Silk Road Adventure: Majestic Mountains & Timeless Architecture

Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is often used by travelers as a gateway to the majestic Tian Shan Mountains. The high glaciers of Kyrgyzstan's Ala Too Mountains and the Ala Archa National Park with rare wild animals and beautiful hiking trails are also easily accessible from the city. What is less known is that the city of Bishkek also has a lot to offer in terms of culture, art, traditional bazaars and food. The State Museum of Fine Arts, the Opera and Ballet House and Ala Too Square in the center are also worth a visit. Browse the Osh Bazaar, a major landmark offering traditional Kyrgyz handicrafts as well as nomadic hats and clothing. Kyrgyzstan's diverse culinary scene combines the cultures of the nomadic and sedentary peoples of Central Asia with those of China and India. Gourmets will find a wide selection of dishes here. Look forward to “beshbarmak”, tender lamb with noodles and broth, or the fragrant rice dish “pilaf” with refreshing tea.

Cholpon-Ata lies on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in the foothills of the Kyungei Ala-Too ridge in Kyrgyzstan. Once a stop on the famous Great Silk Road, today Cholpon-Ata is a thriving resort town, offering clean sandy beaches and plenty of adventure sports. Choose from diving, water skiing, fishing, or horseback riding, or try them all. The town is also known for holding traditional falconry demonstrations. Ruh Ordo Cultural Center is a sprawling open-air museum that contains five chapels, each belonging to a different religion, a reconstructed Kyrgyz village, and a museum dedicated to the writer Chingiz Aitmatov. The Museum of Petroglyphs is spread across 42 hectares and features hundreds of stones with rock carvings depicting hunting and everyday scenes. Find a small amusement park with roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and a number of open air cafés at the beach attached to the Golden Sands boarding house. Nearby, lie the Semenov and Grigoriev gorges, which offer mountain rivers, coniferous trees, and stunning views. If you are lucky, you could see the unique spectacle of the Kyrgyz jailoos – pastures where hundreds of animals graze against the background of the mountains.

Discover the resort town of Cholpon Ata and explore Lake Issyk Kul on this two-day adventure in Kyrgyzstan. Your driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel in Bishkek and take you to the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret located in the Chuy Valley. The minaret is part of the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun, which was established by the Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century. It was originally 45 m tall but over the years earthquakes have reduced it to a height of 25 m. The rest of the ruins include grave markers, earthworks, the remnants of a castle, and three mausoleums. Next, head to Cholpon Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul. Once you arrive, enjoy a boat ride on the lake and take in the sight of the snow-capped mountains of Tien Chan. Back on land, go for a walk along the lakeshore or visit the museum in town. You could also explore the open-air site that contains about 2,000 petroglyphs dating from 800 BC to 1200 AD. Spend the night in town. After breakfast in the morning, head out on another walk by the lake and soak in the beauty of your natural surroundings. Then check out of your accommodation and proceed to your next destination. (Duration: 2 days/1 night; Private activities & transfers; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy)

Experience Uzbekistan's ancient Silk Road heritage in the modern capital of Tashkent. Intricately built mosques with turquoise tile accents stand alongside brutalist Soviet-era buildings and contemporary structures. Aromas of fresh local 'non' breads waft through the air every morning, and mostly white-colored vehicles ply the roads! The region's traditional rice dish is best tasted at the Central Asian Plov Center. Next to the landmark Hotel Uzbekistan, the fountained Independence Square dotted with its monuments and manicured gardens, is ideal for people-watching. Amir Temur Museum offers a lesson in the region's rich history, and the expansive Hazrat Imam complex houses the world's oldest Quran. Within a blue-colored dome in the old town, the vibrant and bustling Charsu Bazaar showcases an assortment of food and crafts stalls, while offering a glimpse into local Uzbek life. Tashkent's plush underground metro stations from the 1960s are the first-of-its-kind in Central Asia and are individually designed with exquisite features that tell stories of the past.

In western Uzbekistan, explore the open-air museum city of Khiva, located in the southern delta of the Amu Darya River. Once notorious for the slave trade, today's Khiva enchants with its impressive architecture, vibrant crafts, local music and distinctive food. The bustling historic center and winding streets are lined with ocher walls, many decorated with ornate tiles in various shades of blue. The Itchan Kala center is home to countless museums, mosques, mausoleums and minarets. The 218-columned Juma Mosque offers a pleasant respite from the bustling surroundings, and the towering Islam Hojja Minaret offers panoramic views of Khiva. Also visit the Tash Hauli Palace, with elements of secular Khorezm architecture, and the Pakhlavan Makhmud complex, which honors Khiva's patron saint and his family. In Dishon Kala, beyond the inner ramparts, are more modern attractions from the 19th and 20th centuries, such as the opulent Isfandiyar Palace

