SILK ROAD BY RAIL

Day 1 – Welcome to Kazakhstan!

Ready, set, go! The journey starts the second you touch down in Kazakhstan, and we’ve arranged for one of our team members to greet you at the airport and drop you off at your hotel. Oh, and we’ve also arranged for an early check-in for you, so you’ll be able to get into your room and freshen up straight away. When has arrival ever been this easy?

This afternoon, you’ll hit the ground running with a city tour of Astana, Central Asia’s youngest capital. It’s futuristic, it’s fun and it’s oh-so-exciting! Everything you see will feel like a highlight, but once you feast your eyes on the Astana Grand Mosque, the biggest mosque in Central Asia, you’ll agree that this is the showstopper.

Tonight, get to know your group of Mag Railers over dinner at one of our favourite local Kazakh restaurants. You’re going to have the experience of a lifetime together over the next few weeks!

Accommodation: Hotel Hilton Garden Inn (or similar), Astana – Kazakhstan
Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 – Astana

Are you ready to ride your first overnight train in Central Asia? You’ll barely be able to contain your excitement, but we have a wonderful morning planned before that. Today, you’ll dive deep into Kazakhstan’s capital. You’ll start the day heading to the top of the Baiterek tower to soak up the city’s skyline, where you’ll get a birds-eye view of futuristic designs melding seamlessly with traditional Kazakh architecture.

Before breaking for lunch, you’ll also get a glimpse of Kazakhstan’s thriving art scene at a private exhibit (because you’re worth the VIP experience!) of the famed jewellery master, Berik Alibai. 

With Astana’s highlights uncovered, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for… it’s train time! Boarding at Nurly Zhol, you’ll hop aboard the fast train to Almaty. And when we say fast, we mean it. This train reaches speeds of up to 200 kilometres an hour, but you’ll barely be able to feel it once you’re tucked up in your berth.

Accommodation: Overnight train (one or two people per compartment)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – The Zailisky Alatau Mountains

Rise and shine! After your first night spent aboard a train (we hope you slept well!) you’ll pull into Almaty at 8am. From the station, you’ll be whisked straight to your plush hotel to freshen up, refuel with a filling breakfast and rest after the long journey. This afternoon, prepare to be wowed. 

Ascending into the skies via a cable car, you’ll disembark at the massive Shymbulak ski resort. The ski season hasn’t quite started yet, but that’s no problem, because you’re here for one thing and one thing only: the unbeatable vision of the mountains stretching out all around you.

Take advantage of your time up here by wandering around the mountaintop, gawping at every new glimpse you get of your fabulous surroundings. Go on, snap a photo (or fifty) – you know you want to!

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Park (or similar), Almaty – Kazakhstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Almaty

Peel back the layers of Almaty, the nation’s former capital and once the centre of everything in Kazakhstan. Standing in the shadow of the chilling NKVD building, you’ll learn all about the political repressions and haunting famine that took place here during the Soviet era. Then, you’ll leap back into the 21st century to explore the most fabulous modern landmarks of Almaty. 

We’re all rail addicts here at ‘Mag Rail’, so of course we couldn’t resist adding a trip to the Railway Museum of Kazakhstan to today’s agenda. Learning about the country’s rail history will make you even more excited to remember your train journey just a few days ago and will have you waiting with bated breath for the next one.

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Park (or similar), Almaty – Kazakhstan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Tashkent

Today you’ll trade the vast Kazakh landscapes for the capital of Uzbekistan. It’s an easy start to the day – you just need to roll out of bed in time for a midday flight to Tashkent. But why are you flying instead of taking the train? Easy – it’ll save you hours of border bureaucracy! 

Gone are the days of Genghis Khan’s reign and Tamerlane’s feasts, but you’ll still be able to feel their legacies in Tashkent. The city has a long history of invaders, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the majority of the city centre – it’s surprisingly modern! You’ll get to know your new home for the next two nights this afternoon, checking out Independence Square to learn about the Uzbek people’s fierce struggle to be free of Soviet rule.

It’s a new country for you and a new cuisine for your tastebuds, so tonight you’ll delve into a hearty Uzbek meal at Restaurant Caravan – one of our favourites!

Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S (or similar), Tashkent – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – The Metro Stations of Tashkent

As you found out yesterday, most of Tashkent is surprisingly modern, but a pocket of its ancient and historic wonders, like the Khast Imam Complex, still remains. It’s a miracle considering that a devastating earthquake destroyed most of the city in 1966!

