The Five Stans of the Silk Road

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

After breakfast, we head to Nisa, an ancient Persian-era fortress, the former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire, which controlled much of the region from Iraq to Pakistan 2,000 years ago. The ruins here were declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2007. Afterwards, we visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan located about a 20 minute drive from the ruins of the Parthian Fortress of Nisa.

Mid afternoon, we head north in a 4×4 convoy into the Karakum Desert, some 4hr 30min drive (161mi/260km) away, to a massive burning gas crater known as the Door to Hell in a remote part of the Darvaza region. In the 1970s, Soviet engineers looking for natural gas deposits came across this area. Attempting to assess the amount of gas present they set up a drill. The drill collapsed, exposing a big crater and seeping methane gas into the air. The engineers decided to set the gas alight in the belief that it would burn off within a few weeks. More than 45 years later, it is still burning. We enjoy a barbeque dinner near the crater and stay overnight in yurts very nearby. Seeing the burning crater by night is a unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: Yurt camp

This morning after breakfast we transfer to Dashoguz,the capital city of northern Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz Province, and check into our hotel. The region around Dashoguz was part of the ancient Silk Road trade routes that connected East and West.

In the afternoon, we visit Kunya-Urgench situated on the left bank of the Amu Daria River (approximately 1h30 drive from Dashoguz). Kunya-Urgench, also known as Old Urgench, was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town contains a series of monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret. The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India.

Accommodation: Classic hotel

After breakfast, we drive to the Shavat border post and say goodbye to our Turkmen leader and cross into Uzbekistan where we meet our Uzbek leader and drive to Khiva, arriving early afternoon. We have some time to relax, then take a walking tour of the walled city – the Itchan Kala. Often described as an open-air living museum, the Itchan Kala is Khiva’s perfectly restored old city and includes the coloured tiled base of the never completed Kalta Minar, (originally planned to be taller than any minaret in Bukhara), the Kunya-Ark 12th century fortress – the former residence of the Khiva khans, and the beautiful mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud (Khiva’s patron saint) with its tiled courtyard. Many wedding parties and pilgrims come to visit the tomb and drink the water from the well in the courtyard. We also visit Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah, the Juma mosque – supported by 218 wooden carved columns, Tash Khauli palaces, and Allakuli Khan Madrassah. We also explore artisan workshops where we see technology behind the production of Khiva wool, silk carpets, embroidery, ceramics, and wood inlay.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

After breakfast, we head off to the arid plains of Khorezm. These plains were once densely populated marshland, inhabited by Messagetae Scythians. These horseback archers were nomadic and fought to retain the land, even defeating Cyrus The Great, a Persian emperor in BC 529. We visit the 2000-year-old ruined city fortress of Toprak- Qala, dramatically located with the Sultan Vais Mountains acting as a backdrop. The settlement began in the first century BC under Kushan patronage and was later devastated by Turkish raids that led to the depopulation of the town in the sixth century. There are still three large round towers and an impressive portion of the citadel that still remain, but the parchments and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and finally Ayaz-Qala, an imposing hilltop fortress dating from the sixth-century. We later return to Khiva for the night.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

Today we drive to Bukhara (480 km/7-8 hours), one of the most ancient cities of the East. We drive through the Kyzylkum desert and make some photo stops in the desert and on the banks of the Amu Darya (Oxus) River.

After arriving in Bukhara we check in to our hotel and have the evening free to relax after our long journey.

Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)

The 2,000-year-old city of Bukhara has an old centre that evokes the many centuries of traders and travellers who’ve passed through here on their way between the Mediterranean and China. We spend the day exploring this fascinating city, including a visit to the historic Lyabi Khauz architectural complex, which has the oldest reflective pool in Central Asia. It is surrounded by medieval buildings, including the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah and Khanaka, which has a façade of intricate mosaics. We also visit Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum – a sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring believed to have healing properties, the Mausoleum of the Samanids – the family tomb of the rulers of Bukhara, the oldest in Central Asia; Ark Citadel – the residence of Bukhara’s rulers since the first century AD; the Poi Kalyan Complex, home to the 157ft (48m) high Kalyan Minaret, which has come to symbolise the city; the Kalyan Mosque with 288 domes covering galleries below, Nodir Divanbegi Madrasah, and Chor-Minor – a small mosque of an original form with four minarets.

Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)

This morning, we uncover more Bukharan history and culture as we explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, the summer palace of the emirs. The palace rooms are richly decorated with magnificent paintings, stucco, wood carvings and ganch. After lunch, we have a four to five hours’ drive (186mi/300km) to the other great Silk Road city, Samarkand. We break up the journey with a short stop at Gijduvan, where we will visit the house of the famous dynasty of pottery masters – the Narzullaevs. Continue on to Samarkand.

Accommodation: Kavsar Dilshoda/Malika Prime (or similar)

Possibly the most famous of the Silk Road cities, Samarkand has blue-tiled buildings that dazzle in the bright sun. Steeped in history, dating back 2,500 years and impacted by such figures as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, who made it the capital of his empire in the 14th century, it is home to one of the world’s great squares – Registan Square, surrounded on three sides by the madrassahs of Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori. It is said the square and madrassah influenced other sites, including the great square in Isfahan, Iran, and the Taj Mahal in India.

The city was the capital of the great Tamerlane and we spend the day visiting a number of Tamerlane-era sites, including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, burial place of Tamerlane, his sons and his grandson, Ulughbek. The Ulugbek Observatory built in 1420 by Tamerlane’s grandson who was not just a ruler but also a well-known astronomer. We move on to the oversized Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi Zinda – the ‘Living King’ necropolis – with its series of mausoleums dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Our final visit is to the exotic Siab Bazaar with its fresh and dried fruit and nuts and other local food produce, and a local paper factory. The exact order of visits may vary.

Accommodation: Kavsar Dilshoda/Malika Prime (or similar)

Early this morning we drive to the Tajik border. We cross into Tajikistan, meet our local guide and head to the town of Penjikent (20 km, 20 min).

Our first stop in Tajikistan is at Sarazm, one of Central Asia’s ancient settlements, dating back 5,500 years and now a World Heritage site. In Penjikent we set out on a tour (3-4 hours) that will take us to the Museum of Rudaki (Rudaki is considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry and he was born in Penjikent) and ancient Penjikent – ruins of old Sogdian town founded in 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century. We also explore the remains of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples and a bazaar in the excavated ruins.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Today we make a trip into the heart of the Fann Mountains. We drive to Seven Lakes or Haf Kul in Tajik, a sometimes bumpy and narrow 80 kms away in the Shing Valley. The lakes vary in altitude from 1,600 to 2,400 metres and most were formed by landslides. The high mineral content in the water gives the lakes an unusual colour. We’ll have time to enjoy the mountains, with a walk to Hazorchashma Lakes and a picnic lunch in the village of Nofin before we drive back to Penjikent.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Leaving the Fann Mountains behind, we head into the industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about four hours’ drive). En route, we visit the town of Istravashan founded by the Persian king Kier in the sixth century, and we’ll visit the bazaar.

