Silk Route Odyssey

28 Days China to Russia

SU-OY

China - Kyrgyzstan - Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan - Russia

From the great East Gate of Xian the network of commercial arteries linking China with Central Asia and onto Europe became known as the Silk Route. Great cities emerged, in particular Samarkand and Bukhara, magnificent citadels of architectural splendour, seats of learning and states of considerable power.

To follow this ancient trade route by rail is to be on a brilliant and unique journey. Join us aboard the train that links the diverse cultures of China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan and Russia

Available dates:
May 5 - Jun 1, 2006 Jun 9 - Jul 6, 2006 Aug 11 - Sep 7, 2006 Sep 15 - Oct 12, 2006 May 4 - May 31, 2007 Jun 8 - Jul 5, 2007 Aug 10 - Sep 6, 2007 Sep 14 - Oct 10, 2007

Costs

From $4310.00 USD / $4990.00 CAD
No Single Supplement

$240 USD Local Payment

Itinerary

Download Detailed Trip Dossier (DOC - 748KB)

Days 1 - 3: Beijing: Beijing will prove unforgettable, all senses assailed - colour and sound, smell and taste. Our sightseeing begins with a visit to the Great Wall. Built to defend the civilised world from the fierce and capable Mongol horsemen, it stretches 5000 kilometres across the distant hills. You are also free to discover at your own pace, there is plenty to see and do; the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Gate of Heavenly Peace and Tiananmen Square. On the evening of day 3 we join the overnight express to Xian - gateway to the Silk Road.

Days 4 - 5: Xian. The glittering city of fabled wealth at the end of the ‘Golden Journey’, the Silk Road travelled by Marco Polo. The extraordinary buried army of some 6,000 life sized terracotta figures must be seen to be believed. In the evening we board the train for the two night journey to Turpan.

Days 6 - 7: Aboard the Western Railway. Westwards to the far-flung frontier beyond the Taklamakan, past Jiayuguan, the bastion ramparts of the Great Wall's most westerly garrison, and on across the sea of dunes.

Day 8: Turpan. Famed for its great trestles of vines and its channels dug beneath the desert bringing water from the Tien Shan. Here the Silk Road most resembles the way it once was; look at the faces in the old bazaar, peoples from the four corners of Asia, still using donkey carts and camels, drinking the black tea of the Turks, responding to the muezzin's call to prayer. This evening we depart by train across the fringes of the mighty Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar.

Day 9: Kashgar. To the legendary Silk Road market town of Kashgar. Located between the massive mountain ranges of the Tien Shan to the north, the Pamir to the west, the Karakoram to the south and the largest desert in Asia, the Taklamakan to the east. Visit the old town and bazaars, Id Kah Mosque and Abakh Hoja Mausoleum, with its green tiled dome one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in Kashgar.

Day: 10 Kashgar. Today is free to explore the wonderful Sunday Market where little has changed over the centuries. Sunday is particularly special because of the livestock market. It is truly fascinating to watch donkeys, mules, horses and camels being test ridden just as we would a new or used car.

Day 11: Tash Rabat Caravanserai. Departing Kashgar we steadily climb through the Tien Shan Range to the Torugart Pass (3752m) enroute to Tash Rabat, one of the few remaining caravanserai of the Silk Road is a large impressive stone shelter in a beautiful valley setting and dates from the 10th century. Later in the day we continue onto Naryn.

Day 12: To Lake Issyk Kul. Continuing north we cross the Dolon Pass (3030m) enroute to Lake Issyk Kul, the largest lake in Central Asia. There is little traffic and apart from a few other small settlements in the river valleys the country is strangely alluring with its barren and rugged landscape. Surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Tien Shan, Lake Issyk Kul (warm lake) is one of the world's largest bodies of fresh water, and despite an altitude of 1,600 metres never freezes.

Day 13: Bishkek. Through Balykchy and onto the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. The road cuts through the western edge of the Terskey Range and spectacular mountains can be seen.

Day 14: To Tashkent. We leave the lakeside scenery and high plains of central Kyrgyzstan and make the long journey west through Dzhambul and Chimkent and the many small town and local markets, to Tashkent. With narrow streets the old city and bazaar are in contrast to modern Soviet-inspired architecture of the Uzbek capital.

Days 15 - 16: Samarkand. We depart this morning by road to the most magnificent city of the ancient Silk Road. We enjoy a full and fascinating two days as we discover the Registan (Central Asia's most splendid architectural ensemble), the Bibi Khanym Mosque and beyond the city; Ulug Bek's Observatory and the Shah-i-Zinda Mausoleum.

Day 17: To Bukhara via Shakrisabz. Our drive into the Zerafshan Range provides us with magnificent views as we travel to Shakrisabz, birthplace of Tamerlane, and where the ruined entrance towers of his Ak-Serai Palace still stand. Shakrisabz is a pretty market town with winding mud lanes of traditional homes and a relaxed atmosphere among its many mosques and teahouses. This afternoon we arrive in Bukhara.

Days 18 - 19: Bukhara. Across the Kyzyl Kum Desert, Bukhara has all the elements of the classic Silk Road city; the crumbling city walls, Ark Fortress and the old covered bazaar date back almost one thousand years through a rich and turbulent history. We enjoy exploring the city and its historic sites; the Kalyan Minaret (the Tower of Death), pool of Labi-Hauz and its many mosques and madrasas. This evening we board the overnight train to Tashkent.

Day 20: To Tashkent. Arriving into the Uzbek capital for a last chance to explore the old town and Chorsu Bazaar.

Days 21 - 23: Aboard the Trans Kazak Railway to Moscow. The 3,800 kilometres of track heads across the Kazak Steppe through cotton crops and desert and grasslands to Orenburg in the Urals. It crosses the Volga and continues through meadow and forest, past farms and the gilded copulas of village churches to arrive at Moscow's Kazan Station.

Days 24 - 25: Moscow. Moscow will amaze you. Its palaces and public buildings restored to their former glory, the echoing vastness of Red Square, the splendid twirled cupolas of St.Basil's across the cobblestones, and the Kremlin itself - that fabled palace-fort of gilded domes. Our last rail journey is aboard the overnight express to St. Petersburg.

Days 26 - 27: St.Petersburg. It is the city on the water, the 'Venice of the North', standing resplendent on the delta of the Neva River. St Isaac's Cathedral, richly filled palaces and museums, wide boulevards and canals. The gilded halls of the Hermitage Museum hung with the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and many other great masters, and sculptures by Michelangelo and Rodin.

Day 28: Depart St.Petersburg. The adventure is complete, you have travelled the ancient Silk Road by rail and discovered along the way the incredible history and fascinating people of Central Asia.