An incredible adventure along Asia's ancient routes of trade and conquest. From China's Forbidden City and Silk Road oases to the once forbidden frontiers of the Tien Shan Mountains and the fabled cities of the Silk Road; Samarkand and Bukhara. And beyond, across the desert to the shores of the Caspian Sea and the ancient sites of Georgia; Mtskheta, Tbilisi and Kutaisi, before following the Black Sea coast to Istanbul - gateway to Europe.

6 departures annually, during May Aug Sep

Itinerary:

Days 1-6. The Black Sea coast to Istanbul
Many of the caravan trade routes began at the ports of the Black Sea where ships carried the valuable merchandise onwards from Constantinople and the Mediterranean. Our first few days follow the Black Sea coast from Istanbul through Safronbulu and Samsun to Trabzon.
Days 7-12. Trans-Caucasus adventure to Tbilisi
Crammed between the Caspian and Black Sea is an incredible treasure trove of early Christian monuments set amongst the most incredible mountain scenery. We explore Georgia's ancient capital, Mtskheta, with its beautiful Jvari Church and Sveti-Tskhoveli Cathedral and the old town of Tbilisi. The Caucasus were a crossroads of trade and conquest through the centuries and we discover the best the region has to offer, with time to enjoy their legendary hospitality and fine wines!
Days 13-18. Across the Caspian Sea and Kara Kum Desert
From Baku, we board our ferry across the Caspian Sea to the port of Turkmenbashi. From here, the trans-Caspian railway takes us onwards to Ashghabad, where we explore the city and perhaps visit the markets with their red sea of traditional Turkmen carpets. Beyond the city we enjoy some time in the Kopet Dag Mountains visiting the ruins of Nisa, the Parthian royal city that existed here over 2300 years ago. Beyond Ashghabad we travel to Mary and the ruins of Merv, one of the greatest of all the ancient Silk Road cities, before crossing the Kara Kum Desert to Bukhara.
Days 19-24. The cities of Central Asia - Bukhara & Samarkand
We explore the mud-brick monuments of Bukhara. Once known as "holy" Bukhara, it was home to more than 2000 mosques, today its monuments are some of the oldest on the Silk Road; the Ark Fortress, Samani's Mausoleum and, spared the destruction of Genghis Khan, the Kalyan Minaret - one of central Asia's tallest. Explore the old town and enjoy one of the many chaikhanas (tea-houses) in Labi-Hauz. Across the Kyzyl Kum Desert lies "golden" Samarkand, the most evocative of the ancient Silk Road cities, Tamerlane's turquoise-spangled capital. We explore Central Asia's most spectacular architectural ensemble; the Registan, plus other highlights including the Shah-i-Zinda complex, Bibi Khanym Mosque and the Ulug Bek Observatory.
Days 25-26. Through the Fergana Valley
From Samarkand, we journey to the Uzbek capital Tashkent and then Kokand. Continuing through the Fergana Valley we visit the silk producing town of Margilan with its large bazaar and the potters town of Rishton before travelling to Osh, across the border in Kyrgyzstan. Strategically located at the western gateway to the Fergana Valley, Osh prospered with Silk Road trade until the Mongol armies destroyed the city in the 13th century.
Days 27-30. The Irkeshtam Pass & Kashgar
Beyond Osh lie the high passes of the Tien Shan Mountains, gateway to China and the fabled city of Kashgar. We follow the Silk Road through Sary Tash and over the Irkeshtam Pass to old Kashi. At the crossroads of British India and Imperial Russia's Central Asian territories, this legendary Silk Road town played centre stage in the "Great Game", while centuries earlier its strategic position made it one of the most important staging posts of the great Silk Road. Today the Sunday Market, with its incredible characters and riot of colour, is worthy of its reputation as one of Central Asia's best.
Days 31-33. The Silk Road Railway to Xian
We join the Silk Road Railway at Kashgar, which carries us across the Taklamakan Desert and the far-flung frontiers of Xinjiang Province, eastwards to Jiayuguan, the bastion ramparts of the Great Wall's most westerly garrison. The oasis of Turpan still reflects life as it was along the Silk Road and the faces in the bazaar recall the four corners of Asia. Leaving the desert we board our train for our two night journey to Xian.
Days 34-35. Xian - gateway to the Silk Road
As ancient Chang'an, Xian was one of the largest cities in the world. This was a time of trade and prosperity and for over 400 years the great caravans arrived through the city's West Gate having endured the perils of the Taklamakan Desert, the high passes of the Tien Shan Mountains and the fabled cities of Central Asia. Today the city walls, towers, pagodas and incredible Terracotta Army reveal the city's long and turbulent history.
Days 36-38. Beijing - the adventure is complete
Beijing is an incredible contrast of sights, sounds and smells, explore the backstreets (Hutongs) of the old town with their food stalls and street vendors for a taste of "old Beijing". Our "Scheduled Sightseeing" takes in the must see sights: the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven, while your Group Leader is on hand for some relaxed "City Exploring" to the Silk Market, Summer Palace and Forbidden City. Finally our epic journey along the ancient trade routes of Central Asia is complete.
Note: This itinerary also operates in reverse.

Accommodation: Hotels/Guesthouses - 30 nights (twin share). Yurt - 1 night (shared) Trains - 6 nights (4 berth). Ferry - 1 night crossing the Caspian Sea (1/2/4 berth, subject to availability).
Meals: 36 in total. Breakfast (31), lunch (2) and dinner (3).
Transportation: Train: Comfortable 4-berth sleepers. There are 5 rail sectors on this journey - Beijing to Xian (1 night), Xian to Turpan (2 nights), Turpan to Kashgar (1 night), Ashghabad to Turkmenbashi (1 night) and Baku to Tbilisi (1 night).
Other: A variety of private chartered vehicles (China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan & Georgia) and public buses (Turkey) are used on the non-rail overland sectors. For "Scheduled Sightseeing" we generally use small minibuses, and for "City Exploring" we use local taxis, public transport and go on foot.
Group Size: Maximum 15, plus group leader.
Note: Due to the remote areas visited you should be prepared for some basic accommodation and rail sleepers on some sectors.

Trip Reference: ACIB