Republics of the Silk Road
Luxury Group Travel | 14 Days
- Immerse yourself in the region’s lively bazaars and engage with locals as they shop for fresh produce, artisanal bread, fragrant spices, and colorful textiles
- Visit Lake Issyk-Kul, its turquoise waters ringed by snowcapped peaks, and witness the 4,000-year-old art of golden eagle hunting alongside traditional nomads
- Enjoy tea and local delicacies at the opulent, intricately designed Kohi Nayruz Palace in little-visited Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan
- Delve into Kyrgyz cuisine at a hands-on bread making class and learn about the varied shapes and flavors this food staple has throughout the country
An arresting tapestry of cultures, landscapes, religions, and ideas, the storied Silk Road has captivated intrepid travelers for millennia and continues to capture our imaginations today. With a thoughtful blend of luxury and adventure, you discover this iconic thoroughfare, journeying to five unique countries and traversing thousands of picturesque miles in supreme comfort and style aboard the luxurious Golden Eagle train.
From the alpine wonder of Kyrgyzstan and the UNESCO-listed gems of Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara, to the extravagance of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and verdant, little-known Tajikistan, this epic, 14-day Central Asia travel odyssey will deliver you home transformed by the treasures you encounter in this matchless region.
Trip Overview
1 – 2
Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan Stroll through Panfilov Park and visit kaleidoscopic Zenkhov Cathedral Board the elegantly appointed Golden Eagle
3 – 4
Travel by train to Lake Issyk-Kul where you witness the ancient art of golden eagle hunting Cross the border into Kyrgyzstan and visit its charming capital city Continue west to arrive in Tashkent (Uzbekistan's capital city).
5 – 6
The Golden Eagle rolls onward to Bukhara, once Central Asia’s holiest Muslim city and its richest bazaar Time and weather permitting, enjoy an evening barbecue on the station platform Onwards to UNESCO-listed Merv, thought to have been the world's largest city in the 12th century.
7 – 8
Next, cross the border to Turkmenistan and visit the white-marble opulence of capital Ashgabat Make a stop in Ichoguz where you can view Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater Continue to the ancient city of Khiva, a World Heritage Site.
9 – 10
The UNESCO-honored statue of Amir Timur and his Ak-Saray Palace await in Shahrisabz Cross into Tajikistan and visit its capital city Dushanbe On a guided exploration of Kohi Navruz Palace, learn the fascinating history of this teahouse-turned-palace.
11 – 14
In the cultural crossroads of Samarkand, behold its numerous sensational sites, including the Registan by day and night Visit a silk factory in Margilan and a ceramics workshop in Rishtan Your final day aboard the train brings you to Kokand, site of the intricately decorated Khudayar Khan Fortress Enjoy a farewell meal aboard the Golden Eagle Arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; depart.
Dates & Prices
Dates
10/05/24 – 10/18/24
04/20/25 – 05/03/25
09/27/25 – 10/10/25
Pricing
From $24,692 per person
Inclusions
- All accommodations, ground transportation, airport transfers, and gratuities
- Sightseeing, events, visits, and entrance fees
- Most meals
- Services of an expedition leader, lecturers, and support staff during voyage
- Personal headsets on all off-train excursions
- Expertise of GeoEx travel specialists and in-house air reservations team
- Bottled or filtered water at included meals and while sightseeing
- Emergency evacuation services and secondary medical expense insurance
