Central Silk Road Westbound - 30 Days
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Overview
Highlights
- Bishkek - start your overland journey in the hospitable capital of Kyrgyzstan and enjoy free time to browse Osh bazaar or visit Ala-Too Square
- Samarkand - take in highlights of the Uzbek Silk Road city including the stunning Registan and Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Kyzylkhum Desert - spend the night in a traditional felt yurt and explore the rolling dunes of the desert
- Darvaza Gas Crater - marvel at the unusual site of a flaming gas crater in the middle of the desert in Turkmenistan
- Jeti Oguz - see a demonstration from an eagle hunter and hike in the dazzling scenery of red sandstone cliffs and lush green valleys
- Arslanbob - walk in the world's largest walnut grove and enjoy a relaxing evening in the village
- Song Kol Lake - enjoy two nights in yurts on the shore of the remote lake in Kyrgyzstan and take in the picturesque landscape at leisure
- Bukhara - learn about the gruesome history of the Uzbek city with a visit to the Kalyan Minaret and see historic Zindon Prison
- Tashkent - explore the Soviet-style Uzbek capital independently and opt to visit the world's oldest copy of the Koran at Hast Imam Square
- Ashgabat - end your adventure in Turkmenistan's bizarre and modern capital and explore the city on a guided minibus tour
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Details
Destinations
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- 25 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 12 dinners
- 17 nights in hotels & guesthouses
- 9 nights camping (including 7 nights wild camping & 2 nights camping without facilities)
- 3 nights camping in traditional yurts
- All necessary camping equipment (excluding sleeping bags)
- Services of two crew (drivers/tour leaders) and local guides along the way
- Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Eagle hunter demonstration in Kyrgyzstan
- Guided tour of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in Uzbekistan
- Visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater and guided tour of Ashgabat in Turkmenistan
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Itinerary
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! On arrival there’s a pre-departure Welcome Meeting at 10:00 and the rest of today is free to explore Bishkek, the hospitable and fascinating capital of Kyrgyzstan. Perhaps wander down to the vibrant Osh bazaar or head to the central Ala-Too Squa...
Bishkek - Chong Kemin. We climb aboard our overland truck for the first time today and head out of Bishkek. We may need to return to Bishkek to organise Uzbekistan visas for some of the group so the next couple of days need to be fairly flexible. We will most li...
Chong Kemin - Karakol. We drive to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kol this morning, where we can admire the ancient rock-carved petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata. After our visit here, we continue to the Russian-style town of Karakol, where the afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps pay a visit to the beautiful Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Karakol - Jeti Oguz. On day 5 we have a scenic drive into the rolling hills of the Jeti Oguz region, dominated by towering red sandstone cliffs. The next day is free to explore this picturesque corner of Kyrgyzstan, on the edge of the Tian Shan Mountains. Hike in the ...
Jeti Oguz - Kochkor. Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor, stopping en route to watch a demonstration from a local eagle hunter, whose well-trained birds are used to catch wild animals for their skins and meat. On arrival in Kochkor, we check in to our...
Kochkor - Song Kol Lake. On day 8 we drive to shimmering Song Kol Lake, where we base ourselves for the next two nights. Song Kol is a remote and peaceful lake set in stunning scenery - Kyrgyzstan in all of its glory. We’ll stay in traditional felt yurts and experienc...
Song Kol Lake - Kyrgyz Fergana Valley. The next three days will be spent overlanding through the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley, home to some of the finest scenery in the world. We’ll make frequent stops to hike amongst the rolling hills and to admire the incredible views. Alo...
Kyrgyz Fergana Valley - Arslanbob. Today we finally arrive in the picturesque village of Arslanbob. There's free time to relax after a long few days of overlanding. Perhaps take a stroll in the famous walnut forest, the largest walnut grove in the world - the walnut was Kyrgyzstan's first known export to Europe.
Arslanbob - Fergana (Uzbekistan). We say goodbye to the mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan today, crossing the border into neighbouring Uzbekistan. Our drive today takes us to the city of Fergana, where the evening is at leisure.
Fergana - Kokand - Tashkent. Today we journey to Kokand, where we’ll visit the Khudayar Khan’s Palace and the Margilan Silk Factory. Traditional methods are still used here in the production of this famous textile. After exploring Kokand, we cross over the mount...
Today is free to explore Tashkent as you please. You may wish to head to the religious centre of the city at Hast Imam Square, where you'll find the world's oldest surviving copy of the Koran. We may be joined by new travellers today for the next leg of our journey.
Tashkent - Samarkand. Today we head towards the jewel in Uzbekistan's crown - the incredible Silk Road city of Samarkand. On arrival, the evening is free to head out and explore.
We enjoy a guided tour of Samarkand on day 18, taking in highlights including the central Registan Square. The Registan is dominated by three towering madrasahs which rise up against the skyline - madrasah is Arabic for 'school'. We also take in the Ulug Beg Observato...
Samarkand - Nurata. Today we say goodbye to Samarkand and head into the striking Nurata Hills. Opt for a refreshing dip in Lake Ajdar Kul before we drive into the Kyzylkhum Desert. There’s an optional camel ride over the rolling dunes of the desert and we spend the night in yurts near the town of Nurata.
Nurata - Bukhara. Today we head out of the desert to the beautiful and historic Silk Road city of Bukhara, where we'll be staying for the next three nights. We make a quick stop in Nurata en route.
On day 22 we enjoy a guided tour of Bukhara, taking in highlights including the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Kalon Mosque and Ark Fortress. You’ll also get to see the Kalyan Minaret. This beautiful tower hides a sinister past - it’s nickname of “Death Tower” has been earn...
Bukhara - Khiva. On day 24 we say goodbye to Bukhara and embark on a long drive to the welcoming city of Khiva. The next day there’s a guided tour of the city, taking in highlights including the incredible city walls, the turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret and the blue pal...
Khiva - Kunye Urgench (Turkmenistan). Today we leave Uzbekistan behind and cross the border into the closed off country of Turkmenistan. Browse the markets in the border town of Dashoguz before we explore the Kunye Urgench ruins towards the end of the day. Once ...
Kunye Urgench - Darvaza Gas Crater. We continue our journey through the desert today, reaching the incredible Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as the 'Door to Hell'. The crater was created by accident in 1971 when Soviet oil drillers released gas into the atmos...
Darvaza Gas Crater - Ashgabat. On day 28 we climb aboard our overland truck for the final time to complete our drive to Turkmenistan's bizarre capital city of Ashgabat. The city holds the world record for the highest concentration of marble clad buildings anywhere in ...
Today our Silk Road journey comes to an end. Consider booking a few more nights accommodation in Ashgabat to further explore the city - speak to our Sales team if interested.
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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.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International flights and visas
- Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
- Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
- Local payment - $1100pp, paid in USD
Accommodation
18 and over. No upper age limit but anyone over 70 needs to complete a tour suitability form.
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