First Tourist Train Along the Great Silk Road: “Keruen Express” Sets Off

March 21, Almaty, Kazakhstan – The international travel company KOMPAS Touroperator, in cooperation with Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) and the tour operator SkyWay, has officially launched the Keruen Express—the first and currently only tourist train connecting key cities of the Great Silk Road across Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The maiden journey departed on March 21, 2025, coinciding with the celebration of Nauryz.

“This project is a landmark for the entire tourism industry in the region. We’re launching not just a train, but a true historical and cultural route that allows travelers to explore ancient architectural landmarks and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the legendary Silk Road. Four comfortable carriages transported the first 120 tourists from Almaty to Samarkand and back between March 21 and 25,” commented Anna Zagoruyko, founder and owner of KOMPAS Touroperator, the project's creator.

Keruen Express connects Almaty, Turkestan, Samarkand, and Tashkent as part of a fully organized tour, including guided excursions and accommodations in Samarkand. Organizers highlight the train’s comfort: new sleeper carriages feature national design elements, and an onboard restaurant serves Kazakh and Uzbek cuisine.

“For years, people have talked about developing domestic tourism, but few concrete steps have been taken. That’s why launching a Silk Road train is an amazing move—it’s a real step forward! This project will not only increase the tourism flow between our countries, but also bring our brotherly nations closer,” shared Nursultan Kamzebayev, a passenger on the inaugural trip who traveled from Astana for the departure.

The tour program, developed by KOMPAS Touroperator, is not a standard itinerary. In addition to historical sightseeing, it includes cultural events and culinary experiences. The price per adult is 210,000 KZT, and children under 3 can join for free (without a separate bed).

Upcoming tour dates:
May 7–11,
June 4–8,
July 4–8,
August 28 – September 1,
October 1–5,
November 25–29, 2025.

About KOMPAS Touroperator:
KOMPAS Touroperator is a leading international travel company headquartered in Kazakhstan, operating in 10 countries and specializing in both domestic tourism in Central Asia and new long-haul destinations. It is the only player on the market without external or foreign capital.
It has received both international and state awards.

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