Central Asia - The 5 Stans of the Silk Road by Rail & Coach

PRE TOUR FLIGHT: Monday 17 August 2026
Depart on your EK 409 / EK 415 Emirates flight from Melbourne at 05:15 or Sydney at 06:00 to Dubai, landing at Terminal 3 at the Dubai airport at 13:05 / 14:10 on Monday 17 August 2026. With your Australian tour leader, transfer the 10 minutes to the Premier Inn Dubai International Airport Hotel next to Terminal 3 for some rest. Your layover in Dubai is around 9 hours. At 20:00, transfer the 10 minutes to Terminal 3 at the Dubai airport for your EK 2418 Emirates flight to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan at 22:45 on Monday 17 August, landing at 04:40 in Bishkek on Tuesday 18 August. Overnight: Premier Inn Dubai International Airport Hotel, Dubai

DAY 1 Tuesday 18 August 2026 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Land in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan at 4:40AM with your Australian tour leader, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for an early check in. Enjoy free time to rest today. Bishkek is a city of wide boulevards and marble-faced public buildings combined with many Soviet-style apartment blocks. Meet in the hotel foyer at 6PM and transfer to a local restaurant for an authentic Kyrgyz meal of delicious meats, soups and dumplings. Overnight: Ambassador Hotel, Bishkek (B,D)

DAY 2 Wednesday 19 August 2026 Bishkek
We start the day at the wonderful Osh Bazaar, spending some time exploring the market before visiting Ala-Too Square, which was formerly known as Lenin Square, the Manas Monument, Independent Monument and Panfilov Park. Enjoy lunch together, see some of the city’s infamous Soviet architecture, tour the Bishkek’s State History Museum and enjoy dinner together trying some local favourites such as Manti dumplings, Beshbarmak, Samsa and Shorpo. Overnight: Ambassador Hotel, Bishkek (B,L,D)

DAY 3 Thursday 20 August 2026 Luxury VIP Train – Yurt Stay
This morning, you’ll travel on the only rail line in the country past majestic mountain scenery on the VIP Summer Train to Lake Issyk Kul. Disembark and drive to Song Kul, a high-altitude alpine lake which is surrounded by an expansive summer pasture and soft rolling hills. Once there, you’ll mingle with nomadic families, help with some yurt building and even try some horse milking! Tonight, you’ll sleep in a traditionally decorated yurt camp in western style rooms. Facilities include European style toilets, hot showers and wash basins. Enjoy a memorable dinner inside the main dining yurt. Overnight: Yurt Stay, Song Kul Lake (B,L,D)

DAY 4 Friday 21 August 2026 Eagle Hunting on Lake Issyk-Kul
Enjoy breakfast and some free time, and drive to the mountain town of Kochkor to visit a women’s handicraft cooperative where you can chat to the locals and even purchase some handmade crafts and felt carpets, known as shyrdaks, and some locally made crafts. Take lunch, and travel to a village on Lake Issky Kul to meet the Eagle Hunters of Kyrgyzstan – nomads that keep traditions alive on the steppe and in the mountains by training fearsome Golden Eagles. Tonight, you’ll stay at a yurt homestay guesthouse, set among large picturesque gardens and enjoy the hospitality of a local family. Overnight: Guesthouse on Lake Issyk-Kul (B,L,D)

DAY 5 Saturday 22 August 2026 Karakol
After a homemade breakfast, you’ll travel along Issyk Kul and visit the red sandstone spires of the Fairy Tale Canyon and enjoy lunch at a yurt camp on the lake where you’ll meet some local herders. Travel through the Barskoon Valley, with its verdant alpine meadows and colourful wildflowers and stop at workshop where you’ll learn more about Kyrgyz traditions and the art of yurt building, felt handicraft and carpet-making. Arrive in Karakol, a former Russian military outpost, but now home to many Muslim Dungan’s and Chinese Uighur refugees. Enjoy a traditional dinner together tonight. Overnight: Hotel Amir, Karakol (B,L,D)

