Get a taste of Central Asia's charm on this 16-day trip through ancient silk road towns and bustling bazaars. Visit four out of the five Stans as you travel the Kazak steppe and Uzbek Silk Road towns by train. Starting in Bishkek, visit the clear waters of Issyk-kul Lake, cross the border to the charming Almaty, catch an overnight train to Uzbekistan and seek out the delicious plov, then explore the white marbled capital of Ashgabat. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp near Issyk-kul Lake, hike the flaming red rocks at Jety Ogus, toast with locally produced wine to a Kazak home-cooked feast and learn about the full Silk Road history in the blue-hued mosques, madrasas and ruins in Samarkand, Bukhara and Merv.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This is a totally epic 37-day adventure through Central Asia – a region combining Silk Road history, Soviet influence, nomadic living and scenic natural beauty. Journey from the shining capital of Astana to the whitewashed Ashgabat, taking your time to savour the nuances of different Stans along the way. Come face to face with the iconic architecture, rub shoulders with locals in the bazaars, stay in yurt camps and stand in front of the ever-burning crater - ‘The Gates of Hell’. Experience life well off the tourist track and explore a region that’s been the confluence of so many cultures and people throughout history – all with highly experienced local leaders by your side.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Follow one of the world's most well renowned highways; the Silk Road. This expedition will take you through some of the oldest cities in the world, discover the ancient trading routes through the 'Stan's' starting in the Turkmenistan capital, Ashgabat, which holds the Guinness world record for the most-white marble on Earth. We'll also stop off in splendored Old Registan in Uzbekistan. Once we reach Tajikistan there will be the chance to hike in the Fann Mountains and visit the tallest waterfall in the country before we drive along the spectacular Pamir Highway between Dushanbe and Osh. Our tour ends in the City of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan.
Join this challenging expedition along ancient trading routes, following in the tracks of the old Silk Road. Discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend. Visit the legendary 'Stan's' taking in the bizarre city of Ashgabat and the splendour of the Old Registan in Uzbekistan. Get outdoors in Tajikistan and hike in the Fann Mountains. Kyrgyzstan amazes with it's deep mountain lakes and perennially snow-capped peaks, before crossing the mighty Torugat Pass and traversing the whole of China. Pandas, Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall all await! We travel on one of our overland trucks as far as Kyrgyzstan and then by trains and local transport through China.
Join this overland adventure through Turkey, the Caucasus states of Georgia and Armenia before travelling across the Caspian Sea and ending in the isolated desert country of Turkmenistan. From Istanbul to Ashgabat, this trip is full of fascinating and varied history, demonstrating the contested and often turbulent past of this relatively unknown region. Those who do travel here are rewarded with breathtaking scenery from stunning snowy mountains to seemingly endless desert, ancient and medieval sites that rival and often outdo any found in Europe, and a wide array of eclectic cultures, with consistently friendly and welcoming locals.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Ashgabat, Cappadocia
Istanbul, Ashgabat, Cappadocia, Tbilisi, Yerevan, Baku
Follow one of the world's most well renowned highways; the Silk Road. This fantastic expedition will take you through some of the oldest cities and ancient trading routes in the world, you will also discover the stunning scenery as you get off the beaten track and into the wilderness of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Home-stay, Hostel, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Issyk Kul, Kunye Urgench, Bukhara, Samarkand, Dushanbe
A sweeping and varied expedition that has it all - majestic vistas with snow-capped mountains and crystal clear lakes, buzzing modern cities, ancient sites embedded in the history of Central Asia and a mixture of cultures, flavours and sights that will constantly surprise you. Follow the ancient traders of the Silk Road and through the heart of Asia on this once in a lifetime overland adventure!
Beginning in the cosmopolitan and multicultural capital of Georgia, travel south through the Lower Caucasus to Yerevan. From here we will either enter Azerbaijan and cross the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan, or, take the southern route through Iran. From Ashgabat we embark on a journey through The 'Stans', including a drive on the iconic Pamir Highway before ending at the foothills of High Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This overland adventure offers the very best of Central Asia: be it stunning mountain scenery, vast desert landscapes, or ancient historic sites, there is something for everyone.
Note: The land borders to Azerbaijan are currently closed and so we cannot operate this trip via that route. Instead we are currently taking our Iranian route. We will make a final decision on which route each departure takes a few months before it leaves, based on the current situation with border closures, the schedules & reliability of the Caspian Sea ferries, and the regional security situation.
Starting in the heart of Asia you will feel as if you have almost returned to Europe. You will encounter friendly locals, a diverse and long history, a unique and varied culture, lively and cosmopolitan cities, and vast, stunning landscapes that range from arid desert to rugged mountains, with dense forests and snow-capped peaks as we reach the Caucus states of Armenia and Georgia.
Discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend, from Troy in Turkey, Baku - the largest city on the Caspian Sea to the legendary 'Stans'. Experience the incredibly diverse landscapes from the baron desert in Turkmenistan to the high mountain passes in Tajikistan.
Join this Overland adventure and follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Marco Polo on this groundbreaking expedition along ancient trading routes. Discover some of the oldest cities in the world steeped in history and legend, from Troy in Turkey to Baku in Azerbaijan. Visit the legendary 'Stan's' taking in the bizarre city of Ashgabat and the splendour of the Old Registan in Uzbekistan.
Set off on an extraordinary overland journey through 16 countries, starting in the lively city of Istanbul, situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. From this vibrant hub, follow the ancient Silk Road, a historic trade route that meanders through rich cultures and captivating landscapes, guiding you deep into the heart of China. Along this iconic route, immerse yourself in the diverse customs and traditions of each region, uncovering the often-turbulent histories that have shaped them.
Your adventure will lead you through a breathtaking variety of landscapes, from the expansive green grasslands of Central Asia to the stark beauty of arid deserts, and from the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the lush, dense rainforests of Southeast Asia. Each setting offers unique opportunities for exploration and adventure, whether it’s trekking through towering mountains or navigating the bustling markets of vibrant cities.
As you traverse some of the world's most dynamic and chaotic urban centers, you’ll feel the vibrant pulse of life in places rich with energy and character. Concluding in the ultra-modern metropolis of Singapore, this journey promises not only stunning vistas but also transformative experiences that will create lasting memories of an unforgettable adventure.