In order to gain a thorough comprehension of the ancient Silk Road, you should travel the whole length of this journey from Beijing to Istanbul. However, we have divided the trip into three sections, thereby allowing those with limited time an opportunity to experience a portion of this significant route .
SECTION-2
Day 20 Naryn/Songkol Lake Drive from Naryn to Songkol Lake. Songkol Lake is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 m above sea level. Surrounded by dramatic snow-covered mountain peaks, it is hidden in a flat, plate-like valley. Your route takes you through some of the alpine mountains and meadows of Kyrgyzstan. Along the way to the lake you will get a chance to meet Kyrgyz shepherds, follow their paths and experience their nomadic life. Enjoy a Kyrgyz national game and folk show. Overnight in a Yurt camp. B/L/D
Day 21 Songkol Lake/Chichkan Valley Drive to Susamyr valley, a high steppe plateau that although only some 160 kilometers from the capital Bishkek is also one of the more remote and rarely visited regions of Kyrgyzstan. There are signs of early settlement dating back to between the 9th and 11th centuries. The road climbs through the spectacular mountains and on to Chichkan valley. Accommodation in Guest House or Yurt Camp. B/L/D
Day 22 Chichkan Valley/Osh Drive to Osh. The road climbs through the spectacular mountains and follows the Naryn River. At the end of mountain's road the Ferghana valley starts. En route, you will pass the town of Uzgen, which has a history of over 2000 years - it is claimed to have been the site of a number of citadels built at various times since the 1st century BC. After lunch, drive to Osh, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan; reputed to be about 3000 years old. There are several legends about the origin of the city, including claims that it was founded by Solomon or Alexander the Great. Even if such a grand personage did not establish Osh, its position at a crossroads along the ancient trading routes that became known as the Silk Road almost guaranteed that it would become a major settlement. B/L/D
Day 23 Osh/Ferghana Excursion to Osh Bazaar, one of the biggest bazaars in Central Asia, stretching for about one kilometre along the river. Visit holy mount Suleiman-Too (Solomon's Throne). According to, legend this mount appeared after King Solomon rested here. For Central Asian Muslims, “Taht-I-Suleiman” is the 3rd most sacred place after Mecca and Medina. At the top there is a 16 th century mosque and a museum. Afternoon drive to the Uzbekistan border. B/L/D
Day 24 Ferghana Valley In the morning we will drive to Kokand and visit the major sights: Khudayar Khan Palace, Jommi Mosque, Narbutabey and Dasturkhanchi Madrassah, Royal Cemetery and Khaidarov Workshop (museum of Kokand woodcraft). Then on the road from Kokand to Margilan we will visit the famous Rishtan Art Ceramics factory. The major sights in Margilan are Toron Mosque, Said Akhmad Khoja Madrassah and famous silk factories: Yodgorlik factory, Margilan Silk factory and Khanatlas Silk factory. B/L/D (Club 777 Hotel)
Day 25 Ferghana Valley/Samarkand In the early morning we will start out for Samarkand. The road from Ferghana Valley to Samarkand is quite a long distance and will be a challenging drive, crossing many mountain passes on the way to Tashkent. We will stop for a rest and some lunch in the local houses in the Jizzah region, arriving in Samarkand in the afternoon. B/L/D (Afrosiab Palace Hotel)
Day 26 Samarkand Today we will have a city tour of Samarkand including the famous Registan, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Bibi Khanum Mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble, Ulugbek Observatory (15th century), Chupan Ata (1440s), Gur Emir, Ak-Serai (around 1470) and Rukhabad Mausoleums. Later we will visit Khoja Abdi Darun, Khoja Abdi Birun and Ishrat Khana Mausoleums, Khoja Akhrar Complex, Chorsu and the famous Samarkand carpet factory. B/L/D (Afrosiab Palace Hotel) Day 27 Samarkand/Bukhara After breakfast we will start our trip to Bukhara. Arriving at Bukhara city in the afternoon we will have lunch and some leisure time. In the evening we will see a folk performance in Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah. B/L/D (Lyabi House Hotel)
Day 28 Bukhara Today we have an excursion in Bukhara including visits to the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, the Bolo-Hauz mosque, the Historical Fortress - Arch, Poi Kalon Ensemble (the Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque and Mir-I-Arab Madrassah), Ulugbek and Abdulaziz khan Madrassahs, the Magoki-Attar mosque. In evening we will have dinner in a local traditional style restaurant. B/L/D (Lyabi House Hotel)
Day 29 Bukhara-Khiva Drive to Khiva through KizilKum Desert. En route we stop to see the Amudarya River, known to many western explorers as the Oxus River. We will arrive at Khiva in the late afternoon. B/L/D (Khorezm Palace Hotel)
Day 30 Khiva Our tour in Khiva will include Ichan-Kala (Inner town): Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya Ark, Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, Islam Khoja Madrassah and Minaret, Jummi Mosque, Eastern Ensemble, Tash Hauli Palace. Atajan Tura Ensemble and functioning hamman (bath), Chadra Hauli, Sheikh Mukhtar Vali Mausoleum, Kubla Toza Beg Summer Palace. Also you will see desert sights such as Toprak Kala and Koi Krylgan Kala. B/L/D (Khorezm Palace Hotel)
Day 31 Khiva/Darvaza Cross the border into Turkmenistan and drive to Darvaza. En route, see the sights of Kunya-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monuments here testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India. Later on, continue to Darvaza. B/L/D
Day 32 Darvaza/Ashgabat Drive to Ashgabat. En route, we will visit the colourful and varied Tolkuchka bazaar. Arriving in Ashgabat, take a city tour and visit the Carpet Museum. B/L/D (Section C begins)
Day 33 Ashgabat Today we will have a full day tour around Ashgabat, visiting the Bakharden underground lake as well as Kipchak mosque. Later, we will tour the Old Nisa – the remains of the Parthian kings' residence. Continue to National museum and return Ashgabat. This evening, enjoy a traditional dinner with Folklore group performance. B/L/D
Day 34 Ashgabat/Mary Drive to Mary via the medieval Anau mosque, which was built between 1446-1456, and destroyed by earthquake in 1948. The mosque was unique with its blue mosaic facade, depicting dragons. We will also visit the old city of Abiverd, which was an important trading post from the 5th to the 7th centuries. We will have lunch upon arrival in Mary. In the afternoon, drive to ancient Merv, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia. At one point in its history, Merv was called 'The Pearl of the East'. Razed by the Mongols, it was rebuilt over the centuries and today five distinct cities cover 130 square kilometres. Later, we will return to Mary. B/L/D (End of Section B – those not continuing will depart from Ashgabat today)
