19-Day Grand Silk Road Adventure: Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan
Destinations: Tashkent, Urgench Khiva, Bukhara, Gijduvan, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Tashkent, Ferghana, Andijan, Osh, Kazarman, Son-Kul Lake, Tash Rabat, Kochkor Village, Cholpon-Ata, Tamchy, Bishkek
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent – Gateway to Central Asia
Upon arrival in Tashkent, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, explore the city’s rich heritage, including the Museum of Applied Arts, Navoi Theater, Kukeldash Madrasah, Barak Khan Mosque, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, and the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar. Enjoy a traditional Uzbek dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva: A Step Back in Time
Morning flight to Urgench, followed by a transfer to the UNESCO-listed city of Khiva. Immerse yourself in the fairy-tale ambiance of Ichan Kala, where architectural gems such as the Allakuli Khan Madrasah, Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Kunya Ark, Kalta Minor Minaret, and Tash Hovli Palace await. Experience a local lunch with a host family before continuing your exploration. Dinner and overnight in Khiva.
Day 3: Journey through the Kyzylkum Desert – Urgench to Bukhara (480 km, 8 hours)
Depart for Bukhara through the vast Kyzylkum Desert, enjoying a scenic drive with a packed lunch en route. Arrive in Bukhara late afternoon, check in at your hotel, and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner.
Day 4: Bukhara – The Pearl of the Silk Road
Discover Bukhara’s architectural marvels: the Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauze Mosque, and the Ismail Samani Mausoleum. After a local lunch, explore the grandeur of Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace, the Kalyan Minaret, Ulugbek Madrasah, and the bustling Silk Road markets. In the evening, opt for a traditional folk show. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand (300 km)
Travel to Samarkand via Gijduvan, a town renowned for its ceramic artistry. Visit a master craftsman’s workshop and enjoy a homemade lunch before continuing to Samarkand. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 6: Samarkand – The Glorious Capital of Tamerlane
Spend the day uncovering Samarkand’s wonders: the Registan Square, the majestic Gur Emir Mausoleum, and the grand Bibi Khanum Mosque. Wander through the colorful Siab Bazaar before visiting Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis and Ulugbek’s Observatory. Dinner and overnight stay in Samarkand.
Day 7: Day Trip to Shakhrisabz (170 km each way)
Journey to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Marvel at the ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace, the Kuk-Gumbaz Mosque, and the Mausoleum of Jakhangir. Enjoy lunch before returning to Samarkand. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 8: Samarkand – Tashkent – Ferghana (Flight + Transfer)
Return to Tashkent by road and board a flight to Ferghana. After arrival, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Ferghana.
Day 9: The Artisanal Heritage of Ferghana
Visit the silk-weaving factory in Margilan and the ceramic workshop of Rustam Usmanov in Rishtan. Return to Ferghana for an evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Into Kyrgyzstan – Ferghana to Osh (110 km)
Cross the border into Kyrgyzstan and explore Osh, the country’s second-largest city. Visit Suleiman Mountain, the Local History Museum, and the lively bazaar. Overnight in a private guesthouse.
Day 11: Osh – Kazarman (300 km)
Drive through stunning landscapes to Kazarman, stopping to admire the Karakhanid Minarets in Uzgen. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay with a local family.
Day 12: Kazarman – Son-Kul Lake (3,000m Altitude)
Arrive at the pristine alpine lake Son-Kul, where you will experience traditional nomadic life in a yurt camp. Enjoy a hearty dinner under the stars.
Day 13: A Day in the Nomadic Paradise of Son-Kul
Spend the day amidst untouched nature, hiking, and engaging with nomadic traditions. Enjoy meals and an overnight stay in your yurt camp.
Day 14: Son-Kul – Tash Rabat Caravanserai (250 km)
Travel through breathtaking valleys to Tash Rabat, a historic 12th-century Silk Road caravanserai. Dinner and overnight in a yurt.
Day 15: Tash Rabat – Kochkor Village (250 km)
Visit the local felt-making workshops in Kochkor, where you can try your hand at making traditional Kyrgyz crafts. Dinner and overnight in a family guesthouse.
Day 16: Kochkor – Cholpon-Ata (150 km)
Drive along the northern shore of Issyk-Kul, the world’s second-largest alpine lake. Enjoy a relaxing evening by the water. Overnight at a lakeside hotel.
Day 17: Leisure at Issyk-Kul Lake
Enjoy a day at leisure, soaking up the sun or exploring the picturesque shoreline of Issyk-Kul. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 18: Cholpon-Ata – Tamchy – Bishkek (250 km)
En route to Bishkek, visit the Tamchy felt workshop and the ancient Burana Tower, a remnant of the Karakhanid Empire. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner in Bishkek.
Day 19: Departure from Bishkek
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey, carrying with you unforgettable memories of the Silk Road.
Book your once-in-a-lifetime journey now! 📩 info@silkroadhorizons.com
Embark on a mesmerizing odyssey through the heart of Central Asia!