While Khujand, today, is not the most attractive of cities it has a complex history. Believed to be one of the oldest in Central Asia, it was attacked by Alexander the Great, Arab invaders and Genghis Khan, as well as being an important stop along the Silk Road. There are still traces of the glory days and we take in a tour of the sites, including the Musuem of Archeology, Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mosque, the Payshanba bazaar and, if time Arbob Palace – the Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.

Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)

We return to Uzbekistan via the border crossing at Andurkhan, where we say goodbye to our Tajik crew and re-join the Uzbeks.

The total driving time to Ferghana town is about five hours from Khujand, but we make several stops along the way. The first of these is at Kokand, which was the capital of the 19^th-century Kokand Khanate. We visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace (1871) home to a museum, the Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and the Modarikhon Mausoleum.

From here, we continue to the small village of Rishtan, home to potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a local ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before the opportunity to buy earthenware.

Our final stop is at Margilan, where we visit a silk factory and learn about the material that gave its name to the greatest trade route in history. Eventually, we arrive in Fergana town where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Club 777 (or similar)

This morning, we transfer to the Kyrgyz border and say goodbye to our Uzbek leader. After border formalities at the Dustlik border crossing, we meet our Kyrgyz leader and head into nearby Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city. We visit the sacred Sulayman Mountain, a holy Muslim site (and burial place of the prophet Sulayman (Solomon); and the central point on the Silk Road. The walk to the top of Sulayman Mountain is paved with some steps and can be tiring in the heat but the views over the city and valley below, small museum and 15th-century church are worth the effort.

On the way to Jalal-Abad we make a sightseeing stop at Uzgen. We taken an excursion to an old minaret and mausoleums nearby and visit a famous rice bazaar. Uzgen has a history of over 2000 years — it is claimed to be a site of numerous citadels built at various times since the 1st century BC. It was an important centre of trade routes between the Fergana Valley and Northern territories of Central Asia. Uzgen became a highly developed town in the Karakhanid’s epoch and developed into a large trading and handicrafts center.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)

We leave the city of Jalal-Abad and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (approximately 1.5 hour drive). The village of Arslanbob is in the mountains at around 5,250ft (1,600m) – though the top and bottom of the village vary considerably in altitude – and is surrounded by an ancient walnut forest believed to be the largest in the world.

We go for a walk and picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside. The walk takes around four hours (including lunch and stops) and requires walking shoes/boots. The pace is leisurely but if anyone prefers not to join, you are free to opt out.

Afterwards, we head back to our guesthouse (approximately 1.5 hour drive) in Jalal-Abad for the night.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)

Leaving the gorges behind, we head towards the high pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake (9,895ft/3,016m above sea level). The journey takes approximately seven hours, including some rough roads. A new road is under construction and is expected to shorten the journey from 2025, but this cannot be guaranteed.

The jewel in the Kyrgyz crown for natural beauty, here nomadic shepherds tend their flocks. Today, yurt camps have multiplied around the lake, but the people who look after them still raise their sheep and cattle on the jailoo (high mountain pastures).

We experience the nomad life with a stay in a yurt camp. There are now Western-style toilets and a ‘shower yurt’ with proper showers and wash basins. There is hot water when the generator is running (usually morning and evening) but it is not wholly reliable.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

We have the whole of today to take in the beauty of the landscape around Son Kul. There is the option to go on a 2hr-2hr 30min walk to the nearby hills – the slopes are quite steep, and this may not be for everyone, but at the top are a few petroglyphs to admire. After lunch, we visit one of the Kyrgyz shepherd families close to camp to learn about their lifestyle and perhaps taste kumis (a natural drink made from fermented mare’s milk) or similar. There is also the option to go horse-riding (optional extra).

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Our journey today takes first takes us to Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan’s most important centre for felt handicrafts. We visit a local workshop and can participate in the manufacturing of national carpets. From Kochkor, we travel through the central Tien Shan mountains as we drive through picturesque canyons and gorges along the southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest salt lake in the world, after the Caspian Sea (and fast becoming the largest as the Caspian Sea recedes), it measures 70km by 180km and is almost 700m at its deepest point. Its name translates as Hot Lake and was given as, even in the depths of winter and despite being just above 1,600m, it never freezes. The area around the lake is a mixture of forest and meadow with a backdrop of towering mountains and glaciers.

We have an optional excursion (approximately US$100-120 per group) at Bokonbaev village to observe a traditional form of falconry found throughout Central Asia – hunting with eagles. Eagle hunting plays a key role in the nomadic lifestyle here and can also be seen during national competitions.

Accommodation: Yurt camp

This morning we continue our journey to Karakol. We head first to Barskoon Gorge, known for high waterfalls and dense spruce forests and visited by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. We’ll hike to a waterfall called Bowl of Manas (named after the Kyrgyz national hero). Next is Djety Oguz Gorge where the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart rocks formations can be seen. From Djety Oguz, we continue to Karakol. There are about 2.5 hrs of driving in total today.

The atmosphere of Karakol town will take you hundred years back and give you an impression of Tsarist Russia. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of Karakol, taking in old Russian-style houses, a Russian Orthodox church dating back to 1886, a wooden Dungan mosque (1899) made without the use of nails, and Karakol bazaar.

This evening we enjoy a home cooked meal at a local Uygur or Dungan family home.

Accommodation: Classic hotel

Today we cross the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border and, after border procedures (which typically take about an hour), travel along the picturesque Karkara valley, where mountain flowers attract many beekeepers. We head towards Charyn Canyon, where the dramatic erosion caused by the Charyn river has created an impressive landscape. We have approximately three hours at the Charyn Canyon, there is the choice of walking 1.5 km down into the canyon (and 1.5 km back up afterwards), or an easier option is to enjoy the canyon from a viewpoint. There is time for a picnic lunch in the canyon (you can buy your picnic from a supermarket earlier in the day). After visiting the canyon, we continue to Almaty. There are about six hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Amir Hotel (or similar)

Almaty is a beautiful city with its backdrop of the Tien Shan mountains and we have the whole day to explore it. With leafy streets and café culture, the former Kazakh capital has a distinctly European feel. We set off on a city tour after breakfast, we visit a number of sites, including Zhenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral), made entirely of wood and without the use of nails, Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails, the Great Patriotic and Civil War monuments and eternal flame, and either the National History Museum or Museum of National Instruments.

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty / Uyut Hotel / Plaza Hotel Almaty

Our adventure comes to an end in Almaty this morning.

Our tour of the five stans starts in Almaty, the former Kazakh capital has the Tien Shan mountains as its backdrop and is the most European city in Central Asia with leafy streets and a café culture. After an early check-in to our hotel, we have some time for rest before lunch and setting off on a city tour at around 1pm.

Our city tour takes us to visit a number of sites, including Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails; a memorial to victims of the Second World War and the Republic Square, as well as the National History Museum and the Museum of National Instruments.

