Republics of the Silk Road

Day 1  Almaty, Kazakhstan            
Arrive in Almaty and transfer to your hotel for the night. This evening, enjoy a champagne drinks’ reception and welcome dinner.          

Day 2  Almaty            
This morning, explore the beautiful city of Almaty - the largest city in Kazakhstan and is notable for its wide tree-lined boulevards. Stroll Panfilov Park and visit the unique Zenkhov Cathedral, before later boarding the Golden Eagle. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner.          

Day 3  Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan  
This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the open-air Museum of Petroglyphs at Lake Issyk-Kul. Following this, experience a breathtaking flight demonstration of Eagle Hunting, a 4,000-year-old Kyrgyz nomadic tradition. Later, arrive in Bishkek and visit the Ala-Too Square and local parks, rich in Soviet history, including statutes of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.      
Day 4  Tashkent, Uzbekistan  
This afternoon, arrive in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets.        

Day 5  Bukhara            
Explore the lively city of Bukhara, with a visit to The Ark, a fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara, and the grand Poi-Kalyan Square. This evening, enjoy a unique barbecue experience on the station platform before the train departs.

Day 6  Merv            
Today, head to the ancient and mainly unrestored remains of Merv. Once an important stopping point on the Silk Road, it claims to have briefly been the largest city in the world during the 12th Century.

Day 7  Ashgabat, Turkmenistan      
Situated between the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat is a relatively modern city built upon the ruins of the Silk Road city of Konjikala. Visit the National Museum and Kipchak Mosque. The Golden Eagle makes a brief scheduled stop at Ichoguz, for the opportunity to leave the train and visit to Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater - a spectacular sight best seen at night.          

Day 8  Khiva          
Today, travel to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive architecture. Stepping back in time, we discover its impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.          

Day 9  Shahrizabz, Tajikistan          
This morning, visit the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, situated on the Varzob River and its opulent Kohi Navruz Palace. Enjoy a guided tour with a local expert guide, who will tell the fascinating story of the teahouse-turned palace. After the tour, delight in tea and local delicacies in the palace before returning to the Golden Eagle to continue our journey.

Day 13  Dushanbe          
Enjoy a guided tour with a local expert guide in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, who will tell the fascinating story of the teahouse-turned palace. After the tour, try local delicacies and tea in the palace before returning to the Golden Eagle to continue our journey.          

Days 11-12  Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Over the next couple of days, explore one of the most ancient cities in the world, Samarkand. Visit Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, built in 1428. As the sun sets and night descends upon this ancient city, head to the illuminated Registan Square, where from prime front-row seats, you will be treated to a dazzling light show that weaves the rich tapestry of Samarkand’s history and significance.

Day 13  Margilan, Rishtan & Kokand
This morning, visit the ancient city of Margilan, famous for its production of silk, considered by many as the best in Central Asia, before heading to Rishtan which is home to Uzbekistan’s world-famous ceramic industry. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the highlights of Kokand, including the majestic Palace of Khudayar Khan and the Jami Mosque, Kokand’s most impressive Mosque. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board the Golden Eagle as you return to Tashkent.          

Day 14  Tashkent            
After breakfast on board the Golden Eagle, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.