Three rail journeys and 1 regional flight, with private road transfers. Overnight stops separate key train and flight connections.
Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan: Silk Road Cities and Almaty — 14 Days
Explore the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan and the mountains of Almaty on a private 14-day journey. Choose Comfort or Premium hotels, with three rail journeys and the Tashkent–Almaty flight included.
2027 departures for 1–10 guests. From USD 3,284 per person with 10 guests, Comfort double occupancy. A private tour for two starts at USD 4,484 per person.
Updated:
Local guides in English
Private travel for 1–10 guests
14 days / 13 nights
Tashkent to Almaty
Silk Road cities and four nights in Almaty
Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan: Silk Road Cities and Almaty. Spend three nights in Bukhara, three in Samarkand and four in Almaty. Three rail journeys, the Tashkent–Almaty flight and private transfers connect the cities; your first day is set aside for rest.
2027 prices for 1–10 guests. Compare Comfort and Premium below. Prices cover the listed 14-day programme and room categories; flights to Tashkent before the tour and from Almaty after it are additional. Travel dates and availability are agreed before booking.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Route: Tashkent → Bukhara → Samarkand → Tashkent → Almaty. 14 days / 13 nights.
- Language: English-speaking local guides for the guided visits; a permanent escort is a separate option.
- Transport: Three rail journeys and 1 regional flight, with private road transfers.
- Pace: Active city walks alternate with transfer and free-time days. Steps, uneven surfaces and mountain weather still matter; see practical details.
- Highlights: Registan, Bukhara and Almaty and its mountain setting. Local experiences: planned craft visits and local food experiences.
- Included package: 13 hotel nights, 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, listed transport and guided visits. Additional: flights to Tashkent and home from Almaty, insurance, entry fees for visas and personal extras.
- Format: A private party of 1–10 guests. Dates and services are agreed individually; read the confirmation conditions.
The route through the eyes of a local operator
Day 1 has no sightseeing. Standard check-in applies; an early room or the previous night is arranged separately.
CAJ coordinates the selected hotels, guides and transfers for your travel dates. Accommodation · Planning conditions
The 2027 train and flight schedule is checked before an offer becomes a confirmed itinerary. Departure weekdays are flexible.
Cities, landscapes and time for local life
See the principal monuments with a local guide, meet people through pre-arranged craft and food experiences, and keep meaningful time free between visits.
Samarkand
Registan and the great monuments
Stand beneath the blue domes, trace the tile patterns at Registan and Shah-i-Zinda, then discover ancient wall paintings, Ulugbek’s astronomy and handmade paper in Konigil on a separate day.
Bukhara
The historic city on foot
Follow carved columns and trading domes through the old city, discover the Samanid Mausoleum’s brick patterns and step into the mirrored White Hall of the emir’s summer palace.
Kazakhstan
Almaty and its mountain setting
Four nights in one Almaty hotel leave room for city life, nearby nature and time to relax.
Living traditions
Craft visits and local food
Hosts, workshop availability and menus are arranged for your dates. These experiences follow the meal and visit plan.
Is this itinerary right for you?
- You enjoy history, architecture and local food.
- You want a private itinerary with several nights in the principal cities.
- You prefer proper hotels and planned transfers between countries.
- You are comfortable with active walks, steps and changing weather.
- You need step-free access throughout every monument.
- You want a continuous tour escort included as standard.
- You expect identical hotel facilities in every destination.
- If you prefer Uzbekistan alone, compare the private 8-day Uzbekistan tour.
- Your preferred travel window and number of travellers.
- Your arrival and departure airports, with flight times when known.
- Single, double or twin rooms, plus your preferred accommodation level.
- Any mobility, dietary, climate-control or other important room needs.
2027 tour prices
Comfort hotels and essential arrangements
Standard or superior rooms with the agreed double or twin layout, breakfast, private transfers and economy-class rail. One local English-speaking guide leads each sightseeing day for parties of 1–10.
Deluxe rooms and a Bukhara Balcony Suite
Stay in Hyatt Deluxe, Mercure Balcony Suite, Hilton Executive and Ritz-Carlton Deluxe rooms. Premium also includes more spacious road transport and business-class rail where available. Parties of 9–10 have two sightseeing guides. The regional flight is economy in both levels.
USD per person for the complete tour
Each displayed amount is the full tour price per person for the standard room allocation shown for that party size. Everyone in the group pays the same listed rate. Solo includes a single room; odd-numbered groups also include one single room, with no separate charge for that standard allocation.
Compare your party size
For two guests sharing a room: Comfort USD 4,484 or Premium USD 7,514 per person for the complete tour. Compare your party size below. Each “Book this tour” button opens the same order form. Choose one Comfort or Premium rate for your party size. The guest count is set automatically; selecting another rate replaces your previous choice. The listed rooms are included; there is no separate single-room selection. Rooming and booking conditions.
Comfort and Premium: prices side by side
1 guestSingle room included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 7,929 · Premium USD 13,559
Book this tourIncluded: 1 single room.
2 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 4,484 · Premium USD 7,514
Book this tourIncluded: 1 shared room.
3 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 4,580 · Premium USD 8,419
Book this tourIncluded: 1 shared room + 1 single room.
4 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 3,736 · Premium USD 6,734
Book this tourIncluded: 2 shared rooms.
5 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 3,936 · Premium USD 6,977
Book this tourIncluded: 2 shared rooms + 1 single room.
6 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 3,696 · Premium USD 6,093
Book this tourIncluded: 3 shared rooms.
7 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 3,758 · Premium USD 6,358
Book this tourIncluded: 3 shared rooms + 1 single room.
8 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 3,439 · Premium USD 5,773
Book this tourIncluded: 4 shared rooms.
9 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 3,515 · Premium USD 6,812
Book this tourIncluded: 4 shared rooms + 1 single room.
10 guestsListed rooms included
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Price per person · listed rooms included
Comfort USD 3,284 · Premium USD 6,299
Book this tourIncluded: 5 shared rooms.
