Bukhara

Nobody does the Silk Road like we do! Our Wonders of the SIlk Road lets you follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Genghis Khan along the ancient routes of the great caravans. Discover the history, legends and cultural insights exploring ancient ruins, classic Medieval architecture, and legendary cities. There's fabulous shopping in the bustling bazaars and the inviting welcome of a traditional chaikhana (tea house). Listen to enchanting Silk Road music, visit with a local family and enjoy a region famed for its hospitality. Travel through breathtaking scenes of desert and steppe, and bike or hike through the foothills of the spectacular Tianshan Mountains. This Silk Road Express tour includes four countries of the Silk Road: China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Silk Road exploring this bridge between East and West; between history and today. 

Experience thousands years of history; from the earliest settlements through the great empires of Alexander the Great and Tamerlane, the remnants of Soviet influence and the transformation of independent Uzbekistan. Knowledgeable private guides help you explore the palaces, fortresses and monuments from by-gone eras, and the bazaars, caravanserais, blue cupolas, soaring minarets, and brilliant ceramics of medieval style architecture in Uzbekistan. The heart of the Silk Road still beats strongly here with luxury and boutique accommodations and shopping, signature experiences and the tempting cuisine of the rich cultures and warm hospitality of Central Asia in your custom itinerary for the ancient cites of Tashkent, Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara. These are the lands of the Great Silk Road – of desert caravans and oases, fearless horsemen on windswept steppes and the very essence of civilization. Silk Road Treasure Tours offers you the luxury trip of a lifetime in Uzbekistan!

For over 3000 years Uzbekistan has been a cultural and intellectual crossroads, luring travelers, traders, scholars and conquerors. Bound by the Kyzyl kum Desert and the Tien Shan Mountains, minarets soar into the sky, mosques and Medresehs sparkle in the sunlight, and the hospitality is tradition! Let the breathtaking natural beauty of Uzbekistan astound you and the magic of the ancient cities enchant you; the haunting music of the dombra and tambur, the bustle of the markets and the swirl and dash of the vibrant colors in Legendary Khiva, Bukhara, Tashkent and Samarkand.

A private journey can be created for you by our Silk Road experts based on your schedule, style and interests.

Uzbekistan holds some of the most beautiful unspoiled landscapes in the world! It's a land of desert, mountain and steppe, of valleys, rivers and lakes just waiting for the intrepid traveler to discover. Tour the famous sites of Uzbekistan with your family and friends and experience life in a very different part of the world. Ride a camel in the desert, stay in a yurt by a lake, visit an Uzbeki family and share a meal, shop for souvenirs in the bazaars and watch craftsmen at work. Make the fabled cities of the Silk Road come alive and enjoy thousands of years of history, tradition and the warmest hospitality of Uzbek people. Make the stuff of legends part of your family history!

This trip is part of our Condé Nast Traveler Collection

Central Asia is fast becoming the must-see region on travel itineraries. The nations of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are the ultimate destinations for those seeking the trip of a lifetime on the road less traveled. Tourism is just finding its feet here, and visitors to Central Asia find a world that stands between times. Closed to the west for decades under Soviet rule, the cities are rushing to catch up with the modern world with monumental parks and glass-fronted businesses, galleries and museums, yet most of the land remains as it has for centuries. It is a world of contrast with changing urban skylines and pristine landscapes, Silk Road culture and cuisine, thousands of years of history, and some of the last unexplored territories, filled with adventure and opportunity and a tradition of hospitality unmatched anywhere in the world. This is our backyard and our knowledge and experience mean we offer expert, unforgettable, bespoke tours to Central Asia.

The experience is everything you imagine of the Silk Road... soaring minarets and azure skies, opulent silk and silver, bazaars full of inviting spices and fresh tandur baked breads, and intricate designs of blue and green tilework and bold, hand-woven carpets. Museums and mosques appear around the corner from classic Soviet architecture. The the majesty of mountains and glitter of an alpine lake give way to sweeping steppes and verdant valleys dotted with nomadic yurts and traditional music at a desert campfire. Traditional bazaars are still as busy now as they were hundreds of years ago, where anything is available and everything is on display. Whether in the white-marbled city of Ashgabad, behind the sun-warmed adobe walls of Khiva, at an artisan workshop nestled in a lush valley, a nomadic Kyrgyz yurt under a sky of blazing stars, or beside a spectacular glowing desert crater, our guests are treated to superb comfort and service and truly authentic experiences. 

Hungry? Travelers here are tempted by the aroma of fresh bread from clay tandur ovens, and the heady scent of Silk Road spices; that unforgettable fragrance of faraway lands. Cuisine in Central Asia is local, fresh and flavorful. Traveling with us you'll enjoy fine food and wine and personalized menus. Our extensive network of contacts in this part of the world gives us access to private venues, estates, chefs and restaurants and little known sources for the best of everything. 

Travel arrangements include first-class train carriages on the high-speed railway, and luxury vehicles. Our guests stay in Silk Road Treasure Tours’ premier collection of international luxury branded hotels or local boutique hotels. International hotels include the Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Inter-Continental, and Serena properties. Boutique hotels include the Minzifa, Sasha and Son, and Komil hotels in Bukhara; the Orient Star Hotel in Khiva; and the Bibi Khanum or Grand Samarkand Superior in Samarkand.

An exploration of the legendary "Stans" of Central Asia is the stuff of dreams. Silk Road Treasure Tours can make yours a reality.

“It is better to see something once, than hear about it a thousand times.”  Uzbek Proverb
Discover Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage with Silk Road Treasure Tour’s Dance Along the Silk Road! Led by Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray, an internationally recognized dance scholar, award-winning choreographer, performer and costume designer, this unique travel opportunity focuses on the history, art, and dance traditions of Central Asian. Guests will study dance with native artists “in context” while traveling along the ancient Silk Road to the Uzbekistan’s legendary cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Even non-dancers can enjoy the beauty of special performances and meetings with leading Uzbek artists. Dr. Gray, honored by the Uzbek Ministry of Culture for “her great contributions to the development of Uzbek culture and art,” will share her extensive insider knowledge of Uzbekistan, its people and culture.

Shop your way through the 1001 Nights in the bazaars of Uzbekistan! Our knowledgeable guides will make sure you see it all, help you hone your bargaining techniques and bring home fabulous souvenirs from your journey into Central Asia. After all, its our part of the world and we know it best. It's all part of the fun in the ancient trade domes, bazaars, and handicraft, artisan and designer workshops here in the heart of the ancient Silk Road. Uzbekistan's master craftsmen are famous for jewelry in silver, gold and semi-precious stones, for embossed silver, brass and copper; gorgeous carved wood, colorful ceramics, luxurious silks, bold ikat fabrics, intricate gold and silk embroideries; and carpets of geometric harmony and pure color. Uzbek aromatic plov and warm fresh bread from the clay tandur oven are just part of this feast of the senses - after all, you'll need to keep your strength up for shopping! The haunting traditional music of the dombra and tambur, the bustle of the markets and the swirl and dash of vibrant colors invite you to sample the traditions of Uzbekistan. Join our unforgettable shopping tour of Uzbekistan among the soaring minarets, glittering monuments, and hospitable people. Just say bozor kilamiz - going shopping!

This tour now includes the option to visit the Ferghana Valley which was the center of the ancient Great Silk Road it has 3000 years of history has amazing cultures, warm hospitality, old craftsmanship and authentic cuisine. It attracted travelers, Silk Road merchants and diplomats including Zhang Quan; a renowned Chinese diplomat from the 2nd century BC. It also played an important role as a bridge between East and West. Read more about the Ferghana Valley in our blog.

Explore the cultural treasures of Uzbekistan! Uzbekistan is the land of mosques, medressehs, monuments and minarets! In this Uzbekistan family tour you will visit everything from UNESCO World Heritage sites, magnificent forts and palaces and spectacular mountain ranges, lakes, steppe and deserts in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. You and your travel group explore traditional bazaars, markets and villages, tag along to real neighborhoods, schools and the homes of local residents to experience the warmth of Uzbek hospitality. You will also clamber over the ruins of an ancient mud fortress in the Kizil Kum desert, ride a camel and enjoy an overnight stay in a nomadic yurt under the stars. Stop in to watch master artisans in ceramics (tiles), weaving and wood carving and find those must-have souvenirs in the myriad of workshops in the old medressehs. See the process of cooking plov (pilaf) or non (its a little different everywhere!) and learn the ritual of pouring tea here. Enjoy traditional music, joyful children dance performances, and learn to play the doira (hand drum). Learn the folk stories, superstitions and legends of Central Asia, pay homage at the statue of storyteller Hodja Nasreddin in Bukhara. Participate in community work and the celebrations and festivals. Dress up in costumes from the time of Avicenna, act with Uzbek actors or take part in a sporting event. Enjoy private peaceful sunset view in a Kizilkum desert and in legendary Khiva.

Uzbekistan family tour begins and ends in Tashkent, with 1 night in the Kizil Kum desert, a night in a Yurt Camp and one night in  Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage site,   2 nights in Bukhara, and 3 nights in Samarkand.  Price for the private family tour is  $3, 449 per person double occupancy.  Included are  accommodations  in 4-star and boutique hotels, all domestic transportation including air, ground, and high-speed rail; transfers,  English-speaking guides throughout,  activities and entrance  fees, wine tasting and a visa invitation.  Also included are cooking classes, master classes with craftsmen,  daily breakfast, 2 lunches with local families, and dinners with ambiance.

Our guests Wendy Perrin and family enjoyed their family experience in Uzbekistan and learn https://www.wendyperrin.com/photos-from-wendys-family-trip-just-back-from-the-silk-road/

Marvel at the wonders of ancient Silk Road destinations of Uzbekistan and China! Explore legendary cities of Bukhara, Samarkand, Kashgar, Turpan and Xian and enjoy the natural beauty of Tiyanshan Mountains and Kizilkum deserts! You will also visit the families of local people for cultural interaction, to share the authentic meals and to learn embroidery. 

Silk Road Treasure Tours' best adventures; hands-on cultural experiences, local exploration, participation at seasonal and traditional festivals and travel to some of the world's most beautiful and rarely visited locations with local, experienced Silk Road experts to attend a tea ceremony, relax in a chaikhana, or enjoy a champagne picnic on the way to Samarkand. Cooking classes with master chefs and local bakers, caviar tasting from the Caspian Sea with smooth local vodkas – a legacy of the Soviet era. Wine tasting and dinners at centuries-old medresehs, where the likes of Marco Polo, Alexander the Great, and Omar Khayam visited. Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites that have inspired imagination through the ages with outstanding archaeologists and historians. Private, guided visits through Uzbekistan's finest museums, visits to local artisans and galleries. Create your own 1001 nights in the lively bazaars of Uzbekistan!