The East Silk Road Small Group Tour traces the legendary path once travelled by caravans that carried silk, spices, and ideas across Asia for centuries. Stretching over 5,700 kilometres from east to west, this 21-day journey covers more than 9,000 kilometres by plane, train, and car – a true odyssey of landscapes, cultures, and history.
Your adventure begins in Shanghai, the world’s largest port city, before continuing to Xi’an, the ancient starting point of the Silk Road. In Beijing, the grand capital of the Middle Kingdom, you’ll explore architectural masterpieces and imperial landmarks. The first week immerses you in the rich heritage of China.
From there, a flight takes you to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s cultural hub framed by the snow-capped Tien Shan mountains. In Kyrgyzstan, visit the Burana Tower – the sole remnant of the fabled city of Balasagun – and experience the legacy of nomadic life. The route then leads to Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, where modern rhythm meets ancient tradition, followed by the splendid Samarkand, once a glittering crossroads of the Silk Road. Its monumental mosques and intricately decorated madrasahs reveal the grandeur of the Timurid era.
Crossing into Tajikistan, you’ll journey to the Seven Lakes and the ancient city of Penjikent, surrounded by mountains steeped in legend. Returning to Uzbekistan, explore Bukhara, a city of timeless minarets and elegant domes, before continuing through the desert landscapes of Turkmenistan. Here, Ashgabat dazzles with its white marble avenues, while the fiery Darvaza Gas Crater glows deep in the Karakum Desert – a sight unlike any other. The final chapter unfolds in Khiva, an open-air museum of medieval architecture, where every wall and minaret tells a story from centuries past. The journey concludes in Tashkent with a farewell dinner shared among new friends – travellers drawn together by curiosity and the love of discovery.
The East Silk Road Small Group Tour offers more than a route – it’s an encounter with the spirit of the Silk Road itself. Explore the detailed itinerary, find your inspiration, and choose the departure date that fits your next great adventure.
Our group tour offers a unique and enriching experience, from ancient Silk Road cities to breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures. But the real magic happens when you connect with incredible people from around the world. Share stories, create lasting memories, and build friendships that make the journey truly special. Join us and discover your next great adventure!
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Shanghai. You will be met by our driver at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Check-in time is 14:00. The rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city independently. Overnight at the hotel.
Following breakfast, your guide and driver will greet you at 09:00 to start a sightseeing tour with a visit to the Yu Garden, a classical garden built over 400 years ago featuring the Dragon Wall, the Nine-Turning Bridge, and traditional pavilions. Continue to the Old Street for a walk and free time for shopping. In the afternoon, walk along the Bund to hear about the history of Shanghai. Take a public ferry across the Huangpu River to the Pudong New Area (if the ferry is unavailable due to weather, the transfer will be by car). Ascend the Shanghai Tower, the world’s second-tallest building, for broad views of the city, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Drive to Zhujiajiao Water Town, an ancient town with a history of over 1,700 years, known as the “Venice of Shanghai.” Walk across historic bridges and enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the canals. Free time.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Breakfast. In the morning, start your city tour with a visit to the famous Terracotta Army Museum to see the underground army of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers dating back to 206 BC. Return to the city centre to visit the Muslim Quarter; wander through the alleys and try local dishes. Continue to the Ancient City Wall, which has guarded the inner city for 600 years. A walk along the wall offers wide views over the city. Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Breakfast. Transfer to the railway station to board the high-speed train to Beijing (1,216 km, 4 hrs 15 min). Upon arrival in Beijing, meet your guide and transfer into the city. Visit the Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat famous for its gardens and lakes. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Breakfast. Start the day by visiting Tiananmen Square, an important landmark of modern China. Proceed to the Forbidden City, the best-preserved ancient imperial palace complex dating back 500 years. In the afternoon, explore the Hutongs – the narrow alleys characteristic of old Beijing. Take a rickshaw ride through the lanes and visit a local family living in a traditional Siheyuan courtyard to gain insight into Hutong life. Dinner at a local restaurant featuring the famous Peking Duck, where you will watch the chef carve the dish and learn the customary way to enjoy it. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7–8 hours
Meals: dinner
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7–8 hours
Meals: dinner
Breakfast. Begin the day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests. You may notice locals practising martial arts and doing morning exercises in the park. In the afternoon, drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (approx. 2.5 hours). Known for its restored sections and scenic views, this part of the wall is generally less crowded (entrance fee is included; cable car or toboggan rides are optional and payable on site). Return to Beijing. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7–8 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7–8 hours
Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Almaty at 18:30-21:10 (3,285 km, 5hrs 40min). Arrive in Almaty. Our driver will meet you and take you to the hotel for overnight.
