Tour Mongolia And The Silk Road Explorer | Visit Mongolia, Uzbekistan

Transport

Transport as described

Meals

24 breakfasts 6 lunches 6 dinners

Others

A comprehensive schedule of sightseeing with certified Local Guides. You’ll have a generous sprinkling of free time to relax or explore on your own.

Guide

An experienced Tour Leader accompanies the whole journey to keep your adventure on track. Local Guides are native to each destination and certified professionals will share their immense knowledge with you. 24/7 support is available in the office and on the ground.

Accommodation

20 hotels/guesthouse (twin share) 3 nights Mongolian gers (shared) 1 night train

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrive Ulaanbaatar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive Ulaanbaatar

We begin our adventure in Ulaanbaatar and join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers on Day 1 at 4:00pm for your Welcome Meeting. On the first evening we are treated to a wonderful show of traditional arts, music and song, including the unforgettable ‘throat-singing’ as a welcome to Mongolia. Mongolia’s political, commercial and cultural capital since 1649, today much of the modern city of Ulaanbaatar is dominated by Soviet architecture from the 20th century, but traditional culture is still alive and well amongst the city’s population.
Day 2 Day 2: Let The Festivities Commence!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Let The Festivities Commence!

Let the festivities commence! It is time to make our way with the crowds to the National Sports Stadium for the spectacular Opening Ceremony. Imagine the fanfare of an Olympic opening ceremony, the national pride of Independence Day and the athletic spectacle of the Commonwealth Games all rolled into one. Taking our place for the procession, we see not only athletes, but monks, officials and local celebrities – it seems that everyone makes their way here. The procession presents a magnificent sight with hundreds of horses with riders dressed in colourful national costumes on parade. The first rounds of wrestling and archery begin.
Day 3 Day 3: Naadam Festival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Naadam Festival

Horseracing is the focus on the second day of the festival, out of town on the steppe we go. These races are the domain of the younger children, who compete for the title ‘Tumnii Ekh’ (‘Leader of Ten Thousand’). Join the crowds, who are often as entertaining as the competitors themselves, in cheering the winners and serenading the losers in song!
Day 4 Day 4: Naadam Festival And To Bayangobi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Naadam Festival And To Bayangobi

Naadam festivities continue outside of the city. This morning we make our way to the Khui Doloon Khudag Valley for the Horse Trainers Festival before continuing to the serenity and unique landscapes of the Bayangobi.
Day 5 Day 5: To Kharkhorin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: To Kharkhorin

We continue across the steppe to Kharkhorin, the capital of Mongolia in the 13th century during the reign of the infamous Genghis Khan. Little remains of over 100 temples with many destroyed during the Soviet era. However, Erdene Zuu Monastery, built in 1856, the largest and first Buddhist centre in the country is what we have come to visit. Most remarkably it retains most of its former glory and treasures.
Day 6 Day 6: Khutsai National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Khutsai National Park

From Kharkhorin we travel to Khustai National Park where Prezwalski horses, known locally as ‘Takhi’, were introduced after previously becoming extinct in their native habitat. We stay in a ger – traditional Mongolian felt tents, with plenty of time to relax and learn more about the lifestyle of Mongolia’s nomadic peoples.
Day 7 Day 7: Return To Ulaanbaatar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Return To Ulaanbaatar

Making our way back to the bright lights of the city where life is slowly returning to normal after the most important festivities of the year, we stop en route to take in the incredible panoramic views of the city at Zaisan Memorial after mingling with monks at Gandaan Khiid, the country’s largest remaining monastery. Here our fascinating journey concludes.
Day 8 Day 8: Ulaanbaatar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Ulaanbaatar

Our adventure in Mongolia has drawn to a close. We have a final dinner in the city before we journey on to Central Asia.
Day 9 Day 9: Ulaanbaatar And Fly To Bishkek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Ulaanbaatar And Fly To Bishkek

We take an early morning flight to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Day 10 Day 10: Bishkek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Bishkek

A day to enjoy all that Bishkek has to offer. We wander the boulevards and enjoy the many and intriguing soviet buildings.
Day 11 Day 11: Bishkek - Day Trip To Ala Archa National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Bishkek - Day Trip To Ala Archa National Park

Leaving the city behind we venture to Ala Archa National Park an alpine idyll rich with waterfalls, juniper trees, gorges, sparkling rivers and glaciers. We enjoy the day in nature.
Day 12 Day 12: To Chon Kemin Via Cholpan Ata
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: To Chon Kemin Via Cholpan Ata

Today we drive to the beautiful river district of Chon Kemin. Chon Kemin is a unique natural reserve where glaciers are bordered with green coniferous forests and steppe regions. We see the contrast of green meadows in the valley against permanent snow covering the ranges of Kungei-Ala-Too and Zailiyskiy-Ala-Too which tower above us.
Day 13 Day 13: To Karakol
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: To Karakol

After breakfast, we drive along beautiful mountain ridges and vast green valleys to reach Karakol visiting horse stables on the way to see the marvellous horses of Kyrgyzstan. Upon arrival in Karakol we have a city tour.
Day 14 Day 14: Karakol - Day Trip To Djiety Oguz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Karakol - Day Trip To Djiety Oguz

Today we visit a Chinese mosque, which was constructed in 1907, in the style of a Chinese temple for the local Dungans, yet was built in the Kyrgyz traditional wood feathering style instead of metal nail construction. We will also visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, which was completed in 1895. In the afternoon we travel to the Valley of the Flowers and DJety-Oguz where we can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone.
Day 15 Day 15: To Almaty Via Charyn Canyon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: To Almaty Via Charyn Canyon

