Central Asia's Silk Road
Trace the fabled Silk Road across Central Asia on a small-group journey that links caravan cities, sacred sites, and vivid contemporary culture. From Kyrgyz yurt traditions and Kazakh rock art to Uzbekistan’s blue-tiled mosques and lively bazaars, follow in the footsteps of merchants and pilgrims while meeting the people who call this storied region home.
Tour Highlights
- Take part in a yurt-making demonstration near Bishkek, gaining insight into traditional Kyrgyz nomadic life and craftsmanship.
- Visit the Tamgaly Petroglyphs, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to view ancient rock carvings that illuminate millennia of spiritual and artistic expression.
- Spend time in Almaty, a Russian-accented city framed by mountains, with tree-lined streets, cafés, and Soviet- and Tsarist-era architecture.
- Watch a falconry demonstration that showcases Central Asia’s long-standing traditions of hunting with birds of prey.
- Tour Tashkent, including a visit to a revered site that houses what is considered one of the world’s oldest Qurans, and explore the city’s blend of modern and historic districts.
- Wander the historic Silk Road gem of Khiva, with its preserved city walls, minarets, and madrasas that evoke the age of caravans and khans.
- Meet local artisans to see traditional crafts such as ceramics, textiles, and woodwork, and learn how these skills are passed down through generations.
- Enjoy an Uzbek folklore performance that brings regional music, dance, and costume to life.
- Explore the UNESCO-listed city of Bukhara, rich in mosques, caravanserais, and trading domes that reveal its long-standing role as a commercial and religious center.
- Share lunches with local families for a warm, personal introduction to Central Asian hospitality, home cooking, and everyday life.
- Take in the legendary city of Samarkand, where dazzling domes, tiled façades, and monumental gateways line the historic crossroads of empires.
- Browse vibrant Central Asian bazaars, alive with spices, textiles, ceramics, and the hum of daily commerce.
- Stand in awe at regal Registan Square, framed b...
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Bishkek
Day 2: Bishkek
Day 3: Bishkek
Day 4: Bishkek
Day 5: Almaty
Day 6: Almaty
Day 7: Tashkent
Day 8: Tashkent
Day 9: Khiva
Day 10: Khiva
Day 11: Bukhara
Day 12: Bukhara
Day 13: Samarkand
Day 14: Samarkand
Day 15: Samarkand
Day 16: Tashkent
Day 17: Depart Tashkent for U.S.
Operator
Odysseys Unlimited
Day 2: Bishkek
Day 3: Bishkek
Day 4: Bishkek
Day 5: Almaty
Day 6: Almaty
Day 7: Tashkent
Day 8: Tashkent
Day 9: Khiva
Day 10: Khiva
Day 11: Bukhara
Day 12: Bukhara
Day 13: Samarkand
Day 14: Samarkand
Day 15: Samarkand
Day 16: Tashkent
Day 17: Depart Tashkent for U.S.
Operator
Odysseys Unlimited