Fables of the Silk Road

Embark on a journey through the 'Five Stans' of Central Asia, where traditional villages, ancient towns, and glorious cities with time-worn trading routes reveal a rich history.

Uzbekistan boasts architecturally stunning cities like Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkand. Kazakhstan's landscapes include the surreal Charyn Canyon and the tranquil Big Almaty Lake. Kyrgyzstan offers nomadic culture and mountainous terrains, while Tajikistan captivates with the Pamir Mountains and Wakhan Valley. Turkmenistan features the ancient desert city of Merv and the mesmerizing Darvaza Gas Crater. Each country weaves a tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Pricing

Twin Share from
$16,550* per person

Single from
$19,450* per person

Your Journey at a Glance

• Embark on a journey to experience the breathtaking and varied landscapes of Kazakhstan.
• Explore ancient mosques and Orthodox churches amidst the scenic beauty of Kyrgyzstan.
• Marvel at the intricate and captivating architecture of Uzbekistan.
• Discover Central Asia's largest oriental bazaar at Payshanba in Khujand, Tajikistan.
• Follow the historical trail of Tamerlane, traversing the grand cities of Samarkand, Bhukara, and Tashkent.
• Immerse yourself in the opulence of Ashgabat and uncover the rich history of the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan.

Scroll down for a more detailed itinerary.

Special Experiences

See the extraordinary Dzhety-Oguz Gorge in Kyrgyzstan
This 37 km long ridge of bright red rocks dotted with waterfalls is a spectacular sight.

Experience traditional cuisine
Enjoy tasting regional specialties made by locals in a yurt.

Chat with exceptional artisans in Fergana
See how the magnificent Khan Atlas silk is produced.

Vibrant markets and bazaars
Spend time exploring the array of fresh food and exquisite handicrafts.

The beautifully preserved medieval town of Khiva
Explore this remarkable town, its magnificent Juma mosque and caravanserai.

What's Included

• Small group tour (18 max)
• Economy Class flights from New Zealand (ex Auckland or Christchurch)
• Airline and airport taxes
• A Travel host
• Accommodation in 4 star hotels (or best available)
• Transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Transport by air, road and train as per itinerary
• Meals as indicated (B-L-D)
• Gratuities

Not Included

• Items of a personal nature
• Visas (we will supply documentation to support your visa applications)
• Travel insurance (mandatory)

Important Notes

• A non-refundable deposit of $1,500 per person is required, with the balance due 17 May 2024
• As cancellation fees apply, travel insurance is mandatory
• Please enquire about health and medical requirements
• Travel by road involves long journeys on uneven roads with only limited opportunities for comfort breaks
• Porters are unavailable at some hotels and during border crossings
• The order of sightseeing may vary in accordance with local conditions
• Food is plentiful and fresh, but can be repetitive – please advise us if you have special dietary requirements as this may be challenging
• Hotels in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are well located with private facilities but can be considered somewhat rustic. There are some nights in simple guesthouses. There can be power cuts and intermittent water provision.
• We reserve the right to change hotels to an alternative property
• WiFi (free) is available but intermittent
• In the countries we are visiting, tipping is customary. For a hassle-free journey, tipping is included and will be handled by  host.

Itinerary

Tuesday 17 September: Auckland/Christchurch to Dubai

Fly Auckland or Christchurch to Dubai. On arrival transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Wednesday 18 September: Dubai to Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Embark on a morning city tour of Dubai, exploring its iconic landmarks and vibrant atmosphere. In the evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Almaty. (B)

Thursday 19 September: Almaty

Upon your early morning arrival, transfer to the hotel for immediate check-in. Later in the morning, embark on a sightseeing tour of Almaty, set against the backdrop of the snowcapped Zailiysky Alatau. Visit key landmarks such as Panfilovtzev Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Monument of Independence, Republic Square, and the Central Mosque. Enjoy some leisure time, and in the late afternoon, partake in a traditional falconry experience, complete with dinner and music. (B,D)