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty (or similar)

After breakfast this morning, we transfer to Medeo Gorge, around 25 km from Almaty at an altitude of around 6,560 ft/2,000 metres, which hosts the world’s highest mountain skating rink and the largest ski resort in the region. Along the way we stop by a well-known dam that protects the city from avalanches and mudslides which commonly cascade from the slopes. We also take a cable car trip to the top to enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the Tien-Shan mountains (sometimes the cable car is closed for maintenance, when this occurs, we’re usually able to travel up to the base station by electric vehicle, but not get to the top).

Afterwards we return to Almaty and take another cable car trip at Kok-Tobe recreational area to the top of Kok-Tobe hill to enjoy panoramic views of Almaty and the city’s surroundings,.

After returning to our hotel mid afternoon, we have free time to relax before an early start for the next leg of our tour tomorrow.

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty (or similar)

After an early start we head towards the Charyn Canyon. Here, the dramatic erosion caused by the River Charyn has created an impressive landscape. The site is also known as a Valley of Castles. It has a peculiar bright red color and rock formations resemble castles.

We have approximately three hours at the Charyn Canyon, there is the choice of walking 1.5 km down into the canyon (and 1.5 km back up afterwards), or an easier option is to enjoy the canyon from a viewpoint. There is time for a picnic lunch in the canyon (you can buy your picnic from a supermarket earlier in the day).

We cross the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border and after border formalities proceed to Karakol along the picturesque Karkara valley, famous for its mountain flowers that attract many bee-keepers. After arriving in Karakol we check in to our hotel for the evening. There are about six hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Hotel Amir (or similar)

Karakol town takes us back to the times of Tsarist Russia. Our tour of the town, takes in old Russian-style houses, a Russian Orthodox church dating back to 1886, a wooden Dungan mosque (1899) made without the use of nails, and Karakol bazaar.

From Karakol, we continue our journey through the Tien Shan mountains along the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake to the town of Cholpon-Ata. Issyk Kul is the second largest salt lake in the world, it measures 43mi by 112mi (70km by 180km) and reaches almost 2,300ft (700m) deep. The name translates as Hot Lake, as it never freezes over, even in the depths of winter. It’s surrounded by a mixture of forest and meadow with a backdrop of mountains and glaciers. More than 100 streams and rivers flow into the lake but none flow out, which is said to be explained by the underwater tectonic activity in the lake.

We reach the resort town of Cholpon-Ata and visit nearby petroglyphs, a large open-air collection of rock carvings sometimes referred to as a Stone Garden, which covers some 104 acres (42ha) and contains a number of prehistoric stone structures. We also visit the Nomadic Civilization Museum, which exhibits the rich history and culture of the Altai nomads.

We then continue to Chon Kemin, a quiet valley of small villages and agricultural land with mountains and fir forests beyond. There are about five hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Kemin Guesthouse (or similar)

Accommodation: Hotel Bridges (or similar)

Accommodation: Hotel Bridges (or similar)

We have an early start today before a long but scenic drive along the spectacular Bishkek – Osh highway through the central Tien Shan mountains to Jalal-Abad. We drive through picturesque canyons and gorges and around Toktogul Reservoir with it’s cascade of hydroelectric power stations. We continue over Ala-Bel (3120m) and Tyua-Ashuu (3050m) mountain passes, along the picturesque Suusamyr mountain valley. In summer the valley is dotted with hundreds of yurts, and serves as a pasture for countless herds of cattle. Here local people produce Kyrgyz national drink – Kumus (fermented mare’s milk), sour cheese and butter that they sell along the road. There are about nine hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Hotel Goodnight Jalal-Abad (or similar)

We leave the city and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (approximately 1.5 hour drive). The village of Arslanbob is in the mountains at around 5,250ft (1,600m) – though the top and bottom of the village vary considerably in altitude – and is surrounded by an ancient walnut forest believed to be the largest in the world.

We go for a walk and picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside. The walk takes around four hours (including lunch and stops) and requires walking shoes/boots. The pace is leisurely but if anyone prefers not to join, you are free to opt out.

Afterwards, we head back to our guesthouse (approximately 1.5 hour drive) in Jalal-Abad for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Goodnight Jalal-Abad (or similar)

Today we head to Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city. Along the way we make a sightseeing stop at Uzgen, with a history dating back over 2,000 years — it is claimed to be a site of numerous citadels built at various times since the 1st century BC. It was an important centre of trade routes between the Fergana and Northern territories of Central Asia. Uzgen became a highly developed town in the Karakhanid’s epoch and developed into a large trading and handicraft centre. We visit an old minaret, nearby mausoleums, and a famous rice bazaar.

We continue to Osh and visit the sacred Sulayman Mountain, a holy Muslim site and burial place of the prophet Sulayman (Solomon); and the central point on the Silk Road. The walk to the top of Sulayman Mountain is paved with some steps and can be tiring in the heat but the views over the city and valley below, small museum and 15th-century church are worth the effort.

A short drive gets us to our next border crossing to Uzbekistan, and country number three on our tour. The crossing at the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border at the Dustlik border crossing point can take about 1hr 30min. We meet our Uzbek leader on the other side and drive for approximately two hours (62mi/100km) to Fergana town where we check into our hotel and spend the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Club 777 (or similar)

Today we transfer from Ferghana to Khujand (approximately 5 hour’s drive), but we make a couple of stops along the way. The first of these is at Margilan where we visit a local silk factory and learn about the material which has given its name to the greatest trade route in history.

From here we continue on to the small village of Rishtan which is famous for potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a local ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before having the opportunity to buy some of the iconic earthenware. Our final stop is at Kokand which was the capital of the 19th century Kokand Khanate. We visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace (1871) home to a museum, the Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and the Modarikhon Mausoleum.

From Kokand we transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border, and after border formalities, cross the border, meet our Tajik local guide and drive to Khujand where we check in to our hotel for the night.

Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)

Leaving the Fann Mountains behind, we head into the industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about four hours’ drive). En route,

We start with the day with a visit to Khujand, while today not the most attractive of cities it has a complex history. Believed to be one of the oldest in Central Asia, it was attacked by Alexander the Great, Arab invaders and Genghis Khan, as well as being an important stop along the Silk Road. There are still traces of the glory days and we take in a tour of the sites, including the Musuem of Archeology, Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mosque, the Payshanba bazaar and, if time Arbob Palace – the Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.

Afterwards, we transfer to Penjikent via Istaravshan (260 km, 5-6 hours.).  The town of Istravashan was founded by the Persian king Kier in the sixth century, and we’ll visit the bazaar before continuing to Penjikent for the night.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Today we make a trip into the heart of the Fann Mountains. We drive to Seven Lakes or Haf Kul in Tajik, a sometimes bumpy and narrow 80 kms away in the Shing Valley. The lakes vary in altitude from 1,600 to 2,400 metres and most were formed by landslides. The high mineral content in the water gives the lakes an unusual colour. We’ll have time to enjoy the mountains, with a walk to Hazorchashma Lakes and a picnic lunch in the village of Nofin before we drive back to Penjikent.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

In Penjikent we set out on a tour (3-4 hours) that will take us to the Museum of Rudaki (Rudaki is considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry and he was born in Penjikent) and ancient Penjikent – ruins of old Sogdian town founded in 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century. We also explore the remains of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples and a bazaar in the excavated ruins.

