The Silk Route expedition itinerary
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Sample itinerary for the Silk Route expedition
Some possible Silk Road expedition objectives are given below, please note these may alter between now and your expedition. The Expedition Programme Manager for The Silk Road expedition will agree a suitable expedition itinerary for you, to best match the abilities and aspirations of your team. |
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Arrival in the Silk Route
An expedition along the Silk Road will begin in either Tashkent (Uzbekistan) or Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). Teams flying in to Uzbekistan will most likely head to the Western Tien-Shan range, just 60km east of Tashkent. Here the Chimgan range offers great day treks from a fixed base camp, enabling teams to trek up to 3000m in preparation for a challenging main trek. For teams starting in Bishkek the Ala Archa Valley is just 30km away, and offers flexible options of longer and shorter treks to aid acclimatisation. Both areas offer great mountain vistas, rivers, lakes and meadows, making for a varied trekking experience.
Main trekking phase along The Silk Road
Central Asia offers perfect weather conditions for some serious mountain trekking from June to August, and teams can explore the magnificent Tien-Shan, Kyrgyz, Chimgan and Fann Mountain ranges, offering challenging treks of 6-12 days with peaks and passes of over 4000m. The undisputed jewel in the crown for trekking in this region is Tajikistan’s Fann Mountain range within the Pamir Mountains, just over the border and accessed from Uzbekistan. Highlights of this fantastically beautiful area include sparkling turquoise lakes, alpine meadows, soaring glaciated tops, and challenging peaks and passes up to 4740m, offering an unforgettable main trek for a motivated team.
Cultural experiences along The Silk Road
Teams can choose between a community project phase or a cultural phase involving homestays. Previous teams have been involved with community projects based in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek as well as school based projects focused more on cultural exchange. For something completely different teams can take part in homestays in rural Uzbekistan, either in the mountains around Nurata, or the Kyzyl-Kum desert, where teams can trek on camels between nomadic yurt camps, staying with friendly local families each night. These phases provide a great opportunity to learn about customs and culture on the steppes of Central Asia, practice the language, help out on the farms, and meet some incredibly friendly local people.
Rest and relaxation along The Silk Road
With dazzling gold and blue-tiled domes, soaring minarets, and majestic central squares, the fabulous and iconic Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara are unmissable, but Uzbekistan also offers shorter camel treks and yurt homestays for a different side of life on the Central Asian steppe. For a complete contrast, Kyrgyzstan's Lake Issy-Kul is a great place to spend a couple of days relaxing on the shores, swimming and sunbathing.
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