Friday 20 September: Almaty to Charyn Canyon to Kolsai Lakes to Shatty 

Embark on a drive to Charyn Canyon, a distinctive natural marvel shaped around 12 million years ago. Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing your journey to the Kolsai Lakes, where you'll check into a simple guest house. (B,L,D)

Saturday 21 September: Shatty to Kaindy Lake to Almaty

Arrive at stunningly beautiful Kaindy Lake. Explore and enjoy lunch before returning to Almaty. (B,L,D)

Sunday 22 September: Almaty to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

Explore Kok-Tobe Hill on the outskirts of town, where panoramic views of Almaty await. In the evening, take a flight to Bishkek. (B,D)

Monday 23 September: Bishkek to Kajissay 

Embark on a drive to Kajissay on the southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, making a stop along the way at the Burana Tower. (B,D)

Tuesday 24 September: Kajissay to Dzhety Oguz to Karakol

Explore the Dzhety Oguz gorge, taking in a waterfall walk and enjoying lunch at a yurt camp. Continue your journey to Karakol, where you'll visit a mosque and a 19th-century wooden Orthodox church before checking into your hotel. (B,L,D)

Wednesday 25 September: Karakol to Altyn Arashan to Karakol

Embark on a thrilling adventure by climbing aboard a military 4WD vehicle for a journey to Altyn Arashan gorge. Explore the area and visit the thermal wells before returning to Karakol for an overnight stay. (B,D)

Thursday 26 September: Karakol to Cholpon-Ata to Bishkek

Embark on a scenic drive along the northern shores of Issyk-Kul, heading towards Bishkek. Make a stop en route to visit the Ruh-Ordo historic center in Cholpon-Ata. (B,D)

Friday 27 September: Bishkek to Osh to Fergana (Uzbekistan)

Take a morning flight to Osh for a brief visit. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to the Fergana Valley. Wrap up the day with a dinner of local specialties in a chayhana (tea room). (B,D)

Saturday 28 September: Fergana to Margilan to Fergana

Embark on a morning of sightseeing in Fergana, often referred to as the garden city, celebrated for its outstanding crafts, skilled artisans, and vibrant bazaars. Proceed to Margilan to witness the intricate process of producing the magnificent Uzbek material Khan-Atlas in a silk weaving factory. Conclude the day with a dinner featuring traditional national cuisine. (B,D)

Sunday 29 September: Fergana to Rishtan to Tashkent

Embark on a scenic drive across the Kamchik Pass, with a stop at Rishtan, renowned for its exquisite blue glazed pottery. Continue your journey to Kokand, one of Uzbekistan's oldest towns and a significant trade center on the Silk Road. Enjoy a tour of the city before continuing to Tashkent. (B,D)

Monday 30 September: Tashkent to 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. (B,D)

Tuesday 01 October: Khujand to Istaravsham to Iskanderkul

Drive to Iskanderkul via Istaravshan. Visit Mug Tepa in Ura-Tube, one of the ancient settlements of Tajikistan. Explore the Khazrati Shoh complex and continue to Iskanderkul Lake, named after Alexander the Great. Explore the five springs, Zmeinoe Lake (Snake Lake), and the Fan Niagara waterfalls. (B,D)

Wednesday 02 October: Iskanderkul to Penjikent to 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. (B,D)

Thursday 03 October: Samarkand

Explore the glorious city of Samarkand; Ulugh Beg Observatory, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and Bibi Khanym Mosque, one of the largest in Central Asia, built by Tamerlane. After a traditional Plov lunch, visit the famous mausoleum of Tamerlane and Registan Square, a most spectacular architectural ensemble. (B,L,D)

Friday 04 October: Samarkand to Bukhara

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

Saturday 05 October: Bukhara

A full day to explore this wonderful city, the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia. Explore the city, including Samonid’s Mausoleum, Ark Citadel, Minaret Kalan Complex, trading domes and the architectural ensemble of Lyabi-Hauz. (B,D)

Sunday 06 October: Bukhara to Mary (Turkmenistan)

Drive to the border at Farab and continue to Mary, an oasis city in the Karakum Desert. (B,D)

Monday 07 October: Mary to Merv to Ashgabat

Transfer to Merv, one of the main cities of the ancient Silk Road and, reputedly, once the largest city in the world. At this World Heritage site, the beautiful monuments bear witness to the city’s glorious days passed. Return to Mary, visiting the museum before an evening flight to Ashgabat. (B,D)

Tuesday 08 October: 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. Return to Ashgabat, visit the Russian market and see the rare collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets at the National Museum. (B,D)

Wednesday 09 October: Ashgabat to Dashoguz to Kunya Urgench to 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 back in Dashoguz before we cross the Uzbek border for Khiva. (B,D)

Thursday 10 October: Khiva

Full day exploration of the beautifully preserved, medieval town of Khiva. Enter the city gates and wander the fabled Ichon-Qala (inner walled city). Explore Kunya Ark (old citadel), the Emir’s Palace, the magnificent Juma Mosque with its 200 individually carved wooden pillars, and the caravanserai. (B,D)

Friday 11 October: Khiva to Ayaz-Kala to Toprak-Kala to Kukus

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. (B,D)

Saturday 12 October: Nukus to Tashkent

This morning is at leisure until our flight to Tashkent. (B,D)

Sunday 13 October: Tashkent

Explore Uzbekistan’s 2,000-year-old capital. A city of fascinating contradictions, with Soviet-style architecture and traditional mud-walled houses, and rich in museums, mosques and impressive monuments. 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 very late transfer to the airport. (B,D)

Monday 14 October: Tashkent to Dubai to Auckland/Christchurch

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

Tuesday 15 October: Arrive New Zealand

Your flight arrives in Auckland or Christchurch mid-morning.

Terms and Conditions

While World Travellers have exercised reasonable care and skill to ensure that the contents of this website are correct, accurate, and up-to-date, please note that: the contents are based on information supplied to us by third party suppliers and we cannot be expected to have personal knowledge of the current conditions of accommodation, facilities, and services provided by each supplier; facilities and/or services may change after the publishing date. Any quotes provided by World Travellers are valid for 7 days from the date of quotation. All prices are subject to change until final payment has been received due to currency fluctuation or other factors outside our control. Please check www.mfat.govt.nz for current Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice. While we are happy to assist you, it is your responsibility to check all health, vaccination, passport and visa requirements for each country you intend to visit.

Confirmation of Services
Your acceptance of a quotation or your booking request does not guarantee actual availability of the requested flights, tours, accommodation, or services until such time as you receive a confirmation invoice from World Travellers.

Deposits and Final Payments: Tailor-made Travel
A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total invoice is required within 7 days of confirmation of arrangements. If the deposit is not received by this time, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Some tours and cruises require higher deposits and details of such will be advised at time of reservation. Receipt of deposit will be taken as an understanding by us that you have checked your confirmed arrangements and have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth on this website. Final payment is due 60 days before departure or by the payment deadline stated on the final invoice, whichever is earliest. If the final payment is not received by the company by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Bookings made within 60 days of departure will only be processed if we hold full payment. We do not accept bookings for travel within 7 days of departure. The name provided in the reservation must match the full name as per passport. Passport must be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return.  Please note: once arrangements are paid in full the price is set and no further communication over pricing will be entered into.

Deposits and Final Payments: Small Group Hosted Journeys
A non-refundable deposit as shown on the tour package is required within 7 days of our confirmation of your option. If the deposit is not received by this time, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Receipt of deposit will be taken as an understanding by us that you have checked your confirmed arrangements and have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth on this website. Final payment is due between 60 and 90 days before departure and is stated under the ‘Booking Conditions’ of each tour. If we do not receive the final payment by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel all arrangements without notification. Bookings made within 60 days of departure will only be processed if we hold full payment. We do not accept bookings for travel within 5 days of departure. Please note that your place will not be confirmed until a copy of your passport and the deposit has been received. The name provided in the reservation must match the full name as per passport. Passport must be valid for 6 months after your scheduled return.

Amendments: Tailor-made Travel
If you wish to alter your arrangements after your booking is confirmed you must notify us in writing. We will endeavour to make the amendments you require but due to the additional administrative costs we will charge you $100 per amendment plus any fees imposed by our supplier. Amendments within 60 days of departure are subject to full cancellation fees.

Amendments: Small Group Hosted Journeys
If you wish to alter your arrangements after your booking is confirmed you must notify us in writing. We will endeavour to make the amendments you require but due to the additional administrative costs we will charge you $500 per amendment plus any fees imposed by our suppliers. Amendments made within 60 days of departure are subject to full cancellation fees.

Cancellations and Refunds
We strongly recommend travel insurance and it is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they have read and understood their travel insurance policy cover and any exceptions or exclusions contained therein.

Cancelled bookings will incur charges. These charges can be up to 100% of the cost of the booking regardless of whether travel has commenced. As a minimum, our cancellation charges are 20% of the total booking value, plus any applicable supplier fees or penalties. The amount of each supplier’s cancellation fees or penalties is beyond our control and payment is solely your responsibility. To the extent permitted by law, no refund is available for cancellations after the holiday package has commenced or in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised.

After payment of the tour deposit or final balance of arrangements to World Travellers, in the event of an advice being posted on the NZ Government Safe Travel website www.safetravel.govt.nz declaring ‘Do Not Travel’ to any country in the itinerary, World Travellers reserves the right to cancel some or all of the travel arrangements included as part of the entire itinerary. In this event, we will attempt to recover as much refund as possible on behalf of the traveller for unused services resulting from the cancellation, but will not be liable for any unrecoverable costs or fees charged by any supplier. The traveller will need to submit a claim to their travel insurance company for any unrecoverable costs or fees and any decision over compensation of these costs or fees will be between the traveller and their travel insurance company. It is the traveller’s responsibility to read and understand their travel insurance policy prior to payment to World Journeys for any arrangements.

Requests for refunds must be received no later than 30 days after the last service booked with World Journeys. Where air tickets are purchased from World Travellers, cancellation fees will be applied by the airline and refunds, if any, will not be made until the airline has refunded World Journeys.

Regarding Small Group Hosted Journeys
Any cancellations must be received in writing and will be assessed based on the date received in our office. Cancellation fees are levied as follows:
More than 60 days before departure – loss of deposit
From 60-31 days before departure – 50%
Less than 30 days before departure – 100%
Where air tickets are included and purchased from World Journeys, cancellation fees will also be applied by the airline and refunds, if any, will not be made until the airline has refunded World Journeys.

Due to supplier restrictions, cancellation terms for some tours will vary from the above. Your option and confirmation letter contains the terms for your specific tour and signing the booking form will be taken as an understanding by us that you have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth within those letters.

Unavoidable Extraordinary Circumstances (Force Majeure)
We cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected, or you otherwise suffer any loss, injury, death, inconvenience or damage as a result of circumstances amounting to ‘force majeure’. In these terms and conditions ‘force majeure’ means any event or circumstances which we or the supplier of the services in question could not foresee or avoid. Such events and circumstances may include, whether actual or threatened, war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by governments or governing authority, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity, industrial action, natural or nuclear activity, epidemics/pandemics, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

Prices, Taxes and Currency Fluctuations
World Travellers guarantees the price of your arrangements once you have paid us in full. Prices on this website are based on costs and exchange rates as at 1 September 2022 – should these change it may be necessary to reprice your holiday package. If a booking falls over two different rate periods, the rate will change and we reserve the right to re-quote.  Please check with World Travellers before placing your reservation to ascertain if there have been any pricing changes. The price quoted for a package will be a total figure and no breakdown of component costs can be provided. Taxes or levies imposed by government bodies or their agencies are beyond our control. Prices shown are for payment by cash or debit card only.  Prices are in New Zealand Dollars (unless stated otherwise).

Not Included in Tour Cost
Tailor-made Travel: Airfares (unless specified), airport taxes, ticketable taxes and surcharges, visas, insurance, excess baggage, optional activities, shore excursions, gratuities/tipping (unless stated otherwise) and items of a personal nature.
Small Group Hosted Journeys: Visas, insurance, excess baggage, optional activities, shore excursions and items of a personal nature.

Holiday Variation
If unforeseen circumstances beyond our control require us to make necessary changes to your holiday, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule/defer departures and itineraries. When it is necessary to change a hotel, the company reserves the right to substitute accommodation of at least a similar standard.  Travel dates and transit points are based on airline schedules available at the time of publishing. These may change at any stage which may alter the itinerary and require amending flights and/or cities. 

Accommodation
All accommodation detailed on this website provides a room with ensuite facilities unless otherwise stated. Accommodation descriptions are based on current guides and are subject to change. Accommodation photographs may not be specific to the actual hotel room occupied.

Maps
Maps used on our website are for illustration purposes only and may not be to scale.

Insurance
It is a condition of booking one of our Small Group Hosted Journeys that travellers are adequately insured for the full duration of their holiday.  We strongly recommend that travel insurance is purchased at the time of reservation and payment of deposit.

Travel Advice
While every effort is made to ensure guest safety, World Travellers makes no representation as to the safety, conditions or other issues that may exist at any destination. For travel advice please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or visit their website at www.safetravel.govt.nz

Passports, Visas & Health
It is your responsibility to have a valid passport and any visas, re-entry permits and/or health regulations which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities.

Business Purposes
You agree that where our services are acquired for business purposes, or where you hold yourself out as acquiring our services for business purposes, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 will not apply to any supply of goods or services made under these conditions.

Governing Law
This agreement is covered by the laws of New Zealand. Any claim or legal action against overseas suppliers is likely to be subject to the terms of our contract with them, and may be governed by the laws of other countries.

Health & Medical Requirements
It is important for us to know and a condition of accepting your booking that you advise us at the time of booking of any health or medical conditions that could affect your ability to participate in the travel arrangements requested. All World Journeys’ small group hosted journeys include a level of walking and all participants must be able to easily walk a minimum of 2km without aid. If you have any concerns over the suitability of the proposed travel arrangements, we recommend that you contact your medical practitioner to discuss the travel to be undertaken. You must advise us in writing at the time of reservation (or subsequently should a new condition be diagnosed):
1. Any physical or mental conditions that may require medical or professional treatment or attention during the journey.
2. Any condition that may render the traveller unfit for travel, or that may require special care or assistance.
3. Any condition that may pose a risk or danger to the guest or anyone else on the journey.
4. Any condition that may require oxygen for medical reasons.
5. Any intention or need to use a wheelchair or other mobility device during the journey.
By booking the journey and paying the deposit, all travellers represent and warrant that they are physically and otherwise fit to travel. Should you have any concerns over your condition(s), you are requested to discuss your condition(s) with us before placing your reservation and paying your deposit.

Pandemic/Covid Policy
Should you test positive for Covid-19 or any other infection declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) while travelling as part of arrangements made through World Journeys, you will be required to follow the government regulations of the country in which you are travelling. You must also advise World Journeys and their local partners as soon as possible in the event you test positive for a pandemic related illness. We encourage anyone with any symptoms of Covid-19 or other pandemic related illness to self-test while travelling, and suggest you carry a supply of your own Rapid Antigen test kits for this purpose. Should you test positive for Covid-19 or other pandemic related illness, you must follow the advice of local government, including self-isolation if required.

If you are a member of a World Journeys Small Group Hosted Journey and test positive for Covid-19 or another WHO designated pandemic infection, for the health and safety of your host and fellow travellers you may be required to complete a period in isolation until you no longer test positive. Any additional costs incurred as a result of isolation would be your own responsibility, including but not limited to, the cost of any additional accommodation, travel, medical costs, or any costs associated with having to return home early or to re-join the tour, and any incidental expenses. Refunds will not be provided to any traveller who cannot fulfil the entirety of their programme due to Covid-19 or any other WHO designated pandemic illness once the tour has commenced.

Purchasing travel insurance is a mandatory requirement when booking a Small Group Hosted Journey. It is your responsibility to check if your travel insurance policy covers any additional costs you may incur or any refunds for services you miss out on in relation to any WHO pandemic.

Professional service fees may apply.