Afterwards we drive to Sarazm, one of Central Asia’s ancient settlements, dating back 5,500 years and now a World Heritage site. Next, we travel to the Uzbek border, re-enter Uzbekistan and drive to Samarkand where we check in to our hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Dilshoda Hotel (or similar)

We spend the day exploring Samarkand. Samarkand is steeped in history, dating back 2,500 years and impacted by such figures as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, who made it the capital of his empire in the 14th century. Its central position on the Silk Road meant that it was an important stop on the route from Istanbul to Peking (now Beijing). At its heart is the grand Registan Square flanked by the three grand madrasahs of Ulughbeg, Sherdor and Tilya Qori. We visit the grand square as well as the Gur Emir Mausoleum, burial place of Tamerlane, his sons and his grandson, Ulughbek. The Ulugbek Observatory built in 1420 by Tamerlane’s grandson who was not just a ruler but also a well-known astronomer. We move on to the oversized Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi Zinda – the ‘Living King’ necropolis – with its series of mausoleums dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

Our final visit is to the exotic Siab Bazaar with its fresh and dried fruit and nuts and other local food produce, and a local paper factory. The exact order of visits may vary.

Accommodation: Dilshoda Hotel (or similar)

Today we drive from Samarkand to Bukhara via Gijduvan (280km/4-5 hours). In Gijduvan, we will visit the house of the famous dynasty of pottery masters – the Narzullaevs. We continue on to Bukhara and explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, the summer palace of the Bukhara emirs. The interior of the palace rooms is richly decorated with magnificent paintings, stucco and wood carvings.

Accommodation: Kavsar Hotel (or similar)

Today is spend exploring Bukhara. The best-preserved medieval city in Central Asia, this UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back over 2,000 years. Our city tour takes us to the Samanid Mausoleum, the oldest piece of Islamic architecture in Central Asia and burial site of the 10th Century Emir; Mazar Chashma Ayub mausoleum – a sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring; Ark Fortress, a 5th century citadel and the oldest building in Bukhara.

Next is the Poi-Kalyan religious complex with its 48m Kalyan minaret dating back to the 12th century and the symbol of Bukhara, and the only active madrasah in the city, Bukhara Miri-Arab; the large Kalyan Mosque (15th century) with its galleries topped by 288 domes.

We then visit Lyabi Khauz complex, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, this is the site of the oldest pool of its kind in Central Asia. The pool is surrounded by madrasahs and a khanaka (lodging house for travelling Sufis) including the largest madrasah in Bukhara, the 15th century Kukeldash Madrasah; Chor-Minor – a small mosque of an original form with four minarets.

Accommodation: Kavsar Hotel (or similar)

This morning we transfer to Khiva (480 km/7-8 hours) through the Kyzylkum desert and enjoy scenic photo stops in the desert and on the banks of the Amu Darya River.

After arriving in Khiva we check in to our hotel and have the evening free to relax or explore.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

After breakfast, we head off to the arid plains of Khorezm. These plains were once densely populated marshland, inhabited by Messagetae Scythians. These horseback archers were nomadic and fought to retain the land, even defeating Cyrus The Great, a Persian emperor in BC 529. We visit the 2000-year-old ruined city fortress of Toprak- Qala, dramatically located with the Sultan Vais Mountains acting as a backdrop. The settlement began in the first century BC under Kushan patronage and was later devastated by Turkish raids that led to the depopulation of the town in the sixth century. There are still three large round towers and an impressive portion of the citadel that still remain, but the parchments and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and finally Ayaz-Qala, an imposing hilltop fortress dating from the sixth-century. We later return to Khiva for the night.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

After breakfast we set out on a walking tour of Khiva with a local guide today. We visit the Ichan Kala – an open-air living museum that is the perfectly restored old city, the colored tiled base of the never completed Kalta Minar, (which was originally planned to be taller than any minaret in Bukhara), the Kunya-Ark 12th century fortress – the former residence of the Khiva khans, and the beautiful mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud (Khiva’s patron saint) with its tiled courtyard. Many wedding parties and pilgrims come to visit the tomb and drink the water from the well in the courtyard.

We also visit Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah (1908), the Juma mosque – supported by 218 wooden carved columns, Tash Khauli palaces, and Allakuli Khan. We also explore artisan workshops where we see technology behind the production of Khiva wool, silk carpets, embroidery, ceramics, and wood inlay.

Afterwards we drive to the Shavat border post, say goodbye to our Uzbek leader and cross into Turkmenistan where our Turkmen leader awaits us. From the border we drive to Dashoguz, the capital city of northern Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz Province, and check into our hotel.

Accommodation: Classic hotel

The region around Dashoguz was part of the ancient Silk Road trade routes that connected East and West. This morning we visit Kunya-Urgench situated on the left bank of the Amu Daria River (approximately 1h30 drive from Dashoguz). Kunya-Urgench, also known as Old Urgench, was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town contains a series of monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret. The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India.

Afterwards we head into the Karakum Desert to a massive burning gas crater known as the Door to Hell in a remote part of the Darvaza region. In the 1970s, Soviet engineers looking for natural gas deposits came across this area. Attempting to assess the amount of gas present they set up a drill. The drill collapsed, exposing a big crater and seeping methane gas into the air. The engineers decided to set the gas alight in the belief that it would burn off within a few weeks. More than 45 years later, it is still burning. We enjoy a barbeque dinner near the crater and stay overnight in yurts very nearby. Seeing the burning crater by night is a unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

After breakfast, we drive in 4x4s to Ashgabat (4-5 hours). We set out to visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan, and afterwards, explore the ruins of the Parthian Fortress of Nisa located about a 20 minute drive away. Nisa, the former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire, controlled much of the region from Iraq to Pakistan 2,000 years ago. The ruins here were declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2007.

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

Ashgabat holds the record for the most white-marble buildings in the world. In the post-Soviet era, successive Turkmen leaders built these impressive buildings as a show of the country’s strength and they make for a surreal experience. Ashgabat has been described as Pyongyang meets Las Vegas, and you can see why. We enjoy a half-day city tour of Ashgabat including Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, Independence Park, the Neutrality Arch, Constitution Monument, Alem Ferris Wheel, Magtymguly Monument, Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, and Wedding Palace which looks over the city from atop a hill.

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

Our adventure comes to an end in Ashgabat.

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

After breakfast, we head to Nisa, an ancient Persian-era fortress, the former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire, which controlled much of the region from Iraq to Pakistan 2,000 years ago. The ruins here were declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2007. Afterwards, we visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan located about a 20 minute drive from the ruins of the Parthian Fortress of Nisa.

