central asia tours uk

• All Destinations
• Africa overview
• South Africa
• Central America overview
• El Salvador
• Central Asia overview

Turkmenistan

• Europe overview
• Bosnia Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• North Macedonia
• Scandinavia and the Nordics
• Switzerland
• Far East overview
• Indian Ocean overview
• Indian Subcontinent overview
• Middle East overview
• Israel and the OPT
• United Arab Emirates
• Polar overview
• South America overview
• Ecuador and the Galápagos
• French Guiana
• Ecuador and Galápagos

Wherever you choose to travel with Cox & Kings, you can travel with confidence.

• Highlights of South Africa
• Ultimate Tour: In the Footsteps of the Great Migration
• Madagascar Wildlife Adventure
• Highlights of Kenya
• Natural Splendours of Costa Rica
• Splendours of Cuba
• Splendours of Central America
• Costa Rica Adventure
• Back Roads of Central America
• Rainforest, Reef & Ruins Luxury
• Highlights of Mexico
• Panama & Costa Rica Experience: Solo Travellers Tour
• Central America Explorer
• Mayan Triangle
• Rainforest, Reef & Ruins Standard
• Luxury Tour of Costa Rica

Uzbekistan: Heart of Central Asia

• Pakistan: Persians, Mughals and Mystics

Central Asia Explorer

Uzbekistan: the golden road to samarkand, the legendary silk road by rail: almaty to tashkent, silk road adventure.

• Across the Southern Caucasus
• Classical Turkey
• The Heart of Ancient Greece
• Majestic Malta
• The Wonders of Ancient Crete
• Classic Sicily
• Splendours of Andalucía
• Puglia & Basilicata
• Timeless Romania
• Ravenna: Mosaics & Marble
• Neapolitan Treasures: Caserta, Sorrento & Pompeii
• Across Albania & Kosovo
• Grand Tour of Indochina
• Spirit of Vietnam Superior
• Taiwan: The Beautiful Island
• Japan in Style
• Vietnam in Style
• Japan’s Cultural Treasures
• China: The Grand Tour
• A Journey through Malaysia
• Classic Thailand
• Vietnam & Cambodia in Style
• The Enchanted Island
• Splendours of Sri Lanka: Solo Travellers Tour
• The Grand Tour of India
• Passage through Kerala
• Nepal in Style
• Sri Lanka: Wonders of the Wild
• The Golden Triangle & Shimla
• Passage through Rajasthan
• Treasures of Southern India
• Exotic Sri Lanka
• Boutique Rajasthan
• Egypt: Ancient Wonders of Cairo & the Nile
• Moroccan Explorer: Imperial Cities to Desert
• The Wonders of Jordan & Jerusalem
• The Ancient Wonders of Jordan & Egypt
• Nile Cruise & Lake Nasser
• Splendours of Jordan
• Oman: An Arabian Odyssey
• Treasures of Israel
• Moroccan Discovery
• Jordan: Crusaders, Traders & Raiders
• Historic Cities & Culinary Delights of Morocco
• Grand Tour of South America
• Splendours of Chile
• Patagonia: Untouched Wilderness
• Ultimate South America
• Splendours of South America
• Train to Machu Picchu (Superior)
• Wonders of the New World
• Ecuador & Galápagos Experience
• Brazil: Wildlife & Waterfalls
• Peru & Galápagos Odyssey
• Group tours overview
• General interest
• Specialist-led tours
• Solo travellers
• Rail journeys
• Wildlife and nature
• Submit group tour enquiry

This tour takes you to the best that the island has to offer.

This escorted tour blends a selection of South Africa’s quintessential experiences into a well-paced itinerary for lovers of wildlife, walks, and wine.

Staying in good hotels with great character and with some free time to relax, this tour reveals Peru’s many wonders.

• Tailor-made holidays overview
• Family adventures
• Private groups
• Off the beaten track
• Submit tailor-made enquiry

For centuries, Italy's scenic Amalfi coast has drawn visitors for its historical sites, coastal vistas and small villages. 

Explore the vivid colours, architecture and landscapes of little-known Gujarat. 

This epic journey travels across seven countries to explore South America's greatest cultural, historic and natural wonders, including a cruise of the Galápagos islands.

• Solo travel
• Compass blog
• Month-by-month travel guide
• Choose hotels with character

Read our latest blog articles for holiday inspiration...

If you know when you are free to travel but not sure where to go, then look no further...

Habit-breaking holiday ideas for 2024 and beyond…

• Top offer: save up to £300pp on Grand Tour of South America
• Refer a friend and get £250 off your next holiday

Both you and your friend will enjoy a £250 saving on your next qualifying bookings with Cox & Kings.

Save up to £300pp on Grand Tour of South America. Book by 30 April 2024.

See all our offers, including savings on small-group tours.

• About Cox & Kings
• Why Cox & Kings?
• Useful information
• Meet the team

With over 265 years' experience, we offer great service, value and support. 

Our expert travel consultants are passionate, knowledgeable and love to travel. 

View the awards Cox & Kings has won over the years for service and more.

• Destinations
• Central Asia

Central Asia escorted small group tours & tailor-made holidays

Step back in time with a visit to the ‘stans’ – land of soaring minarets, blue-domed mosques and strikingly unique architecture. Historically positioned in the crossroads of important trading routes, the influence of the Silk Road – bringing a mix of traditions, cultures and wealth – can still be seen today, and adventurous travellers can explore the ancient route.

An immense region, Central Asia is also full of beautiful landscapes, with sweeping desert, awe-inspiring canyons, shimmering lakes, vast steppe plains, huge mountains and meandering valleys.

From train journeys which follow the glories of the Silk Road to art and architectural tours of Uzbekistan, Cox & Kings has created group tours and suggested itineraries to showcase the best of the region.

Alternatively, if you would like to create your own itinerary in consultation with a Central Asia expert, please fill out the tailor-made form and a Cox & Kings travel consultant will help to create your perfect holiday.

Ready to start planning your next trip?

• Small group tours
• Tailor-made

12 days 11 nights

From £3,395

Visit the most magnificent cities of the ancient Silk Road with Islamic expert Diana Driscoll or William Taylor

12 days 10 nights

From £2,795

Many moons ago, caravans laden with silk, tea, perfume and porcelain crossed Asia to the markets of Europe and Africa

14 days 12 nights

From £4,725

Visit two of Central Asia’s contrasting countries on this two-week exploration of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

22 days 20 nights

From £7,365

Discover the rich history of the Silk Road and the dramatic scenery of Central Asia on this 22-day journey through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

15 days 14 nights

From £5,070

Cross Central Asia by rail on this multi-country journey exploring the sights of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Group tours to Central Asia

Tailor-made holidays to central asia, latest from compass, mongolia travel guide, out-stan-ding... silk road by rail, the silk road... less travelled, the stans...which should i visit and why, where to go for your spring adventure, where to go for your summer adventure, why book your holiday with a tour operator, why you should visit uzbekistan, our favourite images of central asia, make an enquiry, order a brochure.

• Destinations more_vert
• Trans European Race
• Responsible Travel
• Travel Insurance
• keyboard_arrow_left Back

Central Asia

The 5 ‘Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan are an underappreciated world of their own. This region is home to a little bit of everything. Friendly and diverse locals, tasty food, Islamic architecture, and alpine national parks are just the beginning of what makes these five countries a must for any traveller. Our tour will take you to all the highlights of these countries. Prepare to see the ‘Gates of Hell’ Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan, tour the historic city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, roam the Hisor Fortress in Tajikistan, pass huge mountains, canyons, and endless trees on a drive to Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek, and explore Almaty, the cultural heart of Kazakhstan. These destinations are just a taste of what you will experience on our Central Asia trip. If a two-week journey isn’t enough for you, we run a twenty-day summer tour that dives even deeper into this fascinating region. Join us on your next Central Asian adventure today!

Upcoming Tours

Our current upcoming group tours can be seen below. They are all guaranteed departures.

We run multiple 5 Stans tours each year, starting in Ashgabat and finishes in Almaty.

Only Turkmenistan has a lengthy visa process. For most nationalities, e-visas are available for Tajikistan and visa on arrival for Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Our 3 week 'Stans tour runs once per year.

This tour is priced from £1995 per person. Rooms are on a twin basis. Deposit required is £500 per person.

Single supplement is priced from £395 (2 week tour) or we can allocate someone for you to share with (subject to availability).

It is also possible to finish the tour in Bishkek on day 14 for a reduction in price of £89.

Other Central Asian Tours

Turkmenistan

error_outline Security Advice

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, click here

This tour is currently full.

To be added to the waiting list, please fill out the form below.

Please agreed to the T&Cs.

Privacy Overview

Solos can save up to £1,750 with free single supplements on selected tours. Find out more

• Agent Login/Register
• Customer Login/Register

Central Asia Tours

We have 0 to Central Asia

• Fully inclusive tours
• Award Winning Service
• 25 Years Expertise
• Outstanding tour guides
• Authentic Immersive Experiences
• Destinations
• Central Asia

Find your perfect Central Asia Tour

See the very best of Central Asia on a guided tour with Wendy Wu Tours. Choose from escorted group tours, private tours or short breaks, and everything from classic introductory Central Asia tours to luxury adventures guided by our experts.

Road to Samarkand

Ultimate Uzbekistan

Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan

Journey through Central Asia

Let Us Inspire You

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest offers and receive £50pp off your Wendy Wu tour.

More than 25 years expertise offering extraordinary tours

• UK's leading Asia specialist
• Over 25 years of customer satisfaction
• Experts on touring to unique destinations
• Offices in UK, Australia, New Zealand & China

• Price Match Promise
• Fully ABTA and ATOL protected
• 24/7 Customer care
• Fully escorted tours
• So much included in the price
• Visa service included (except "Essential" tours)

• 5* Trip Advisor rating
• Gold Award Feefo Accreditation

Our website uses cookies to deliver you the best possible web experience. Learn more

Exhilarating Central Asia

Stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Siberian steppe, Central Asia is a vast and mysterious region, once very much at the heart of the ancient Silk Road. Made up of the five ‘Stans’ (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), this is a land of blue-domed cities, soaring peaks and otherworldly desert plains.

