The Legendary Once-in-a-life-time journey across 14 days, 13 nights from £2,260

Follow the legendary Silk Road back in time, across three countries and seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Route

Highlights

A once-in-a-lifetime Central Asian train journey, taking in seven breath-taking UNESCO World Heritage sites in 14 days. The winding streets and market life of and . Enchanted backstreets, vast gateways, glittering , and ancient city walls. The 1001 nights come to life. The desert sun in square, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. The cool ease and simplicity of your own private train, in a region usually limited to long, uncomfortable bus rides. Live like a local, from experiencing a folklore show in a madrasah, to lunches in the former Summer Palace of the Emir and an Uzbek family.

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Your Itinerary - Eastbound

DAY 1, WELCOME TO ASHGABAT You land where mountains meet the desert, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s extraordinary capital city. Soon you’re travelling along newly-built boulevards, past golden domes and marble monoliths to your hotel. Rest and take your bearings. Tomorrow you will explore ’s vibrant young capital. Overnight: Hotel Ashgabat (or similar)

DAY 2, ASHGABAT AND ANCIENT NISA Amid the early morning bustle, you dive into the vast, dizzying delights of a typical Central Asian market. Scents mingle: rugs, piled spices, sheepskin, sizzling street food. Soon you leave the day’s deals behind and head to the ruins of ancient Nisa and its relics in the National Museum. After lunch, you tour Ashgabat, its new marble buildings a gleaming display of the city’s oil wealth. In the evening, you board your private train and find your luggage ready and waiting in your personal compartment. You unpack and relax, then head for the dining car. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 3, , THE ANCIENT PEARL OF THE EAST At daybreak, your private train draws into the ancient oasis of Merv. In the twelfth-century, this was one of the largest cities in the world. Nourished by the Silk Road, its fame crossed continents. Now you stand surrounded by imposing ruins that rise up from the desert sand, and crumbling arches framing a bright blue sky. You walk among the relics of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including the gigantic Tomb of Ahmed Sanjar, the Virgin Fortress and the cold room, and are invited to lunch in the courtyard of a family home. Next stop: Bukhara. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 4, BUKHARA, THE NOBLE Beneath the imposing yellow brickwork of the Kaljan minaret, you gaze at the magnificent gateways on either side of the courtyard, each a heady cocktail of intricate tilework and grand design. This is only a first glimpse of old Bukhara, a site of UNESCO World Heritage holding a miraculous city-museum of a thousand monuments, each a testimony to the glory days of caravan trade. At the Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, you witness the 500-year-old architectural ingenuity that keeps a pool full in the baking Kysylkum desert. You learn about the satirical Sufi Nasreddin Hodja, watch local dances, listen to exotic Uzbek tunes and have dazzling national costumes paraded in the courtyard of a madrasah. Overnight: Hotel Asia Bukhara (or similar). (BLD)

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

DAY 5, MAUSOLEUM OF THE SAMANID Another long, glorious, desert day devoted to the infinitely rich Bukhara. From the sumptuous stylings of the Mire-e-Arab Madrasah, you move to the textured geometry of the Samanid Mausoleum regarded by many as the most beautiful and precious building in Central Asia. Then onto the gargantuan, 1,500-year-old Ark fortress, the only women’s in the country. Standing on its vast rampart, you take a last view out over Bukhara, glistening turquoise and yellow in the bright afternoon light. A diamond in the dust. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 6, FROM BUKHARA TO KHIVA A last morning exploring the streets of Bukhara before you board the train and depart for Khiva. Spectacular landscapes of steppe, sky, rock and distant mountains scroll by the window. Overnight on board (BLD)

DAY 7, A FAIRY TALE OF 1001 NIGHTS This is Khiva, an ancient city fortress. Beneath the vivid blue glazed bands of the Kalta Minor Minaret, you set out through the sun and shadow of winding streets on a dreamlike tour of the town’s palaces, , mausoleums and madrasah. All inhabited, thriving – a living museum. You lunch in the old Summer Palace of the Emir. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 8, , THE ANCIENT