Mid afternoon, we head north in a 4×4 convoy into the Karakum Desert, some 4hr 30min drive (161mi/260km) away, to a massive burning gas crater known as the Door to Hell in a remote part of the Darvaza region. In the 1970s, Soviet engineers looking for natural gas deposits came across this area. Attempting to assess the amount of gas present they set up a drill. The drill collapsed, exposing a big crater and seeping methane gas into the air. The engineers decided to set the gas alight in the belief that it would burn off within a few weeks. More than 45 years later, it is still burning. We enjoy a barbeque dinner near the crater and stay overnight in yurts very nearby. Seeing the burning crater by night is a unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: Yurt camp

This morning after breakfast we transfer to Dashoguz,the capital city of northern Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz Province, and check into our hotel. The region around Dashoguz was part of the ancient Silk Road trade routes that connected East and West.

In the afternoon, we visit Kunya-Urgench situated on the left bank of the Amu Daria River (approximately 1h30 drive from Dashoguz). Kunya-Urgench, also known as Old Urgench, was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town contains a series of monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret. The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India.

Accommodation: Classic hotel

After breakfast, we drive to the Shavat border post and say goodbye to our Turkmen leader and cross into Uzbekistan where we meet our Uzbek leader and drive to Khiva, arriving early afternoon. We have some time to relax, then take a walking tour of the walled city – the Itchan Kala. Often described as an open-air living museum, the Itchan Kala is Khiva’s perfectly restored old city and includes the coloured tiled base of the never completed Kalta Minar, (originally planned to be taller than any minaret in Bukhara), the Kunya-Ark 12th century fortress – the former residence of the Khiva khans, and the beautiful mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud (Khiva’s patron saint) with its tiled courtyard. Many wedding parties and pilgrims come to visit the tomb and drink the water from the well in the courtyard. We also visit Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah, the Juma mosque – supported by 218 wooden carved columns, Tash Khauli palaces, and Allakuli Khan Madrassah. We also explore artisan workshops where we see technology behind the production of Khiva wool, silk carpets, embroidery, ceramics, and wood inlay.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

After breakfast, we head off to the arid plains of Khorezm. These plains were once densely populated marshland, inhabited by Messagetae Scythians. These horseback archers were nomadic and fought to retain the land, even defeating Cyrus The Great, a Persian emperor in BC 529. We visit the 2000-year-old ruined city fortress of Toprak- Qala, dramatically located with the Sultan Vais Mountains acting as a backdrop. The settlement began in the first century BC under Kushan patronage and was later devastated by Turkish raids that led to the depopulation of the town in the sixth century. There are still three large round towers and an impressive portion of the citadel that still remain, but the parchments and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and finally Ayaz-Qala, an imposing hilltop fortress dating from the sixth-century. We later return to Khiva for the night.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

Today we drive to Bukhara (480 km/7-8 hours), one of the most ancient cities of the East. We drive through the Kyzylkum desert and make some photo stops in the desert and on the banks of the Amu Darya (Oxus) River.

After arriving in Bukhara we check in to our hotel and have the evening free to relax after our long journey.

Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)

The 2,000-year-old city of Bukhara has an old centre that evokes the many centuries of traders and travellers who’ve passed through here on their way between the Mediterranean and China. We spend the day exploring this fascinating city, including a visit to the historic Lyabi Khauz architectural complex, which has the oldest reflective pool in Central Asia. It is surrounded by medieval buildings, including the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah and Khanaka, which has a façade of intricate mosaics. We also visit Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum – a sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring believed to have healing properties, the Mausoleum of the Samanids – the family tomb of the rulers of Bukhara, the oldest in Central Asia; Ark Citadel – the residence of Bukhara’s rulers since the first century AD; the Poi Kalyan Complex, home to the 157ft (48m) high Kalyan Minaret, which has come to symbolise the city; the Kalyan Mosque with 288 domes covering galleries below, Nodir Divanbegi Madrasah, and Chor-Minor – a small mosque of an original form with four minarets.

Accommodation: Hotel Kavsar (or similar)

This morning, we uncover more Bukharan history and culture as we explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, the summer palace of the emirs. The palace rooms are richly decorated with magnificent paintings, stucco, wood carvings and ganch. After lunch, we have a four to five hours’ drive (186mi/300km) to the other great Silk Road city, Samarkand. We break up the journey with a short stop at Gijduvan, where we will visit the house of the famous dynasty of pottery masters – the Narzullaevs. Continue on to Samarkand.

Accommodation: Kavsar Dilshoda/Malika Prime (or similar)

Possibly the most famous of the Silk Road cities, Samarkand has blue-tiled buildings that dazzle in the bright sun. Steeped in history, dating back 2,500 years and impacted by such figures as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, who made it the capital of his empire in the 14th century, it is home to one of the world’s great squares – Registan Square, surrounded on three sides by the madrassahs of Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori. It is said the square and madrassah influenced other sites, including the great square in Isfahan, Iran, and the Taj Mahal in India.

The city was the capital of the great Tamerlane and we spend the day visiting a number of Tamerlane-era sites, including the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, burial place of Tamerlane, his sons and his grandson, Ulughbek. The Ulugbek Observatory built in 1420 by Tamerlane’s grandson who was not just a ruler but also a well-known astronomer. We move on to the oversized Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi Zinda – the ‘Living King’ necropolis – with its series of mausoleums dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Our final visit is to the exotic Siab Bazaar with its fresh and dried fruit and nuts and other local food produce, and a local paper factory. The exact order of visits may vary.

Accommodation: Kavsar Dilshoda/Malika Prime (or similar)

Early this morning we drive to the Tajik border. We cross into Tajikistan, meet our local guide and head to the town of Penjikent (20 km, 20 min).

Our first stop in Tajikistan is at Sarazm, one of Central Asia’s ancient settlements, dating back 5,500 years and now a World Heritage site. In Penjikent we set out on a tour (3-4 hours) that will take us to the Museum of Rudaki (Rudaki is considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry and he was born in Penjikent) and ancient Penjikent – ruins of old Sogdian town founded in 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century. We also explore the remains of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples and a bazaar in the excavated ruins.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Today we make a trip into the heart of the Fann Mountains. We drive to Seven Lakes or Haf Kul in Tajik, a sometimes bumpy and narrow 80 kms away in the Shing Valley. The lakes vary in altitude from 1,600 to 2,400 metres and most were formed by landslides. The high mineral content in the water gives the lakes an unusual colour. We’ll have time to enjoy the mountains, with a walk to Hazorchashma Lakes and a picnic lunch in the village of Nofin before we drive back to Penjikent.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Leaving the Fann Mountains behind, we head into the industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about four hours’ drive). En route, we visit the town of Istravashan founded by the Persian king Kier in the sixth century, and we’ll visit the bazaar.

While Khujand, today, is not the most attractive of cities it has a complex history. Believed to be one of the oldest in Central Asia, it was attacked by Alexander the Great, Arab invaders and Genghis Khan, as well as being an important stop along the Silk Road. There are still traces of the glory days and we take in a tour of the sites, including the Musuem of Archeology, Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mosque, the Payshanba bazaar and, if time Arbob Palace – the Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.

Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)

We return to Uzbekistan via the border crossing at Andurkhan, where we say goodbye to our Tajik crew and re-join the Uzbeks.