Famously welcoming, the people here are genuinely warm and hospitable - in fact getting to know the locals is one of the best things about travel in Central Asia. But the architecture and buildings are fascinating too. Medieval sand-hued fortresses rise up from the desert, and intricate mosaicked mosques and minarets adorn atmospheric cities, while in other parts ultra-bold modernist and Soviet architecture are the order of the day.

In Uzbekistan, Silk Road romantics will be enthralled in Samarkand and Bukhara, the evocative caravan stops of yesteryear, and those looking for off-the-beaten-path travel will be delighted by the lack of other souls holidaying here. Lose yourself in all the noise and colour of a medieval bazaar, sit down for tea in a nomad’s yurt or stargaze to your heart’s content from a distant desert oasis.

offer ends in

33 d: 2 h: 26 m

GROUP TOURS

Uzbekistan - Jewel of the Silk Road

Save £720pp on 24 september 2024 departure.

From £ 2,345 per person *

*Ts&Cs apply.

Captivating Cultures: A Grand Tour from Rome to Rajasthan by Private Jet

From £ 31,995 per person

Armenia and Georgia - the crossroads of Europe and Asia

From £ 2,695 per person

With the widest choice of holidays and travel experiences than ever before, you can now personalise your trip so you are in complete control. All this is backed up by the high-standards and service you’d expect from Saga.

70 years’ experience

Experienced travellers have been enjoying great value Saga holidays for over 70 years.

Peace of mind

You’re in safe hands with Saga. We’re an ABTA member and your holiday is ATOL protected.

Great value

We’re constantly monitoring prices and negotiating the best deals with our travel partners.

SIGN UP FOR TRAVEL INSPIRATION & OFFERS

Sign up to our emails for the latest from Saga Holidays.

By providing your details you will receive emails with related content and offers from Saga.  You can unsubscribe from this at any time.

For more information click here for our privacy policy .

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Central Asia

Find the right fully guided tour for you in Central Asia. There are 164 trips to choose from, that range from one day in length, up to 56 days. The month with the most departures is September, making it the most popular time to visit Central Asia.

164 Fully Guided tour packages in Central Asia with 453 reviews

• Mountain Hikes
• Hiking & Trekking

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan 12 days tour

The tour was very good, mostly because of the guides ( two of them at different points in time) who were knowledgeable and pleasant. The itinerary was also interesting. It was my first trip with Tourradar but it won't be the last, in fact, I have just booked a trip to Vietnam.

• In-depth Cultural

Best of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Very good trip and great variety: landscapes, culture, visit!

The Five Stans of the Silk Road

Central Asia: Five Stans Express

• Coach / Bus

Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Highlights Tour 15 DAYS

We had a fabulous 2 weeks on our tour! Nadine our guide in Turkmenistan made our visit special. Made sure we knew all the history of the country and was like our daughter taking us around. Our guides Bek & Javlin in Uzbekistan couldn’t have been nicer. Made sure we tried all the local cuisine and beer. Very attentive at all times. It was such a pleasure touring their beautiful country with them. On occasion we had to go to Plan B but it was just as good as Plan A. If looking for a great adventure in Central Asia do not hesitate to book with them as you’ll have an awesome experience like we did.

• Sightseeing

Central Asia - 5 Stans

Central Stans in May, 2019. A great trip all-round. Even us oldies would recommend it.

Aral Sea & Uzbekistan Legends - 12 Days

I wish I could hv 1 more day in Samarkand , skip the ceramic & silk workshop .

The 5 Stan-s - Follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan

I never received an email to evaluate this trip. I would like to share my thoughts. Overall it was excellent and there is no way I could have seen or experienced all that we did on my own. I would highly recommend going if there is interest in the Stans. In spite of how wonderful it was I do have some suggestions to make the trip less frustrating. 1. Emil was pretty useless. He added nothing to the trip. When asked a question he would shrug. When he was sick he could have stayed at the hotel for the day, as we were overnighting there. He insisted on coming along so he could spread his illness on the bus. All he did was take photographs and get in the way of those who had paid good money for this tour. Please, don't get me wrong, Emil is a kind person, when he wasn't being short with people. He really made this trip less enjoyable and added nothing. He should not be a tour leader ever. 2. We stayed at Hotel Centrum Bishkek before the tour. It was very close to Seven Hotel, not very expensive and 100x better than Seven Hotel. It would make a huge difference if the first night of the tour was at a nicer hotel. I was extremely satisfied with the other hotels, yurts and homestay, except for maybe the one in Ashgabat. (I did find out most moderate hotels in Turkmenistan may have fabulous lobbies and shabby room and I did get use to the hotel in Ashgabat. It was in a good location and the staff was great.) 3. The transportation was not very comfortable in Kyrgyzstan. It was better to ride in the 4 wheel drive vehicle with no air con than on the cramped bus. Aba (sp), the owner of the transport spoke excellent English. However, the young, official guide's English was very difficult to understand. He was knowledge though it was draining trying to figure out what he was saying. I often asked Aba to step in, though he was reluctant to do so since it was Ahzamat's (sp) job. The young guide was wonderful helping my friend on hikes and was very kind, however he does not have the personality or the language skills to be an English tour guide at this point. It would have made a world of difference if we had someone with better language skills. Maybe Aba could be the guide and the young man could drive? Also the tour guide is Samarkand was not very good. In general the rest of the guides were good to excellent. Max In Turkmenistan was excellent and invaluable with getting us through the border. Also excellent was the woman guide in Dushanbe. 4. It would be far better if Penguin charged everyone the cost of admissions for the entire trip as part of the tour cost. For example at theTurkmenistan border we paid $110 US, yet the blue receipts I have came to $74 US dollars. Where did the other $36 go? If it went towards admissions and the remainder to Max, I am fine with it, but if it went elsewhere, I am not OK with it. We should know where the money goes! Or better yet just add it to the tour price. An additional $100 to the tour price isn't going to discourage anyone from going on the trip. This tour could have been beyond exceptional with just the few changes mentioned above. However I am so glad I went. I learned so much and had a really great time. Thank you.

Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure

China and 5 Stans

We did 5 Stans and China in September, 2019 with East Site and we were really impressed with their professionalism and assistance. East Site' branch office in Central Asia acceded to all our requests. Thank you.

Highlights of Uzbekistan

My tour of Uzbekistan was wonderful. The sites were more amazing than I had anticipated. The tour was well paced, covered all the major sites and gave us plenty of free time to explore. But best of all was our tour leader Oriz, who was just amazing, a lovely person,very knowlegable and so caring of all the group. He was outstanding. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see a beautiful but remote part of the world in comfort and safety.

5stan trip to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

Central Asia 5 Stans and Mongolia

I took a long "5 Stans and Mongolia" trip in July 2019. Still alive :). The opening ceremony of The Festival of Naadam in Ulaanbaatar was epic! It's Mongolia's biggest cultural event, focusing on horse racing, Mongolian style wrestling and archery. Took a lot of bright photos that day.

Uzbekistan Cultural Tour (Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva) boutique hotels option

I had a phenomenonal 10 days in Uzbekistan. The itinerary was beyond belief, every expectation was blown out of the water. The hotels were amazing, the guides were amazing and Bek was always on standby to answer all my questions. Drivers were all extremely punctual, never late. The guides were warm and welcoming and they balanced a solid itinerary with the freedom for me yo explore.

• Christmas & New Year

3 Stans: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan

What people love about fully guided tours in central asia.

The tour was very good, mostly because of the guides ( two of them at different points in time) who were knowledgeable and pleasant. The itinerary was also interesting. It was my first trip with Tourradar but it won't be the last, in fact, I have just booked a trip to Vietnam.

Glad to attend this execellent tour. Recommend to everyone

We had a fabulous 2 weeks on our tour! Nadine our guide in Turkmenistan made our visit special. Made sure we knew all the history of the country and was like our daughter taking us around. Our guides Bek & Javlin in Uzbekistan couldn’t have been nicer. Made sure we tried all the local cuisine and beer. Very attentive at all times. It was such a pleasure touring their beautiful country with them. On occasion we had to go to Plan B but it was just as good as Plan A. If looking for a great adventure in Central Asia do not hesitate to book with them as you’ll have an awesome experience like we did.

Travel Styles

• Fully Guided

Central Asia Explorer

17 days | unspool history on the silk road, from mountain yurts to minarets.

Be entranced by the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and historical wonders of Uzbekistan on this 17-day tour. Traverse landscapes of alpine lakes and mountains interrupted only by dots of yurts, feel the divine artistic power of the detailed mosaics and towering minarets of ancient cities, and be welcomed into homes and family-run businesses by locals. A mix of ancient nomadic cultures, various iterations of both conservative and progressive Islam, Soviet influence and post-independence nationalism mean Central Asia is home to unique traditions. Travels here will leave you raving about the region for years to come and planning your next trip back as soon as you get home.

