Silk Road | Intrepid Travel CH

Discover the unique Silk Road culture that spans Central Asia and beyond.

A journey through time down this ancient trade route is a true adventure for travellers intrigued by less-frequented parts of the globe. You’ll follow in the footsteps of generations of nomads, visiting some of the most important world heritage sites connected the East and West. Cross sprawling desert landscapes, visit glittering Islamic monuments and stop at small villages where you’ll meet the locals and learn about traditional ways of life. Buckle up for the ride, this is no ordinary road trip.

Our tours that visit the Silk Road

Iran Adventure

14 Days From 2550

Welcome to the hidden world of Iran. Travel to Tehran and witness the fusion of old and...

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Iran: Women's Expedition

12 Days From 2376

Uncover a whole new side of Iran on this new female-only Intrepid expedition. Spanning...

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Iran Express

9 Days From 2015

Visit the hidden world of Iran in winter to see a different side of the country,...

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Central Asia Explorer

17 Days From 2655

Travel through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Soak up the Silk Road's ancient history.

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Iran Real Food Adventure

10 Days From 2710

Taste the spices, meats and stews of Iran as you travel from Tehran to Shiraz. Sample...

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Cycle Iran

16 Days From 3975

Embark on a cycling adventure across the hidden world of Iran. Visit Tehran, Kashan,...

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Uzbekistan Adventure

9 Days From 1245

This nine-day adventure in Uzbekistan takes you through some of Central Asia's most...

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Tashkent to Ashgabat

10 Days From 1800

Follow the Silk Road from Tashkent to Ashgabat, stopping in Khiva, Darvaza, Yerbent and...

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Tajikistan Discovery

13 Days From 1790

Discover a true adventure on the roads of rugged and remote Tajikistan. Visit the...

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The Great Silk Road

32 Days From 5805

Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...

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Ultimate Silk Road: Beijing to Ashgabat

41 Days From 7615

Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...

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Bishkek to Ashgabat

26 Days From 4515

Be entranced by the beauty and the wonder of Central Asia on this overland journey from...

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China's Silk Road

15 Days From 2232

Retrace the path of the ancient Silk Road from Beijing to Xi'an, Zhangye and Turpan...

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Kazakhstan Adventure

14 Days From 3565

Travel through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Soak up the Silk Road's ancient history.

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China

Highlights of the Silk Road

Registan Square

Registan Square is perhaps the most iconic site in Uzbekistan, a legacy of the legendary Timur’s dynasty, the famous king who made Samarkand his capital city. Registan means Sandy Place in Tajik and was the city’s trade centre, made up of many vibrant bazaars.

Zhangye

The rainbow-coloured sandstone mountains of Zhangye are a UNESCO protected landscape that formed over thousands of years. The churning red, brown, white and yellow colours of the rocks create are otherworldly, a fitting backdrop for the Silk Road and a photographer’s dream.

Hanyangling Mausoleum

If you want to avoid the crowds, Xi’an’s Hanyangling Mausoleum is a lesser-known place to see tens of thousands of famous terracotta warriors. They reflect the life and times of Emperor Jing who ruled in the Western Han dynasty, which ran from 206BC to 24AD.

Merv

Merv was a Silk Road centre of culture and royalty from the 11th and 12th centuries when it was the capital city of the region. Nowadays, you can marvel at the remains of some of Turkmenistan’s greatest architectural feats, like Buddhist monasteries and the Erk Kala fortress.

Reviews

Staying in a yurt in Uzbekistan.

What to see in 7-10 days on the Silk Road

If you only have a week or so in Central Asia, it might be best to pick one or two countries and really see them properly. Uzbekistan is a crowd favourite, with plenty of iconic Silk Road sites, bustling cities, small villages and desert landscapes to explore, even if you’re tight on time. Visit the UNESCO world heritage town of Bukhara, where highlights include the medieval Ark Fortress that dates back to the 5^th century, the Ulugbek Madrasah (named after the famous ruler and astronomer), and the glittering Kalon Mosque and Minaret. An overnight stay in a yurt is also a must – you’ll never experience a sunset like the one you’ll see from the top of the dunes in the Kyzlykum Desert. From here, head to Samarkand. The dazzling Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda are all some of the most incredible mosaiced monuments you’ll likely ever see.

Trip Name	Days	Start city	Destination	Style	From CHF
Uzbekistan Adventure	9	Tashkent	Uzbekistan	Original	1245	View Trip
Tashkent to Ashgabat	10	Tashkent	Uzbekistan	Original	1800	View Trip

A spice market in Turkmenistan.

What to see in 2 - 3 weeks on the Silk Road

With a few weeks up your sleeve you can pick a number of Central Asian countries to explore. Perhaps a trip through Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan would be appropriate? A visit to the iconic minaret called Burana Tower in Kyrgyzstan is a must-do, as is travelling the winding roads among mountains, appreciating the heights that the tradesman has to conquer when building the Silk Road. A stop in Uzbekistan’s Khiva is almost the ultimate Silk Road experience – here you’ll find the blue-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret, Kuhna Ark and many other important sites at this pilgrimage stop. In Turkmenistan, head to Merv for Silk Road culture and history – back in the 11th and 12th centuries it was the capital city of the region. While much of the city is now in ruins, nowadays you can marvel at the remains of some of Turkmenistan’s greatest historical relics from empires past and architectural feats like the Erk Kala fortress.

Trip Name	Days	Start city	Destination	Style	From CHF
Central Asia Explorer	17	Bishkek	Uzbekistan	Original	2655	View Trip
Bishkek to Ashgabat	26	Bishkek	Uzbekistan	Original	4515	View Trip

Zhangye, China.

What to see in 5 weeks or more on the Silk Road

If you’re looking for a longer stint in Central Asia you should be able to tick off multiple ‘Stans, and even some parts of China or Iran too. Begin in the East with a visit to the rainbow-coloured sandstone mountains of Zhangye. This UNESCO protected landscape is a sea of red, brown, white and yellow mountains – a true photographers dream. Before you leave China, you have to visit the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar in western Xinjiang. Since ancient times it’s been a meeting place for locals, merchants and travellers looking to pick up local foods and goods along the Silk Road. A trip through the region wouldn’t be complete without some pretty unique scenery and when you get to Kyrgzstan you’ll have a chance to stay with the locals in a traditional yurt camp by Son-Köl, one of the largest lakes in the country. In Turkmenistan, make sure you visit the world heritage-listed city of Konye-Urgench, which was once a centre of the Islamic world.