Discover the jewels of Central Asia's Silk Road on this fascinating journey from the Aral Sea to the Amu darya River.
Great Silk Road
Follow the footsteps of Alexander the Great to the stunning Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on this easy touring style journey of discovery.We will take you to the far corners of Uzbekistan's Silk Road trade routes to uncover archaeological treasures and rich heritage. Along the way we will make a foray into Tajikistan's spectacular Fan mountains and sample its fascinating culture.
ARRIVE EARLY ~ STAY LONGER
Talk to us about things to do if you would like to arrive in Tashkent earlier, or perhaps add something extra at the end of our tour.
Price is all inclusive and based on twin share and minimum of 2 travellers.
Single Room Supplement available
Escorted by SRA local professional tour leader
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 - Arrive Tashkent
Our representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to the hotel. There are no activities planned for the rest of the day. Dinner is included.
Day 2 - Tashkent
Sightseeing in Tashkent, including Hastimom Complex and the Applied Art Museum
Day 3 - Tashkent and Nukus
Sightseeing in Tashkent to include Chorsu Bazaar, central city and a visit to a ceramist's studio. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Nukus.
Day 4 - To Moynak
Get away early today for the full day excursion to Moynak and explore the ‘ghost fleet’ of rusting hulks that once fed a thriving fishing industry based on the now greatly diminished Aral Sea.
Day 5 - Nukus and Khiva
This morning be prepared for Central Asia’s greatest art exhibition at Savitiski gallery and museum. After lunch drive south west across the dessert visiting the Zorastrian ‘Tower of Silence’ at Chilpak, before continuing by road to Khiva.
Day 6 - Khiva
There is much to see in Khiva and we have selected the key sites for this first experience of a ‘Silk Road’ city. Sightseeing will include a selection of Madrassah, Palaces, caravanserai and Masjids.
Day 7 - To Bukhara
Today it is a full day's drive across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara. It is a lengthy journey but there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and stretch legs along the way.
Day 8 - Bukhara
A full day sightseeing round Bukhara's old city incluidng including the Ark fortress, Minaret Kalyan (great minaret), Trade Domes, Labi Hauz complex, Ismail Samani mausoleum and Chashmai Ayub. Evening folk show at Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah
Day 9 - Bukhara
This morning visit Naqshbandi Complex on the outskirts of Bukhara. Return to Bukhara and visit Chor Minor Mosque..
Day 10 -To Samarkand
This morning there is time to explore Bukhara at your leisure before transferring to the station to take the mid-afternoon fast train to Samarkand.
Day 11 - Samarkand
Sightseeing today includes stunning Registan Square, Afrosiab, Ulugbek Observatory and conclude the day at Shakhi Zinda necropolis
Day 12 - Penjikent
Continue sightseeing in Samarkand this morning. visit Bibi Khanym Mosque and bazaar. This afternoon transfer by road to the Tajikistan border at Panjikent. Complete border formalities and continue a short distance to Panjikent.
Day 13 - Sary Tag
This morning visit the museum and archaeological site of the excavated ruins of this important ancient Silk Road trade centre and Sogdian era city
After lunch continue by road into the fan mountains to reach the remote Sary Tag village .
Day 14 - Sary Tag
Today make an easy trek into the neighbouring valleys of the Iskanderkul Nature Reserve or wander through the village and down to the lovely Iskanderkul lake.
Day 15 - To Dushanbe
This morning we will head off down country to Dushanbe. The road treads a thin line along the Varzob river before climbing into the mountains to tackle to Varzob tunnel. Dushanbe lies at the foot of the Varzob canyon.
Day 16 - Dushanbe
There is a bit to do today around sophisticated Dushanbe’s leafy boulevards and museums. The Dushanbe market and artists district are options as is the Museum of Archaeology.
Day 17 - To Termez
Today the first stop will be at Hisor to visit the fortress and caravanserai complex . After completing border formalities on re-entry to Uzbekistan lunch will be at Denau then continue by road to Termez.
Day 18 - Termez
There is a full day of sightseeing and excursions in Termez the present day site of an even older city with a 2500 year past buried in the Greco-Bactrian Empire of Alexander the Great. There are many important historic sites in and around the city. First visit the stunning museum of natural history and archaeology to get an overview.
Day 19 - Termez
Today complete sightseeing with a visit to the ruins of ‘Alexandria the Farthest’ site of Alexander the Great's city on the north bank of the legendary Oxus River.
