iExplore Central Asia: The Silk Road(Trip #46970)

Tour Overview

The region known loosely as Central Asia is a vast arena of desert, steppe and knotted mountain ranges. For more than 2000 years, this area has been the site of ancient east-west trade routes collectively known as the Silk Road. This was no single road, but rather a fragile network of intercontinental caravan tracks that traversed some of the highest mountains and harshest deserts on earth.

Much of Kazakhstan still looks the way it did when Genghis Khan and his hordes swept across the Central Asian steppes: vast, desolate and empty. The chief exceptions to this are the cosmopolitan city of Almaty, and the spectacular spurs of the Tian Shan and Altai mountains on the country's southern and eastern borders.

Kyrgyzstan, officially known as the Kyrgyz Republic, is a newly independent nation in Central Asia undergoing profound political and economic change. It contains the central Tian Shan and Pamir Alay ranges, Central Asia's finest mountains, and maintains many nomadic traditions, most notably its laid-back hospitality.

Uzbekistan, in the ancient cradle between the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers, is the most historically fascinating of the Central Asian republics. Within it are some of the oldest towns in the world, some of the Silk Road's main centers and most of the region's architectural splendors. The signature Central Asian Islamic architecture is the main draw: tall, arched portals, bulbous turquoise-blue domes, minarets resembling smokestacks or lighthouses – all covered in beautiful tile.

Turkmenistan is sparsely populated and its people, the Turkmen, are only a generation or two removed from being nomads. It's the second largest Central Asian country (after Kazakhstan), but four-fifths of it consists of a lunar-like desert called the Karakum, which conceals unexploited oil and gas deposits.

Day by Day Itinerary

Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan (11 Days)

Day 01: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Upon arrival at Tashkent International Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight. Intercontinental Hotel Tashkent

Day 02: Tashkent
Full day tour of the capital of Uzbekistan. Visit classic attractions such as the Square of Independence, the Navoi Theatre, the Palace of People‘s Friendship, the Kukeldash Madrassah, and the Kaffal-Shashi mausoleum are featured. Also visit, two of the country's best museums including the History Museum and the fabulous Tashkent Museum of Applied Arts. Intercontinental Hotel Tashkent (B,L)

Day 03: Tashkent – Samarkand
Depart for Samarkand, following the path of other Silk Road explorers on the golden road to Samarkand. Perhaps the most well known of Silk Road towns, Samarkand has been called the Mirror of the World, the Pearl of the East and the Center of the Universe. This fabled oasis on the fringes of the Kyzyl Kum Desert reveals a fantastic history of commerce and culture. This afternoon, hotel check-in and tour of the Registan, which is considered to be Central Asia’s noblest square. Dinner will be served at the house of a local Tajik family, where you will have a chance to learn about the customs and daily routine of the local people. Domina President Hotel (B,D)

Day 04: Samarkand
Full day city tour of Samarkand. Despite his reputation for brutality, Tamerlane brought Samarkand to its greatest glory, building opulent palaces and mosques. A highlight is a visit to Ulug-Bek’s Observatory. This afternoon, visit Bibi-Khanum Mosque and the lane of mosques and tombs known as Shah-i-Zinda and the Gur-Emir Mausoleum. In the evening a special visit to a workshop of a local artist and fashion designer is planned. Domina President Hotel (B,L)

Day 05: Samarkand – Gizhduvan – Bukhara
Depart for Bukhara. En route make a stop in Gizhduvan, a center of traditional ceramics located about an hour from Bukhara. Late afternoon arrival in Bukhara. An oasis in the desert, Bukhara offers cool shade and rest to the modern traveler as it did to the camel caravans that plied the Silk Road hundreds of years ago. Sasha & Son B&B (B,L)

Day 06: Bukhara
Full day tour of Bukhara, Central Asia’s most ancient living city. This morning sightseeing begins at Lyab-i-Khauz Plaza, located in the heart of the old town. Stroll through the spice bazaars and past street-level mosques and madrassahs, before moving on to the Kalon Mosque and Minaret, the second largest mosque in Central Asia, after the Bibi Khanum in Samarkand. This afternoon, visit the Zindan Prison, with its infamous "bug pit" where two British spies were imprisoned and perished as part of the 19th century struggle (The Great Game) between Britain and Russia for influence over this strategic oasis town. Also visit the Ismael Samani Mausoleum, named for the founder of the Samanid dynasty. Continue to the Jewish quarter of the old town. Sasha & Son B&B (B,D)

