Things to see & do along The Silk Road
Uzbekistan is synonymous with the Silk Road, with much of this famous trade route worming its way in and out of what was then known as Mawarannahr. Pun intended. Because it was the worms’ much sought after silk, created from their cocoons, which led to the creation of one of the most famous caravan and commercial routes ever. Uzbekistan was at its center, with towns like Bukhara and Samarkand bursting with life since well before the Common Era. However, with trade comes a thirst for territory, and with that comes turbulence. And Uzbekistan has seen its fair share of that. Along the way, however, cultures fought for survival and there is no better place to see the strength of those efforts, than in Uzbekistan.
Our Uzbekistan Vacations
Uzbekistan small group tour
Explore cities and landscapes of the ancient Silk Road
From
US $2179 to US $2349
11 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan tour, nature and culture
A tour to the towns of the ancient Silk Road in Uzbekistan.
From
US $920 to US $1440
9 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan small group tour, Uzbekistan odyssey
Ancient cities, architecture & traditional craftsmanship
From
£3370
14 days
ex flights
Central Asia overland tour, the stans
An epic journey through the five 'stans' of Central Asia
From
£4999
26 days
ex flights
Silk Road vacation, small group
Discover amazing Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan
From
£2925 to £3125
15 days
ex flights
Small group tour of the Stans
Get under the skin of all five 'Stans'
From
US $8000
4 weeks
ex flights
Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan vacation, Silk Road explorer
Discover the fascinating ancient history of the Silk Road
From
£2799
16 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan vacation, Tamerlane's Empire
Take a deeper look into the hidden gems of Uzbekistan
From
£2035
13 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan tour, Road to Samarkand
Travel the ancient Silk Road through remote Central Asia.
From
US $1990 to US $2110
12 days
ex flights
The Silk Road small group tour
Discover the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China
From
US $3099 to US $3279
15 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan tours
See the Silk Road cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
From
£1249
7 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan classic tour
Stunning silk road architecture and breath-taking deserts
From
£2830
12 days
ex flights
Silk Road overland truck tour
Overland through Central Asia's highlights
From
£2335 to £2390
30 days
ex flights
Tashkent to Bishkek Silk Road overland tour
Explore the mountainous overlanding paradise of Kyrgyzstan
From
£1120 to £1150
16 days
ex flights
Tehran to Tashkent Silk Road tour, private departure
Combine ancient, medieval and modern Silk Road cities
From
£4890
17 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan 12 day tour
Visit Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva of Uzbekistan
From
£1580
12 days
ex flights
Silk Road and Trans-Mongolian railway tour
The perfect hybrid of Silk Road and Trans-Mongolian Railways
From
£6165 to £6295
34 days
ex flights
Istanbul to Xian overland tour
Epic overland trip across the continet of Asia
From
£7630 to £7835
89 days
ex flights
Xian to Istanbul overland tour
Expereince the Silk Road and the beautiful Caucasus
From
£8830 to £9085
42 days
ex flights
Central Asia highlights tour
An incredible journey through the heart of Central Asia
From
£4995
25 days
ex flights
Silk Road adventure tour
Seek adventure among the mountain passes of the Silk Road
From
£4000
22 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan Photography Tour
An intimate journey along the historical silk road.
From
US $4595
10 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan Silk Road tour
Discover the enchanting architecture of Uzbekistan
From
£1890
10 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan to Iran overland tour
Trace the western section of the Silk Road
From
US $5380
21 days
ex flights
Central Silk Route & Western China overland tour
Epic trip through China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan
From
£4495 to £4610
56 days
ex flights
Xian to Istanbul overland tour, Silk Road
Travel for 8 weeks along the Silk Road and the Caucasus
From
£11615
57 days
inc UK flights
Silk Road vacation, five Stans of Central Asia
Journey through the 5 stans of Central Asia
From
£5895
28 days
ex flights
What is the Silk Road?
There is no actual single Silk Road, but more of a series of routes that traversed Central Asia into Europe and which was considered the world’s first major commercial highway. Its name was coined by a German geographer, Ferdinand von Richthofen, in 1877, and it wasn’t just used for trading the East’s much coveted silk but also many other precious products such as porcelain and paper (still famous in Samarkand). Going the other direction, when the traders travelled west to east, they brought wool, exotic fruits and nuts and, of course, wine.It was only when Europeans started exploring new trade routes by sea from the 13th century onwards that the Silk Road started to lose favour. Uzbekistan’s commercial power weakened, and its political power did too. In the early 16th century the country’s infamous Timurid Empire broke up, and the country was divided up into khanates. In-fighting between these Khanates made the country vulnerable, and so in stepped the Russians in 1865. International trade was not a biggie for the Russians, and so the conversion of silk to Soviet rule saw the end of this major trading route in Uzbekistan.
How can we visit the Silk Road today?