DAY 6 Sunday 23 August 2026 Karakol
Enjoy breakfast and visit the Karakol Animal Market, the most memorable in Central Asia. This weekly bazaar provides a fascinating insight into the culture and the livelihood of the people here and is the perfect place to experience Kyrgyz rural life. Later, see the towns colonial-period houses, the Dungan Mosque and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, before enjoying lunch with a local family. Travel to the picturesque Seven Bulls Valley, known for its iconic red rock hill formations and arrive at The Valley of Flowers where you’ll have tea with a nomadic group in a traditional yurt. Free evening. Overnight: Hotel Amir, Karakol (B,L)

DAY 7 Monday 24 August 2026 Kolsai Lakes National Park, Kazakhstan
Cross the border into Kazakhstan and drive through alpine mountain scenery to the impressive Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles where you’ll see spectacular 300-metredeep canyons and its weird and colourful rock formations. Later, drive to the scenic blue lakes of the Kolsai Lakes National Park and travel to a local village and check into our guesthouses for a memorable dinner experience. The country offers a rich culinary landscape, featuring hearty meat dishes, unique dairy products, tasty salads and flavoursome soups influenced from China, Russia, Mongolia and Turkey. Overnight: Guesthouses, Kolsai Lakes National Park (B,L,D)

DAY 8 Tuesday 25 August 2026 Almaty
Enjoy a traditional breakfast with your hosts and take a local train to Almaty – the cultural heartbeat of Kazakhstan and the centre of culture, finance and innovation in the country. Travelling through ‘the land of the Kazakhs’ by train is a journey through a bygone era for those fascinated by the history of, and nostalgia for, ex-Soviet railways. Formerly known as Alma-Ata, this leafy and modern city, with a backdrop of the snowcapped Zailiysky Alatau, has always been among the more appealing Russian creations in Central Asia. After checking into your hotel, enjoy dinner in a stylish restaurant. Overnight: Park Hotel, Almaty (B,L,D)

DAY 9 Wednesday 26 August 2026 Almaty
This morning, you’ll tour the city visiting Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square, Abai Opera Theatre, Green Bazaar and Panfilov Park which is dedicated to the soldiers who died during the Battle of Moscow in World War II. Tour the Soviet era Hotel Kazakhstan, enjoy lunch and tour the Kazakh Museum of Railway Transport to see the personal collection of railway enthusiast Beisen Shormakov. Enjoy a free afternoon where you can visit the State Historical Museum, or travel via cable car to Kok Tobe Hill for panoramic views of Almaty where you can have dinner. Overnight: Park Hotel, Almaty (B,L)

DAY 10 Thursday 27 August 2026 Tashkent
This morning, you’ll fly to the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. As Central Asia’s most important city at 6 million people, the city tastefully combines medieval buildings, with elegant European architecture and enormous Soviet era concrete blocks. After landing and check-in, enjoy lunch and visit Independence Square and Hotel Uzbekistan, a classic example of Soviet 1970’s ‘brutalist’ architecture, the Amir Temur Monument and the memorial to victims of the 1966 earthquake. This evening, enjoy an unforgettable dinner together at a local restaurant. Overnight: Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel, Tashkent (B,L,D)

DAY 11 Friday 28 August 2026 Tashkent
This morning you will enjoy a guided tour of old Tashkent, visiting the lively Chorsu Bazaar, the medieval Kukeldash Madrasah, and the Tillya Seikh Mosque, before touring the Khast Imom complex, a place of great cultural and historical significance. After lunch, you will take a ride on the Tashkent Metro to see the unique architectural designs of the ornately decorated stations and visit the Tashkent Museum of Railway Equipment to see over a dozen steam and diesel locomotives that were used across Uzbekistan to pull different types of railcars. Enjoy a free evening tonight. Overnight: Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel, Tashkent (B,L)

