Caravans and Capitals: discovering Central Asia’s Silk Road
Step back in time and follow the footsteps of ancient merchants as you embark on a remarkable journey along the legendary Silk Road. Centuries ago, this path connected East and West, winding through rugged mountains, vast deserts, and fertile valleys. Traders and explorers from Europe crossed Central Asia, meeting in bustling caravanserais and vibrant cities to exchange goods, cultures, and ideas. This historic region, once home to a variety of ancient civilizations, saw the rise and fall of empires like Sogdiana, Bactria, Margiana, and Khorezm.
Our two-week adventure will take you through the heart of this storied region. Starting in Ashgabat, the capital of modern Turkmenistan, you’ll travel through Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, visiting both ancient sites and contemporary cities. Marvel at the ancient ruins of Merv, once a hub of commerce in the Margiana state, and explore the medieval splendor of Kunye Urgench and Khiva. Wander through the majestic cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, where the architecture and atmosphere evoke the mystical tales of the Arabian Nights. Along the way, you’ll experience the modern pulse of Central Asia’s capitals: Tashkent, Bishkek, and Almaty, with its famous Medeo ice rink set against stunning mountain views.
This tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, allowing you to traverse thousands of kilometers across Central Asia, visiting landmarks that shaped the course of civilizations.
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Destinations:
Ashgabat - Mary (Merv) - Dashauz (Kunya Urgench) - Khiva -Bukhara - Samarkand - Tashkent - Bishkek – Almaty
*Note – The general itinerary is subject to some alterations due to the changes in airline schedule.
DAY 1
Arrival in Ashgabat. Meet at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel
Overnight in Ashgabat
Ashgabat
DAY 2
Morning sightseeing: Nisa - the residence of Parthian Kings (3rd century BC – 3rd century AD), National History Museum (optional)
Afternoon sightseeing: Carpet Museum, Arch of Neutrality, Presidential Square, Monument of Independence, New Grand Mosque in Kipchak
Overnight in Ashgabat
Ashgabat
DAY 3
Transfer to the airport and flight to Mary (350km)
On arrival transfer to Old Merv (20km)
Sightseeing in Old Merv: Erk Kala – an Achaemenid city (6th century BC), Gyaur Kala fortress (3rdcentury BC), 38m high mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar – the best remaining testimony of Seljuq power (12th century), Mohammed ibn Zeid Mausoleum (12th century), Large and Small Gyz kala (two forstresses-palaces of the 7th century), Yusuf Hamadani Mosque constructed above the tomb of the 12thcentury dervish – a pilgrimage site
Return flight to Ashgabat
Overnight in Ashgabat
Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat
DAY 4
Flight to Dashoguz (650km north from Ashgabat)
On arrival transfer to Kunya Urgench (150km north-west from Dashoguz)
Sightseeing in Kunya Urgench: Dash Kala Caravanserai (14th century), Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum (12th century), Il-Arslan Mausoleum (12th century) – Kunya-Urgench’s oldest standing monument; the 14th century minaret of Kutlug Timur – the highest minaret in Central Asia (67m); Turabek Khanum Mausoleum (mid-14th century)
Transfer to the Uzbek border
Crossing the Turkmen-Uzbek border
Transfer to Khiva
Accommodation at the hotel
Overnight in Khiva
Ashgabat - Dashoguz - Khiva
DAY 5
Morning sightseeing in Khiva
Visit to the oldest part of the city: Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17th century), Mohammed-Amin-Khan Madrassah (19th century), Islam Khodja Minaret, Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18th century), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19th century), Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sho-I-Kalandar, Bobo Mausoleum
Afternoon sightseeing: Uch Avlioli (“three saints”)Mausoleum, Jami Mosque (18thcentury), Kutluq-Murad Inaq Madrassah (19thcentury), Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, Tash Hauli Palace, Alla-Kuli-Khan (18th century), Arab Mohammed Khan (18th century) Madrassahs
Overnight in Khiva
Khiva
DAY 6
Transfer to Bukhara (450km)
On arrival in Bukhara accommodation at the hotel
Overnight in Bukhara
Khiva - Bukhara
DAY 7
Morning sightseeing: Ismael Samani Mausoleum (9-10th centuries), Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14thcentury), Ark Fortress (16th century) and Bolo-Hauz complex (18th century)
Afternoon sightseeing: Poli-Kalon ensemble (including Minaret (12th century), Mosque (15th century),functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16th century), Amir-Alim-Khan Madrassah (14th century), Taqi (trading domes), Kukeldash Madrassah (16th century)), Lyab-i-Hauz (17th century), Nadir Divanbegi (17th century), Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Abdul Aziz Madrassah (17th century), Chor-Minor
Overnight in Bukhara
Bukhara
DAY 8
Transfer to Samarkand (250km)
Intervening sights: Vabkent Minaret (39m high), city of Gijduvan (an important trade and craft center since the ancient times), Ulugbek Madrassah (1433)
On arrival in Samarkand accommodation at the hotel
Overnight in Samarkand
Bukhara - Samarkand
DAY 9
Morning sightseeing: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (15th century), Shah-i-Zinda necropolis (14-15th century), Bibi Khanum Mosque (15th century), visit to the local bazaar
Afternoon sightseeing: Ulugbek observatory (15th century), Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Shih Dor and Tillya-Kari Madrassahs (17th century)
Overnight in Samarkand
Samarkand
DAY 10
Transfer to Tashkent (315km)
On arrival in Tashkent accommodation at the hotel
Afternoon sightseeing: Barak-Khan and Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleums (16th century)
Overnight in Tashkent
Samarkand - Tashkent
DAY 11
Transfer to the airport and flight to Bishkek (2,5 hours)
Meet at the airport
Accommodation at the hotel
Afternoon sightseeing tour: Ala-Too Square, State Historical Museum, bazaar, handicraft shops, folklore show
Overnight in Bishkek
Tashkent - Bishkek
DAY 12
Transfer to Almaty (250km)
Crossing the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border
On arrival in Almaty accommodation at the hotel
Overnight in Almaty
Bishkek - Almaty
DAY 13
Trip to Central Asia top skiing center Shymbulak located 15km south-east of Almaty. Ascent to the altitude of 3200m by chair-lifts
Visit to Medeo – the world-known 10,500 square meter mountain ice Rink located at 1690m above sea level in the picturesque Lesser Almatinka canyon.
Sightseeing: Central Panfilov Park with Zenkov Cathedral (costruction made in 1904 completely of wood without nails); State Historical Museum, Museum of Kazakh Musical instruments, Central Mosque (20th century)
Overnight in Almaty
Almaty
DAY 14
Transfer to the airport
Flight home.
Almaty