Bukhara
Bukhara is one of holiest cities in Central Asia and was once the intellectual and spiritual centre of Islamic world. Bukhara entered history in 500BC as a vassal state of the Persian Empire. When Islamic armies arrived in 650AD, they found a multi-ethnic and multireligious state; after their conquest in the next century, Islam became the dominant religion and remains so to the present day. Owing to its strategically important location Bukhara was one of the main trading centres of the Silk Road. During its heyday it had 365 mosques – one for each day of the year. Later it became a pawn in the "Great Game" between Russia and Britain. Bukhara is in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
You will undoubtedly be impressed by Bukhara’s elaborate mosques, winding alleys, caravanserais and splendid madrasahs. Kalyan minaret was once the tallest minaret in the Islamic world. Other attractions are the Kalyan mosque, the famous Mir-i Arab Madrassah, and Samanid's Mausoleum – known as the pearl of the East, and many other astonishing places.
You will undoubtedly be impressed by Bukhara’s elaborate mosques, winding alleys, caravanserais and splendid madrasahs. Kalyan minaret was once the tallest minaret in the Islamic world. Other attractions are the Kalyan mosque, the famous Mir-i Arab Madrassah, and Samanid's Mausoleum – known as the pearl of the East, and many other astonishing places.
Silk Road Travel Map
Travel Destinations
Bukhara
Bukhara
Bukhara is one of holiest cities in Central Asia and was once the intellectual and spiritual centre of Islamic world. Bukhara entered history in 500BC as a vassal state of the Pers... Read more
Cholpon Ata town
Cholpon Ata town
A resort town on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan with a year-round population of about 12,000. It is the administrative centre of the Issyk Kul District of Issyk... Read more
Issyk-Kul Lake
![Issyk-Kul Lake]()
Issyk-Kul Lake
With its high location at 1,609 m above sea level and a huge surface area of 6,206 sq. km (179 km long and 60 km wide) Issyk-Kul is the second largest alpine lake in the world afte... Read more
Jety-Oguz gorge
Jety-Oguz gorge
The Alpine health resort Jety-Oguz lies near the river at the altitude of 2,200 m. Situated in a picturesque canyon on the Northern slope of the Terskey Ala-Too range about 25 km S... Read more
Karakol
Karakol
The fourth largest city one of Kyrgyzstan's major tourist destinations, serving as a good starting point for the excellent hiking, trekking, skiing and mountaineering in the high c... Read more
Khiva
Khiva
Often called an “open air museum”, Khiva today is a well-preserved and restored town thanks to a conservation programme in 1970 - 1980. This enchanting town with its to... Read more
Samarkand
Samarkand
Samarkand - often called the Gem of the East – is the city which evokes romance just with its name. The city is as old as Rome and reached the height of its fame under the ru... Read more
Shakhrisabz
Shakhrisabz
Shakhrisabz - the birthplace of Tamerlane, or Timur and his residence during his reign - is probably one of the most unassuming of the tourist attractions, where locals still wande... Read more
Son Kul Lake
Son Kul Lake
Song Kul Lake (literally meaning the "following lake") is an alpine lake in northern Naryn Province lying at an altitude of 3,013 metres. It is the second largest lake af... Read more
Tash Rabat
Tash Rabat
A well-preserved 15th century stone caravanserai in At Bashy district, Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan. It is located approximately 520km from Bishkek at the altitude of 3,200 meters. I... Read more
Bukhara Bukhara is one of holiest cities in Central Asia and was once the intellectual and spiritual centre of Islamic world. Bukhara entered history in 500BC as a vassal state of the Pers... Read more
Cholpon Ata townA resort town on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan with a year-round population of about 12,000. It is the administrative centre of the Issyk Kul District of Issyk... Read more
With its high location at 1,609 m above sea level and a huge surface area of 6,206 sq. km (179 km long and 60 km wide) Issyk-Kul is the second largest alpine lake in the world afte... Read more
Jety-Oguz gorgeThe Alpine health resort Jety-Oguz lies near the river at the altitude of 2,200 m. Situated in a picturesque canyon on the Northern slope of the Terskey Ala-Too range about 25 km S... Read more
KarakolThe fourth largest city one of Kyrgyzstan's major tourist destinations, serving as a good starting point for the excellent hiking, trekking, skiing and mountaineering in the high c... Read more
KhivaOften called an “open air museum”, Khiva today is a well-preserved and restored town thanks to a conservation programme in 1970 - 1980. This enchanting town with its to... Read more
Samarkand Samarkand - often called the Gem of the East – is the city which evokes romance just with its name. The city is as old as Rome and reached the height of its fame under the ru... Read more
Shakhrisabz Shakhrisabz - the birthplace of Tamerlane, or Timur and his residence during his reign - is probably one of the most unassuming of the tourist attractions, where locals still wande... Read more
Son Kul LakeSong Kul Lake (literally meaning the "following lake") is an alpine lake in northern Naryn Province lying at an altitude of 3,013 metres. It is the second largest lake af... Read more
Tash Rabat A well-preserved 15th century stone caravanserai in At Bashy district, Naryn Province, Kyrgyzstan. It is located approximately 520km from Bishkek at the altitude of 3,200 meters. I... Read more
Relevant tours
A Classic Silk Road Trip to Uzbekistan - Visit Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva (SR-04)
Our classic Silk Road trip to Uzbekistan – to the heart of the Central Asia - will take you through the complex passages of history, exploring the very essence of the Silk Road’s cultural and spiritual legacy, unearthing its hidden treasures from beneath the layers of centuries.
7 days, from £995
Our classic Silk Road trip to Uzbekistan – to the heart of the Central Asia - will take you through the complex passages of history, exploring the very essence of the Silk Road’s cultural and spiritual legacy, unearthing its hidden treasures from beneath the layers of centuries. 7 days, from £995
Best of Kyrgyzstan: Discover Finest Lakes, Steppe Land & Historic Towns – 8 days (SR-05)
Kyrgyzstan is the heart of Central Asia with unbeatable mountain landscapes, shepherd cultures, nomads and rolling summer pastures. Of all the countries in Central Asia Kyrgyzstan with its visa-free travel, network of homestays and souvenirs for sale, is the easiest for westerners to travel in.
8 days, from £895
Kyrgyzstan is the heart of Central Asia with unbeatable mountain landscapes, shepherd cultures, nomads and rolling summer pastures. Of all the countries in Central Asia Kyrgyzstan with its visa-free travel, network of homestays and souvenirs for sale, is the easiest for westerners to travel in. 8 days, from £895