Tashkent to Kashgar via Pamir Highway

Upon arrival at Tashkent international airport you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel, the rest of the day is free at Leisure.

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

Our drive to Bukhara is through the arid setting of the Kyzyl Kum Desert. Along the way we stop for some refreshments and see how humans have survived over the centuries in this unforgiving landscape. With buildings spanning 1,000 years of history and a thoroughly lived-in city centre that hasn’t changed much in two centuries, Bukhara is one of the best places in Central Asia to catch a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan. Most of the city centre is an architectural preserve and includes a massive royal fortress, plenty of former Madrassas, a number of ancient public baths and the remnants of a once-vast market complex. There are over 140 protected buildings in the city.

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 its 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 center where old men with long white beards gossip for hours while drinking tea. Bukhara has been designated a World Heritage Site; the resulting restoration of some of the mosques, constructed in the 11th to 15th centuries, to make them appear as if they were built yesterday. There are even some structures still standing that date back to Zorastrian times 2,500 years ago.
We also visit The Ark, a large fortress 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 an 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

We depart early for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Here we visit the Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, the House of Meditation, and Timur’s Crypt. Although only fragments of the Ak-Saray Palace remain—most notably its massive 40-metre-high entrance adorned with blue, white, and gold mosaics—it is still staggering to imagine its former grandeur. Later, we continue to Samarkand. For many, Samarkand is as mythical as Atlantis or as legendary as Timbuktu. The city’s larger-than-life monuments, vibrant bazaars, and long history create a truly magical atmosphere. Upon arrival, we visit the famous old bazaars.

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 Bibi Khanym, 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 Afrosiab.

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 we drive to Uzbek Tajik border crossing at Penjikent, after border formalities meet your Tajik guide and drive to visit the Seven Lakes (80 km) through the settlement of Sarazm the UNESCO World Heritage site. Seven lakes of Marguzor is located in the west of Fan Mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Today you will have a chance to hike around the mountain. After picnic lunch return to Penjikent. Afternoon visit the Penjikent museum and local market. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Umaion Hotel or Panjake Plaza
• Tourist Class: Sugd Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning drive to Dushanbe, en-route we stop at Iskandar Kul Lake, explore around the Lake after lunch continue driving to Dushanbe.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Shomon or Atlas
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning we visit Hissar Fortress, houses which remains of the palace of the Bukhara Emirate Becks. Its thick walls once guarded a pool, garden, and palace, while the fortress itself opposed a noisy market and caravanserai. What remains today is a portion of the wall and the gate towers, representative of the 18th and 19th century style. The area has been inhabited since antiquity and features an 8th century mosque, but it was the emirs who inhabited the fortress and the Silk Route traders that made Gissar a center of commerce and learning .You will also have an opportunity today to visit Old Medressa (Madrasai Kuhna, 16^th– 17^thcentury) and its museum and Madrasai Nav (17^th-18^th century) and the Caravan Saray. Later city tour includes visit the Museum of National Antiquities with exhibits primarily from Tajikistan’s pre-Islamic civilizations: the Greek, Bactrian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Zoroastrian periods. The most notable piece in the museum is the largest, fifteen-hundred-year-old reclining Buddha statue. Later enjoy strolling around the big Ismoili Somoni Monument – the forefather of Tajik nation, erected in the Main Square and Rudaki Park in the center of city as well. Try the taste of Tajik tea and hot bread in public teahouses – called Choikhona – most of which are decorated in traditional, colourful Tajik style.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Shomon or Atlas
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Today we begin our journey toward the Pamir Mountains, crossing mountain passes en route to Kalaikhum, approximately halfway to Khorog. Enjoy spectacular views of rugged peaks, deep valleys, and traditional villages along the way. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Karon Palace
• Tourist Class: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Drive to the Jizev Valley in the Bartang region. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic hike along the river beyond Bhagoo village, taking in the area’s remarkable natural beauty. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Lall or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Drive to Khorog, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, following the Panj River, which forms the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. In the afternoon, visit Khorog’s bazaar, museum, and peaceful botanical gardens. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Lall or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Today we drive to the Wakhan Valley. En route, we stop at Garm Chashma Hot Springs, the Pamirs’ most popular open-air hot springs. We also visit the ruins of Kah Kahah Fortress, dating back to the Kushan period in the 4th century AD. 

In the afternoon, continue to Bibi Fatima Hot Springs, where you can enjoy a leisurely walk around the village and soak in the peaceful mountain surroundings. 

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

In the morning visit a small museum of local astronomer and poet Sufi Muboraki Wakhoni. Later drive to nearby village Vrang where on a cliff-side pitted with caves, stands a Buddhist complex dating from 4th-7th centuries, reminders of the ancient pilgrim caravans that passed through the region. Continue driving to Langer, afternoon walk around the village and meet the locals, or if you are energetic optional hike up the hill to see the petroglyph site above the village, which involves a fair physical effort to reach. These images carved into the rocks high above the village depict goats, caravans, horses.

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

Today, visit the local shrine Mazor-i Shoh Qambar-i Oftob (Master of the Sun). Afterwards, continue along the scenic Pamir River, crossing the Khargoshi Pass (4,344 m) before reaching Murghab. 

Murghab is the highest town in Tajikistan, located at 3,600 metres above sea level, and sits at a crossroads of the Pamir Highway, linking the region with Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and China via the Kulma Pass.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hotel/Guesthouse
• Tourist Class: Hotel/Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Today we travel along the Pamir Highway toward the Chinese border, crossing the Kulma Pass, which connects Tajikistan with western China. This scenic drive takes us through vast high-altitude landscapes, wide valleys, and remote settlements of the eastern Pamirs. 

After completing border and customs formalities at the Kulma Pass, we enter China and continue to Tashkurgan, located on the high plateau of the Pamir Mountains. Upon arrival, transfer o your hotel and enjoy time to rest after the long journey.

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

This morning, we explore Tashkurgan, a historic town set on the high Pamir Plateau. Visit the impressive ruins of Tashkurgan Stone Fortress, once an important stop on the ancient Silk Road, offering panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and wide grasslands. 

After the visit, we begin our drive along the spectacular Karakoram Highway toward Kashgar. The journey passes through dramatic mountain scenery, alpine valleys, and remote settlements, following one of the world’s most legendary high-altitude roads. Upon arrival in Kashgar, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax. 

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

Today we explore Kashgar, one of the most vibrant and culturally rich cities along the ancient Silk Road. Our visit includes time in the Kashgar Sunday Market, the largest and most famous market in the region, where traders from across western China and Central Asia gather to sell livestock, spices, textiles, fruits, and everyday goods. 

We also explore the historic Kashgar Old Town, wandering through narrow lanes lined with traditional Uyghur homes, workshops, and teahouses. This area offers a fascinating glimpse into local life and centuries-old traditions. 

The afternoon is free to continue exploring the city, relax at a local teahouse, or enjoy further shopping in the bazaars. 

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

Our services conclude with an airport transfer. Onward tour arrangements to other parts of China can be arranged upon request.
Meals Included: Breakfast