‘Stan’s’ of the Silk Road

Depart NZ with an overnight stop en-route, before arriving at Tashkent International Airport late afternoon, where you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and start taking in your new surroundings, before dinner with fellow guests this evening.

You’ll begin the day at Amir Timur Square, featuring a statue of the national hero, Tamerlane, before continuing to Independence Square, the largest public square in the former Soviet Union. You’ll also visit the State Art Museum of Uzbekistan, home to an impressive collection of Uzbek and Russian paintings, textiles, jewellery, wood carvings, and ceramics. In Old Tashkent, explore the beautifully restored Barak- Khan complex and the Hast Imam Library, said to house one of the world’s oldest Qurans. Continue to the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, then experience a ride on the architecturally distinctive Tashkent Metro, renowned for its beautifully decorated stations.

Conclude the city tour with a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in a charming 19th Century mansion showcasing traditional Uzbek craftsmanship. Later in the evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Urgench, where upon arrival you’ll transfer to Khiva and check in to your hotel.

According to legend, Khiva was founded when Shem, son of Noah, discovered a well at this very spot. By the 8th century it had grown into a fortified Silk Road trading post, and in the early 16th century it became the capital of the Timurid Empire — the seat of the khanate for nearly three centuries. Remote and notoriously difficult to reach before Russian conquest in the 19th century, Khiva today stands as one of Central Asia’s most remarkably preserved walled cities. Walking its narrow streets, it’s easy to imagine daily life during the era of the great khans.

Your guided tour takes in the Ichon-Qala gates, the Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan Madrasas, Tosh- Khovli Palace, and the striking Islom-Huja Madrasa and Minaret. The morning begins with a leisurely walk through the ruins, mosques and alleyways.

After breakfast, you transfer to the Uzbek–Turkmen border crossing at Shavat. Once formalities are complete, your Turkmen guide will meet you and accompany you to Dashoguz, where you’ll enjoy lunch and visit the city’s key sights before setting out on the drive south into the Karakum Desert.

Along the way, a stop at a traditional nomadic village offers a fascinating glimpse into desert life. As daylight fades, you arrive at one of Turkmenistan’s most extraordinary sights: the Darvaza Gas Crater, widely known as the “Door to Hell.” In 1971, Soviet geologists accidentally caused the ground beneath their drilling rig to collapse, exposing a vast underground cavern of natural gas. Rather than risk the spread of toxic fumes, they set it alight — expecting it to burn out within days. More than fifty years on, it’s still burning. Dinner tonight is enjoyed under the open sky, with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt camp beside the crater.

Departing the crater this morning, you drive south to Ashgabat and check in to your hotel before beginning a city tour of Turkmenistan’s remarkable marble capital. Highlights include the Olympic Stadium, the Monument and Park of Independence, the main flagpole, Arch of Neutrality, Constitution Monument, Ferris Wheel and Wedding Palace. A panoramic viewpoint above the city sets the scene.

This afternoon, you venture to the ancient Nissa Fortress — Sanctuary of the Parthian Kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Nissa is believed to have served as the royal necropolis, though its precise purpose remains the subject of scholarly debate. The ruins lie around 18 km from the city centre, near the village of Bagyr.

The day begins with a visit to the Altyn Asyr Oriental Bazaar (open Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), also known as Jygyldyk Bazaar, located around 20 km north of Ashgabat. One of the largest open- air markets in the world, it’s a riot of colour and commerce — Turkmen carpets, rugs, jewellery, silk, traditional clothing and even livestock all on offer. Alternatively, you may visit Gulistan Bazaar, one of Ashgabat’s oldest covered markets, where the ground floor offers fresh produce, spices, nuts and dairy, while the upper level is devoted to clothing, souvenirs and local crafts.

Following this the Turkmen Carpet Museum awaits — widely regarded as one of the finest carpet collections in Central Asia, with around 2,000 carpets on display. Tribal designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor peoples are all represented, alongside two world-record holders: the smallest carpet ever made (designed to hold keys) and the world’s largest handmade carpet (301 m²), woven in 2001 and recognised by the Guinness Book of Records in 2003.

The afternoon is spent at a horse stable to meet the legendary Akhal-Teke — Turkmenistan’s national horse and one of the oldest pure breeds on earth. Prized for over 5,000 years and reportedly among the favoured mounts of Alexander the Great and Darius I, these animals are revered for their speed, elegance and beauty.

Today you drive to Mary (approximately 390 km) to explore ancient Merv, once celebrated as the “Queen of the World” and one of the great capitals of the Islamic world, rivalling Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus in it’s prime.

Crossing back into Uzbekistan this morning, you complete border formalities at the Turkmen–Uzbek crossing before meeting your Uzbek guide and continuing to Bukhara. This afternoon brings your first taste of the city on a walking tour of its historic centre — one of the best places in Central Asia to experience the atmosphere of pre-Russian Central Asia. A protected architectural preserve, the old city is home to a massive royal fortress (the Ark), centuries-old madrasas, ancient hammams and the remnants of a once- thriving market complex.