Day 20 - Conclude
Today take the flight back to Tashkent and conclude .
Our representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to the hotel. There are no activities planned for the rest of the day. Dinner is included.
Day 2 - Tashkent
Sightseeing in Tashkent, including Hastimom Complex and the Applied Art Museum
Day 3 - Tashkent and Nukus
Sightseeing in Tashkent to include Chorsu Bazaar, central city and a visit to a ceramist's studio. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Nukus.
Day 4 - To Moynak
Get away early today for the full day excursion to Moynak and explore the ‘ghost fleet’ of rusting hulks that once fed a thriving fishing industry based on the now greatly diminished Aral Sea.
Day 5 - Nukus and Khiva
This morning be prepared for Central Asia’s greatest art exhibition at Savitiski gallery and museum. After lunch drive south west across the dessert visiting the Zorastrian ‘Tower of Silence’ at Chilpak, before continuing by road to Khiva.
Day 6 - Khiva
There is much to see in Khiva and we have selected the key sites for this first experience of a ‘Silk Road’ city. Sightseeing will include a selection of Madrassah, Palaces, caravanserai and Masjids.
Day 7 - To Bukhara
Today it is a full day's drive across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara. It is a lengthy journey but there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and stretch legs along the way.
Day 8 - Bukhara
A full day sightseeing round Bukhara's old city incluidng including the Ark fortress, Minaret Kalyan (great minaret), Trade Domes, Labi Hauz complex, Ismail Samani mausoleum and Chashmai Ayub. Evening folk show at Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah
Day 9 - Bukhara
This morning visit Naqshbandi Complex on the outskirts of Bukhara. Return to Bukhara and visit Chor Minor Mosque..
Day 10 -To Samarkand
This morning there is time to explore Bukhara at your leisure before transferring to the station to take the mid-afternoon fast train to Samarkand.
Day 11 - Samarkand
Sightseeing today includes stunning Registan Square, Afrosiab, Ulugbek Observatory and conclude the day at Shakhi Zinda necropolis
Day 12 - Penjikent
Continue sightseeing in Samarkand this morning. visit Bibi Khanym Mosque and bazaar. This afternoon transfer by road to the Tajikistan border at Panjikent. Complete border formalities and continue a short distance to Panjikent.
Day 13 - Sary Tag
This morning visit the museum and archaeological site of the excavated ruins of this important ancient Silk Road trade centre and Sogdian era city
After lunch continue by road into the fan mountains to reach the remote Sary Tag village .
Day 14 - Sary Tag
Today make an easy trek into the neighbouring valleys of the Iskanderkul Nature Reserve or wander through the village and down to the lovely Iskanderkul lake.
Day 15 - To Dushanbe
This morning we will head off down country to Dushanbe. The road treads a thin line along the Varzob river before climbing into the mountains to tackle to Varzob tunnel. Dushanbe lies at the foot of the Varzob canyon.
Day 16 - Dushanbe
There is a bit to do today around sophisticated Dushanbe’s leafy boulevards and museums. The Dushanbe market and artists district are options as is the Museum of Archaeology.
Day 17 - To Termez
Today the first stop will be at Hisor to visit the fortress and caravanserai complex . After completing border formalities on re-entry to Uzbekistan lunch will be at Denau then continue by road to Termez.
Day 18 - Termez
There is a full day of sightseeing and excursions in Termez the present day site of an even older city with a 2500 year past buried in the Greco-Bactrian Empire of Alexander the Great. There are many important historic sites in and around the city. First visit the stunning museum of natural history and archaeology to get an overview.
Day 19 - Termez
Today complete sightseeing with a visit to the ruins of ‘Alexandria the Farthest’ site of Alexander the Great's city on the north bank of the legendary Oxus River.
Day 20 - Conclude
Today take the flight back to Tashkent and conclude .
Central Asia
Our select escorted Central Asia tours and trips for independent traveler will take you to the Silk Road and beyond to the four corners of the 'stan's. With our extensive Asia experience you can experience Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities, discover the ruins of Turkmenistan’s ancient civilizations, explore the mountainous heart of Kyrgyzstan and travel Kazakhstan’s wide open spaces.
Our select escorted Central Asia tours and trips for independent traveler will take you to the Silk Road and beyond to the four corners of the 'stan's. With our extensive Asia experience you can experience Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities, discover the ruins of Turkmenistan’s ancient civilizations, explore the mountainous heart of Kyrgyzstan and travel Kazakhstan’s wide open spaces.