Orient Silk Road Train (Orient silk road)

The famous Silk Road is not so easy to explore by road! Your special Orient Silk Road Express train takes you on a journey of discovery along the rails of Central Asia, to the land of 1001 nights.

DAY 1 - FLIGHT TO TASHKENT (Uzbekistan)

Departure of your flight to Tashkent (on request) 

DAY 2 - TASHKENT

You arrive in Tashkent early in the morning. A driver is waiting to take you to your hotel.

After a morning's rest, you meet your guides and travelling companions in the afternoon. You then begin your journey in style with a visit to the Koukeldach Medersa, Tashkent's oldest theological school dating from the 16th century. You'll then discover the monument to Tamerlane, the famous conqueror and emperor known to the Uzbeks as Amir-Timur, and see the terracotta houses typical of this part of the country.
PDJ, DI, overnight at Mercure Hotel in Tashkent.

DAY3 - TASHKENT

After breakfast, you drive through the narrow valleys of the Chimgan mountains to the Amirsoy ski resort. The cable car takes you to the heights to enjoy a fantastic panorama and lunch with a view. The route then continues to the photogenic Charvak reservoir.
Back in Tashkent in the afternoon, you head for the station.
Your train journey in Uzbekistan: you board the Orient Silk Road Express. Enjoy a welcome drink and a short lecture.
PDJ, DJ, DI, overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express

DAY4 - KHIVA, as in a tale of 1001 nights

This day is devoted to a visit to one of Uzbekistan's three most beautiful cities, Khiva. Behind the imposing wall that protects it, Khiva is like an ochre and blue oasis. Beyond its gates and clay-brick bastions, you feel transported back in time as everything seems so perfectly preserved.
A visit on foot allows you to admire the famous Kalta Minor minaret, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as the mosques, mausoleums and madrasas that form one of the best-preserved examples of medieval urbanism in the Middle East.
PDJ, DJ, DI night aboard the Orient Silk Road Express

DAY 5 - Elegant BOUKHARA

In the middle of the Kyzylkoum desert, the city-oasis of Bukhara boasts hundreds of monuments that recall the glorious days of the Silk Road. Today, life in the old town is as if centuries had never passed. Children run through the streets, grandfathers play chess by the ponds, in the shade of the magnificent mosaic-covered Lab-i Hauz complex.
During your guided tour, admire the Kalyan minaret, almost 50 metres high. And in front of the monument dedicated to the folk hero Nasreddin Hodja, listen to some of his stories and legends.

In the courtyard of a historic madrasa, enjoy a folk show featuring music, local dances and colorful national costumes.
PDJ, DJ, DI - Overnight at hotel in Omar Hayam Bukhara.

DAY 6 - BOUKHARA - The Samanid mausoleum

Bukhara is one of the country's three most beautiful cities. It has preserved its Middle Eastern appearance of yesteryear. In the morning, extend your visit to two UNESCO-listed sites: Mir-i-Arab, a sumptuous 15th-century Koranic school still in operation, and the Samanid Mausoleum.
You then visit the mighty citadel of Ark, a city within a city that was once the seat of government for the rulers of Bukhara.
PDJ, DJ, DI - Overnight at the hotel on board the train.

DAY 7 - SHAHRISABZ - Birth of Tamerlane

During the night, your special train winds its way through the mountains.
When your train stops, you'll be treated to a folk show about the unique traditions of this region. You then travel to Shahrisabz, Tamerlane's birthplace.
In the evening, your special train leaves for Dushanbe.
PDJ, DJ, DI - Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express train.

DAY 8 - DUSHANBE (Tajikistan)

Arrival in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, in the morning. You'll discover many sites during your guided tour, and enjoy a nature break in Rudaki Park.
In the late afternoon, you return to your special train for Samarkand.
PDJ, DJ, DI Overnight on the Orient Silk road Express train.

Day 9 - SAMARCANDE (Uzbekistan)

Begin your discovery of Samarkand with a splendid site which, during Tamerlane's reign, was considered the most beautiful and important city in the world: the burial city of Shah-i-Zinda ("The Living King"),
You then push on to the Affrasiab excavation site, founded in the 8th century BC, and visit its archaeological museum. Back in the heart of Samarkand, your guide takes you to the most beautiful square in Central Asia: Registan Square.

The magnificent Registan Square is surrounded by three mighty madrasas, whose majestic arches are entirely covered in colorful mosaics and whose turquoise domes sparkle like a Middle Eastern fairy tale. It was on this famous square that, in 1917, the women of Uzbekistan burned their veils to mark the start of a new era.
PDJ, DI, DI. Overnight at Hotel Grand Samarkand 

DAY 10 - SAMARKAND

Continue your tour of Samarkand with a visit to a silk carpet factory and a meeting with a family of Uzbek craftsmen who make paper from mulberry bark.
After a stop at the Ulugh Beg observatory and near the ruins of the Bibi-Khanym mosque, you push on to the Gur-i-Amir mausoleum complex, which resembles a palace and can be visited from the inside. It houses the tomb of Tamerlan the Builder, who turned his capital into a paradise but also went down in history as a conqueror.
PDJ, DI, DI. Overnight Hotel Grand Samarkand

DAY 11 - ON THE TRAIN

After breakfast, your special train heads for Kyrgyzstan.
You'll spend the day relaxing with on-board lectures.
PDJ, DI, DI. Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express

DAY 12 - BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan)

After breakfast, you leave for the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
During your guided city tour, you'll discover its most famous sites. With around 100 m² of green space per capita, Bishkek is one of the greenest cities in the world: a walk in the Ala Archa National Park is a highlight of your program.
PDJ, DI, DI. Overnight at hotel Plaza Hotel Bishkek

Day 13 - ISSYK KUL LAKE (Kyrgyzstan)

After breakfast, your special train heads for the magnificent Lake Issyk Kul.
A visit to the Nomadic Culture Center is a good introduction to the history of the site and the culture of the people who live there. You then have time for a stroll or a swim in the waters of the lake and a boat trip on the Issyk Kul.
Your train then heads for Almaty.
PDJ, DI, DI. Overnight aboard the Orient Silk Road Express

Day 14 - ALMATY - Apple City

Arrive after lunch.
Discover this beautiful city on a city tour. Enjoy the wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral, wedding palace, circus and central mosque.
Farewell dinner is served in a yurt restaurant.
PDJ, DI, DI. Overnight at the Tahat Palace Hotel in Almaty.

Day 15 - RETURN FLIGHT

Transfer to hotel and return flight (on request)

THE ORIENT SILK ROAD EXPRESS

The Orient Silk Road Express special train offers the highest possible level of comfort for travel on the legendary Silk Road. All Orient Silk Road trains are air-conditioned while on the move. In all compartments, you'll find 220-volt sockets as well as a smoking area at each end of the carriage. Here are the categories on board:

• CATEGORY ALI BABA

  2-bed compartment - No bathroom
  The compartments are equipped with two comfortable lower beds facing each other (67 × 184 cm), a small table and miscellaneous storage.
  Each Ali Baba car has 9 compartments. Washbasins and toilets are located at the ends of the car.

• HABIBI CATEGORY

  3 or 4-bed compartment - No bathroom
  In this category, two 67 × 184 cm beds are arranged one above the other on either side of the compartment. A table is set up in the middle under the window. For an additional charge, you can occupy the 4-bed compartment with three people.
  Each Habibi car has 9 compartments. Washbasins and toilets are located at both ends of the car.

• ALADIN CATEGORY

  2-bed compartment - One bathroom with shower per compartment
  The 8 Ali Baba compartments are equipped with two comfortable lower beds facing each other (67 × 184 cm), a small table and miscellaneous storage.
  In addition to the two toilet/toilet cubicles located at the ends of the car, a shared shower cubicle is available to the car's passengers.

• SULTAN CATEGORY

  2-bed compartment - Private bathroom
  These compartments feature two bunk beds: the upper measuring 80 × 174 cm and the lower 110 × 184 cm. The compartment also features comfortable seating, a spacious table and a wardrobe.
  Each Sultan compartment has its own bathroom with toilet, washbasin and curtained shower.
  Sultan coaches have only six compartments.