DAY 12 Saturday 29 August 2026 Fergana Valley
Today, you’ll travel in business class seats on a 1970s built ‘Ozbekiston’ train from Tashkent to Kokand via scenic mountains along the Tajik border. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and tour the Palace of the Khan of Kokand, once home to last ruler of the Kokand Khanate. Marvel at its courtyards, wood carvings, painted ceilings and wall paintings, before visiting the impressive Jami Mosque Museum. Drive to Rishton, the heart of pottery making in the country for 850 years and tour a ceramics workshop. We’ll continue by road to the Fergana Valley, our base for the next 2 nights. Overnight: Grand Fergana Hotel, Fergana (B,L,D)

DAY 13 Sunday 30 August 2026 Fergana Valley
Today, you’ll travel to the silk capital of Central Asia, Margilon and tour the vibrant Kumtepa Bazaar, the most colourful market on the old Silk Road. Rows of handmade khanatlas, a traditional Uzbek fabric made from dense silk, are both the shopping and the visual highlight here. Tour a workshop to see traditional methods of silk production and wander the Sayid Ahmad Hoja Medressa crafts centre to meet different generations of master weavers. Return to Fergana to explore the town and enjoy dinner with a local family and try the local favourites of Plov, Laghman, Dimlama, Shashlik and Naryn. Overnight: Grand Fergana Hotel, Fergana (B,L,D)

DAY 14 Monday 31 August 2026 Khujand, Tajikistan
This morning, you’ll cross the border into Tajikistan and arrive in the city of Khujand, which was known as Leninabad from 1936 to 1991. Visit the vibrant Panjshanbe Bazaar to try some local dishes, tour the Ismail Somoni monument, see colourful mosaics at Somoni Park and reflect at the WWII memorial. You’ll also visit the Arbob Cultural Palace, which was modelled on the Winter Gardens of Peterhof in St Petersburg, see a 24-metre statue of Lenin and explore Kamoli Khujandi Park. Later, enjoy a traditional Tajik dinner of Mastoba lamb soup, plus some grilled meats and tasty salads. Overnight: Parliament Palace Hotel, Khujand (B,L,D)

DAY 15 Tuesday 1 September 2026 Dushanbe
This morning, we travel via the 5 kilometre long and 2,720 metre-high Iranian built Anzob Tunnel to the mountain village of Varzob for a memorable local lunch. Continuing on, you’ll drive along the fast flowing and icy cold turquoise waters of the Varzob Gorge before arriving in the capital of Dushanbe. With snow-capped mountains visible from the city centre, Dushanbe is a delightful city built around parks, lakes and fountains. After checking into your hotel, you’ll visit a restaurant and enjoy the delicious national dish of Tajikistan, Qurutob. Overnight: Dushanbe Serena Hotel, Dushanbe (B,L,D)

DAY 16 Wednesday 2 September 2026 Dushanbe
Today, you’ll tour the city by walking along Rudaki Boulevard to see the art deco Statue of Ismoil Somoni, wander Rudaki Park with its landscaped flower gardens and see the impressive sculpture of the revered poet, Rudaki. See the Palace of the Nation state government office, the Independence Monument, Kohi Navruz Palace and enjoy lunch. Take a local train to the 2,500-year-old Hissor Fort and return to Dushanbe for a free evening. Why not enjoy some grilled shashliks and a beer in an outdoor restaurant on the square outside the Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre? Overnight: Dushanbe Serena Hotel, Dushanbe (B,L)

DAY 17 Thursday 3 September 2026 Panjakent
This morning, you’ll travel past rugged mountain scenery to Iskanderkul Lake for a picnic lunch. The lakes name means “the Lake of Alexander the Great” and is renowned for its breathtaking beauty. After exploring the lake, you’ll travel through the lush Zeravshan Valley to the historic Silk Road crossroads trading town of Panjakent, which was once an ancient Iranian civilization known as Sogdiana. After hotel check-in, you’ll wander the ruins of old Sogdiana and enjoy dinner together in a traditional restaurant overlooking the river. Overnight: Panjakent Plaza Hotel, Panjakent (B,L,D)