Trip overview

• Get to know the locals as you meet a local eagle trainer (or Berkutchi), learn how to build a yurt in a local workshop, test your taste buds with a dinner of home-cooked plov (Uzbekistan's signature dish) and rub shoulders with the locals in the bustling bazaars
• Travel along the Chychkan River beneath the towering peaks of Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan range, mountains even more spectacular for emptiness of the valleys below them.
• Enjoy authentic experiences like sleeping in traditional yurts on the banks of Lake Issykul, staying in local villages and making yourself at home in a boutique hotel that used to be an old Jewish house in Bukhara
• Wander through the grand square Registan in Samarkand, admiring the imposing architecture from afar and the detailed craftmanship on the tiling up close.
• Spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukhara, a 6th-century-BC city that's drenched in history and home to the formidable Ark of Bukhara.
• Central Asia is a remote destination, perfect for Intrepid travellers! You will venture well away from cities, right off the beaten track and be able to immerse yourself in local food, life and culture. Accommodation may on occasion be more basic than what you are used to, especially in local homes, guesthouses and at the yurt. Shower and toilet facilities will be limited in some places and non-existent in others. While the comfort level won't always be high, the rewards of living in true local style in this far-out part of the world are immeasurable.
• This is an overland journey, so there will be some very long days of travelling and driving, often over rough terrain. This can be tiring and require patience. The vehicle we use is small enough to access places where the general road condition doesn't allow for buses, but this means it can be a cosy journey when the group is almost full. We find this is a great way for the group to bond and share an amazing journey together and there will be stops along the way to take photos and stretch your legs.
• What Kyrgyzstan lacks in historical sights (compared to the Silk Road monuments and Old Towns of Uzbekistan) it makes up for in incredible natural landscapes and plenty of opportunities for interaction with local families in small villages.
• This trip spends 1 night at high altitude at Song-kol Lake (over 3000 meters) and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. We recommend not partaking in any strenuous activity until you have time to gauge your reaction to the high altitude. See the ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

Welcome to Bishkek! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Tomorrow you’ll take a tour of the city, so don’t stress too much if you don’t have time to see much today. Bishkek is tree-lined town of parks and gardens, handsome houses and wide streets perfect for strolling. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe head out in search of some samsa (pastry pockets filled with meat and vegetables).

• Hotel (1 night)

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Keep in mind that many flights into Bishkek arrive very early in the morning. If you would like to be able to check in on arrival, please book an additional night of accommodation beforehand so a room is available for you. Regular check in time is 1 pm.

Embark on city tour that showcases the various stages of Bishkek’s history. Visit the severe Ala-Too Square, once known as Lenin Square, and learn about the towering statue depicting folkloric hero Manas. Continue to Dubovy Park, and wander among the open-air cafes before strolling between the century-old oaks along Freedom Avenue. In the afternoon, you'll have some free time to further explore Bishkek. Quite the contrast to the relaxed quiet streets, square and parks in the city centre, Osh Market is noisy, crowded, and a perfect peek into local life. You'll find all kinds of things on sale here, from spices and fruits to clothes and carpets.

• Bishkek - City Tour
• Bishkek - State Historical Museum - KGS150

This morning, up and on the road through the beautiful landscaps of Kyrgyzstan. You'll be travelling with our vehicle for the next few days so get ready for a road trip through some pretty stunning mountains and lakes. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city Balasagun. Then continue to Tokmak and meet a local Kyrgyz family and enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Then onto the destination of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. At 170 - kilometres-long and 70-kilometres-wide, her beauty is a real sight to behold. Your yurt camp for tonight is set up along the south shore of the lake where you'll get a fantastic view of the snow-capped mountains setting behind the lake. Made of felt and tarpaulins on a round frame, yurts are the traditional dwellings of the Kyrgyz people and this will be your 'settlement' for today and tomorrow.

• Tourist yurt camp (1 night)
• Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
• Tokmak - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch

Today's travel time is about 4- 5 hours. Sleeping arrangements tonight are on a multi-share basis with mattresses on the floor, potentially mixed gender sharing depending on the group composition. There will be up to 4 people in one yurt. It can get very chilly in the evenings, so there's a stove for heating and plenty of blankets. Bathroom facilities are located separately from the yurts and are shared on the camp. The conditions here are basic but the stunning view and the unique experience of staying in a yurt is certainly rewarding.

With relaxed plans for today, we’ll wander the beautiful alpine area and head out to meet a local eagle trainer (or Berkutchi) and discover the ancient principles of training these beautiful creatures to follow commands, catch prey and return back to their masters and then visit a few local families who’ll teach you more about their traditional yurts. With a special workshop, you’ll learn the basics of how these nomadic dwellings have been manufactured and how they play an important role in the community here. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening, relax in your authentic yurt camp, jump into the lake, ride a bike or sit back with a cold homemade vodka – created by your yurt camp owners, just for you.

• Issyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
• Issyk-Kul Lake - Eagle Hunter Visit

Back on the road and travel to Song-Kol Lake, another alpine stunner that is considered a sacred place to many Kyrgyz people, as well as one of the best summer pastures for nomadic herders. The landscape will change depending on the season but is sure to be beautiful no matter when you travel. In the summer you might see nomadic herdsmen and their families watching over goats, sheep, and horses. Enjoy exploring your surroundings for the rest of the day, maybe hiking one of the many trails. Tonight, fall asleep in yurts set up along the shore. Tomorrow, those daring enough for an invigorating morning splash can use the lake to wash off the sleep.

Today's travel time is approximately 6 hours. Sleeping arrangements tonight are on a multi-share basis with mattresses on the floor, potentially mixed gender sharing depending on the group composition. There will be up to 4 people in one yurt. It can get very chilly in the evenings, so there's a stove for heating and plenty of blankets. Bathroom facilities are located separately from the yurts and are shared on the camp. The pass to Song-Kol Lake is open from mid June to mid September. When the road is open, you'll stay at Song-kol Lake tonight. When the road is impassable an alternative destination will be arranged for this day of the trip. In September and October – depending on the temperature – we may only make a daytrip to Song-Kol Lake and return to Kochkor for the night.

Travel along gravel roads to the tiny village of Kyzyl-Oi, which is squeezed between mountains. On the way, pass large coal deposits and travel along the Kokomeren River, which feeds into the Syr Darya. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river in the shade of the trees and use your free time to explore the village on arrival.

• Guesthouse/Homestay (1 night)

Today's travel time is about 6-7 hours After heavy rains the road near Kara Keche may be washed out and impassable. When this occurs, you will return to Kochkor from Song-Kul Lake and then drive from there to Kyzyl-Oi. The driving time today will increase for a couple of hours if not taking the original planned route. We work with a local CBT organization to arrange the homestay tonight. The sleeping arrangement will be multi-share and the the group may be split into different houses of local families.

Get ready for a full-day of driving though big, beautiful landscapes. As the roads in Kyrgyzstan see little regular maintenance, even short distances on a map can take hours. The road crosses the Suusamyr Valley – a high steppe plateau situated at around 2200 metres above sea level. The mountainous surroundings are often dotted with yurts. Continue along the Chychkan River that cuts through the Tien Shan mountain range. Stop here for a while and soak up the amazing scenery. Arrive at tonight's accommodation in Karakul sometime in the early evening.

Today's travel time is about 7 hours.

After breakfast, get ready for another all-day journey to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgystan. Stop en route at Uzgen, an ancient trading town and handicrafts centre along the Silk Road. Although much of the ancient city has been destroyed, a minaret and three mosques that have survived remain important examples of medieval Central Asian architecture. Continue to Osh. Located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country, Osh is often referred to as the 'Capital of the South' and is the oldest city in the country.

• Uzgen - Uzgen Minaret & Complex

Today's travel time is about 6-7 hours

Rise and shine for a visit to the only World Heritage site in Kyrgystan, the Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain, also known as Solomon's Throne. For centuries Silk Road travellers have sought out the mountain's caves and their petroglyphs in the belief that they would be blessed with longevity or healthy children. Visit the National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time in Osh. Perhaps visit the Jayma Bazaar, where you might pick up an interesting souvenir or two. Or maybe take a self-guided tour of the remnants of Osh's soviet past with a walk to the giant Lenin statue in the city square.

• Osh - Sulaiman-Too Mountain
• Osh - National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
• Osh - Bazaar - Free

This morning, drive to Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, which is just outside of the city. Transfer to Andijan and board a local train to Tashkent (approximately 5.5 hours). The train is a great place to meet locals, so don’t be surprised if people want to chat to the chet ellik (foreigner). Arrive in the evening and check into the hotel.

Begin your introduction to Uzbekistan by exploring the capital today. Follow your leader on a city walking tour - explore Amir Timur square at the city center, then hop on the metro and lose yourself in the exciting Chorsu Bazaar, browsing traditional wooden cradles, handmade musical instruments, and the extensive vegetable and spice markets. Enjoy a free afternoon and maybe go and visit the Khast Imom complex, a restored series of religious buildings (including a mosque) and a library containing an ancient Qur’an, parts of which have been dated to the ninth century, or simply relax and enjoy some well deserved downtime after a busy journey in Kyrgyzstan.

• Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
• Tashkent - Amir Timur Square

Please note that in the hot summer months in July and August, your leader may adjust the order of activities in each destination in Uzbekistan to avoid too much time spent in the heat.

Travel to Bukhara by train this morning. Located on the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara was an important regional and world hub for many, many years and has a long, fascinating history featuring invasions by both Genghis Khan and the Soviet Red Army. Explore this fascinating city with your tour leader on an orientation walk after arrival and head to the Lyabi-Haus area, a busy 17th-century plaza with hundreds-years-old trees and there is time to wander the small craft studios tucked into the nearby madrasas and trading domes.

Today's travel time is approximately 6 hours. The included sites visit in Bukhara and Samarkand maybe adjusted in order by the leader depending on the group's preference and time of visits.

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in beautiful Bukhara. First visit the Sitorai Mohi Khosa, once the summer residence of the last Emir. Designed by Russian architects, it has interiors decorated with traditional filigree plaster, mirrored surfaces and delicate floral wall paintings by local artisans. In the afternoon, visit the Ark Fortress and Kalon Mosque, the symbol of Bukhara. Continue to one of Central Asia's oldest and most exquisite structures, the tenth-century Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the superb decorative brickwork of which has survived 1000 years of rugged history.

• Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
• Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
• Bukhara - Kalon Mosque
• Bukhara - Ark Fortress

Have a free morning to yourself for some further exploration of Bukhara. In the late afternoon,transfer to the station for the high-speed train to fabled Samarkand (approximately 2 hours). This city is located at the very centre of the ancient Silk Road. Arrival early evening and follow your leader on a short city orientation walk and maybe an optional dinner together.

• Samarkand - Leader-led orientation walk

Today's travel time is approximately 3 hours.

