A Once in a Lifetime in the Footsteps of Marco Polo 16 day train tour - September 15, 2027

Jim and Carol Tyndall, along with their daughter Jamie (owners of Fun For Less Tours), were able to experience this fantastic part of the world on a private train. At the time, the train was not visiting Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan. Knowing the train missed the countries of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, they went in early to explore the areas the train missed. Even though they had traveled to over a hundred countries, they knew almost nothing about Central Asia and its history of the Silk Road. To say they were overwhelmed with the ancient beauty and the people would be an understatement. To Jim, Carol, and Jamie, it shot right up near the top of all the places they have ever visited. After the trip, they agreed to charter the whole train for our group – BUT, they needed to redesign the train’s itinerary and needed to add the countries of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. A train is not like a bus that can just take a different road. Getting permission to travel by rail, wanting to stop and park your train like a bus was not easy. It took close to a year of working with the different governments and local train companies to get permission to change our itinerary and add the additional two Stans – Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The only reason this is possible is that we are chartering the whole train, changing the itinerary, and adding additional nights on the train.

A Few Things to Consider:

• The huge price savings from our chartering the whole train. As far as we know, no one has ever chartered the entire private train through the Silk Road in Central Asia.
• NO LONG DRIVES! On Jim and Carol’s trip they met many people traveling through the Silk Road by bus. When they asked how they liked their tour, everyone said they loved the sites, and the hotels, but the long drives were exhausting and grueling! They spent ½ of their time or more doing long drives. There were many days of driving that were 6 hours or more before they reached the next area to tour. Then when they arrived, they were given less time than they would have liked to see the sights. WE HAVE NO LONG DRIVES! We will travel by train at night and then tour during the day. Some of the bus travelers they met said they had looked at the train but it only visited 2 of the Stan countries. They wanted all 4, so they went by bus. You will get all 4 Stans without any long drives, plus you will have plenty of time to enjoy the many beautiful sites.
• It is in the top 5 trips you could take anywhere in the world. Please, Please, Please listen to us. This is the BEST designed tour of the Silk Road, the BEST in hotels, the BEST deluxe train – All at the BEST price you will ever see!! We have chartered the whole train for this tour.

If you want to experience one of the most unique and exotic tours in the world, while traveling on a luxury train, this needs to jump to the top of your list. No other tour in the world can deliver what this tour does.

The following day-by-day itinerary is subject to change at any time.

Encounters with land and people, delicious specialties, and pleasant travel in the wagons of the comfortable Orient Silk Road Express on the otherwise difficult to explore Silk Road in Central Asia will feel like being part of a fairy tale.

Note:  Whenever we leave the train for an overnight hotel, you will leave your large luggage on the train, taking only an overnight bag for your hotel stay.

Day 1:  September 15:  Fly to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Today you fly from the U.S. to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Day 2:  September 16:  Almaty, Kazakhstan
Depending on your flight connection, arrival in Almaty will likely be late evening or early tomorrow morning.  If you travel with the group or arrive before or at the time of the group, transfers are included.  Otherwise, you will need to get your own transfers to the hotel.

Day 3:  September 17:   Almaty – “Father of Apples”
Breakfast is included.  Because most of our passengers will arrive late, we will have a relaxing morning.  This afternoon, we will have an impressive start to your voyage as we head to Medeo, where the highest ice-skating rink in the world is located.  From here, we will take the cable car to almost 7,000 feet to the ski resort before continuing to the top of the mountain at around 10,000 feet.  We will end the day with a welcome dinner.  (BD)

Day 4:  September 18:  Almaty, Kazakhstan
In the morning, a city tour with a Russian Orthodox wooden cathedral, a wedding palace, a circus, and a central mosque (from the outside). You will enjoy lunch at the local yurt restaurant. In the afternoon, your journey with the special train begins. A welcome drink and a short lecture await you on board.  Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 5:  September 19:  At Issyk Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan
This morning, you will reach the breathtaking Issyk Kul Lake. A visit to the Center of Nomadic Culture will bring you closer before you have time for a walk, or perhaps a small swim in the Issyk Kul. After a boat trip on the Issyk Kul, your train makes its way to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 6:  September 20:  Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast on board, you will reach the Kyrgyzstan capital, Bishkek. On a tour, you will discover their numerous sights. With over 1,000 square feet of green space per inhabitant, Bishkek is one of the greenest cities in the world! And of course, the Ala-Archa National Park is also part of the program.  You spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Bishkek.  Overnight in Plaza Hotel Bishkek (or similar). (BLD)