Explore the many historical wonders contained within the city of Khiva in Uzbekistan. Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning. Set out on foot for Ichan-Kala Fortress, the walled inner city of Khiva, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Taj-Khovli Palace, see the Kalta-Minor minaret, and discover the Juma Mosque. Your guide will also show you the Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah and the Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah. Treat yourself to lunch before visiting the Mausoleum of Makhmud Pakhlavan, the famous 14th-century poet and warrior. The complex was built in 1701 and the dome of the mausoleum is covered with blue glazed tiles. From there proceed to one of the oldest buildings in the city – the Mausoleum of Sayid-Allauddin, the famous Eastern saint and Sufi sheik. This was originally completed in the second half of the 14th century, and has been restored a number of times since. Visit the Islam Khoja complex, home to the second largest minaret in Khiva. Finally, make your way to Allakuli Khan Madrasah. Built in the middle of the 19th century, it is considered to have the richest decorations of all the monuments in the city. (Duration: 6 hrs; Time: flexible; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Best time to travel: May- Jun/Sep – Oct)

In central Uzbekistan, discover Bukhara, a romantic oasis rising from the red sands of the Kyzylkum Desert on the ancient Silk Road. Bukhara is considered the holiest city in Central Asia and in times past served as an interface for ideas, cultures and religions between Asia and Europe. The atmospheric streets are flanked by heritage buildings with outstanding Islamic architecture. Discover well-preserved 16th-century mosques, minarets, mausoleums, and religious schools or “madrassas” in the Po-i-Kalyan complex. Admire the distinctive turquoise domes and intricately designed facades. Between walks in Bukhara's Old Town, traditional tea houses around the leafy Lyab-i-Hauz Square offer the prospect of relaxing breaks while local residents play a game of dominoes and chillum pipes are passed around. Covered bazaars, especially the souvenir stalls in Chor Minor, present the region's special products. The caravanserai hostel and the bathhouse ruins bear witness to Bukhara's eventful travel and trading history. The Ark Citadel's many museums, which have housed local emirs since the fifth century, provide insights into the city's rich past. The towers of the property offer wonderful panoramic views of Bukhara.

Explore the UNESCO-listed old town area of Bukhara on foot. At the scheduled time, meet your knowledgeable guide and begin your day with a visit to Ismail Samani Mausoleum, also known as the Samanid Mausoleum. Considered one of the oldest monuments in the city, this landmark of precise geometric proportions sits within a sprawling park. Next, walk to the nearby Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum where you will also see the holy spring believed to have healing powers. As you walk around, your knowledgeable guide will tell you about the history and legends associated with the site. There is also a Museum of Water, chronicling the history of water supply in Bukhara, on the premises. Then, head to the 18th-century Bolo Haouz Mosque with its impressive twenty-pillared hall. At the iconic 5th-century Ark of Bukhara, learn how this spectacular fortress once functioned as a city within a city. Take a break from exploring to buy yourself lunch at one of the restaurants in the area, before heading to the Poi-Kalyan architectural complex. Here, you will see four 12th-century monuments, each featuring its own distinctive style of architecture. The approximately 150-feet high Kalyan Minaret, the 16th-century Kalyan Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah distinguished by its blue tiles, are all here. There’s also the Emir Alim Khan Madrasah with its large courtyard and a bathhouse section. Your itinerary includes Ulugbek Madrasah and Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah as well. Wind up your tour at the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble that consists of Kukeldash Madrasah, a khanqah or lodge for Sufis, and the Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah. (Duration: 6 hrs ; Private activity; Transfers not required; Fitness level: easy; Best time to travel: May -Jun/Sep – Oct)

Visit the spectacular city of Samarkand, a famous trading hub of Uzbekistan on the ancient Silk Road. This legendary jewel of Central Asia features both modern development and architectural masterpieces from the Timurid dynasty. The beautiful Registan Square is illuminated 24 hours a day and is the heart of the city. Surrounded by three religious schools or “madrassas”, the main bazaar once took place in the tree-shaded inner courtyard. Today, the dazzling Siab Bazaar is the center of local commerce, offering a variety of products from bread to spices. The pedestrian zone on historic Tashkent Street, lined with craft shops and carpet boutiques, is dominated by the expansive Bibi Khanum Mosque. The Hazrat Hizr Mosque, fascinating mausoleums such as Timur's Gur-E-Amir and the Shah-i-Zinda mortuary, which is constantly under construction, bathe the cityscape in various shades of blue. Also explore Samarkand's oldest ruins in Afrasiyab and the ancient Ulugbek Observatory, or enjoy a tasting at winemaker Horvenko.

Experience the charms of the historic city of Samarkand. At the scheduled time, travel by private vehicle to the Gur-i-Amir mausoleum dating back to the 15th century. The final resting place of the Mongol conqueror Timur, the complex also houses the tombs of his descendants, a khanqah or lodge for Sufis, and an ancient madrasah or religious school. Next, stop at the UNESCO-listed Registan Square located at the heart of the city. Your guide will point out the fine examples of architecture surrounding the square. There is also a bustling bazaar packed with traditional stalls displaying souvenirs and local handicrafts. You could take a break from exploring to treat yourself to an Uzbek meal. Later, continue your tour at the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, distinguished by its massive dome, often known as the ‘Pearl of Samarkand’. At the lively Siab Bazaar, interact with the vendors as they hawk their wares comprising fresh produce, spices and baked goods. The last stop on your itinerary is the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, otherwise called the ‘Tomb of the Living King’. Here, you will find eleven mausoleums, built between the 14th and 15th centuries, showcasing exquisite tile and terracotta work. After the tour winds up, you will be dropped off at your hotel. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; Best time to travel: May-Jun/Sep – Oct)