At the heart of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan reveals the history of ancient traders through desert citadels, fortress ruins and colourful bazaars. Wander through the streets of Bukhara, which are lined with ornate minarets and domes, and see the magnificent madrassahs and blue mosaics of Registan Square in Samarkand. If you want to really understand Uzbek culture and history, our Silk Road holidays give you an in-depth tour of the most significant sites.
Kyrgyzstan
A lesser-frequented stop on the Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan is naturally beautiful, with dramatic gorges, wildflower pastures and hot springs. On our Silk Road trip to Kyrgyzstan, you’ll explore idyllic lakes, witness breathtaking panoramas and hike through the Djety Oguz, a distinctive valley filled with local legends. A highlight of our Kyrgyzstan tour is a night in a yurt, where you’ll experience the traditional way of life beneath the stars.
Tajikistan
The mountainous landscapes of Tajikistan feature some of the most treacherous sections of the Silk Road. Join one of our Silk Road trips to Tajikistan and travel between the majestic Fann Mountains to Iskanderkul lake and witness the thunderous waterfall known as Tajikistan Niagara. This is, without doubt, one of the most spectacular nature spots on a Silk Road trip and you’ll be in awe of its unfaltering beauty.
Turkmenistan
The Silk Road left an indelible impression on Turkmenistan with ancient monuments and landmarks now unveiling the impact of the epic trade route. On Turkmenistan Silk Road tours, you’ll delve into ancient civilisations and explore some of the country’s most notable sites. One of the most incredible is the Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Door to Hell. This huge flaming crater lies in the Karakum Desert and has been burning for more than 50 years – an eerie, mesmerising spectacle.
Kazakhstan
For centuries, diverse cultures filled the bazaars of Kazakhstan, with merchants selling silks, jewels, spices and even exotic birds. On a Silk Road trip, you’ll dive into that history and travel among beautiful lakes and peaks carpeted with wildflowers. You’ll also visit the impressive Charyn Canyon. Formed by erosion from the Charyn River, this unusual red landscape is known as the Valley of Castles due to its unique rock formations − a sight to behold on Silk Road holidays.
Silk Road Tours
For more than 1,500 years, merchants and traders braved some of the planet’s most inhospitable terrain and the threat of robbers in search of riches. Their network of trade routes, which connected China with the Mediterranean via the Central Asian steppes, was named the Silk Road, and shaped the world immeasurably.
Join one of our Silk Road holidays and you’ll follow in the footsteps of those wandering traders, discovering cities that were once the centre of civilisation: Samarkand, Khiva and Bukhara in Uzbekistan, Xi’an in China, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, and plenty more along the way.
Our guided Silk Road tours not only provide a fascinating insight into the history and traditions of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan (the Five Stans of the Silk Road), plus China and Georgia, but also some of the greatest natural wonders. Hike among the spectacular Jety-Oguz Canyon, admire the architectural feats of Samarkand’s Registan Square and stand at the ‘Door to Hell’, a burning natural gas field in Turkmenistan.
On our Silk Road trips, our expert tour leaders guide you on a magnificent journey of discovery where you’ll soak up the unique culture, delve into the past and travel along parts of this world-shaping trading route.
“Everyone knows about the Silk Road history in Uzbekistan, but what many people don’t realise is just how good it is for food. Plov, a rice pilaf cooked in a cast-iron kazan pot, is the national dish and delish, but I particularly love the salads. They’re simple yet full of flavour, with fresh produce readily available. ”
The Silk road tour offered everything I expected and more. From the alpine scenery in Kyrgyzstan to the deserts of Uzbekistan, each day was a new adventure with something new to experience. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan seemed untouched by mass tourism and even Uzbekistan was fairly quiet compared to other destinations I’ve visited previously. Hotels were good quality with a variety of room types and location, included meals were all of a high standard and the guides were excellent.
There were plenty of WOW moments throughout this itinerary.
This trip was, without doubt, an experience of a lifetime. Yes, it is fast-paced and there are some early starts and full days, but I look back now over the two weeks and I am genuinely staggered by the number of experiences we packed into our time in this fascinating part of the world. Watching eagle hunters at work (and holding a golden eagle myself), visiting stunning mosques and Orthodox churches, walking through the awe-inspiring Charyn Cannon (Kazakhstan), exploring Almaty and being taken to see the very interesting Tashkent metro stations, climbing a minaret in Khiva to gaze into Turkmenistan… I can honestly say that this trip made the most of our time there, and the itinerary is well planned to take into account different interests and needs of guests.
Accommodation is clean, comfortable and full of local character. I don’t recognise the description in a previous review of ‘mediocre’ establishments – that was not my experience at all.
If you are interested in learning more about an often-forgotten part of Asia, definitely go for this trip – I would do it again in a heartbeat!