The term Silk Road, refers to the highly lucrative trade of silk textiles and the network that was used combining land and sea connecting Central, East, South, and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, and Southern Europe. The Golden Eagle's Republics of The Silk Road is a train journey like no other, where you will experience some hidden gems along this 14-day tour of central Asia.
This all-inclusive journey aboard the Golden Eagle luxury train offers 5-Star accommodation, all meals, out of this world excursions and second to none service.
ACCOMMODATION
DINING
SERVICE
EXCURSIONS
On your first day of the Silk Roads luxury train tour you will be transferred to your Intercontinental 5-Star Hotel, where you will enjoy a Champagne drinks reception before your evening dinner.
As you spend the day in the largest of Kazakhstan's cities you will visit the apple orchards, the name Almaty comes from the word alma, meaning apple. Your time in Almaty will also include a visit to Panfilov Park and the wooden built Zenkhov Cathedral.
You'll take a guided tour of the Petroglyohs open-air museum at Lake Issyk-Kul on the morning of the third day of your Silk Roads luxury train tour.
The Golden Eagle luxury train will arrive in Tashkent in the afternoon. You will spend the afternoon touring the capital city. Our tour of the city includes the Old Town, here you will see traditional homes and religious buildings. You will visit a small library where you will be privileged to see one of Islam’s most sacred items, the world’s oldest Koran. Following this you will visit the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.
On the fifth day of the Silk Roads luxury train tour, you will travel to ancient Khiva, a city founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now an UNESCO World Heritage Site, that lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. Arising out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture, the view of the site is massively impressive. You will feel like you have stepped back in time as you explore mosques, minarets, bazaars and madrassas within the ancient city walls.
Today you will visit the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, which is known as the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’. Located between Kopet Dag mountain range and Kara Kum desert, Ashgabat in comparison to some of the places you'll visit along the Silk Route luxury train tour is relatively modern, having been rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1948.
You will be in awe of the golden domes, fountains and high-rise buildings that occupy this desert city. You will spend time at the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque.
The Golden Eagle luxury sleeper train will make a brief scheduled stop at Ichoguz. If you wish you will have the chance to leave the train and make a short journey to Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater. Situated in the centre of the Kara Kum desert where the area is rich in natural gas, the 70-metre wide crater has been burning for more than forty years. This excursion is highly recommended.
You will take a short transfer from Mary to Merv to visit the ancient stop off point on the Silk Road. Once having been the largest city in the world, way back during the 12th century. The demise of Merv came in 1794 after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population depended on for its water.
For it's 2,500th anniversary in 1999 UNESCO sponsored the renovation of the city Bukhara. You will visit The Ark, a fortified home of the Emirs of Bukhara - leaders who ruled until Soviet times. You will, following the visit to The Ark, travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named ‘Palace of the Moon and Stars’. During the evening, weather and time permitting, You will enjoy a traditional barbecue on the station platform before our train departs.
In the morning, you will visit Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, which is positioned on the Varzob River. You will also visit the Kohi Navruz Palace. There will be a guided tour by a local expert, who will detail a fascinating story of the teahouse-turned palace. You will explore the beautiful halls, each decorated with breathtaking chandeliers, whilst also learning about each of the artists that worked to create this majestic palace. Following the tour, you will take tea in the palace before returning to the Golden Eagle luxury train to continue the Silk Roads tour.
Today you will visit the statue of Amir Timur, an UNESCO-honoured monument and his Ak-Saray Palace. This fantastic palace in Shahrizabz took more than a quarter of a century to build. Ak-Saray Palace was originally decorated with highly colourful, detailed mosaic, which also included calligraphic inscriptions from the Qur’an. Amid the decorative facing, there is an inscription showing the date 798 (1395 – 1396 AD) which was when the building was completed.
Samarkand is what many think of when Silk Road is mentioned, this famous city was founded in the 6th century BC. Samarkand is full of beautiful architecture and was one of the most important cities in Asia back in the day having been the fabled capital of the Mongol empire of Timur.
On day 11 of the Silk Road train tour, you will visit some of the most significant sites that Samarkand has to offer, which will include a visit to Registan Square, the refined elegance of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428. Before dinner we will return to the now illuminated and awe-inspiring Registan Square.
Day 12 of the silk Roads luxury train tour, is a day packed with wonderful places. In the morning, you will visit the ancient city of Margilan, which is famous for its production of silk, here will visit the Yodgorlik Margilan Factory. This factory produces approximately 6,000 metres of silk a month, amazingly, the factory has preserved a manual and traditional method of silk production. You will discover the end to end process of making silk from the mulberry trees used to feed the silkworms to the hardworking staff hand weaving the colourful ikat fabric on traditional looms.
Your next stop on day 12 is a visit to Andizhan, a 9th century town. Andizhan is known as the birthplace of Zahiruddin Babur in 1483. Babur was a descendant of Amir Timur, who was once the ruler of this area. You will also visit the Jami Madrasah and mosque, decorated with beautiful geometric patterns of pandjara and Islamic inscriptions.
Following the visit to Andizhan you will arrive late afternoon in Osh, a destination for Muslim pilgrimages and home to the sacred Sulayman Mountain, visible from almost everywhere in the city and named in honour of the Qur’anic Prophet Solomon. There are the Freedom of Choice touring options; a walking tour of the city, a visit to some of the major architectural sites and monuments honouring World War Two soldiers and Chernobyl. Or, alternatively, you can enjoy a traditional bread making class. Bread is an important part of the local diet and across Kyrgyzstan it not only varies by its shape, but also by its taste, and the unique way in which it is baked.
Today to will visit Kokand, the main transportation junction in the Fergana Valley and located at the crossroads of the two main ancient trade routes. Known for each of the Khanates of Turan who had their own impressive palace. One of these architectural monuments is the citadel of the last Kokand Khan, Khudayar Khan.
Today, we will visit the Khudayar Khan Fortress and its remaining buildings and courtyards, the best way to understand not only the history of the buildings but also the lives and times of Khudyar Khan, his wives and his family. We will also have an opportunity to visit the museum displaying jewellery, clothing and metal-ware.
In the evening you will take a Farewell Dinner on board the Golden Eagle luxury train as we travel back to Tashkent.
Upon taking breakfast aboard the Golden Eagle train, you will be transferred for your onward arrangements.
Please note: The prices listed below are based on two people sharing a cabin - Solo travellers will need to get in touch before booking as there will be a "sole occupancy charge" for passengers travelling alone.
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PLEASE NOTE: Receiving receipt of payment is not confirmation that your booking has been successful. We will contact you one to 10 working days after you have paid to confirm your booking, take further details of those travelling and send your itinerary. In the rare instance your booking cannot be fulfilled for any reason, such as the operator cancelling a journey or anything else beyond our control, we will be in touch with alternative options or will refund your payment.
All prices shown are for one adult ticket. Sleeper journeys are based on two adults sharing accommodation. Single occupancy of cabins may incur additional charge.
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