Silk Road Odyssey

Departing: Beijing - 28 days
Countries visited: China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, 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.

Itinerary

Days 1-2. Beijing
Beijing will prove unforgettable, all senses assailed - sight 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. On the evening of day 2 we join the overnight express to Xian - gateway to the Silk Road.

Days 3-4. 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.

Days 5-6. Dunhuang
After a morning arrival into Dunhuang, an oasis at an important crossroad of the Silk Road, we explore the magnificent Mogao Caves. The caves are famous for the Buddhist artwork which dates back at least 1000 years and for being the best known Chinese Buddhist grottoes. In the evening of day 6 we drive to Liuyuan and then board the overnight train to Turpan.

Days 7-8. 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 afternoon we depart by train across the fringes of the mighty Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar.

Days 9-10. Kashgar
To the legendary Silk Road market town of Kashgar. 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. 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.

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. 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.

Days 13-14. Bishkek to Tashkent
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. Then beyond the lakeside scenery and high plains of central Kyrgyzstan and travel by air 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. 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.

Day 17. To Samarkand 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 Samarkand.

Days 18-19. Samarkand and onto Tashkent
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. Return to Tashkent and in the evening board the train which will take us across Kazakstan to Moscow.

Days 20-22. 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 23-25. 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.

Essentials

Group Size
Group Size 15 maximum, plus Tour Leader

Accommodation
Hotels & Guesthouses - 16 nights (twin share)
Yurt - 1 night (shared)
Homestay - 1 night (shared)
Trains - 9 nights (4-berth)

Meals
24 in total. Breakfast (18), lunch (3), dinner (3).

Travel by
Train: Comfortable 4-berth sleepers.
There are 6 rail sectors on this journey
- Beijing to Xian (1 night)
- Xian to Dunhuang (1 night)
- Liuyuan to Turpan (1 nights)
- Turpan to Kashgar (1 night)
- Tashkent to Bukhara (1 night)
- Tashkent to Moscow (3 nights)
- Moscow to St.Petersburg (1 night)
Local Flight: Between Bishkek and Tashkent.
Other: A variety of private chartered vehicles (China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan and Uzbekistan are used on the non-rail overland sectors). For 'Scheduled Sightseeing' we generally use small minibuses, and for 'City Exploring' we use local taxis, public transport and go on foot.

Sightseeing
Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guide. While too numerous to detail here, extensive 'Scheduled Sightseeing' is provided in the following cities: Beijing, Xian, Dunhuang, Turpan, Kashgar, Bishkek, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Moscow and St.Petersburg. Full details in the Trip Dossier. City Exploring is further sightseeing outside the itinerary guideline but with the Tour Leader.

Visas
Required for China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan and Russia. Sundowners Overland will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support, including detailed visa guidelines.