Day 07: Bukhara – Khiva
Full day excursion to the last great city on the Uzbek itinerary – Khiva.
The full day journey will be well worth it when you arrive in this museum town. Accommodations are situated right outside the city walls. Upon checking in meet the local guide and spend the afternoon exploring Khiva on foot. Asia Khiva Hotel (B,L)

Day 08: Khiva – Tashauz – Fly To Ashgabat
Morning tour of Khiva with a stop at the 9th century Dzhuma Mosque, and Tash Hauli Palace. In the afternoon depart for the Turkmen border. The drive to the border takes a little over an hour. After the lengthy passport and custom procedures, enter Turkmenistan and drive to the city of Tashauz for the late afternoon flight to Ashgabat. Following the hour-long flight over the Kara Kum desert, arrive in Ashgabat and transfer to the hotel. Sheraton Grand Turkmen Hotel (B,L)

Day 09: Ashgabat
Full day city tour of Ashgabat. The city tour includes visits to the Lenin Monument, the new mosque and Turkmen-Turkish cultural and spiritual center, a local bazaar and the Berzenghee Settlement, from which one can enjoy great views of the surrounding Kopet-Dag Mountains. Also, visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography with its superb collection of carved ivory drinking horns from Nisa. Sheraton Grand Turkmen Hotel (B,L)

Day 10: Ashgabat – Daytrip To Nisa
This morning drive to Nisa for a half-day exploration of the ruins of the Kingdom of Parthian Kings located 15 miles from the city of Ashgabat, and set amidst beautiful views of the Kopet-Dag Mountains. Afterward, you may opt to hike along the Presidential Health Path in the Kopet-Dag Mountains. Return to Ashgabat for dinner and overnight. Sheraton Grand Turkmen Hotel (B,D)

Day 11: Ashgabat – Depart
Early morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Pre-Tour Extension: Kazakhstan And Kyrgyzstan (5 Days)

Day 01: Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan
Upon arrival at Almaty International Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Hyatt Regency Almaty

Day 02: Almaty
Full day city tour of Almaty and the Almaty Gorge. Tour Panfilov Park, the St. Nicholas Cathedral, and visit the local outdoor bazaar where one can find all types of produce, nuts, and dried fruits. Also visit the State Central Museum to view its collection of applied art, and stop at the delightful Museum of Musical Instruments. This afternoon drive to the small Almaty Gorge (approximately 30 minutes from the city center). Almaty Gorge is 5,577 feet above sea level and home to the famous Medeo Sports Complex with its Olympic ice rink. Hyatt Regency Almaty (B,L)

Day 03: Almaty – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Depart mid-morning for the drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy a brief afternoon introductory tour of the city. Bishkek sits 2,600 feet above sea level amidst the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains. The city is graced with large boulevards, friendly people and more trees than any other Central Asian city. Hyatt Regency Bishkek (B,L)

Day 04: Bishkek – Daytrip To Lake Issyk-Kul
Today get an early start for a day trip to Lake Issyk-Kul. Lake Issyk-Kul is Kyrgyzstan’s crown jewel in a country otherwise dominated by mountain architecture. It is considered to be the world's second-largest (in area) alpine lake, after Lake Titicaca in South America. Stop en route at Buryan Tower, one of the only existing watchtowers on the ancient Silk Road, which traversed Kyrgyzstan. Visit the small museum here and see the collection of carved headstones. Hyatt Regency Bishkek (B,L)

Day 05: Bishkek – Fly To Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Transfer to the airport for the mid-morning flight to Tashkent. (B)

Optional Add-on: Excursion to Penjikent, Tajikistan on day 4)

Please note: This optional visit to Penjikent requires a Tajik visa and double entry visa to Uzbekistan. This excursion is only available during the summer months due to difficult road conditions.

The road winds through the beautiful Zarafshan Mountains and over the Tashtakaracha Pass. See the site of an archaeological dig at Old Penjikent, excavations of which began only 50 years ago. We will also view the remains of Shakristan, two Zoroastrian temples, the citadel, and the houses of wealthy families. Then visit the Rudaki Museum of History and Regional Studies. Return to Samarkand late afternoon.