A full day to discover Bukhara’s old quarter on foot. The city is alive with bustling trade domes, vibrant mosques and the iconic Kalyan Minaret — known locally as the “Tower of Death” — one of the tallest structures in Central Asia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bukhara’s mosques built between the 11th and 15th centuries have been painstakingly restored to their former magnificence. Some structures date back to Zoroastrian times, nearly 2,500 years ago.

Your tour includes the Ark fortress with its emir’s open-air throne room, the exquisitely crafted Mausoleum of Ismail Samani (10th century), and an excursion to the city outskirts to visit the last emir’s summer palace, built with the assistance of a Russian tsar and featuring grand reception halls and a harem. The day ends at Char Minar, the four-towered gateway of a long-vanished madrasa. Built in 1809, its design reflects Indian artistic influence rather than local tradition — a striking anomaly in this most central Asian city.

A full day at leisure in Bukhara. Take the opportunity to revisit favourite corners of the old town, browse the craft bazaars for textiles and ceramics, relax in one of the courtyard cafés, or simply soak up the atmosphere of one of Central Asia’s most beautiful cities.

An early start today for Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Timur (Tamerlane), one of history’s most formidable conquerors. Here you’ll explore the Ak Saray Palace, Kok Gumbaz Mosque, the House of Meditation and Timur’s Crypt. Though only fragments of the Ak Saray remain, its soaring 40-metre entrance — decorated with intricate blue, white and gold mosaics — still conveys something of the breathtaking grandeur of what was once Timur’s summer palace.

Onwards to Samarkand: a city woven into legend and often spoken of alongside mythical places such as Atlantis or Timbuktu. Arriving in the late afternoon, wander through the old bazaars as the colours, aromas and lively sounds of this ancient city embrace you.

Often called the “Rome of the Orient,” Samarkand was thriving long before either Rome or Babylon came to prominence. Your full-day tour opens at Registan Square — the historic heart of the city — where three magnificent madrasas face each other across a vast ceremonial plaza. From here you’ll visit the majestic Bibi Khanum Mosque, the Mausoleum of Tamerlane (Gur-e-Amir) and the Observatory of Ulugbek. A walk through the regal Shah-i-Zinda mausoleums is followed by a stroll through the lively market beside Bibi Khanum Mosque. Here you can sample Samarkand’s famous bread, so prized that even Alexander the Great reportedly tried, and failed, to replicate it in Greece, along with fresh grapes and some of the world’s finest melons.

Crossing into Tajikistan at the Panjakent border, you meet your Tajik guide before heading into the western Fann Mountains to visit the famous Seven Lakes (approximately 80 km from Panjakent), passing through Sarazm, some of the oldest settlements in Central Asia.

The Seven Lakes of Marguzor are a natural wonder, each displaying its own distinctive hues, calming turquoise fading to mesmerising purple, set within dramatic mountain scenery. After a picnic lunch amid this stunning landscape, you return to Panjakent for a wander through the vibrant bazaar.

Setting off for Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, you pause en route at Iskander Kul, a serene alpine lake perched at around 2,200 metres, framed by rugged peaks and lush meadows. Named after Alexander the Great, who is said to have camped on its shores, the lake is the perfect spot to stretch your legs, take a short walk and capture some memorable photographs. Continuing through ever-changing mountain scenery, you arrive in Dushanbe for your first evening in the capital.

Your morning is spent at Hissar Fortress, the historic palace of the Bukhara Emirate’s regional governors (beks). Behind its thick walls once lay a pool, garden and palace, overlooking a busy market and caravanserai. Today, portions of the walls and gate towers remain, showcasing 18th- and 19th-century architecture, alongside an 8th-century mosque that reflects the site’s enduring importance as a centre of commerce and learning. You’ll also explore the Old Madressa (a place where learning and studying are done or a school) dating back to the 16th Century, and the caravan Saray.

This afternoon, the Museum of National Antiquities reveals Tajikistan’s pre-Islamic civilisations, including a remarkable 1,500-year-old reclining Buddha statue. The day concludes with a relaxed stroll around the Ismoili Somoni Monument and Rudaki Park, followed by a tasting of traditional Tajik tea and freshly baked bread at a local Choikhona teahouse.

Driving north to Khujand, you stop at Istaravshan to visit the Hazrat Shah Architectural Complex, and the ancient Mug Teppe settlement. Continuing to Khujand, your afternoon city tour takes in Timurmalik Fortress, the Khujand Museum and Panjshanbe Bazaar — a vibrant local market perfect for people-watching and picking up regional produce.

After breakfast, you cross the Tajik–Uzbek border at Patar-Andarhon and head into the fertile Fergana Valley, stopping at Kokand to visit the Khan Palace Museum and the renowned Rishtan ceramic workshops, where skilled artisans can be seen crafting traditional pottery using techniques unchanged for centuries.

In Margilan, a visit to the Silk Ikat Weaving Centre offers a fascinating insight into the full process of handwoven silk and ikat production, and a wonderful opportunity to shop for exquisite local textiles, bringing home a piece of the region’s extraordinary craft heritage should you wish to.

