Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan - Heart of the Silk Road
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan - Heart of the Silk Road
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan - Heart of the Silk Road
15 Days Starting and ending in Tashkent
Visiting: Tashkent, Khiva, Konye-Urgench, Ashgabat, Bukhara, Samarkand, Panjikent, Dushanbe, Iskanderkul, Khujand
Tour operator:
Tour code:
USR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This tour concentrates the essence of Central Asia, visiting three now distinct states connected across the centuries by the Silk Road’s east west trading legacy. Important historic cities such as Tashkent, Dushanbe, and Ashgabat, join the fabled khanates of Bukhara and Khiva, and incredible archaeological sites such as Merv and Konye-Urgenche. The itinerary doesn’t aim to provide an in-depth exploration of Central Asia, but it does pack an incredible amount into a relatively short time, identifying a culturally rich and varied vein through neighbouring states that survived the wholesale homogenising of the Soviet period to emerge once again. If this is your first experience of Central Asia it won’t be your last.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Tashkent
Location: Tashkent
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City Palace or similar
Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon there will be a city tour of some of the sites of Tashkent including the Chorsu Bazaar, Hast Imam Square and Kukeldahs Madrassa, with a ride on the metro system. Overnight at City Palace or similar. No meals are included today.TashkentUzbekistan’s capital displays its Silk Road heritage even today. An ancient city dating back 2000 years it is the largest in Central Asia and probably it’s most cosmopolitan. Although much of it has been rebuilt following an earthquake in the 1960s, its old quarters still retain their charm with narrow streets and 500 year old mosques, medressas and other religious buildings. Tashkent has always been a centre of commerce and trading links established with Russia made it wealthy during the Middle Ages. In the middle of the 19th century it was a focus of rivalry between the Emir of Bukhara and the city of Khokand to which Tashkent paid tribute. Seizing the opportunity to take advantage of the regional turmoil, the Russian army was able to gain control of Tashkent, bringing it under the Tsar’s rule in a gradual process of imperial expansion throughout Central Asia. Tashkent became the capital of Russian Turkestan and attracted great numbers of immigrants – today there are sizeable Russian and Korean communities within the city.
Day 2 : Tashkent To Khiva
Location: Khiva
Accommodation Name: Orient Star Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we return to the airport and fly to Urgench, driving from there to Khiva. The ancient khanate is a stunning city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, possessing a wealth of remarkable monuments. The afternoon is spent exploring its sights, including mosques and madrassas, and mausoleums of former khans. Overnight Orient Star Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 3 : Khiva
Location: Khiva
Accommodation Name: Orient Star Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we continue to visit the city’s sights. After lunch there’ll be time to explore independently on foot. Overnight Orient Star Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 4 : Khiva - Konye-Urgench – Dashogus - Ashgabat
Location: Konye-Urgench
Accommodation Name: Ak Altyn Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Khiva, we cross the border into little-known Turkmenistan, heading for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Konye-Urgench, an ancient capital of the land of Khorezm known for its beautiful mausoleums. Afterwards we drive to the airport at Dashogus for a flight to Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat. Overnight Ak Altyn Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 5 : Ashgabat - Mary
Location: Ashgabat
Accommodation Name: Mary Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we discover the sights of Ashgabat, a modern city characterised by extensive and some would say eccentric building projects. Later we return to the airport and fly to Mary, an oasis town close to the ancient city of Merv. Overnight Mary Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 6 : Mary - Merv - Bukhara
Location: Bukhara
Accommodation Name: Sasha and Sons or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we visit the array of mosques, citadels and Buddhist stupas found at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Merv, the most important ancient site in Turkmenistan, dating back 2,500 years. Afterwards we cross the border back into Uzbekistan and head to Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city. Overnight Sasha and Sons or similar. (B)
Day 7 : Bukhara
Location: Bukhara
Accommodation Name: Sasha and Sons or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend today exploring Bukhara, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and where a superbly preserved old quarter makes it one of the region’s most spectacular cities. Overnight Sasha and Sons or similar. (B)
Day 8 : Bukhara - Gijduvan – Samarkand
Location: Samarkand
Accommodation Name: Malika Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we drive to the legendary city of Samarkand, stopping en route at Gijduvan, locally renowned as a centre for ceramics. Upon arrival in Samarkand we begin to explore. Overnight Malika Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 9 : Samarkand
Location: Samarkand
Accommodation Name: Malika Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is dedicated to discovering Samarkand’s remarkable ancient heritage. The city is most famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site of Registan which contains perhaps the most breath-taking architecture in the whole region. It’s easy to spend hours among the square’s mosques and madrassas, all elaborately decorated in blue ceramic tiles and traditional Islamic art. Overnight at Malika Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 10 : Samarkand - Panjikent
Location: Panjikent
Accommodation Name: Umarion Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we cross the border into Tajikistan, driving towards Panjikent and stopping at the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site of Sarazm, dating from 3,500 BC. Panjikent itself has a remarkably well-preserved old town, a vestige of its past significance as a Silk Road trading city. On arrival there’s time to explore the city. Overnight Umarion Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 11 : Panjikent - Dushanbe
Location: Dushanbe
Accommodation Name: Hotel Serena or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Panjikent, we drive to Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, over the 2,900m Anzob Pass. On arrival there’s time to see some of the sights and soak up the atmosphere of a little-visited Central Asian city. Overnight Hotel Serena or similar. (BLD)
Day 12 : Dushanbe - Iskanderkul
