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The Award-Winning Tour Specialist

Road to Samarkand

23 days Fully Inclusive Go Beyond Group Tour

Celebrating 25 Years of tour excellence

Road to Samarkand

Journey through the heart of Central Asia crossing beautiful deserts and mountain landscapes. Discover ancient cities full of intricate Islamic architecture, thriving bazaars and a mystical old-world atmosphere, all linked with the legends of the Silk Road.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 20 , Lunches: 19 , Dinners: 20
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 18
  • Physical Rating 3
    A good level of fitness is required as you need to be comfortable walking for 2-3 hours and covering longer distances. Other activities such as cycling will be at a gentle pace and will involve straightforward terrain.
    Learn More
    Longer walking and gentle paced physical activities.
Go Beyond Group Tour
23 DAYS
From $15,980PP
Bishkek (2N) - Cholpon - Ata (1N) - Karakol (2N) - Naryn (2N) - Chong Kemin (1N) - Tashkent (2N) - Samarkand (4N) - Bukhara (3N) - Khiva (2N) - Tashkent (1N)
22 Reviews
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Tour Highlights

Our Road to Samarkand tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

Bishkek (2N) - Cholpon - Ata (1N) - Karakol (2N) - Naryn (2N) - Chong Kemin (1N) - Tashkent (2N) - Samarkand (4N) - Bukhara (3N) - Khiva (2N) - Tashkent (1N)
  • Days 1-2
    Fly Via Dubai To Bishkek
    Dinner
    DAYS 1-2: Fly Via Dubai To Bishkek

    Fly overnight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital and cultural hub. Upon arrival check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure, before dinner.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Ala Archa National Park
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 3: Ala Archa National Park

    Today visit Ala-Too Square, the White House and Oak Park before driving to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through its picturesque scenery of rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. In the afternoon, continue with a city-tour in Bishkek.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Lake Issyk Kul
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 4: Lake Issyk Kul

    Visit the magnificent 12th-century Burana Tower before departing for Cholpon-Ata. Set on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul, visit the astonishing collection of 8th Century petroglyphs etched into glacial stone nearby. Later, take a cruise on the beautiful Lake Issyk Kul, admiring its spectacular alpine-esque surroundings.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Drive to Karakol
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 5: Drive to Karakol

    Drive to Karakol, stopping at Semenov Gorge for a gentle hike en route. Visit the Kyrchyn Jailoo ethnic village and arrive in Karakol in the early afternoon. This afternoon visit the Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to the Russian explorer, and visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and the Chinese mosque.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Jeti-Oguz Gorge
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 6: Jeti-Oguz Gorge

    Rise early to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Karakol's Sunday morning animal market which rivals Kashgar's famous animal market. In the afternoon, travel to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge for a walk through the canyon of red sandstone. This evening enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family in Karakol.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Eagle Hunting
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 7: Eagle Hunting

    Drive 3 hours to Bokonbaevo Village and watch an eagle hunting demonstration, a millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition practised with majestic golden eagles. Continue to Naryn, where you will stay the night.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Journey To Tash Rabat
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 8: Journey To Tash Rabat

    Pass through dramatic mountain and valley landscapes to reach Tash Rabat, a small stone caravansary that was of great significance at the height of the Silk Road. Enjoy the peaceful valley said to contain some of the finest landscapes in Kyrgyzstan before returning to Naryn.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Kochkor
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 9: Kochkor

    Transfer to Kochkor, the centre of Kyrgyz felt handicrafts. Visit a traditional 'shyrdak' (wool carpet) workshop and a co-op that provides training for local women in traditional handicrafts. In the evening you will travel to a guesthouse near Chong-Kemin National Park.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Chong Kemin National Park
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 10: Chong Kemin National Park

    Travel from Kochkor to Chong Kemin, a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains. Enjoy a walk in the foothills before travelling to Bishkek airport for your flight to Tashkent.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Tashkent
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 11: Tashkent

    Explore Tashkent's sights, including the Barak Khana Seminary, Kukeldash madrassas, Tila Shaikh mosque and their archives. Browse the wares of Chorsu bazaar before experiencing a ceramic workshop.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Golden City of Samarkand
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 12: Golden City of Samarkand

    Travel to the legendary city of Samarkand where you will enjoy a tour of Registan Square, the Ulug-Bek and Tillya-Kori madrassah. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Samarkand
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 13: Samarkand

