Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan In Joanna Lumley’s Footsteps

Day 1

Start Point: Home

Destination: Tashkent

Most flights arrive in the (very) early hours of the morning so we will meet you at Tashkent airport and transfer you to your 4* hotel in Tashkent city centre. After a late breakfast at the hotel and some time to rest, you’ll reconvene for lunch, then spend the afternoon exploring some of the sights of Tashkent, Central Asia’s largest city.

Some scholars believe that a Stone Tower mentioned in early accounts of travel on the Silk Road referred to this settlement (“Tashkent” means “stone castle”). This tower is said to have marked the midway point between Europe and China. Whether that’s true or not, Tashkent developed from the trade routes that once passed this way, carrying Chinese silk – as well as a cornucopia of other goods – to the West. Destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1219, it fell to the Russians in 1865, becoming the capital of Russian Turkestan.

Today you’ll see some of Tashkent, both old and new. You’ll visit Chorsu bazaar, take a ride on the stunning Soviet Metro, and walk to Independence and Amir Timur squares, the latter with the famous statue of the ‘conqueror of worlds.’ Supper will be at one of Tashkent’s best restaurants.

Day 2

Start Point: Tashkent

Destination: Khiva

It’s an early start this morning in order to catch the 07.25 flight from Tashkent to Khiva. After a one hour flight, and a forty-five minute transfer by road, you’ll reach Khiva, one of the most famous desert citadels on the Silk Road, and have the rest of the day to first rest, and then begin to explore the UNESCO-listed old city – the Ichan Kala. Wandering through its dusty alleys, you’ll get a very good sense of this historic place – its brutal slave trading past, its madrassas and minarets, its fabulous arts and crafts. Among the sights you’ll be seeing today are the Juma Mosque (with its wonderful carved wooden pillars); the Tosh Hauvli palace, also known as the Khan’s harem, and the Kuhna Ark – the Khiva rulers’ own fortress and residence, first built in the 12th century. The handicrafts in Khiva are exceptional, and you will no doubt also spend some time gazing at the many fabulous shops and street stalls. Accommodation is in a charming family-run madrassa hotel within the walls of the Ichan Kala.

Day 3

Start Point: Khiva

Destination: Khiva

Today you have a whole day to explore Khiva. Among the many beautiful things you’ll be seeing is the Palace of Nurullabay, built by the last Khan of Khiva in the early 20th century and – like the Emir’s Summer Palace in Bukhara – a glitzy melange of Central Asian, Russian and European influences.

If you’re a keen photographer, the sunrises and sunsets in Khiva are rather special thanks to the dry desert climate and the warm colours of the citadel.

Lunch and supper today will be in lovely restaurants in the Old City.

Day 4

Start Point: Khiva

Destination: Ayaz Kala

After breakfast at the hotel you’ll drive for two hours into the Kyzl Kum desert to visit some of the incredible 2500 year old ‘Golden Ring of Khorezm’ fortresses that once guarded passing Silk Road caravans from raiding Turkmen tribes. Featured in Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure TV series, these fantastic ruins rise out of the desert like mighty crowns of sand and give a real sense of the wealth that once flowed through here. Having clambered up to one of the main fortresses, Ayaz Kala, you’ll have a good picnic lunch in the desert. You’ll be back in Khiva by late afternoon, in time for some R&R (or shopping!).

Supper will be with a local family, where you’ll enjoy some traditional Khorezm dishes and a performance of Khorezmian music.

You’ll be in the same hotel tonight.

Day 5

Start Point: Khiva

Destination: Bukhara

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll hit the road south to Bukhara, one of the jewels of the Silk Road. From 2027, you’ll be travelling on the new high-speed train to Khiva, which cuts the journey time from a 6 hour drive to a few hours on a sleek new train. You’ll reach Bukhara by the afternoon, in time to check in to your delightful boutique hotel, relax for a few hours and then have supper at a nearby restaurant.

Day 6

Start Point: Bukhara

Destination: Bukhara

“Bukhara! For centuries it had glimmered remote in the Western consciousness: the most secretive and fanatical of the great caravan-cities, shored up in its desert fastness against time and change. To either side of it the Silk Road had withered away, so that by the 19th century the town had folded its battlements around its people in self-immolated barbarism, and receded into fable.”

Colin Thubron, Shadow of the Silk Road

For many, this atmospheric city is the highlight of their Silk Road journey, a place where the walls seem to echo with whispers of Genghis Khan, the Sogdians, Timur, Chinese silk traders, The Great Game and more. Since there’s so much to see in Bukhara, you don’t want to rush, so you’ll have the best part of two days in this splendid city. Prepare yourself for a feast of mosques, minarets and madrassas.

Among the things you will be seeing are the Ishmael Samani Mausoleum, the Bolo Hauz mosque, the Kalon minaret, the Mir-Arab Madrassa, the Ark fortress and Zindon (with its infamous Bug Pit), the Lyabi Hauz pool area, the trading domes and the Maghok-i-Attar mosque (the oldest mosque in Uzbekistan).

Lunch will be in a city centre restaurant.

Bukhara is also full of wonderful artistry, so as you wander around you will get to see ikat weavers, metal workers, calligraphers and embroiderers at work.

Day 7

Start Point: Bukhara

Destination: Samarkand

You have most of today in Bukhara again, so plenty more time to enjoy the sights of this wonderful place.

After breakfast, you’ll drive twenty minutes to the Summer Palace of the last Emir of Bukhara, known by the poetic name Sitora-i Mokhi-Khossa, or ‘Star like the Moon’. Named after one of the Emir’s favourite wives, who died in childbirth, the lavish palace was completed in 1917 and is a fusion of Oriental, Russian and European styles, set in once lovely rose gardens. It’s an atmospheric place, and some of the artistry and ceilings are incredible.

A light lunch will be in the Old City, and after this we will arrange a private studio visit to one of Bukhara’s top artisans (either a suzani maker, calligrapher or gold-thread-embroiderer, depending on their availability).

You’ll then have some time to relax (or shop!) before you head for Bukhara train station in time to catch the afternoon high-speed Afrasiab train to Samarkand. These Spanish-built, highly efficient trains make British Rail look positively backward.

In Samarkand you’ll check-in to a stylish boutique hotel, the best in the city. Supper will be at the best restaurant in town.

Day 8

Start Point: Samarkand

Destination: Samarkand

Today you have a whole glorious day exploring Samarkand, the former capital of Sogdiana, the heartland of the Silk Road. As well as going to the main sites, such as Gur Emir (Timur’s tomb), the Afrasiab Museum (home to the Soghdian frescoes featured in Joanna’s TV series) and the stunning Shakhi Zindar complex, you’ll also be experiencing everyday life here, having a very good lunch and then supper at a family home.

You’ll be in the same hotel tonight.

Day 9

Start Point: Samarkand

Destination: Tashkent

After another excellent hotel breakfast you’re off to meet a family of ethnic Tajik bakers, to learn about the art of Samarkand’s famous non, or bread. Made in huge wood-fired ovens, this bread is the stuff of legend, and is still revered in Uzbek society. You’ll have tea in the courtyard of the bakers’ family home.

After more sights, and lunch, you’ll visit the Khujum Silk Carpet factory, which employs around 400 local ladies. The silk carpets made here are exported all over the world, and some are worth tens of thousands of dollars each.

At around 16.30 you’ll be transferred to Samarkand train station in time for the 17.30 Afrasiab train to Tashkent. The train takes two hours. In Tashkent, you’ll head straight for supper at a good restaurant.

Tonight will be in the same 4* hotel in the city centre.

Day 10

Start Point: Tashkent

Destination: Bishkek

After breakfast at the hotel you’re off to visit the studio of Uzbekistan’s most famous suzani embroidery artist, to see how these fantastic works of art are designed and made. You’ll then have an early lunch, and be transferred to the airport in time for the short flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Your Kyrgyz guides will meet you at the airport and take you to your stylish city centre 5* hotel. Supper will be at a good city centre restaurant.

Day 11

Start Point: Bishkek

Destination: Bokonbaevo

After breakfast at the hotel you’ll have the morning to explore Bishkek, one of our favourite Central Asian cities. You’ll take in a few of the main sites (Ala-Too Square, the Changing of the Guard, National Museum of Fine Arts) and visit the absolutely fantastic State History Museum.

After lunch, you’ll head east into the wilds of Kyrgyzstan, to the southern shore of gorgeous Lake Issyk-Kul. Meaning ‘warm lake’ in the Kyrgyz language, it’s the second largest saline lake in the world after the Caspian Sea and was a major artery of the Silk Road. On the way you’ll stop at the Burana Tower – all that remains of Balasagun, an 8th century Uighur settlement that was once seen as the centre of the world. Tonight you’ll be in a beautiful yurt camp beside the lake, surrounded by the glistening peaks of the Tien Shan. Supper will be at the yurt camp.

Day 12

Start Point: Bokonbaevo

Destination: Bokonbaevo

This is such a special place we don’t want to rush off just yet. If you wish, you can simply relax at the yurt camp, or swim in the gin-clear waters of the lake. But you’ll also be venturing into the nearby mountains to meet the family of eagle hunters featured in Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road series, and learn a little about this ancient Central Asian art.

This evening, at the yurt camp, you’ll have a private concert by a breathtakingly talented local family of musicians.

Supper will be at the yurt camp, and you’re staying here for a second night.

Day 13

Start Point: Bokonbaevo

Destination: Tash Rabat

It’s a four-hour drive across fantastic mountains to the 15th century Silk Road caravanserai of Tash Rabat, a mysterious hulk of a building nestled in the mountains near the Chinese border. On the way you’ll stop in the town of Kochkor, to visit the home and studio of a famous shyrdak (felt) artist, and have lunch here.

From Kochkor it’s a few hours on to Tash Rabat. After exploring the caravanserai you’ll be be spending the night in a pretty yurt camp beside a gurgling river. There can’t be many more places on earth where the stars shine quite so brightly. There’s also the chance to either go walking or horse riding here for those who wish. The yurt camp here does not have en-suite facilities, but it does have western loos.

Day 14

Start Point: Tash Rabat

Destination: Naryn

After breakfast at the yurt camp, you have time to walk or ride this morning, before heading a few hours north to the town of Naryn after lunch.

Tonight you’ll be in a comfortable hotel in Naryn, with hot showers and proper loos.

Day 15

Start Point: Naryn

Destination: Bishkek

From Naryn, it’s a five and a half hour drive back to Bishkek today, through more gorgeous scenery. You’ll arrive by early afternoon and have a celebratory dinner in Bishkek.

Accommodation tonight will be in the same 5* hotel in the centre.

Day 16

Start Point: Bishkek

Destination: Home

This morning we will take you to the airport for your flight home.

This trip is now fully booked.

We have 2 spaces still available on this trip - please contact us to make your booking.

Places available - pleae contact us to secure your place.

The 2027 trip cost is £5,590 and includes the connecting flight between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and all transport on the tour.

The 2028 trip cost is £5,850.

Single supplements are not charged for the first 5 single bookings but are otherwise £375 per single traveller.

We do not book international flights but on joining the tour, we will provide you with a welcome pack in which contact details for our trusted flight agent will be provided.

INCLUDED‍ ‍

Accommodation in characterful hotels and yurt camps

All meals and some alcohol

Unique experiences such as fashion shows and a morning with an eagle hunter and his family.

Local airport transfers

All land travel costs

Flights from Tashkent to Bishkek, and Tashkent to Urgench.

Professional, knowledgeable and courteous English-speaking local guides, all of whom we know personally and have travelled with ourselves.

Travel in VIP a/c minibus in Uzbekistan, and in top of the range Toyota 4WD (3 guests per car) in Kyrgyzstan.

Professional route planning and logistics, backed by risk assessments and emergency procedures. We don’t take risks lightly and we plan for all eventualities, believing it is better to have prepared and not require a procedure than not to plan at all.

NOT INCLUDED‍ ‍

International Flights to Tashkent and from Bishkek

Guide and driver gratuities

Personal spending money for alcohol or souvenirs

Your personal travel insurance

Where will we be staying?

You’ll be staying in a mix of places – from four star hotels in Tashkent and Bishkek, to stylish, boutique hotels in Bukhara and Samarkand and wonderful, yurt camps in the wilds of Kyrgyzstan. In the yurt camps, you won’t always have access to hot showers or western loos, but the wilderness and views will more than make up for it. In the detailed Traveller’s app you receive before you travel, we will be very clear about the facilities in each place you stay. However, if you are someone who can’t deal with a lack of en-suite for a night, or faints at the thought of a squat loo, then this probably isn’t the trip for you.

What size of group will it be?

Our group sizes are always small, allowing for an intimate experience of the cultures we meet along our path. On this trip we will have a maximum of 11 guests, plus the local guides and drivers. We usually find groups are made of like-minded people, both male and female, from a wide age range. Many of our guests become firm friends with us and each other, and travel together with us again, and again…

What will the weather be like?

It’ll likely be hot in Uzbekistan, and slightly cooler in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Expect up to 35 degrees in Uzbekistan, but down to between 5 and 10 degrees at night in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. But have no fear, we will supply you with a detailed packing list after you’ve signed up.

I’m a solo traveller – is this for me?

Yes. At least 30 percent of our guests are solo travellers.

Do you charge single supplements

On this trip, we don’t charge a single supplement for the first five single travellers to sign up. Thereafter the single traveller supplement is £375. Please note that in one of the yurt camps we use, single travellers occasionally have to share a yurt for the night.

What kit do I need to bring?

We will provide you with an information pack after signing up to this trip, and this will detail any particular equipment we think either necessary or useful.

What vehicles will we be travelling in?

In Uzbekistan we will travel by foot, minibus and high-speed train. In Kyrgyzstan we will travel in top of the range 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers, with a maximum of three guests per car.

How much are flights?

This is a moving feast! It depends on where you are travelling from and how you want to get there. From London, it’s around £550 one way to Tashkent, and around £500 to Bishkek.

The internal flights from Tashkent to Bishkek and Tashkent to Urgench are included in the tour price. Again, we’ll send you an information pack containing all the information you need when you book your place.

What will the food be like?

Food in both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan is very good – a hearty, healthy, tasty mix of fresh fruit and salads, meat, plov (the classic Central Asian rice and meat dish) and wonderful bread. If you’re a vegetarian (or even a vegan) you’ll find plenty to eat, we can assure you.

Will I have to share a room?

The only time you may have to share a room is in one of the yurt camps we stay in, where – if we have a lot of single travellers – two or three single travellers may have to share one yurt. This very rarely happens though and on all other occasions you will have your own room.

How fit do I need to be?

Not very – although there are options to ride horses, swim and walk, you can also opt to simply relax or travel in one of the vehicles instead. However, there are some fairly long days walking in the cities, so you do need to be happy to be on your feet for two to three hours at a time. But this isn’t a boot camp, it’s your holiday, so if you’d prefer to repair to the hotel for a Negroni, then that’s up to you.

Will I be affected by altitude?

Altitude can affect different people in different ways. It can also affect the same person in different ways from trip to trip. We will be spending a handful of days above 3000 metres in Kyrgyzstan. If you feel that you might suffer from altitude sickness, or have history of it, you should consider discussing this with your doctor prior to booking and travel. Diamox and other similar prescription drugs are available to ease symptoms, but the key way to address any onset of altitude sickness is to descend. Luckily, from anywhere particularly high, descent is possible rapidly thanks to our vehicles. Simple precautions and awareness go a long way.

I can’t do your dates but love the sound of this trip – can you be flexible?

Yes. We offer set group dates for some of our trips, but we can organise and deliver bespoke expeditions to groups and individuals to suit your itinerary and budget. More information is available on our Tailor-Made tours page.

Is it a guaranteed departure?

Yes, for 2027, this is a Guaranteed Departure.

Why should I book with Silk Road Adventures?

We are a small company who pride ourselves on going a great deal of extra miles in order to put together creative, immersive itineraries which truly get under the skin of these wonderful countries. We don’t follow the crowds and we always strive to do things differently. We’re also a company that’s founded and run by people who have spent years living and working in this region, and who are passionate about sniffing out the best guides, hotels, restaurants and hidden valleys for you to experience.

We never want to be the biggest travel company, but we do want to be the best. We treat every guest as a friend and strive to give them the very best experience possible. As a result, a high percentage of our customers have booked to travel with us again, with some of them coming on a trip every year.

Your safety is vital: we also do annual expedition and remote medicine training and pay for 24/7 remote medical assistance cover.

Is this really for me?

We hope so, but…..please don’t sign up for this trip if:

• You’re not comfortable walking on uneven ground, and / or are unable to walk comfortably around a city for a day.

• You have extreme dietary requirements that will impact the rest of the group, or make it very difficult for our guides to cater to your needs. (Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free are fine!)

• You have a health condition that means your needs will unduly impact the rest of the group, or if there’s a high risk you’ll need medical attention during the trip.

• You can’t cope with a yurt that doesn’t have en-suite bathrooms!

• Are the sort of person who’s going to be worried about the lack of flush loos in a mountain yurt camp, or complains that the road to Tash Rabat is too bumpy (it isn’t!).

However, if you love adventure, new places, friendly people, wild landscapes, history and culture then yes, this is for you.