Along Central Asia's Silk Road

Traveling the ancient Silk Road, encounter a mélange of culture and religion, art and architecture. On this exciting 17-day small group journey, relish the exotic – embracing the humanity shared with Central Asia’s welcoming people. Discover Kyrgyzstan’s delightful capital, Bishkek, experiencing traditional Kyrgyz culture at a yurt-making demonstration and enjoying a home-hosted lunch, then admire the Bronze Age Tamgaly Petroglyphs. Spend a day touring Kazakhstan’s Russian-accented Almaty and attend a falconry demonstration. Highlights of Uzbekistan’s fascinating capital, Tashkent, include its treasured 7th-century Quran and Chorsu Bazaar. Touring of Khiva uncovers this Uzbek city’s storied past. See a folklore performance at a yurt camp. In ancient Bukhara, watch silk weavers work and savor a traditional meal in a Sufi miniaturist’s home. Visit a century-old ceramics workshop. Legendary Samarkand then reveals its treasures, including regal Registan Square and Tamerlane’s mausoleum. Sample a historic winery’s offerings. Returning to Tashkent, visit a renowned ceramicist’s studio.