Samarkand and Tamerlanes Testament

Join us for this historic trip along the old silk route.

A well paced very comprehensive itinerary with a good quality lifestyle, no real hardships except that it is hot and very dry. Excellent multi night stays at places of interest. Cultural and historic style trip with some of the beaten track exploration. Very interesting mix of local peoples. Suits travellers wanting to experience routes others miss. Book early due to visa procedure.

Itinerary / Highlights

Nights 1-3: Turkmenistan:
- Discover the incredible bizarre modern city of Ashgabat with its' great hotels and restaurants
- The morning to explore, shop and haggle at the vast Tolkuchka Sunday Market
- 2 day crossing and wildcamping in the Turkmen Karakum Desert
- Visit to a remote Turkmen desert community
- Overland into the green Oxus Valley to the ancient ruined city of Kunye Urgench

Nights 4-5: Uzbekistan & Khiva:
- 2 night stay in and guided visit to the UNESCO heritage site of the old walled city of Khiva

Nights 6-8: Bukhara:
- 2 nights to explore the amazingly historic and beautiful city of Bukhara
- Guided city tour of Bukhara, including the Ark Fortress, Death Tower and Ismail Samanid Mausoleum
- Wander the historic bazaars and markets of Bukhara, unbelievable bargains can be had

Nights 9-12: Kyzylkhum Desert & Samarkand:
- Overnight homestay in yurts with Uzbek families in the Kyzylkhum Desert
- 2 nights discovering the staggering splendour of Samarkand
- Guided visits to Bibi Hanum Mosque & Shakh-I-Zinda, Registan Square & Tamerlane's Tomb in Samarkand

Nights 13-14: Tashkent:
- Wander the streets of urbane Tashkent and experience a surreal cabaret dinner

Activities available at extra costs:

Bargain hard for the stunning Turkmen and Uzbek carpets and tribal rugs in Ashgabat or Bukhara
Take a Uzbek camel safari into Kyzylkhum Desert
Visit the nightclubs and Imperial Russian styled cabaret restaurants of Tashkent

General notes: Visas for this trip can take many weeks to be issued - BOOK EARLY. Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Mainly 2-3 star fun local hotels, yurt homestay and wildcamps. (20% camping, 80% hotels)