Wealth, conquest and faith intertwine among the splendours of Samarqand, one of the oldest settlements on Earth. At the time of Timur, this was called the most beautiful city in the world. Today, as you stand among the ornate marble pillars and vaults of Registan square or the exquisite glazed tiles of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, it’s impossible to suppress your sense of wonder. Visiting the excavation site, you untangle the roots of this astonishing civilization. Overnight: Registan Plaza Hotel (or similar). (BLD)

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

DAY 9, SAMARKAND, THE MAGNIFICENT Another day to soak up the UNESCO World Heritage site of Samarqand on this train journey. Delve into its Islamic past and sift through its riches. You see Uzbek craftsmen skillfully weave silk into carpets and press paper from mulberry bark, before casting your eyes to the magnificent past at the Ulugh Beg Observatory, the ruins of Bibi Khanum Mosque and the impressive Gur Emir Mausoleum. Overnight: Registan Plaza Hotel (or similar). (BLD)

DAY 10, SHAKHRISABZ, THE MIGHTY

Under wide blue skies, you explore , a UNESCO World Heritage site. Timur, the fourteenth-century Mongol conqueror, filled this once-mighty city with grandiose testaments to his earthly power. Now his palaces stand in ruins around you in the bustling market town: crumbling reminders of a lost empire. You experience a folklore performance, and meet some of the locals in a small village. Before night closes in, the train departs, and you join fellow travelers for an Uzbek wine tasting in the dining car. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 11, TASHKENT, THE GREEN OASIS Your private train rolls into Tashkent, a city studded with monuments that hark back to the Silk Road. You experience the lush, green oasis of the steppe and tour its , fortresses and madrasah—history in earthen brick and turquoise tile. As evening arrives, you depart and travel the Silk Road trail to Kazakhstan. Overnight on board (BLD)

DAY 12, NOMAD'S PILGRAMAGE CENTRE, TURKESTAN As you eat breakfast, the glorious steppe unfolds outside the window to the steady beat of the railroad moving along the tracks. Soon you arrive in Turkestan, and stand before the magnificent Mausoleum of Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi, the vast, brightly tiled testament to power and beauty that UNESCO have made a World Heritage site and the Kazakhs revere as their national icon. It’s your last night on the train and your last dinner in the dining car. You bid a fond farewell to the staff as you roll on towards Almaty. Overnight on board (BLD)

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

DAY 13, ALMATY, THE FATHER OF APPLES

Standing beneath the brilliantly colored patterns on the Ascension Cathedral, you gaze up at one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. It’s been a day of discovery, strolling through Kazakhstan’s capital of avenues and cafes, framed by the foothills of the mountain range. You see the circus, the wedding palace and the central mosque, and, in the evening eat a farewell dinner in a yurt restaurant. Overnight/day room: Rahat Palace Hotel (or similar). (BLD)

DAY 14, ALMATY, AN EPIC JOURNEY COMES TO AN END You catch the transfer for your flight home, leaving wide blue skies, the open steppe, and epic monuments behind you, laden with unparalleled memories of the Silk Road.

(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Your Itinerary - Westbound

DAY 1, WELCOME TO ALMATY Like traders on the Silk Road one thousand years ago, you arrive in Almaty surrounded by the cool midnight air. A bus whisks you to your hotel to rest. Tomorrow, you will explore Kazakhstan’s vibrant capital city. Overnight: Rahat Palace Hotel (or similar).

DAY 2, LIFE AT ALMATY Standing beneath the brilliantly colored patterns on the Ascension Cathedral, you gaze up at one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. It’s been a morning of discovery, strolling through Kazakhstan’s capital of avenues and cafes, framed by the foothills of the Tian Shan mountain range. Soon you will be treated to a welcome lunch in a yurt restaurant, before you board your private train. Your luggage is ready and waiting for you in your personal compartment. You unpack and relax, then head for the dining car. Overnight on board. Meals included: breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D).

