Silk Road Adventure

Beginning in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, the heart of the Silk Road, take the chance to explore the old town and Chorsu Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest Bazaars in Central Asia, found in the unique complex of trade halls crowned with magnificent blue domes. In the evening of Day 1 you join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at 5:00pm for your Welcome Meeting as detailed on your joining instructions.

After breakfast this morning we travel beyond the capital to the rarely visited oasis of Fergana Valley, the lyrical land of fruit and honey. En route we stop at one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan, Kokand, and the potters town of Rishton.

Continuing through the Fergana Valley we visit the silk-weaving town of Margilan -€“ where tourists are seldom seen, and the friendly locals dress in traditional wear. The local bazaar with its seductive sights, sounds and aromas is one of the most interesting in the valley. Our journey then takes us across the border to Osh, strategically positioned at the eastern gateway of the Fergana Valley, and which prospered with Silk Road trade until the Mongol armies destroyed the city in the 13th century. This afternoon we gain an insight into its heart and soul visiting the spiritual Suleiman Mountains as well as its colourful bazaar.

After breakfast we begin our drive towards Toktogul Lake, the biggest in Kyrgyzstan.  On the way we stop in Uzgen town to visit the historical complex of Karakhanids, a wonderful example of medieval architecture.  This afternoon we arrive at our accommodation on the south shore of Toktogul Lake.  

Today we head to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan -€“ Son Kul Lake.  We travel through Suusamyr Valley and Karakeche Pass.
Step into the nomadic life where the Kyrgyz people still live in traditional simplicity. You spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families and taste their fresh airan (yogurt) and kumis (a fermented national drink from mare-€™s milk).
You have time explore the area and enjoy the peaceful and picturesque landscapes.  Tonight we sleep in yurts.

After breakfast, we leave the lake and drive to Naryn.  The drive takes us along beautiful mountain ridges and vast green valleys.
Upon arrival into Naryn we have a city tour including local museum, art gallery and central square.

We drive to the At-Bashi region and reach Kara Koun Canyon where we visit Tash Rabat Caravansersai, a legacy of the Great Silk Road.
We return to Naryn this evening.

After breakfast we drive to Karakol making stops along the way.  We visit Kochkor village along the southern shore of the Issyk Kul Lake and learn about local felt production.
We also stop in beautiful Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon.  The canyon consist of mottled petrified clay and look very picturesque with dark blue Issyk Kul Lake in the background.
This evening we arrive into Karakol.

We spend the morning exploring Karakol with a visit to Dungan Mosque, Orthodox Cathedral and the local history museum.  We then head out towards the Karkara Valley, near the Kazakhstan border. 
We arrive at our yurt camp and have time to enjoy the area.  Perhaps a walk along the canyon, climbing up the hills for a picturesque panoramic view or you might like to simply sit and breathe in the fresh air.

This morning we drive out to Chon Kemin Valley via the petroglyphs in Cholpon Ata.
Chon Kemin is a unique natural reserve where glaciers are bordered with green coniferous forests and steppe regions. We see the contrast of green meadows in the valley against permanent snow covering the ranges of Kungei-Ala-Too and Zailiyskiy-Ala-Too which tower above us.

Leaving the lake-€™s glistening waters behind, we continue on to Kyrgyzstan-€™s capital, Bishkek. Along the way we stop to wander around the Burana Tower, before spending the evening enjoying Bishkek-€™s many parks and intriguing soviet buildings.  This evening we fly to Tashkent.

This morning we depart by train to Samarkand -€“ the most evocative city of the Silk Road, often referred to as -€˜Golden Samarkand-€™, after the romantic poem -€˜The Golden Road to Samarkand-€™ by English poet, James Elroy Flecker, who strangely never visited the area. Still, that is a minor detail when we consider that the city-€™s Registan is simply the most spectacular architectural ensemble in Central Asia. Comprised of three madrassas (places of learning) and a mosque, this beautiful square is inspiring. Other highlights include Shah-IZinda, with its narrow alleys of tombs and mausoleums, Bibi Khanym Mosque and the Ulug Bek Observatory.

Today we will visit the site of the ancient settlements of Afrasiab that existed more than two thousand years ago, as well as the Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel on the fringe of Afrasiab.

The day is yours to get lost in the history of this fabled city.

A spectacular drive through the Zerafshan Mountains takes us to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Beside the ruined entrance towers of his Ak-Serai Palace, the pretty market town offers a relaxed atmosphere with traditional homes, tea houses and mosques.Later, we arrive in Bukhara.

Bukhara is alive with history, the Ark Fortress, Samanid Mausoleum; one of the world-€™s oldest monuments and the Kalyan Minaret are just some of the wonders not to be missed. In the covered bazaars, rugs, silks and spices are still traded as they were in the heyday of the Silk Road and exploring them gives a real sense of what it could have been like in the days of Marco Polo.

Today you can enjoy your free time in Bukhara. The old town is well worth exploring, and the chaikanas (tea-houses) inviting. 

We continue our Silk Road Adventure onwards across the Kyzyl Kum desert by train to Khiva.

Today we explore the old city of Khiva -€“ one of the best-preserved examples of a walled Khanate city with foundations dating from the 10th century. A truly magnificent sight to behold, as we draw nearer Khiva rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of well-preserved and impressive architecture.

Spend the day soaking in the glittering sites of this fascinating city before making our way to the railway station to board our final train this afternoon, returning to Tashkent tomorrow morning. 

Our journey concludes where it all began and you can enjoy a final day in Tashkent. 

Our adventure has drawn to a close. Say farewell to your travelling companions and tour leader before departing your hotel this morning.