The Silk Road remains one of the most legendary trade routes in history. Stretching over 7,000 km, this ancient route network dates back to the 2nd century BCE. Constructed during the Han Dynasty, it connected the East to the West, facilitating not only the transportation of silk and spices but also the spread of religion, knowledge and art.
Beginning in China’s ancient capital Xi’an, the Silk Road network crossed through mountains and deserts of Central Asia, passing through Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Key cities like Bukhara and Samarkand in Uzbekistan became important centres of trade, while the sweeping mountainous landscapes of Kyrgyzstan offered vital transit points. As the roads reached the Caucasus, the route traversed through towns in Georgia, such as Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe, connecting traders with the Black Sea ports of Batumi and Poti so the goods were able to be transferred to the rest of Europe. Today, visiting these key cities and towns across the Five Stans, China and Georgia offer a fascinating glimpse into what life was like when these monumental trade routes were first established. So, read on as we share 5 of our top trips that take in sections of the Silk Road.
1. Essential China
Many may be surprised to know that Xi’an is a key starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Formerly known as Chang’an, Xi’an was once one of the largest cosmopolitan cities in the world under the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) making it an epicentre of trade and culture. Based on historical records dating back to 138 BCE, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty officially opened routes to the west, by establishing formal trade and diplomatic agreements that connected China to Central Asia, Persia and beyond, which helped to facilitate the movement of spices, silk and tea. During this time, merchants, monks and scholars from across Asia travelled here and their influences can still be seen today.
On our 11-day Essential China trip, you get to spend three days exploring the ancient city of Xi’an. During your time here, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the Muslim Quarter, where you’ll see the Bell and Drum Plaza and wander through local spice markets. But no trip to this region is complete without a visit to the Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Your group can visit the three pits, where you’ll see the main army formation, the specialised troops and calvary and the command centre. Close-up views of individual soldiers in certain parts of the exhibition, allow you to appreciate the artistry that went into creating each figure in this impressive 6,000-strong army. On day six you have a free day here, so you can visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque in Xi’an, which both stand as a testament to the cultural and intellectual exchanges the Silk Road helped to facilitate.
Aside from exploring Xi’an, this trip offers a great introduction to China, as you’ll get time to explore the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre in Chengdu and the busy French Concession in Shanghai.
2. The Silk Road
After crossing the Pamir Mountains on the fringes of China, traders and merchants typically reached the cities of Bishkek and Osh, which are located in present-day Kyrgyzstan. These places served as important Silk Road hubs where travellers exchanged goods, and Bishkek is where our Silk Road trip begins. This adventure is one of our biggest-selling and most popular itineraries in the region for good reason, as it allows you to see the top highlights of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in a relatively short space of time.
After a city tour of Bishkek, your route will head towards the ancient Burana Tower, a UNESCO site, which once guided Silk Road travellers on their journey. Passing through the breathtaking Tien Shan mountains, your group continues along the Silk Road to Issyk Kul Lake and the Djety Oguz Gorge where you’ll have a memorable overnight stay in a traditional yurt. Next, you will cross into Kazakhstan to explore Charyn Canyon and Almaty, both important waypoints for bygone traders. The itinerary then takes you into Uzbekistan where you’ll get the opportunity to visit key Silk Road-era sites like Tamerlane’s Mausoleum, the Registan Square in Samarkand and the country’s famous bazaars, where caravans once traded goods. Your journey comes to a close in Khiva, arguably one of the best-preserved Silk Road cities.
3. Uzbekistan Uncovered
Thanks to its location at the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is known as one of the most important strategic points along the Silk Road, serving as a key crossroads where traders and empires converged. On our Uzbekistan Uncovered trip, you get to delve deeper into Uzbekistan’s history and how the country shaped the Silk Road network, with visits to the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which were pivotal stops for merchant caravans carrying silk, spices, textiles, and other luxury goods between China and the Mediterranean.
On this 15-day itinerary, your expert guide will take you to key cultural and educational hubs in Samarkand, including Registan Square and Shah-i-Zinda, a key spiritual site, that traders would stop to visit on their long journey. Even the impressive 15th-century Ulugbek Observatory, shows how scientific achievements flourished thanks to the spread of knowledge and ideas. On day 11, you’ll spend some time in Bukhara and see the Kaylan Minaret, which was a beacon for caravans travelling along the Silk Road. Your group will also visit the Ark of Bukhara. Dating back to 5th century AD, this fortress served as the residence of emirs and is one of the longest-standing monuments in Bukhara’s Silk Road history. In Khiva, you’ll wander around its inner fortress known as ‘Ichan Kala’, where there used to be many caravanserais, (inns where traders could rest, refuel, and trade goods).
