Fables of the Silk Road

September 2027

Tue 7 : Auckland/Christchurch > Dubai

Depart Auckland or Christchurch on your flight to Dubai.

Wed : 8 Dubai > Almaty (Kazakhstan)

On arrival in Dubai check in to your hotel. Later you may wish to join a city tour of Dubai. Evening transfer to the airport for the flight to Almaty.

Thu 9 : Almaty

Arrive early morning and transfer to the hotel for check in. Later this morning explore Almaty with its backdrop of the snowcapped Zailiysky Alatau. Visits include Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square and Central Mosque.

Fri 10 : Almaty > Charyn Canyon > Kolsai Lakes > Shatty

Drive to Charyn Canyon, a unique natural wonder formed around 12 million years ago. Picnic lunch before continuing to the Kolsai Lakes to check in to your simple guest house.

Sat 11 : Kolsai Lakes > Kaindy Lake > Almaty

Arrive at stunningly beautiful Kaindy Lake. Explore and enjoy lunch before returning to Almaty.

Sun 12 : Almaty > Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

Visit Kok-Tobe Hill on the outskirts of town for panoramic views over Almaty. This evening fly to Bishkek.

Mon 13 : Bishkek > Kajissay

Drive to Kajissay on the southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, stopping en route at the Burana Tower.

Tue 14 : Kajissay > Dzhety Oguz > Karakol

Visit Dzhety Oguz gorge to enjoy a waterfall walk and lunch at a yurt camp. Continue to Karakol and visit a mosque and 19th century wooden Orthodox church before checking in to your hotel.

Wed 15 : Karakol > Altyn Arashan > Karakol

Climb aboard a military 4WD vehicle for the drive to Altyn Arashan gorge to visit the thermal wells. Return to Karakol for overnight.

Thu 16 : Karakol > Cholpon-Ata > Bishkek

Drive along the northern shores of Issyk-Kul to Bishkek, visiting Ruh-Ordo historic centre in Cholpon-Ata en route.

Fri 17 : Bishkek > Osh > Fergana (Uzbekistan)

Morning flight to Osh for a short visit. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to Fergana Valley. Local specialty dinner in a chayhana (tea room).

Sat 18 : Fergana > Margilan > Fergana

Morning sightseeing in Fergana, known for its gardens, artisan craftsmen and kaleidoscopic bazaars. Continue to Margilan to see how the traditional Khan-Atlas silk fabric is produced. Tonight enjoy traditional national cuisine.

Sun 19 : Fergana > Rishtan > Tashkent

Drive across the Kamchik Pass, stopping at Rishtan, famous for its blue glazed pottery. En route to Tashkent explore ancient Kokand, once an important trade centre on the Silk Road.

Mon 20 : Tashkent > Khujand (Tajikistan)

Drive to the Uzbek-Tajik border and to Khujand. Visit the museum and the city’s 7th-century fortification, then explore Payshanba oriental bazaar, the largest in Central Asia.

Tue 21 : Khujand > Istaravsham > Iskanderkul

Drive to Iskanderkul via Istaravshan. Visit the ancient fortress of Mug Tepa, explore the Khazrati Shoh complex, then continue to Iskanderkul Lake, named after Alexander the Great, with its springs, lakes and waterfalls.

Wed 22 : Iskanderkul > Penjikent> Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

Depart for Penjikent, the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, the father of Persian poetry. Visit the Museum of Rudak and the excavated remains at Penjikent. Proceed to Samarkand.

Thu 23 : Samarkand

Explore the glorious city of Samarkand, its observatory, necropolis and the huge Bibi Khanym Mosque, built by Tamerlane. After a traditional Plov lunch, visit the famous mausoleum of Tamerlane and spectacular Registan Square.

Fri 24 : Samarkand > Bukhara

Visit the paper mill in Konigil and this afternoon transfer to the station for the high-speed train to Bukhara.

Sat 25 : Bukhara

A full day to explore this wonderful medieval city. Visit Samonid’s Mausoleum, the Ark Citadel, the Minaret Kalan Complex, trading domes and the architectural wonder of Lyabi-Hauz.

Sun 26 : Bukhara > Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

Drive to the border at Farab and cross to Turkmenabat for your flight to Ashgabat.

Mon 27 : Ashgabat

Visit the beautiful, World Heritage fortress of Old Nisa, at the foot of the Kopet Dag Mountains, the earliest of the Parthian Empire capitals. Visit Arkadash stud farm, home of the famous Akhal-Tekke horses, one of the oldest breeds in existence. In the afternoon, visit the Russian market and see the rare collection of handmade Turkmen carpets at the the National Museum.

Tue 28 : Ashgabat

Enjoy the day at leisure.

Wed 29 : Ashgabat > Dashoguz > Kunya Urgench > Khiva (Uzbekistan)

Morning flight to Dashoguz. Drive to Kunya Urgench, the ancient capital of Khorezm, which was part of the Achaemenid Empire. Visit the mosque, the gates of the caravanserai, the fortress, mausoleum and minaret. Lunch in Dashoguz before we cross the Uzbek border for Khiva.

Thu 30 : Khiva

Full day exploration of the beautifully preserved, medieval town of Khiva. Wander the fabled Ichon-Qala (inner walled city) and visit the old citadel, the Emir’s Palace, the magnificent Juma Mosque and the caravanserai.

October 2027

Fri 1 : Khiva > Ayaz-Kala > Toprak-Kala > Nukus

Travel to the ancient fortress of Ayaz-Kala, one of the largest surviving castle fortresses of the Khorezm region. Visit Toprak-Kala before travelling to Nukus. Visit the Igor Savitsky Museum, with the world’s second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art.

Sat 2 : Nukus > Tashkent

This morning is at leisure until our flight to Tashkent.

Sun 3 : Tashkent

Explore Uzbekistan’s 2,000-year-old capital, where Soviet-style architecture contrasts with traditional mud-walled houses. Visit the Khast-Imam Islamic complex, the Museum of Applied Arts, the History Museum and Amir Timur Square. Later explore the Tashkent metro, where each station is uniquely decorated. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening before a late transfer to the airport.

Mon 4 : Tashkent > Dubai > Auckland/Christchurch

An early departure to Dubai to connect with your onward flight to Auckland or Christchurch. Overnight on the flight.

Tue 5 : Arrive New Zealand

Your flight arrives in Auckland or Christchurch mid-morning.