Road to Samarkand

Journey through the heart of Central Asia crossing starkly beautiful deserts and magnificent mountain landscapes. Discover ancient cities full of intricate Islamic architecture, thriving bazaars and a mystical old-world atmosphere, all inextricably linked with the legends of the Silk Road.

What's Included

• International flights and current taxes
• Domestic transportation
• Accommodation
• All meals
• Touring with guides and entrance fees
• Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Days 1 & 2: Fly to Bishkek

Fly overnight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital and cultural hub. Enjoy a welcome lunch at a local restaurant before embarking on a city tour to see Ala-Too Square, the White House and Oak Park.

Day 3: Ala Archa national Park

This morning drive to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through its picturesque scenery of rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. Return to Bishkek for a free afternoon.

Day 4: Lake Issyk Kul

Visit the magnificent 12th-century Burana Tower before departing for Cholpon-Ata. Set on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul, visit the astonishing collection of 8th Century petroglyphs etched into glacial stone nearby. Later, take a cruise on the beautiful Lake Kul, admiring its spectacular alpine-esque surroundings.

Day 5: Drive to Karakol

Drive to Karakol, stopping at Semenov Gorge for a gentle hike, and Kyrchyn Jailoo ethnic village en route. This afternoon visit the Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to the Russian explorer, and visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and the Chinese Mosque.

Day 6: Jeti-Orguz Gorge

Rise early to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Karakol's Sunday morning animal market which rivals Kashgar's famous animal market. In the afternoon, travel to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge for a walk through the canyon of red sandstone. Visit an Irdyk village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dugan family. This evening enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family.

Day 7: Eagle Hunting

Depart Karakol early and travel to Skazka Canyon, also known as Fairy Tale Canyon, due to its unusual shapes and colors. Travel further to the village of Bokonbaevo to watch an eagle hunting demonstration, a millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition practised with majestic golden eagles. Continue to Naryn, where you will stay the night.

Day 8: Journey to Tash Rabat

Pass through dramatic mountain andvalley landscapes to reach Tash Rabat, a small stone caravansary that was of great significance at the height of the Silk Road. Enjoy the peaceful valley said to contain some of the finest landscapes in Kyrgyzstan before returning to Naryn.

Day 9: Kochkor

Transfer to Kochkor, the centre of Kyrgyz felt handicrafts. Visit a traditional 'shyrdak' (wool carpet) workshop and a co-op that provides training for local women in traditional handicrafts. In the evening you will travel to a guesthouse near Chong-Kemin National Park.

Day 10: Chong Kemin National Park

Travel from Kochkor to Chong Kemin, a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains. Enjoy a walk in the foothills before travelling to Bishkek airport for your flight to Tashkent.

Day 11: Tashkent

Explore Tashkent's sights, including the Barak Khana Seminary, Kukeldash Madrassahs, Tila Shaikh Mosque and their archives. Browse the wares of Chorsu bazaar before experiencing a ceramic workshop.

Day 12: Golden City of Samarkand

Travel to the legendary city of Samarkand where you will enjoy a tour of Registan Square, the Ulug-Bek and Tillya-Kori madrasah. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your leisure.

Day 13: Samarkand

Explore Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane, the grandest structure of Amir Temur's times – the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum and the Siab Bazaar and Shahi Zinda Necropolis. Later in the afternoon see Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel.

Day 14: Konigil Village

Visit Ulugbek's observatory, constructed by Ulugbek (Grandson of the Great Amir Temur) in 1428-1429. Later see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab. Continue to Konigil Village to visit a papermaking workshop. In the afternoon return to Samarkand and remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 15: Shakhrisabz

Travel to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the Great Amir Timur (Tamerlane). Explore the city, visiting sites such as the remnants of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat cemetery and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. Return to Samarkand this afternoon.

Day 16: Bukhara

Journey to Bukhara. En route, visit Gijduvan, a centre of famous handmade ceramics. Here you will see the fascinating process of making these ceramics. Continue on to Bukhara where you will have the afternoon to begin to explore this fascinating city.

Day 17: Bukhara

Explore the legendary Poi Kalon minaret, the Ark Fortress, and Bolo Hauz Mosque. Wander on to the peaceful 16th-century Chor Minor and Chor Bakr necropolis to tour the colourful Khonako-Medrassah-Mosque complex. Later, visit the mausoleum of Ismail Samanid.

Day 18: Bukhara

This morning visit Sitora-i Mohi Khosa, the Emir’s summer palace, a 20th Century confection of a building! Continue to the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausolem of a famous Sufi spiritual leader of the region. The afternoon is at leisure. Return to Bukhara and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 19: Khiva

This morning you will set out for Khiva, a journey that will take you across Kyzyl Kum desert and a stop at Amudarya River. The route runs 480 kilometres through the stark beauty of the desert, the scenery changing from sparse saksaul trees to the lush riverbanks of the Amudarya.

Day 20: Itchan Kala

Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kunya Ark and the turquoise tiled Islom-Khodja. Wander through the fascinating Madrassah Rakhimkhon, a beacon of religious, astronomic, geographic and mathematical studies, and see the 19th Century Tash Hauli Palace, decorated in blue fine china tiles.

Day 21: Fly Tashkent

Transfer to Urgench to fly to Tashkent. Upon arrival visit the Museum of Applied Arts as well as the Mustakilik Square and the famous Tashkent Metro. With it’s marble and granite decorations the Metro feels like an underground palace.

Day 22: Fly Tashkent to UK

Today according to your flight times, transfer to Tashkent Airport for your onward journey back to the UK.