    Explore Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane, the grandest structure of Amir Temur's times - the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum and the Siab Bazaar and Shahi Zinda Necropolis. Later in the afternoon see Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Konigil Village
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 14: Konigil Village

    Visit Ulugbek's observatory, constructed by Ulugbek (Grandson of the Great Amir Temur) in 1428-1429. Later see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab. Continue to Konigil Village to visit a paper-making workshop. In the afternoon, return to Samarkand and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Shakhrisabz
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 15: Shakhrisabz

    Travel to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the Great Amir Timur (Tamerlane). Explore the city, visiting sites such as the remnants of Ak-Saray Palace, Dorus Tilavat cemetery and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. Return to Samarkand this afternoon.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 16
    Bukhara
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 16: Bukhara

    Journey to Bukhara. En route, visit Gijduvan, a centre of famous handmade ceramics. Here you will see the fascinating process of making these ceramics. Continue on to Bukhara where you will have the afternoon to begin to explore this fascinating city.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 17
    Bukhara
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 17: Bukhara

    This morning’s sightseeing includes: the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble, Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah, Khanaga and Magoki Attari Mosques, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque, plus the Maddrassahs of Aziz Khan and Ulugbek. After lunch you will discover the Ark of Bukhara, Bolo Hauz Mosque and the Mausoleums of Ismail Samanid and Chashma Ayub.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 18
    Bukhara
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 18: Bukhara

    This morning, visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the Emir's summer palace, a 20th Century confection of a building! Continue to the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausolem of a famous Sufi spiritual leader of the region. The afternoon is at leisure. Return to Bukhara and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 19
    Khiva
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 19: Khiva

    This morning, you will set out for Khiva, a journey that will take you across Kyzyl Kum desert and a stop at Amudarya River. The route runs 480 kilometres through the stark beauty of the desert, the scenery changing from sparse saksaul trees to the lush riverbanks of the Amudarya.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 20
    Walled City Of Itchan Kala
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 20: Walled City Of Itchan Kala

    Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kunya Ark and the turquoise tiled Islom-Khodja. Wander through the fascinating Madrassah Rakhimkhon, a beacon of religious, astronomic, geographic and mathematical studies, and see the 19th Century Tash Hauli Palace, decorated in blue fine china tiles.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 21
    Fly To Taskent
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    DAY 21: Fly To Taskent

    Transfer to Urgench to fly to Tashkent. Upon arrival visit the Museum of Applied Arts as well as the Mustakilik Square and the famous Tashkent Metro. With it's marble and granite decorations the Metro feels like an underground palace.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 22-23
    Fly Tashkent To Australia
    Breakfast
    DAYS 22-23: Fly Tashkent To Australia

    Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia via Dubai

    Breakfast
Road to Samarkand map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • -7
    3
    -2
  • 26
  • Karakol
  • -19
    -7
    -13
  • 9
  • Khiva
  • -7
    2
    -2
  • 9
  • Naryn
  • -20
    -10
    -15
  • 10
  • Samarkand
  • -2
    7
    3
  • 41
  • Tashkent
  • -2
    7
    3
  • 58
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • -5
    5
    0
  • 35
  • Karakol
  • -17
    -6
    -12
  • 10
  • Khiva
  • -6
    5
    0
  • 8
  • Naryn
  • -17
    -7
    -12
  • 13
  • Samarkand
  • 0
    9
    4
  • 46
  • Tashkent
  • 0
    9
    5
  • 57
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 0
    11
    6
  • 55
  • Karakol
  • -9
    2
    -4
  • 19
  • Khiva
  • 1
    13
    7
  • 18
  • Naryn
  • -6
    3
    -2
  • 20
  • Samarkand
  • 4
    14
    9
  • 69
  • Tashkent
  • 5
    15
    10
  • 65
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 6
    18
    12
  • 67
  • Karakol
  • -1
    11
    5
  • 35
  • Khiva
  • 9
    22
    16
  • 18
  • Naryn
  • 2
    14
    8
  • 34
  • Samarkand
  • 9
    21
    15
  • 60
  • Tashkent
  • 10
    22
    16
  • 60
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 11
    24
    17
  • 61
  • Karakol
  • 4
    16
    10
  • 51
  • Khiva
  • 15
    30
    22
  • 11
  • Naryn
  • 6
    18
    12
  • 48
  • Samarkand
  • 14
    26
    20
  • 36
  • Tashkent
  • 14
    28
    21
  • 41
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 16
    29
    22
  • 34
  • Karakol
  • 7
    20
    14
  • 56
  • Khiva
  • 19
    35
    27
  • 3
  • Naryn
  • 8
    22
    15
  • 55
  • Samarkand
  • 17
    32
    25
  • 6
  • Tashkent
  • 18
    33
    26
  • 11
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 18
    32
    25
  • 21
  • Karakol
  • 9
    23
    16
  • 60
  • Khiva
  • 22
    37
    30
  • 3
  • Naryn
  • 11
    24
    18
  • 37
  • Samarkand
  • 19
    34
    26
  • 4
  • Tashkent
  • 20
    36
    28
  • 4
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 16
    31
    24
  • 13
  • Karakol
  • 8
    22
    15
  • 53
  • Khiva
  • 19
    34
    26
  • 1
  • Naryn
  • 10
    25
    18
  • 21
  • Samarkand
  • 17
    33
    25
  • 1
  • Tashkent
  • 18
    35
    26
  • 2
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 11
    26
    18
  • 19
  • Karakol
  • 4
    18
    11
  • 37
  • Khiva
  • 13
    29
    21
  • 1
  • Naryn
  • 6
    20
    13
  • 17
  • Samarkand
  • 13
    28
    20
  • 4
  • Tashkent
  • 13
    29
    21
  • 6
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 5
    18
    11
  • 45
  • Karakol
  • -2
    10
    4
  • 25
  • Khiva
  • 5
    20
    12
  • 5
  • Naryn
  • 1
    13
    7
  • 15
  • Samarkand
  • 7
    22
    14
  • 17
  • Tashkent
  • 8
    22
    15
  • 29
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • 0
    11
    5
  • 42
  • Karakol
  • -10
    1
    -4
  • 16
  • Khiva
  • 1
    12
    6
  • 9
  • Naryn
  • -8
    2
    -3
  • 11
  • Samarkand
  • 3
    15
    9
  • 34
  • Tashkent
  • 4
    15
    10
  • 41
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bishkek
  • -5
    5
    0
  • 35
  • Karakol
  • -16
    -5
    -10
  • 11
  • Khiva
  • -4
    5
    0
  • 13
  • Naryn
  • -16
    -6
    -11
  • 10
  • Samarkand
  • 0
    9
    4
  • 47
  • Tashkent
  • 0
    9
    4
  • 54

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2024
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  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart AUStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 01 August 2023. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
    • Customary tipping amount approximately US$150pp (AU$224pp) is paid locally in Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan.
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected)
    • All Meals (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • 3 – 4 star accommodation, plus guesthouse

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    What our Customers Say

    Rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 5409 reviews

    Booking Experience for Road to Samarkand
    Julia was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable
    Nov 01, 2024
    Booking Experience for Road to Samarkand
    We wanted to book Uzbekistan and spoke to the rep. Alicia 4 or 5 times for information. It’s an expensive holiday off the beaten track but we were reassured sufficiently to book. We have been to China with Wendy Wu before and had a very well- organised holiday so we were inclined to book with them again.
    Jan 31, 2024
    Review for Road to Samarkand
    This tour was simply amazing. Two great informative tour guides in Krgystan and Uzbekistan. We saw and learnt so much about the local culture, architecture and customs in each country. Hotels were all good and the contrast between the mountains and scenery in Krgystan and the architecture and cities in Uzbekistan made the trip unique. I highly recommend.
    Oct 02, 2023
    Booking Experience for Road to Samarkand
    Very easy process; the lady I spoke to remembered what I had said a couple of days earlier. She gave lots of information about the trip; very useful
    Oct 20, 2022
    Review for Road to Samarkand
    Aside from the scenery and history, I thought the selection of hotels was first class. It was all the more remarkable given it was the first time this trip has been conducted since COVID.
    Jun 20, 2022
    Review for Road to Samarkand
    Wonderful experience, different landscapes, architecture, culture,and economy in each country. Food variations as well. Unforgettable experience.
    Jun 15, 2022
    Review for Road to Samarkand
    Good website. Lisa was kind, helpful and efficient. We are excited about our holiday in Uzbekistan
    We have used Wendy Wu before to go to Vietnam and the trip exceeded expectations.
    The business class upgrades are fabulous, making the journey a pleasure.
    Jan 31, 2020

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