GREAT SILK ROAD Visiting exotic Central Asia

China I Kazakhstan I Uzbekistan I Turkmenistan

4 - 23 October 2016

Featuring Almaty to Ashgabat by Private Train

20 Day Fully Escorted Tour with Derrick Browne

Great Silk Road

By Private Train

From Almaty to Ashgabat

20 Culturally Magnificent Days

Train Start

Train Finish

Train

Flight

From Ashgabat

•

DISTINCTIVE CAPITALS

• Ashgabat (Turkmenistan): most modern city in Central

Asia

• Tashkent (Uzbekistan): the cultural capital of Central

Asia

EVERY DAY LIFE IN CENTRAL ASIA

• Valuable cultural insights: lectures, fairy tales and

information about history and regional traditions

• Dinner and costume show in courtyard of an old

madrasah in Bukhara

• Lunch in the summer palace of an Emir in Khiva

• Lunch in a typical Uzbek house

• Siab Oriental Bazaar in Samarkand

• The making of traditional art objects: silk and carpets

PLACES THAT MADE HISTORY

• Almaty (meaning apple) - a touch of Russia

• Registan: the most beautiful square of the Orient

• Grave City complex of mausoleums in Samarkand

• Wall murals of ancient Afrosiab town in Samarkand

• Ark Fortress in Bukhara and Khiva

• Ismael Samani and Gur Emir mausoleum in Bukhara

• Ancient Ulug Bek observatory in Samarkand

• Tower of Death complex in Bukhara

HIGHLIGHTS UNESCO'S WORLD HERITAGE

• Turkestan: Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasavi – first

Turkic Holy Man

• Historical Centre of Shakhrisabz – Home Town of Timur

• The inner town and historic crowded alleys of the old

Khiva oasis

• Historical Centre and the Caravansarai Markets of

Bukhara

• Samarkand and its famous Registan - an Intersection of

Cultures

• The Pearl of the East; Ancient Walls and Ruins of historic

Merv

• The old Parthian city excavations of Nisa

• World famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xian,

China

SPECTACULAR NATURE

• Karakum desert and the snow-capped Tien Shan

Mountains

Tour Highlights

Day 1 Tue 4 Oct Sydney/Melbourne-Beijing

This morning we join our China Southern flight to

Guangzhou where upon arrival we will transit through

customs, immigration and security to join up with our

domestic flight to Beijing - arriving late.

Day 2 Wed 5 Oct Beijing

A day at leisure in dynamic Beijing. Beijing has many

smaller less well-known attractions to explore - Bei Hai

Park, traditional theatre in the Lao She teahouse, visit

Mao’s mausoleum, stroll around the speciality shops of

old Chinatown, visit the beautiful Lama Buddhist Temple,

Mao’s underground city, the historical astrological

observatory, visit the Red Gate Art Gallery, the National

Art Museum, or perhaps do a walking tour of Beijing’s

best hutongs. (B)

Day 3 Thu 6 Oct Beijing-Urumqi

Urumqi-Almaty

We will be transferred to the airport for our flights to

Almaty via Urumqi, with arrival late evening. We will be

transferred to our accommodation for our first night in

Kazakhstan and the start of our fascinating journey across

Central Asia. (B,D)

Day 4 Fri 7 Oct Almaty

In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of this city (which

was the capital till 1997), and visit the Zenkov Russian

Cathedral. At midday you are served a Kazakh welcoming

lunch in a traditional yurt. In the afternoon board your

private train. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Sat 8 Oct Turkstan

Arrive into Turkstan. Visit the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed

Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight on the

train. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Sun 9 Oct Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent in the morning. Your guided sightseeing

includes the Madrasah Kukeldash and Amir Timur

monument before attending the famous Tashkent Navoy

Opera (depending on schedule). Overnight on the train.

(B,L,D)

Day 7 Mon 10 Oct Shakhrisabz

Discover Shaman traditions and ceremonies on an

excursion into the mountains. Continue along the Great

Silk Road to the green city of Shakhrisabz, dotted with

ruins from its Timur heyday. Enjoy Uzbek wine tasting

back on board the train. Overnight on the train. (B,L,D)

Tour Itinerary

Day 8 Tue 11 Oct Samarkand

Explore ancient Samarkand (or Samarqand in Uzbek),

the Timur capital. One of the oldest cities in the world,

Samarkand prospered from its central position on the

Silk Road and at one time was considered the most

beautiful city in the world. A city tour includes

remarkable Registan Square, Central Asia’s most

impressive architecture. Overnight in a hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Wed 12 Oct Samarkand

Visit a silk carpet factory before continuing the

sightseeing of Samarkand with a tour to the ruins of the

Bibi Khanum Mosque and the palace-like Gur Emir

Mausoleum. Overnight in a hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Thu 13 Oct Samarkand

The morning is yours to explore Samarkand or spend as

you please. Your train departs for Khiva in the afternoon

and you spend the night on the train. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Fri 14 Oct Khiva

Arrive in Khiva and enter through its imposing city walls.

