Road to Samarkand

The most renowned overland trading route of ancient civilizations was the Silk Road, which spanned from China’s former imperial capital of Xian, westward through to the far away lands of Europe. The route crosses rugged, mountainous and desert areas where tales were told of mystical cities, lively open air bazaars and a seemingly endless hive of activity. With the addition of Central Asia to our existing Silk Road programme, our coverage of this historic journey is almost complete. Spanning the ‘Golden Route’ from China’s Kashgar, where the unrivalled Sunday Bazaar is held, we travel through the spectacular alpine scenery of Kyrgyzstan to the breathtaking ancient cities and classic Islamic architecture of Uzbekistan. The ancient towns of Khiva and Bukhara are laden with treasures of this magical period in time. This extraordinary journey is an absolute must for the avid explorer.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: SOUTH AFRICA TO BEIJING

Fly overnight with Emirates Airlines to Beijing for an overnight stay. Enjoy an afternoon rickshaw tour through the traditional Hutong area, visit the 2008 Olympic Games site and the copy markets.

DAY 3: BEIJING TO KASHGAR

This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Kashgar (via Urumqi).

DAY 4: KASHGAR

Our touring today includes a visit to the Id Kah Mosque and the elegantly tiled Abakh Hoja Tomb, which was built in 1640 to reflect the artistic style of Samarkand.

DAY 5: KASHGAR TO NARYN

Today we travel from China into Kyrgyzstan across the magnificent Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountain range) that forms a natural divide between the two old rivals. Our adventure begins as we drive to the Torugart Pass where we will cross the border. After crossing the border, we make our way to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai, which has been restored to its former glory, before continuing onwards to Naryn where we will stay overnight.

DAY 6: NARYN TO KOCHKOR VILLAGE

Today we leave Naryn and travel to Kochkor Village where we enjoy a traditional lunch in a Ger before partaking in a ‘shyrdak’ demonstration (making of Kyrgyz wool carpets).

DAY 7: KOCHKOR VILLAGE TO KARAKOL

We travel to Karakol today. En route we visit Bokonbayevo Village where we have lunch with a local family and enjoy a demonstration showing the practice of eagle hunting.

DAY 8: KARAKOL

We rise early this morning to visit the colourful Sunday animal market. We also visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, a Chinese mosque as well as enjoying an easy afternoon hike in Jety-Orguz and the Valley of Flowers.

DAY 9: KARAKOL TO CHOLPON-ATA

This morning we visit the Przhevalskii Museum before continuing to Cholpon-Ata.

DAY 10: CHOLPON-ATA

Today we explore the petroglyphs of ibex, wolves and deer etched into glacial stone dating back to the 8th Century BC, the Ethnographical Museum in Cholpon-Ata and Grigoriev Gorge. We also enjoy an afternoon cruise on Issy Kul.

DAY 11: CHOLPON-ATA TO BISHKEK

We drive to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. En route we visit the Burana Tower, a monument from the 11th Century.

DAY 12: BISHKEK

This morning we visit Ala Archa National Park. Later we explore Bishkek, including Ala Too Square and the Historical Museum. 

DAY 13: BISHKEK TO TASHKENT

oday we fly to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Upon arrival we visit the 1966 earthquake memorial and Khast Imom Complex including the Moyie Mubarek Library Museum and the Mausoleum of Aba Bakr Kaffal Shoshi.

DAY 14: TASHKENT TO KHIVA

We fly to Urgench this morning and drive to the ancient city of Khiva, originally a Silk Road trade post that has retained its historical mosques, palaces and tombs within its ancient city walls. Upon arrival we visit the Kuhna Ark Fortress and wander around the many madrassahs, mosques and minarets within the ancient city walls.

DAY 15: KHIVA

Today we visit Elliq-Qala, an impressive fort and temple complex dating from the 4th Century BC.

DAY 16: KHIVA TO BUKHARA

We travel to Bukhara today, Central Asia’s most sacred city with a history spanning more than 2,500 years.

DAY 17: BUKHARA

Today we explore the many ancient sites of this charming city including the Ark Fortress, Chor Minor and Kalon Minaret.

DAY 18: BUKHARA

We continue our explorations of the city of Bukhara visiting the Labi-Hauz Plaza and the summer residence of Emir.

DAY 19: BUKHARA TO SAMARKAND

Today we leave Bukhara and travel to Samarkand, one of Central Asia’s oldest settlements. Now a UNESCO World Heritage listed site, this mystical city is where the Silk Road diverged east to China, south to India and west to Persia.

DAYS 20-21: SAMARKAND

Over the next two days we explore the many significant sites of Samarkand including the Timur’s Guri Amir Mausoleum, the Registan, Sher Dor Medressa, the Bibi- Khanym Mosque, Shah-I-Zinda and the Ulug Beg Observatory.

DAY 22: SAMARKAND TO TASHKENT

We leave Samarkand this morning and continue our journey as we travel to Tashkent passing through the Tamerlane Gates en route.

DAY 23: DEPART TASHKENT

This morning we enjoy a city tour visiting the famous sites around Tashkent; wander through Independence Square and visit the Crying Mother Monument, Chorsu Bazaar, the Amir Timur Maydoni and Broadway Entertainment Street. Later this afternoon we will be transferred to Tashkent airport for our overnight flight to South Africa.

DAY 24: ARRIVE SOUTH AFRICA

Arrive home this morning. 

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