Silk Road Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,695 reviews)- Choose from 42 Silk Road tours
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Table of contents
- The best Silk Road tour packages
- What people love about Silk Road Tours
- Travel Silk Road your way
- Best tour companies for Silk Road tours
- Discover Silk Road tours for every budget
- Silk Road tours for every group
- Top Silk Road travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Silk Road
- Contact our Silk Road travel experts
- What our customers ask about Silk Road Tours & Trips
The best Silk Road tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaSilk Road travel expert at TourRadar
The Five Stans of the Silk Road
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Had a great experience, very well organised tour.”
Rupinder, traveled in May
The legendary Silk Road winds through five nations, showcasing UNESCO treasures like Samarkand's Registan Square and Khiva's ancient city. Local life unfolds in traditional yurt camps at Song Köl Lake, while Charyn Canyon's red cliffs and the fiery Darvaza crater captivate visitors. The 26-day route from Bishkek to Ashgabat includes 25 breakfasts and expert guides.
Duration 26 days Destinations Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From
- US$5,399
The historic Silk Road unfolds from Kusadasi to Istanbul over 7 days, featuring UNESCO sites like Ephesus and Hierapolis. Boutique accommodations include distinctive cave hotels in Cappadocia, with 6 breakfasts and 5 dinners provided. Small groups of 2-20 travelers visit ancient caravanserais and underground cities.
Duration 7 days Destinations Kusadasi, Selcuk, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Goreme, Ankara, Istanbul Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Operator Fez Travel From
- US$1,519
Central Asia Combined Silk Road Tour
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had excellent guides and drivers to make our travel in a new country very comfortable.”
khatoon, traveled in October
The ancient Silk Road spans 5 countries, highlighting UNESCO treasures like Samarkand's Registan and Ancient Merv. Traditional crafts come alive in Khiva's workshops and Gijhduvan's pottery house. Guests rest in historic properties like Komil in Bukhara's old town.
Duration 21 days Destinations Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Age Range 5 to 80 year olds Operator Steppe Journeys From $3,990
5% Off- US$3,791+$120 upfront costsYou save $199
The Silk Road of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“With excellent local knowledge.”
Joanne, traveled in May
The ancient path stretches from Bishkek to Tashkent over 23 days. Highlights include Arslanbob's walnut forests, traditional yurts at Song Kul Lake, and UNESCO sites like Khiva's Old Citadel and Samarkand's Registan Square. Homestays and cultural performances provide authentic local experiences.
Duration 23 days Destinations Bishkek, Burana, Issyk Kul Lake, Karakol, Kochkor, Song Kul Lake, Toktogul, Jalalabad, Arslanbob, OshSee all destinations Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
5% Off- US$6,290
Kyrgyzstan's Silk Road Journey
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Yurt camp and Son-Kul Lake, the was a magical experience. The locals everywhere were very friendly and generous.”
Nicola, traveled in September
The Silk Road leads from Bishkek's historic sites to Tashkent's Soviet architecture. Traditional yurts at Song Kul Lake, Karakol's unique Dungan mosque, and Rishtan's ceramic workshops offer authentic experiences with local families.
Duration 14 days Destinations Bishkek, Burana, Issyk Kul Lake, Karakol, Kochkor, Song Kul Lake, Toktogul, Jalalabad, Arslanbob, OshSee all destinations Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
5% Off- US$3,600
What people love about Silk Road Tours
- The Five Stans of the Silk Road
Had a great experience, very well organised tour, thanks.
- Central Asia Combined Silk Road Tour
Great tour into interesting countries. Would book it again.
- The Silk Road of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Second tour manager in Uzbekistan was also good. With excellent local knowledge.
Travel Silk Road your way
Our explorer routes go deep into Central Asia's cultural core, with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan's ancient cities being the real crowd-pleasers. People who travel with us keep talking about their nights camping by Darvaza Crater's eternal flames and getting lost in Bukhara's old trading domes. You'll stay in desert yurt camps, join Tajik families for home-cooked meals and watch local artisans make traditional felt. The routes use practical high-speed trains between major spots, giving you proper time to take in places like Samarkand's Registan Square and also Khiva's ancient Silk Road streets. The longer explorer trips link Kazakhstan's modern Astana with Tashkent's bustling markets. TourRadar customers tell us they love how varied it is - you'll go from sleek city restaurants to sitting with eagle hunters in tiny Kyrgyz villages. Taking 14-21 days means you can really get to know each place, from the ancient rock art at Cholpon Ata to Bukhara's soaring minarets and also the local markets.
The cultural tours through Central Asia weave together authentic experiences at every step of the journey. Our most extensive routes connect Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and also Turkmenistan, where TourRadar customers often mention how traveling in small groups helps them build lasting connections while discovering these five nations together. You'll join Kyrgyz families for meals in their homes, pick up felt-making skills in local workshops, and drift off to sleep in yurt camps beneath star-filled skies. Through the detailed tiles of Khiva, merchant domes of Bukhara and also Samarkand's magnificent Registan Square, the architectural heritage speaks volumes about the region's past. The personal moments make these cultural journeys distinctive - our travelers frequently find themselves welcomed into family celebrations, learning traditional bread-making techniques in local kitchens, observing silk weavers at their craft in Margilan and spending time with eagle hunters in remote Kyrgyz villages. The itineraries thoughtfully balance UNESCO heritage sites with genuine cultural exchanges, whether you're settling in by Darvaza Crater's eternal flames, discovering the painted caves of Mogao or experiencing the energy of Kashgar's Sunday animal market. Our customers consistently note how the expert guides seamlessly connect historical context with practical cultural insights at each location.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Silk Road. We have 22 adventures that vary from 7 days to 26 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Select from our extensive range of 20 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Silk Road with our expert guides leading the way.
Best tour companies for Silk Road tours
Looking at the tour companies running Central Asian trips, Steppe Journeys really stands out from what our travelers tell us. They've got the logistics down to an art - arranging visas, sorting transport and handling all those tricky border crossings that can be such a pain in this region. Their local guides know their stuff and stay in good contact with travelers before and during the journey, which makes a real difference when you're in less-traveled places. Silk Road Tours does excellent work on the China section of the historic trade routes. They're particularly good at crafting routes that connect the key sites while giving you proper time to understand the history and cultural significance. I should mention though - some of our customers have pointed out that the hotels they book aren't always consistent with service levels, especially in some of the smaller cities and towns along the route. Both companies know their territories inside out, but if you're specifically looking at Central Asia proper - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and also Tajikistan - Steppe Journeys has the edge based on recent feedback. They seem to have better connections on the ground and more consistent quality across their services.
Discover Silk Road tours for every budget
Looking for a smart way to explore the Silk Road without breaking the bank? The 14-day Kyrgyzstan route really delivers with nights in traditional yurt camps by Son Kul Lake and local guesthouses in Kochkor. You'll trek the Moldo-Toor mountains, visit rich walnut forests in Arslanbob and cross high mountain passes that nomads have used for centuries. Another solid choice runs 13 days through Kyrgyzstan and also Uzbekistan - our travelers love how it mixes mountain landscapes with ancient Silk Road cities. You'll camp under starlit skies, learn traditional felt-making and explore Tashkent's decorated metro stations. What makes these trips special are the genuine local connections, like sharing meals with Dungan families and experiencing folk music performances firsthand.
Silk Road budget tours
Silk Road tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
34 tours in Silk RoadExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Silk Road. We have 34 adventures that vary from 7 days to 31 days. With the greatest number of departures in May, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
16 tours in Silk RoadOur travelers give top marks to the small-group Central Asia journey that expertly covers all five 'Stans' with guides who navigate tricky border crossings with ease. You'll dine with local families in Kyrgyzstan, wander through Uzbekistan's historic trading cities, and fall asleep under desert stars in Turkmenistan. The China Silk Road tour offers another solid choice, moving from Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors through Zhangye's striped mountains, before heading to Dunhuang for camel rides across singing dunes and visits to the painted Mogao caves. What TourRadar customers appreciate most is how these tours mix UNESCO landmarks with genuine cultural exchanges - from felt-making workshops in Kochkor to ceramics demonstrations in Gijduvan and visits with eagle hunters in remote Kyrgyz settlements. For those short on time, the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan combo works well, connecting Tashkent's vibrant bazaars to Bukhara's merchant domes by rail and including an overnight stay near the captivating Darvaza crater. The small group sizes mean you can connect with local families, gain deeper insights from expert guides and stay in charming family guesthouses that bigger tours just can't manage.
Private / Personalized
8 tours in Silk RoadPrivate tours give you more control over your Silk Road experience. The week-long Uzbekistan journey lets you set the pace, and TourRadar customers consistently praise their guides' deep knowledge about places like Bukhara's trading domes and also Samarkand's Registan Square. High-speed trains connect the cities, with plenty of time built in for bazaar wandering. The 12-day China route from Beijing's Great Wall to the Taklamakan Desert is particularly engaging - our travelers get private access to ceramic workshops in Rishtan, watch traditional paper-making in Samarkand and explore quieter sections of ancient city walls. For a complete picture, there's a 16-day journey linking Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and also Turkmenistan using a mix of flights and comfortable drives to really dig into each region.
Top Silk Road travel itineraries to fit your plans
The 10-day journeys really show you what the Silk Road is about, especially in China's western regions. Starting at Xi'an's Terra Cotta Warriors, you'll travel past rainbow mountains near Zhangye, see the Great Wall's western end at Jiayuguan and head into the Gobi Desert. Our customers love riding camels at Dunhuang's singing sand dunes and exploring the painted Mogao caves. The timing works well - you'll use flights and comfortable trains to cover ground while having proper time to explore each location. These longer trips give you time to really get into local life. One day you might learn about traditional carpet weaving in Hotan, the next you're exploring Kashgar's lively Sunday animal market. TourRadar customers often mention how much they like the mix of UNESCO sites with chances to meet local families, try regional dishes and watch craftspeople working in their traditional workshops.
Two-week Silk Road expeditions give you the full picture of Central Asia's ancient trade routes. Our Kyrgyzstan journey goes from Bishkek through the Tien Shan mountains, spending nights in traditional yurt camps by Song Kul Lake and walking through Arslanbob's walnut forests. The longer schedule means real cultural immersion - travelers often mention how much they enjoyed home-cooked meals, watching felt-making demonstrations and also evenings of folk music in family homes. The complete China routes from Xi'an to Kashgar include both major Silk Road sites and hidden spots like Labrang Monastery and the cliff-carved Binglingsi Grottos. You'll travel by high-speed rail and private vehicle, staying in 4-star hotels and local guesthouses. The 14-day Uzbekistan trips cover the Fergana Valley's silk workshops, ceramic artists in Rishtan and the desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm, showing you both living traditions and archaeological sites.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
Almaty, Bishkek, Issyk Kul Lake, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Mary, Ashgabat, Dashoguz, Khiva, Khujand (Leninabad)
Demographics
The Central Asia Combined Silk Road Tour really works well for people traveling solo. Our customers tell us how the small group setup helps them make friends while exploring five different countries together. You'll share meals with local families in Kyrgyzstan, wander through Uzbekistan's old trading cities and sleep under the stars at desert camps in Turkmenistan. The guides do a great job sharing deep cultural knowledge and handling all those tricky border crossings.
If you're looking at China's western regions, there's a solid route starting from the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an. You'll ride camels at Dunhuang's dunes, check out the ancient Mogao Caves and explore Kashgar's busy markets. TourRadar customers particularly like how it mixes comfortable hotels near the main sites with efficient high-speed train connections between stops.
For solo travelers in Turkey, the Silk Road Explorer hits a sweet spot between historical sites and local culture. You'll explore Ephesus's ruins, take a dip in Pamukkale's thermal pools and discover Cappadocia's underground cities. What makes this route special is how it weaves together historical places with real cultural experiences - you'll see carpet weaving, listen to traditional music and also join local families for meals.
Our most engaging Silk Road routes blend proper adventure with authentic local connections, perfect for younger travelers seeking active cultural immersion. The five-country journey gets high marks from TourRadar customers, who love the small group format that helps solo travelers bond while exploring markets, sharing meals with families and sleeping under desert stars. Adventure comes alive through high-altitude treks across Kyrgyzstan's mountains, where nights are spent in traditional yurt camps swapping tales around campfires. The China portion connects Xi'an to Kashgar by fast train and includes riding camels at Dunhuang's singing dunes, discovering painted caves and exploring vibrant animal markets. Many itineraries feature homestays in Kochkor, where guests join local folk music shows and learn traditional felt-making techniques. Our customers often mention how these tours strike an ideal balance between guided historical context, independent bazaar exploration, regional cuisine sampling and also natural connections with fellow travelers in characteristic old town environments.
Our older travelers really appreciate the Central Asia Combined Silk Road Tour's thoughtful balance. You'll stay in quality 3-4 star hotels, travel between cities on modern trains and have experienced local guides in each country. The well-paced schedule gives you proper time to take in Samarkand's Registan Square, explore Bukhara's mosques and also wander through Khiva's walled city.
The 10-day Xi'an to Kashgar journey works particularly well for seniors exploring China's Silk Road. You'll find comfortable hotels throughout, take internal flights instead of long drives and travel with guides who know how to pace the sightseeing just right. TourRadar customers in this age group often mention how much they value the detailed historical commentary at the Terra Cotta Warriors, Mogao Caves and also the ancient ruins of Jiaohe.
The Five Stans route gives seniors a complete experience with smart planning built in. You'll find well-located hotels, comfortable transport between destinations and professional guides in each major city. The schedule includes rest breaks, optional activities and also plenty of time to really understand each place you visit.
- Solo Travelers29 tours
- Seniors (50+)21 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Silk Road
- Spring 2025
The Silk Road really comes to life in spring, especially through Central Asia. Our May departures hit that sweet spot for temperature - perfect for exploring Samarkand's blue-domed monuments and wandering the old merchant quarters of Bukhara. Travelers love our 21-day route covering all five Central Asian states at this time. You'll catch the Fann Mountains dotted with spring wildflowers, visit family-run felt workshops in Kochkor and discover the ancient ruins of Merv in ideal archaeological conditions. The 10-day China segments running from Xi'an are quite popular too - TourRadar customers particularly enjoy seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors, the colorful Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye and also the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang when desert crossings feel just right.