Standard room allocation for all 13 nights: Solo includes one single room. Even groups share rooms in pairs; odd groups of 3–9 have rooms for pairs plus one single room. Double or twin bed layouts are agreed for the selected hotel category. The listed per-person price already includes this room allocation. Additional single rooms require a separately agreed offer before payment. See room categories and booking conditions.
Dates, rooming and your final booking
- Choose your dates and rooms. The tour is private, with 2027 dates agreed individually. No fixed departure is advertised. Share your party size, room layout and preferred level.
- Review the services and total. The prices apply to the listed programme and accommodation categories. Hotel and ticket availability are checked for your dates. Any requested changes, supplements or unavailable-category replacement are agreed in writing before booking.
- Confirm the services. The trip is confirmed by CAJ’s written confirmation, which lists the agreed hotels and transport.
Room, transport and date conditions
Before you commit. Read the dated offer and confirm that it matches your needs; any change in route, room or total must be agreed.
- Accommodation. An unavailable hotel requires a specifically agreed alternative, including its room type and facilities.
- Transport. Train class, flight times, baggage and ticket rules are confirmed for the chosen dates; business-class rail is subject to availability.
- No minimum-group departure or automatic refund promise applies to this private proposal.
- Deposits, final payment and cancellation charges are set out in the dated offer before payment.
- International flight schedules should be coordinated with the confirmed land programme.
- Read the Booking Terms and Refund Policy together with your individual offer.
Your tour price includes
- 13 nights in the agreed Comfort or Premium room categories, with the standard room allocation shown for your party size.
- 13 hotel breakfasts; early breakfast boxes subject to hotel confirmation.
- 3 lunches and 3 dinners as shown day by day.
- Drinking water on programme days; quantity specified in the dated offer.
- Three train tickets per traveller: Tashkent–Bukhara (Day 3), Bukhara–Samarkand (Day 6) and Samarkand–Tashkent (Day 9), with hotel–station transfers. Afrosiyob is planned: Economy for Comfort and Business for Premium where available. Final services, stations, classes and times are confirmed for your dates; any alternative is agreed before confirmation.
- One-way Tashkent–Almaty airfare on Day 10 in economy class for both Comfort and Premium, with airport transfers at both ends. Your confirmed offer and ticket state the airline and cabin and checked-baggage allowance.
- All listed airport and railway-station transfers.
- Private road transport for the listed visits and intercity journeys, including the longer Tashkent sightseeing day.
- English-speaking local guides on eight sightseeing days: one for Comfort; one for Premium parties of 1–8 and two for Premium parties of 9–10.
- Standard admission for the listed visits, including the Islamic Civilization Center, Samanid Mausoleum, Imam al-Bukhari Memorial Museum in Bukhara, Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Afrosiyab Museum and Ulugbek Observatory; the listed Tashkent Metro journey is included.
- Pre-arranged craft visits and food experiences described in the daily plan.
- Local coordination and the contact information for each arrival and transfer.
Included meals beyond breakfast
| Day | City | Arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Tashkent | Dinner. See the daily programme for the experience. |
| Day 5 | Bukhara | Lunch. See the daily programme for the experience. |
| Day 8 | Samarkand | Lunch. See the daily programme for the experience. |
| Day 11 | Almaty | Dinner. See the daily programme for the experience. |
| Day 12 | Almaty | Lunch. See the daily programme for the experience. |
| Day 13 | Almaty | Dinner. See the daily programme for the experience. |
Menus: Please discuss dietary requirements before confirming the trip. Additional drinks and meals outside the listed package are paid locally. If the two Bukhara sightseeing days are exchanged for museum opening days, the included cooking lunch moves with the craft-and-cooking programme; the total included meals stay the same.
Not included
- International flights to Tashkent before the tour and from Almaty after it. The Tashkent–Almaty flight within the programme is included.
- Travel insurance suitable for the itinerary and your circumstances.
- Passport, visa and other entry-document charges, when applicable.
- Meals not explicitly listed as included in the programme.
- Alcohol and drinks outside the agreed meal package.
- Personal purchases, gratuities and optional activities.
- Extra single rooms beyond the standard allocation, quoted and agreed separately before payment.
- Flight business class, spa treatments and other unlisted upgrades.
- Additional nights, guaranteed early check-in and late check-out.
Inclusion rule: The final written offer lists the services included in your price. Optional alternatives, special access and room benefits are included only when expressly stated.
Included train tickets and Tashkent–Almaty flight
The diagram shows the overnight sequence, not geographic distance. We have selected the daily Afrosiyob services below. Times were checked on 31 October 2026 for 2 November 2026; your 2027 services, seats and transfers are reconfirmed before booking.
14 days / 13 nightsTashkent → Almaty
4 overnight destinationsUzbekistan and Kazakhstan
Rail, air and private road travelSeparate hotel nights before key flight connections
Uzbekistan by rail
Times confirmed for your dates
The main Silk Road cities
1
Tashkent → BukharaDay 3
Afrosiyob No. 770 · 08:30–12:36 · 4 hr 06 min. Meet your driver in the hotel lobby around 07:00 for Tashkent Central station. At Bukhara station in Kogon, meet the arrival driver at the agreed public exit for your hotel transfer.
Planned Afrosiyob · Comfort: Economy · Premium: Business where available
2
Bukhara → SamarkandDay 6
Afrosiyob No. 769 · 15:09–16:46 · 1 hr 37 min. Enjoy a free morning, then meet your driver in the hotel lobby around 13:15 for Kogon station. Leave the train at Samarkand and meet the arrival driver at the agreed public exit.
Planned Afrosiyob · Comfort: Economy · Premium: Business where available
Return and regional flight
Times confirmed for your dates
Back to Tashkent, then Almaty
3
Samarkand → TashkentDay 9
Afrosiyob No. 767 · 17:40–20:12 · 2 hr 32 min. Meet your driver in the hotel lobby around 16:00. At Tashkent Central, meet the arrival driver at the agreed public exit. Stay in Tashkent tonight before the next day’s flight.