Enjoy a tour of Samarkand. First up is the central square called the Registan, which features mosques and mausoleums that are true pinnacles of Islamic architecture. Continue to Guri-Amir, where Tamerlane is buried, and then the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Visit Shak-i-Zinda, a necropolis that features a series of gleaming blue-tiled mausoleums. This sacred site has monuments from the 14th–19th century, reflecting the development of the monumental art and architecture of the Timurid dynasty onwards. It is photo worthy at every turn, just remember to be respectful as pilgrims visit the complex. In the evening, you’ll visit a local family to learn the secrets of plov cuisine during a cooking demonstration in the evening.

• Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
• Samarkand - Registan
• Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
• Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
• Samarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
• Samarkand - Afrosiab Museum - UZS30000
• Samarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory - UZS30000

This morning, take the train back to Tashkent. Enjoy a free afternoon and why not celebrate this great adventure with an optional farewell dinner tonight?

Today's travel time is about 3 hours.

There are no activities planned today and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time after check out.

16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners

Private Bus, Metro, High Speed Train, local train

Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (11 nights), Tourist Yurt Camps (3 night)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 3 to Day 7 where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 2. We'll need your passport details no later than 45 days before departure in order to purchase train tickets on this trip. Delay in providing these details or providing incorrect details may result in extra fee in change or being unable to secure services.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Filter by rating

Central Asia Adventure Trips

Follow the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Marco Polo along the ancient trading routes of the Silk Road. Whether you wish to experience Central Asia on one of our multi-country Overland adventures, or focus on our Small group travel through Pakistan and China, you have the opportunity to discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend. Journey along the Karakorum highway and through the incredible Himalayas in Pakistan; visit the legendary 'Stans' and the rich World Heritage sites that populate these regions, or explore Ashgabat and its extravagant architecture that holds the Guinness world record for the most white marble on Earth. Discover the stunning scenery of Kyrgyzstan and learn how this once nomadic culture still relies on the horse; gaze in wonder at the beautiful church frescos of Georgia. Cross the mighty Torugart Pass and traverse the whole of China with all its adventures: visit iconic Kashgar, Chengdu’s Giant Pandas, the Terracotta Warriors and scale the Great Wall of China.

Filter Trips

• {{term.term}} ({{term.count}})
• {{month.time | date:'MMMM yyyy'}} ({{month.count}})
• {{ search_filters.range.dates.startDate.format('MMMM YYYY') }}
• = 0" class="active"> {{search_filters.range.duration.lower}} to {{search_filters.range.duration.lower + esConfig.duration_histogram_interval - 1}} days
• {{selection.key}} to {{selection.key + esConfig.duration_histogram_interval - 1}} days ({{selection.count}})

Sign up to our newsletter

Please complete all required fields!

Oasis Overland is committed to keeping your personal information safe. We take your privacy seriously. Your personal information will not be passed on to any third parties. To learn more about how we look after your personal data, please read our Privacy Policy.

(*) required field

Henry and Nathan, the visionary founders of Central Asia Tours, share an unwavering passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for the rich cultures of the region. Driven by our love for adventure, we embarked on a remarkable journey to bring the beauty of Central Asia to the world. Leaving the UK behind, we founded Central Asia Tours, an alternative tourism travel venture dedicated to crafting authentic and immersive experiences.

Henry's expertise in cultural immersion and Nathan's adventurous spirit complement each other perfectly. Together, we curate unforgettable journeys that reveal the captivating landscapes and diverse traditions of Central Asia. Join us on an expedition of a lifetime, where every moment becomes a cherished memory.

The founders

Beautiful sights.

Our passion lies in showcasing the most captivating corners of Central Asia, ensuring an immersive and unforgettable travel experience. From ancient Silk Road legacies to breath-taking natural landscapes, our carefully curated tours promise to unveil the beauty and diversity of the region. Join us and discover the beauty of Central Asia, where every moment is a picturesque memory in the making.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Run by travellers - for travellers, your satisfaction is our priority. We're dedicated to curating exceptional travel experiences across the region. With expertly crafted tours, we ensure you explore the best of Central Asia's culture, landscapes, and cuisine. Join us and experience a journey where your satisfaction is our commitment.

Experienced Guides

Our seasoned guides are your companions to the heart of Central Asia. Navigating rich cultural histories, diverse landscapes, and immersive encounters, our team ensures every step of your journey is enriched with insights and authenticity. Trust in our expertise as we lead you through an adventure where the depth of our knowledge matches the richness of the region itself.

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Central Asia Tours, your gateway to the uncharted wonders of the Silk Road! Our expertly crafted journeys transport you to the heart of the world's most enigmatic region, where ancient civilizations converge with breathtaking landscapes. As you journey through the mysterious landscapes of Central Asia, you'll be captivated by the allure of the fabled Silk Road cities, wander through nomadic villages, and traverse rugged terrain that has witnessed countless tales of exploration. From the soaring peaks of the Pamir Mountains to the timeless beauty of Samarkand, our tours promise exhilarating encounters with history, culture, and nature. Join us for an expedition that will ignite your sense of adventure and inspire a desire to delve deeper into the mesmerizing tapestry of Central Asia. Scroll further and uncover the extraordinary adventures that await you!

Unveil the untamed spirit of Central Asia with Central Asia Tours, your portal to uncharted adventures along the storied Silk Road. Embark on an odyssey that will set your heart racing as you traverse the mystical realms of Central Asia. Delve into the enchanting past of Silk Road cities, wander through nomadic hamlets, and conquer rugged terrains steeped in history. From the majestic peaks of the Pamir Mountains to the timeless allure of Samarkand, our tours promise thrilling escapades for the intrepid explorer. Prepare for an expedition that will awaken your inner adventurer and beckon you to plunge deeper into the captivating tapestry of Central Asia. Dive in and uncover the extraordinary adventures that await you as you scroll further!

Experience the natural wonders of Central Asia with our eco-friendly projects. From exploring pristine alpine lakes to camping under the starry sky, our projects offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature. Join us for an eco-adventure and discover the breathtaking landscapes of Kyrgyzstan.

Esther Bryce

Founder / Interior designer

Lianne Wilson

Jaden Smith

Jessica Kim

Photographer

[email protected] +(44) 07598 666248

Social Media

Subscribe to our newsletter.

home > Destinations > Central Asia holidays italy holidays europe holidays asia holidays

central asia holidays

Travel month, duration (nights), travel style, activity level.

CENTRAL ASIA

Silk road & caucasus, central asia tours.

central asia & silk road TOURS FAQs

What countries do your central asia tours visit.

is central asia safe to visit?

When is the best time to travel the silk road, how do we get started organising a central asia tour.

SOPHIA HUNT

GARY HEWITT

JONATHAN HOLUBEKI-FRANCE

Central asia, silk & caucasus tour destinations, 🇺🇿 uzbekistan.

🇺🇿 SAMARKAND

🇺🇿 TASHKENT

🇰🇿 KAZAKHSTAN

🇰🇿 BAIKONUR

🇹🇲 turkmenistan.

🇹🇲 ASHGABAT

🇹🇯 TAJIKISTAN & 🇰🇬 KYRGYZSTAN

🇹🇯 DUSHANBE

🇰🇬 LAKE ISSYK-KUL

🇨🇳 DUNHUANG

🇨🇳 JIAYUGUAN

🇦🇿 AZERBAIJAN

CASPIAN SEA

Interested please complete the form below.

VELVET PHAM

FAIZUL HAQUE

Tour sections quick links, private & luxury train tours, public & private train tours by start city, other tour categories.

• Last minute guaranteed trips
• Covid Info Hub
• Info nights & events
• How to book

Destination

Antarctica & the arctic, australasia, central america, central asia, indian subcontinent, middle east, north america, south america, vessels & boats, advanced search, why travel with us.

Award Winning Adventures

Enhancing your journey with authentic experiences, genuine cultural exchange and real exploration are the focal points on all of our adventures. In 2019, we were crowned by our peers as the best in adventure travel at The Travel Awards in Sydney.

Thoughtful Travel

Our vision is to leave the world a better place by following our sustainable active outdoor travel charter . All our adventures are 100% carbon offset and our Regenerative 2030 Project aims to integrate ‘regenerative’ projects into every one of our global operations by 2030.

Ultimate Value

 When you book one of our adventures, you will receive quality services at the best prices with plenty of inclusions. There are no hidden costs, single travellers don’t pay more and you’ll enjoy many ‘extra touches’ that ensure your holiday is excellent value for money.

Best of the Stans and Silk Road adventures

Uncover central asia's past and present.

Since the collapse of the USSR, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are emerging one by one as promising destinations for off-the-beaten track adventures, and World Expeditions offers more Central Asia and Silk Road tours than ever before. These five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, collectively known as the ‘Five Stans’, are one of the most diverse parts of the world, entwined with history and legacies that forged their civilisation as we know it today.

Central Asia consists of a spectacular sweep of mountains, deserts, valleys and steppe; from ancient towns to oases of modern cities. The entanglement of ancient trade routes, popularly known as the Silk Road, were corridors for cultural, economic, intellectual and religious exchange that became the rich tapestry which connected the Orient to the Mediterranean, and the past to the present.

Weave your way through these historic trails on the Silk Road – including Tashkent's famous museums of Tashkent, the fabled city of Samarkand, Merv's sprawling archaeological site, the magnificent Summer Palace of Bukhara and Kashgar's colourful markets. Or, trek or bike deep in the mysterious lands of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, complete with high mountain sceneries and alpine meadows, few have traversed.