Our departure takes us to Charyn Canyon, a natural wonder said to rival the Grand Canyon. Then it’s on to Kazakhstan and Almaty a city rich in European cafes, refined restaurants and glitzy shopping malls.
Day 16 Day 16: Fly Almaty To Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Fly Almaty To Tashkent

Today we fly to Tashkent, the heart of Tamerlane’s great empire.
Day 17 Day 17: To Samarkand
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: To Samarkand

We depart by train to Samarkand – the most evocative city of the Silk Road, often referred to as ‘Golden Samarkand’, after the romantic poem ‘The Golden Road to Samarkand’ by English poet, James Elroy Flecker, who strangely never visited the area. Still, that is a minor detail when we consider that the city’s Registan is simply the most spectacular architectural ensemble in Central Asia. Comprised of three madrassas (places of learning) and a mosque, this beautiful square is inspiring. Other highlights include Shah-IZinda, with its narrow alleys of tombs and mausoleums, Bibi Khanym Mosque and the Ulug Bek Observatory.
Day 18 Day 18: Samarkand
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Samarkand

Registan Square is truly unrivalled in its magnificence, a far cry from the “sandy place” from which its name derives. Stand in wonderment at the glittering mosques and madrassahs, and awe inspiring monuments of Amir Timur’s time.
Day 19 Day 19: To Bukhara Via Shahkrisabz
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 19: To Bukhara Via Shahkrisabz

Today we journey via Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Timur and still symbolic of the power he commanded over the region. Visit Ak Saroy Palace – the greatest palace, built by Tamerlane, similar in structure to Samarkand’s Bibi Khanum Mosque, but unparalled in size and decoration. The inscription survived only in part, yet the ruined entrance towers stand in monumental testimony to an age of power writ large on tiled canvas.
Day 20 Day 20: Bukhara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 20: Bukhara

Bukhara, an incredible city, home to hundreds of monuments, from the soaring Poi Kalon Minaret ensemble, to the Ark Fortress, architectural wonder of the Samanid Mausoleum and Chor Minor located close by the tranquil resting spot of Lyabi-hauz. Take some tea under the mulberry trees to reflect on all that you have seen so far. Don’t miss out on a visit to the bazaar to choose your silk carpet to provide a lasting memory of this journey.
Day 21 Day 21: Bukhara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 21: Bukhara

Today you can enjoy your free time in Bukhara. The old town is well worth exploring, and the chaikanas (tea-houses) inviting.
Day 22 Day 22: To Khiva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22: To Khiva

We continue our Silk Road Adventure onwards across the Kyzyl Kum desert by train to Khiva.
Day 23 Day 23: Khiva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 23: Khiva

Today we explore the old city of Khiva – one of the best-preserved examples of a walled Khanate city with foundations dating from the 10th century. A truly magnificent sight to behold, as we draw nearer Khiva rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of well-preserved and impressive architecture.
Day 24 Day 24: Return To Taskhkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 24: Return To Taskhkent

Spend the day soaking in the glittering sites of this fascinating city before making our way to the railway station to board our final train this afternoon, returning to Tashkent tomorrow morning.
Day 25 Day 25: Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 25: Tashkent

Our adventure has drawn to a close. Say farewell to your travelling companions and tour leader as you arrive back into Tashkent station.
Day 26 Journey Summary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Journey Summary

Day 1 Ulaanbaatar Day 2 Ulaanbaatar - Naadam Festival Day 3 Ulaanbaatar - Naadam Festival Day 4 To Bayangobi Day 5 Kharkhorin Day 6 Bayangobi and Khustai National Park Day 7 Return to Ulaanbaatar Day 8 Ulaanbaatar Day 9 Ulaanbaatar and fly to Bishkek Early morning flight Day 10 Bishkek Day 11 Ala Archa National Park Day 12 To Chon Kemin via Cholpan Ata Day 13 To Karakol Day 14 Karakol Day 15 To Almaty via Charyn Canyon Day 16 Fly Almaty to Tashkent Flight Day 17 To Samarkand Morning train Day 18 Samarkand Day 19 Samarkand to Bukhara via Shahkrisabz Day 20 Bukhara Day 21 Bukhara Day 22 Bukhara to Khiva Afternoon train Day 23 Khiva Day 24 To Taskhkent Afternoon departure Day 25 Tashkent Morning arrival

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25 days tour

Mongolia And The Silk Road Explorer

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mongolia And The Silk Road Explorer

Day 1: Arrive Ulaanbaatar

Day 2: Let The Festivities Commence!

Day 3: Naadam Festival

Day 4: Naadam Festival And To Bayangobi

Day 5: To Kharkhorin

Day 6: Khutsai National Park

Day 7: Return To Ulaanbaatar

Day 8: Ulaanbaatar

Day 9: Ulaanbaatar And Fly To Bishkek

Day 10: Bishkek

Day 11: Bishkek - Day Trip To Ala Archa National Park

Day 12: To Chon Kemin Via Cholpan Ata

Day 13: To Karakol

Day 14: Karakol - Day Trip To Djiety Oguz

Day 15: To Almaty Via Charyn Canyon

Day 16: Fly Almaty To Tashkent

Day 17: To Samarkand

Day 18: Samarkand

Day 19: To Bukhara Via Shahkrisabz

Day 20: Bukhara

Day 21: Bukhara

Day 22: To Khiva

Day 23: Khiva

Day 24: Return To Taskhkent

Day 25: Tashkent

Journey Summary

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