Planned Afrosiyob · Comfort: Economy · Premium: Business where available
4
Tashkent → AlmatyDay 10
Your Tashkent driver collects you from the hotel lobby for the airport transfer. In Almaty, complete passport control, collect your luggage and clear customs before meeting your driver at the agreed public arrivals meeting point. Your voucher gives the exact meeting point and local contact.
One-way economy ticket included in both hotel levelsArrival arrangements: Your final transfer voucher states the hotel pickup time, public arrival meeting point and local contact. Train and flight journeys are independent, with drivers meeting you at each end. See who accompanies you.
Day-by-day tour itinerary and schedule
How to read the programme: From Tashkent’s old-city lanes to Samarkand’s tiled courtyards and the mountains above Almaty, each day has a clear meeting point and time for breaks. Excursion and transfer times are approximate local planning times. The selected daily trains below use the timetable checked on 31 October 2026 for 2 November 2026; your chosen 2027 dates, services and seats are reconfirmed before booking. In Bukhara, Days 4 and 5 may be exchanged to fit museum opening days. The included cooking lunch follows the craft-and-cooking programme; the total included meals stay the same.
Day 1 — Welcome to Tashkent
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| After your flight arrives | Welcome to Uzbekistan. After passport control, baggage collection and customs, meet your driver in the public arrivals area at Tashkent airport. | Your arrival instructions identify the driver and exact meeting point. |
| After meeting your driver | Drive to your selected hotel and settle into your first stop on the Silk Road journey. | The transfer ends at the hotel entrance. Standard check-in applies; an early room needs a separate reservation. |
| Rest of the day | There is no sightseeing today. Take time to sleep, unpack and find your own rhythm after the international journey. | Meals are at your own expense today. Breakfast is included from Day 2. |
End of day: Your Tashkent hotel, after the airport transfer. · Walking: Airport and hotel walking only.
Day 2 — Tashkent: courage, old-city lanes and city views
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–10:00 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Stop at the Monument of Courage, where a split stone block and a family group recall the 1966 earthquake and the rebuilding of Tashkent. Continue to the old city. | This opening hour allows for both drives and about 20 minutes at the outdoor monument. |
| 10:00–12:00 | Spend about two hours at the Islamic Civilization Center. Manuscripts, the Quran Hall and interactive displays connect Central Asian art with its history of learning. | Explore with the included audio guide; your city guide coordinates the visit under the Center’s rules. |
| 12:15–13:00 | At Chorsu Bazaar, walk among bread stalls, spice sellers and displays of seasonal produce. Your guide helps you recognise ingredients that appear throughout the Uzbek part of the trip. | A working market visit, with time to browse. Purchases and tastings are optional extras. |
| 13:00–13:30 | Continue on foot into Gulbazar (Gulbozor) mahalla beside the bazaar. Its restored gateway and carved wooden columns bring the old city down to a more intimate scale, among neighborhood lanes and small businesses. | An outdoor neighborhood walk; private homes, paid exhibitions and workshop demonstrations are not included. |
| 13:30–14:30 | Pause for lunch and a full hour of seated rest before exploring the city centre. | Lunch is at your own expense. |
| 14:30–15:10 | Ride the Tashkent Metro between selected decorated stations. Mosaics, patterned walls and chandeliers turn a short city journey into a closer look at local design. | The station choice follows the route and access on the day; expect steps. |
| 15:10–16:00 | Walk through Independence Square, where the golden globe monument tells the story of modern Uzbekistan. Continue to the Alisher Navoi Theatre for a short exterior stop at the capital’s opera and ballet landmark. | Allow about 25 minutes in the square, 15 minutes at the theatre and the connecting drive. Theatre entry and a performance are not included. |
| 16:15–17:20 | In Amir Temur Square, the bronze rider and surrounding buildings introduce another chapter of Tashkent. Look across to Hotel Uzbekistan’s patterned sun screens; its 17th-floor restaurant is the proposed setting for a panorama stop. | Upper-floor visitor access, the viewing area and any charge or minimum spend must be agreed before booking. If access is unavailable, enjoy the square and hotel exterior instead; refreshments are extra. |
| 17:20–18:00 | Meet the driver with your guide and return to the hotel. Take a break and freshen up after this full day before the included welcome dinner. | The final block includes the drive and time to absorb delays or extra pauses during the day. |
| 19:00–20:30 | Sit down to the included welcome dinner and let the day’s discoveries become part of the conversation. | Meet at the restaurant named in your final itinerary; the venue and dinner time are confirmed for your dates. |
End of day: Sightseeing ends at your Tashkent hotel around 18:00; welcome dinner ends at its venue around 20:30. · Walking: A full nine-hour city outing with museum galleries, market and neighborhood walks, metro steps and short square walks; one hour is set aside for lunch.
Day 3 — Across Uzbekistan by train to Bukhara
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| Around 07:00 | Check out and meet your driver in the hotel lobby. Transfer to Tashkent Central station for the selected morning Afrosiyob to Bukhara. | The planned transfer allows time for station checks and boarding. Your final voucher confirms the pickup; arrange an early breakfast with the hotel if needed. |
| 08:30–12:36 | Take Afrosiyob No. 770 to Bukhara, a journey of about four hours. Watch the landscape beyond Tashkent unfold before arriving in one of the Silk Road’s great trading centres. | Selected daily service in the current planning timetable; Economy for Comfort, Business for Premium where available. Your 2027 ticket confirms the final times, carriage and seat. |
| Around 12:50–13:40 | Meet your arrival driver at the agreed public exit of Bukhara station in Kogon and continue to your selected hotel. | The driver meeting point is in your voucher. Standard hotel check-in applies; an early room is not guaranteed. |
| Afternoon and evening | Settle in for three nights. Once you have rested, an independent stroll near Lyabi Hauz offers a first glimpse of the old town around its historic pool. | The guided city visit starts tomorrow. Lunch, dinner and any independent outing are at your own expense. |
End of day: Your Bukhara hotel around 13:40, subject to the confirmed train and station transfer. · Walking: Station walking; an independent old-town stroll is optional.
