When someone whispers the word Samarkand, the word brings to mind bygone times or the tales of the Arabian Nights told at bedtime. It is a magical place where East and West meet, which reached its greatest splendour when Tamerlane, heir to Genghis Khan, made it his imperial capital.
Samarkand has been like a phoenix, always rising again from its own ashes.
The Route of Thirsta was a network of trade routes that emerged in the 1st century BC in response to strong demand for Chinese silk. Starting in Chang’an (now Xi’an), China, its many routes stretched across Asia, eventually connecting with Europe and East Africa.
Three destinations, three ways to discover the Silk Road: Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Easter is the perfect opportunity to discover some of the most legendary stretches of the Silk Road. We have prepared three special itineraries through storied cities, unforgettable landscapes and ancient cultures.
Two neighbouring nations with distinct cultures and cuisines, both with incomparable heritage and beauty shaped by centuries of trade in textiles passing through their lands on the way to East Asia.
Do you know the differences between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan? What will be the destination of your trip?
Autumn is one of the best times to travel the legendary Silk Road. With pleasant temperatures and fewer travellers, we can explore its historic cities comfortably and in depth. We have prepared special departures for those who want to discover the Silk Road without the crowds and summer heat.
Discover the Silk Road. Travel to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan in autumn.
May is the perfect month to venture into the heart of Central Asia and discover the wonders of Uzbekistan. We invite you to step back in time in two of the Silk Road’s most fascinating “Stans”: Uzbekistan, whose legendary city names alone evoke dreams, and Turkmenistan, a country shrouded in mystery and closed to tourism for many years.
From the grandeur of the ancient Silk Road cities to the desolation of the Aral Sea and the Kyzylkum Desert. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan offer a unique experience for travellers looking to explore the past.
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Silk Road and discover the magic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan before places sell out.
Our group from the trip to Kyrgyzstan around Lake Issyk Kul, which departed on 26 June, has now returned, and the travellers share their impressions of the trip.
Useful information for future travellers to Kyrgyzstan: the highlights and drawbacks, as told by people who have been there.
Both end in “tan”, but what we find there is very different…
– UZBEKISTAN: A celebration of Islamic history and architecture along the ancient Silk Road. Desert and steppe landscapes
– KYRGYZSTAN: the Switzerland of Central Asia: nomads with their yurts, forests, an average altitude of 2000 m and the peaks of the Pamirs on the horizon.
When someone whispers the word Samarkand, the word brings to mind bygone times or the tales of the Arabian Nights told at bedtime. It is a magical place where East and West meet, which reached its greatest splendour when Tamerlane, heir to Genghis Khan, made it his imperial capital.
On many occasions we travel to know new things and discover wonderful places, landscapes and sensations. But there's something else, without which travel would make no sense. Something that vividly reflects all the above, the true essence of the place: local population.
Over our many years of experience we have travelled the world, crossing paths with men, women and children from every corner of the globe. Sometimes they greeted us with smiles; at other times with wise, innocent or curious looks. In every case, their faces have remained etched in our memories and those of our travellers, becoming part of us and ensuring we never forget them.
In their honour, we have put together a collection of images of people we have met on our travel. They are the faces of the human diversity.
A few days ago we shared on our page of Facebook video of The Gate of Hell in Turkmenistan. We were there in 2010, and for those who think they've seen almost everything, the Darvaza Crater is proof of our planet’s immense capacity to surprise us, although there is a price to pay, an inevitable toll.