- March 2025 17 tours
- 20 tours
- popular 28 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer opens up different possibilities along the Silk Road - the high passes clear completely and nomadic families settle into their seasonal pastures. The comprehensive routes from Bishkek to Ashgabat really shine these months. You'll sleep in traditional yurt camps by Song Kul Lake, trek through Grigorevka Gorge and meet local families when traditional crafting is in full swing. Our guides work around the heat, planning early morning and late afternoon visits to places like Bukhara and Khiva, using midday for museums and indoor workshops. TourRadar customers tell us they love the evening atmosphere at Tashkent's Chorsu Bazaar, the outdoor restaurants in Samarkand and also those long summer days that make photography at Registan Square just perfect.
- popular 26 tours
- 21 tours
- 26 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn catches the Silk Road at its trading peak - the bazaars overflow with harvest goods and temperatures settle back to comfortable levels. The Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan routes work beautifully these months. You can properly explore Khiva's open-air museums, camp near the fascinating Darvaza crater and walk through Ashgabat's distinctive white marble streets. Our September and October departures combining western China with Central Asia are quite popular - you'll experience both the lively Dunhuang night markets and Samarkand's historic Jewish quarter in ideal weather. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan's mountain routes turn golden this time of year, creating perfect conditions for photography at Charyn Canyon, visits with eagle hunters and also stays in family homes around Issyk Kul Lake.
- popular 28 tours
- 23 tours
Contact our Silk Road travel experts
Rufus
Expert in Silk Road at TourRadar
Rufus is one of our seasoned Silk Road Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Silk Road tours answered!
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+1 844 311 8331What our customers ask about Silk Road Tours & Trips
What's The Deal With Visas Along The Silk Road?
Getting visas for your Silk Road adventure really depends on where you're from and which countries you're planning to visit. Here's the good news - Uzbekistan's pretty relaxed about it now with many nationalities getting 30 days visa-free. Kazakhstan's also opened up with visa-free options for shorter stays and Kyrgyzstan welcomes lots of nationalities without visas for different lengths of time. Tajikistan still needs visas but you can sort that out online or when you arrive. Now Turkmenistan that's a bit trickier - you'll need an invitation letter and usually need to book a tour first. If you're on our Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan Adventure we'll help get that LOI sorted for you. Best to check with embassies though as these things change pretty often.
How Do You Get Around On The Silk Road?
Getting around's actually pretty impressive these days especially in Uzbekistan where you've got high-speed trains connecting the main spots like Tashkent Bukhara and Samarkand. Our private Uzbekistan tour uses these Afrosiyob trains and they're really comfortable. When you're heading into the mountains of Kyrgyzstan you'll be in private vehicles - that's what we use on our Central Asia in-depth tour. Sometimes we'll need to fly between the bigger distances like Almaty to Dushanbe. In the cities themselves walking's great for really getting to know the place and local taxis and buses are there if you need them.
Which Ancient Cities Should I Definitely See?
You've got to see Samarkand in Uzbekistan - the Registan Square is just mind-blowing and you'll find amazing Islamic architecture like the Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Our 14-day Classical tour really shows it off well. Bukhara's another must-visit with its medieval center still intact - those madrassas and the Kalyan Minaret are incredible. Check out Khiva too with its walled city and stunning minarets. If you're heading to Turkmenistan Merv's fascinating - it's this huge archaeological site that's been around since the 6th century BC. You can explore it on our Central Asia 5 Stans tour.
What Kind of Local Experiences Can I Have?
There's so much you can actually do hands-on! In Kochkor Kyrgyzstan you can learn traditional felt-making from local artists - we include this in our Central Asia in-depth tour. Over in Bokonbaevo you can watch amazing falconry displays it's been part of their culture for generations. Gijduvan in Uzbekistan has these incredible ceramic workshops run by families who've been doing it for six generations. The bazaars are everywhere and they're great for finding traditional crafts and local goods. One of our travelers absolutely loved the carpet museum in Turkmenistan - it's pretty special.
What About Natural Attractions Beyond The Cities?
The natural scenery's absolutely stunning! Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan is this massive alpine lake where you can hike and swim - it's part of our Kyrgyzstan Silk Road Journey. Kazakhstan's Charyn Canyon is incredible looks a bit like the Grand Canyon actually. The red rocks at Jety-Oguz Gorge in Kyrgyzstan are spectacular especially when the wildflowers are out. You can spend the night in a yurt in Uzbekistan's Kyzylkum Desert - nothing beats stargazing there. The Pamir Highway through Tajikistan's just breathtaking with all those mountain views. Our Bishkek to Ashgabat tour takes you right through there and the scenery's unforgettable.