Day 4 — Bukhara: brick patterns, scholarship and trading domes
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–10:05 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Start at the Samanid Mausoleum, where ordinary baked bricks form an intricate pattern across every side of the small domed building. | This block includes the hotel drive and around 45 minutes at the mausoleum. |
| 10:15–10:55 | Visit the Imam al-Bukhari Memorial Museum, opposite Chashma-Ayub. Learn about the Bukhara-born scholar’s life and his work studying and collecting hadith, adding a human story to the city’s architectural heritage. | This is the museum in Bukhara, not the mausoleum near Samarkand. It currently closes on Wednesdays and at 15:00 on Tuesdays; Days 4 and 5 may be swapped to fit opening days. |
| 11:05–12:40 | Pause outside Bolo Hauz Mosque to look up at the carved wooden columns of its veranda. Continue to the Ark Citadel, whose heavy walls once enclosed the residence and government of Bukhara’s rulers. | Bolo Hauz is an exterior visit. The Ark visit includes sloping paths and steps. |
| 12:45–13:45 | Take a full hour for lunch and a seated rest before walking deeper into the old town. | Lunch is at your own expense on this sightseeing programme. |
| 13:55–14:55 | Explore Poi-Kalyan, where a brick minaret rises beside the mosque courtyard and the tiled front of Mir-i-Arab Madrasa. Your guide draws attention to the different materials that give the ensemble its character. | Visit the areas open to guests; the active madrasa is viewed from outside. |
| 15:00–16:35 | Follow the covered trading domes, where market passages still link craft stalls and small shops. Finish at Lyabi Hauz, with time to take in the pool and the historic façades around it. | This final walk includes brief pauses. Browse at your own pace; purchases are optional. |
| 16:35–17:00 | Meet the driver at the point agreed with your guide and return to the hotel. The evening is yours. | The final block includes the return and flexible time for pauses; dinner is at your own expense. |
End of day: Your Bukhara hotel around 17:00. · Walking: A full sightseeing day on historic paving, with monument steps, short drives and a one-hour lunch break.
Day 5 — Bukhara: four towers, a shared meal and an emir’s palace
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–09:45 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Begin outside Chor Minor: four small towers with blue tiled caps make this former madrasa gateway one of Bukhara’s most recognisable silhouettes. | A short exterior visit; no tower climb is included. |
| 10:00–11:15 | Visit a local craft workshop and watch the tools at work. There is time to ask the maker how a pattern takes shape and how the skill passes from one generation to the next. | The host and craft are confirmed for your dates. Purchases are optional. |
| 11:30–13:30 | Join the arranged cooking session, following the preparation with your host before sitting down for the included lunch. This is time to get to know an Uzbek meal beyond the restaurant menu. | The session and meal share this two-hour block. Dietary needs are agreed with CAJ in advance. |
| 13:30–15:30 | Drive out to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the country residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Its rooms mix local craftsmanship with European influences; the White Hall’s mirrors and delicate plaster decoration offer a striking change from the old city’s brick façades. | The block allows for the outward drive and a museum visit. The rooms visited follow the museum’s open areas. |
| 15:30–16:30 | Return to the hotel, leaving the evening free for a café, a final look around the old town or simply a rest. | The guided programme ends at the hotel. Dinner and independent evening activities are at your own expense. |
End of day: Your Bukhara hotel around 16:00–16:30, with a free evening. · Walking: Short city and workshop walks, museum rooms and a seated lunch; no tower climb.
Day 6 — A final Bukhara morning, then Samarkand by rail
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Enjoy breakfast and a free morning in Bukhara. There is time to pack and, if you wish, take an independent last look at the old town before the onward journey. | Check out by the hotel’s required time. Lunch and independent activities are at your own expense. |
| Around 13:15 | Meet your driver in the hotel lobby for the transfer to Bukhara station in Kogon. Leave time for the drive, station checks and boarding. | Your voucher confirms the pickup. The selected afternoon train leaves the morning free. |
| 15:09–16:46 | Travel on Afrosiyob No. 769 from Bukhara to Samarkand, a journey of about 1 hour 40 minutes. Bukhara’s compact lanes give way to the city of great Timurid squares and blue domes. | This train continues to Tashkent; leave it at Samarkand. The current planning times are reconfirmed for your 2027 dates. Travel independently with your passport and reserved-seat ticket. |
| Around 17:00–17:45 | Meet your arrival driver at the agreed public exit of Samarkand station and transfer to your selected hotel. Settle in for three nights. | The exact exit is in your arrival instructions. The transfer ends at the hotel entrance. |
| Evening | Keep the evening free after the journey. Samarkand’s main guided visits begin tomorrow. | Dinner is at your own expense; the free evening follows the confirmed arrival. |
End of day: Your Samarkand hotel around 17:45, subject to the confirmed train and transfer. · Walking: Station walking; morning exploration in Bukhara is optional.
