Day 1 Helsinki – St Petersburg – Moscow – Turkistan
The train journey from Helsinki to St Petersburg takes just under 3.5 hours, boarding the Allegro express train at 07.20 and arriving in fascinating St Petersburg at 10.47. Transfer to the train station in the heart of St. Petersburg.
The train journey from St Petersburg to Moscow takes just under 4.5 hours. We board the Sapsan express train at 13.45 and arrive in attractive Moscow at 17.52.
Before our train journey, there is an optional and extra charge visit to the oldest public Sanduny Spa in Russia. Founded in 1808 by actress Sila Sandunov, the spa is a unique monument to purity and hospitality. The spa consists of several buildings, some dating back to 1896, designed by the Austrian architect B. Freidenberg.
Extra charge for dinner in Moscow. In the evening departure by train number 150 from Moscow Kazan station to Turkistan (Kazakhstan) at 22.40.
Day 2 On the train
Day 3 On the train
Day 4 Turkistan – the atmosphere of the ancient Silk Road (L)
At 09.48 we arrive in Turkistan. A local guide will meet you.
We visit the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasaw, built in 1394 and one of the most important examples of Timurid architecture (UNESCO World Heritage Site). After lunch, we will continue by bus towards Shymkent. The village is known since the 1100s. It was founded as a caravanserai to protect the Silk Road city of Sayram, 10 km to the east. Shymkent grew up as a market centre and was destroyed several times: by Genghis Khan, by South Chinese soldiers and by nomadic raids.
Check-in at the Shymkent hotel. Free time.
Day 5 Shymkent city of parks – Sayram over 3000 years of history (L)
After breakfast, excursion to the Sayram settlement of the Silk Road. Sayram or ancient Ispijab, is the only city in Kazakhstan mentioned in the Avesta. Avesta is a sacred collection of the Zoroastrian religion. Sayram remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites for believers and its few architectural buildings have survived to the present day. A visit to Sayram is an interesting experience not only for believers, but also for those interested in the ancient history of the region. We will visit the Ethnography Museum.
Return to Shymkent for lunch and free time. Beer lovers are recommended to try the local breweries Smymkentskoe and Sigma bavarian style beers.
Day 6 Shymkent – Tashkent Central Asia’s only metro city (A,I)
After breakfast, transfer to the train station. Train number 1 Shymkent – Tashkent departs at 09.14 and arrives at 13.51. A local guide will meet you.
The tour starts with a visit to one of the city’s lively bazaars. After the train ride, hungry people will find delicacies in the bazaars and thirsty people in the charming tea rooms. Sightseeing attractions in the capital include the famous Barak-Khan Qur’anic school, home to the oldest handwritten Qur’an (Uthman Qu’ran). Take the metro to Amir Timur park-like square, better known as Independence Square.
At the end of the day, dinner will be enjoyed in one of the “Pilahvi Centre” restaurants and we will discover Uzbek delicacies.
Day 7 Tashkent – Legendary Samarkand (A,L)
Early wake-up and hotel breakfast, 07.00 transfer to the train station. At 08.00 we board the Afrosiyab express train and at 10.10 we arrive in fabled Samarkand. We will be met by a local guide and visit a local bakery.
There is much to see in Samarkand, and few cities have a more colourful history than Samarkand. The most famous attraction is the Registan Square, located in the heart of Samarkand. The square is flanked on three sides by buildings, minarets and madrasas in perfect architectural harmony. The Ulugh Beg Madrasa dates from around 1417-1420, the Tillya-Kari Madrasa and the Shir Dor Madrasa are all architectural masterpieces protected by Unesco.
After lunch we will visit the rural village of Konigil, about 20 km from Samarkand. The village has been producing very fine handmade paper for centuries. One of the masters shows us how the bark of a mulberry tree is transformed into fine paper.
Return to Samarkand. Free time. Private dinner. Accommodation in Asia Samarkand hotel.
Day 8 Samarkand – Bukhara (A,L,I)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the railway station. At 10.15am we board the Afrosiyab express train and at 11.40am we arrive in the exciting caravan town of Bukhara, met by a local guide.
Bukhara, in the middle of the Kyzylkum desert, has thousands of architectural monuments that reflect the golden years of the Silk Road. Exotic spices, furs and especially silk were preserved and traded in the city’s caravanserais. In the old town of Bukhara (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) we see the Kalyan mineral, almost 50 metres long, and the Lyab-I Hauz complex on the pond. In the courtyard of Madrasa, we watch a performance by local dancers and a display of national costumes accompanied by music. Accommodation at Asia Bukhara Hotel.
Day 9 Bukhara – Turkmenabat largest Amudarjan river port (156 km) (A,I)
Hotel breakfast. Free time for sensory exploration in beautiful Bukhara.
At 13.00 meet at the hotel lobby, transfer to Farabi border (Uzbekistan side) after passport control drive to Turkmenabad (the distance Bukhara-Mary will be replaced by bus if train service is not allowed). The present Turkmenabat as a stop on the Silk Road was called Amul until it was destroyed by the Mongols in 1221. The basis of the city’s current prosperity is the gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China, completed in 2009. Dinner and hotel accommodation in Turkmenabad.
Day 10 Turkmenabat – Merv – Mary (247 km) (A,L,I)
After breakfast, transfer to ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Merv is the remnant of one of the largest and most powerful Silk Road cities in the world. An initial impression of disbelief: great walls in the middle of the desert next to ancient buildings such as the tomb of Sultan Sanjar. Back to Mary, accommodation at the Mary Hotel.
Day 11 Mary – Capital of Ashgabad and the former imperial city of Nisa (A,L)
Breakfast at hotel, 06:00 transfer to the railway station, board the express train from Mary to Ashgabat at 07:25.At 13:00 we arrive at Ashgabadu railway station from where we drive to the ancient Parthian city of Nisa. In the evening we return to Ashgabat. Dinner. Hotel accommodation at the Grand Turkmen Hotel.
Day 12 Ashgabat – optional excursion to Derwaza village (A)
After breakfast, a guided tour of the spectacular Turkmen capital, a typical Saparmuratian city. A modern city whose oil wealth may be impressive but, at times, makes people wonder. In the afternoon, an optional and extra-fee excursion can be arranged for those who wish to visit the village of Derwaza (about 280 km from Ashgabad), which has a unique attraction in that the entrance to Hell is located next to the village. Or at least almost. In fact, the area is home to a huge gas deposit that was set alight by Soviet geologists over 40 years ago, and the fire hasn’t gone out since. Those staying in Ashgabat have free time during the tour to visit, for example, the Ashgabad National Museum. The museum displays a culture that has been shaped by the many different people, ethnicities and religions or visit the bazaar where you can see everyday life in the city.
Derwaza excursion: minimum 2 participants, our guide will join the excursion. You can bring a backpack or a canvas bag, hygiene items such as a wet towel and hiking snacks. We will return to Ashgabat late at night. The price of the tour includes a barbecue dinner. Price:
- 2 -3 participants – 260 €/person
- 4 participants – 190 €/person
- 5 – 6 participants – 175 €/person
- 7 participants – 160 €/person
Day 13 Ashgabad (A)
Free time.
Day 14 Return home (A)
Transfer to Ashgabad Airport. Flight Ashgabad – Istanbul 07.50 – 10.05. Onward connection to Helsinki 14.55 – 18.20.
