UZBEKISTAN
MYSTICISM ALONG THE SILK ROAD
Step back in time to a land of ancient cities, rich history, spellbinding architecture, unique flavors, and welcoming locals with stories to tell!
We will visit the most iconic landmarks along the Silk Road: Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, and remote desert city – Khiva.
On our expedition, we will see the ancient cities with their spellbinding architecture, taste delicious flavors in the markets, and ihave a completely immersive cultural experience, meeting locals and hearing their stories.
The Republic of Uzbekistan is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world, located in Central Asia. Uzbekistan is a sovereign state, a secular, unitary republic with a constitution.
LATITUDE: around 56° north
Size: 448,978 km2
National Language: Uzbek
Human Population: 33,961,708
Capital: Tashkent
Temp. during stay 13°-27°C / 55°-80°F
OUR EXPEDITION
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Super Comfort
Explorer's Elite provides premium comfort for adventure-seeking travelers. The all-inclusive accomodation covers domestic flights in Uzbekistan and comfortable accommodations throughout our journey. Our pampering accommodations are set to the highest standards.
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Exclusive Access
Our trips include expert guides on the local culture, as well as photography guidance provided by our team to ensure that you return home with the most incredible photos and experiences. We also include all the entry fees so you can travel worry-free. This trip is intended to show you Uzbekistan through the eyes of locals, not as a tourist, so prepare to completely immerse in the culture and meet the welcoming locals!
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Team of Experts
This expedition is guided by renowned and award-winning wildlife photographer, Roie Galitz, and his team of professionals. While enjoying the journey, you will learn more about this region and its incredible inhabitants, and experience an intimate encounter with them, enjoying a completely immersive cultural experience.
“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position
in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”
- Bill Bryson
EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival at the Silk Road
We’ll meet in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, also known as the City of Stone, upon your arrival in the evening. We'll get introduced with the team, and make any final preparations for the journey ahead!
Overcoming jet lag can be difficult, so this first day is intended to give you time to adjust and sleep well before we begin our adventure tomorrow morning.
Day 2
The Dessert City of Khiva
We'll take a short flight to Urgench in the morning and from there, proceed to the remote and picturesque town of Khiva in the heart of the desert. This city was once a bustling crossroads, now, a desert town frozen in time. We'll stroll the labyrinth of alleyways of the city, surrounded by it's large mud walls. Walk through the pages of the epic tails of One Thousand and One Nights. Khiva's architecture is certainly impressive and historically significant. We'll explore the colorful markets, unique flavors, and meet locals with the opportunity to practice portrait photography. As the sun sets over the mystical town of Khiva, we'll view the golden light on the mud walls and explore the nooks and crannies in the evening before turning in for the night.
Day 3
Kyzylkum Desert and Bukhara
In the morning, we’ll journey across the Kyzylkum Desert, eastward to the ancient city of Bukhara across the Silk Road. We will pass through incredible desert views and the Amu Darya river. Bukhara, one of the most salient stops on the Silk Road, was once the religious and cultural epicenter of Central Asia. We'll enjoy our dinner on the way, and once we arrive, we'll take a starlit tour of the beautiful city, before turning in.
Day 4
Bukhara
Bukhara has stood still and uninterrupted for hundreds of years. A maze of alleyways rich in history, Bukhara is without a doubt the most fascinating city on the Silk Road. We'll hear the laughter of children in the streets as they play their games. We’ll stroll through the colorful markets, with its abundance of woven rugs, ornate knives, Persian silk paintings, fruits and vegetables. We'll visit ancient religious sites, traditional tea houses and architectural treasures. Bukhara is the ideal place to interact with the hospitable locals - you may even find yourself in someone's home after being offered to join for a meal with the family!
Day 5
Journey to Samarkand
In the morning, we’ll journey through the Silk Road to Samarkand. We'll pass fertile agriculture regions with cotton and wheat fields, which compose the basis of Uzbekistan's economy. Samarkand beauty is unparalleled, as the city is essentially an outdoor museum of Islamic art. The Madrasas (Islamic studies schools), the ancient cemeteries, and the mosaics that cover the city in shades of blue and green, are all an homage to the Islamic art that influenced the city. Upon our arrival, we'll get a good night's sleep from our travels, so we are well rested to explore the magical city tomorrow morning.
Day 6
Samarkand
We’ll explore Samarkand's lively and colorful Eastern Market, one of the biggest and most divine bazaars in Central Asia. We’ll meet farmers who sell spices, naan bread, juicy fruits, and traditional hats. We’ll see the Gypsies booths, where you can buy strange potions and concoctions intended to cast protection against the evil eye. We'll learn about Timur, one of the greatest conquerors in the world and founder of the Timurid Empire. We’ll go to the illuminated Registan Square, with its three impressive Madrasas that date back to the 1400s. We'll visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the Guri Amir Mausoleum, before continuing to Shah-i-Zinda, home to the king’s tomb known as the "living dead", considered a place of worship and pilgrimage in Islam
Day 7
Tashkent
On our journey back to Tashkent, we'll go through farming villages and agricultural fields. We'll pass by the Pamir Mountains and view the snowy peaks. Upon our arrival, we’ll tour the capitol, still marked by Russian influence. We'll visit the colorful Chorsu Bazaar, the largest farmers market in the country. We’ll interact with local farmers and ask them about their produce. We'll explore the ancient alleyways that surround the market, filled with bakeries and tea houses. We'll visit the madrasas and plazas, before returning to our lodging for the night.
Day 8
Departure
Following our last talk and saying goodbyes, packed with memories that we’ll look back on for life, we will split ways and each participant will go to the airport according to their flight schedule.
DATES
UZBEKISTAN
May 2023
Expedition to a land that's locked in time, where you'll find everything from spices to potions. Our journey through the Silk Road is an immersive cultural experience, so you can travel like a local. This adventure is offered at super comfort level.
Group Size: 15 people
From:
$4,690
UZBEKISTAN
October 2023
Expedition to a land that's locked in time, where you'll find everything from spices to potions. Our journey through the Silk Road is an immersive cultural experience, so you can travel like a local. This adventure is offered at super comfort level.
Group Size: 15 people
From:
$4,990
RATES
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The total cost of the expedition per person is $4,690
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The trip is for group with a minimum of persons.
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Cost depends on the date and duration of the expedition and additional amenities or optional upgrades can be adjusted and added. The expedition is fully customizable.
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A 30% deposit is paid upon registration.
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Domestic Flight in Uzbekistan (From Tahkent to Urgench)
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Accommodation
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Professional Photography Guidance
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Local Culture Guide
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Half Board
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All Entry Fees
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International Flights
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Visa
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Personal expenses.
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Health and baggage insurance
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Anything which is not mentioned under “Included” section