Wonders of the Silk Road

13 days
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Small Group Tour
Discover the rich culture and tumultuous history of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on this exploration through ancient trading cities and along the fabled Silk Road. Ashgabat - Explore Turkmenistan's remarkable capital city, a rich mix of ancient and modern Khiva - Walk through the 'open air museum', the historic heart of one of the great Silk Road cities ...
$3,469
From$3,560
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Discover the Silk Road treasures of Uzbekistan and the unique culture of Turkmenistan
    • Walk through the open air museum that is Khiva
    • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mery

What's this trip about?

    Discover the rich culture and tumultuous history of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on this exploration through ancient trading cities and along the fabled Silk Road. Ashgabat - Explore Turkmenistan's remarkable capital city, a rich mix of ancient and modern Khiva - Walk through the 'open air museum', the historic heart of one of the great Silk Road cities Samarkand - Discover the beautiful, intricately mosaicked mosques and madrassahs of Tamerlane's city

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityAshgabat
End CityTashkent

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Khiva
  • Samarkand
  • Tashkent

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Trip starts in Ashgabat. Free morning and afternoon city tour

Arrive in Ashgabat, a once prosperous frontier town along the Trans-Caspian railway, which was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1948, only to rise from its ashes and rubble to become the capital of an independent Turkmenistan in 1991. The city then became the pers...

Day 2 In Ashgabat, visit Sunday market and Nissa Fortress; free afternoon

This morning we aim to visit the city's lively Sunday morning market before driving out to the outskirts of the city to the once mighty fortress of Nissa. Founded in the 3rd century BC as the capital of the 1st Parthian Empire, its walls and towers (43 in total) prote...

Day 3 Drive to Mary stopping at Kaka Oasis

Our destination today is the town of Mary, our gateway to the ruins of ancient Merv. We travel via the Kaka Oasis and will also stop to view the fortress of Abiverd, the remains of a now long vanished medieval city that once enjoyed a reputation for its superb handicr...

Day 4 From Mary, explore the ancient site of Merv; afternoon visit to Mary Historical Museum

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered to have once been one of the great cities of Central Asia, the remains of ancient Merv lie scattered across some 100sq km. Lying along the great trading routes of the Silk Road the city prospered under the Sassanians and the Se...

Day 5 Drive across the border to Bokhara (Uzbekistan); afternoon orientation walk

This morning we drive to the Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan border at Farab and, after completing the immigration formalities, cross into Uzbekistan. Please be advised that this process could take anything up to 2 hours and you will be required to walk the 1.5 km between the...

Day 6 In Bokhara, discover the Ark Citadel, Emir's Palace and Char Minar Mosque

In the morning we take a drive out of the city to visit the Emir's Palace, the Royal Ark and the photogenic Char Minar Mosque. Also known as the 'Palace of Moon-like Stars', the Palace contains the famous White Hall, a structure that took the Emir's 30 architects two ...

Day 7 Free day in Bokhara for further exploration

Today is free to explore Bokhara in your own time.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Drive through the Kyzylkum desert to Khiva

Today we drive on to the remarkable ancient city of Khiva. The early history of the area is still sketchy, but by the time the Arabs arrived in the 8th century there were three important cities in the region, of which Khiva was one, largely on account of its strategic...

Day 9 In Khiva, orientation tour of the Old City; drive to Urgench to take sleeper train to Samarkand

This morning we will begin our exploration of this ancient city. We'll take in some of its rich wonders including the Kunya Ark and the Tah-Khauli Palace, whilst a walk up the steps of the Dzhuma Minaret presents a captivating panoramic view of the maze of streets below. In the afternoon we drive on to Urgench to catch the overnight train to Samarkand.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 10 In Samarkand, discover Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum and Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Stormed by Alexander the Great and reduced to ashes by Genghis Khan, Samarkand was nevertheless transformed into one of the world's most glittering cities in the 14th century by Tamerlane, who made it his capital. Today it is still generously endowed with some gloriou...