Following breakfast, your guide and driver will greet you at 09:00 for a full day of sightseeing. Begin with a scenic 25 km drive to Shymbulak Ski Resort. Enjoy a cable car ride with wide views of the Tian Shan Mountains’ snow-capped peaks. After a welcome lunch, continue to some of Almaty's notable sites, including Panfilov Park, the historic Zenkov Cathedral, and the Museum of National Musical Instruments. The tour ends with free time on the vibrant Arbat Street (Zhybek Zholy Street), Almaty's main pedestrian street. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7–8 hours
Meals: welcome lunch
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7–8 hours
Meals: welcome lunch
After breakfast, at 09:00 depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek along the highway, enjoying the natural scenery on the way (250 km, 4 h). Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Start a sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, and the Statue of Manas. See the Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – notable examples of Soviet architecture. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Breakfast. Depart Bishkek at 09:00. The first stop will be Burana Tower, which was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries). Next on the agenda will be watching a traditional Kyrgyz equestrian game called “Ulak Tartysh” (a form of mounted competition using a goat carcass). Ulak Tartysh (also known as Kok Boru) is played between two teams of riders competing for control of the carcass. Transfer to Don Aryk village and have lunch at the home of a local Kyrgyz family. After lunch, watch a demonstration of yurt construction and even take part if you wish. Local Kyrgyz women will explain the purpose and function of each part of the yurt. Transfer to Bishkek airport (110 km, ~1 h 30 min) to take the flight to Tashkent, which arrives in the evening (1 h 20 min). Transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
Breakfast. Start the Tashkent city tour at 10:00 with a visit to the Old City of Tashkent. This area encompasses the Khast-Imam Complex (famous for displaying one of the earliest copies of the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam) and Chorsu Bazaar, where you can haggle for spices, dried fruit, and nuts. Then take a ride on the Tashkent Metro to the city centre to visit the Applied Arts Museum and walk past Navoi Theatre to Amir Timur Square, where you will end the Tashkent city tour. After the tour, you will have free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Early in the morning, get a takeaway breakfast from the hotel and transfer to the railway station. The high-speed Afrosiyob
train departs Tashkent and arrives in Samarkand (300 km, 2 h 10 min). Upon arrival in Samarkand meet your driver and guide. Your city tour will begin with a visit to the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor Timur. Continue to the spectacular Registan Square, explore the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and Siyab Bazaar. After the lunch break, continue to the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, then take a short drive to Konigil village to learn about the traditional techniques used to make the famous Samarkand paper from mulberry bark. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Tea/coffee break
train departs Tashkent and arrives in Samarkand (300 km, 2 h 10 min). Upon arrival in Samarkand meet your driver and guide. Your city tour will begin with a visit to the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor Timur. Continue to the spectacular Registan Square, explore the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and Siyab Bazaar. After the lunch break, continue to the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, then take a short drive to Konigil village to learn about the traditional techniques used to make the famous Samarkand paper from mulberry bark. Overnight at the hotel.Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Tea/coffee break
Breakfast. At 9 am transfer to the Uzbekistan–Tajikistan border point, Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you. Meet your local Tajik guide and driver for the journey to the Seven Lakes (80 km, ~2 h). These lakes are located in the western part of the Fann Mountains. Each lake has its own colour, ranging from soft turquoise to deep purple. Have lunch at the guest house next to the 4th lake. Those who would like to enjoy the view from the 7th lake have the option of a hiking tour from the 6th lake up to the 7th lake. In the late afternoon transfer to the hotel* in Penjikent. Check in and overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch, dinner
Note*: as we travel to the more remote and authentic region of the Fann Mountains, the tourist infrastructure is simpler. We will be staying in the best available local hotel, Soviet-era building. Please expect more basic amenities compared to the larger cities – it's all part of the adventure!
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch, dinner
Note*: as we travel to the more remote and authentic region of the Fann Mountains, the tourist infrastructure is simpler. We will be staying in the best available local hotel, Soviet-era building. Please expect more basic amenities compared to the larger cities – it's all part of the adventure!
Breakfast. Drive to ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The excavated site reveals the foundations of houses, a citadel containing several Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar. In the newer part of Penjikent, you will visit a local bazaar and a mosque, followed by the Rudaki Museum – Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, widely regarded as the father of Persian poetry. After the sightseeing tour, drive to the Jartepa border crossing. Complete the border formalities. On the Uzbek side, your driver will meet you. Transfer to Bukhara (325 km, 4–5 hrs.). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, check in and overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours
Breakfast. At 10:00, start exploring the Old City of Bukhara. The walking tour will take you through the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, the Chor-Minor Madrasah, the Kalyan Minaret, the Miri-Arab Madrasah, and the paired Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs. Continue to the Ark Fortress, and then to the Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums, along with the city’s historic trading domes. Free time from 15:00 until the National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah, which begins at 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Tea/coffee break
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Tea/coffee break
Breakfast. Free time. At 13:30, depart for the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border point at Farap–Alat (100 km, 1 h 30 min). After completing the border formalities on both sides, proceed to the exit of the control area, where our guide and driver will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. Transfer to Turkmenabat Airport (50 km, 1 h) for the evening flight to Ashgabat at 20:00. Upon arrival in Ashgabat at 20:50, take an evening city tour before transferring to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 1 hour
Duration of sightseeing tour: 1 hour
Breakfast. At 9 am, start a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat. The capital of Turkmenistan has recently been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the city with the largest number of white marble buildings. During the tour, visit the archaeological site of Old Nissa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Spiritual Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Continue to the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the newly built Independence Park. The city tour will take around six hours. In the afternoon, drive through the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater (280 km, 4 h). After arriving at the crater, the camp will be set up and you will have a fire-cooked dinner beside the “Door to Hell”. Overnight in yurts.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Meals: camp-style dinner
Note: We will travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and adventurous ride – it is the only way to reach this remote location.