DAY 3, NOMAD'S PILGRAMAGE CENTRE, TURKESTAN As you eat breakfast, the glorious steppe unfolds outside the window to the steady beat of the railroad moving along the tracks. Soon you arrive in Turkestan, and stand before the magnificent Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi: the vast, brightly-tiled testament to power and beauty that UNESCO have made a World Heritage site and the Kazakhs revere as their national icon. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 4, TASHKENT, THE GREEN OASIS Your private train rolls into Tashkent, a city studded with monuments that hark back to the Silk Road. You experience the lush, green oasis of the steppe and tour its caravanserais, fortresses and madrasah—history in earthen brick and turquoise tile. As evening arrives, you depart and travel the Silk Road trail to Kazakhstan. Overnight on board (BLD)

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

DAY 5, SHAKHRISABZ, THE MIGHTY Under wide blue skies, you explore Shahrisabz, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Timur, the fourteenth-century Mongol conqueror, filled this once-mighty city with grandiose testaments to his earthly power. Now his palaces stand in ruins around you in the bustling market town: crumbling reminders of a lost empire. You experience a folklore performance, and meet some of the locals in a small village. Before night closes in, the train departs, and you join fellow travelers for an Uzbek wine tasting in the dining car. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 6, SAMARKAND, THE ANCIENT Wealth, conquest and faith intertwine among the splendors of Samarqand, one of the oldest settlements on Earth. At the time of Timur, this was called the most beautiful city in the world. Today, as you stand among the ornate marble pillars and vaults of Registan square or the exquisite glazed tiles of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, it’s impossible to suppress your sense of wonder. In visiting the Afrosiyab excavation site you untangle the roots of this astonishing civilization. Overnight: Registan Plaza Hotel (or similar). (BLD)

DAY 7, SAMARKAND, THE MAGNIFICENT Another day to soak up the UNESCO World Heritage site of Samarqand on this train journey. Delve into its Islamic past and sift through its riches. You see Uzbek craftsmen skillfully weave silk into carpets and press paper from mulberry bark, before casting your eyes to the magnificent past at the Ulugh Beg Observatory, the ruins of Bibi Khanum Mosque and the impressive Gur Emir Mausoleum. Overnight: Registan Plaza Hotel (or similar). (BLD)

DAY 8, SAMARKAND TO KHIVA On a last bright morning in Samarqand, you breakfast, wander the city, and board your private train as the sun touches noon. The spectacular steppe scrolls by your window in green hills, ancient rock and distant mountains. Overnight on board. (BLD)

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

DAY 9, A FAIRY TALE OF 1001 NIGHTS This is Khiva, an ancient city fortress. Beneath the vivid blue glazed bands of the Kalta Minor Minaret, you set out through the sun and shadow of winding streets on a dreamlike tour of the town’s palaces, mosques, mausoleums and madrasah. All inhabited, thriving – a living museum. You lunch in the old Summer Palace of the Emir. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 10, BUKHARA, THE NOBLE Beneath the imposing yellow brickwork of the Kaljan minaret, you gaze at the magnificent gateways on either side of the courtyard, each a heady cocktail of intricate tilework and grand design. This is only a first glimpse of old Bukhara, a site of UNESCO World Heritage that holds a miraculous city-museum of a thousand monuments, each a testimony to the glory days of caravan trade. At the Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, you witness the 500-year-old architectural ingenuity that keeps a pool full in the baking Kysylkum desert. You learn about the satirical Sufi Nasreddin Hodja, watch local dances, listen to exotic Uzbek tunes and have dazzling national costumes paraded in the courtyard of a madrasah. Overnight: Hotel Asia Bukhara (or similar). (BLD)

