Central Asia Treasures : Silk Road 2027

Gather at Pearson International Airport for our flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

In-flight for the whole day.

Upon arrival, transfer directly to your hotel. After time to rest, begin your introduction to Kyrgyzstan’s capital. Explore Ala Too Square, the city’s central gathering place, and view monuments to Manas, Kurmanzhan Datka, and Lenin. Continue past key governmental buildings to Old Square, home to the Parliament House and Fine Arts Gallery, before concluding at Victory Square, dedicated to World War II. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner.

Continue through the expansive Kazakh steppe, a landscape that has shaped nomadic life for centuries. Lunch will be served en route at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Almaty in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

This morning, travel to the “Huns” Ethno Complex for an immersive introduction to traditional Kazakh culture. Experience demonstrations of horseback riding, archery, and traditional bread baking — customs deeply rooted in nomadic steppe life. Lunch will be served at the complex.

Return to Almaty for a guided city tour. Visit Republic Square and the Monument of Independence, followed by Panfilov Park, home to the striking wooden Zenkov Cathedral. Continue to the WWII Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, and the Museum of Musical Instruments. Conclude with a walk through the vibrant Green Bazaar. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Depart after breakfast and travel along the Kuldja Highway toward Charyn Canyon. Upon arrival around midday, enjoy a walk to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the canyon’s dramatic rock formations. Following lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Kolsai Lakes region. Visit the first Kolsai Lake to take in its serene alpine setting and sweeping views.

Arrive in Saty Village in the evening and check in to your accommodation.

Depart in the morning for the return journey to Almaty. Lunch will be served en route.

Arrive in the late afternoon and visit Kok Tobe Hill, offering panoramic views over the city and surrounding mountains. Dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, visit the Central State Historical Museum, offering insight into Kazakhstan’s rich and layered history. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Dushanbe.

Upon arrival in Tajikistan, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a short evening walking tour in central Dushanbe.

Today’s program explores both the capital and its surroundings. Visit the Museum of Antiquities, followed by the monument to Ismail Somoni and the lively Mehrgon Bazaar.

In the afternoon, travel to Hissar to explore its historic fortress and madrassahs, dating to the 16th century. Lunch included.

Checkout this morning after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Upon arrival, begin a panoramic city tour. Visit the Khast Imam Complex, Kukeldash Madrassah, and Chorsu Bazaar. Continue to the modern city, including Independence Square, the Museum of Applied Arts, Alisher Navoi Theatre, and Amir Temur Square.

Transfer to the train station early in the morning, for your bullet train to Samarkand.

NOTE: your luggage will be transported separately via luggage truck to Samarkand hotel directly.

Upon arrival, begin your exploration of one of the Silk Road’s most celebrated cities. Visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane), whose architectural legacy influenced monuments as far as India. Continue to Registan Square, the iconic ensemble of madrassahs that has long stood as the cultural and intellectual heart of Central Asia. Walk along Tashkentskaya Street to the Bibi Khanum Mosque, once among the largest in the Islamic world. Conclude at Siab Bazaar, where the enduring rhythms of trade continue amid stalls of spices, dried fruits, and local specialties.

A full day is devoted to Samarkand’s extraordinary architectural and historical heritage. Visit the grandeur of Bibi Khanum Mosque and Registan Square, appreciating their scale and artistry in greater depth. Continue to the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, a remarkable avenue of mausoleums adorned with intricate tilework dating from the 14th century, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful sites in Central Asia. Conclude with a visit to the Ulug Beg Observatory, where groundbreaking astronomical studies were conducted in the 15th century, reflecting the city’s importance as a centre of scientific learning. Lunch included.

Depart Samarkand by road toward Bukhara, stopping in Gijduvan, a town renowned for its ceramic traditions. Visit the house-museum of a master ceramist, where you will observe the creation of handcrafted pottery and learn about techniques passed down through generations.

Continue onward to Bukhara. Lunch and dinner included.

Bukhara is home to a remarkable concentration of historic monuments, and its beautifully preserved old city offers an authentic sense of life along the Silk Road at its peak. Today, we explore the city’s most significant landmarks, including the Kalon Minaret, the Lyabi Hauz ensemble, and the traditional covered bazaars that once formed the commercial heart of the region.

We also visit the Ismail Somoni Mausoleum, an important early example of Islamic architecture, and the distinctive Chor Minor Mosque, known for its four blue-domed towers. No visit to Bukhara is complete without the Ark Fortress, an imposing citadel that served as the residence of the Emirs for over a thousand years.

Today involves a full-day overland journey from Bukhara to Khiva, crossing the desert landscapes of western Uzbekistan. Lunch will be provided en route.

Upon arrival in Khiva, transfer to your hotel. Dinner is included this evening.

A guided walking tour of Khiva offers an immersive experience of a remarkably preserved Silk Road city. Explore its narrow historic streets and discover palaces, mosques, madrassahs, minarets, and caravanserais that reflect centuries of trade and cultural exchange.

Throughout the visit, your guide will share stories that bring the city’s history to life. Lunch and dinner are included.

This morning, transfer to the Shavat border crossing and enter Turkmenistan with the assistance of your local guide, who will support the visa and border procedures.

After completing formalities, continue to Dashoguz for a short city tour, including visits to the Juma Mosque, the local bazaar, and a private art gallery. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the evening, take a flight to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Upon arrival, transfer to the local restaurant for dinner, then to our hotel for check-in.

Begin a full-day exploration of Ashgabat, a city known for its monumental architecture and striking modern design. Visits include Ancient Nissa (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Turkmenbashi Mosque Mausoleum, and the National Museum.

Continue to the Neutrality Arch, Independence Park, Wedding Palace, and the Earthquake Memorial Complex. The tour also includes Makhtumkuli Park, the Akhal-Teke horse stables (with an opportunity for horse riding), the Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, and the Gulistan Bazaar.

Transfer to the airport for your return journey home, departing Central Asia with memories of vast landscapes, ancient cities, and the enduring legacy of the Silk Road.