DAY 18 Friday 4 September 2026 Samarkand, Uzbekistan
This morning, you’ll explore the bustling Panjakent Bazaar which is the trading heart of the city, cross into Uzbekistan and arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage city of Samarkand. This medieval city is considered to be the most evocative and exotic town on the old Silk Road and it once served as a crucial hub, connecting trade routes between China, Persia and Europe. Later, Russia built the Trans-Caspian Railroad, which in 1888 reached Samarkand, securing its place as an important centre for the export of products along this fabled commercial route. Overnight: Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel, Samarkand (B,L,D)

DAY 19 Saturday 5 September 2026 Samarkand
Today, you’ll visit the majestic Registan Square, which was Samarkand’s centre and wall-to-wall bazaar and wander the stunning avenue of decorated mosques, mausoleums and necropolis’ tombs at Shah-i-Zinda and see its intricate tilework. Have lunch, and wander Ulugbek Medressa, Sher Dor Medressa, the gold-covered Tilla-Kari Medressa and visit Ulugbek’s 15th-century medieval observatory. Later, tour a workshop of a local artisan and have dinner at an outdoor restaurant to enjoy well marinated barbecued kebabs – cooked on an open fire, and simply delicious! Overnight: Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel, Samarkand (B,L,D)

DAY 20 Sunday 6 September 2026 Samarkand
Today, you will visit the beautiful azure dome of the Guri Amir mausoleum, named after the Asian conqueror Tamerlane (also known as Timur), and the 15th century Bibi-Khanym Mosque – one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world. Explore the Siob Bazaar where you can purchase lunch and visit the 8th century Hazrat-Hizr Mosque. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening, where you can visit a wine cellar with your tour leader for some wine tasting and a bite to eat. Later, why not return to Registan Square, enjoy a drink and maybe see local dancers performing? Overnight: Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel, Samarkand (B,L)

DAY 21 Monday 7 September 2026 Bukhara
This morning, you’ll travel in business-class seats on Afrosiyob fast train from Samarkand to Bukhara. This famous Silk Road city has long served as a centre of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion and is Central Asia’s holiest city. After check in and lunch, you’ll visit the Kalon Minaret, once the tallest building in ‘The Stans’, Mir-i Arab Madrassa, the Bolo-Hauz Mosque and the Ismail Samani Mausoleum. You’ll finish your day at Lyab-i Hauz, an architectural complex built around a pool shaded by mulberry trees where you’ll enjoy dinner and see a local dance performance. Overnight: Minzifa Boutique Hotel, Bukhara (B,L,D)

DAY 22 Tuesday 8 September 2026 Bukhara
This morning, we continue touring Bukhara with visits to Fayzulla Khojaev House, the Jewish Synagogue, Chor-Minor Medressa and the Sitorai Mohi Hosa Summer Palace. Later, tour the Ark of Bukhara, a monumental fortress, citadel and military stronghold that was the seat of power of the ruling Emir’s for 1,500 years. Enjoy free time for lunch, and visit Bukhara’s original train station from the 1880s, the Palace of the Emir. Tour the small railway museum and return to the old town for some free time where you can shop, dine or sip tea in a shady restaurant and watch life go by. Overnight: Minzifa Boutique Hotel, Bukhara (B)

DAY 23 Wednesday 9 September 2026 Khiva
After breakfast, you’ll drive through the desert to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Khiva, enjoying lunch along the way. Arrive and check into your hotel in the old walled town. One of Uzbekistan’s three most fabled Silk Road cities and with a history stretching back 2,500 years, Khiva is so densely populated with centuries-old monuments that its walled old town is often referred to as an open-air museum. It’s a beautiful historic oasis city with ancient walls, minarets and unique clay buildings and will be a major highlight of your tour. Dinner tonight will be in one of Khiva’s traditional restaurants. Overnight: Zarafshon Boutique Hotel, Khiva (B,L,D)