Day 7: September 21:  Train Day
After breakfast, your train is leaving. Enjoy a relaxing day of lectures, relaxing, and sightseeing as your train travels to Samarkand. Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 8: September 22:  Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Today, you will experience the sights of this renowned and historic site, which was known under the rule of Timur as the most beautiful and important city in the world: the burial town of Shah-i-Zinda (“The Living King”), the excavation sites of Afrasiyab (with museum tour) and Registan Square were certainly the most impressive construction ensemble in Central Asia. Registan Square is surrounded by three mighty madrasas. The huge and magnificent portals are impressive in terms of decoration and color. In the background, the domes of the mosques glitter like in a Middle Eastern fairy tale. In 1917, the women of Uzbekistan burned their face veils at this historic site and embarked on a new era.  Here in Samarkand, you will spend the next two nights in a mid-range hotel.  Overnight in Hotel Grand Samarkand (or similar). (BLD)

Day 9:  September 23:   Samarkand the Splendid
Today, you visit a silk carpet manufactory and a Uzbek artisan family that makes paper from mulberry tree bark, you will see the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the ruins of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The palace-like Gur-i-Amir mausoleum complex can be visited from the inside. It houses the tomb of Timur, who made his capital a paradise as a famous builder, but also went down in history as a feared conqueror.  Overnight in Hotel Grand Samarkand (or similar). (BLD)

Day 10:  September 24: Time Travel
After breakfast at our next stop, you will see a folklore show of the unique tradition of this region that seems to have fallen out of time. Afterwards, you will go to Shahrisabz, the birthplace of Timur. In the evening, you travel with the special train to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.  Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 11:  September 25:  Dushanbe, Tajikistan
After arriving in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, in the morning, you will discover numerous sights on a tour. Among the many parks in the city, a visit to Rudaki Park is a great way to relax in the countryside. In the late afternoon, you will return to your special train and head towards Bukhara, Uzbekistan.  Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 12:  September 26:  Noble Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Located in the middle of the Kyzylkum Desert, Bukhara has about one thousand monuments that recall the glory days of the Great Silk Road. Practically the whole old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  In the old town, you can see the almost 50 m high Kalyan minaret and the Lab-i Hauz ensemble at the pond. In front of the Nasreddin monument, listen to some of his stories and legends. In the courtyard of a madrasa, you will experience a folklore show with music, local dances and a presentation of colorful national costumes. Overnight at a mid-range hotel in Bukhara.  Overnight in Hotel Asia Bukhara (or similar). (BLD)

Day 13:  September 27:   The Samanid Mausoleum
Today, you explore Bukhara during a full-day tour. The entire city seems like a large, unique, and authentic architectural museum that has retained its old Middle Eastern countenance. In the morning, we will take you to the magnificent Mir-i-Arab and the most valuable building in Central Asia, the Samanid Mausoleum. Then take a tour through the mighty fortress of Ark, a city in the city that was once the seat of government of the rulers of Bukhara. Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 14 September 28:  Khiva Fairy Tale from 1001 Nights
Today, visit the Khiva Oasis, from one of the best-known fairy tales from 1001 Nights. You will stand in front of the mighty city wall of Khiva with its gates and bastions of clay bricks, you will think you’ve been transported to another world: Around the Kalta Minor Minaret, life still pulsates today just as it did in ancient times. During a walking tour, you can enjoy all the sights: Palaces, mosques, minarets, mausoleums, and madrasas form one of the best-preserved ensembles of medieval Middle Eastern town planning. You will spend the night on board.  Overnight on board. (BLD)

Day 15:  September 29:  Tashken
In the early afternoon, your special train arrives in Tashkent. City tour of Kukeldash Madrasah, the Kavoj and Amir-Timur monuments, and the typical clay houses. After the goodbye dinner, you will spend the night in a mid-range hotel.  Overnight in Hotel Mercure (or similar). (BLD)

Day 16:  September 30:  Fly Home
This morning, we will transfer to the airport for our flights home.