Today you cross into Kyrgyzstan at the Dostyk border, where your Kyrgyz guide joins the group. Continuing to Osh, one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, your guided tour includes a visit to Suleiman-Too Sacred Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great cultural and spiritual significance to the peoples of the region. This evening you fly from Osh to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, where you transfer to your hotel.

The morning is spent at Ala-Archa National Park, around 41 km from Bishkek on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Range. With elevations spanning 1,600 to 4,860 metres, the park is threaded by the Ala-Archa River and characterised by mountain meadows, piedmont steppes and dense forests. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by some of Kyrgyzstan’s most dramatic alpine scenery.

Back in Bishkek this afternoon, a city tour includes Victory Square, the Russian Orthodox Church, Osh Market, Ala-Too Square and the History Museum.

Heading east this morning, a memorable stop at the ancient Burana Tower sets the tone for the day. Surrounded by stone grave markers, burial mounds and the remnants of three mausoleums, this solitary minaret is all that remains of Balasagun, a city founded by the Karakhanids in the late 9th century.

Nearby, you have the rare opportunity to watch Kok-Boru (also known as Buz-Kashi), Kyrgyzstan’s electrifying national horse game, which bears comparison to polo for its speed and physicality. A living tradition that has shaped nomadic culture for centuries. It’s sure to leave an impression!

Lunch is enjoyed as a guest of a local family, before you continue to Chon Kemin Natural Park, a sweeping valley framed by mountains and dense forest. The afternoon is spent on a gentle hike through the valley or, if preferred, on a peaceful horseback ride along forested trails. The views from the top of the gorge are simply spectacular.

This morning, a visit to Kyzyl-Tuu village, known as the “Town of Yurt Masters” offers a hands-on insight into one of Central Asia’s most enduring traditions. A local Kyrgyz family demonstrates how traditional yurts are constructed, and you are invited to take part in assembling one yourself.

After lunch with the yurt masters, the group continues to Jaychi, where a local eagle hunter introduces you to the ancient art of falconry with a golden eagle, a truly extraordinary cultural encounter. By late afternoon you arrive at your yurt camp, where dinner and an overnight stay beneath the stars await.

Driving towards Karakol, you stop at the Djety Oguz Gorge, the “Gorge of Seven Red Bulls” widely regarded as one of Kyrgyzstan’s most beautiful natural landscapes. A short hike through the dramatic red rock formations and into the alpine meadows beyond is a highlight of the journey.

Lunch is enjoyed in Yrdyk, an ethnic Dungan village, offering a taste of this fascinating Chinese-Muslim culture. Arriving in Karakol this afternoon, enjoy a visit to a Russian Orthodox Church (1885) and a city tour of notable figures and historic places that have been formative in the story of Karakol.

Crossing into Kazakhstan through the Kegen border, you arrive at Saty Village and board 4WD vehicles for the drive into Kaindy Gorge. Kaindy Lake is nestled among magnificent pine forests at 2,000 metres above sea level. Its origin is as dramatic as its appearance. In 1911, a powerful earthquake triggered a landslide that dammed the valley
and flooded it, creating the lake. The cold water has preserved the submerged pine trees perfectly, their ghostly trunks still visible through the turquoise surface. No photograph truly does it justice. After hiking and exploring the gorge, you visit Kolsai Lake before returning to Saty Village for the night.

This morning, you depart for Almaty via Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s greatest natural spectacles. Stretching 154 km along the Charyn River and located around 195 km east of Almaty near the Chinese border, the canyon’s sedimentary rock formations have been sculpted over 12 million years into walls rising between 150 and 300 metres. The scale and colour of the landscape are breathtaking.

Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in the ethnic Uyghur village of Bayseit, where the cuisine reflects the region’s rich cultural blend. You then continue to Almaty.

Your city tour of Kazakhstan’s cultural capital opens on Arbat Street, a lively pedestrian precinct known for its fountains, street performers and local artists, before moving to Panfilov Park, home to the spectacular
Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings, and the National Musical Instruments Museum with its collection of traditional Kazakh instruments dating to the 17th century. The morning concludes at the vibrant Green Bazaar, where local flavours and fresh produce provide a fitting send-off for the tour.

This afternoon, you drive into the Tian Shan Mountains to the scenic Medeu Gorge, famous for its natural beauty and high-altitude speed skating rink. A cable car ride to Shymbulak Ski Resort rewards with sweeping panoramic views, and a mountain café provides the perfect spot to reflect on the journey.

Returning to the city, a visit to the Central State Museum, including a replica of the iconic Golden Man, is followed by a stop at Republic Square and its Obelisk of Independence. The evening closes with a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Bidding a sad farewell to fellow travellers and this amazing destination we make our way homeward with an overnight stay en-route to help you to arrive home in the best condition possible, heads full of many wonderful adventures and unforgettable experiences of five remarkable countries and an extraordinary journey across the heart of Central Asia.