Day 7 — Samarkand: blue domes, market life and tiled courtyards
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–10:15 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Begin at Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of Amir Timur and members of his dynasty. Its ribbed dome and richly decorated interior set the scene for Samarkand’s Timurid story. | The first block includes the hotel drive; expect monument steps. |
| 10:30–12:00 | Step into Registan Square, framed by three monumental madrasas. Look closely at the tile patterns and immense entrance arches, then step back to see how the buildings speak to one another across the square. | Your guide balances the overall view with time inside the accessible areas. |
| 12:00–13:00 | Pause for lunch and a seated rest before the afternoon visits. | Lunch is at your own expense. |
| 13:15–14:30 | Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque, whose vast portal and courtyard reveal the scale of Timur’s ambitions. Just beside it, browse Siyab Bazaar: stacks of round Samarkand bread, dried fruit and nuts bring the living city back into view. | Allow around 45 minutes for the mosque and 30 minutes for the bazaar. Purchases and tastings are optional extras. |
| 15:00–16:00 | At Shah-i-Zinda, follow the stepped passage between richly tiled mausoleums. Compare the turquoise, deep blue and finely worked patterns at close range, each doorway offering a different detail. | There is a substantial stairway. Agree a shorter visit with CAJ in advance if you need fewer steps. |
| 16:00–17:00 | Meet the driver with your guide and return to the hotel. The evening is free after a full day of Samarkand’s major sights. | The final hour includes the return drive and room for pauses during the day. Dinner is at your own expense. |
End of day: Your Samarkand hotel around 17:00. · Walking: A full monument day with courtyards, market aisles and Shah-i-Zinda steps; a one-hour lunch break separates the main visits.
Day 8 — Samarkand and Konigil: painted ambassadors, stars and paper
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–10:30 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. At the Afrosiyab Museum, the painted Hall of Ambassadors opens a window onto Samarkand before Timur: visitors in distinctive robes recall the city’s far-reaching connections. | The first block includes the drive and around one hour in the museum. |
| 10:45–11:30 | Continue to Ulugbek’s Observatory and museum. The surviving astronomical instrument shows the scale of the work behind a fifteenth-century star catalogue, long before the telescope. | A compact visit with steps; your guide explains the instrument and the astronomers who worked here. |
| 12:00–13:30 | At the confirmed workshop in Konigil, follow traditional papermaking from mulberry bark to a finished sheet. Watching the handwork gives a different perspective on the manuscripts seen at the start of the trip. | One substantial demonstration is included. If the Konigil host is unavailable, CAJ confirms an alternative craft workshop; a hands-on class or specific artisan is not guaranteed. |
| 13:30–14:30 | Sit down for the included lunch and a break after the morning’s museums and workshop. | The venue, menu and dietary arrangements are confirmed in advance. |
| 14:30–16:00 | Return to the hotel around 15:30–16:00. Keep the rest of the afternoon and evening free before tomorrow’s train to Tashkent. | The return block leaves room for the drive and unhurried rest stops. Dinner is at your own expense. |
End of day: Your Samarkand hotel around 15:30–16:00; the evening is free. · Walking: Museum rooms, observatory steps and short workshop walks; no extensive archaeological-site walk.
Day 9 — Back to Tashkent before the flight
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| Morning and early afternoon | Enjoy breakfast and time at your own pace before the return to Tashkent. No guided visits are scheduled today. | Check out by the hotel’s required time; a late room is not included. Lunch is at your own expense. |
| Around 16:00 | Meet your driver in the hotel lobby and transfer to Samarkand station for the selected evening Afrosiyob. | Your voucher confirms the pickup, allowing time for station checks and boarding. |
| 17:40–20:12 | Take Afrosiyob No. 767 to Tashkent Central, a journey of about 2½ hours. Tonight’s stay in the capital keeps the rail journey separate from tomorrow’s flight to Kazakhstan. | Selected daily service in the current planning timetable. Your issued 2027 ticket confirms the times, carriage and seat; the train journey is independent. |
| Around 20:25–21:00 | Meet your arrival driver at the agreed public exit of Tashkent Central station and continue to your selected hotel. Rest before the next part of your journey. | The station exit is in your arrival instructions. Dinner is at your own expense; the Day 10 flight and its pickup are coordinated with this evening arrival. |
End of day: Your Tashkent hotel around 21:00, subject to the confirmed train and transfer. · Walking: Station walking; the hotel night separates the train from the next day’s flight.
Day 10 — Fly to Almaty, at the foot of the mountains
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup time on your voucher | Meet your driver in the hotel lobby with your luggage and transfer to Tashkent airport. Today the journey moves from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan. | The pickup is calculated from your flight and airline’s check-in requirements. |
| Departure and arrival as ticketed | Fly from Tashkent to Almaty on the included one-way economy ticket. Your Almaty hotel will be your base for the final four nights. | Economy air travel applies to both Comfort and Premium. Your offer and ticket state the airline and baggage allowance. |
| After arrival formalities | After passport control, baggage collection and customs, meet your local driver in the public arrivals area of Almaty airport. | The exact meeting point is in your arrival instructions. |
| After meeting your driver | Transfer to your selected hotel and settle in. Keep the remaining hours free after the flight; the guided city visit starts tomorrow. | The transfer ends at the hotel entrance. Standard check-in applies; lunch and dinner are at your own expense. |
End of day: Your Almaty hotel, after the flight and airport transfer. · Walking: Airport walking; no scheduled city tour.
Day 11 — Almaty: a wooden cathedral and the Green Bazaar
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–11:00 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Begin in Panfilov Park, where the colourful Ascension Cathedral rises among the trees. Its wooden construction rewards a closer look at the details beneath the domes. | This block includes the hotel drive and park walk. Cathedral interior access respects services and visitor arrangements. |
| 11:15–12:30 | Explore the Green Bazaar with your guide. Dried fruit, spices and dairy stalls offer an introduction to the ingredients behind Kazakhstan’s everyday cooking. | A working market visit; purchases and any tastings are at your own expense. |
| 12:30–13:30 | Stop for lunch and a seated break. | Lunch is at your own expense; an arranged dinner is included tonight. |
| 13:30–16:00 | Continue through central Almaty’s streets, looking at the everyday city between its landmarks. Meet the driver at the agreed point and return to the hotel around 16:00. | The guide chooses the walking route for the weather and your pace. |
| 18:30–20:00 | Enjoy the included dinner with selected Kazakh dishes, bringing the day’s market visit into the evening meal. | Meet at the restaurant named in your final itinerary; the venue, menu and time are confirmed for your dates. |
End of day: Sightseeing ends at your Almaty hotel around 16:00; dinner ends at its venue around 20:00. · Walking: Park paths, market aisles and city streets, with a seated lunch break.
