Silk Road Tour

Join us for a new tour to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in 2017

Caravan-Serai Tours is pleased to offer our Silk Road Tour, a tour that will take you through the ancient Persian Empire to its eastern border, and along the famous trade routes the brought silk and spices from the east to the west, was a highway of intellectual and philosophical exchange, and was instrumental in political and economic development for all the regions involved.

The Silk Road epitomizes what Caravan-Serai is all about. We believe in traveling to meet new people, experience new places, exchange ideas and philosophy, news, and perspectives with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. The caravanserai itself was an important and necessary fixture of the trade route. They were places where merchants, traders, and travelers could take a rest from their journey, interact with fellow travelers from all points along the route, and beyond, get information about what may lay ahead of them, and more. Caravanserais were one to two story buildings with an interior courtyard where the animals could be kept safe from dangers outside the walls, and surrounding the interior court would be sleeping rooms, places to eat and gather for the travelers. The caravanserais provided shelter and protection and were placed strategically along the trade routes. If you have been on another tour with Caravan-Serai Tours before, no doubt you have visited a caravanserai at the central part of the Silk Road in Iran, Jordan, or any number of our other destinations.

The Silk Road takes its name from the lucrative silk trade between China and the west beginning during the Han Dynasty in about the first century AD. Many people used the trade route, not just the Chinese and Arabs, but also the Persians, Indians, Somalis, Greeks, Syrians, Romans, Armenians and more. Experience the best of the Silk Road with Caravan-Serai Tours.

May 6 – 23, 2017  |  October 21 – November 7, 2017

$6500 per person, double occupancy

Day 1: Airport – Almaty, Kazakhstan

Welcome to Almaty! On your arrival you will be met at the airport and then transfer to the hotel (check-in after 14:00). Overnight in Almaty.

Day 2: Almaty

After breakfast we will have a sightseeing tour around the city that will include a visit to the 28 Panfilov’s Guardsman Park, the Cathedral church, Museum of National Musical Instruments, National Museum, Republic Square, and Medeo Gorge. Overnight in Almaty.

Day 3: Almaty – Bishkek (250 km – transfer by car)

After breakfast we will drive to Bishkek, the capital in Kyrgyzstan. On arrival we will have a city tour to visit the National Historical Museum, Ala-Too Central Square, Lenin Statue, Manas Statue, Osh Bazaar. Overnight in Bishkek.

Day 4: Bishkek – Ala-Archa (40 km) – Bishkek

After breakfast we will visit the Kyrgyzstan national park “Ala-Archa”. There will be time to enjoy the spectacular scenery, hiking trails, and photo opportunities in the park. Return to Bishkek for overnight.

Day 5: Bishkek – Airport “Manas” (30 km) – Tashkent

Free time then transfer to the international airport “Manas” for our flight to Tashkent (HY-776) at 19:25. On arrival in Tashkent we will be met at the airport by our new driver and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.

Day 6: Tashkent – Samarkand (fast train Afrosiyob in the morning)

Breakfast at the hotel then we transfer to the railway station to take the train to Samarkand. On arrival we begin our tour of the city. . Sightseeing will include the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square (madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor madrasah, Tilya-Kori madrasah), Gur-e Amir mausoleum – necropolis of Timurids, Rukhabad mausoleum. After lunch we continue our sightseeing program with visits to Bibi-Khanym mosque, architectural ensemble of Shah-i-Zinda, and the Ulugbek observatory. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 7: Samarkand– Bukhara (290 km)

After breakfast at the hotel we will continue our sightseeing in Samarkand and visit the mausoleum of Khoja Daniyor, and the mosque of Khazrat-Khizr. After lunch we will drive to Bukhara. On arrival we will check into our hotel. Overnight Bukhara.