On a tour of the museum city we discover palaces,

mosques and mausoleums and enjoy lunch at the

former Summer Palace of the Emir. Overnight on the

train. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Sat 15 Oct Bukhara

Journey into Uzbekistan’s Kyzyl-Kum desert and arrive in

the ancient city of Bukhara for a city tour including the

Kaljan Minaret and Labi-Hauz Ensemble. Dinner and a

traditional performance are enjoyed in the courtyard of

a madrasah. Overnight in a hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Sun 16 Oct Bukhara

Enjoy a full day tour of Bukhara including: the

magnificent Mire-e-Arab Madrasah; the Samanid

Mausoleum, considered the most beautiful building in

Central Asia; the massive fortress known as the Ark; and

a unique women-only mosque. Overnight on the train.

(B,L,D)

Day 14 Mon 17 Oct Merv

Arrive into the UNESCO-protected city of Merv, with its

impressive ruins including the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar

and Virgin Fortress. Enjoy lunch in the picturesque

courtyard of an artist, and late afternoon we will board our

train for our next stop – Ashgabat. (B,L,D)

Day 15 Tue 18 Oct Ashgabat-Urumqi

Our final stop in Central Asia is the city of Ashgabat, the

capital and largest city in Turkmenistan. Ashgabat lies only

a short distance from the ancient city of Nisa, the capital of

the Parthian Empire. We will tour the ruins of Nisa, a World

Heritage Site. In the late evening transfer to the airport for

flight to Urumqi. (B,L,D)

Day 16 Wed 19 Oct Urumqi

Arrive Urumqi in the early morning and check in to your

hotel. (B)

Day 17 Thu 20 Oct Urumqi-Xian

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for

your flight to Xian. Over 1000 years ago Xian was the capital

of the Tang Dynasty, at the time the biggest and most

cosmopolitan city in the world. (B,D)

Day 18 Fri 21 Oct Xian

A leisurely day today in Xian which will include a morning

visit to the renowned archaeological site of the Terracotta

Warriors, buried over 2200 years ago to guard the tomb of

the first emperor. (B,L,D)

Day 19 Sat 22 Oct Xian-Sydney/Melbourne

Today we will check out of our hotel and transfer to the

airport for our flight home, via Guangzhou and end our

fabulous Silk Road and Central Asia Tour. (B)

Day 20 Sun 23 Oct Arrive Sydney/Melbourne

Our tour concludes with an early morning arrival into

Sydney or Melbourne, clearing of customs and immigration

and time to say a quick goodbye to fellow travellers. Our

journey is complete but the amazing memories will remain.

TOUR PRICES LAND and AIR - Per Person Twin Share

Single Supplement

Category Ali Baba $9,985 $2,210

Category Aladdin $11,575 $2,715

Category Sultan $16,550 $5,920

Category Kalif $17,120 $6,110

To upgrade air travel, add per person:

Premium Economy Class $660

Business Class $2,700

Premium Economy Class upgrade applies to Sydney/Melbourne-

Guangzhou and Guangzhou-Sydney/Melbourne.

Business Class upgrade applies to Sydney/Melbourne-Beijing and

Xian-Sydney/Melbourne, via Guangzhou.

INCLUSIONS

International flights with China Southern Airlines Sydney or Melbourne-Guangzhou-Beijing-Urumqi-Almaty and Ashgabat-Urumqi-Xian-Guangzhou-Sydney or Melbourne, with taxes and surcharges of $605.00 included

8 nights on board the private train in your chosen compartment category in twin share

10 nights in centrally located hotels with breakfast daily

Meals as stated in the itinerary

An exclusive train tour director with the group

Fully escorted

Experienced English-speaking local guides

Comprehensive sightseeing and entrance fees

Transfers at airports and stations in a private coach

Bridge play or instruction, including most nights after dinner on the train

Traditional welcomes at Bukhara and Samarkand

Special Uzbek and Turkmen meals with local families

Folkloric Show and meal in a Madrassa

Visa application fees (China, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan)

VISA NOTE:

Visa for Kazakhstan not required by Australian passport

holders.

NOT INCLUDED:

Travel insurance, gratuities, personal expenses, anything not

mentioned above.

The Private Train Compartments on Orient Silk Road Express

Category: Sultan

Category: Aladdin

Category: Ali Baba

Category: Kalif

Each car has nine compartments

providing sleeping space for 2 guests

in 2 lower berths (approx. 67 x

184cm). In the middle, below the

window, you will find a table.

Combined washing room / lavatory

compartments are located at both

ends of each car.

Each car has eight compartments for

2 guests with 2 lower berths (approx.

67 x 184cm). In the middle, below the

window, you will find a table.

Combined washing room / lavatory

compartments are located at both

ends of each car. Additionally, a

shower is located at one end of each

This category has two beds, with the

upper berth measuring 80 x 174cm.

and the lower one a more generous

112 x 184cm. The compartment also

offers comfortable seating, a larger

table and a small clothes closet. Each

compartment has its own lavatory

equipped with a toilet, wash basin

and shower with full shower curtain. This category of car contains only six

compartments.

not only a washing basin, WC and shower, but also storage space for your

personal belongings. Each car has only six compartments, so a total of at

most twelve guests share the whole of the carriage.

This category has two beds, with the

upper berth measuring 80 x 174cm.

and the lower one a more generous

112 x 184cm. Furthermore, the

compartment offers a cosy seating

bench, a commodious table and a

wardrobe. The compartment’s

exclusive en suite bathroom contains

car and you will receive a bathing robe and shower utilities.

SOME OF OUR OTHER EXCITING DESTINATIONS

For further information please contact Opulent Journeys:

1300 219 885

Email: enquiries@opulentjourneys.com.au

opulentjourneys.com.au