from £2,995 pp
The Silk Road's fabled cities, gently explored
Flight time
~7–8 hours (direct or one stop) to Tashkent
Timezone
UZT (GMT+5)
Currency
Uzbek Som (UZS)
Visa (UK)
Visa-free for UK visitors (short stays)
Language
Uzbek (Russian widely spoken; English in tourism)
Best time
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are among the most beautiful places on earth — turquoise domes, dazzling mosaics and centuries of trade history — yet they remain blissfully uncrowded. Their great squares and old towns are flat and walkable, the high-speed trains between them are superb, and our Uzbek specialists bring the Timurid age vividly to life. A real badge of honour for the seasoned traveller.
£2,995
From per person
What you'll experience
- Registan Square in Samarkand at golden hour
- Bukhara's old town — flat, atmospheric and endlessly walkable
- The walled city of Khiva inside the Itchan Kala
- The smooth Afrosiyob high-speed train between the great cities
- A plov (pilaf) cooking experience with a local family
When to go
Best Time to Visit Silk Road
Health & vaccines
No mandatory vaccines; Hepatitis A and Tetanus recommended
Made for your pace
Why travellers over 50 love Silk Road
The great squares and old towns — Samarkand's Registan, Bukhara, Khiva — are flat, paved and easily strolled at a gentle pace.
Uzbekistan is visa-free for UK visitors, removing all the usual paperwork.
The Afrosiyob high-speed train links the cities in smooth, comfortable, air-conditioned carriages — no long road transfers.
It is one of the world's most beautiful yet least-crowded destinations — a genuine sense of discovery without the queues.
Warm, hospitable people and a fascinating cuisine make every day rewarding, with the only climbs (the minarets) entirely optional.
Experiences
Top things to do in Silk Road
1Registan Square, Samarkand
Three towering madrasas faced in turquoise and gold around a vast plaza — perhaps the single most spectacular sight on the Silk Road, and entirely flat to explore.
2Shah-i-Zinda & Gur-e-Amir
Samarkand's avenue of shimmering tiled mausoleums and the tomb of Tamerlane — Timurid artistry at its most dazzling.
3The old town of Bukhara
A compact, atmospheric maze of madrasas, trading domes and the great Poi Kalon minaret — endlessly walkable and beautifully preserved.
4Khiva's walled Itchan Kala
An entire walled inner city of minarets and palaces, flat-laned and floodlit at night — like stepping into a living museum.
5The Afrosiyob high-speed train
Glide between Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara at 200km/h in comfort — part of the journey, and a pleasure in itself.
6A plov cooking experience
Learn the secrets of Uzbekistan's beloved rice-and-lamb plov with a local family — a warm, hands-on insight into Silk Road hospitality.
Eat & drink
Food & drink in Silk Road
Plov (osh)
The national dish — rice slow-cooked with lamb, carrots and onions in a great cauldron. Every region has its own version, and it is the heart of Uzbek hospitality.
Samsa & non bread
Flaky pastries baked in a tandoor and the beautiful round stamped non bread — Silk Road staples found in every bazaar.
Shashlik & green tea
Charcoal-grilled skewers of marinated lamb served with endless pots of green tea — the social rhythm of an Uzbek meal.
Transport & transfers
Getting around Silk Road
We link the great cities by the Afrosiyob high-speed train wherever possible — fast, smooth and comfortable. The more remote leg to Khiva is covered by a short internal flight or a scenic drive. Within each city, the historic centres are compact and walkable, with a private air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking guide for transfers and excursions.
This destination suits
Exclusive · your own guide & vehicle
Private Escorted Tours
Uzbekistan
Silk Road Classic: Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva
The blue-domed cities of the Silk Road — Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, at a measured pace
From
£2,995pp
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Grand Tour: Cities of the Silk Road
The complete Silk Road — Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, a desert yurt night, Bukhara and walled Khiva
From
£3,495pp
Not sure which tour is right for you?
Our Silk Road specialists will help you find the perfect match — no hard sell, just honest advice.
Our promise
Why travel with us for Silk Road
The Silk Road's great squares and madrasas are largely flat and walkable, which suits our over-50s travellers beautifully — minarets are the only climbs, and always optional.
We link Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva by the smooth Afrosiyob high-speed train rather than long road transfers, so the journeys are as comfortable as the cities are beautiful.
Our Uzbek specialists are steeped in Timurid history and Islamic architecture — they turn a wall of blue tilework into a story you'll remember long after you return.
Common questions
Silk Road travel questions answered
How much walking is involved on the Silk Road cities?
Less than most people expect, and most of it is flat. The great sights — Samarkand's Registan, Bukhara's old town, Khiva's walled Itchan Kala — are level, paved and easily strolled at a gentle pace, with plenty of places to pause. The only real climbs are the minarets, which are always optional. It's a destination that rewards curiosity rather than stamina, which is exactly why it suits our travellers so well.
When is the best time to travel to Uzbekistan?
April to June and September to October are the sweet spots — warm, comfortable and either spring-fresh or golden with autumn. We steer guests away from July and August, when temperatures can hit 40°C, and from the cold of deep winter. Our departures fall in the spring and autumn windows.
Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan, and how do I get there?
Uzbekistan is visa-free for UK passport holders for short stays, so there is no visa paperwork at all. Flights from the UK take roughly 7–8 hours — there are direct services to Tashkent, as well as convenient one-stop options. Your specialist arranges the most comfortable routing as part of your package.
How do you travel between the cities?
Wherever possible we use the Afrosiyob high-speed train, which links Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara smoothly and quickly in comfortable, air-conditioned carriages — a world away from a long road transfer. The more remote leg to Khiva is covered by a short internal flight or a scenic drive, depending on your itinerary.
Free guide
First time visiting Silk Road?
We've put together a free guide with everything you need before you go — best time to visit, what to pack, how to get around, and a few things first-timers always wish they'd known.
Plan with confidence
Ready to start planning your Silk Road holiday?
Speak with a specialist who has been to Silk Road, knows every hotel on our programme, and will design your itinerary around exactly what you want. No hard sell — just honest, expert advice.
ATOL Protected
Your money is 100% safe, guaranteed by the CAA.
Refundable Deposits
Plans change. Your deposit is returned in full if you cancel early.
No 09:00 starts
Every day begins at your pace — Gentle, Moderate or Active, as promised.
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