Silk Road Journeys

Trekking in Central Asia

Cycling in central Asia

Mountaineering in Central Asia

Popular Silk Road Trips & Central Asia Tours

Ancient Silk Road Cities - The Five Stans

Discover the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia

Silk Road to Samarkand via Kashgar

An extraordinary journey following the ancient Silk Road from China to Uzbekistan

Peak Lenin Expedition with Soren Kruse Ledet

A high altitude expedition to Peak Lenin (7134m/23,405ft) in the Pamirs, considered one of the world's most achievable 7000m mountains

Peak Lenin and Khan Tengri Expedition with Soren Kruse Ledet

A superb high altitude expedition to Peak Lenin (7134m/23,405ft) in the Pamirs and Khan Tengri (7010m/22,999ft) in the Tian Shan range led by Soren Kruse Ledet

Fann Mountains Trek & Silk Road Cities

We combine a trek in the impressive Pamirs Fann Mountains with the fabled Silk Road cities of Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara

Transcaucasian Trail Hike Armenia

Experience the historical sites and scenic beauty of the Caucasian Silk route in Armenia

Transcaucasian Trail Hike Georgia

Adventure into the scenic, mysterious and fascinating lands of Georgia

Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia Explorer

Baku to Yerevan via Tbilisi, take the paths less travelled through the Caucasus

Popular Silk Road Countries

• Cookie Policy
• Strictly Necessary
• Performance

When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences, your device or used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually identify you directly, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. You can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, you should know that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on the site and the services we are able to offer.

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will no longer work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our site.

These cookies allow the provision of enhance functionality and personalization, such as videos and live chats. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all of these features may not function properly.

These cookies are set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant ads on other sites and promotional activities through our newsletters. They work by uniquely identifying your browser and device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will not experience our targeted advertising across different websites or via newsletters.

• Switzerland
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States

Tours to Asia

Home to some of the world's most vibrant cities, serene rural scenes, highest mountains and great swathes of desert, Asia has surprises at every turn. Our holidays to Asia cover the must-sees and must-dos, from the Taj Mahal to the Himalayas.

Ways to explore Asia

Walking and trekking, boat journeys, rail journeys, food and drink, multi-activity, discover our asia tours.

From the serene surrounds of Angkor Wat in Cambodia , to the bright lights and bustling metropolis of  Hong Kong , Asia is a continent full of contrasts. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of  Vietnam  with a cruise around the verdant limestone islands of Halong Bay, or get away from the main tourist trail to discover the lush  mangroves of Khao Sam Roi Yot  in Thailand. Watch the sun rise over the sacred Angkor Wat temple in the Cambodian jungle, and don’t overlook  Laos , a lesser-known gem of South-East Asia, boasting saffron-robed monks, spectacular waterfalls and kayaking excursions.  Join our classic  Golden Triangle Tour  in India to experience the chaotic markets of Delhi and visit the celestial Taj Mahal at dawn. The Great Wall of China and Xian’s Terracotta Army are must-see highlights on our  China tours , while the ultramodern cityscape of Tokyo will blow you away on our  trips to Japan . From the iconic  Silk Road  cities and camel rides in the desert to overnight stays in traditional yurts, our small group tours to Central Asia will transport you into a world of rich history, ornate architecture and friendly locals.  For a more active adventure, Asia is a great place to explore on two wheels. Explore the Knuckles Range on our  Sri Lanka Cycling Tour , or jump in the saddle for a cultural ride along rugged coastlines on our  Saigon to Hanoi Cycling Adventure . If you prefer to explore on foot, don your walking boots and climb the dizzy heights of the Himalayas with our  Nepal Trekking Holidays , or for something beyond the beaten track,  Georgia  has some spectacular walking trails in the Caucasus Mountains.

Our most popular tours in Asia

India's golden triangle.

The Best of Georgia and Armenia

Simply Vietnam

Simply Japan

Sri Lanka in Depth

Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia

Malaysia and Singapore Explorer

Walk Japan - Kumano Kodo Trail

The Five Stans of The Silk Road

An adventure travel company you can trust

Unforgettable experiences.

From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.

Expert tour leaders

Chosen for their great knowledge of your destination and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

Small groups

Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

Responsible at heart

How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

Asia tour reviews

Average customer rating:

Independent service rating based on

See All destinations in Asia

• Philippines
• Turkmenistan

• Traveller Account

Central Asia Tours from the UK: Explore the Hidden Gems with Minzifa Travel

Uncover the Beauty of Central Asia: Tours from the UK with Minzifa Travel

Embark on an unforgettable journey: central asia tours from the uk, introduction: central asia tours from the uk with minzifa travel.

Central Asia, a land of enchanting beauty, rich history, and diverse cultures, awaits travelers from the UK to embark on an unforgettable journey. Minzifa Travel is your trusted partner for exploring the hidden gems of Central Asia. Our tours from the UK offer an immersive and authentic experience, allowing you to discover the fascinating allure of this extraordinary region.

Why Choose Central Asia for Your Next Adventure?

Central Asia offers a wealth of captivating attractions and experiences that make it an ideal destination for travelers from the UK. From the ancient cities along the Silk Road to the stunning landscapes of the Pamir Mountains and the nomadic traditions of the Kyrgyz people, Central Asia promises a unique blend of history, nature, and cultural richness. By choosing Central Asia for your next adventure, you can immerse yourself in a world of wonders waiting to be explored.

Expertly Crafted Itineraries for UK Travelers

At Minzifa Travel, we understand the interests and preferences of UK travelers. Our Central Asia tours from the UK are meticulously designed to provide you with a curated and immersive experience. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient architecture, intrigued by nomadic cultures, or eager to embark on outdoor adventures, our expertly crafted itineraries cater to your specific interests and ensure a memorable journey.

Immerse Yourself in the Rich Cultural Heritage

One of the highlights of traveling through Central Asia is the opportunity to immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage. From exploring the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara to experiencing traditional music and dance performances, you’ll have the chance to connect with the vibrant traditions of the region. Our knowledgeable guides will accompany you on this cultural journey, providing insights into the history, customs, and local way of life.

Seamless Travel Arrangements and Support

Minzifa Travel takes care of all your travel arrangements, ensuring a seamless and stress-free journey. We handle flights, accommodations, transportation, and visa assistance, allowing you to focus on fully experiencing the wonders of Central Asia. Our dedicated team is available 24/7 to provide support and assistance throughout your trip, ensuring that you have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

Conclusion: Embark on a Remarkable Adventure with Minzifa Travel

Central Asia beckons with its hidden gems, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural tapestry. With Minzifa Travel’s tours from the UK, you can embark on a remarkable adventure of discovery and exploration. Immerse yourself in the traditions, savor the flavors of local cuisines, and marvel at the architectural marvels. Let us be your trusted travel companion, ensuring that every moment of your Central Asia tour from the UK is filled with wonder and delight. Start planning your journey with Minzifa Travel today and unlock the treasures of this captivating region.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Central Asia with Minzifa Travel’s tours from the UK and discover the hidden gems of this enchanting region.

• 2 Weeks for Couple
• 2 Weeks for Family
• Thailand Lantern Festival
• Indonesia(Bali)
• South Korea
• China (HK, Taiwan)
• Itinerary Ideas
• Asia Highlights Travel Reviews
• Thailand Travel Reviews
• Vietnam Travel Reviews
• Cambodia Travel Reviews
• Japan Travel Reviews
• Myanmar Travel Reviews
• China Travel Reviews

Private Caucasus and Central Asia Tours

The Caucasus and Central Asia consist of eight independent countries : Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia in the Caucasus and Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in Central Asia.

Azerbaijan is a diverse country that features modern architecture and magnificent fortresses, mosques, and palaces.

As the two of the oldest Christian countries in the world, Armenia and Georgia are dotted with unique historical churches and monasteries.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are known for their unforgettable natural beauty.

Kazakhstan is the most developed country in Central Asia.

Uzbekistan has a rich history and is home to many stunning monuments and wonders of Islamic architecture.

Turkmenistan is a little-known country, largely covered by the vast desert.

The Caucasus and Central Asia Tours

The following private tours of the Caucasus and Central Asia have been designed to cover landscapes of natural beauty and the unique mix of cultures and history along the Ancient Silk Road. All can be tailor-made for your own private travel schedule and interests in this region.

12-Day Classic Caucasus Tour

15-day central asia immersion of five stans, 10-day georgia and armenia tour, 11-day essential central asia tour, 8-day uzbekistan heritage and cuisine tour, 21-day silk road tour from china to central asia.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Regional maps

New to the Caucasus and Central Asia? Use our guide maps to plan your trip!

Other Southeast Asian Countries

Get inspired with some popular itineraries.

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

Sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why Asia Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty Program
• Our Differences
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

[email protected] | [email protected]

• Information about Uzbekistan
• Remarkable sights
• Tours to Uzbekistan
• Visa to Uzbekistan
• Hotels in Uzbekistan
• Uzbek national cuisine
• Gifts of Nature
• Conference halls in Uzbekistan
• Restaurants of Uzbekistan
• Airline tickets booking
• Transport service in Uzbekistan
• Railways in Uzbekistan
• Photo of Uzbekistan
• Information about Kyrgyzstan
• Tours to Kyrgyzstan
• Visa to Kyrgyzstan
• Hotels in Kyrgyzstan
• Transport services
• Photo of Kyrgyzstan
• Information about Kazakhstan
• Tours to Kazakhstan
• Visa to Kazakhstan
• Hotels of Kazakhstan
• Photo of Kazakhstan
• Information about Tajikistan
• Tours to Tajikistan
• Visa to Tajikistan
• Hotels of Tajikistan
• Transport service
• Photo of Tajikistan
• Information about Turkmenistan
• Tours to Turkmenistan
• Visa to Turkmenistan
• Hotels of Turkmenistan
• Photo of Turkmenistan
• Information about China
• Tours to China
• Chinese Holidays And Festivals
• Photo of China

The Stans: Central Asian Quintet

Central Asia, our company is a namesake of, still remains terra incognita for many westerners. It consists of the five former USSR republics of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, also known as the Stans, which became independent countries only in 1991. Hidden behind the Soviet iron curtain for nearly the whole 20th century, they are now new, and so quite intriguing, tourism destinations to explore, promising enjoyable travel experiences.

DO NOT NEED PCR test and vaccination certificate for visiting Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

CENTRAL ASIA AND UZBEKISTAN TOURS & TRAVEL

The silk road travel packages and tours private and group tours.

Tour operator  Central Asia Travel  is one of the leading tour companies of Central Asia that offers various  Silk Road Travel and Tours : guided tour packages   ( holiday packages ) to Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and other Great Silk Route’s main attractions;  adventure holidays  in Pamir and Tien-Shan Mountains; M.I.C.E. and transport services. You can find the most popular package holidays and adventure trips below:

Heritage tours

Trip to the 3 Stans – in-depth of Central Asia ***

Heritage tour

Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan

4 scheduled departures 2024

15 days: from 2825 USD

The Five Stans ***

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

5 guaranteed departures 2024

15 days: 3595 USD

UZBEKISTAN ECO-TOUR FOLKS & CRAFTS ***

Travel to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

3 scheduled departures 2024

10 days: 1565 USD

To the Heart of Tamerlane`s Empire ***

Heritage Tour

Travel to Uzbekistan

5 scheduled departures 2024

8 days: 1050 USD

HIDDEN TREASURES OF CENTRAL ASIA ***

Travel to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

12 days: 2955 USD

SHEHERAZADE’S TALES ***

1 guaranteed date 2023

1 guaranteed date 2024

7 days: 1095 USD

Oriental Caravan ***

2 guaranteed departures 2023

8/10 days: 969 USD

Uzbekistan: Treasure Chest with Oriental Adventures ***

April - October 2023

10 days : from 995  USD

Classic Uzbekistan tour ***

7 days: from 665 USD

Nowruz – Oriental New Year Holiday ***

Festive tour

9 days: from 872 USD

WILDERNESS OF KYRGYZSTAN ***

June - September

8 days: 1099 USD

Pure Kazakhstan ***

Travel to Kazakhstan

7 days: 910 USD

Silk Road Treasures ***

Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan

16 days: from 1739 USD

The Pearls of the East: Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan ***

Travel to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

April - October

10 days: from 1477  USD

Tour to Ancient Sogdiana: Tajikistan & Uzbekistan ***

Travel to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

12 days: from 1158  USD

Uzbekistan & Kyzylkum Desert ***

9 days: 783 USD

Classic Turkmenistan tour ***

Travel to Turkmenistan

15.09 - 22.09.2019

8 days: from 1540 USD

Dinosaurs on the Silk Road ***

6 days: from 1130 USD

Along the road of ancient caravans ***

Travel to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan

15 days: from 1360 USD

Classic Kazakhstan Tour ***

8 days: from 830 USD

Winter Holidays on the Silk Road ***

New year tour

7 days: from 650 USD

to the top »»

Gastronomic tour

Oriental dastarkhan ***

25.09 - 04.10.2023

10 days: from 1205 USD

Bicycle tour

Uzbekistan cycle tour ***

9 days: 1390 USD : from 1200 USD

• Trekking tours

Adventure Vacations In The Pamirs ***

Family Vacations

Travel to Kyrgyzstan

8 Guaranteed departures 2024

7 days: 630 USD

Trekking to Lenin Peak, climbing Yukhin Peak ***

8 days: 670 USD

Trekking to lake Sary-Chelek ***

3 Guaranteed departures 2024

8/10 days: from 990 USD

Trekking to the foot of Aksu peak ***

2 Guaranteed departures 2024

9/11 days: from 1150 USD

In Tian-Shan and Pamir mountains ***

15/17 days: from 1850 USD

Pamir Alay Mountains Trekking ***

3 guaranteed departures 2024

8/9/12/13 days: from 880 USD

Heartland of Fann mountains ***

Travel to Tajikistan

2 guaranteed departures 2024

10 days: 1445 USD

To the toe of the Khan-Tengri peak ***

Trekking tour

14 days: 3200 USD

The Best Pamir Trekking ***

18/16 days: from 1750 USD

Mountaineering

Expedition to Lenin Peak ***

8 guaranteed departures 2024

20-22 days: 2000 USD

Pamirs` Summits ***

7 guaranteed departures 2024

12 days: 1225 USD

4WD jeep tours

M41 Road: Pamir Highway ***

Travel to Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan

12 days: 1795 USD

TO THE ARAL SEA VIA KYZYLKUM DESERT ***

Jeep tour and heritage tour

15 days from: 1339 USD

1 Guaranteed departures 2024

11 days: from 1710 USD

Tour name *

Full name *

Citizenship

Phone number *  

Telegram  

E-Mail *  

Scheduled dates of travel: 

Number of participants: 

Luxury hotels 4-5 ☆ Hotels 2-3 ☆

Guest houses Budget choice of accomodation

Via phone 

Comments, wishes on the program:

Inserting your personal data in this form you give your consent to the processing of your personal data

Please fill in all the fields marked with an asterisk

Click anywhere to continue

To submit the form you need to consent to the processing of personal data.

Book a guided tour

Sightseeing tour name *

Select a date: 

Your comments and suggestions:

E-mail signup

Send to a friend

The Five Stans of Central Asia is is amazing travel itinerary through the five former USSR republics of Turkmenistan –Uzbekistan – Tajikistan – Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan, also known as the Stans, includes the main tourist attractions and must-visit destinations at the centre of the Silk Road. This region is unified by the common past and a number of similar traditions; nevertheless, each of the countries is highly unique and characterized by a range of distinctive features. Explore the Best of Central Asia in 15 Days Tour. »»»

Trekking to the foot of Lenin Peak with climbing Yukhin Peak: enjoy majestic high mountain landscapes of Pamir mountains and comfortable staying in heated tents or in traditional Kyrgyz yurts on the territory of a well-equipped yurt campsite. »»»

Pamir Alay Mountains Trekking: trekking to the Lenin Peak via the picturesque Kozho-Kelen Valley. While moving along the Alay Range we will cross two high-mountain passes to reach the canyon with waterfall and red rocks forming the "Three Dragon Gorge". It’s an unbelievably beautiful hike in one of the most popular destinations for trekking in Kyrgyzstan, made better by a handful of cozy yurt camps and mountain glampings that provide comfort along the way. »»»

Central Asia Travel

• Site navigation
• Group tours
• Heritage & Cultural tours
• Adventure travel
• Pamirs` Summits
• Khan-Tengry Peak
• Pobeda Peak
• Communism Peak
• Khan-Tengry Peak + Lenin Peak
• Corporative (incentive), business tourism and VIP tours
• Christmas & New Year tours
• Hotels of Uzbekistan
• Hotels of Kyrgyzstan
• Hotels of Tadjikistan
• Hotels of Azerbaijan
• Articles and publications
• About us / Contacts
• Our vacancies

Client reviews

In central asia.

in the Pamir Mountains

Central Asia

Airline tickets

CONTACT DETAILS

THE SILK ROAD TRAVEL PACKAGES & TOURS

• Uzbekistan Phone: (+998) 71 20002 99 [email protected]
• Kyrgyzstan Phone: (+996) 55665 77 99 [email protected]
• Russia Phone: +7 (499) 50498 99 [email protected]

In connection with the frequent failures in work of our hosting company, we kindly ask you to put in a copy one of the addresses below to ensure that we receive your letter:

Search on the site

Whats new on the site, publications.

on Facebook

Competitions.

of group tours

Download our

Calendars 2016, weather information.

Copyright © 2007-2023 Central Asia Travel. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without written permission of the copyright owner.

TOUR SEARCH

Send request

Call Us: +44 (0)20 8191 0620   |  Email Us: [email protected]

Orient Silk Road Express & Silk Road Train Tour Packages

The Silk Road Express train provides the perfect way to visit Central Asia’s magnificent main features while being treated to spectacular scenery along the way. An Orient Express Silk Road holiday will give you a chance to take in some man-made wonders, such as the ancient cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, as the Silk Route Train wind’s its way from Almaty in Kazakhstan to Tashkent in Uzbekistan on one of The Luxury Train Travel Company’s Silk Road Train travel packages.

View the tours on offer below or explore the cabin classes, life on board and frequently asked questions sections using the buttons below.

Of course, if you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us.

View all the Orient Silk Road Express tour to get your trip going.

Cabin Classes

Full details of the cabin classes on the Orient Silk Road Express.

Life On Board

Learn about life on board the Orient Silk Road Express.

Frequently asked questions on the Orient Silk Road Express.

Tours on The Orient Silk Road Express Train

Below are the rail tours we offer that use the Orient Silk Road Express. Just click on any tour to open a PDF containing all you need to know about the trip.

● Please remember that booking as far ahead as you can in advance is essential for these trains ●

14 Nights From UK £ 3,430 / US $ 4,460

Contact us for quotes in other currencies

Almaty ● Bishkek ● Tashkent ● Kokand ● Shahrizabz ● Samarkand ● Khiva ● Bukhara ● Tashkent

13 Nights From UK £ 3,520 ,/ US $ 4,580

Tashkent ● Khiva ● Bukhara ● Dushanbe ● Samarkand ● Bishkek ● Almaty

13 Nights From UK £ 3,520 / US $ 4,580

Almaty ● Bishkek ● Samarkand ● Dushanbe ● Bukhara ● Khiva ● Tashkent

Orient Silk Road Express Train Gallery

A selection of photos below give a flavour of life on board the Orient Silk Road Express Train.

The luxury train travel company

Contact us about orient silk road express train.

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to answer any questions you have – just email or call us or use the form below.

[email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)20 8191 0620

Enquire Here About The Orient Silk Road Express

Please provide as much information as possible so we can respond with the best answer and don't forget to press the submit button at the bottom. We reply to all enquiries within one working day.

How Can We Reach You?

How can we help, which orient silk road express trips are you interested in, how did you hear about us, experience the silk road railway for a once in a lifetime central asia train tour.

Although Central Asia’s Silk Route railway and its destinations may not be as world-famous as other railway journeys, that by no means makes a Silk Road Train trip any less spectacular or memorable. Orient Express Silk Road holidays are a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for most travellers and will offer unforgettable and magical moments. From the vast steppes and desert landscapes between the cities, Silk Road rail tours allow one to take the past less trodden and step away from the already beaten track. These spectacular Central Asia rail tours provide an abundance of opportunities for passengers to explore ancient excavations, witness the manufacture of traditional silks and carpets, and immerse in the breathtaking natural wonders the region offers during an Orient Silk Road Express train tour.

