The Silk Road: Discovering the Five ‘Stans of Central Asia

TRAVELER FAVORITE

16 DAYS FROM $8,995

• Explore the treasures of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. • Witness millennia-old nomadic sports in the rural heart of Kyrgyzstan. • Meet with a local rabbi in Bukhara’s Jewish quarter, and learn to cook Uzbek plov.

Signature Land Light/Moderate

DAYS 1–2 I ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN Enjoy a presentation from representatives of National Geographic Kazakhstan. Take a tour of Almaty, and learn about the country’s history at the Central State Museum. Rixos Almaty | Meals: 1B, 1L, 1D

DAYS 3–6 I BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN/ TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN Learn about National Geographic Explorer Tatjana Rosen’s Society-funded snow leopard conservation efforts. Explore Bishkek and tour the National Museum of Fine Arts. Witness nomadic traditions in the countryside, then discover Tashkent’s blue-domed monuments. The Plaza Hotel Bishkek; Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace | Meals: 4B, 4L, 4D

DAYS 7–9 I SAMARKAND/PANJAKENT, TAJIKISTAN Visit Samarkand’s stunning Registan Square, and take a private tour of the Afrasiab Museum with an archaeologist. In Panjakent, explore the ruins of Zoroastrian temples. Back in Samarkand, enjoy a performance of Uzbek dances. DiliMah Hotel | Meals: 3B, 3L, 2D

DAYS 10–16 I BUKHARA, UZBEKISTAN/ KHIVA/DAŞOGUZ, TURKMENISTAN/ ASHGABAT Tour the architectural landmarks of Bukhara and visit the old Jewish quarter. Alternatively, explore the summer palace of the Bukharan emirs. Later, take a class in the art of making plov. In the enchanting town of Khiva, enjoy a traditional concert and wander the old town. Cross the border into Turkmenistan to visit the lively city of Daşoguz and explore the golden domes of modern Ashgabat. On our final day, depart for home. Devon Hotel; Erkin Palace Hotel; Oguzkent Hotel | Meals: 7B, 5L, 6D

A National Geographic Expert and Expedition Leader will accompany this trip, and local guides will join us along the way.

Carroll Dunham Anthropologist, Author, Filmmaker

Carroll Dunham is based in Nepal and spends her summers living among nomads in Mongolia. She has authored four books and produced more than a dozen films for National Geographic, PBS, the BBC, and others on subjects ranging from the female divine to nomadism and geology. She works with women’s cooperatives that engage in cross-cultural trade in herbs and textiles.

INFORMATION

Dates: This expedition is offered in April, May, August, September, and October. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies; please see our website. Airfare is not included in the price. Internal flights are an additional $500 per person. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. This itinerary is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time without notice.