Uzbekistan

Travel into desert landscapes heavy with mystery on this 11-day journey through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Watch the sunset over technicolour minarets in Khiva, learn about Turkmen rural life with a stay in a secluded mountain village and visit a local horse breeder at his farm to see how he prepares food and cares for his Akhal-Teke horses. Wander through the ancient ruins of the Silk Road in Merv, watch the sunset over ‘The Gates of Hell’ crater and revel in the eastern futurism of Ashgabat. On this trip far away from tourists, you’ll step off the beaten track and wander through ancient lands with local leaders who have all the fascinating insights.

Discover the wonder of the Silk Road on our tour through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Explore the ancient trading cities along this fabled route, getting closer to the rich culture and tumultuous history of these two unique countries. Ashgabat - Explore Turkmenistan's remarkable capital city, where the ancient and the modern collide. Khiva - Walk through the 'open-air museum', the historic heart of one of the great Silk Road cities. Samarkand - Discover the beautiful, intricately mosaicked mosques and madrassahs of Tamerlane's city.

Journey back to the days of the Great Silk Road on a 10-day Premium adventure through Uzbekistan. Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Tashkent, marvel at glorious architecture in Samarkand, discover the holy sites of Bukhara and visit the ancient monuments of Khiva. Encounter a friendly welcome at every turn, join a local family for a traditional cooking class and get to know the ins and outs of a traditional Uzbek village. From medieval cities to charismatic communities, Uzbekistan has so much to uncover.

Traverse mountains pocketed with turquoise alpine lakes, drive through lush fertile valleys and zip across dry and dusty desert plains by high-speed train. This is an all-encompassing, ever-changing journey through the 5 'Stans of Central Asia. Fann Mountains - Walk amongst wild mountain scenery and snap the picture-perfect 'Seven Lakes'. The Silk Road - Travel along ancient routes and discover the intricate architecture of Khiva, Bokhara and Samarkand. Darvaza - Peer into the 'Door to Hell', the underground cavern that's been aflame since 1971.

Travel the fabled Silk Road as we explore the highlights of Uzbekistan. Traverse the remote landscape of Central Asia, from the curious capital, Tashkent, via the desert to the ancient walled city of Khiva and beyond. Along the way, marvel at awe-inspiring Islamic architecture and learn about the region's history, which crosses cultures and spans millennia. Khiva - Step back in time as you walk the streets of this ancient city, which has become a kind of open-air museum. Samarkand - Discover Timur's city, where Registan Square lies as its stunning blue mosaicked centrepiece. Desert camp - Get a taste of nomadic life, sleeping in a traditional felt yurt at a desert camp. Navruz Festival departure - Book a spot on our 15 March 2025 departure to join in with the Uzbek people during the Persian New Year Festival.

Beginning in the futuristic cityscapes of Astana, take a journey from mighty Kazakhstan to mountainous Kyrgyzstan and historic Uzbekistan. From the ancient city of Turkistan and the Silk Road ruins of Sayram and Otrar, the sights along the way are unlike anywhere else on earth. Take in the tranquil landscape of Son-Kol Lake, see Solomon's Throne in historic Osh and wander mosques and museums in Samarkand and Bukhara. Dive into ancient culture and natural beauty on an adventure that will leave you yearning to discover more of Central Asia.

Explore the ancient Silk Road on this overland adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Travel from Bishek through Kyrgystan's wild interiors, soaking in alpine landscapes and getting to grips with local life. Then, cross the border into the dusty plains of Uzbekistan to get closer to the country's unique history. Suusamyr Valley - Drive through remote mountain scenery and past lush alpine valleys passing nomadic families. Song Kul - Stand on the shores of sublime alpine lakes and sleep in a traditional yurt. Arslanbob - walk amongst ancient towering walnut forests and discover hidden waterfalls.

Explore the ancient Silk Road on this overland adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Travel from Bishek through Kyrgystan's wild interiors, soaking in alpine landscapes and getting to grips with local life. Then, cross the border into the dusty plains of Uzbekistan to get closer to the country's unique history. Suusamyr Valley - Drive through remote mountain scenery and past lush alpine valleys passing nomadic families. Song Kul - Stand on the shores of sublime alpine lakes and sleep in a traditional yurt. Arslanbob - walk amongst ancient towering walnut forests and discover hidden waterfalls.

Be entranced by the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and historical wonders of Uzbekistan on this 17-day tour. Traverse landscapes of alpine lakes and mountains interrupted only by dots of yurts, feel the divine artistic power of the detailed mosaics and towering minarets of ancient cities, and be welcomed into homes and family-run businesses by locals. A mix of ancient nomadic cultures, various iterations of both conservative and progressive Islam, Soviet influence and post-independence nationalism mean Central Asia is home to unique traditions. Travels here will leave you raving about the region for years to come and planning your next trip back as soon as you get home.

To see all five Stans in Central Asia, this epic trip will start in the grand Ashgabat of Turkmenistan, explore Samarkand in Uzbekistan, then head to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. See the best of the Silk Road and deep dive into the fascinating history, captivating landscapes and beautiful culture that’s intertwined throughout this region. You'll stay in yurts near Lake Issyk-Kul, explore Registan Square in Samarkand and watch the eternal flame of Darvaza Crater – a 70-m-wide hole in the Karakum Desert known as ‘The Gates of Hell’. From wide open plains full of wild horses to homestays and dinners with locals, there’s so much to see, do and learn in this region – so why not spend 24 days uncovering all you can, with a local leader by your side?

Journey through Uzbekistan's rich history, staying in premium accommodation along the way. Discover the beautiful tiles of Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis in Samarkand and walk in the footsteps of the Silk Road merchants while learning about the ancient art of making carpets. Take in a mesmerising sunset from Khiva's city walls and watch local life over a coffee at the charming Lyabi Khause Square in Bukhara. Last but not least, walk around the imposing Registan Square, the centrepiece of the city of Samarkand. The Walled City of Khiva - One and a half days to explore the ancient labyrinth of narrow alleyways and fantastic architecture of this open-air museum. Nukus - Discover a superb Soviet avant-garde art collection at Savitsky Museum and visit the mysterious Mizdahkhan Necropolis. World Heritage sites in Bukhara - Visit the wonderful Tash Hauli Palace with its intricate blue, white and golden tiles. Upgraded Range - Immerse yourself in Uzbekistan's fabled Silk Road highlights with our hand-picked selection of Premium hotels.

Vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile valleys and majestic mountains form the backdrop to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which are commonly known as the Five Stans. Among this changing and varied landscape are traditional villages, ancient towns and modern cities, which tell a tale of advancing Greek and Persian armies, marauding Mongolian hordes, traders selling wares along the Silk Road, philosophers, astronomers, Communist experiments and post-Soviet eccentrics. Journey past giant burning gas pits, intricately tiled mosques, alpine lakes bordered by yurt camps, grand monuments, rural villages and colourful markets on this epic trip through the heart of Central Asia. About this trip: We have two versions of this trip, which have different departure dates. One starts in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and ends in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the other runs in reverse. Apart from the direction of travel, the two itineraries are similar, the main difference is the route taken through Kyrgyzstan and the accommodation there. This itinerary (The Five Stans of the Silk Road - Reverse), which runs from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, includes Chon-Kemin and Bishkek and stays in guesthouses and hotels rather than yurts. The Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, to Almaty, Kazakhstan, itinerary (The Five Stans of the Silk Road), includes Son Kul Lake and there are three nights staying in yurts in Kyrgyzstan. Both itineraries include a night in a yurt in Turkmenistan.