Day 8: Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing program in Bukhara: mausoleum of the Samanids, Chashma Ayub mausoleum, Bolo-Khauz complex, Ark citadel, Po-i-Kalyan complex, minaret Kalyan, madrasah of Ulugbek. After lunch continuation of sightseeing program in Bukhara: Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, madrasah of Kukeldash, madrasah of Nadir Divan-Begi, trade domes of Bukhara. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Bukhara – Uzbek-Turkmen border – Mary

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Uzbek-Turkmen border Farab. Overcoming the border. Transfer to Mary through Turkmenabat. Arrival to Mary accommodation and overnight at the hotel. Margush 3* or similar

Day 10: Mary – Merv – Mary – Ashgabat (evening flight)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to ancient Merv city, excursion program. Returning to Mary, sightseeing program in Mary: Russian Orthodox Church, the main bazaar of the city, central Mosque, city Museum. Transfer to the airport, evening flight to Ashgabat. Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Nusay 5*/Grand Turkmen 4*

Day 11: Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing program in Ashgabat: Independence Park, Arch of Neutrality, museum of history and ethnography, sacred mosque of Turkmenbashi. Overnight at the hotel. Nusay 5*/Grand Turkmen 4*

Day 12: Ashgabat – Tashauz (air flight) – Konya-Urgench – Turkmen-Uzbek border – Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport, morning flight to Tashauz. Meeting at the airport of Tashauz. Transfer to settlement Konya-Urgench. Sightseeing program in Konya-Urgench: mausoleums of Turabek-Khanym, Sultan Tekish, Il Arslan, Minaret of Tamerlane. Transfer to Turkmen-Uzbek border Shavat. Overcoming the border. Transfer to Khiva. Accommodation and overnight at the hotel. Asia Khiva 4*

Day 13: Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing program in Khiva: Ichan-Kala (an inner city of Khiva), complex of Pakhlavan Mahmoud, fortress Kunya-Ark, minaret and madrasah of Islam Khoja, Tash Khauli-Khan palace, Juma mosque, minaret and madrasah of Mohammad Amin-Khan, museum of Avesta. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Khiva – Tuprak-Kala – Ayaz-Kala – Urgench – Tashkent (evening flight)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the ancient settlements Tuprak-Kala, Ayaz-Kala. In the afternoon transfer to Urgench. Evening flight Urgench – Tashkent. Meeting at the airport of Tashkent. Accommodation and overnight at the hotel. Tashkent International Hotel 5*/Ramada 4*

Day 15: Tashkent – Uzbek-Tadjik border – Khudjand

Early in the morning transfer to the Uzbek-Tadjik border. Formalities. Continuation of the route to Khudjand. On arrival accommodation at the hotel. Overnight. Grand Hotel 4*

Day 16: Khudjand – Istaravshan – Dushanbe

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Istaravshan. Visit to the sites as follows: Mug Tepa – one of the ancient settlements in the territory of Tadjikistan, Khazrati Shokh ensemble. Back to Khudjand. Flight to Dushanbe. Accommodation at the hotel. Overnight. Sheraton 5*/Serena 5*

Day 17: Dushanbe

Full day city-tour about Dushanbe. Visit to the monuments as follows: United Museum of Tadjikistan, oriental market, Ismail Samani square. After lunch continuation of the city tour with visit to Hissar Fortress. Overnight at the hotel. Sheraton 5*/Serena 5*

Day 18: Departure

Transfer to the airport for flight home.

Included:
Visa support (invitation letter, registration, travel pass) to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Transport services for the whole program
Breakfast at hotel, lunches and dinners at hotels or local restaurants
Accommodation at 5* or best available hotels in each city
Domestic flight Bishkek-Tashkent (180 USD/per pax) – economy class
Domestic flight Tashkent – Urgench (105 USD/per pax) – economy class
Train ticket Tashkent – Samarkand (25 USD/per pax) – economy class
Domestic airline tickets (Mary-Ashgabat and Ashgabat-Dashoguz) (90 USD/per pax)
English speaking guides throughout
Entrances to all museums
Mineral water during the tour

Not Included:
Turkmenistan tourist visa from $55+$2 USD per person, when obtained at BP Farap(subject to change; nationality-dependent)
Turkmenistan migration tax $10+$2 USD per person, to be paid at BP Farap (subject to change)
All other visa fees for the rest of countries,
Gratuities for guide and/or drivers
Personal items, souvenirs
Excess luggage charges during domestic flights
Any other service/expense not included in the section “Included”

Please Note:

• Price is for a minimum of 6 passengers
• We highly recommend using a visa service to obtain all the necessary visas rather than trying to do it all yourself as this tour requires several visas. Visa requirement updates can be found by using our Travisa widget on the right-hand column of this page. Visa requirements can change at any time without notice.