From Kirghizistan to Uzbekistan, Discovering the Silk Road

Along the way, you make a stop to discover the ruins of the Burana Minaret, an ancient Jami mosque destroyed in the 13th century during the Tatar invasions. You then climb to the top of the minaret, from where you enjoy a clear view of the surrounding countryside. The visit continues with the associated museum, which provides a better understanding of the site's history.

This morning, you set off to discover Konorchek, a natural site with scarlet red rock formations reminiscent of the American Grand Canyon. Surrounded by columns of red sand, you move through a wild and intimate setting, shaped by millennia of erosion.

You visit the women's cooperative, where traditional felt carpets (sherdaks) are made, showcasing the region's artisanal craftsmanship.

Travel back in time with a visit to the ancient Tach Rabat Caravanserai. Located on the road to Khasgar, the Tach Rabat caravanserai, the Stone Hotel, is probably the best-preserved site on the Silk Road, and you will be able to feel its original atmosphere here. Dating from the 15th century, it featured many rooms serving to shelter merchants.

A free day dedicated to discovering the nomadic way of life, alongside your host family, in the peaceful setting of the lake. Depending on the time and daily activities, you can participate in various traditional practices, such as the making of koumis, a drink made from fermented mare's milk, the gathering of the herd, an essential step in pastoral life, or the milking of cows or mares, depending on the season.

In the afternoon, after lunch, you set off on a horseback ride across the vast steppes bordering the lake, offering a gentle and authentic immersion into the heart of nomadic Kirghizistan.

After a relaxing time on the shores of Lake Son-Koul, you head back on the road towards the village of Kyzyl-Oi. Located at 1,800 meters above sea level, this traditional village takes its name from the mountains with reddish hues that surround it. The track leading there crosses changing landscapes and offers a gradual immersion into a preserved atmosphere, characteristic of the Kyrgyz highlands.

You then continue your journey towards the Soussamyr valley, characterized by vast steppes, winding rivers and mountainous reliefs. These open landscapes offer a fine overview of the diversity and vastness of Kyrgyz natural spaces.

You then continue towards Toktogul, a vast artificial lake of 284 km², surrounded by rock formations with contrasting colors. The road crosses landscapes with ochre, red and green hues, offering a varied natural panorama.

This morning, you head towards the village of Arkyt, located near Lake Sary Chelek, another emblematic natural site in the region.

Day 7

Today you set off on a hike to discover this alpine lake situated at 1,837 meters altitude. This excursion through wild and unspoiled landscapes allows you to fully enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of mountainous Kyrgyzstan.

After the hike, you have free time by the lake for a moment of relaxation.

Day 9

You set off on a hiking adventure through the walnut forest, in the heart of a pristine environment where centuries-old trees form a lush canopy and offer a peaceful atmosphere. The trail leads you to the Arslanbob waterfalls, emblematic natural sites of the region.

A lunch in the heart of nature is planned in this calm setting, before returning to the village to enjoy local hospitality. Night in Arslanbob.

You head towards Och, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Along the way, you make a stop to visit the historic site of Uzgen, known for its three mausoleums and its minaret dating from the 11th century.

Upon your arrival in Och, you discover the sacred mountain of Sulaiman, also called Solomon's Throne. This place of worship and pilgrimage for local Muslims is associated with the biblical legend of King Solomon. The visit continues with the History Museum, located nearby.

After breakfast at the hotel, you take the road towards the Uzbek border. Upon arrival, you cross the border and are welcomed in Andijan by your guide and driver, before the transfer to Marguilan.

In Marguilan, renowned for its silk craftsmanship, you visit the Yodgorlik factory, where traditional silks are produced using ancestral methods. You then continue with a visit to the central market to discover the local atmosphere and artisanal products.

After breakfast, you head to Richtan, an emblematic city in the Ferghana Valley, renowned for its ancestral pottery art. There, you discover traditional ceramics, crafted from local red clay and decorated with natural pigments in blue and green hues. You then continue to Kokand to visit the citadel of Khoudayar Khan, also called Orda. Built in the late 19th century, it is a representative example of Central Asian architecture and notably includes a reception hall, a chancellery, a hotel and a cabinet of ministers.

After lunch in Kokand, you set out to discover the Narbutabey madrasah, built in 1799 by a Bukharan architect and among the rare schools that continued to operate under Soviet occupation. The visit continues with the Modari Khan mausoleum, then the Jami Mosque.

In the late afternoon, you are transferred to Kokand railway station to take the train to Tashkent. The journey offers beautiful panoramic views of the mountains and Kamchik Pass. Upon your arrival in Tashkent in the evening, you are greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel.

Today, you discover Tachkent, capital of Uzbekistan, through its historical monuments and emblematic sites. The morning is dedicated to exploring the old town, with a visit to Khasti Imam square, the spiritual center of the city, the Barak-Khan madrasah, built in the 16th century, the mausoleum of Kaffal Chachiy, as well as the Tilla Shaykh mosque, which houses the oldest Quran in the world, dating from the 7th century under the caliph Othman. The visit continues at the Mouyi Mouborak madrasah, transformed into a library, where a precious manuscript of the Quran of caliph Othman is preserved, brought back by Tamerlane.

The visit continues with a stop at the Chor Bazaar market, nicknamed "the Four Crossroads", the oldest bazaar in the city, where you discover an authentic atmosphere and colorful pavilions.

In the afternoon, you discover the Tachkent metro, renowned for the carefully designed architecture of its stations decorated in Art Deco style. The visit notably includes the Cosmonauts station, inspired by Soviet space exploration, Cotton Workers, dedicated to the textile industry, and Alisher Navoi, in tribute to the Uzbek poet and philosopher.

Return to the hotel at the end of the day.

Early breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport at 6:00 AM to catch the flight to Urgench. Upon your arrival in Urgench around 8:30 AM, you are welcomed by your guide and driver, then head towards Khiva, located approximately 30 km away.

The day is entirely dedicated to discovering the old town of Itchan Kala, a true open-air museum listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by brick ramparts about ten meters high, it allows you to travel back in time to the era of khans and Silk Road caravans.

During the visit, you discover the emblematic monuments of the city, including Ota Darvoza, the imposing entrance gate, the Mohammed Amin Khan madrasah, built in 1854 and considered the largest in Central Asia, as well as the Kalta Minor minaret, recognizable by its wide base and turquoise faience, which remained unfinished. The visit also includes the Khan's former prison, a testimony to punishments of old, and the Konya Ark citadel, with its mosque, mint workshop, reception courtyard and throne room, symbols of Khanate power.

In late afternoon, you have the opportunity to climb the Ak Cheikh Bobo bastion to enjoy a panoramic view of the fortified city and its historical monuments.

After breakfast at the hotel, visits begin at 9:30 am with the discovery of Khiva's architectural heritage.

You start with the Madrasa Mohammed Amin Khan, built in 1854 and considered the largest in Central Asia, with a capacity of 260 students. Today transformed into a craft center, it also houses a museum which you take time to visit. The discovery continues with the madrasas Allazh Kouli Khan and Kutlug Murad Inak, known as the Koch madrasas, as well as their historic cistern.

The visit continues with the Tach Khovli Palace, built in the 19th century by Alla Kouli Khan and used as a second residence for the khans of Khiva. This vast complex includes a main courtyard, a guest pavilion intended for administrative affairs, and a harem, the khan's private space, decorated with rich ceramic ornaments.

After lunch, you continue discovering Khiva's emblematic sites with a visit to the Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmoud, an important place of veneration for the local population. The visit continues at the Islam Khodja complex, built in the early 20th century, which includes a minaret of 44.5 meters, the highest in Khiva, as well as a madrasa today transformed into a museum of decorative arts and photography.

Free time for personal discovery of the city.

After breakfast at the hotel, the day is dedicated to discovering the old part of Bukhara, known for its ancient carpet market and its atmosphere evoking the caravans of the Silk Road. The visit of the historic Chakhristan district is done on foot and allows you to discover several major sites, including the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, built between the 9th and 10th centuries and considered the oldest monument in the city, the Chachma Ayoub Mausoleum, dating from the 12th to 14th centuries and now transformed into a water museum, as well as the Bola Khauz Mosque, built in the 18th century and remarkable for its muqarnas capitals. The discovery continues with the Ark Citadel, former residence of the emirs of Bukhara, which once housed palaces, barracks and a prison.

After lunch, you continue the visit with the monumental ensemble of Poi Kalon, comprising the Kalon Mosque and the Miri-Arab Madrasa, both built in the 16th century, as well as the Kalon minaret, built in the 12th century and emblematic symbol of Bukhara. The discovery extends into the Toki, ancient covered markets located at the major crossroads of the old city. You successively cross the Toki Zargaron, formerly dedicated to jewelers, the Toki Telpak Fourouchon, former hat market, and the Toki Sarrafon, former money changers' market. Today converted into craft centers, these spaces host various traditional workshops.

The visit ends with the Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, organized around a lively outdoor basin, and comprising the Khanaka, former residence of dervishes, as well as the Nadir Divanbegui Madrasa, a remarkable example of Uzbek architecture.

After breakfast at your hotel, you set off to discover the monuments located around Bukhara. The visit begins with the Setora-i-Mokhi Khosa Palace, situated approximately 5 km from the old town. Built in 1914, this residence was that of Bukhara's last emir. The complex is distinguished by its refined plaster and stucco decorations, its richly decorated courtyards and reception halls, as well as its gardens adorned with rosebushes and a pool. The visit also includes the harem, which is said to have accommodated up to forty women and today houses a museum dedicated to Uzbek embroidery, the suzani.

You continue the visit with a detour to the sacred site of Bakhaouddin Nakshbandi, dating from the 16th century and considered a major pilgrimage site for Muslims. The site houses the tomb of one of the most venerated saints and founders of Sufi Islam.

The final visit of the morning is devoted to the Tchor Minor Madrasah, built in the early 19th century and recognizable by its four distinctive minarets.

Return to Bukhara, followed by free time to do some shopping and enjoy the particular atmosphere of the city.

On the way, stop at the village of Guijdovan, located approximately 70 km away, renowned for its ceramic craftsmanship. You visit the home of Mr. Narzoullayev, a sixth-generation potter, who shares the secrets of his expertise passed down through time. The journey continues with a photo stop near the Rabati Malik steppe to observe a 14th-century sardoba, an ancient water reservoir used by Silk Road caravans. Just across from it, you discover the remains of the 11th-century caravanserai, whose monumental gateway is still visible.

Arrival in Samarkand around 1:00 PM and hotel check-in. Around 3:00 PM, you meet your local guide to begin discovering Samarkand, the former capital of the Timurid empire.

The visit begins with exploration of the Registan Square, an emblematic ensemble of Central Asia and a major reference point for Islamic architecture. Under the reign of Tamerlane, this place constituted the heart of the city and the convergence point of six major thoroughfares, at the location of an ancient covered bazaar. You then discover the three monumental madrasas that compose the ensemble: the Ulugh Beg madrasah, founded by Tamerlane's grandson, the Tilla-Kari madrasah, known for its rich gilded decorations, and the Sher-Dor madrasah, recognizable by its distinctive decorative motifs. Special attention is paid to the latter in order to appreciate its architectural and ornamental details.

After breakfast at the hotel, you set out to discover the Bibi Khanum Mosque, built in the 15th century by Tamerlane to celebrate his victory over the Sultanate of Delhi. This large-scale edifice, supported by 400 marble pillars, was destroyed before being restored in 2003. The morning continues with a visit to the Siyob Market, the main market of Samarkand, known for its traditional naan bread and raisins from local production.

After lunch, you dive into history with a visit to the Afrasiab Museum, located in the north of the city. This archaeological site, formed by ancient hills, testifies to the life of Samarkand before the Mongol invasion. The museum notably houses rare pre-Islamic Sogdian frescoes from the 8th century, remnants of this period.

The afternoon continues with a visit to a silk carpet factory, allowing you to discover traditional weaving techniques, followed by the Ulugbeg Observatory, a medieval astronomical edifice founded by Tamerlane's grandson and dedicated to the study of the stars.

After breakfast at the hotel, the visits begin with the discovery of the Gour Emir mausoleum, the burial place of the descendants of Amir Timour, as well as military leaders and their wives. The site also houses the tomb of Kusam Ibn Abbas, known as the "Living King," a descendant of the prophet Mohammed. The visit continues with the statue of Tamerlane, located near the mausoleum.

You continue with a visit to the mausoleum of Saint Daniel, a sacred site revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews. According to tradition, Tamerlane brought the relics of Saint Daniel from Iran. The mausoleum, built in the early twentieth century, is today a place of pilgrimage.

The visit continues to the Chakhi Zinda necropolis, also called the "Living King." This vast funerary complex groups together several mausoleums, including that of Kusam Ibn Abbas, cousin of the prophet Mohammed. Formerly composed of forty-four monuments, the site today preserves approximately half of them, among which are the mausoleums of two sisters and two wives of Tamerlane, as well as the tombs of three generals of the Timurid empire.

After free time dedicated to last-minute shopping, you are transferred to the station to take the high-speed train to Tashkent. Upon your arrival in Tashkent, accommodation and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the airport before your return flight to Europe.