Silk Road Odyssey-Islamabad to Tashkent

Upon arrival, meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Islamabad, including a visit to Daman-e-Koh, a scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the capital. Drive past modern avenues and landmarks reflecting Islamic architecture, with a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum. The tour concludes at the iconic Shah Faisal Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques. Later, explore the bustling Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi, followed by a welcome dinner at a local food street.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Marriott Hotel
• Tourist Class: Burjul Zaki
Meals Included: Dinner

In the morning, drive to Naran with a stop at Taxila en route. Taxila features a well-planned museum and several archaeological sites from the Gandharan Buddhist civilization, which flourished from the 6th century BC to the 5th century AD. Continue the drive to Naran. 

Note: During the off-season, when Babusar Pass is closed, the route via Bisham is used.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: North Retreat
• Tourist Class: North Retreat
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today, drive along the scenic route over Babusar Pass to Chilas, joining the Karakoram Highway before continuing to Gilgit, the administrative capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. Gilgit lies at the junction of the world’s three great mountain ranges—the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Himalayas—making the region a paradise for mountaineers, trekkers, and adventure enthusiasts. Rich in cultural heritage and home to rare flora and fauna, the area has also played a significant role in regional history. 

In the afternoon, visit the 7th-century Kargah Buddha rock carving, followed by a visit to the British Cemetery. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Blossom Inn or Riveria Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, drive along the Karakoram Highway toward Minapin in the Nagar Valley. En route, stop at Chalt Nagar to see the Karakoram Thrust, marking the collision point of the Indo-Pakistani and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to the Rakaposhi Viewpoint (7,788 m) for a tea break and photography; energetic travelers may hike closer for enhanced views of the majestic peak. Later, proceed to Minapin Village for an overnight stay. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Osho Thang Hotel
• Tourist Class: Osho Thang Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, drive to Karimabad in Hunza and visit Altit Village and Baltit Fort. The approximately 700-year-old fort was renovated in the 16th century when the Mir (ruler) married a princess from Baltistan, who brought skilled Balti craftsmen as part of her dowry. The architecture clearly reflects Tibetan influences of the period. The rest of the day is free at leisure for shopping. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Early in the morning, drive to Duiker Village above Karimabad to witness a spectacular sunrise over the snow-capped peaks of Ultar (7,388 m), Rakaposhi (7,788 m), Diran (7,266 m), and surrounding mountains. The afternoon is free at leisure, or for the energetic, an optional hike toward the Ultar Glacier. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Eagle Nest or Hilltop Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, depart for Hopper Valley, stopping en route at Ganish Village to visit Ali Gohar’s old house, awarded UNESCO’s Heritage Award in 2009. Continue to Hopper Valley on the eastern side of the Hunza River, a fertile region known for its dramatic landscapes, white-capped peaks, and one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers. 

Later, drive to Upper Hunza (Gojal) with a stop at Attabad Lake for photography and an optional boat ride. Continue to Gulmit, a tranquil village and former summer capital of the Hunza Kingdom, where you may stroll through the village, visit a 400-year-old house, and observe local women weaving carpets and traditional handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed to Borith Lake. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

This morning, hike to the Passu White Glacier viewpoint for stunning photo opportunities. Afterwards, take a short drive to Hussaini Village, where you can carefully cross the famous rope bridge over the fast-flowing Hunza River, or opt for a thrilling zipline. Lunch is a unique treat in Passu Village, featuring healthy yak meat, lower in fat than traditional red meats or even salmon. After lunch, stroll around Passu Village and capture photos of the iconic Passu Cones. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
• Tourist Class: Borith Lake Hotel and Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today, drive to Sost and complete border formalities before continuing to Khunjerab Pass (4,750 m), the highest paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. En route, enjoy the chance to spot wildlife in Khunjerab National Park. Upon arrival in Tashkurgan, China, complete Chinese border formalities, meet your local guide, and transfer to your hotel. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Grand Chogori Hotel
• Tourist Class: Grand Chogori Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, visit 14th-century Tashkurgan Fort, offering impressive views of the surrounding fields, mountains, and ancient military structures. Afterwards, drive to Kashgar, enjoying breathtaking scenery along the way. Stop at Karakul Lake for views of the Muztagh-Ata Mountains, with the option for a camel ride or a stroll around the lake, before continuing to Kashgar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today, visit the famous Sunday Market in Kashgar, where everything from carpets and blankets to food, livestock, and even camels is for sale! People from across the region flock here, swelling the town’s population by 100,000. This vibrant market is one of Asia’s most incredible bazaars and a photographer’s paradise. Afterward, visit Eidgah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb, and enjoy a walking tour of the old town. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, transfer to the Torugart Pass border crossing. After completing border formalities, meet our Kyrgyz team and visit the 11th-century Caravanserai, which once served as a fortress for travelers along the Great Silk Road. Continue the drive to Naryn. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Khan Tengri Hotel
• Tourist Class: Khan Tengri Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Today our destination is Lake Issyk-Kul, which is the second-largest alpine lake after Lake Titicaca in South America. A combination of depth, thermal activity and mild salinity means the lake never freezes, thus its name `Issyk-Kul’ means `warm lake’. Archaeological discoveries from the lake’s bottom include ancient relics and graves dating back to the first millennium BC. An ancient trade center from the second century BC is thought to have been destroyed by the rise and fall of the lake’s level. Before checking in at our hotel we will visit Cholpan-Ata, known for petroglyphs which are thought to have been created by the tribes of the Neolithic period. The images are mainly primitive long-horned ibex, horses, camels and snow leopards.  

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Karven or Karpiz
• Tourist Class: Three Crown
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning, drive to Bishkek. En route, we drive to visit the Burana tower, which was built in the 11 century. Afternoon city tour of Bishkek, Visit Manas Monument, the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Then an excursion to the State History Museum and a walking tour around the main Ala Too Square, Independence Monument, main governmental buildings, and finish at the Old Square with Parliament House and the only surviving in Central Asia Lenin’s Monument. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Orion Hotel
• Tourist Class: Golden Dragon or City Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning visit Ala-Archa National Park with picnic lunch later city tour of Bishkek, late in the afternoon transfer to the airport for Uzbekistan airways flight HY 780 EDT 06:40 PM ETA to Tashkent at 7:00 PM, On arrival at Tashkent airport you will be met by our Uzbek guide and transfer to your hotel.   

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Lotte City Tashkent Palace
• Tourist Class: Florence Boutique or Ateca Suits
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Morning flight to Urgench and transfer to Khiva, Depending on the flight schedule, possibly half day sightseeing of Khiva city.  

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Farovon or Orient Star
• Tourist Class: Malika Khivek or Shaherezada Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Legend has it that Khiva was founded when Shem, son of Noah, discovered a well here. The town certainly existed by the 8th Century, as a minor fort and trading post on a Silk Road branch to the Caspian Sea and the Volga. In the early 16th century, Khiva was made capital of the Timurid Empire, becoming a busy slave market and pivot of the khanate for the next three centuries. Until Russia finally wrested the region from Timurid grasp in the 19th century, even the boldest hearts feared encounters with these fierce tribesmen and their desert territory. Khiva is an ancient walled city and looks much like it did in centuries past. It is one of the few sites in Central Asia where one can easily imagine life during the time of the emirates. We will spend the morning wandering its maze of ruins and great mosques. Later, a tour of this living museum including the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan’s Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa and Minaret.  

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Farovon or Orient Star
• Tourist Class: Malika Khivek or Shaherezada Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Depending on the train schedule, you will be transferred to the train station for your journey to Bukhara. 
Bukhara is one of the finest places in Central Asia to experience the charm of pre-Russian Turkestan. Much of the city center is a living architectural preserve, featuring a massive royal fortress, numerous historic madrasas, ancient public baths, and the remnants of a once-vast market complex. The city is home to over 140 protected historical buildings, offering a unique window into its rich past. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium or Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique or Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today we explore the old quarter on foot. Bukhara is an ancient city with bustling “trade domes”, active mosques, and the Kalyan Minaret (“tower of death”), one of Central Asia’s tallest. We’ll stroll around the streets and visit the old town centre where old men with long white beards gossip for hours over cups of tea. Bukhara has been designated a World Heritage Site; resulting in the complete restoration of some of the 11th to 15th century mosques. There are even some structures still standing that date back to Zorastrian times 2,500 years ago. We also visit the massive fortress The Ark, with the Emir’s open-air throne room and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, an intricate and beautiful 10th century brick structure that is nicely preserved. We’ll also venture to the outskirts of Bukhara and visit the summer palace of the last emir, built by a Russian Czar with grand halls and a harem. We will also see Char Minar, a gate of a ancient madrassa long time gone. It was built in 1809 and has more in common with Indian art styles than local. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium or Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique or Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

A full free day at leisure in Bukhara, or optional activities can be arranged on request. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium or Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique or Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

We depart early for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, where we tour Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, House of Meditation and the Crypt of Timur, a man who changed the course of Central Asian history. There’s little left of Timur’sAk-Saray Palace except bits of the gigantic, 40 m (98 foot) high entrance covered with gorgeous filigree like blue, white and gold mosaics, but it’s staggering to try and imagine what the rest of this glorious summer palace must have looked like. We continue later to Samarkand. For most people, Samarkand is as mythical as Atlantis or as remote and legendary as Tombouctou. The sublime larger-than-life monuments of Timur, the technicolor bazaar, and the city’s long, rich history work a special kind of magic. On arrival, we’ll visit the old bazaars for which this exotic city is famous. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Movenpick or Zafshon Parkside
• Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan or Registon Saroy
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Samarkand, sometimes called the ‘Rome of the Orient’ was already flourishing when Rome and Babylon were founded. During the course of our full day tour we visit the famous Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Mausoleum of Tamerlane, Observatory of Ulughbek, the site where Uleg Bek, grandson of Tamerlane, made some of the greatest achievements of the pre-telescope era of astronomy in the 15th century. We also visit the regal mausoleums of Shah-I Zinda, site of Central Asia’s most sacred Islamic shrine, the massive mosque of BibiKhanym, and the adjacent colourful market. You can purchase Samarkand’s famous bread which Alexander the Great unsuccessfully tried to have duplicated back home in Greece, or try some of the region’s local produce, from grapes to the world’s tastiest melons of multiple varieties. Our afternoon tour covers the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient..    

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Movenpick or Zafshon Parkside
• Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan or Registon Saroy
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, transfer to the train station for an express train journey to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Later, city tour of Tashkent, visiting historic mosques and madrassas (Islamic schools) that house traditional craft workshops, some dating back to the 14th century. Explore the Kukeldash Madrassa, a grand 16th-century academy currently undergoing restoration, followed by visits to the History Museum of Uzbekistan and the Museum of Fine Arts. Conclude the tour with a visit to the architecturally impressive Tashkent Metro stations. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Lotte City Tashkent Palace
• Tourist Class: Florence Boutique or Ateca Suits
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Our service will end with airport transfer. 

Meals Included: Breakfast