You can visit the important towns and regions of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road on a small group tour or tailor made trip with an expert guide and driver, in as little as eight days. A trip of this length gives time to discover the ancient architectural wonders of Samarkand and Bukhara as well as the Kyzyl Kum Desert, where you can stay in a traditional yurt camp or trek on camels, just as the real Silk Road merchants would have done.A two-week journey to visit the cities of the Silk Road will also take you into Turkmenistan, visiting additional highlights such as Merv, a series of walled towns reflecting their passage through time. This journey takes you on a wonderful circuit, starting in Tashkent in Uzbekistan, exploring the country’s Silk Road highlights, then into Turkmenistan, and finally back into the north of Uzbekistan to visit Khiva. This is one place where you will feel as if you are back in ancient times, as you enter the untouristy, old town of Ichan Qala, with an expansive array of mosques, mausoleums and minarets.
Another option for exploring the Silk Road is to travel by luxury train, on a private charter that takes you from Tashkent in Uzbekistan, through Turkmenistan and then completing your silky sojourn in Tehran, in Iran. This is just about the most out-of-this-world way to explore this historic route, giving you time to hop off and explore each important city along the way, as you wine and dine your way across the region in style.
Another option for exploring the Silk Road is to travel by luxury train, on a private charter that takes you from Tashkent in Uzbekistan, through Turkmenistan and then completing your silky sojourn in Tehran, in Iran. This is just about the most out-of-this-world way to explore this historic route, giving you time to hop off and explore each important city along the way, as you wine and dine your way across the region in style.
Our top Uzbekistan Vacation
Uzbekistan small group tour
Explore cities and landscapes of the ancient Silk Road
From
US $2179 to US $2349
11 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 17 Apr, 15 May, 12 Jun, 10 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 16 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep
2020: 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 17 Apr, 15 May, 12 Jun, 10 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 16 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Uzbekistan or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Where can I buy silk?
Thankfully not all the old ways have been lost. In fact, as Uzbekistan slowly wakes up to the disastrous impacts that the cotton industry has had on its country, environmentally and socially, many of these old traditional crafts are being revived. International fashion designers are recognising the skills of the silk makers, whose ancient practices known as sericulture, have been seen on the catwalks in recent years.There are two types of silk to look out for: Suzani is a fabric embroidered with silk threads, and ikat is a fabric entirely woven with hand spun silk yarn. Each suzani tells a story, of course, depending on the region’s heritage. The heart of ikat weaving is in the Fergana Valley, and witnessing the production of these beautiful creations will make your Uzbek vacation complete. For shopping, Khiva and Bukhara are famous for silk carpets, Margilan for garments and Samarkand is reviving its exquisite paper making tradition – with silk, of course.
Read our Silk Road travel guide for more details.
Uzbekistan’s Silk Road travel advice
Jonny Bealby from our expert Silk Road supplier, Wild Frontiers:
The wonderful bits
“The Silk Road passes through many amazing countries and sites, but while Kyrgyzstan is known for its stunning mountainous landscapes and nomadic culture, Tajikistan for the wild Pamirs and Turkmenistan for its quirky capital city, Uzbekistan is known for its superb Islamic architecture and really whatever else you do here this is the highlight. The sites of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are truly world class and certainly reason enough to make a special visit.”
The less wonderful bits
“The roads in Central Asia are very bad and traveling between places by minibus or private car can be a bit hell raising, although your driver will be very adept at swerving around potholes. You will keep to a schedule because lengthy road journeys will be taken into account and extra time is allowed for these by your tour operators, but people should be aware that the roads are bumpy and uncomfortable, so it’s best to keep calm and be patient.”
More about Uzbekistan
The best time to visit Uzbekistan is in spring or autumn, when you will avoid the scorched summers and freezing winters.
Our Uzbekistan travel guide explores the country at the very heart of the Silk Road, and one that has absorbed the many cultures that passed along its roads and trails.
Our Uzbekistan map and highlights pinpoint not only the cultural gems of the Silk Road, such as Samarkand and Bukhara, but also the far northern deserts, the southern belle of Shakhrisabz and many other lesser known Uzbek unique spots.
The Silk Road hubs and Islamic architectural wonders are all musts when working out things to do in Uzbekistan, but there is a whole array of life going on here.
Uzbekistan's Central Asian setting made it one of the Silk Road's most important stopovers with numerous cultural influences all still present in the food that's served today.
A visit to Uzbekistan is like leafing through the charred chapters of the Silk Road and nowhere is this ambience more exemplified than within the Islamic architecture adorning the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent.
Uzbekistan is definitely a bit like Marmite, as you will discover from our Uzbekistan travel advice.
There are several issues of responsible tourism in Uzbekistan and, worryingly, as a destination that is new to the tourism map, this list may grow with time if tourism isn’t managed sustainably.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Dudarev Mikhail] [Intro: Kalpak Travel]
[How can we visit the Silk Road today?: Chris Shervey]
[Where can I buy silk?: Adam Jones]
[Jonny Bealby Quotes: Patrickringgenberg]
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