Day 12 — Lake Issyk and a change of pace
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–11:00 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Leave Almaty for the foothills, with Lake Issyk as the intended destination when weather and road access allow. | The drive and stops are adjusted to the conditions on the day. |
| 11:00–13:00 | Spend time beside the accessible shores of Lake Issyk, enclosed by a gorge in the Trans-Ili Alatau. Short walks and photo stops give you time to take in the mountain setting after the busy city days. | Walk only as far as suits the group and conditions; a full lake circuit or mountain hike is not required. |
| 13:00–14:00 | Pause for the included lunch during the outing. | The confirmed route determines the dining venue and menu; a lakeside restaurant or picnic is not guaranteed. |
| 14:00–17:00 | Return through the foothills with time for rest stops, reaching the hotel around 17:00. | If the lake is unsuitable, an alternative is agreed before departure. Charyn Canyon is a separately arranged longer-day alternative, not an extra stop; dinner is at your own expense. |
End of day: Your Almaty hotel around 17:00, subject to road and weather conditions. · Walking: Short nature walks on uneven ground; no compulsory hike.
Day 13 — Medeu and Shymbulak: the mountain finale
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–10:15 | Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Follow the road into the Medeu area, where the city gives way to a mountain valley on the approach to Shymbulak’s lower cable-car station. | The stop covers accessible exterior views and the mountain setting; skating and entry to the ice arena are not included. |
| 10:15–12:15 | When weather and lift operation allow, take the arranged base-route cable car to Shymbulak. Spend time around the base area, with the valley below and high slopes rising beyond it. | The base is about 2,260 metres above sea level. Upper lift stages are not included; a city museum and café alternative is arranged if the mountain visit is unsuitable. |
| 12:15–14:30 | Descend, meet your driver with the guide at the lower-station pickup point, and return to the hotel. Keep the afternoon free for rest and packing. | Lunch is at your own expense. The return allows for lift queues and traffic. |
| 18:30–20:00 | Gather for the included farewell dinner: a final evening to look back on the cities, crafts and landscapes of the past two weeks. | Meet at the restaurant named in your final itinerary; the venue and time are confirmed for your dates. |
End of day: The mountain outing ends at your Almaty hotel around 14:30; farewell dinner ends at its venue around 20:00. · Walking: Short walks at the mountain base or on the city alternative; no compulsory hike.
Day 14 — Departure from Almaty
| Time | Itinerary | Important information |
|---|---|---|
| Before your pickup | Have breakfast if the hotel’s service hours fit your flight, then check out and prepare for the journey home. | No hotel night is included today. Early breakfast arrangements or late check-out require separate confirmation. |
| Pickup time on your voucher | Meet your driver in the hotel lobby with your luggage. Transfer to the airport terminal shown on your onward ticket. | The pickup follows your flight time, the road journey and the airline’s check-in requirements. |
| On arrival at the airport | Your driver drops you at the departure terminal. Continue independently through check-in, security and departure formalities. | The tour ends at the airport drop-off; the finish time is linked to your flight. |
| Flight time as booked | Depart Almaty on your onward international flight. | Flights to or from the United States are not included in this 14-day programme. |
End of day: Almaty airport’s departure terminal, at the drop-off time linked to your flight. · Walking: Hotel and airport walking only.
Comfort and Premium hotels
Compare Comfort and Premium at each stop, with breakfast included throughout your 13-night stay. Photos show the named hotel and the room category identified in each caption; views and layouts may vary. Your written offer confirms the exact room and any pool, spa or lounge access. In Bukhara, Premium uses a Balcony Suite with one King bed; two separate beds require an agreed alternative and price.
Tashkent · Comfort
Courtyard by Marriott Tashkent
Settle into a contemporary King or Twin room after your flight. A desk, mini fridge and Wi-Fi make this a practical base for your first two nights and your return before the flight to Almaty.
- 3 nights: Days 1–2 and Day 9
- Standard King or Twin; beds confirmed in your written offer
- Breakfast included; private bathroom
- Indoor pool on the property
Tashkent · Premium
Hyatt Regency Tashkent
Floor-to-ceiling windows and a 41 m² Deluxe room give you space to unpack and settle in. After a day in the city, a separate bathtub and walk-in rain shower add comfort to your evening.
- 3 nights: Days 1–2 and Day 9
- Deluxe King or Twin · 41 m²
- Breakfast included; private bathroom
- Deluxe category; Club Lounge access is not assumed
Bukhara · Comfort
Mercure Bukhara Old Town
Decorative details carry the character of Bukhara into your room. Choose a Superior Double or Superior Twin, then return from the old-city walks to a hotel with an atmospheric indoor pool.
- 3 nights: Days 3–5
- Superior Double · 25 m², or Superior Twin · 30 m²
- Breakfast included; private bathroom
- Choose one double bed or two separate beds
Bukhara · Premium
Mercure Bukhara Old Town
A 40 m² Balcony Suite gives you more room to relax between the old-city walks. A furnished sitting area and warm wood details create a different stay from the Superior rooms used in Comfort.
- 3 nights: Days 3–5
- Balcony Suite · 40 m² · one King bed
- Breakfast included; bathtub and separate shower
- Two separate beds require an agreed alternative and price
Samarkand · Comfort
Hilton Garden Inn Samarkand
A contemporary base on Dakhbed Yuli Street for three nights of Samarkand discoveries. The hotel has an on-site restaurant and indoor pool, with relaxed common spaces to return to after the monuments.
- 3 nights: Days 6–8
- Standard King or Twin; category and beds confirmed in your written offer
- Breakfast included; private bathroom
- Dakhbed Yuli, 2; photographs show this property
Samarkand · Premium
Hilton Samarkand Regency
The Silk Road Samarkand setting brings a change of scene after the historic city. Spacious public areas, restaurants and pools give the hotel a resort feel; your sightseeing days start with a pickup in the lobby.
