Silk Route Odyssey: Caravan Across Uzbekistan
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"Very unusual and very well done tour - experiences from A to Z: gorgeous architecture, fascinating dress of the local people, the thrill of seeing Bukhara and Khiva - I loved it all! MIR is about the best company I've ever used! Thanks!"
V. Britton
East Boothbay, ME
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The center of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is home to three of the most renowned of the Silk Road oases -- Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Journey through these UNESCO Sites, the incredible Savitsky Museum in Nukus and the lush Fergana Valley, where Central Asia's silk production began with two cocoons hidden in the headdress of a royal Chinese bride.
Days 1-4: Tashkent, Fergana Valley
Gather in the modern Uzbek capital, Tashkent. Drive to the fertile Fergana Valley, heartland of Uzbekistan. Alexander the Great founded a city here in 329 BC. Bordered by the Tien Shan Mountains, the valley is an oasis of cotton fields and melon plantations, dotted with ancient villages distinguished for their silk production and ceramic tiles.
Days 5-7: Samarkand, Shakhrisabze
Continue to Samarkand, the grand capital of the conqueror Tamerlane. Admire the grace of the blue-tiled Registan, and visit Ulug Bek's surprising Observatory. Stop at Tamerlane's hometown, UNESCO-listed Shakhrisabze, to see the remains of Ak Saray, or White Palace.
Day 8: Navoi, Nurata, Kyzyl Kum Desert
Explore the vast Kyzyl Kum Desert, whose red sands protect the remnants of Alexander the Great's ancient well system, and learn the art of producing the traditional round bread of Central Asia. Spend the night in a yurt camp, relaxing around a campfire under a dome of stars.
Days 9-15: Bukhara, Khiva, Nukus, Tashkent
Visit Bukhara, whose densely inhabited UNESCO-listed ancient city center is a maze of mud-walled homes, mosques and stone bazaars, and whose 2,500th anniversary came and went in 1997. Stop in Khiva, the last great oasis on the north-ern caravan route, then drive to Nukus, capital of the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan to admire the fabulous collection of avante-garde Russian art rescued from the Soviets. Fly from Nukus to Tashkent where the odyssey concludes.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
15 Days |
| Departures: |
2 |
| Dates: |
May 25-June 8, 2012 |
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September 14-28, 2012 |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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| 4-12 travelers |
$4,295 |
Plus internal air
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$150 (economy class, subject to change)
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| Partial Single Supplement |
$395* |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
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MIR Signature Experiences
- Visit Fergana Valley craftsmen in their silk-weaving and ceramics workshops
- Inspect the "forbidden art" banned by the Soviets and hidden in the Uzbek desert on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour
- Enjoy a meal of Uzbek specialties in the home of a local family
Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Day 1: |
Tashkent |
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| Day 2: |
Drive to Fergana* |
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| Day 3: |
Fergana, day trip to Rishtan |
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| Day 4: |
Fergana, fly to Tashkent* |
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| Day 5: |
Drive to Samarkand |
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| Day 6: |
Samarkand |
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| Day 7: |
Samarkand, day trip to Shakhrisabze |
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| Day 8: |
Drive to Navoi, Nurata, Kyzyl Kum Desert Yurt Camp |
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| Day 9: |
Kyzyl Kum Desert Yurt Camp, drive to Bukhara |
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| Days 10-11: |
Bukhara |
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| Day 12: |
drive to Khiva |
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| Day 13: |
Khiva |
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| Day 14: |
Khiva , drive to Urgench, Nukus,
fly to Tashkent |
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| Day 15: |
Tashkent |
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*Route could be by land or air depending on schedules.
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| Tashkent |
Square of Independence, the Navoi Theatre, Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum, Barak-Khan Madrassah, Chorsu Bazaar
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| Fergana Valley |
Agricultural center of the country, beautiful mountain views, towns of Fergana, Margilan, Rishtan and Kokand |
| Fergana |
Dinner in a private home |
| Kokand |
Khudayar Khan's Palace, Amin Beg Madrassah |
| Margilan |
Silk workshop, weekend market |
| Rishtan |
Ceramic master's workshop |
| Samarkand |
"Crossroads of Culture" (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Registan, Shah-i-Zinde, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Uleg Bek Observatory, Gur-Emir Mausoleum |
| Shakrisabze (Shakrisabze) |
"Historic Centre of Shakrisabze" (UNESCO World Heritage Site), birthplace of Tamerlane, Ak Saray (White Palace)
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| Navoi |
Birthplace of the poet Navoi, Malik desert steppe |
| Debaland |
Khasan and Khusein Mosque |
| Nurata |
Ancient well system (Kazrez) |
| Kyzyl Kum Desert |
Overnight in Yurt in "red sands" desert, camel ride |
| Bukhara |
"Historic Centre of Bukhara" (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lyab-i-Khauz Plaza, Kukeldash Madrassah, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, Ark Citadel, Zindan Prison, Ismael Samani Mausoleum |
| Khiva |
Ichon-Qala (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kyzyl Kum Desert, Amu Darya River, Tash-Hauli Palace, Dzhuma Mosque, Kunya Ark |
Suggested Extensions
Combine this tour with a customized extension to Tajikistan or may also add a private trip to Nukus, Uzbekistan to visit the Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum which was featured in the documentary film "The Desert of Forbidden Art." ask for our suggested tour.
Some images on this page courtesy of Peter Guttman
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