More like a mammoth geometric work of art than a building, Khast Imam is adorned with detailed tile patterns and finished with bold blue domes. Standing back to take it all in, you’ll catch your breath before being drawn to its walls to study the intricacies – this is just what you’d imagined the Silk Road would be about! 

It’s easy to get around Tashkent in style – just ride the Tashkent Metro! You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d walked into a palace, not a metro station. That’s because the fancy metro stations of Tashkent are a closely-guarded secret. It was illegal to photograph them until 2018! With a metro journey under your belt, you’ll head over to the Railway Museum of Uzbekistan to check out their mind-bending collection of old Russian and Soviet steam engines.

Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S (or similar), Tashkent – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Across the Desert to Khiva

The buzzing Chorsu Bazaar is waiting for you today, where emerald-domed stalls will beckon you with a mishmash of spices, produce, crafts and local chatter. It’s a lot, that’s for sure, but this afternoon is free, so you’ll have plenty of time to recover. Whether you have a niche attraction you’re desperate to visit, or just fancy chilling at the hotel, the choice is yours! We’ve arranged a late checkout at the hotel so there’s no need to hurry.

The day is winding down, but the excitement is only just beginning. Tonight, you’ll step aboard a vintage Soviet-era train to make the overnight journey to Khiva. It’s typically a no-frills experience, but we’ve reserved some extra space so you’ll only need to share with one Mag Railer. As you settle into your berth, let the hum of conversations, the smell of freshly brewed tea and the faint shiver of the train against the tracks lull you to sleep. Sweet dreams!

Accommodation: Overnight train (one or two people per compartment)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Khiva

Waking up, you’ll get a view you didn’t bargain for from your berth’s window – desert sands as far as your eye can see! You’ll pull into Khiva at 11am. We’ve got early check-in sorted, so freshen up and then dive into the heart of Khiva. This is the most architecturally intact Silk Road city in Uzbekistan and it’s rare for visitors to not fall head-over-heels in love at first sight!

Time seems to fold here… did you just accidentally step into a time portal?! It’s all too easy to picture caravans traversing the Silk Road and ancient merchants trading exotic goods along the paths you’ll tread today. 

After a long day of exploring, the homey Islam Khodja Hotel awaits. This guest house is traditional, inviting and has knockout views of the ancient complex. It ticks all the boxes!

Accommodation: Hotel Islam Khodja (or similar), Khiva – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – Khiva

Another day in Khiva? Don’t mind if we do!

Today, you’re tackling Ichan-Kala Fortress. This walled inner-city section of Khiva preserves more than 60 historic monuments and a whole host of houses dating back hundreds of years. At the entrance, you’ll soon get an idea of the treasures in store for you as you’re greeted by the shimmering Kalta-minor Minaret, flaunting its bold blue, green and gold design. 

With your expert guide leading the charge, you’ll weave through the nooks and crannies and learn a few locals-only secrets along the way. The icing on the cake? Stopping by the Ak Sheikh Baba observation platform for views of Old Khiva that you’ll need to see with your own eyes to believe. 

You’ve had a lot to take in today, so dinner tonight is the perfect opportunity to relive the highlights and share your photos with your fellow Mag Railers.

Accommodation: Hotel Islam Khodja (or similar), Khiva – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 – Darvaza’s Door to Hell

Swap train tracks for tyre tracks, because today you’re road-tripping to Turkmenistan. It’s just you, the road and a gripping book to kill the time. You’re going to need one, because the border crossing will take two to three hours.

With a new passport stamp, you’ll head to Dashoguz to refuel with a local lunch. The sustenance is much appreciated because the next leg is a rollercoaster ride – five hours of dodging potholes! But it’s not about the journey; it’s the destination… and the Darvaza gas crater, aka The Door to Hell, is well worth getting off the beaten path for. Fiery, mysterious and utterly mesmerising – it’s photography gold!

Tonight, you’re going rustic, devouring a meal cooked over open flames and snuggling down in a cosy yurt camp under the stars. Nights like these, far away from civilisation, are what we all travel for. You’re not even halfway through the adventure yet!

Accommodation: Overnight in Yurt Camp, Turkmenistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 – Ashgabat

Wake up, sleepyheads! After the night spent in your comfy yurt, it’ll be hard to tear yourself out of bed, but you have Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, waiting for you.

It’s another five-hour journey across the desert to get to Ashgabat, so of course we have a few fabulous surprise stops up our sleeves to break up the journey. When you see the city begin to appear out of the desert you’ll wonder if you’re seeing a mirage – its white marble-clad buildings certainly shimmer as if they could be! 

There’s no better way to stretch your legs after a long drive than to stroll around a new town to explore the city’s best bits. We have a treat for you tonight… have you ever stayed in a completely cylindrical hotel? Bet you haven’t! Here, even the indoor pool is curved. It’s unique, that’s for sure!

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar), Ashgabat – Turkmenistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 – Old Nisa Fortress

Fill up at breakfast, because today is a full-on adventure through Turkmen history! First on the list? The stunning Old Nisa fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you wander around this pentagon-shaped beauty crouched at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, you’ll feel the Parthian Empire come to life around you. This place is over 2,000 years old!  

Is it lunchtime already?! Relishing a local lunch as a group, it’s time to sample even more weird and wonderful Turkmen dishes before you trot over to the State Hippodrome Bedev. Here, you’ll get up close to the elegant Akhal Teke horses – the pride of Turkmenistan – and chit chat with a local horse breeder. 

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar), Ashgabat – Turkmenistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 – Train to Mary

You didn’t cover everything Ashgabat has to offer on your first day in the city, so you’re filling in the gaps today. The star of the show this morning is the Russian Bazaar, a riot of colours and all sorts of exotic crafts. Have you noticed those bold and bright scarves the local women wear around the city? This is where you can pick one up for yourself. Go on – there’s always an excuse to buy a souvenir.

Hungry yet? Dinner tonight will be quite late, so you’ll need to fill your tummy while you can.

Then, it’s back to the romance of rails as you board the slow train to Mary. The journey is set to take around seven hours. Share the carriage and the views with intrigued locals (you’ll possibly be the first international tourist they’ve ever seen!) as the sun sets across the mogul-like sand dunes of the countryside. 

Accommodation: Hotel Margush (or similar), Mary – Turkmenistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 – Ancient  Merv

After breakfast, let’s time travel once more! Ancient Merv awaits and it’s not your average ruin. Standing proud on the UNESCO list, Merv is actually the oldest and best-preserved of all the oasis cities along the Silk Road. These structures here have been standing for over 4,000 years and exploring them, you won’t be able to resist wondering what secrets these walls could spill if they talked! 

By afternoon, Mary beckons. Stepping into the Juma Mosque, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a world where time stands still, with every arch echoing the locals’ whispers of prayer. Just around the corner, the Russian Orthodox church stands tall and hauntingly beautiful, telling the tale of Mary’s multi-faith background.

Accommodation: Hotel Margush (or similar), Mary – Turkmenistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 – Hello Uzbekistan

Ready to add another stamp to that passport? Bright and early, you’ll hit the road for the four-hour drive to Turkmenabat, on the border with Uzbekistan. Why not the train? Well, that departs Mary about three in the morning, so we figured you’d appreciate the extra few hours in bed.

Border crossings can be a drag, but when you’re this remote, they’re nothing short of thrilling! Bidding a fond farewell to your trusty Turkmen driver, you’ll walk through the border checkpoint with the comforting presence of your trip leader. Then, take your first few steps back on Uzbek soil. In the distance, you’ll see your new Uzbek driver who’ll spirit you away to Bukhara.

Arriving at Hotel Amelia as the night draws in, you’ll soon feel right at home. This cosy nest is the perfect place to lay your head after a long travel day… but not before you head out to dinner with the group to sample your first new bites of yummy Uzbek food!

Accommodation: Hotel Amelia (or similar), Bukhara – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 – Bukhara

‘Bukhoroi Shareef’, or Holy Bukhara, opens its arms wide for you today and the Ismail Somoni Mausoleum, with its mind-bending intricate brickwork, is as good a place to start as any. It’s the oldest Muslim monument in town and you’ll struggle to tear your eyes away from it!

The top-notch Poikalon Complex is today’s main event. When you see the patterned hues of blue and yellow brick glowing in the sun, you’ll soon agree that it’s one of the most awe-inspiring places you’ve ever seen. Local legend has it that Genghis Khan was so impressed with Poikalon that he couldn’t bring himself to destroy it. What a relief!

This evening, you’ll peel back the layers and explore Bukhara with a local woman who will lead you through the city’s backstreets – teaching you the national rituals of Bukhara and sharing her family stories. You won’t find a better history lesson than this.

Accommodation: Hotel Amelia (or similar), Bukhara – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 – Samarkand

Start the day by meeting Rahman, a famous, sixth-generation embroidery master whose work has graced galleries across the world. Entering his artistic home, you’ll learn all about the age-old techniques he uses to create Uzbekistan’s best embroidery works. 

After such a unique experience, it’s only fair that you have a unique lunch to fit the mood. We’ve got just the ticket – a private dining room reserved just for you Mag Railers. Entertainment? We’ve got that covered too. The Local Bukhara Philharmonic Band will perform traditional song and dance as you gorge on plov, the hearty rice dish beloved across the region. If only lunch was like this every day!

This afternoon is bittersweet  – it’s your final train journey of the adventure. The sleek, high-speed train you’re boarding today is a far cry from some of the Soviet clangers you’ve ridden on so far. It’s the perfect way to round off this unforgettable journey. Next stop: Samarkand!

Accommodation: Hotel Rabat (or similar), Samarkand – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18 – Samarkand

How do we even begin to explain the experience of seeing Registan, Samarkand’s central square, for the first time? It’s Uzbekistan’s most famous landmark for a reason and that reason is that it’s drop-dead gorgeous! 

As you stand at its centre, you won’t be able to help but feel small. With the three iconic madrassas – Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tillya Kori – wrapping around you in a kaleidoscope of blues, golds and fiery reds, you’ll only be able to form one thought… “wow”!

Continuing the sensory overload, you’ll head over to Siyob Bazaar. Ready to play “spot the juiciest melon”? You’ll struggle, because this market is home to the freshest fruits and veggies in town, all grown in the Zarafshan Valley. It’s a rainbow-coloured extravaganza of produce!

Accommodation: Hotel Rabat (or similar), Samarkand – Uzbekistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19 – Tajikistan 

There’s always more to see in Samarkand – so take advantage of the time this morning to cover your main omissions thus far. Yup, we’re talking about the tiled cemetery of Shah-i Zinda and the Ulugbek Observatory, once the biggest research centre in Central Asia!

After saying goodbye to Uzbekistan with a yummy farewell lunch, it’s time for another border crossing. Pop your trainers on, because this one is on foot again. Wave hello to Penjikent as your trusty wheels whisk you from the border, removing the stress of taking the unpredictable Tajik trains. Luckily, there are some incredible things to see along the way – any guesses what the surprise stops will be?

Accommodation: Hotel Panjakent Plaza (or similar), Panjakent – Tajikistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20 – Zarafshan Mountains

Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, is where you’re heading today. We have good news and bad news, though. The bad news is, it’s a seven-hour drive away. The good news is, with the epic scenery of the Zarafshan Mountains passing you by, you’ll spend every second of the journey glued to your window!

Of course, we’ve sprinkled in some Mag Rail magic to break up the journey. Your pit stop? Iskander Kul, in the remote but famed Fann Mountains. It’s a lake so immaculate, it could make a mirror jealous! You’ll enjoy lunch lakeside here – and, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go on a short hike to chase some waterfalls. 

Accommodation: Hotel Rumi (or similar),  Dushanbe – Tajikistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 21 – Dushanbe

It’s your last full day on the Silk Road, so make the most of it! Let’s start with Dushanbe’s greatest mystery: why does a 13-metre-long Buddha call this city in Tajikistan, a predominantly Muslim country, home? You’ll have to visit to find out!

With the group, you’ll zig-zag through the city to check out its very best bits, drinking in the views from the Independence Monument and marvelling at the Navruz Palace, before swinging over to Rudaki Park, an ode to the 10th-century Persian poet, Rudaki. You may not have heard of him, but he’s a big deal in these parts!

Time flies when you’re having fun and suddenly, it’s the last supper (Tajik style)! Amidst platters of Tajik deliciousness, share stories of those train rides you’ll never forget and belly-laugh over the group’s many inside jokes.

Accommodation: Hotel Rumi (or similar),  Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 22 – Farewell Friends

As dawn breaks on your last day, gather with your Mag Railers for one more breakfast together. Between bites, share your favourite memories and exchange contact details, because this may be the end of your journey, but not for the friendships forged here. This isn’t a goodbye, but a “ ‘til we meet on another adventure”!

Included: Breakfast