Silk Road Cities Explorer

Trace the ancient trade routes of Central Asia on a journey through Uzbekistan’s most iconic Silk Road cities. From the lively capital of Tashkent to the preserved walled city of Khiva, and on to the historic centres of Bukhara and Samarkand, this 7-day adventure reveals a region shaped by centuries of trade, conquest and cultural exchange. Your journey begins in Tashkent before heading west to Khiva, an extraordinary open-air museum where mosques, minarets and palaces sit within ancient city walls. Here, you explore a maze of alleyways and architectural treasures with a local guide, uncovering stories of caravan trade, desert survival and the shifting empires that once controlled this crossroads of Asia. Travelling by train across the desert landscapes of Uzbekistan, you continue to Bukhara, one of the most historically significant cities on the Silk Road. With a history spanning thousands of years, Bukhara offers a rich concentration of Islamic architecture and cultural landmarks. You’ll explore its UNESCO-listed old city, including the Lyabi Khauz complex, the striking Poi Kalyan ensemble and the Ark Citadel, gaining insight into its role as a centre of trade, religion and scholarship. The journey then leads to Samarkand, perhaps the most renowned of all Silk Road cities. Here, monumental architecture reflects the ambition of the Timurid dynasty, with Registan Square standing as one of the world’s great historic public spaces. Surrounded by intricately decorated madrassahs, this is a place where history, art and power converge. Further exploration reveals sites such as the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Ulugh Beg’s observatory and the vast Bibi Khanum mosque, each contributing to Samarkand’s enduring legacy. Throughout the trip, travel is designed to maximise your time on the ground, combining internal flights, trains and road transfers to efficiently connect each destination. Local English-speaking guides in each city provide in-depth knowledge and context, helping you understand not just what you are seeing, but why it matters within the broader story of the Silk Road.