Traverse landscapes of alpine lakes and mountains, only interrupted by yurts, on this 17-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Discover the ancient trading square of Registan, see the blue-tiled Madrassas in Samarkand and explore the ruins at Panjakent – once the capital of the ancient Sogdiana country on the Silk Road. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the Kokomeren River, learn how Kyzyl-Oi locals cook their favourite snack and travel along the Chychkan River, which cuts through the Tien Shan Mountain Range.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Bishkek, Kokand, Khuja
Tashkent, Bishkek, Kokand, Khujand, Panjakent, Samarkand, Issyk-Kul Lake, Song-Kol Lake, Kyzyl-Oi, Kok-Bel, Osh
Very impressed and exceeded our expectations. Great group of like minded people that were on our tour and we all got on so well. With ages spanning over 30 years that’s a pretty pleasing result!!
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Bishkek, Ghazza, Khuja
Tashkent, Bishkek, Ghazza, Khujand, Samarkand, Aydar Kŭl, Bukhara, Chong Kemin, Khiva, Song Kul, Tamga Village, Karakol, Saty, Almaty, Dushanbe
This trip was the best group tour I’ve ever taken in 25 years. It wasn’t perfect, but the combination of Itinerary, sites visited, transportation and guides/ground staff made it an excellent trip. (Victoria, Muftuna and Slava)
Look the Accommodation wasn’t consistent, it was either magnificent like The Elements in Tashkent or poor like Hotel Maroqanda in Samakand but the local guides had passion for the their towns, the sites we saw over the 13 days were mind blowing and the local people we met were so friendly.
A big thank you to Andrew in your UK office for keeping this trip running despite it having to run in reverse order because of the sudden change on the Turkmenistan side.
Some days were very long, the pace was full on despite ‚free afternoons‘ but there was so much to see and do.
The border crossing was a 4 hour challenge but we made it through.
I would 100% recommend this trip and suggest you personally add a few days before and after the trip for more exploring.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
I'm finally writing my review after being home for a month. What an interesting trip. Great people along the way, marvelous scenery in both the cities and the countryside. The accommodation ranged from 5 star to quirky and the hosts were always warm and welcoming. The homestays were a highlight with lovely people in stunning settings. All the guides (and drivers) were knowledgeable and ready to share their knowledge of the sites around us. The trip was a great highlight of central Asia and I would go back in a shot.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Almaty, Penjikent, Isk
Ashgabat, Almaty, Penjikent, Iskanderkul, Dushanbe, Khujand, Fergana, Osh, Arslanbob, Chychkan, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
We waited a long time for this trip to reappear and it didn't disappoint. It packs a lot into the three weeks and covers a lot of ground by bus, train and an internal flight. Not for the faint-hearted, sometimes challenging, but very rewarding to visit these emerging countries.
Altogether we had 4 tour leaders/guides who worked hard to make this trip go smoothly for everyone.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort, Tent
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Seven Lakes
Ashgabat, Bishkek, Seven Lakes, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Darvaza, Chon Kemin , Issyk-Kul Lake, Karakol, Almaty, Dushanbe, Fann Mountains
A spectacular journey of discovery in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Step into the heart of Central Asia on this in-depth journey through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, two historically rich countries shaped by centuries of conquest and trade. Trace the footsteps of Alexander the Great, whose empire once spanned from Greece to India. And follow the ancient Silk Road, where caravans carried silk, spices, ideas and cultures between China and the Mediterranean.
With expert local guides in each country, explore some of the oldest cities in the world including Samarkand and Bukhara, where minarets, mosques, and bazaars evoke the splendour of empires past. And venture beyond the well-trodden path to discover Tajikistan’s alpine lakes and dramatic mountain landscapes.
Stay in a traditional village homestay, experiencing the warmth of Central Asian hospitality, with comfortable accommodations throughout.
