Silk Road vacations, Central Asia

COUNTRY:
China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
LOCATION:
Silk Road
DEPARTURES:
2012: 28 Jul, 1 Sep
PRICE:
From £3195 (23 days) excluding flights
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Silk Road vacations, Central Asia

Silk Road vacations, Central Asia

What this trip includes
Trips are on full board basis, and include transport as outlined in itinerary, twin-share accommodation, mineral water and entrance fees.

How this vacation makes a difference

In Central Asia we have developed unique relationships with many of the semi-nomadic peoples of the region and through our form of interactive, socially conscience tourism have helped them adapt to the modern, changing world by providing important income opportunities. With Sogan Bai, an eagle hunter from the shores of Lake Issyk Kul, or Noorgul, a shepherdess from the pristine Son Kul, or Nazira and her family at Tash Rabat, we have been responsible for introducing them to the homestay market, helping them to provide good, clean and interesting accommodation which in term allows them to educate their children, improve their standard of living and look after their ill.

The wonderful thing about this kind of interactive tourism is that everyone gains – the nomads financially and us with the wonderful welcome and experience they give us. On our horse treks, we work exclusively with the fine horse-man Anar Bek, who along with his family and members of the local community, ensure that the horses we trek with are well treated, well fed and well looked after. Wherever possible we stay in locally owned accommodation, eat in locally owned establishments and purchase supplies from the local nomads.

When you take one of our trips, we make a contribution to “Carbon Clear” – an organisation who work with hundreds of organisations to measure their carbon footprint and reduce their carbon emissions. We also support several NGOs around the world, all carefully selected to improve the standard of living for the communities we visit.

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Silk Road vacations, Central Asia

Reviewed 11 Oct 2008 by Sue Noble4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


It has to be Kyrgyzstan. The landscape, the people, sleeping in yurts - even the food. All fantastic. That said, I enjoyed Uzbekistan too - the old Islamic architecture is fabulous - but the great outdoors are hard to beat. The big surprise for me was Tashkent - I had two days there on my own at the end of the trip and it was great. The trip should have at least a day there, particularly at a couple of the museums and galleries which provide great background/context for what will be seen later in the trip. Also enjoyed the company of my fellow travelers - very interesting and well travelled people around the right age-group!

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Hopefully anyone booking this vacation will have some experience in remote locations so will be well prepared. Most people on the trip were sick in Kyrgyzstan (I think I was one of two who wasn't) I think everyone needs to be warned to be a bit more cautious about food and water/drink. We were much more cavalier about these things (I ate and drank everything put in front of me!) than I would be when somewhere like India.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


I think tourism is really important to both economies - especially Kyrgyzstan. Many local people benefited directly because we tended to stay in small yurt camps run by locals and spent money in local restaurants and shops (where they existed). I believe our impact on the environment was negligible - we were certainly more conscious about disposing of our rubbish etc than many of the locals (sadly).

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


It was very good. Certainly in my top 10.

Reviewed 17 Aug 2008 by Jayne Hanlin4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


Seeing the breathtaking mountain views in Kyrgyzstan was the most memorable part of this vacation.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Be prepared for long days driving - often on very bumpy roads. However, nature's spectacles compensate for the traveling inconveniences. Sleeping in a yurt was a new adventure for me.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


I am glad I booked it. This vacation gave me insight about the people and the way they live.

Reviewed 03 Sep 2007 by Karen O'Driscoll4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


The yurt stay in Son Kul and Tash Rabat and Samarkand

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Except in China the food was not great. Bring plenty of energy bars.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


10 out of 10
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Vacation Reviews

We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!

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