At the camp, we will stay in traditional yurts with basic shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, giving you a close experience of the desert environment.
There is an option to skip the visit to Darvaza and stay an extra night at the hotel in Ashgabat, then take a flight to Dashoguz the following morning at an additional cost.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Meals: camp-style dinner
Note: We will travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and adventurous ride – it is the only way to reach this remote location.
At the camp, we will stay in traditional yurts with basic shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, giving you a close experience of the desert environment.
There is an option to skip the visit to Darvaza and stay an extra night at the hotel in Ashgabat, then take a flight to Dashoguz the following morning at an additional cost.
Camp-style breakfast. Drive through the Karakum Desert to the Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan border point at Dashoguz–Shavat (310 km, 4 h). After completing the border formalities on both sides, meet your Uzbek driver and continue to Khiva (60 km, 1 h). Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast and hotel check-out (the hotel will store your luggage for the day). Spend the morning exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ichan-Kala Fortress. The walking tour includes the Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, the Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasa, Kalta Minor, the Juma Mosque, the Tash-Khovli Palace, the Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islom Khodja. Transfer to Urgench Airport (30 km, 35 min) for the flight to Tashkent (1,093 km, 1 h 40 min). Upon arrival in Tashkent, transfer to a restaurant for a farewell dinner, then continue to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Tea/coffee break
Meals: farewell dinner
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Tea/coffee break
Meals: farewell dinner
Check out from the hotel by noon. Free time until your transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of East Silk Road group tour.
Price includes:
- All transfers: 1–2 pax by sedan-type car, 3–7 pax by minivan/van, 8–16 pax by a 20-seat bus;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- English-speaking local guides in each country;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class tickets for flights: Shanghai - Xi'an (20 kg check in/5 kg hand luggage), Beijing – Almaty (32 kg check in/ 8 kg hand luggage), Bishkek-Tashkent (23 kg check in/ 5 kg hand luggage), Turkmenabad-Ashgabat (20 kg check in/ 5 kg hand luggage), Urgench-Tashkent (23 kg check in and 8 kg hand luggage);
- Economy-class tickets for trains: Xi'an–Beijing, Tashkent–Samarkand;
- Visa support for the Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- Uzbekistan e-visa (triple entry) and Tajikistan e-visa (if required);
- National folklore show in Bukhara on Day 16, tea/coffee breaks on Day 13,16, and 20;
- Meals: dinner in Beijing on Day 6; welcome lunch in Almaty on Day 9; lunch with a local family in Don-Aryk on Day 11; lunch at Seven Lakes and dinner in Penjikent on Day 14; camp-style dinner at Darvaza on Day 18; farewell dinner in Tashkent on Day 20.
Price doesn't include:
- Single room supplement;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Tourist tax of 2 USD per night in Ashgabat, payable to the hotel upon check-out;
- Consular fee for the Chinese visa, if required;
- Turkmenistan visa fees: tourist visa (approx. 80 USD), migration tax (14 USD), and express PCR test (33 USD);
- Uzbekistan tourist visa fee at Tashkent International Airport (60–80 USD);
- Visa support for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tourist visas;
- Personal travel insurance;
- Tips to local guides and drivers;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Extra night at the Ashgabat hotel and Ashgabat–Dashoguz flight (295 USD).
Dates & Prices, per person
2026
2027
Single supplement: US$ 975
Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.
We strongly recommend NOT to purchase airline tickets for 2026 tours without discussing it with your travel consultant.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn Shanghai Jingan Hotel / Northen Hotel Shanghai / Metropark Jichen Hotel Shanghai
Kazzhol Park / Mercure or similar
Panjakent Plaza 3* / Fariz 3* / Umariyon 3* or similar
Archabil / Diwan
Tour Enquiry
Important notes:
- Visa required. We will need to apply for your Letter of Invitation (LOI) in advance. The Turkmenistan visa can be obtained at the border upon arrival, based on the approved LOI.
- If you need to obtain an Uzbekistan visa, it should be a multiple-entry e-visa.
East Silk Road Group Tour Reviews
No tour reviews have been posted yet.
