Silk Road Adventure

Departing: Tashkent - 21 days
Countries visited: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan & China

Stunning mountain scenery, ancient Silk Road cities and the bustling markets of the Fergana Valley are just a few of the highlights on this brilliant journey along some of the least travelled sections of the Silk Road.

Itinerary

Days 1-2. Tashkent
Arrival into the Uzbek capital and a chance to explore the old town and Chorsu Bazaar.

Days 3-4. The Fergana Valley
To Kokand and the potters town of Rishton then continuing through the valley we visit the silk producing town of Margilan where the friendly locals still dress in traditional costume and with hardly a tourist in sight, take pleasure in the sights, sounds and aromas of the most interesting bazaar in the Fergana Valley.

Day 5. Osh then to Sary Tash
Strategically located at the western gateway to the Fergana Valley, Osh prospered with Silk Road trade until the Mongol armies destroyed the city in the 13th century.

Day 6. Across the Irkeshtam Pass to Kashgar
There is little traffic and apart from a few other small settlements in the river valleys the country is strangely alluring with its barren and rugged landscape. We steadily climb through the Tien Shan Mountains to the newly opened Irkeshtam Pass enroute to the legendary Silk Road market town of Kashgar.

Days 7-8. Kashgar
To the legendary Silk Road market town of Kashgar. Located between the massive mountain ranges of the Tien Shan to the north, the Pamir to the west, the Karakoram to the south and the largest desert in Asia, the Taklamakan to the east.

Day 9. To Tash Rabat Caravanserai
Travelling over the Torugart Pass (3752m) to Tash Rabat Caravanserai past yurts, traditional home to Central Asia's nomads. Tash Rabat, one of the few remaining caravanserai of the Silk Road, is a large impressive stone shelter in a beautiful valley setting and dates from the 10th century.

Days 10-11. To Lake Issyk Kul
Travelling north the road cuts through the rugged Kyrgyz Steppe and spectacular mountains can be seen enroute to Naryn. Surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Tien Shan, Lake Issyk Kul (warm lake) is one of the world's largest bodies of fresh water and, despite an altitude of 1,600 metres, never freezes.

Days 12-13. Bishkek
Continuing northwest & onto Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan where we visit the alpine scenery of Al Archa Canyon.

Days 14-15. Bishkek to Bukhara
We leave the lakeside scenery and high plains of central Kyrgyzstan and travel by air to Tashkent. After a day in the Uzbek capital we take the overnight train to Bukhara.

Days 16-17. Bukhara
Alive with history, the Ark Fortress, the Samanid Mausoleum, one of the world's oldest monuments and the Kalyan Minaret standing at 47 metres makes it one of the tallest in Central Asia. At the covered bazaars, rugs, silks and spices are still traded in a time-honoured tradition dating back centuries.

Day 18. To Samarkand via Shakrisabz
Our drive into the Zerafshan Mountains provides us with magnificent views as we travel to Shakrisabz, birthplace of Tamerlane, and where the ruined entrance towers of his Ak-Serai Palace still stand. Shakrisabz is a pretty market town with winding mud lanes of traditional homes and a relaxed atmosphere among its many mosques and teahouses. This afternoon we arrive in Samarkand.

Days 19-20. Samarkand
No city is so evocative of the Silk Road as 'golden' Samarkand. Registan Square is the most spectacular architectural ensemble in Central Asia. Made up of three madrasas (places of learning) and a mosque, this beautiful square is inspiring. Other highlights include Shah-i-Zinda, the narrow alley of tombs and mausoleums, Bibi Khanym Mosque and the Ulug Bek Observatory. We return to Tashkent and spend the evening in the Uzbek capital.

Day 21. Tashkent
This incredible journey, tracing the path of defeats and victories, of births and deaths, ends where it all began.

Essentials

Group Size
15 maximum, plus Tour Leader.

Accommodation
Hotels & Guesthouses - 15 nights (twin share)
Traditional Yurt - 1 night (shared)
Homestay - 3 nights (shared)
Train - 1 night (4 berth)
A single supplement is not available on this journey.

Meals
Breakfast (19), lunch (5), dinner (5).

Travel by
4 wheel-drive jeep or mini bus/van: subject to group size.
Local Flight: Between Bishkek and Tashkent.
Overnight Train: Between Tashkent and Bukhara
Other: For 'Scheduled Sightseeing' we generally use the same vehicles as for the overland sections and for 'City Exploring' we use local taxis, public transport and go on foot.

Sightseeing
Scheduled Sightseeing is part of the itinerary and includes all transport, entrance fees and English speaking local guide. The main highlight and attraction of this journey is the incredible mountain scenery along the way and the many remote villages and mountain passes that we encounter, however 'Scheduled Sightseeing' is provided in the following cities: Tashkent, Kashgar, Bishkek, Samarkand, Shakrisabz, Bukhara and the Fergana Valley. Full details in the Trip Dossier. City Exploring is further sightseeing outside the itinerary guideline, with the Group Leader.

Visas
Required for Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan and China. Sundowners Overland will provide all required invitation letters and full visa support including detailed visa guidelines.