The Great Silk Road
About this tour
Mixtures of the cultures in the countries of the Great Silk Road make this region more attractive for people from different countries. From ancient times, the different tribes were traveled from country to country and brought the different traditions and style of life to the Central Asia. Now you have a great opportunity to visit the small unique part of the Great Silk Road, to return to the past and to learn resemblance and difference.During this tour, you will visit magnificent historical places, see Great Mountains, learn about the culture of peoples and try the tastiest national dishes.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Khiva, Uzbekistan
DEPARTURE DAY Our Uzbekistan trip starts from Europe. You arrive in the Uzbek city of Urgench and at the airport we are picked up by our guide and we continue to the hotel in Khiva. Overnight in Khiva. Meals: – / – / – Altitude during the day: 109 m in Khiva
Day 2: Khiva, Uzbekistan
KHIVA OASIS CITY - THE BEAUTY OF THE ORIENT The beauty of the Orient captivates us! We will visit a fascinating old town, which was the seat of a powerful Islamic principality on the Silk Road in the 16th century. We will stroll through the narrow streets, past the houses made of unburned bricks and feel like in an open-air museum between the decorated mosques, palaces, madrasahs and markets. Overnight in Khiva. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 109 m in Khiva
Day 3: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
EXCURSION TO TOPRAK AND AYAZ KALA We will drive to the significant and oldest fortress (4th century BC) Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala on the edge of the Kyzyl Kum desert. Ayaz Kala was one of several border fortresses on the edge of the Kisilkum desert, which was built to defend against nomadic tribes. From these ruins we will have a fantastic view of the vastness of Central Asia. Picnic and continue our drive to Bukhara. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 229m in Buhara
Day 4: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
BUKHARA – THE WORLD OF TURQUOISE MOSAICS Today we will win the tour of the city and immerse ourselves in the fairytale world of 1001 nights. We will see the beauty of the mighty Ark fortress, the Samanid mausoleum, the Kalon minaret and finally the marvelous blue and turquoise mosaics of the Nadir-Devon-Begi-Medrese. In the afternoon we discover one of the most important trading centers of old Bukhara, the Labi Hauz complex. The very attractive architectural composition owes its name to a pool of water in which the facades of the monumental buildings are reflected. In the evening we enjoy Uzbek specialties with classical music. Overnight in Bukhara. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 229m in Buhara
Day 5: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
BUKHARA The city tour continues. Today we see the Chashma Ayub mausoleum and tomb of the Samanids, which is particularly impressive because of its brick ornamentation and simplicity. Overnight in Bukhara. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 229m in Bukhara
Day 6: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
In the morning we will continue by train to Samarkand. The cotton fields pass us through the former desert region. We will get a first impression of the old town as we walk past mosques and madrasas, which we will explore in detail the next day. Overnight in Samarkand. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 229 m in Bukhara, 720 m in Samarkand
Day 7: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
SAMARKAND: THE FAIRYTALE WORLD OF 1001 NIGHTS A walk takes us through the oasis town in the Kisilkum desert. We will visit Registan Square, probably the most famous square in Central Asia. The ensemble of majestic madrasahs with azure and turquoise mosaics and palatial mausoleum Gur-e Amir is a truly breathtaking sight! We will visit a paper factory where paper is made from the bark of mulberry trees using a traditional method from the 9th century. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 720 in Samarkand
Day 8: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Today we will continue to explore the city, where we will see the city of the dead Shah-e-Sinde with a multitude of mausoleums from different centuries. The moving necropolis fascinates with probably the most beautiful blue-green colored buildings of Uzbekistan. Timur built the most beautiful mosque in the eastern world for his wife ─ Bibi Khanum. We also visit the Orient Bazaar, where we can try and buy various spices, nuts, fruits and vegetables. The afternoon is free for you. In the evening we enjoy Plov national dish. Overnight in Samarkand. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 720 in Samarkand
Day 9: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
We take the train to Tashkent. Tashkent is the largest and most secular city in Central Asia and thus bridges the gap between modern Europe and traditional Asia. Overnight in Tashkent. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 720 m in Samarkand, 455 m in Tashkent
Day 10: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Fergana, Uzbekistan
Today we will drive by car over a pass into the Fergana Valley to the city of Margilan. We visit the silk factory there. Uzbek silk fabrics are known far beyond the country’s borders for their quality and design. In Rishtan we will visit a ceramic workshop and get to know the typical ceramics here. With a Kyrgyz family, then we will get an insight into the art of carpet knotting. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 455 in Tashkent, 580 in Fergana
Day 11: Fergana, Uzbekistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
In Kokand we will visit the Khudoyar Khan Palace and the Chane Cemetery. In the late afternoon we will leave the Fergana Valley and take the train back to Tashkent. Overnight in Tashkent Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 580 in Fergana, 455 in Tashkent