DAY 24 Thursday 10 September 2026 Khiva
After breakfast, you’ll tour the old town and see the Kalta Minor Minaret, the turquoise-tiled 57-metre-high Islom Khodja minaret, Kukhna Ark Fortress, which was the Khiva rulers’ own fortress and residence and the sublime courtyard of Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum. Rest at lunch together, and visit the Stone House Palace, Mohammed Amin Madrassah, Seid Alauddin Mausoleum and the fascinating Juma Mosque. After your tour, enjoy some free time where you can unwind in your boutique hotel or relax in a traditional café or restaurant. Overnight: Zarafshon Boutique Hotel, Khiva (B,L,D)

DAY 25 Friday 11 September 2026 Konye Urgench – Darwaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan
Cross into Turkmenistan to tour Konye Urgench. This ruined city was built on the crossing of two major caravan routes and became the capital of the Khwarazm empire in the 10th century. Have lunch and travel over sand dunes to the Darwaza Gas Crater, aka the “Gates of Hell”. The site was drilled by engineers in 1971 as an oil-field, but collapsed, forming the crater. Engineers lit the whole thing on fire to contain the hazard, but the gas kept on leaking and is still burning strong 54 years later! See the crater, have a BBQ dinner and stay in a luxury yurt, located a safe distance away from the burning gas! Overnight: Owadan Yurts, Darwaza (B,L,D)

DAY 26 Saturday 12 September 2026 Ashgabat
Witness the sunrise over the gas crater and drive to Ashgabat. This showpiece capital looks like no other city in the world – a truly bizarre mix of futuristic and simply outrageous white marble public buildings – most of which are empty. After lunch, you’ll visit a giant copy the Ruhnama Book of the Soul, the Ashgabat Flagpole, the Wedding Palace disco-ball building, Oguzhan Presidential Palace, the Ferris Wheel in the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre. Later, you’ll see the Ashgabat Fountain, the Palace of Knowledge and the Arch of Neutrality and enjoy dinner together. Overnight: Yyldyz Hotel, Ashgabat (B,L,D)

DAY 27 Sunday 13 September 2026 Ashgabat
After breakfast, you’ll visit the iconic and bustling Tolkuchka Sunday Bazaar, which is known for its vibrant atmosphere and wide variety of goods. Moving on, you’ll visit the private stables at Bedow Hippodrome to see the legendary Akhal-Teke Turkmen horses. Later, from your seats in the grandstand, you’ll watch these horses in action during Turkmenistan’s national sport of horse racing, a truly memorable cultural experience. In the late afternoon, you’ll see the four minarets of Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and the newly built 60-meter-high statue of Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy. Overnight: Yyldyz Hotel, Ashgabat (B,L)

DAY 28 Monday 14 September 2026 Ashgabat
This morning, you’ll tour the Turkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque and the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, built in honor of those killed in the WWII Battle of Gok Depe and in the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake which flattened the city, killing 100,000 people. Enjoy lunch at the bustling Russian Market and take a slow but memorable train journey to the town of Yashlyk where you will unwind in a local brewery. Return to Ashgabat by coach and enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight: Yyldyz Hotel, Ashgabat (B,L,D)

DAY 29 Tuesday 15 September 2026 Ashgabat
At 2AM, transfer the 30 minutes to the Ashgabat airport for your 05:15 flight to Dubai and onward to Australia.

POST TOUR FLIGHT:
DAY 29 Tuesday 15 September 2026
At 2AM, transfer the 30 minutes to the Ashgabat airport for your EK 2483 Emirates 05:15 flight to Dubai. Land in Dubai at 06:55 and connect to your EK 406 or EK 412 Emirates 10:05/10:20 Tuesday 15 September direct flight to Melbourne or Sydney, landing at 05:30/06:05 on Wednesday 16 September.