Hike along the famous Silk Road, visit the cities of Samarkand and Tashkent, and stay in a traditional yurt with nomadic hosts on this exciting tour to a land-locked country few Western visitors have set foot in.
- Cook traditional Uzbek cuisine
- Sleep under the stars in a nomad yurt camp
- Walk in the Great Chimgan Mountains
- Follow the Silk Road trading route
Exploring three of the Silk Road's most important cities - Tashkent, Khiva and Samarkand - you will gain a real insight into this multicultural destination. Offering a variety of activities, as well as beautiful walking trails, you will explore multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, learn how to cook traditional Uzbek cuisine and eat dinner under the stars. Travelling through the country by bus, plane and train, discover arid deserts, alpine-esque lakes and vivid green mountain villages each day, each with their own varied landscapes and incredible scenery.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Depart UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Tashkent.
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Day 2: Arrive Tashkent
Arriving into Tashkent early this morning, you will be met at the airport by your local English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of the city, visiting the Hasrati Imam Complex, the Kaffal Ash Shashe mausoleum, Barakchan Madrassah and a Qur’an museum.
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Day 3: Hiking in the Tschimgan Mountains
After breakfast, you will transfer (approximately two hours by road) into the Chimgan Mountains where your first trek begins. Starting with a slightly steep path over the Tachta Jaylau Pass (approximately 1,900 metres), hike up, then down to the Marble River, before continuingn uphill again to Chalk Pass and Chetkumbel Pass (approximately 1,900 metres).
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Day 4: Walk to Pesochniy Pass & the Gate of Gulkamsay
Trekking through picturesque birch forest, make your way to Pesochniy Pass (approximately 1,800 metres). Depending on the ability of the group, you have the option to climb Little Chimgan which sits at 2,100 metres and offers spectacular panoramic views over the Chimgan Mountain Range. Today's trail will include using a ropeway and walking through streams.
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Day 5: Journey to Khiva, walking city tour
This morning you will fly from Tashkent to Urgench and then continue by bus to Khiva. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the city. During a walking tour you will visit The Madrasahs of Muhammad Amin Khan, the Kalta Minor Minaret, the Konya Ark Fortress, the Madrasah of Muhammad Rahim Khan, the Friday Mosque, the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Makhmud and the Ok Masjid (White Mosque), among other sites.
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Day 6: Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara
Today you travel from Khiva to Bukhara. The drive will take approximately seven hours, with plenty of photo stops along that way as you pass through the Kysylkum Desert (Red Sandy Desert).
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Day 7: Walking city tour of Bukhara
Your walking tour starts at the Labi House (Chaus water basin) where you can enjoy the unique atmosphere of the ancient and medieval Bukhara. Throughout the day you will explore some of the city's most famous monuments, such as the beautiful Samanid Mausoleum and the Chor Minor Madrasah, built in an Indian style.
Tonight you are invited into the home of an Uzbek family where you will see the process of cooking ‘Pilaf’, the national and main dish of Uzbek cuisine.
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Day 8: Explore Bukhara
Finishing your exploration of Bukhara, this morning you will visit the suburbs of the city, visiting the summer palace of Sitorai Mokhi Khosa and Chor Minor Madrasah. This afternoon has been left free to enjoy at your leisure.
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Day 9: Nurata, Sarmysch & traditional yurt camp stay
Today you will drive into the desert towards your traditional yurt camp, visting the picturesque gorge of Sarmischsoy en route. You will also make a quick stop at a 17th century mosque which is the remains of a fortress from the time of Alexander the Great.
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Day 10: Hike to Aydarkul Lake
Starting your hike after breakfast, head through the Kysylkum desert, continuing this afternoon to the green mountain village of Sentob. On this walk you will pass some castle ruins, an old mosque and rock paintings dating from the 5th-6th Century BC.
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Day 11: Hiking in the Kadwansai Mountain River valley
Today's walk will lead you through walnut forests into the valley of the Kadwansai Mountain River. This afternoon is left free to enjoy at your leisure.
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Day 12: Hayat mountain village & village walk
A short transfer will take you to Hayat mountain village and from here you will take a gently ascending path through the valley.
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Day 13: Journey to Samarkand
Making your way to Samarkand, the journey takes you past numerous large fruit and vegetable plantations. This afternoon take a short walking tour of the city visiting the Ulugbek Observatory and Gur Emir Mausoleum.
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Day 14: Sightseeing in Samarkand, train to Tashkent
This morning you will continue your sightseeing in this fascinating city with visits to Registan Square with its three Madrasahs, Shahi Zinda necropolis and Bibi Khanum, the largest mosque in Central Asia.
You will have some time at leisure before taking the Afrosiab Express train to Tashkent where you will enjoy a farewell dinner and folklore show.
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Day 15: Fly back to the UK
After a leisurely morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your return flight to the UK.
Price and Other Information
- Duration and price excluding international flights: 14 days from £1,379 per person
- Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 15 days from £1,879 per person
- Single room supplement: From £100
- Walking grade: Demanding
- Guiding: Guided Group
- Max alt: 2,100m
- Group size: 4-12
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When to go: View Dates & Prices
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Route map:
View map 
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What’s included
- Hotel x 9 nights, simple homestay x 3 nights, traditional yurt camp x 1 night
- 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 12 dinners
- Experienced English-speaking guide
Next Steps
Dates & Prices
Choose your preferred departure date from the 2 options below, then make a no obligation booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Price From (Exc. Flights) | Holiday Status | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All prices are per person. All our guided group trips have the option to be taken as a private guided itinerary. * Available: this holiday is available to book. ** Guaranteed: this holiday is available to book and is guaranteed to run. *** Fully Booked: if your preferred holiday is full we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details. | |||||
| 2024 | 26 May | 8 Jun | £1,489 | Available* | Book or Enquire |
| 2024 | 8 Sep | 21 Sep | £1,489 | Available* | Book or Enquire |
If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.
