EXCLUSIVE OFFER

18-Nights Signature: The Five Stans & the Heart of the Silk Road - National Geographic Signature

Central Asia

Vacation Overview

Tour Details
Signature: The Five Stans & the Heart of the Silk Road
Trace the legends of the Silk Road across five nations. From the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains to the monuments of Tashkent, connect with the living soul of Central Asia. Experience exclusive museum access, master the art of Uzbek plov, and tour top-secret science facilities on an expedition defined by discovery and depth.

Highlights
WHERE STORIES COME TO LIFE
  • After-Hours at the Guri Emir Mausoleum - Enter Tamerlane’s mausoleum after hours for a private talk on the Timurid legacy.
  • Burana Tower Visit - Burana Tower Visit Visit the historical site of Burana and climb the stairs to check out the view from the top. A large minaret, along with some grave markers and remnants of a castle and mausoleums, are all that remain of the 9th century city of Balasagun.
  • Expert Wrap-Up & Farewell Dinner at the TV Tower - Tour Soviet monuments before a panoramic farewell dinner atop the Tashkent TV Tower.

Group Leader
All National Geographic Signature group trips are accompanied by one of our National Geographic Expedition Leaders throughout. The aim of the Expedition Leaders is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes
Max. 22, Avg. 18.
 

Daily Itinerary

Detailed itinerary not available.

Included Amenities

  • Accommodation: Hotels (18 nights)
  • Meals Included:18 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners
  • Transport: Private Vehicle, Walking, Plane, Train, Metro
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Bishkek
  • Your Foodie Moment: Kazakh Dinner in Traditional Yurt, Almaty
  • Signature Moment: “Golden Man” Experience at Issyk State Historical and Cultural Reserve Museum, Almaty
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment and Dinner - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Tashkent
  • Signature Moment: After-Hours at the Guri Emir Mausoleum, Samarkand
  • Your Local Living Moment: Plov Cooking Class and Dinner, Samarkand
  • Arrival and departure transfer
  • Bishkek City Walking Tour
  • Free time in Bishkek
  • Traditional Kyrgyz Dinner & Cultural Demonstration
  • Burana Tower Visit
  • Lunch and Village Immersion with Nomadic Traditions
  • Almaty City Tour
  • Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Huns Ethno Village Visit and Lunch
  • Free Time in Almaty
  • Guided City Tour of Dushanbe
  • Traditional Tajik Welcome Dinner
  • National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
  • Historic Hissor Fortress & Madrasah
  • Local Family Visit & Cultural Experience
  • Free time in Dushanbe
  • Guided City Tour of Tashkent
  • Farewell Dinner at the TV Tower
  • Historic Tashkent City tour & Sacred Sites Visit
  • Chorsu Bazaar Visit
  • Rakhimov Family Art Studio Visit
  • Free time in Tashkent
  • Guided Tour of Samarkand
  • Architectural Wonders of Samarkand
  • Tersak Village Visit
  • Afrasiab Museum of Samarkand Visit
  • Guided Exploration of Bukhara's Icons
  • Naqshnabdi Mausoleum Visit
  • Sitorai Mohi-Khosa Visit
  • Free Time in Bukhara
  • Bukhara Old Town visit
  • Caravanserai dinner
  • Old Town Exploration in Khiva
  • Guided Tour of Khiva
  • Free Time in Khiva
  • Khorezmian Music and Dance Show
  • Dashoguz Local Market
  • Ancient Settlement of Nisa.
  • Free Time in Ashgabat
  • City Tour of Ashgabat
  • Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout
  • Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles
  • Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Starting From
$11,599

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE VIEW ALL G ADVENTURES OFFERS
Call Vincent Vacations: 1 (888) 883-0460
Trip Summary
Supplier G Adventures
Departure Date Multiple Dates Available
Duration 18 Nights
Offer ID 1706215
Call Vincent Vacations: 1 (888) 883-0460
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.