Day 11 In Samarakand, visit Ulug-Beg Observatory and the Shah-i-Zinda; free afternoon

Another half-day city tour this morning introduces us to the Ulug-Beg Observatory and the Shah-i-Zinda, one of the city's oldest and most sacred buildings, with a double row of jewel-like mausoleums that are said to contain the grave of Qusam ibn-Abbas, a cousin of th...

Day 12 Drive to Tashkent, explore the city and ride the Tashkent Metro

This morning we drive to Tashkent, the Uzbek capital and one of Central Asia's most vibrant cities. Occupying a prime spot on the central Eurasian trading routes, Tashkent grew to be one of the most important stops on the caravan routes across Central Asia. It grew un...

Day 13 Tour ends in Tashkent

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Tashkent. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Tashkent at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would lik...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,560
Price per day$274
Last Updated: 3/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
03 May 2025
15 May 2025
$3,560
$820
17 May 2025
29 May 2025
$3,560
$820
06 Sep 2025
18 Sep 2025
$3,770
$810
13 Sep 2025
25 Sep 2025
$3,970
$820
04 Oct 2025
16 Oct 2025
$3,560
$820
11 Oct 2025
23 Oct 2025
$3,560
$820
28 Mar 2026
09 Apr 2026
$3,700
$850
25 Apr 2026
07 May 2026
$3,700
$850
16 May 2026
28 May 2026
$3,920
$850
13 Jun 2026
25 Jun 2026
$3,700
$850

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
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3,322
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522
Disappointing
158
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K

Karen

Oct 2024

Written on

Wonders of the Silk Road

This trip was the best group tour I’ve ever taken in 25 years. It wasn’t perfect, but the combination of Itinerary, sites visited, transportation and guides/ground s...

A

Anthony

Sep 2024

Written on

Wonders of the Silk Road

We covered a lot of ground and it was full on . Personally...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2024

Written on

Wonders of the Silk Road

This was our first time on an organised tour so we were unsure what to expect. But the experience was wonderful: very well organised, helpful and full of opportuniti...

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Booked online. Very easy to do with full information abou...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Turkmenistan: A single entry visa is required for Turkmenistan. Invitation letters issued by the Turkmen State Migration Service are required by all nationalities and Explore will apply for this on your behalf. We will therefore require details of the passport you'll be travelling on at least 10 weeks prior to departure. This invitation letter will then need to be used to apply for your visa. You may choose to contact the Turmen Embassy but obtaining a Visa upon arrival in Turkmenistan is quite straighforward. You will need to have a printed (paper) copy of the letter of invitation (LOI) as a proof of admittance to Turkmenistan (airlines and services the other side of the border ask for it when there is no visa sticker in the passport). You will also need to pay the relevant fee is US$, this is $55 to $85 USD for the visa depending on the country of origin and $18 USD (immigration duty + administrative fee). Payment can only be made in cash and only in USD, clean bills issued after 2008. It is not possible to obtain the Turkmenistan Invitation any earlier than 3 months prior to the tour departure date and it takes 3 weeks to process. At the time of writing, everyone entering Turkmenistan (either via land or air) will be tested for Covid19 on arrival at the border. The fee for the PCR test is US$43 which will need to be paid in cash locally. Please make sure you have the right amount in the correct currency before travelling to Turkmenistan. We are also required by the authorities to have a representative meet you at the airport upon arrival, Land Only customers should ensure they have submitted their flight details to Explore at least 1 month before departure. Uzbekistan: Australian, Irish, Canadian and 'British citizen' passport holders can enter Uzbekistan as a visitor for stays of up to 30 days without a visa. Other nationalities including US nationals require a e-visa which can be obtained from www.e-visa.gov.uz All visa related information should be confirmed with the relevant Embassy prior to departure
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on the need for and different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 12
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-SUZ

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