Location: Iskanderkul
Accommodation Name: Tourist Cottages
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It’s a stunning drive today, for the most part on a surprisingly good roads, through the lofty Fann Mountains to Iskanderkul. On arrival there’s time to hike around the lake shore, exploring nearby waterfalls, springs and villages. Overnight Tourist Cottages. (BLD)
Day 13 : Istravshan- Khudjand
Location: Khujand
Accommodation Name: Khujand Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we drive over Shahristan Pass, through the Azob Tunnel to Khujand, the capital of northern Tajikistan. En route we will stop in Istravshan and visit the Mugh Fortress, Kok-Gumbaz Madrassa, Chor-Gumbaz mosque, and a local bazaar. On arrival we have time for a city tour. Highlights include Pushkin Square, Kamoli Khujandi Square, the fortress of Timur Malik and the city’s central market, one of the oldest in Tajikistan. Overnight Khujand Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 14 : Tashkent
Location: Tashkent
Accommodation Name: City Palace or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we cross back into Uzbekistan and drive to Tashkent for our final night. Overnight City Palace or similar. (B)
Day 15 : Tashkent
Location: Tashkent
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight (B)
What's Included
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Arrival and departure transfers
Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are provided.
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Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Professional driving services for overland transport throughout the tour are included.
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Domestic flights
All domestic flights within the tour itinerary are included.
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All accommodation
Accommodation for the duration of the tour is included.
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Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
The services of an English-speaking guide or tour leader are provided for the entire tour.
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Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the tour itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
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Any airport taxes
Airport taxes are not included except when included with domestic flights.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Visa
Visa fees are not included and are the responsibility of the traveler when required.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included and will be an additional cost.
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Items of personal nature
Items of a personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Tips
Tips for guides and drivers are not included and are at the discretion of the traveler.
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International Flights
International flights are not included
Mode of Transport
Travelers will be transported across the heart of the Silk Road via overland vehicles driven by professional drivers, domestic flights to cover vast distances efficiently, and airport transfers for convenience.
Accommodation
Guests will enjoy stays in a variety of comfortable accommodations, including city hotels and tourist cottages, ensuring a restful night's sleep after a day of exploration.
Check out our Q&As
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What are some highlights of the tour?
Highlights of the tour include exploring Khiva, discovering Bukhara, visiting Samarkand to uncover the city's ancient heritage including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Registan, and combining visits to Uzbekistan with its neighbours Turkmenistan and Tajikistan following the legendary Silk Road.
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What is not included in the tour?
The tour does not include any airport taxes (except when included with domestic flights), travel insurance, visa fees, drinks, items of personal nature such as souvenirs, laundry, and telephone calls, tips for guides and drivers, and international flights.
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What is included in the tour?
The tour includes arrival and departure transfers, overland transport with a professional driver, all domestic flights within the itinerary, all accommodation, services of an English-speaking guide/tour leader, and entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary.
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Are there any meals included?
Yes, some meals are included as specified in the itinerary, but the exact number of meals included is not detailed in the provided information.
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What countries does the Heart of the Silk Road tour visit?
The Heart of the Silk Road tour visits Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
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Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Tashkent.
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I’m a single traveller – will I feel out of place?
In a word, no. We get a good mix of single travellers and couples on our group tours.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
We are happy to allocate a twin room to two single same-sex travellers. If there is no one else to travel
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, sorry this is not possible.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We offer fully transferable group tour deposits (excluding any flight payments which are always non-refundable). You can change your group tour booking up to 10 weeks before departure and not lose your deposit – we will put your deposit towards any new group booking as long as you travel within 2 years of the original departure date.
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Can I alter the tour?
On our scheduled departures this isn’t possible, simply due to the fact that you’ll be travelling with other people. However, if you like the look of one of our advertised trips but want to tweak it slightly, then we can offer tailor made itineraries just for you, to accommodate your specific requirements.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
There are no hard and fast rules about what type of people travel on Undiscovered Destinations’ group tours – we attract people from all ages, nationalities and walks of life. What you are likely to find though is that travellers share a similar outlook about travel. We tend to attract people with a curiosity about the lesser visited corners of our planet.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been going since 2004.
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Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform undiscovered destinations, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Undiscovered Destinations requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of undiscovered destinations charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.