a hotel.
The morning is free, for you to do as you wish. Board the train at midday and travel to Tashkent. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
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Let us create your trip
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
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