Along the Silk Road Tour is a magical 3-week journey stretching across six countries in West and Central Asia, spanning millennia and multiple cultures along the way. Mountains and mosques, cathedrals and caves, palaces and parks await you at every turn on this in-depth discovery of the world’s most famous caravan route.
Silk Road history clashes with modernity in Georgia and Azerbaijan’s capital cities, while comfortable bullet trains have replaced pack animals on the road to Samarkand and Khiva in Uzbekistan. Bazaars in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan straddle 20th-century plazas, while Kyrgyzstan’s petroglyphs vie with resort towns for visitors’ attention. Whispers of the old Silk Road abound, yet its present-day counterpart is equally delightful.
Arrive in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. You will be met by our driver for drop-off at the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. Have a rest before taking a private, guided walking tour of Old Baku (Icheri Sheher) to see several historical monuments:
Depart Baku and drive to Gobustan National Park (60km, 1hr), located on the Caspian Sea, to visit:
Return to Baku via Absheron Peninsula (78km, 75min) On the way, visit Bibi Heybat Mosque (dates vary) a central piece of Azerbaijani Islamic architecture.
Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for a drive to Shamakhi (120km, 1hr 30min).
Stop in Maraza at Diri Baba Mausoleum (15th century), a two-story monument carved into a cliff as a unique display of Shirvan-Absheron architecture.
Continue driving to ancient Shamakhi, former seat of the Shirvanshah Empire, to visit Juma Mosque (8th century), Azerbaijan’s oldest mosque whose architecture is unparalleled in the country.
Drive to Sheki (170km, 2hrs 30min) to tour its finest sites:
In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for a private city tour to the following:
In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you for a drive to Mtskheta (25km, 30min) to explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
In the morning, begin your Batumi city tour, which will take you to the following sights:
Free morning before hotel check-out and transfer to Tbilisi International Airport for a flight to Almaty (2620km, 3hrs 30min). Arrive in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Our driver will take you to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. Your guide and driver will meet you to begin your private tour of Almaty to the following:
Free time in the morning before transfer to Almaty International Airport for a flight to Tashkent (665km, 1hr 30min).
Arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. Transfer to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. Your guide and driver will pick you up to begin your private tour of Tashkent to see:
After breakfast, take the Tashkent-Samarkand bullet train (330km, 2hrs 30min). Transfer to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon.
Begin your private tour of Samarkand, seat of Tamerlane’s ancient empire. The tour will include:
After breakfast, continue your tour of Samarkand region:
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and drive to Shakhrisabz (90km, 2hrs) via the Tahtakaracha Pass. During your tour of Shakhrisabz you’ll visit:
After breakfast, take the morning train to Bukhara (280km, 1hr 30min). Arrive in Bukhara, one of the most esteemed cities of Islamic civilization, and transfer to your hotel in the Old City.
Explore Bukhara on a private walking tour to the Old City’s most impressive sights:
Check out of the hotel by noon and enjoy free time before continuing your tour of Bukhara to the following:
After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan ‘Oybek’ border crossing (100km, 1hr 30min). After crossing, your Tajik guide and driver will take you to Khujand (70km, 1hr) for a city tour:
Free time in the morning before transfer to Tashkent International Airport for a flight to Bishkek (470km, 1hr 10min). Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel, where check-in begins at noon.
Begin your sightseeing tour of Bishkek to the following:
Breakfast at the hotel before an adventure-filled day as you head into rural Kyrgyzstan. Stop in the small town of Tokmok (80km, 1hr 30min) for an excursion to Burana Tower and Museum Complex: