Signature: The Five Stans & the Heart of the Silk Road

Welcome to the Silk Road. Your expedition begins as you touch down in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, framed by the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers. An engaging presentation sets the historical stage for the expedition ahead, followed by a hearty dinner at a traditional restaurant to mark the start of your Central Asian exploration.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
• Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group: The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel and enjoy a welcome reception with wine, beer, and appetizers, followed by an orientation and an expert-led “Introduction to the Silk Road” presentation in the conference room before departing for the Welcome Dinner.
• Welcome Dinner in Bishkek: Transfer to a traditional local restaurant for an included 3-course Welcome Dinner.

Begin with a deep dive into conservation. Attend a presentation by a National Geographic Explorer from the Snow Leopard Foundation, learning about the critical efforts to protect these elusive "ghosts of the mountains." Continue with a walking tour of Bishkek, strolling through the leafy Oak Park and standing before the imposing Soviet-era architecture of Parliament and Victory Square. In the evening, immerse yourself in Kyrgyz culture at the Supara Ethno-Complex. Savor authentic dishes while watching vivid demonstrations of traditional clothing and elaborate headdresses, celebrating the nation's nomadic heritage.

Included Experiences

• National Geographic Expert Discussion about the Snow Leopard Foundation: Gain a deeper understanding of local conservation through a session with a National Geographic grantee from the Snow Leopard Foundation.
• Bishkek City Walking Tour: Explore the city’s cultural and historical landmarks by foot, including Panfilov Park, Oak Park, Victory Square, and the iconic Lenin Statue. For this walking tour, comfortable shoes are recommended and short rest stops and photo breaks will be arranged along the route.
• Free time in Bishkek: Enjoy free time to explore Bishkek at leisure.
• Traditional Kyrgyz Dinner & Cultural Demonstration: Enjoy an immersive visit to the Supara Ethno-Complex to savor authentic Kyrgyz cuisine alongside engaging demonstrations of traditional clothing and women’s headdresses.

Depart Bishkek driving through the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains, watching the landscape shift from city to steppe. Arrive at the UNESCO-listed Burana Complex to explore the ancient minaret and the field of balbals (stone warrior statues). Continue to a nearby village for some regional hospitality at a home-hosted Kyrgyz lunch. Here, witness traditions that define the nomadic spirit. In the evening, fly to Almaty, Kazakhstan, settling in for the next chapter of the expedition.

Included Experiences

• Burana Tower Visit: Visit the historical site of Burana and climb the stairs to check out the view from the top. A large minaret, along with some grave markers and remnants of a castle and mausoleums, are all that remain of the 9th century city of Balasagun.
• Lunch and Village Immersion with Nomadic Traditions: Enjoy a home-hosted Kyrgyz lunch paired with demonstrations of eagle hunting and Uluk Tartysh (kok-boru) that offers an authentic window into nomadic culture, hospitality, and daily life.
• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Discover the cultural heart of Kazakhstan with a guided tour of Almaty. Stand in Republic Square beneath the Independence Monument, a symbol of national identity. Stroll through the serene Panfilov Park to admire the candy-colored Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings, constructed without a single nail. Dive into the sensory evoking Green Bazaar, smelling the spices and tasting local cheeses. Conclude the day with an authentic Kazakh dinner at a restaurant tucked into a traditional yurt, feeling the heart of nomadic culture.

Included Experiences

• Expert Discussion: Almaty: Begin with an expert session before a guided tour of Almaty’s most important landmarks.
• Almaty City Tour: Get to know Almaty on a city tour, visiting the most stunning sights. Stop by the colourful Ascension Cathedral, constructed entirely of wood without the use of any nails. It survived an earthquake in 1911 and continues to stand today. Walk through Panfilov's Park and the historical part of the city. Visit the new part of Almaty known as Independence Square, and stop by the WWII Memorial.
• Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Once within the Almaty Cathedral and now in a beautiful Kazakh building lives one of the largest museums in Central Asia, the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Here you will find an incredible and significant collection of historic Kazakh archaeological, cultural and political artifacts.
• Kazakh Dinner in Traditional Yurt: Conclude the day with an incredible dinner at a locally renowned restaurant located in a traditional-style Kazakh yurt, offering an authentic taste of Kazakh cuisine in a culturally rich setting.

Experience pre-opening access to the Issyk State Historical and Cultural Reserve Museum. Join a curator for a private talk on the "Golden Man," a suit of Scythian armor from the 4th century BC that rivals the treasures of Tutankhamun. In the afternoon, travel to the Huns Ethno Village for an experience of living history. Watch traditional horse handling and craft demonstrations that bring the nomadic past to life. Enjoy a home-style lunch in a yurt before returning to Almaty for a free evening.

Included Experiences

• “Golden Man” Experience at Issyk State Historical and Cultural Reserve Museum: Enjoy pre-opening access to the Issyk State Historical & Cultural Reserve Museum, including a curator-led talk on the famed Scythian “Golden Man” and the archaeology of the Issyk Valley.
• Huns Ethno Village Visit and Lunch: Transfer to Hunns Ethno Village to witness traditional demonstrations such as horse handling, nomadic crafts, and cultural customs that bring Kazakhstan’s heritage to life before a lunch with local cuisine in a yurt-style restaurant.
• Free Time in Almaty: During your free time, relax at your hotel or explore your surroundings.

Fly south to Dushanbe, the leafy capital of Tajikistan. Upon arrival, embark on a guided tour of the city’s cultural landmarks. Stand in Somoni Square beneath the golden statue of Ismoil Somoni, the father of the Tajik nation, and visit the grand Main Mosque. As evening falls, gather for a traditional Tajik welcome dinner at Zaytun. Savor a three-course meal of salads, hearty mains, and local desserts, offering a warm culinary introduction to the hospitality of Tajikistan.

Included Experiences

• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
• Guided City Tour of Dushanbe: Visit the highlights of the capital city of Tajikistan on a guided tour, seeing the Somoniy Square, Navruz Palace and the main Mosque of Dushanbe.
• Traditional Tajik Welcome Dinner: Enjoy a warm culinary introduction to Tajik cuisine.

Delve into ancient history at the National Museum of Antiquities. Join an archaeologist for a session focused on the influence of Buddhism in Central Asia, viewing rare artifacts including a massive reclining Buddha. Travel to the 2,500-year-old Hissor Fortress, once a strategic stop on the Silk Road. The day becomes intimate with a visit to a local craftsman’s home. Watch bread baking in a traditional tandoor and learn to prepare qurutob, the national dish, before sharing the home-cooked lunch with the family.

Included Experiences

• National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan: Connect with Tajikistan's unique history at the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan. Join a local archeologist and learn about Buddhism in Central Asia.
• Historic Hissor Fortress & Madrasah: Visit the 2,500-year-old Hissor Fortress, once a strategic Silk Road stronghold, and explore its surrounding madrasah — a powerful window into Tajikistan’s ancient trade routes and defensive history.
• Local Family Visit & Cultural Experience: Step into the daily life of a Tajik craftsman family and discover local embroidery, watch traditional bread-making and Kurutoba preparation, and enjoy a home-cooked lunch for an intimate, immersive cultural experience.
• Free time in Dushanbe: Return to Dushanbe for free time to explore at your own pace.

Fly to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Discover the city’s unique blend of Islamic and Soviet heritage. Descend into the Tashkent metro, where each station is seemingly an underground palace adorned with chandeliers and mosaics. Visit the Monument of Courage, dedicated to the resilience of the city after the 1966 earthquake. The expedition concludes on a high note: gather for a cocktail reception and farewell dinner at Koinot Restaurant, perched atop the soaring Tashkent TV Tower. Toast your adventure with panoramic views of the city glittering below.

Included Experiences

• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
• Guided City Tour of Tashkent: Visit the city's highlights with a local guide. Ride the Russian-esque metro, visit the religious centre of the city and the famous Soviet Monuments. Wander the neighbourhood streets, learn about daily life, the Uzbek people and history of the city.
• Expert Wrap-Up & Farewell Dinner at the TV Tower: Conclude the journey with an evening cocktail, expert wrap-up presentation, and a farewell dinner at Koinot Restaurant atop the Tashkent TV Tower, offering panoramic city views.

Travel into the hills outside Tashkent to witness a marvel of Soviet engineering at the Institute of the Sun. Stand before the world’s largest solar furnace, a futuristic array of 62 colossal mirrors that focus light into a beam of intense heat. Explore the facility with your expedition leader, learning about its top-secret past and its role in renewable energy research — a surreal contrast to the ancient history you’ve explored. Return to the city to engage your senses at the Plov Museum. Watch master chefs prepare Uzbekistan's national dish in giant kazans (cauldrons), smelling the cumin and garlic before savoring a hearty lunch of rice, tender lamb, and vegetables. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel before the next chapter of your expedition begins.

Included Experiences

• The Institute of Sun Visit: Visit the famous Institute of Sun and see its incredible architecture. The coolest part is seeing the blue sky and the mountains in the reflection of the giant mirrors covering the Solar Furnace. Don't forget your camera!
• Plov Museum: Savor a delicious lunch highlighting Uzbekistan’s iconic national dish, plov! At the Plov Museum in Tashkent, enjoy a cultural setting dedicated to one of the country’s most beloved culinary traditions.
• Welcome Moment and Dinner - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group: Enjoy a curated welcome moment with wine, beer, and appetizers, followed by an expert-led “Introduction to the Silk Road” presentation to set the context for the journey ahead. After, conclude the day with an included welcome dinner and settle into the spirit of Central Asia.

Dive into the historic soul of Tashkent at the Hasti Imam complex, the spiritual center of the city. Stand in the quiet library to view the Uthman Quran, one of the oldest in the world, stained with the blood of the third Caliph. Then, immerse yourself in the lively Chorsu Bazaar. Wander beneath its massive blue-tiled dome, inhaling the scent of cumin and freshly baked non bread as you navigate stalls piled high with dried apricots and almonds. In the afternoon, visit the Rakhimov Family Art Studio. Meet a multigenerational family of ceramic masters, and learn about their use of natural dyes and the revival of ancient glazing techniques. Watch as they transform raw clay into intricate works of art, preserving a heritage that dates back centuries.

Included Experiences

• Historic Tashkent & Sacred Sites Visit: Explore the Old Town, including Hasti Imam Mosque and the Museum of the Koran, the spiritual center of Tashkent and home to important Islamic relics.
• Chorsu Bazaar Immersion: Transfer from Old Town to experience the energy of Central Asia’s largest historic market — from the bustling produce halls to the traditional nan bakeries, with opportunities to sample fresh bread and shop for local fruits and nuts.
• Rakhimov Family Art Studio Visit: Visit the Rakhimov Family Art Studio to visit a renowned multigenerational ceramics family and learn about natural dye techniques, traditional craftsmanship, and Uzbek artistic heritage.
• Free Time: After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the city of Tashkent at leisure.

Optional Experiences

• Tashkent Museum of Fine Arts: Four stories high, the Tashkent Museum of Fine Arts boasts work from 1,500 years in the country. The exhibits include 7th century Buddhist relics and suzani, which are beautiful silk on cotton embroidery hangings.

Board a high-speed train, watching the landscape shift to the fertile plains of Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road. Stand in awe at Registan Square, a symphony of majolica and azure mosaics. Feel dwarfed by the colossal madrasahs that frame the plaza, their facades shimmering in the sun. Walk the avenue of mausoleums at the Shahi Zinda necropolis, where every surface is covered in turquoise tilework. The evening is free to rest or head out to catch the Registan Square light show.

Included Experiences

• Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Guided Tour of Samarkand: Join an in-depth guided visit to Registan Square and its three iconic madrasahs to get acquainted with teh city of Samarkand.
• Architectural Wonders of Samarkand: Visit two of the city’s most important spiritual and historical sites — the Shahi Zinda necropolis and the Bibi Khanum Mosque — showcasing the grandeur of Timurid architecture.

Optional Experiences

• Optional Light Show Visit to Registan Square: Join an optional visit to Registan Square for a light show. Explore the mosaic-covered medressas and open spaces of the spectacular Registan, once the heart of Uzbek learning.

Leave the city for the rolling hills of Tersak Village to connect with the heart of Uzbekistan. Join a local family in their courtyard kitchen to knead dough and bake savory samsas in a traditional clay tandoor oven. As the scent of baking bread fills the air, share the warm, home-cooked lunch you helped prepare, exchanging stories of daily life. Return to the city to visit the Afrasiab Museum, located on the site of ancient Samarkand. View rare 7th-century murals that survived the Mongol conquest, revealing a pre-Islamic world of Zoroastrian rituals and royal procession, gaining archaeological context for the empire you are exploring. The day ends with after-hours access to the Guri Emir Mausoleum–step beneath the gold-leafed dome to stand before Tamerlane’s jade tomb. A local professor leads a discussion on the legacy of the conqueror who built this empire, bringing the history to life in the hush of the sanctuary.

Included Experiences

• Tersak Village Visit: Visit a local family in Tersak to experience genuine village life, followed by a hands-on bread and samosa making lunch in their home.
• Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand Visit: Discover Samarkand’s ancient roots at the Afrasiab Museum, showcasing artifacts and murals from the region’s earliest history.
• After-Hours at the Guri Emir Mausoleum: Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Guri Emir Mausoleum, enriched by a discussion led by a local history professor on the legacy of Tamerlane and the Timurid Dynasty.

Take the high-speed train across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara, a city that feels like an open-air museum frozen in time. Walk the dust-swept streets to the Ark Fortress, the massive citadel that once housed the Emirs. Stand beneath the intricate brickwork of the Ismail Samanid Mausoleum and gaze up at the towering Kalyan Minaret, a structure so beautiful that Genghis Khan spared it from destruction. In the evening, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on masterclass with a local chef. Learn the precise rhythm of chopping carrots and layering rice to create plov, Uzbekistan’s beloved national dish. Savor the fruits of your labor for dinner, tasting the rich history of the Silk Road in every bite.

Included Experiences

• Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Guided Exploration of Bukhara's Icons: Visit the city’s most significant landmarks — the Ismail Samanid Mausoleum, Ark Fortress, and the towering Kalyan Minaret — experiencing the architectural and cultural depth of this UNESCO city.
• Plov Cooking Class and Dinner: Visit a local family and learn how to make Plov, a traditional dish found all throughout Central Asia that varies from country to country and household to household. In Uzbekistan, it's most often a combination of rice, carrots, onions and lamb cooked in a massive cast iron, wok-like pan. Enjoy the delicious results for dinner.

Begin at the sacred Naqshbandiy Mausoleum, a serene pilgrimage site for the Sufi order. Walk the peaceful courtyards, learning about the spiritual teachings of ‘heart with God, hands in work’ that define the region's faith. Continue to Sitorai Mohi-Khosa, the Emir's Summer Palace, to admire its eclectic blend of Russian mirrors and Oriental plasterwork. Wander the labyrinthine streets of the Old Jewish Quarter and the architectural gems of the old city as the sun begins to lower. Conclude the day with dinner in a restored caravanserai, dining under stone arches where merchants and their camels once rested after crossing the desert.

Included Experiences

• Naqshnabdi Mausoleum Visit: Visit the sacred Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandiy — founder of Central Asia’s most influential Sufi order — and learn from a local expert about Sufism’s core teachings of spiritual devotion, balance, and remembrance of God.
• Sitorai Mohi-Khosa Visit: Explore the elegant summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara, discovering its blend of European and traditional architectural styles and the stories of the final royal era before Soviet rule.
• Free Time in Bukhara: Drive back to Bukhara for free time to explore at leisure.
• Bukhara Old Town visit: Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site, Bukhara Old Town. This historic medieval city is full of ancient mosques, mausoleums and monuments. Once a pivotal stop along the Silk Road, this town is now a cultural wonder. Wander through the stone alleyways and through the incredible architecture to get a feel of historic Bukhara.
• Dinner in Bukhara: Enjoy dinner in a restored caravanserai, capturing the spirit of Silk Road hospitality.

Travel west by train, as the landscape shifts toward the stark beauty of the Khorezm region. Arrive in Khiva, the most intact of the Silk Road cities. Step inside the Ichan Qala, the walled inner city, where time seems to have stopped in the 10th century. Wander past the unfinished turquoise tower of the Kalta Minor minaret and through heavy carved wooden doors. As the sun sets, the mud-brick walls glow with a golden hue. Enjoy dinner with a view of the historic skyline, watching the silhouette of minarets against the darkening desert sky.

Included Experiences

• Lunch and Old Town Exploration in Khiva: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before checking into the hotel and beginning your guided exploration of Khiva’s architectural treasures and ancient walled city.
• Dinner in Khiva: Conclude the day with a terrace dinner featuring panoramic views of Khiva’s old town — a beautiful introduction to one of Uzbekistan’s most enchanting cities.
• Train: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Delve deeper into the Ichan Qala with an in-depth guided tour. Step into the cool shadows of the Juma Mosque, a forest of 213 wooden pillars, each uniquely carved. Explore the Tash-Khauli Palace, with its intricate blue tiles and labyrinthine corridors that once housed the Khan’s harem. Spend the afternoon at leisure on your own — choose to climb the city walls for a panoramic view of the endless desert beyond or sipping green tea in a traditional chaikhana. The day concludes with a festive dinner featuring the vibrant rhythms of Khorezmian music and dance, a colorful celebration of the cultural legacy of this desert oasis.

Included Experiences

• Guided Exploration of Khiva: Discover the rich history and architecture of Khiva through a guided tour of its ancient citadel, Ichan Qala — a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its minarets, madrasahs, and beautifully preserved old-city atmosphere.
• Free Time in Khiva: Enjoy time in the afternoon to explore Khiva, enjoy cup of tea in one of the teahouses, or join one of the optional activites.
• Khorezmian Music and Dance Show: Listen to and watch the traditions of Khiva come to life at a Khorezmian music and dance show. Unique instruments like the dutar and tanbur will accompany performers during the Khorezm classical and folk show.

Optional Experiences

• Islam Khoja Minaret: Visit Islam Khoja Minaret, Uzbekistan's tallest minaret. Built in 1910, this structure is the often called the symbol of Khiva.
• Ichan-Qala (Itchan Kala) Visit: Check out the sand-coloured brick structures populating the inner walls of the Ichan-Qala through the walled inner town of Khiva.

Cross the border at Shavat, transitioning from the history of Uzbekistan into the mysterious nation of Turkmenistan. Drive to Dashoguz to visit a local market before boarding a flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, witness the surreal contrast of this modern capital, recognized by Guinness World Records for its density of white marble buildings. The evening and dinner are on your own to relax or explore more on your own.

Included Experiences

• Border Crossing (Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan): Cross the border on foot and enter Turkmenistan.
• Dashoguz Local Market: Visit a local market to enjoy your first moments in Turkmenistan.
• Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Drive to the foot of the Kopet Dag mountains to explore Old Nisa, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire. Walk among the UNESCO-listed mud-brick ruins of a civilization that once rivaled Rome, uncovering 2,000 years of history in the fortress walls. Return to Ashgabat to tour the grandiose monuments, including the Arch of Neutrality topped by a gold statue, gaining insight into the unique identity of this reclusive nation. It is a futuristic vision rising from the ancient sands. The expedition concludes with a farewell dinner and wrap-up presentation. Reflect on the empires, cultures, and landscapes you have traversed — from the tiled domes of Samarkand to the marble avenues of Ashgabat —toasting to the end of an epic expedition.

Included Experiences

• Ancient Settlement of Nisa: Pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nisa. This ancient settlement was once the capital of the Parthian Empire from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Explore the ruins and learn about the history of this amazing place.
• Lunch and Free Time in Ashgabat: Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before free time for exploring at leisure or join an optional visit to the Carpet Museum.
• Afternoon City Tour of Ashgabat: Explore the Monument of Independence followed by the National Museum of History and Ethnography. Visit the Arch of Neutrality and end the tour at the Gulistan market.
• Farewell Evening in Ashgabat: Conclude the expedition with an included farewell dinner and expert wrap-up presentation.

Optional Experiences

• Carpet Museum: Visit the Carpet Museum in Ashgabat to learn about the ancient tradition of carpet making in Turkmenistan. Observe traditional carpet weavers at their craft, and marvel at the colourful and diverse rugs on a wander through the gallery.

Your expedition to Central Asia concludes today. Transfers to the airport are provided at any time during the day.

Included Experiences

• Departure Transfer: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.