Day 12: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning you take a first city tour through Tashkent. Visit the old town with the Khast Imam complex (Barak Khan Madrassah, Tillya Sheikh Mosque, Kaffal Shashiy Mausoleum and the library with the Holy Quran). You will also see the Kukaldosh Madrasah, the Chorsu Bazaar and the Museum of Applied Arts. In the late afternoon we fly to Bishkek. Overnight in Bishkek Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 455 in Tashkent, 800 in Bishkek
Day 13: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Tamga, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning we will start from the capital on the silk road to the east. On the way we will make a detour to the Burana Minaret, a last witness of the Central Asian kingdom from the 11th century. Then the journey continues through wide agricultural areas and then through the Boom Canyon. A stop in the village of Kyzyl Tuu to visit a craft that makes wooden pieces from Yurta. He shows how a yurta is made using the old method that his grandfather taught him. Lunch is on the way. You can have a picnic on the lake shore or have lunch with a local family. On the way visit the canyon so called “fairy tales”. In Russian, the word Skazka means “fairy tale”. The rocks are beautiful like in a fairy tale. Walk through this rock. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 800 in Bishkek, 1606 in Tamga
Day 14: Tamga, Kyrgyzstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast we will drive to Karakol. On the way we visit red rocks called “Seven Bull” and “Broken Heart”. The guide tells legends about these rocks. Today we will visit a Russian Orthodox church in Karakol, which functioned as a dance hall under the Soviet regime and as a school in World War II. The Dungan Mosque follows: The old but beautiful building resembles a Buddhist temple and not a single nail was used in the construction. Overnight in Karakol Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 1606 in Tamga, 1700 in Karakol
Day 15: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast we will drive back to Bishkek. In the city of Cholpon Ata there is a visit to petroglyphs (stone drawings) from the Bronze Age (9th – 3rd century BC). On the northern route we circle Issyk Kul to Bishkek. On the city tour, the city shows us its charming green face. Fruit trees, poplars and huge chestnuts line the checkerboard streets. Overnight in Bishkek Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 1700 in Karakol, 800 in Bishkek
Day 16: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
FROM BISHKEK – TASHKENT Fly back to the Uzbek capital. In the afternoon you have free time, you can take a last stroll through the bazaar. Meals: B / – / D Altitude during the day: 800 in Bishkek, 455 in Tashkent
Day 17: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Tashkent International Airport, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
FLIGHT HOME
What's included
Service is included: 8. Transport for transfers and excursions (good condition car with A/C) for Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan 9. Twin room accommodation in hotels, guesthouses 10. Four people accommodation in a yurt camp in Tamga (please note that there are no beds, clients will sleep on beds, shared outside European style toilet and shower cabins near each yurt) 11. Meal based on half board, only breakfasts and dinners 12. Mineral water during the tour (one litter a day per person) 13. Separate English-speaking tour guides in each city in Uzbekistan and escorting guide in Kyrgyzstan 14. Entry fees to museums 15. Train tickets in Uzbekistan 16. Felt show in Kochkor 17. Yurt show in Kyzyl - Tuu
Service is not included: 1. Alcohol and soft drinks 2. Folklore program during the farewell dinner in Bishkek 3. Lunches per program 4. International and domestic flight tickets 5. Flight Tashkent - Bishkek 6. Items of personal nature including extra luggage charges, room service, medical expenses etc 7. Camera and video fee where applicable 8. Trip cancellation, medical and accident insurance 9. Visa and visa fee for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan 10. Single room supplement 11. All personal expenses, luggage overweight; 12. Payment for photo and video cameras at monuments; 13. Tips for guides & drivers & porters at hotels
What to know
Supplements: 1. Supplement for single room accommodation is 330 USD per person 2. Supplement for the eagle hunting is 80 USD for the group 3. Supplement for the boat excursion in Issyk-Kul lake is 120 USD for the group 4. Supplement for yurt erection show is 100 USD per group 5. Supplement for Folklore show in Bishkek during the farewell dinner – is 90 USD per group 6. Supplement for lunches according to the program – is 7 – 14 USD per day, per person 7. Supplement for the flight Tashkent – Bishkek – is 70 – 150 USD per person (subject on change) 8. Supplement for entrée ticket to Rukh Ordo Cultural Center in Cholpon – Ata – is 8 USD per person Notes flight details: The price of the tour does not include the cost of international and domestic flight tickets. But if you want, we can organize international flight tickets with TURKISH AIRLINES via Istanbul, AIR ASTANA via Nur-Sultan or AEROFLOT via Moscow. Flight tickets with TURKISH AIRLINES via Istanbul: is 650-900 USD per person Flight tickets with AIR ASTANA VIA NUR-SULTAN: is 650-900 USD per person Flight tickets with AEROFLOT via Moscow: is 650-900 USD per person Level of difficulty: There are no difficulties on the route, but tourists should have an average level of fitness because sometimes they have long transfers 5-6 hours by mountain roads. Conditions: It is necessary to bring warm clothes, trekking boots, rain coat and etc. Weight of personal things is not limited.
Route & locations
Khiva, Uzbekistan