• CALIPH CATEGORY

  2-bed compartment - Private bathroom
  The Calife compartments offer even more space than the Sultan category. The lower bed measures 112 × 184 cm, the upper 80 × 174 cm. A spacious closet, bathrobe and slippers are at your disposal.
  Each compartment has its own bathroom, equipped with toilet, washbasin and separate shower cubicle.
  Calife cars have only 4 compartments, so a maximum of 8 people can be accommodated per car.

PRICE 2024 :

Cabin Habibi
Quadruple: from €4,600/person
Triple: from €6,175 / person

Cabin Ali Baba
Double: from €6,900 / person
Single: from €9,500 / person

Cabin Aladin
Double: from €7,625 / person
Single: from €10,713 / person 

Cabin Sultan
Double: from €12,075 / person
Single: from €17,588 / person

Cabin Calife
Double: from €12,538 / person
Single: from €18,188 / person

PRICE 2025

Cabin Habibi
Quadruple: from €4,413 / person
Triple: from €5,988 / person

Cabin Ali Baba
Double: €6,713 / person
Single: €9,313 / person

Cabin Aladin
Double: from €7,438 / person
Single: from €10,525 / person

Cabin Sultan
Double: from €11,888 / person
Single: from €17,400 / person

Caliph cabin
Double: from €12,350 / person
Single: from €18,000 / person

THE PRICE INCLUDES

• All transfers to the destinations indicated in the program.
• 7 nights aboard your special train in the chosen category.
• 7 nights in comfortable, good-quality hotels in double rooms with bath or shower: In Tashkent, 2 nights at the Mercure Hotel. In Samarkand, 2 nights at the Hotel Grand Samarkand. In Bukhara, 1 night at the Hotel Omar Hayam. In Bishkek, 1 night at the Plaza Hotel Bishkek. In Almaty, 1 night at Hotel Rahat Palace (hotels mentioned in the program or similar).
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (BD = Breakfast, L = Lunch, ID = Dinner)
• Excursions and visits including entrance fees as per itinerary
• Bilingual tour guide at your side throughout the train journey for up to 26 guests
• Experienced French-speaking local tour guides
• On-board doctor
• Welcome with traditional folklore at Bukhara and Samarkand stations
• Wine and vodka tasting
• Homestay with an Uzbek family
• French-speaking assistance from Discovery Trains teams
• Electronic version of the travel log

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International flights Paris-Tachkent/Almaty-Paris (Departures from provincial cities: on request)
• Repatriation or comprehensive insurance, on request.
• Gratuities
• Printed travel diary sent by post (+ €12)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• About individual compartments on the train
  Single compartments are compartments for 2, in which one of the berths is folded away.
• About hotels
  - As a general rule, category 4 and 5 travelers (Sultan, Caliph) will be accommodated in the same hotels as the rest of the group, but in rooms of a higher category. But this distinction is not guaranteed
  - In hotels, check-in is only possible after 2 p.m., and the room must be vacated by noon.

CONDITIONS OF SALE

• A deposit of 30% is required at the time of booking.
• The balance is due 95 days before departure.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Special train package :

• The 30% deposit is non-refundable.
• Beyond that, if cancellation occurs :
  - between 75 days and 45 days before departure, 50% of the cost of the trip will be retained
  - less than 45 days before departure: 100% of the cost of the trip will be retained.

Additional services

• Unless otherwise specified in writing by our advisors, the following services are non-refundable: air and rail tickets, insurance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The program provided is for information only.
• Schedules and the order of visits may be modified according to the opening conditions of museums or other local requirements.
• Weather conditions and the instructions issued by local authorities and railways may also lead to changes in the program and timetable.
• Only the person in charge of the train has the authority to decide on any modifications, and Discovery Trains cannot be held responsible.
• If necessary, Discovery Trains will always seek a solution to ensure that your rail cruise runs smoothly.