11 days, Samarkand-Dushanbe. A journey to far off lands and a world seldom seen

Itinerary

Day 1: Samarkand

Stop At: Gur Emir Mausoleum, Samarkand Uzbekistan
Day 1: Samarkand

Today we will meet as a group and with tour leader, Brett. We will head out for a welcome meal, getting to know each other over local delicacies.

We will visit the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum which in Persian translates to ‘tomb of the king’ and the final resting place of the Asian conqueror, Timur. It is a majestic sight of a night-time, its mosaic in an array of colours glistening under a starlit sky.

This evening will consist of a Hotel stay by the city centre and a number of Samarkand attractions.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel stay

Day 2: Samarkand

Stop At: Registan St, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Samarkand 140164 Uzbekistan
Day 2: Samarkand

After breakfast at the hotel we head out on foot, the best way to take in the sights, smells and attractions of this bustling ancient Silk Road city. We will first visit the ancient hub of Samarkand, the Registan square. There, we will enter the madrassahs and explore, envisaging moments from the past here such as lively traders, royal proclamations and public executions.

We head down Toshkent Street and Bibi-Khanym mosque admiring the stunning Islamic architecture. We will venture into the nearby Siob Bazaar where traders still ply their wares. This is a great chance to interact with locals, take photos and pick up items such as Iranian pistachios or local dried apricots.

We stop for a bite of lunch before our next stop, the necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda. This stunning avenue of mausoleum contains some of the richest and most spectacular tile work in the Muslim world. It really needs to be seen to be believed. We will spend a few hours taking in the grandeur of this spiritual and fascinating place.

We will head off to relax a while at the hotel before sampling more local cuisine at our evening meal..

Hotel stay

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel stay

Day 3: Panjakent

Stop At: Panjakent, Panjakent, Sughd Province
Day 3: Panjakent

After breakfast at our hotel we travel to the Uzbekistan border and cross over into Tajikistan. From here it is a short drive to our first Tajik stop, the former centre of the Sogdian empire, Panjakent.

After settling into our hotel and a bite for lunch, we head to ancient Penjakant, dubbed the ‘Pompeii of Central Asia’. We will stroll around the ruins and the remains of what was one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the Silk Road between the 5th and 8th century.

Late afternoon you are free to explore Panjakent town, the bazaar or relax at the hotel before we head out to dine at a place renowned for the national dish, Plov.

Hotel stay.

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel stay

Day 4: Fann mountains

Stop At: Seven Lakes, Marguzor Tajikistan
Day 4: Seven Lakes, Fann Mountains

After breakfast at the hotel we are picked up by 4WD and head towards the stunning Haft Kul, or 7 lakes. Driving high into the Fann mountains we are met by a 20km chain of sparkling turquoise lakes. The road ends and we walk the remaining 45 minutes to the 7th lake, Hazor Chasma, a breathtaking sight which words do no justice.

On our way back to Panjakent we stop in the tiny village of Nofin where our host Jumabhoy and his family serve up lunch at his family home, all ingredients sourced from their own property.

We arrive back at the hotel in Panjakent around 5pm, enough time to relax for a short while before heading out with the group for dinner.


Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel stay

Day 5: Iskanderkul lake

Stop At: Iskanderkul Lake, Tajikistan
Day 5: Iskanderkul Lake

We have breakfast at our hotel and then head along the Zeravshan valley to Savroda and then onwards to the phenomenal, Iskanderkul lake. This glacial giant is named in Tajik after Alexander the Great, who has many legends connected to the site. It is a vision of true natural beauty and we will have a few hours to take it in and take in a walk to the nearby waterfall.

After Iskanderkul, we head further up the mountain to the village of Sarytag at approximately 2500 metres above sea level. We are met by our host Dilovar and his family in this tiny mountain top village.

Dilovar and his family prepare us a home cooked dinner, all locally sourced.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay

Day 6: Sarytag

Stop At: Sarytag, Sarytag, Sughd Province
Day 6: Sarytag

Today is a rest day to spend in the charming village of Sarytag. An option is a short walk around the area and over the suspension bridge. This is the ideal place to interact with locals and observe time held practices and ancient traditions of Tajik Village life.

Our host Dilovar and his family will look after us with warm Tajik hospitality, preparing us a freshly cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay

Day 7: Alauddin lakes

Stop At: Alauddin Lakes, Alauddin, Du-Oba Tajikistan
Day 7: Alauddin Lakes

Today we travel back to Savroda and onwards via 4WD towards the azure gem that is Alaudin lakes. From the trail head we walk the 3km to be rewarded by the majestic and mesmerizing crystal blue waters. We will spend a few hours to have lunch and either explore or unwind in this stunning location.

Tonight will be spent at a local family homestay.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay

Day 8: Margib

Stop At: Yagnob Valley, Dushanbe Tajikistan
Day 8: Margib, Yagnob Valley

After breakfast we take a 2hr drive into the remote Yagnob valley to the village of Margib and wander around this unique place. We meet our host Sabuddin and have lunch at his family home. After lunch we take in a hill walk where we pass Tajik shepherd boys guiding their flocks down off mountain pastures and get the ideal vantage point of the imposing jagged peak of Zamin Karor.

We make our way back down to Margib, where our host will have dinner of home grown produce ready for our hungry group.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay

Day 9: Bedev

Stop At: Yagnob Valley, Dushanbe Tajikistan
Day 9: Bedev, Yagnob Valley

After breakfast we head deeper into the Yagnob valley to the villages of Bedev and Makithmay. Even 4WD’s can go no further and locals are cut off due to snow and avalanche for the majority of the year. This is one of the areas affected by Stalin’s forced migration of the 1930’s and up until then this valley and its people were virtually untouched by the outside world. It is also home to some of the very few remaining native Sogdian speaking peoples, an ancient Iranian civilisation, their ancestral ties evident with blue eyes and blond hair.

We will arrive at our family homestay, have lunch and then walk around seeing houses from the forced migration and paying a visit to the local school to meet and have fun with the local children.

The rest of the afternoon you are free to wander and take in a world and ways very different to our own.

Dinner at and overnight at family homestay.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Homestay

Day 10: Dushanbe

Stop At: Dushanbe, Dushanbe
Day 10: Dushanbe

Today after breakfast we make the 4 hour journey over the Anzob pass, through the ‘Dragons Mouth’ the Anzob tunnel and onwards to the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

After checking in at our hotel, it is a free afternoon depending on each person’s interests. Relaxing at the hotel, taking in sights such as Rudaki Park and the National Museum, Bazaars and souvenir shopping are all options.

We will go out for a meal to celebrate the journey, share contact details and reflect on all the adventures that have been had.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel

Day 11: Dushanbe

Stop At: Dushanbe, Dushanbe
Day 11: Dushanbe

Breakfast, check out and departure to respective locations.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.