- 3 nights: Days 6–8
- Executive King or Twin, subject to confirmation
- Breakfast included; private bathroom
- Photos show the hotel and shared areas; exact Executive room is confirmed in your offer
Almaty · Comfort
Novotel Almaty City Center
Settle into one hotel for four nights near Dostyk Avenue and Abai Street. A Superior Double room suits guests sharing one bed; the Standard Twin option gives you two separate beds, with an indoor pool on the property.
- 4 nights: Days 10–13
- Superior Double: one queen bed; Standard Twin: two single beds
- Breakfast included; private bathroom
- Both room categories start at 25 m²
Almaty · Premium
The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty
Finish the journey high above the city in Esentai Tower. Your selected Deluxe room has two double beds, with warm finishes and a marble bathroom—a welcoming place to return after Almaty and the mountain outings.
- 4 nights: Days 10–13
- Deluxe with two double beds; same category for single occupancy
- Breakfast included; private bathroom
- Deluxe category; Club Lounge access is not included unless quoted
Accommodation by city
| City | Nights | Comfort proposal | Premium proposal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent | 3 (2 + 1 before the regional flight) | Courtyard by Marriott Tashkent — standard King or Twin | Hyatt Regency Tashkent — Deluxe King or Twin, 41 m² |
| Bukhara | 3 | Mercure Bukhara Old Town, 4-star — Superior Double 25 m² or Superior Twin 30 m² | Mercure Bukhara Old Town, 4-star — Balcony Suite, 40 m², one King bed; two separate beds require an agreed alternative |
| Samarkand | 3 | Hilton Garden Inn Samarkand (Dakhbed Yuli) — standard King or Twin | Hilton Samarkand Regency — Executive King or Twin, subject to confirmation |
| Almaty | 4 | Novotel Almaty City Center — Superior Double or Standard Twin, according to the agreed bed layout | The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty — Deluxe with two double beds; the same category for single occupancy |
What must match your room request
One large bed and two separate beds are different requests. The confirmed offer records the exact category; extra beds are not treated as twin rooms.
Single rooms, suites, early check-in and lounge or spa access depend on the quoted package. Do not assume a hotel benefit is included because it exists on the property.
Any replacement requires agreement on its room and facilities. The exact room category and bed layout are recorded in your written offer.
Check-in and check-out: Each hotel’s confirmed hours apply. A room before standard check-in, the previous night, late check-out and extra nights are additional unless expressly included in your offer.
Season, pace and practical details
Late April–May and September–early October. This is a planning preference, not a weather guarantee.
Spring and autumn can bring cool mornings, rain and mountain closures. Hotter periods require earlier visits and longer midday breaks.
Historic centres have steps and uneven paving. Two nearby nature outings; Charyn Canyon is an optional longer alternative agreed before travel.
Festivals and weekends: Navruz, local holidays, major events and weekends can affect hotel rates, museum opening, traffic and ticket availability. No festival access or gala dinner is included unless named in your offer. Start weekdays are selected after timetable checks.
| What to consider | Actual demands |
|---|---|
| Walking tours | Several sightseeing days involve sustained walking, steps and uneven surfaces. Share mobility requirements before the route and hotel categories are confirmed. |
| Nature and road days | Planning allowance: Charyn, if chosen, is a long road day; it replaces the nearby outing and is agreed separately. |
| Early departures | Train and flight times may require early starts. Packed breakfasts depend on hotel confirmation, and additional baggage must be agreed before ticketing. |
What to bring
- comfortable closed shoes with non-slip soles;
- season-appropriate outerwear and several layers;
- sun and rain protection;
- personal medication and a small first-aid kit;
- Your passport and copies of the confirmed hotel, train and regional-flight documents.
Your tickets, pickup times and travel documents
All travel-day timings follow your issued tickets. Before departure, your final documents specify the train or flight number, departure and arrival times, station or terminal, baggage allowance and hotel pickup time. Times are shown in local time.
- Rail travel: Three tickets per traveller cover Days 3, 6 and 9. Selected daily Afrosiyob services are No. 770 Tashkent–Bukhara, No. 769 Bukhara–Samarkand and No. 767 Samarkand–Tashkent. Economy is planned for Comfort and Business for Premium where available. The transfer plan allows time for station checks and boarding; follow your confirmed hotel pickup time.
- Regional flights: The Day 10 Tashkent–Almaty economy ticket is included in both levels. The transfer is planned to reach the airport about three hours before departure, adjusted to the airline’s instructions. Baggage allowances are stated in your confirmed offer and ticket.
- Arrival and departure: Check that every ticket matches the traveller’s passport. Carry the original passport and keep an offline copy of each issued ticket. CAJ supplies the final station, terminal and meeting instructions before travel. Flights to Tashkent before Day 1 and from Almaty after the tour are additional.
Train and flight numbers, exact operating times, seat availability and baggage conditions are confirmed for your dates. Your final itinerary lists the confirmed services and pickup times; any material change is agreed before booking.
Who accompanies the travellers
Local English-speaking guides lead sightseeing on days 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 13. Comfort includes one guide for 1–10 guests. Premium includes one guide for 1–8 and two for 9–10. Drivers and local activity hosts have separate roles. A permanent escort between cities is not included; you are met after the independent train and flight journeys.
From your outline to a confirmed trip
Use “Request this tour” to agree your dates, party size and room preferences from the accommodation options. CAJ prepares a dated offer with the services, amount and payment conditions for you to review before payment.
Once the dated offer is agreed, use “Book this tour” to complete the order form. Check your party size, Comfort or Premium tier, rooms, dates and total, then pay by Visa or Mastercard. CAJ receives your order after payment; payment alone is not written confirmation.
CAJ checks and secures the services, then sends written confirmation and the final voucher with transfers and contacts. Read the confirmation conditions.
