15-Nights The Silk Road: Discovering the Five ’Stans of Central Asia - Signature Land

Ashgabat

The accomplishments of the Turkmen rests in the "the city of love" also known as Ashgabat. Found between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat a young city founded in 1881 sprouted on the ruins of the Silk Road. Across a dry valley, this city is covered in crisp white marble, glistening gold domes, and parks perfectly manicured.

Khiva

This ancient city, a trading center on the Silk Road has been a caravan stop since the 10th century. People gather from both east and west not only to trade, but for its tasty and cool water. Legend has it that the city was built around the well that was dug up in the old part of Khiva. This well can be visited today. Once a bustling city with a scarred past, Khiva is now a peaceful open-aired museum clustered with mosques, madrassahs and tiled minarets.

Bukhara

The ancient Persian city of Bukhara, located on the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, is more than 2,000 years old. Often visited for its famous tomb of Ismail Samani and a large number of 17th century madrasas, Bhukara is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to being one of the best examples of 10th century Islamic architecture in the world.

Samarkand

Built around the same time as Babylon and Rome, the city of Samarkand has seen the conquests of Alexander the Great, Genghis-Khan and Tamerlane's. Centuries of development melted cultures from Arabia and Asia with poets and historians calling it "Rome of the East, The beauty of sublunary countries, The pearl of the Eastern Muslim World." Samarkand is a wealth of ancient architecture with spiritual value making it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous monuments to visit is the Registan Mosque, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and Guri Amir Mausoleum and the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis.

Tashkent

The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent has a growing population of 3 million people. Tashkent preserves its European architecture from old Turkestan and because of its multi-ethnic population Oriental and Arabic touches makes this city a modern and medieval wanderlust. 

Bishkek

Bishkek lies in the Tien Shan mountain range in the Chui Valley in the Kyrgyz Republic. It is the largest city and capital of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek often serves as a base for trips to the Tien Shans mountains, and makes a great start to tour the silk road. It is a hospitable town with cafes and clubs, and streets flanked with irrigation channels and large trees.

Almaty

The bridge between Asia and Europe is Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan with a growing population of 1.5 million. Also known as the "city of apples," Almaty grows a variety of apples used both as consumption and scientific research. At night, travelers navigate their way to its bright city lights and on a clear day, the snow-capped mountains are kissed by the sun in the background. While visiting Almaty, take advantage of the aerial tramway zipping you to the top of Kok Tobe. Practice your ice skating in Medeu, the highest Olympic sized ice stadium. Stroll through Arbat, a tree-line pedestrian street or gaze in awe at the grandeur of the Presidential Palace.