The total driving time to Ferghana town is about five hours from Khujand, but we make several stops along the way. The first of these is at Kokand, which was the capital of the 19^th-century Kokand Khanate. We visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace (1871) home to a museum, the Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and the Modarikhon Mausoleum.

From here, we continue to the small village of Rishtan, home to potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a local ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before the opportunity to buy earthenware.

Our final stop is at Margilan, where we visit a silk factory and learn about the material that gave its name to the greatest trade route in history. Eventually, we arrive in Fergana town where we spend the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Club 777 (or similar)

This morning, we transfer to the Kyrgyz border and say goodbye to our Uzbek leader. After border formalities at the Dustlik border crossing, we meet our Kyrgyz leader and head into nearby Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city. We visit the sacred Sulayman Mountain, a holy Muslim site (and burial place of the prophet Sulayman (Solomon); and the central point on the Silk Road. The walk to the top of Sulayman Mountain is paved with some steps and can be tiring in the heat but the views over the city and valley below, small museum and 15th-century church are worth the effort.

On the way to Jalal-Abad we make a sightseeing stop at Uzgen. We taken an excursion to an old minaret and mausoleums nearby and visit a famous rice bazaar. Uzgen has a history of over 2000 years — it is claimed to be a site of numerous citadels built at various times since the 1st century BC. It was an important centre of trade routes between the Fergana Valley and Northern territories of Central Asia. Uzgen became a highly developed town in the Karakhanid’s epoch and developed into a large trading and handicrafts center.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)

We leave the city of Jalal-Abad and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (approximately 1.5 hour drive). The village of Arslanbob is in the mountains at around 5,250ft (1,600m) – though the top and bottom of the village vary considerably in altitude – and is surrounded by an ancient walnut forest believed to be the largest in the world.

We go for a walk and picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside. The walk takes around four hours (including lunch and stops) and requires walking shoes/boots. The pace is leisurely but if anyone prefers not to join, you are free to opt out.

Afterwards, we head back to our guesthouse (approximately 1.5 hour drive) in Jalal-Abad for the night.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Goodnight (or similar)

Leaving the gorges behind, we head towards the high pastures surrounding Son Kul Lake (9,895ft/3,016m above sea level). The journey takes approximately seven hours, including some rough roads. A new road is under construction and is expected to shorten the journey from 2025, but this cannot be guaranteed.

The jewel in the Kyrgyz crown for natural beauty, here nomadic shepherds tend their flocks. Today, yurt camps have multiplied around the lake, but the people who look after them still raise their sheep and cattle on the jailoo (high mountain pastures).

We experience the nomad life with a stay in a yurt camp. There are now Western-style toilets and a ‘shower yurt’ with proper showers and wash basins. There is hot water when the generator is running (usually morning and evening) but it is not wholly reliable.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

We have the whole of today to take in the beauty of the landscape around Son Kul. There is the option to go on a 2hr-2hr 30min walk to the nearby hills – the slopes are quite steep, and this may not be for everyone, but at the top are a few petroglyphs to admire. After lunch, we visit one of the Kyrgyz shepherd families close to camp to learn about their lifestyle and perhaps taste kumis (a natural drink made from fermented mare’s milk) or similar. There is also the option to go horse-riding (optional extra).

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Our journey today takes first takes us to Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan’s most important centre for felt handicrafts. We visit a local workshop and can participate in the manufacturing of national carpets. From Kochkor, we travel through the central Tien Shan mountains as we drive through picturesque canyons and gorges along the southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest salt lake in the world, after the Caspian Sea (and fast becoming the largest as the Caspian Sea recedes), it measures 70km by 180km and is almost 700m at its deepest point. Its name translates as Hot Lake and was given as, even in the depths of winter and despite being just above 1,600m, it never freezes. The area around the lake is a mixture of forest and meadow with a backdrop of towering mountains and glaciers.

We have an optional excursion (approximately US$100-120 per group) at Bokonbaev village to observe a traditional form of falconry found throughout Central Asia – hunting with eagles. Eagle hunting plays a key role in the nomadic lifestyle here and can also be seen during national competitions.

Accommodation: Yurt camp

This morning we continue our journey to Karakol. We head first to Barskoon Gorge, known for high waterfalls and dense spruce forests and visited by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. We’ll hike to a waterfall called Bowl of Manas (named after the Kyrgyz national hero). Next is Djety Oguz Gorge where the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart rocks formations can be seen. From Djety Oguz, we continue to Karakol. There are about 2.5 hrs of driving in total today.

The atmosphere of Karakol town will take you hundred years back and give you an impression of Tsarist Russia. We enjoy a sightseeing tour of Karakol, taking in old Russian-style houses, a Russian Orthodox church dating back to 1886, a wooden Dungan mosque (1899) made without the use of nails, and Karakol bazaar.

This evening we enjoy a home cooked meal at a local Uygur or Dungan family home.

Accommodation: Classic hotel

Today we cross the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border and, after border procedures (which typically take about an hour), travel along the picturesque Karkara valley, where mountain flowers attract many beekeepers. We head towards Charyn Canyon, where the dramatic erosion caused by the Charyn river has created an impressive landscape. We have approximately three hours at the Charyn Canyon, there is the choice of walking 1.5 km down into the canyon (and 1.5 km back up afterwards), or an easier option is to enjoy the canyon from a viewpoint. There is time for a picnic lunch in the canyon (you can buy your picnic from a supermarket earlier in the day). After visiting the canyon, we continue to Almaty. There are about six hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Amir Hotel (or similar)

Almaty is a beautiful city with its backdrop of the Tien Shan mountains and we have the whole day to explore it. With leafy streets and café culture, the former Kazakh capital has a distinctly European feel. We set off on a city tour after breakfast, we visit a number of sites, including Zhenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral), made entirely of wood and without the use of nails, Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails, the Great Patriotic and Civil War monuments and eternal flame, and either the National History Museum or Museum of National Instruments.

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty / Uyut Hotel / Plaza Hotel Almaty

Our adventure comes to an end in Almaty this morning.

Our tour of the five stans starts in Almaty, the former Kazakh capital has the Tien Shan mountains as its backdrop and is the most European city in Central Asia with leafy streets and a café culture. After an early check-in to our hotel, we have some time for rest before lunch and setting off on a city tour at around 1pm.

Our city tour takes us to visit a number of sites, including Panfilovs Park, home to the Piously-Voznesenskiy Orthodox Cathedral (1907), which was built without any nails; a memorial to victims of the Second World War and the Republic Square, as well as the National History Museum and the Museum of National Instruments.

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty (or similar)

After breakfast this morning, we transfer to Medeo Gorge, around 25 km from Almaty at an altitude of around 6,560 ft/2,000 metres, which hosts the world’s highest mountain skating rink and the largest ski resort in the region. Along the way we stop by a well-known dam that protects the city from avalanches and mudslides which commonly cascade from the slopes. We also take a cable car trip to the top to enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the Tien-Shan mountains (sometimes the cable car is closed for maintenance, when this occurs, we’re usually able to travel up to the base station by electric vehicle, but not get to the top).

