Silk Road Explorer Expedition

Tashkent

Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel for early check-in. Begin your journey with a guided tour of this lively city. Visit the Hasti Imam Complex, including the Barak Khan and Kukeldash Madrasahs, known for Islamic learning. Explore Chorsu Bazaar, filled with spices, textiles, and local food. Walk around Independence Square and Amir Temur Square to see traces of both Soviet and Timurid history. End the day at the Museum of Applied Arts before enjoying your evening at leisure.

Samarkand

After breakfast, board the high-speed train to Samarkand. On arrival, visit the iconic Registan Square, where three grand madrasahs showcase Timurid architecture. Explore Ulughbek, Shir-Dor, and Tilla-Kori Madrasahs with your expert guide, learning about Samarkand’s golden age. Walk through the grand squares and take in the vibrant tiled mosaics. In the evening, you may choose to return to Registan Square to see it beautifully lit under the stars.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bukhara

Continue your journey in Samarkand with a visit to the Guri Emir Mausoleum, where Tamerlane is buried. Explore Shakhi-Zinda, a beautiful necropolis with blue-tiled tombs, then visit Siab Bazaar, alive with sights and smells. After lunch, drive to Bukhara, one of the Silk Road’s most charming cities. Arrive in the evening and take a short walk through its peaceful old town to settle in for the night.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bukhara

Spend the day discovering Bukhara’s historic old town. Visit the Ark Fortress, once the seat of power, and admire the towering Kalyan Minaret. Your guide will explain the significance of sites like Poi Kalyan Mosque and the Miri Arab Madrasah. Wander through the trading domes of Toki Zargaron, browse traditional shops, and stop at the Magoki Attory Mosque. End the day near the Lyabi Hauz complex, a popular gathering place surrounded by old buildings and mulberry trees.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tashkent

After breakfast, head just outside Bukhara to explore the Sitorai Mokhi Hosa Palace, once the summer residence of the Emir. See a blend of Russian and local styles. Visit the peaceful Chor Bakr Necropolis and the Bakhoutdin Naqshband Mausoleum, both important spiritual sites. Later, take the high-speed train back to Tashkent. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

KOKAND

Drive through the scenic Kamchik Pass towards the Fergana Valley. Arrive in Kokand, once a major Silk Road stop and the seat of a powerful khanate. Visit the impressive Khudayar Khan Palace, known for its colourful tiles and wooden carvings. Stop at the Cemetery of Kings, and learn more about the city’s historical role in regional politics and trade.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Fergana Valley

Visit Rishtan, famous for its hand-painted ceramics, and meet local artists at Rustam Usmanov’s workshop. Watch as traditional pottery techniques are passed down through generations. Then, travel to Margilan, home of the Yodgorlik Silk Factory. See how natural dyes and hand-weaving are still used today. Arrive in the city of Fergana and rest after a day of cultural discovery.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Osh & The Fergana Valley

Cross into Kyrgyzstan and arrive in Osh, the country’s southern city. Visit Sulaiman-Too Mountain, a UNESCO site with deep religious roots. Explore Babur’s House and the Osh Historical Museum to learn about the region’s past. End the day at Osh Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest markets in Central Asia, full of colour and activity.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bishkek

Fly to Bishkek early in the morning and meet your guide. Head to Ala Archa National Park for a light hike or scenic walk through mountains, waterfalls, and forest trails. In the afternoon, explore Bishkek’s main sights including Ala Too Square, the Lenin Statue, Kurmanzhan Datka Monument, and Victory Square.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Chon-Kemin Valley

Drive to the ancient Burana Tower near Tokmok and learn about the Karakhanid Empire. Continue to Chon Kemin Valley, a peaceful village surrounded by mountains. Spend the day exploring the valley with optional activities like hiking, horseback riding, or helping set up a traditional yurt (extra cost). Enjoy a home-cooked dinner at your guesthouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Issyk-Kul Lake

Leave for Issyk Kul Lake via the Boom Gorge. This beautiful high-altitude lake is surrounded by mountains. In Cholpon Ata, visit the open-air petroglyph museum to see ancient rock carvings. Continue to the Rukh Ordo Cultural Complex to learn about Kyrgyz culture and beliefs. Relax by the lake in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Karakol

Travel along the eastern edge of Issyk Kul Lake to Karakol, a city with diverse influences. Visit the Przhevalski Museum, dedicated to the Russian explorer. See the Dungan Mosque with its Chinese-style design, and the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral. Spend time walking through Karakol’s old streets or enjoy a café stop.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Karkara

Journey to the remote Karkyra Valley, close to the Kazakhstan border. Stay in a comfortable yurt camp surrounded by mountains and nature. Spend the day hiking, climbing nearby hills, or simply relaxing. Optional horse riding is available (extra cost). Enjoy a traditional Kyrgyz dinner under the stars.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SATY

Cross the Kegen border into Kazakhstan and drive to Saty Village, gateway to the Kol Sai Lakes. These alpine lakes are surrounded by forests and mountain peaks. On arrival, take a gentle lakeside walk to admire the still waters and reflections. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in this hidden natural wonder.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Almaty

Drive from Saty to Almaty with a stop at Charyn Canyon. Hike among towering red rock formations, often compared to the Grand Canyon. Have a picnic in this stunning setting. Later, continue to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s lively city full of charm. Check into your hotel and relax after a day of adventure.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Almaty

Start with the Central State Historical Museum, filled with artefacts from Kazakhstan’s history. Visit Republic Square and the Monument of Independence. Walk through Panfilov Park to see the colourful Zenkov Cathedral. At the Green Bazaar, try local snacks and browse souvenirs. End the day with a cable car ride to Kok Tobe Hill for panoramic city views.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Almaty

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Your journey through the Silk Road ends here, filled with memories of rich cultures, friendly people, and breathtaking landscapes.

Meals Included: Breakfast