2025 may be the perfect time to book this trip, as we’ve refreshed the itinerary and added even more unique experiences, including an evening homestay experience in the Nurata Mountains and a visit to Moynaq to see the haunting ship graveyard, Soviet-Era monuments and memorials to the Aral Sea. We’ve also built in time for a trip to the Savitsky Museum in Nukus, which houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of Soviet avant-garde art dating from the early 20th century and modernist art from Central Asia.
4. The Five Stans of the Silk Road
For those who want to see a bit of everything, The Five Stans of the Silk Road trip takes you on an incredible journey through the heart of Central Asia. And what’s interesting, is that you can decide which way you want to travel – either starting from Turkmenistan and ending in Kazakhstan (Ashgabat to Almaty) or doing the reverse, starting in Kazakhstan and ending in Turkmenistan (Almaty to Ashgabat). The key difference in the itineraries is the route we take through Kyrgyzstan and the type of accommodation you can expect to see along the way. The Almaty to Ashgabat itinerary includes Chon-Kemin and Bishkek but stays in hotels and guesthouses. Whereas our Ashgabat to Almaty departures include a visit to Son Kul Lake where you’ll have three nights stargazing in traditional yurts in Kyrgyzstan. So, the choice is yours on how you want to experience the Five Stans!
With visits to key Silk Road Cities, including Samarkand in Uzbekistan, Khujand in Tajikistan, and Almaty in Kyrgyzstan, you’ll also make an evening stop at Turkmenistan’s “Door to Hell”, hike through Jeti Oguz, known as ‘the Valley of Seven Bulls’, and spend an incredible night* in a traditional yurt in Turkmenistan (available on both itineraries*). What’s more is that we’ve refreshed this itinerary to pack in even more highlights, including a visit to the ancient city of Konye Urgench in Turkmenistan and Penjikent in Tajikistan so you can visit fascinating murals, tombs and old-city ruins. We’re also adding some time in the Silk Road City of Khiva in Uzbekistan and a stop in Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s key natural wonders, which is often coined the “Grand Canyon’s little brother” thanks to its colourful, towering rock formations.
5. A Week in Georgia
Situated where the Caucasus Mountains meet the Black Sea, Georgia was also considered one of the key transit points for goods on the Silk Road, in order for supplies to make their way to Western Europe. Effectively bridging the gap between East and West, Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Mtskheta became key hubs for trade and cultural exchanges, among other places, making this country a fascinating place to visit along the Silk Road.
On A Week in Georgia, you’ll begin in Tbilisi, where you’ll explore Tbilisi’s Old Town, visiting the ancient sulphur baths and Sioni Cathedral, which were important stops for traders passing through. Heading to Gori, we make a stop at Uplistsikhe, a vast rock-hewn town filled with Christian Basilicas, pagan temples and theatres that once served as a Silk Road trading centre. Next, it’s on to Akhaltsikhe, where a visit to Rabati Castle unveils a Georgian Orthodox church, a mosque, a minaret, and a synagogue with the walls of the fortress.
Your group will then travel along the Georgian Military Highway, a route once used by Silk Road merchants, before stopping at the 16th-century Ananuri Fortress, which controlled strategic trade passages. In the mountainous Kazbegi region, you’ll hike to the Tsminda Sameba Church, an off-the-beaten-track site which allegedly served as a lookout for Silk Road travellers. Afterwards, you’ll make the descent to Mtskheta, one of Georgia’s oldest cities. Here, you’ll explore the UNESCO-listed churches and monasteries that travellers once used as rest stops. This adventure comes to a close in the renowned Telavi wine region, where traditional Georgian winemaking techniques, like fermenting wine in qvevri (large clay vessels) are still used today. You and your group will spend some time visiting the Tsinandali family estate and raise a toast to your adventures with a local wine tasting in Sighnagh.
If you’re considering booking a trip that takes in the sections of the Silk Road, take a look at our incredible adventures here.