Payment arrangements: The dated offer sets out the payment and cancellation conditions for your chosen dates and services. If your dates, rooms or offer are not yet agreed, use “Request this tour” before paying. An inquiry does not take payment or confirm a booking; CAJ sends written confirmation after reviewing your order.
Before confirming: Ask for clarification of any room, baggage, meal or cancellation condition that does not match your needs.
Before making other travel arrangements
- Coordinate international flights with the confirmed itinerary and allow for arrival recovery.
- Review the private-trip confirmation conditions.
- Read the Booking Terms and Refund Policy together with the individual offer.
Clear arrangements with a local operator
CAJ / Central Asia Journeys coordinates the itinerary with local guides, hotels and transport providers. Your dated offer defines the services for your party.
Your final documents name the agreed hotels, room types, transport, baggage allowance, transfers and meeting points.
Compare the room category and included services as well as the hotel name. Comfort and Premium share the same core route.
FAQ — questions before booking
Is this a fixed group departure?
No. This is a private tour for 1–10 guests. Choose your preferred 2027 dates; hotels, tickets and arrangements are checked before booking.
What changes between Comfort and Premium?
The core route and meals stay the same. Premium changes the selected hotels, room categories and road-transport arrangements, and includes business-class rail where available. It also includes two sightseeing guides for parties of 9–10. Both levels include the regional flight in economy.
Are the named hotels guaranteed?
Your written offer names the selected hotels and exact rooms. Any replacement is discussed with you before booking.
Which train and flight tickets are included?
Three rail journeys—Tashkent–Bukhara, Bukhara–Samarkand and Samarkand–Tashkent—and the one-way Tashkent–Almaty economy flight are included. Afrosiyob trains are planned, with Economy seats for Comfort and Business seats for Premium where available. Final services, seat class, pickup times and flight baggage allowances are confirmed in your offer and tickets; any alternative is agreed before confirmation. Passenger details must match your passport. Flights to Tashkent before the tour and home from Almaty after it are additional.
Do I need visas or other entry documents?
Requirements depend on passport, travel dates and entry route. Check the official guidance for every country and share your nationality when planning; document charges are additional.
How demanding is the itinerary?
It combines active historic-city walks with rest and transfer days. Steps, uneven surfaces and mountain conditions still matter. Tell CAJ about mobility and altitude concerns before confirmation.
What happens if a train, flight or nature visit is unavailable?
A suitable alternative, date change or programme revision must be agreed before booking. Weather alternatives for outdoor visits are listed in the daily plan.
Is a guide with us throughout?
English-speaking local guides lead the listed visits. A continuous escort is not included; independent train and flight journeys have confirmed arrival transfers.
Can I reserve an early room?
Yes, subject to a quoted hotel arrangement. Guaranteed early check-in or the previous night costs extra unless your offer explicitly includes it.
How do prices work for an odd-numbered party?
For 3, 5, 7 or 9 guests, the listed price already includes shared rooms for pairs plus one single room. Everyone pays the same per-person rate for the chosen level and group size. There is no extra single-room charge for this standard allocation. If you need additional single rooms, use “Request this tour” to agree a revised offer before payment. The solo price already includes one single room.
Useful for your itinerary
Other CAJ programmes
Details on this page
A different itinerary
Choose your 2027 dates
Before confirming: Choose one Comfort or Premium rate for your party size, from 1 to 10 guests. The guest count is set automatically and only one rate can be selected at a time. The displayed per-person price includes the standard room allocation. CAJ reviews your travel dates, availability and total before written confirmation.
Choose your party size and comfort level
Select the row matching your party size; the number of guests and group total update automatically. The room allocation shown for that party size is included. Solo: choose the 1 pax row. For three Comfort guests, choose Comfort 3 pax: the form selects 3 guests and shows a group total of USD 13,740, including one shared room and one single room. Add your preferred 2027 dates. For extra single rooms or a different arrangement, use “Request this tour” to agree the offer before paying.
Email: cajourneys@gmail.com
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Price for 1 pax
COMFORT — price per person
Comfort · 1 pax · 1 SGL · per person
$7,929
Comfort · 2 pax · 1 DBL/TWIN · per person
$4,484
Comfort · 3 pax · 1 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$4,580
Comfort · 4 pax · 2 DBL/TWIN · per person
$3,736
Comfort · 5 pax · 2 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$3,936
Comfort · 6 pax · 3 DBL/TWIN · per person
$3,696
Comfort · 7 pax · 3 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$3,758
Comfort · 8 pax · 4 DBL/TWIN · per person
$3,439
Comfort · 9 pax · 4 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$3,515
Comfort · 10 pax · 5 DBL/TWIN · per person
$3,284
PREMIUM — price per person
Premium · 1 pax · 1 SGL · per person
$13,559
Premium · 2 pax · 1 DBL/TWIN · per person
$7,514
Premium · 3 pax · 1 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$8,419
Premium · 4 pax · 2 DBL/TWIN · per person
$6,734
Premium · 5 pax · 2 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$6,977
Premium · 6 pax · 3 DBL/TWIN · per person
$6,093
Premium · 7 pax · 3 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$6,358
Premium · 8 pax · 4 DBL/TWIN · per person
$5,773
Premium · 9 pax · 4 DBL/TWIN + 1 SGL · per person
$6,812
Premium · 10 pax · 5 DBL/TWIN · per person
$6,299
Book now.
Prices valid until: 31.12.2027
Included
13 hotel nights; 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners; three train tickets per traveller (Tashkent–Bukhara, Bukhara–Samarkand, Samarkand–Tashkent) and one-way Tashkent–Almaty economy airfare; private airport and station transfers, route transport, eight guided days and listed admission fees. Rail class and baggage conditions are specified in the programme and confirmed offer.
Not Included
International flights to Uzbekistan and from Kazakhstan, travel insurance, tips, meals not listed, early check-in, late check-out and personal expenses. Additional single rooms beyond the listed room allocation require a separately agreed offer.