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 that connected the East to the 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 Silk Road tours

10 Days From 3785

Explore the mysteries of Uzbekistan on an in-depth Premium adventure, where remnants of...

17 Days From 5280

Soak up Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on this 17-day tour that begins in Bishkek and visits...

17 Days From 5280

Soak up Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on this 17-day tour that begins in Bishkek and visits...

9 Days From 2405

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

9 Days From 2405

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

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

10 Days From 3881

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

10 Days From 3881

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

26 Days From 8940

Travel through dazzling Central Asia on a 26-day overland tour in Kyrgyzstan,...

26 Days From 8940

Travel through dazzling Central Asia on a 26-day overland tour in Kyrgyzstan,...

18 Days From 6076

An in-depth adventure through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan that takes you off the...

10 Days From 4090

Explore the far reaches of the Kazakhstani steppes on this adventure through the...

24 Days From 9080

Join a 24-day adventure through Central Asia from Ashgabat, to Tashkent, to Bishkek and...

30 Days From 12505

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

26 Days From 9875

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

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Highlights of the Silk Road

Registan Square Samarkand

Wander 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 and was the city’s primary trade centre.

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A traditional yurt camp in Kyrgyzstan

A traditional yurt stay

Spend a night in a yurt camp just like the nomads of old. Yurts are the traditional dwellings of rovers in the Central Asian region. Although they can differ from place to place, they are typicaly multi-share rooms that are shared by a group. 

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Horses graze in front of the Karakol Mountains in Kyrgyzstan

Scenic vistas aplenty

The natural scenery of the Central Asian region isn't all that known about, but it sure should be. Beautiful pastures surrounded by towering snow-spotted mountains, interspersed with flowing rivers and wide open lakes make this region an amazing space to enjoy nature's splendour. 

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Merv Sandjar Mosque

Ancient remains in 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.

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Reviews

FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

The Silk Road was originally an expansive region that covered Asia, Europe, the Middle East and parts of the Pacific. In modern times, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) classifies the Silk Road region as 34 countries.

While many of these countries retain remnants of the Silk Road era, we have highlighted several of the destinations that showcase this incredible history within our Silk Road tours. We are currently running Silk Road trips in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The following FAQ answers are related to these countries. 

In the Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan sections of the Silk Road, the weather is categorised as typically between moderate to arid continental. This means summers are hot and sunny, with winters between cold and freezing. There can be extreme temperatures in these seasons, with highs getting to 50ºC, typically in the desert regions and winter lows of -20ºC. There's also snow in the mountain regions. This region can also get sudden cold spells, heatwaves and intense winds, causing sand and dust storms.  

The best time to visit the Silk Road for travel within Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is from April to October, as the rainiest time of year typically falls from October to April. The shoulder months of March and November are also good times to visit as there shouldn't be as cold or get as much rain as in the winter months. It can get very hot from June to August, so if you'd prefer a more mild visit, visit in the spring and autumn seasons.

If you are travelling to countries in the Silk Road region, you should ensure you have checked the entry requirements for each destination you are visiting. Currently, in the countries we run trips in,  a visa is required for entry into Turkmenistan.

Many nationalities are able to enter and travel within Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for up to 30 days without a visa. This is extended to 60 days in Kyrgyzstan.

See visa travel advice for travellers from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

The page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Tipping isn't universally done across the Silk Road region, however, it is becoming more popular in certain areas. In Kazakhstan, a service charge of 10% is typically included in bills, whereas in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, a tip of about 5-10% is welcome. Tippnig is not customary in Turkemenistan.

Internet in countries throughout the Silk Road is typically accessible in cities and large towns. You can generally find internet in hotels and restaurants as well as in internet cafes. When outside of these major hubs, internet can range from reduced to non-existent.

In Turkmenistan, many sites, including social media, are blocked by the authorities.

Similar to internet use, mobile phone access in the Silk Road region is typically good in cities and main towns. There can be limitations on using your device and home carrier, depending on the country you are travelling in and your provider. You may be able to purchase a local SIM card while abroad in this area. However, if you are planning on using global roaming, ensure it is turned on prior to leaving your home country.

Toilets throughout the Silk Road area can vary from modern flushable toilets to outside drop toilets. Some areas in this region may not sanitise toilet facilities to the same standards as in Western countries and there may not always be hot water available.

Because there is so much variation, especially between the cities and remote areas, it is generally advised that you bring your own toilet paper, sanitiser and soap while travelling. 

Travellers are advised not to drink tap water in Central Asia and while in the Silk Road regions. It is also a good idea to be careful when eating salads and other uncooked foods that may have been washed in water. Similarly, avoid ice, peel fruit before eating and ask for filtered water to be used for tea.

Credit cards are usually accepted in business in the major cities and hubs of this region of the Silk Road. Outside of cities, credit cards aren't typically used and you will need small local currency. You may find that foreign cards aren't as accepted, especially in Uzbekistan, so it's advised that you have enough cash to cover your daily expenses. 

Similarly, ATMs are usually commonly found in cities and large towns and not so much in rural regions. 

Discretion is advised for LGBTQI+ travellers in this region of the Silk Road. In Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, same-sex relations are illegal and can incur prison sentences of up to two years. While in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, homosexuality is legal, however, attitudes are not accepting, especially outside of major cities. In this area of Asia, displays of affection between heterosexual couples are generally frowned upon and can even offend, so it is advised for all travellers to take care not to engage in any public displays of affection.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

From Canada?

Go to: https://travel.gc.ca/

From the UK?

Go to: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/

From New Zealand?

Go to: http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

From the US?

Go to: http://travel.state.gov/

 

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. 

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe.

Find out more or make a donation

Read more about the Silk Road