Whether you’re captivated by ancient history, drawn to the romance of the Silk Road, or simply seek to explore this fascinating crossroads of civilisations, this guided journey offers an unforgettable window into Central Asia.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
To see all five Stans in Central Asia, this epic trip will start in the grand Ashgabat of Turkmenistan, explore Samarkand in Uzbekistan, then head to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. See the best of the Silk Road and deep dive into the fascinating history, captivating landscapes and beautiful culture that’s intertwined throughout this region. You'll stay in yurts near Lake Issyk-Kul, explore Registan Square in Samarkand and watch the eternal flame of Darvaza Crater – a 70-m-wide hole in the Karakum Desert known as ‘The Gates of Hell’. From wide open plains full of wild horses to homestays and dinners with locals, there’s so much to see, do and learn in this region – so why not spend 24 days uncovering all you can, with a local leader by your side?
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A journey through the epicentre of Silk Road history. Travel back in time along the fabled Silk Road on this expertly guided adventure through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. From the dazzling Registan, Samarkand’s historic centre, the maze-like lanes of Bukhara to the crumbling mudbrick ruins of Merv and the grand marble monuments of Ashgabat, this immersive 14-day journey reveals the layered history, artistry and diversity of Central Asia.
Explore ancient desert cities, grand mosques and vibrant bazaars once vital to traders, conquerors and scholars. Cross remote borders, meet skilled artisans, and uncover archaeological treasures alongside knowledgeable local guides.
This is an unforgettable cultural journey through one of the world’s great crossroads.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mysticism on this 19-day adventure through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Walk in the shadows of ancient, blue-tiled buildings in Samarkand, tap into the local way of living with home stays and yurt stays, watch the sun set over technicolour minarets in Khiva, toast to the eternal fire at Darvaza Crater and revel in the eastern-futurism of Ashgabat. Step off the beaten track and onto the ancient Silk Road in this revelatory tour through ancient lands.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
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
Journey back to the days of the Great Silk Road on a 18-day Premium adventure through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Tashkent, marvel at the glorious architecture in Samarkand, discover the holy sites of Bukhara and visit the ancient monuments of Khiva. Join a local family for a traditional cooking class and get to know the ins and outs of an Uzbek village. Visit Sharyn Canyon, Skazka Canyon and Jety Oguz Valley and take hikes to soak up the scenery. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp alongside the massive alpine lake of Issyk Kul. See the monuments, learn the histories and dive into the local cultures of main cities like Bishkek and Almaty. Visit a family-owned winery for a tasting, head to a small local village for a traditional lunch and enjoy a masterclass of local cuisine from a Dungan family. With all this and more, what’s holding you back from your next adventure?
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Embark on an unforgettable cultural journey through the heart of Uzbekistan — a land where ancient traditions meet breathtaking architecture and vibrant everyday life. Your adventure begins in Tashkent, the dynamic capital where you'll explore the spiritual center of the Khast-Imam Complex, home to the famed Quran of Caliph Uthman, and experience the lively rhythms of daily life at the colorful Chorsu Bazaar. Marvel at the blend of Islamic and Soviet-era architecture as you stroll through wide boulevards and charming courtyards. Next, travel to Bukhara, one of Central Asia’s most sacred cities, where history whispers from every brick. Walk through narrow, sun-drenched alleyways and discover masterpieces like the intricately patterned Samanid Mausoleum — one of the oldest Islamic monuments in the region — and the mighty Ark Fortress, once home to emirs and their courts. Wander through bustling market domes and peaceful madrassahs, where the scent of spices and the shimmer of handwoven textiles fill the air. In Samarkand, the fabled crossroads of the Silk Road, uncover a stunning mosaic of cultures and beliefs. Admire the soaring tile-clad minarets and turquoise domes of Registan Square, explore the Jewish Quarter with its centuries-old synagogue, and feel a sense of serenity at the Nakshbandi Sufi complex. Visit the Ulugbek Observatory, where 15th-century astronomers studied the stars, and the Afrosiab Museum, which reveals layers of ancient history buried beneath this iconic city. From sacred shrines and glittering domes to vibrant bazaars and scholarly legacies, this immersive journey offers a rare glimpse into Uzbekistan’s soul. As you bid farewell, you'll carry with you unforgettable impressions of a land rich in beauty, hospitality, and timeless heritage.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers