Hush ellipsis! A warm welcome in Uzbek language as we are warmly welcomed and subsequently conveyed through the capital city to our hotel

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey starts with a brief tour of the old part of Tashkent – a good introduction to the Silk Road in Central Asia with a visit to the colourful Chorsu Bazaar. Medieval history is everywhere as we explore Kafelsashi Mausoleum, Barak Khana, Tila Shaikh Mosque and Archives before heading off to the beautiful and historical city of Samarkand. After an evening rest in our hotel, we visit the famous Registan Square to see the beautiful madrassah illuminated. Subject to shows, we will witness an awesome Sound & Light Show followed by a typical and delicious Uzbeki dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An exciting day ahead as we explore Samarkand continuing with a day time visit of the Registan Square which will also include marveling the historical madrassahs. Later, we visit the remarkable Bibi Khanum mosque, the intriguing Silk Road bazaar and the Shahi Zinda Necropolis. Our post lunch tour includes the Afrosiab Museum, Ulugbek’s Observatory, Gur Emir, Mausoleum of Tamerlane and time in the local bazaar. Dinner at a local restaurant joining the local folk and learning how to dance.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A countryside drive takes us to Shakre Sabz, birthplace of Tamerlane, the founder of Uzbekistan. This is followed by a visit to the Ak-Saray Palace ruins, Dorus Saidat Seminary, Kok Gumbaz Mosque, Dorus Saidat and the Friday Mosque. After lunch, we continue our drive to the historical city of Bukhara.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bukhara, a World heritage Site, is a true reflection of the Arabian Nights. Walking through the narrow lanes, we visit Lyabikhauz, Madrassahs of Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Aziziz Khan and Ulugbek, Khanaga, Mogaki Attari Mosque and the beuatiful Poi Kalon minaret and mosque. A Bukhara style lunch and we then visit the famous Ark Fortress, the majestic Balakhauz Mosque, Mausoleum of Ismail Samanid and Chasma Ayub. We end the day with free time at the exotic Silk Road bazaar. This evening we visit with a local family to join them for home cooked Bukhari delicacy.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A very different experience today as we depart for Ayaz Kala through the Kizilkum (red sands) desert where we visualize the crossing of the hordes of Chengis Khan – a man who that changed the history of the world. As we approach Beruni city we see Amudarya before taking an interesting drive seeing local villages and the desert before reaching our Yorta – a type that Chenghiz Khan and his large army may have used. Facing the Ayaz Kala, we settle in our Yortas, a round shaped nomadic tent made of felt and bamboo sticks decorated inside with typical folk painting. This evening we enjoy a BBQ dinner and musical entertainment.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The treat of Ayaz Kala does not end with the Yorta and cultural experience of the previous night. This morning we capture the first rays of the sun falling over the massive fort, and witness an awe-inspiring sunrise. We continue following the footsteps of Chenghiz Khan and visit the nearby Toprak Kala Fort – one that was used for the ruling class. Forts here were constructed primarily to protect the Trans-Oxiana kingdoms from tribal raids and later served as pleasure houses for the rulers. After crossing the Amudarya (Oxus River), we encounter yet another highlight of Central Asia, the city of Khiva – another World Heritage Site. Evening, we stroll through the town and picture ourselves in the land of a thousand and one nights!

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An experience into medieval times today. Our day in Khiva starts with a visit to Ichan Kala, Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark, Madrassah Rakhimkhon, and the local handicrafts at the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud. From here, we visit the famous see Islam Khodja minaret and museum, the Friday Mosque, Tashauli Palace/harem and a Caravan Bazaar. We have an excellent opportunity of meeting locals folks and joining them at a traditional teahouse. After dinner, we proceed to the airport in Urgench for our flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue with the second part of the Tashkent tour visiting the famous Navoi Theatre, Ballet Theatre and Museum of Fine Arts. Later we explore more of Uzbekistan taking a rural scenic drive to the enchanting rich Ferghana Valley. En route we stop at various villages and have tea with the locals. Ferghana is always a very welcome site with its lovely rolling green fields and friendly people.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In 329 BC, Alexander the Great founded a Greek settlement in the southwestern part of the Ferghana valley, on the southern bank of the river Syr Darya (ancient Jaxartes), at the location of the modern city of Khujand, in the state of Tajikistan. Our visit here covers the local History Museum and the famous Sunday Bazaar in Andijan. Crossing into Kyrgyzstan and a short drive from the border we reach Osh – the second largest city of Kyrgyzstan. We explore with a drive through tour of the city before we are transferred to the airport for our flight to the capital city of Bishkek.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our tour of the Krgyz capital starts with the History Museum famous for its collection of Bolshevik Revolution artifacts. Next we visit Frunze’s House, named after the Soviet General Michael Frunze who won Central Asia for the Bolsheviks in the Civil War. Now we are off to the Burana Tower Archaeological Museum is situated on the site of a caravan town dating from the 10th Century AD. We arrive in Issyk-Kul in the evening and then drive to Cholpan Ata, a major resort centre. We enjoy a dinner caught fresh from the lake after which we take an evening we stroll around this beautiful lake.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cholpan Ata is a beautiful resort and we take it easy with a leisurely day. Late morning we depart for the Cholpan Ata Museum and the nearby historic rock drawings. This afternoon we visit Tyup to see the Monument and Museum of Prezhevalsky – the famous Russian explorer who spent the best years of his life in the region conducting research on animal and plant life. Prezhevalsky was sent by Nikolai, the Czar of Mongolia and Tibet as part of the Russian diplomacy during the era of the Great Game. We proceed to Karakol – the black mountains.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Karakol is Kyrgyzstan at its best. Our morning excursion is to Djeti Oghuz – the nomads’ meadow with beautiful mountain scenery of the Tien Shan ranges. We visit the yorta encampment of the local Kirghiz and join them for soup followed by a BBQ lunch at the meadow. Time for short hike before visiting the local Russian Orthodox Church and the Dungan mosque.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is our last full day in the Central Asian stans. As we journey towards China, we have brief scenic photo shots of Kirghiz encampments. Upon arrival at the small border town of Naryn, we visit the well-known Naryn Mosque. Later we go out for a stroll in this one street town.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start today with a visit to the Tash Rabat Caravan Sarai, which was in use till the end of 17th century AD. Then we are off to Torogart border Point and after border formalities, we proceed to Torogart Top (2752 m) where we are welcomed officially into China by our local guide. After completing the Chinese border formalities, we drive to Kashgar where we spend three interesting days filled with activities. Kashgar’s history spans over 2000 years and its importance comes from its strategic position at the foot of the Pamir Mountains. At one time merchants bound for China would buy camels here to convey their merchandise to the Kingdom of Cathay. For westbound caravans, this was a resting place before their climb through the high mountain passes.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kashgar is a place where time has seemingly stood still. We start the day with an experience of Kashgi, the local name for Kashgar. We start with the Id Kah Mosque (the largest in China) and Abakh Khoja’s tomb (Xinjiang’s most revered monument and an architectural marvel). Exploring the old town we visit family homes, the local bazaar and a school. One finds walking through the narrow lanes of old town, a scene from the bygone days of the Arabian Nights with a culture that has remained intact stocked with people whose lifestyle is being friendly. Amongst the most popular professions include coppersmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters, jewelers and cobblers all using tools that are at best antiques.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An experience, which only Kashgar offers, Miles from nowhere, mid-way between Rome and Beijing, and this exotic oasis used to be the last outfitting station on the centuries-old Silk Road. Trade remains in bygone style, at least on Sundays, when the entire community gathers at the world’s liveliest market. Known as “the pearl on the Ancient Silk Road”, the Sunday Bazaar is dotted with stalls here and there. Throughout the bazaars, one finds shopkeepers that sell almost everything while others specialize in local produce, arts and crafts, garments, knives, timber, coal, and animals. Afternoon is free at leisure and evening we join for a typically Kashgari meal.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The scenery is incredible as we drive south to Karakuli Lake where we see the two faces of the awesome Muztagh-ata mountain – one facing us and the other reflected from the still waters of the lake. After lunch, we have time for short hike before continuing to the end of Turkmenistan, at Tashkurgan, the border town before we take on the Khunjerab Pass the following day. Tashkurgan, a city once controlled by the Bolsheviks, is now inhabited mostly by Tajiks. This evening we stroll through this one street town in this faraway land with its hospitable people.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start with our Chinese exit formalities and then drive via the magnificent Khunjerab Pass into Pakistan. This route is a beautiful drive, with majestic views of the high mountains of the Karakorum and the distant Pamir Mountain Ranges. At Khunjerab National Park, one can see Marco Polo Sheep (obis ammon poli). We are welcomed into Pakistan at Sust check post where after border formalities, we continue through a spectacular scenic journey viewing lofty mountains with stops in remote mountain villages. At Gulmit, we visit local homes, the village centre and school, before reaching the mountain kingdom of Hunza (284 km).

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning visit Baltit Fort 700 Years, Altit Fort 900 Years old, afternoon drive to Duiker valley thirty minutes arrive and transfer to hotel.
Duiker valley is view point to see the Sunset and Sunrise over the beautiful mountains in the surroundings of Hunza).
Duiker valley called (Roof of the world), have a spectacular view down to Karakorum Highway and awesome views of Golden peak 7027 m, Rakaposhi 7788 m, Ultar Sar 7388 m, Diran Peak 7266 m, Lady Finger 6000 m and Disteghil Sar 7885 m.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive to Naran 355 km via Babusar Pass 4173 m. En-route stop at various viewpoints for photography and refreshment.
Babusar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.173 m (13,691 ft) above the sea level. The pass is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley, Pakistan. The pass connects the Kaghan Valley via the Thak Nala with Chilas on the Karakorum Highway. It’s one of the famous hair pinned roads in the world. Karakorum highway is the 8th wonder of the world.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive to Islamabad 6-7 hours 239 km, en-route visit Taxila museum and historical sites.
Taxila: Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around Taxila museum. For over one thousand-year Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education, and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 km around Taxila. In Taxila visit archaeological sites of Jaulian, Mohra Moradu, and Sirkap. Later visit.
Taxila museum: A museum comprising various sections with rich archaeological finds of Taxila. It is one of the best and well-maintained site museums of Pakistan.

Accommodation: Hotel 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Islamabad airport for return flight.