DAY 11, MAUSOLEUM OF THE SAMANID Another long, glorious, desert day devoted to the infinitely rich Bukhara. From the sumptuous stylings of the Mire-e-Arab Madrasah, you move to the textured geometry of the Samanid Mausoleum regarded by many as the most beautiful and precious building in Central Asia. Then onto the gargantuan, 1,500-year-old Ark fortress, and the only women’s mosque in the country. Standing on its vast rampart, you take a last view out over Bukhara, glistening turquoise and yellow in the bright afternoon light. A diamond in the dust. Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 12, MERV, THE ANCIENT PEARL OF THE EAST At daybreak, your private train draws into the ancient oasis of Merv. In the twelfth- century, this was one of the largest cities in the world. Nourished by the Silk Road, its fame crossed continents. Now you stand surrounded by imposing ruins that rise up from the desert sand and crumbling arches framing bright blue sky. You walk among the relics of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including the gigantic Tomb of Ahmed Sanjar, the Virgin Fortress, and the cold room, and are invited to lunch in the courtyard of a family home. Overnight: Hotel Ashgabat (or similar). (BLD)

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

DAY 13, FORMER ROYAL CITY OF NISA AND TODAY'S CAPITAL, ASHGABAT Situated on the River Volga, the picturesque and historic city of Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan. Here we have the opportunity to see for ourselves its rich tapestry of history and culture. One of the highlights of this city tour is our exploration of the Kremlin Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the walls of this ancient citadel we will explore its stunning mosque and picture-perfect onion-domed cathedral. As Kazan is the birthplace of one of Russia’s most famous opera singers, Feodor Chaliapin (1873-1938), we honour his memory with a private concert of his music. You will also have time to wander through the main pedestrian area of Kazan and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city.

DAY 14, ASHGABAT - AN EPIC JOURNEY COMES TO AN END You catch the transfer for your flight home, leaving wide blue skies, the open steppe, and epic monuments behind you, laden with unparalleled memories of the Silk Road.

(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Compartments

Habibi

This compartment has sleeping berths (26.4 × 72.4 in /67 × 184cm) for up to four guests. A table near the window separates lower and upper berths on either side. Each car has nine compartments, with washroom facilities at both ends.

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Ali Baba

This compartment has two lower berths (27.5 × 74.8 in/67 × 184 cm each), as well as a table and additional storage space. Each car has nine compartments, with washroom facilities at both ends.

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Aladdin

This category features two lower beds (27.5 × 74.8 in/67 × 184 cm each), a small table and storage space. Each car has eight compartments and a shower, together with washroom facilities at both ends. Guests in this category also receive one bathrobe per compartment.

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Kalif

The Orient Silk Road Express’ grandest accommodation. The Kalif category features two beds, upper and lower (31.6 × 68.5 in/80 × 174 cm and 44 × 72.4 in/112 × 184 cm). Each compartment includes a closet, safe and private bathroom with a separate shower cabin. Each car in this category is limited to four compartments and a maximum of just eight guests.

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Orient Silk Road 2017 Departures

From £2,260 per person, please click to book

Eastbound

 14 April 2017 (14 days)  17 October 2017 (14 days)

Westbound

 30 March 2017 (14 days)  5 October 2017 (14 days)

Booking Conditions

Included in the price

• Seven nights on an exclusively chartered train • Five nights in mid to high-end hotels • Excellent service from the tour director, group guide or local guide, each with excellent English • An on board doctor • All excursions and sightseeing as per itinerary, including entry fees • All transfers / bus trips according to itinerary • Transfers and bus tours as per itinerary • All meals according to itinerary • Hugely popular catering, with local specialties prepared on board and served as per itinerary • Entertaining and enlightening lectures on local lands, people and cultures • Concise informational talks on the Trans-Siberian Railway, regional geography, culture, and history of the countries along the route • A booklet on the region and the train itself for each reserved compartment

Excluded from the price

 International flights  Visa fees paid directly to the Consulate  Travel Insurance  Gratitutes

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk

Please note that 15% deposit is paid on this tour

Cancellation policy

Up to 93 days prior to departure: 15% of total price Up to 12 days prior to departure: 80% of total price Up to 43 days prior to departure: 45% of total price Up to 2 days prior to departure: 90% of total price

To Book Call +442076035045 or Send Enquiry to [email protected] www.into-russia.co.uk