Your Central Asia Silk Road rail tour could start in one of the five available classes of cabins and depart from either Almaty or Tashkent. Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and is tucked neatly in the foothills of the Trans-lli mountains, making it a great starting point for your 13-14 night experience onboard the Silk Road luxury train. Or begin your Silk Road rail tour in Tashkent and leave Almaty as the final spectacular destination for your Orient Express Silk Road holiday. Whichever one of these Silk Road rail tours you decide to adventure on, you’re guaranteed to experience and see things that will leave an indelible impression in your memory that will keep you wanting to return to this provocative and intriguing part of the world for another Orient Express Silk Road holiday again in the future.

Absorb Central Asian History, Culture And Cuisine From The World Famous Luxury Orient Silk Road Express Train

Central Asia has a vibrant history, with many of the region’s countries having a past steeped in yesteryear’s nomadic empires and tribes. Travelling through Central Asia on the Silkroad railway opens up a new world of cultural experiences you won’t find on more well-known train journeys. The options you’ll find for new and exciting cuisines are almost endless. Central Asian cuisine has seen a heavy influence from Turkish, Chinese, Mongol, African, Arab, Indian, and Persian cooking, all of which can be enjoyed onboard and during off-train excursions during your Silk Road Train trip. Many passengers boarding the Silk Road Train for a tour would be unfamiliar with much of the cuisine as the region is not renowned for its culinary delights. But, during your Silk Road rail tour, you’ll feast on many incredible culinary delicacies, including soups such as Laghman and Borscht and main courses like Plov, the national dish of Uzbekistan, made from rice, carrots, onions, and either mutton or beef, giving you a wonderfully unique insight into the history and culture of the people during your Orient Express Silk Road tour.

As well as being able to treat your palate to new tastes and flavours on your Central Asia train tour, the Central Asian region will flood your senses with incredible historical insights and cultural learnings. You’ll experience the excavations of the ancient Afrosiyob town in Samarkand, the Ulug Bek observatory in Bukhara, and visit Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan on your magical journey onboard our Central Asia train tours. You’ll have a truly unique opportunity to enjoy lunch with an Uzbek family during your Silk Road train trip and savour a traditional folk performance. Our Orient Express Silk Road tours will hand you plenty of liberty to explore off-train excursions that you won’t find anywhere else but on these superbly curated Central Asia train tours.

Our Silk Road Tours By Train Offer Exceptional Value With Jampacked Guided Itinerary Stops Throughout Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan And Uzbekistan

Whichever Silk Road Train trip you choose, you’ll have the vacation of a lifetime. Our options for Central Asia rail tours include 13-15 night trips on the Silk Route Railway departing from either the southeastern city of Almaty in Kazakhstan or Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Each Silk Route Train trip has an incredibly well-curated itinerary that allows passengers onboard the fabulous Silk Road Train to experience the best of Kazakhstan, Turkistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries are often forgotten when it comes to vacation destinations, but each of the itineraries offered by The Luxury Train Travel Company has been perfectly curated to allow passengers onboard these Central Asia rail tours to recognise and experience just how much they have to offer.

The Orient Silk Road Express journey through Central Asia lets you see the world’s second-largest mountain lake, meet local families, experience how traditional bread is baked, and enjoy local handicrafts. Silk Road rail tours also visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Shakhrisabz. These Silk Road Train tours overflow with fabulous and exciting sights, experiences, and adventures, proving why Central Asia train holidays provide such great value. If you’ve ever been curious about this region of Central Asia, or if you’ve not previously considered Central Asia train tours, an Orient Silk Road Express Train tour in 2024 or 2025 could be a life-changing journey you wish you’d taken many years before.

Enjoy An Exceptional Dining Experience During Your Orient Express Silk Road Tour, Both On And Off The Train

Silk Route Train prices include all your meals onboard, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During your Silk Route Train trip, you can order drinks from the dining car or one of the conductors in your carriage. You’ll run a tab throughout the Silk Road Train trip, which you can settle at the journey’s end by paying in USD or Euros. As well as the onboard dining, you’ll be spoilt for choice when visiting destinations. Central Asian cuisine tends to get overlooked by Indian, South East Asian, and Middle Eastern foods, but an Orient Express silk road tour will introduce you to some incredibly famous culinary delights you’ve probably heard of but didn’t know where they came from. You can try Uzbek’s shivit oshi, a green noodle dish, or obi non, wonderful flat Uzbek bread. Each Silk Road train tour and Silk Road train route will give you ample opportunity to indulge in some spectacular traditional Central Asian foods.

Heavily influenced by the culinary cultures of Russia, the Chinese, Indian, Persian, Mongol, Africa, Arab, and Turkish, you’ll find no shortage of new and exciting tastes and aromas on an Orient Silk Road Express Train. Central Asia train tours will introduce you to Uighur’s pulled noodle dish, Halva, and dessert made using flour, sugar, milk, and nuts, or Paklama, a localised version of Baklava that comes drenched in honey. There are no limits to the variety of provocative and breathtaking new culinary experiences on the Silk Road Train route. This part of Asia loves a sweet dessert as much as other parts of the globe, and you’ll be spoilt for choice in what to eat and what to take home from your Central Asian Silk Road Rail tour.

The Orient Silk Road Express Train is One of The Top Luxury Trains in The World, Making Your Silk Road Train Tour A Highly Memorable Experience!

Taking a luxury train tour is something that many people from all walks of life dream of doing at least once during their lifetime and slowly winding their way through stunning scenery, visiting incredible destinations on the route, and indulging in a feast of new culinary experiences. The Orient Silk Road Express provides passengers onboard to do all these things on our carefully curated Silk Road luxury train tours. Your first decision is which of the cabin classes you want to call home during your Silk Route Train trip. Silk Road tours by train are between 13 and 15 nights in duration and provide a wonderful level of comfort and relaxation during your Silk Road Train trip.

With five classes of accommodation available for your journey along the Silk Road Train route, you’re spoilt for choice, from the Habibi class cabin that sleeps four passengers and shared washroom facilities to the most luxurious cabin, the Kalif class. The Kalif class accommodation is the finest offered on the Orient Silk Road Express Train, and all four suites have their own bathroom facilities with separate showers. These Central Asia rail tours are incredible experiences, whichever cabin you frequent, and they all offer outstanding value to the passengers travelling on a Silk Road Train trip. If the Kalif class cabins are already fully booked by the time you register your interest in a Silk Road Train tour, each of the accommodations available onboard the Silk Road Train provide passengers with an incredible level of opulence and relaxation, allowing you to enjoy every second of your Central Asia train tour.

Explore Our Extensive Orient Silk Road Express Journey Options And Silk Road Train Tours Throughout 2024 And 2025

If you’ve always dreamt of taking a long-distance journey by rail or want to treat yourself as a retirement gift or give yourself and your significant other an unforgettable anniversary, these Orient Express Silk Road holidays provide the perfect way to enjoy rail travel to some fabulous destinations. When most people think of the Orient Express, they don’t think of Central Asia, which makes our Orient Express Silk Road tours all the more intriguing and exciting. When thinking about the Orient Express, most people would think about leaving from Paris, but Silk Road Train tours through Central Asia have grown remarkably in popularity as the destinations offer more intrigue and adventure than the more common European route.

We offer a selection of Central Asia train holidays that will travel through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, taking in some truly spectacular scenery between destinations. Silk Route train prices are incredibly competitive, and you’ll adventure on a less travelled path and create beautiful memories that will stand up to any trip on the Orient Express. Check out our Silk Road Train price list and itineraries for 2024 and 2025, and get your place booked for one of these Silk Road tours by train. The places available onboard Silk Road Train tours are very exclusive due to high demand and limited departures throughout the year. We suggest you book your Central Asia train tour onboard the Orient Express as far in advance as possible, especially for the high-level cabins, to avoid disappointment and missing out on an Orient Express Silk Road holiday.

Speak to Our Orient Express Silk Road Tour Experts Today!

If you’re considering hopping onboard the Orient Express Silk Road Train and heading off on a Central Asian adventure, contact our team of Silk Road railway experts and learn how we can help you accomplish the vacation of a lifetime. Along with providing a selection of Orient Silk Road Express Train itineraries for 2024 and 2025, departing from Almaty or Tashkent, The Luxury Train Travel Company’s in-house experts can assist you in organising and booking any off-train excursions that interest you. With our Silk Road train tours, you’ll never find yourself short of options concerning outings and jaunts you can enjoy along the Silk Road railway.

Off-train excursions could be visiting a cathedral, church, museum, or palace or spending time on a culinary adventure. Whatever you’d like to add to your Silk Road Train travel itinerary, our experienced and skilful team will do their best to accommodate your desires within the Orient Silk Road Express Train schedule. Contact our team today if you have any questions or queries or require more information regarding our Orient Silk Road Express holiday packages! Here at The Luxury Train Tavel Company, we endeavour to assist you in creating a unique experience when you book one of our Orient Express Silk Road tours. All the itineraries in our 2024/2025 Silk Road Rail tours are customisable, and our experienced Silk Road Railway experts are here to help.

THE MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS

Orient silk road express central asia tour faqs, what counties does the orient silk road express train tour travel through.

The Orient Silk Road Express travels through four countries in Central Asia during a Silkroad Railway tour. Depending on which Central Asia train tour itinerary you opt for, you could begin your vacation in Kazakhstan and then proceed to journey through Kyrgyzstan, Tadzhikistan, with and final destination of Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan.

How much do Orient Express Silk Road tours cost?

Silk Road Train prices will vary depending on the length of your Silk Road Rail tour and what class of cabin you choose to stay in. A 13-night stay onboard the Orient Silk Road Express departing from Almaty in Kazakhstan will cost less than £3700 as of May 2024. If you board the Orient Silk Road Express for a longer journey and want to stay in one of the top Kalif suites, your Silk Road train price will increase but still represent incredible value for a once-in-a-lifetime trip onboard the Orient Express.

Why does the Orient Silk Road Express offer the best Central Asia train tour?