Afterwards we return to Almaty and take another cable car trip at Kok-Tobe recreational area to the top of Kok-Tobe hill to enjoy panoramic views of Almaty and the city’s surroundings,.

After returning to our hotel mid afternoon, we have free time to relax before an early start for the next leg of our tour tomorrow.

Accommodation: Hotel Kazzhol Almaty (or similar)

After an early start we head towards the Charyn Canyon. Here, the dramatic erosion caused by the River Charyn has created an impressive landscape. The site is also known as a Valley of Castles. It has a peculiar bright red color and rock formations resemble castles.

We have approximately three hours at the Charyn Canyon, there is the choice of walking 1.5 km down into the canyon (and 1.5 km back up afterwards), or an easier option is to enjoy the canyon from a viewpoint. There is time for a picnic lunch in the canyon (you can buy your picnic from a supermarket earlier in the day).

We cross the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border and after border formalities proceed to Karakol along the picturesque Karkara valley, famous for its mountain flowers that attract many bee-keepers. After arriving in Karakol we check in to our hotel for the evening. There are about six hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Hotel Amir (or similar)

Karakol town takes us back to the times of Tsarist Russia. Our tour of the town, takes in old Russian-style houses, a Russian Orthodox church dating back to 1886, a wooden Dungan mosque (1899) made without the use of nails, and Karakol bazaar.

From Karakol, we continue our journey through the Tien Shan mountains along the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake to the town of Cholpon-Ata. Issyk Kul is the second largest salt lake in the world, it measures 43mi by 112mi (70km by 180km) and reaches almost 2,300ft (700m) deep. The name translates as Hot Lake, as it never freezes over, even in the depths of winter. It’s surrounded by a mixture of forest and meadow with a backdrop of mountains and glaciers. More than 100 streams and rivers flow into the lake but none flow out, which is said to be explained by the underwater tectonic activity in the lake.

We reach the resort town of Cholpon-Ata and visit nearby petroglyphs, a large open-air collection of rock carvings sometimes referred to as a Stone Garden, which covers some 104 acres (42ha) and contains a number of prehistoric stone structures. We also visit the Nomadic Civilization Museum, which exhibits the rich history and culture of the Altai nomads.

We then continue to Chon Kemin, a quiet valley of small villages and agricultural land with mountains and fir forests beyond. There are about five hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Kemin Guesthouse (or similar)

Accommodation: Hotel Bridges (or similar)

Accommodation: Hotel Bridges (or similar)

We have an early start today before a long but scenic drive along the spectacular Bishkek – Osh highway through the central Tien Shan mountains to Jalal-Abad. We drive through picturesque canyons and gorges and around Toktogul Reservoir with it’s cascade of hydroelectric power stations. We continue over Ala-Bel (3120m) and Tyua-Ashuu (3050m) mountain passes, along the picturesque Suusamyr mountain valley. In summer the valley is dotted with hundreds of yurts, and serves as a pasture for countless herds of cattle. Here local people produce Kyrgyz national drink – Kumus (fermented mare’s milk), sour cheese and butter that they sell along the road. There are about nine hours of driving today.

Accommodation: Hotel Goodnight Jalal-Abad (or similar)

We leave the city and head for Arslanbob Nature Reserve (approximately 1.5 hour drive). The village of Arslanbob is in the mountains at around 5,250ft (1,600m) – though the top and bottom of the village vary considerably in altitude – and is surrounded by an ancient walnut forest believed to be the largest in the world.

We go for a walk and picnic lunch in the surrounding countryside. The walk takes around four hours (including lunch and stops) and requires walking shoes/boots. The pace is leisurely but if anyone prefers not to join, you are free to opt out.

Afterwards, we head back to our guesthouse (approximately 1.5 hour drive) in Jalal-Abad for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Goodnight Jalal-Abad (or similar)

Today we head to Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest city. Along the way we make a sightseeing stop at Uzgen, with a history dating back over 2,000 years — it is claimed to be a site of numerous citadels built at various times since the 1st century BC. It was an important centre of trade routes between the Fergana and Northern territories of Central Asia. Uzgen became a highly developed town in the Karakhanid’s epoch and developed into a large trading and handicraft centre. We visit an old minaret, nearby mausoleums, and a famous rice bazaar.

We continue to Osh and visit the sacred Sulayman Mountain, a holy Muslim site and burial place of the prophet Sulayman (Solomon); and the central point on the Silk Road. The walk to the top of Sulayman Mountain is paved with some steps and can be tiring in the heat but the views over the city and valley below, small museum and 15th-century church are worth the effort.

A short drive gets us to our next border crossing to Uzbekistan, and country number three on our tour. The crossing at the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border at the Dustlik border crossing point can take about 1hr 30min. We meet our Uzbek leader on the other side and drive for approximately two hours (62mi/100km) to Fergana town where we check into our hotel and spend the night.

Accommodation: Hotel Club 777 (or similar)

Today we transfer from Ferghana to Khujand (approximately 5 hour’s drive), but we make a couple of stops along the way. The first of these is at Margilan where we visit a local silk factory and learn about the material which has given its name to the greatest trade route in history.

From here we continue on to the small village of Rishtan which is famous for potter dynasties and ceramics masters. We visit a local ceramics studio and witness a demonstration of the craft before having the opportunity to buy some of the iconic earthenware. Our final stop is at Kokand which was the capital of the 19th century Kokand Khanate. We visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace (1871) home to a museum, the Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and the Modarikhon Mausoleum.

From Kokand we transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border, and after border formalities, cross the border, meet our Tajik local guide and drive to Khujand where we check in to our hotel for the night.

Accommodation: Khudjand Delux Hotel (or similar)

Leaving the Fann Mountains behind, we head into the industrial and agricultural heartland around the city of Khujand (about four hours’ drive). En route,

We start with the day with a visit to Khujand, while today not the most attractive of cities it has a complex history. Believed to be one of the oldest in Central Asia, it was attacked by Alexander the Great, Arab invaders and Genghis Khan, as well as being an important stop along the Silk Road. There are still traces of the glory days and we take in a tour of the sites, including the Musuem of Archeology, Sheikh Maslikhiddin Mosque, the Payshanba bazaar and, if time Arbob Palace – the Urumkhodjaev family country estate, a copy of the Russian tsarist palace of Peterhof.

Afterwards, we transfer to Penjikent via Istaravshan (260 km, 5-6 hours.).  The town of Istravashan was founded by the Persian king Kier in the sixth century, and we’ll visit the bazaar before continuing to Penjikent for the night.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

Today we make a trip into the heart of the Fann Mountains. We drive to Seven Lakes or Haf Kul in Tajik, a sometimes bumpy and narrow 80 kms away in the Shing Valley. The lakes vary in altitude from 1,600 to 2,400 metres and most were formed by landslides. The high mineral content in the water gives the lakes an unusual colour. We’ll have time to enjoy the mountains, with a walk to Hazorchashma Lakes and a picnic lunch in the village of Nofin before we drive back to Penjikent.

Accommodation: Panjakent Plaza Hotel (or similar)

In Penjikent we set out on a tour (3-4 hours) that will take us to the Museum of Rudaki (Rudaki is considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry and he was born in Penjikent) and ancient Penjikent – ruins of old Sogdian town founded in 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century. We also explore the remains of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples and a bazaar in the excavated ruins.

Afterwards we drive to Sarazm, one of Central Asia’s ancient settlements, dating back 5,500 years and now a World Heritage site. Next, we travel to the Uzbek border, re-enter Uzbekistan and drive to Samarkand where we check in to our hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Dilshoda Hotel (or similar)

We spend the day exploring Samarkand. Samarkand is steeped in history, dating back 2,500 years and impacted by such figures as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, who made it the capital of his empire in the 14th century. Its central position on the Silk Road meant that it was an important stop on the route from Istanbul to Peking (now Beijing). At its heart is the grand Registan Square flanked by the three grand madrasahs of Ulughbeg, Sherdor and Tilya Qori. We visit the grand square as well as the Gur Emir Mausoleum, burial place of Tamerlane, his sons and his grandson, Ulughbek. The Ulugbek Observatory built in 1420 by Tamerlane’s grandson who was not just a ruler but also a well-known astronomer. We move on to the oversized Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shakhi Zinda – the ‘Living King’ necropolis – with its series of mausoleums dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

Our final visit is to the exotic Siab Bazaar with its fresh and dried fruit and nuts and other local food produce, and a local paper factory. The exact order of visits may vary.

Accommodation: Dilshoda Hotel (or similar)

Today we drive from Samarkand to Bukhara via Gijduvan (280km/4-5 hours). In Gijduvan, we will visit the house of the famous dynasty of pottery masters – the Narzullaevs. We continue on to Bukhara and explore the Sitorai-Mohl-Hosa Palace, the summer palace of the Bukhara emirs. The interior of the palace rooms is richly decorated with magnificent paintings, stucco and wood carvings.

Accommodation: Kavsar Hotel (or similar)

Today is spend exploring Bukhara. The best-preserved medieval city in Central Asia, this UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back over 2,000 years. Our city tour takes us to the Samanid Mausoleum, the oldest piece of Islamic architecture in Central Asia and burial site of the 10th Century Emir; Mazar Chashma Ayub mausoleum – a sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring; Ark Fortress, a 5th century citadel and the oldest building in Bukhara.

Next is the Poi-Kalyan religious complex with its 48m Kalyan minaret dating back to the 12th century and the symbol of Bukhara, and the only active madrasah in the city, Bukhara Miri-Arab; the large Kalyan Mosque (15th century) with its galleries topped by 288 domes.

We then visit Lyabi Khauz complex, built in the 16th and 17th centuries, this is the site of the oldest pool of its kind in Central Asia. The pool is surrounded by madrasahs and a khanaka (lodging house for travelling Sufis) including the largest madrasah in Bukhara, the 15th century Kukeldash Madrasah; Chor-Minor – a small mosque of an original form with four minarets.

Accommodation: Kavsar Hotel (or similar)

This morning we transfer to Khiva (480 km/7-8 hours) through the Kyzylkum desert and enjoy scenic photo stops in the desert and on the banks of the Amu Darya River.

After arriving in Khiva we check in to our hotel and have the evening free to relax or explore.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

After breakfast, we head off to the arid plains of Khorezm. These plains were once densely populated marshland, inhabited by Messagetae Scythians. These horseback archers were nomadic and fought to retain the land, even defeating Cyrus The Great, a Persian emperor in BC 529. We visit the 2000-year-old ruined city fortress of Toprak- Qala, dramatically located with the Sultan Vais Mountains acting as a backdrop. The settlement began in the first century BC under Kushan patronage and was later devastated by Turkish raids that led to the depopulation of the town in the sixth century. There are still three large round towers and an impressive portion of the citadel that still remain, but the parchments and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and paintings that were found there are now in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. We also visit Qizil-Qala, formerly an important oasis with an impressive amount of remaining buildings and finally Ayaz-Qala, an imposing hilltop fortress dating from the sixth-century. We later return to Khiva for the night.

Accommodation: Malika Khiva (or similar)

After breakfast we set out on a walking tour of Khiva with a local guide today. We visit the Ichan Kala – an open-air living museum that is the perfectly restored old city, the colored tiled base of the never completed Kalta Minar, (which was originally planned to be taller than any minaret in Bukhara), the Kunya-Ark 12th century fortress – the former residence of the Khiva khans, and the beautiful mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud (Khiva’s patron saint) with its tiled courtyard. Many wedding parties and pilgrims come to visit the tomb and drink the water from the well in the courtyard.

We also visit Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah (1908), the Juma mosque – supported by 218 wooden carved columns, Tash Khauli palaces, and Allakuli Khan. We also explore artisan workshops where we see technology behind the production of Khiva wool, silk carpets, embroidery, ceramics, and wood inlay.

Afterwards we drive to the Shavat border post, say goodbye to our Uzbek leader and cross into Turkmenistan where our Turkmen leader awaits us. From the border we drive to Dashoguz, the capital city of northern Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz Province, and check into our hotel.

Accommodation: Classic hotel

The region around Dashoguz was part of the ancient Silk Road trade routes that connected East and West. This morning we visit Kunya-Urgench situated on the left bank of the Amu Daria River (approximately 1h30 drive from Dashoguz). Kunya-Urgench, also known as Old Urgench, was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town contains a series of monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret. The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India.

Afterwards we head into the Karakum Desert to a massive burning gas crater known as the Door to Hell in a remote part of the Darvaza region. In the 1970s, Soviet engineers looking for natural gas deposits came across this area. Attempting to assess the amount of gas present they set up a drill. The drill collapsed, exposing a big crater and seeping methane gas into the air. The engineers decided to set the gas alight in the belief that it would burn off within a few weeks. More than 45 years later, it is still burning. We enjoy a barbeque dinner near the crater and stay overnight in yurts very nearby. Seeing the burning crater by night is a unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp

After breakfast, we drive in 4x4s to Ashgabat (4-5 hours). We set out to visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan, and afterwards, explore the ruins of the Parthian Fortress of Nisa located about a 20 minute drive away. Nisa, the former capital of the Persian Parthian Empire, controlled much of the region from Iraq to Pakistan 2,000 years ago. The ruins here were declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 2007.

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

Ashgabat holds the record for the most white-marble buildings in the world. In the post-Soviet era, successive Turkmen leaders built these impressive buildings as a show of the country’s strength and they make for a surreal experience. Ashgabat has been described as Pyongyang meets Las Vegas, and you can see why. We enjoy a half-day city tour of Ashgabat including Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, Independence Park, the Neutrality Arch, Constitution Monument, Alem Ferris Wheel, Magtymguly Monument, Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, and Wedding Palace which looks over the city from atop a hill.

Accommodation: Hotel Sport (or similar)

Our adventure comes to an end in Ashgabat.