The Orient Silk Road Express Train provides a beautiful blend of luxury and affordability for those looking to adventure in a less well-known setting. When most people think of the Orient Express, it’s fair to say that the majority would think of the Paris to Istanbul route. But going off the more familiar path and exploring Central Asia on the Silk Road Express Train makes for a wonderful variation on what has been done many times before. The Orient Silk Road Express is the most luxurious train that journeys the tracks of Central Asia, which is why it has become incredibly popular and regarded as the finest Central Asia train tour.

Do your Orient Silk Road Express holiday tours offer different Silk Road train route options?

Current 2024 Silk Road Express Train routes include 13-14 or 15-night Orient Express Silk Road holidays from Almaty to Tashkent or from Tashkent to Almaty. We can also offer a Silk Road Train route from Almaty with a final destination of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan for booking in 2024.

Which of your Silk Road Rail tours is the most popular?

All of the Silk Road Rail tours that we offer are favoured by passengers, and places onboard are at a premium and get booked quickly. The Legendary Silk Road tour from Almaty has proven to be a very popular choice among luxury Silk Road tour fans. This particular Silk Road Train trip takes in seven wonderful destinations across Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It gives the onboard guests a real insight into the culture of this beautiful region of Central Asia. As well as visiting incredible destinations, this Central Asia train tour introduces those onboard to the people who live there and the wonderfully diverse and rich culinary cultures. In truth, each of the Orient Express Silk Road tours that currently offer would provide an excellent opportunity to immerse in Central Asian culture that is often overlooked and ignored. We have curated each itinerary to allow passengers to soak up as much of each destination along the Silk Road Train route while maintaining a relaxed and laid-back pace.

explore the world of luxury trains

Explore the luxury train travel company.

Explore Our Range of Luxury Rail Tours Across the Globe. Learn About The Different Luxury Trains We Can Offer. View Our Tours by Region & Destinations. View our train departure Calendar.

• Sunday, 28 April, 2024
• Almaty 41 °F / 5 °C
• Astana 37 °F / 3 °C

• All Stories
• Kazakhstan Region Profiles: A Deep Dive Into the Heart of Central Asia
• State of the Nation
• Election 2022
• Election 2023
• Astana International Forum
• Kazakhstan’s Presidency in SCO
• Central Asia
• David Cameron’s Diplomatic Tour to Central Asia Ushers ‘New Era’ in UK Relations with Region

By Assel Satubaldina in Editor’s Picks , International on 26 April 2024

ASTANA—This week, the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron embarked on a diplomatic tour across the five Central Asian republics, which Cameron himself said opens a “new era” in the relations between Central Asia and the United Kingdom. Starting in Tajikistan, Cameron visited the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

Cameron and Tokayev. Photo credit: Akorda.kz

Speaking about the broader purpose of his visit to the Central Asian region, Cameron emphasized the desire for partnership with the region.

“I want to make a broader point about this visit that I’m making to the Central Asian republics this week and that is that we are not saying to Kazakhstan or any other country that you have to make a choice, or we’re asking you not to choose your partnership and trade with Russia or China, or with anyone else. We’re here because we believe you should be able to make a choice to partner with us in a way that is good for both our security and our prosperity,” said Cameron after his meeting with Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu on April 24.

Historic visit

It has been 11 years since David Cameron’s last visit to Kazakhstan. In 2013, Cameron became the first U.K. Prime Minister to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan. The visit this week comes a bit more of a year since the visit of James Cleverly to Kazakhstan, whom Cameron replaced as Foreign Secretary in November 2023.

Cameron and Nurtleu shake hands after signing the agreement. Photo credit: X account of British Embassy in Astana

Cameron’s visit to Kazakhstan in 2013 concluded deals worth more than £700 million and resulted in the signing of a joint statement on strategic partnership. 

This week’s visit was no less groundbreaking, as Cameron and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister – Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu inked a historic Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The agreement is designed to strengthen bilateral relations in key sectors, ranging from foreign policy and security, trade and investment, to banking and financial services, employment and social policy, science and education.

“When I visited Kazakhstan as PM 11 years ago, we agreed on our first strategic partnership.  Today, we’ve agreed to do even more with a new Cooperation Agreement across education, trade and climate action,” wrote Cameron in his X account. 

Besides the milestone agreement, Cameron also announced £50 million (US$62.6 million) of new funding aimed at promoting regional growth and economic resilience and fostering trade and cooperation between the U.K. and Central Asia. 

The number of Chevening scholarships for Kazakhstan will also double following Cameron’s visit. 

While in Astana, he met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, visited the Astana International Financial Centre and chatted with students of Astana IT University. 

Commercial deals

According to the Bureau of National Statistics, trade between Kazakhstan and the U.K. reached $1.2 billion in 2023, down slightly from $1.8 billion in 2022. Between January and February this year, trade was $99.3 million. Nearly 600 companies with British capital operate in Kazakhstan.

Cameron with a student of Astana IT University. Photo credit: X account of British Embassy in Astana

The U.K. is among the top 10 foreign investors in Kazakhstan. British investments made $794.5 million in 2023, up from $661.8 million in 2022. Since 2005, cumulative investments have surpassed $17 billion.

As part of Cameron’s visit, Kazakhstan and the U.K. signed two commercial documents. One is between the Kazakh Ministry of Healthcare, the Almaty city administration, Kazakh Invest National Company, and British AstraZeneca. It is a plan to implement an investment project for contract manufacturing of biotechnological products on Kazakhstan’s territory. 

“The signing of the production localization plan is a progressive step towards fulfilling the instructions of the head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to increase the share of domestically produced medicines in the domestic market to 50%, contributing to the improvement of the investment climate and the development of bilateral strategic relations,” said Kazakh Invest in a press statement published on the company’s official website. 

AstraZeneca and the Kazakh ministry signed a memorandum of cooperation back in 2021. 

“From our side, we have had a long-standing partnership and projects that are supported by both the British Embassy and Kazakh Invest, as well as partnerships with the Ministry of Healthcare. We signed a memorandum in 2021 in London for cooperation in what is called healthcare, specifically within the territory of Kazakhstan, as an Anglo-Swedish company represented here,” said Maria Shipuleva, head of the British company’s representative office in Kazakhstan.

Cameron meets students in Kazakhstan. Photo credit: Cameron’s X account

She noted AstraZeneca invested heavily in education. 

“From this year, according to the memorandum signed in 2021 in London, we are now starting clinical trials in Kazakhstan. The plan signed today is specifically for the implementation of a project to localize our production here,” she added. 

She reiterated the document signed during Cameron’s visit is “aimed directly at producing Kazakhstan’s product, but with technologies that correspond to those of AstraZeneca.”

While she didn’t disclose the specific types of products to be produced at the plant, she confirmed they are aimed at addressing conditions such as diabetes, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and oncology. 

Document on roadside service facilities

As part of the visit of Cameron, the Committee for Highways of the Kazakh Ministry of Transport and Car Park Transformer, a British company specializing in the design and manufacture of innovative solutions for car parks, signed an agreement.  

The document envisions the construction of roadside service facilities on the country’s national and international highways. At least 250 service stations will be built to offer a comfortable multi-service environment for all road users. 

“These agreements underscore the importance and potential of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom in various sectors of the economy and reflect the commitment of both countries to developing long-term and mutually beneficial partnership relations,” said Kazakh Invest. 

U.K. engagement with the region of Central Asia

The visit of David Cameron to Central Asia reflects the growing importance of the region, said Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the U.K. Parliament. 

“The Foreign Secretary’s visit to Central Asia and Mongolia demonstrates the increasing importance of this geopolitical region, as identified by our report [referring to the committee’s report on U.K. engagement in Central Asia] in November. In order to show the UK’s commitment to the region, we called for engagement with Central Asia at the top of government, including visits from the Prime Minister and Secretaries of State. I am pleased to see that the government has listened to Parliament,” said Kearns. 

The committee’s report, called Countries at Crossroads: UK engagement in Central Asia, called for high-level ministerial engagement. 

In fact, several key visits have occurred in the past two years. In February 2023, the U.K. Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Kazakhstan, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, visited the Central Asian nation. 

In June 2023, U.K. Minister for Europe Leo Docherty visited Kazakhstan. In September 2023, James Cleverly met with Murat Nurtleu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. 

In October 2023, Astana hosted the seventh U.K.-Kazakhstan Strategic Dialogue, chaired by Minister Leo Docherty and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko.

“The deepening of U.K. engagement in Central Asia not only has the potential to be mutually beneficial but also should be seen as a geopolitical imperative,” reads the U.K. Parliament report. 

According to Kearns, the visit was also meant to ensure Western sanctions against Russia are not circumvented. 

“The Foreign Affairs Committee called for the U.K. to do more to clampdown on illicit finance in the City of London and sanctions evasion via third countries,” she added. 

She stressed the need for a separate strategy for trade and investment. 

“Increasing the U.K.’s cultural ties with Central Asian countries is crucial. In our report we called for an increase in Chevening scholars and adequate resources for the British Council. I am pleased that the Foreign Secretary has announced a doubling of funding for Chevening scholars and a push to bolster English language skills and increase access to British Council resources,” said Kearns. 

Get The Astana Times stories sent directly to you! Sign up via the website or subscribe to our Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , Telegram , YouTube and Tiktok !

Most Recent Stories

• Volunteers Discover Bronze Age Petroglyphs in Kazakhstan During Environmental Campaign
• 21-Year-Old Kazakh Author Presents Comic Book About Kazakh Khanate Founders
• Kazakh Scholars Unlock European and Vatican Archives
• Kazakhstan Continues Compensating Losses to Flood-Affected Population 
• Kazakhstan, China Set to Strengthen Allied Relations
• Kazakh Rural Regions Receive 250 Starlink Equipment
• News Digest: Foreign Media on UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Kazakhstan, Chinese-Kazakh Ties and More
• Kazakh President Appoints New Ombudsperson for Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights
• Kazakhstan, China Committed to Enhance Ties, Achieve Greater Results

• Dialogue of Civilisations
• Editor’s Picks
• International
• Constitutional Referendum
• National Overview
• © 2010-2024 The Astana Times
• Privacy Policy
• About Us