Join like-minded people on our bespoke holiday to explore the fabled Silk Road. We come together in Sydney to enjoy our first Group Dinner and get to know our fellow passengers.

Overnight: Sydney Airport Hotel

Our wonderful adventure begins with a morning flight from Sydney to Beijing, China’s dynamic capital city. Beijing has been a commercial hub for centuries, a cultural and global crossroads for foreign merchants and scholars creating a vibrant melting pot of Western, Middle Eastern, and Asian beliefs and knowledge. We arrive in the evening and transfer to our hotel.

Overnight: Beijing (China) 3 Nights

Starting from Tiananmen Square, we enter the Forbidden City, the site from which 24 emperors ruled China from 1420 to 1912. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the beautiful Summer Palace. Constructed in 1750, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its stunning gardens and serene lake and was a favourite summer escape for the Imperial rulers.
We finish our delightful day at a Peking Roast Duck restaurant to savour this renowned Chinese delicacy.

Overnight: Beijing (China)

We start our day at the Temple of Heaven, a historic site where ancient emperors once prayed to
the heavens for plentiful harvests. Today, this serene park is a vibrant hub for locals practicing Tai Chi and engaging in morning exercises. Nothings says “China” more than its iconic Great Wall, the longest and most impressive defensive wall in the world. We travel an hour and take the cable car up to Mutianyu Great Wall (built 1368) before walking a section of this amazing fortification.

Overnight: Beijing (China)

Experience authentic local lifestyle and trace the centuries-old charm of the ancient capital as we take rickshaws to explore the city’s historic hutong; these narrow alleys are formed by rows of siheyuan, the traditional courtyard residences unique to old Beijing. We visit a local family before a late afternoon flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis. We arrive in the evening and transfer to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Overnight: Almaty (Kazakhstan) 3 Nights

Almaty is one of the most ancient cities in the Central Asia, established circa 1000–900 BC during the Bronze Age, and was one of the trade, craft and agricultural centres on the Silk Road. Almaty’s name means “the place with apples” as apples originated in this area and the Aport apple, a large red variety, is a symbol of the city. As the largest city in Kazakhstan, Almaty served as the country’s capital for 70 years until 1997 and remains Kazakhstan’s trading and cultural hub. Today it is a vibrant and modern metropolis with a rich cultural heritage, wide tree-lined streets, numerous parks and orchards, and a backdrop of majestic mountains.

This morning’s city tour includes Zenkov Cathedral, an Orthodox domed church claimed to be the second tallest wooden church in the world – and built without nails! Within the same Panfilov Park is the impressive Soviet Glory Memorial, a tribute to 28 men who, as the narrative goes, repulsed 50 German tanks from the outskirts of Moscow during World War Two.

We travel out from the city to take a cable car to the Shymbulak ski resort (3,200 metres) for lunch with wonderful views of the Ili Alatau Mountains. Return to Almaty for some time at leisure.

Overnight: Almaty (Kazakhstan)

We start our Sunday at the bustling Green Bazaar, Kazakhstan’s most famous market. Enjoy a chance to take in the local colour, from traditional foods, nuts, spices, produce to textiles, antiques and lots more.

A visit to the National Museum is a great introduction to the history and culture of Kazakhstan. Exhibits range from Chinggis (Genghis) Khan to the ‘Hall of Gold’ of ancient gold adornments, a finely kitted-out yurt to beautifully worked weaponry, musical instruments, exotic costumes and the country’s many ethnic groups.

This afternoon we will visit the Agape Church to share worship in English and to enjoy fellowship with other Christians. We end our memorable Sunday with a cable car ride up Kok Tobe Hill to enjoy dinner with sunset view of the city.

Overnight: Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Today we will immerse ourselves in Kazakh culture, learning about traditions and rituals in a local
ethno-village. Hostesses will greet us with a national ritual called Shashu, showering us with sweets, as Kazakhs do during wedding ceremonies (these sweets must be picked up and kept, as Kazakhs believe they will bring good luck in the future). Learn how to bake puffy Kazakh bread, see the construction of a Kazakh yurt, and be a spectator at performance of national horse games.

The games include Jigitovka (horseback riding with acrobatic elements), Atpen audaryspak (jostling and pushing a rival whilst on horseback) and Kyz kuu, where a boy chases a girl on horseback. If he catches her, he will be rewarded with a kiss; but if he fails, she can lash him!

We finish with a delicious Kazakh farewell lunch before we fly to Tashkent, the Capital of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan was at the heart of the Silk Road, with cities like Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand serving as crucial resting and trading points for caravans traveling across the vast network of routes. Upon arrival in Tashkent, we will be met by our local guide and driver and enjoy an Uzbek welcome dinner.

Overnight: Tashkent (Uzbekistan) 2 Nights

The largest city in Central Asia, Tashkent’s history dates to the first century BC when an urban settlement grew up around a major caravan crossroad on the Silk Road. Much of what you see today, however, dates from the late 20th or 21st centuries when it became a major Soviet infrastructure project after a devastating earthquake in 1966 destroyed much of the older city.
The city architecture is now a blend of Soviet-era buildings, modern constructions and the Islamic architecture of the Old City; visit the Khast Imom ( Hazrati Imam) Complex, the spiritual heart of Tashkent since the 16th century.

We visit Chor-Su Bazaar the traditional market located in the centre of the old town and one of the best places to see daily life in Uzbekistan. Riding the Tashkent Metro is like being in a moving art installation with stations all beautifully decorated with marble, granite, glass, ceramics and alabaster wow! After lunch we will visit the Applied Arts Museum; previously the official residence of the Russian Ambassador it provides a beautiful introduction to Uzbek handicrafts. We follow this up with a visit to the famous ceramic studio of the Rakhimov family, hereditary potters who have been honing their craft for over 230 years. Enjoy the opportunity to create your very own masterpiece!

Overnight: Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

This morning, we will catch the high-speed train to ancient Bukhara; a centre for trade and culture for over 5000 years, Bukhara was a prominent stop on the Silk Road as well as a key city of the Persian empire. Serving as a crossroad between East and West the city has a rich religious history, it’s a major centre for Islamic theology and culture, and the Bukharan Jewish community, one of the oldest ethno-religious groups in Central Asia, dates back over 2000 years. Christianity, specifically Nestorianism, was introduced to Bukhara in the 7th century and the discovery of numerous coins with Christian symbols, including crosses, dating to the late 7th and early 8th centuries suggests that Christianity may have been the official religion of the ruling class at this time. However, Bukhara’s people gradually converted to Islam in the late 9th century, and in the 14th century Christians were forced out of the country. Today the Constitution of Uzbekistan provides for freedom of religion and there are 5 churches in Bukhara, and we will visit one of these during our stay.

The Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains hundreds of well-preserved mosques, madrassas, bazaars and caravanserais, dating largely from the 9th to the 17th centuries. The best way to experience the old city is on foot and our guide will take us a walking tour through the labyrinthine streets to soak up the city’s atmosphere. Be amazed by the rich cultural heritage of the Poi Kalon complex, where the buildings are adorned with ornate mosaics, tilework, and decorative bands. Visit the bazaars inside Bukhara’s unique trading domes, and the historic Lyabi Hauz area, a beautiful plaza constructed around a large pool that is a favourite spot for visitors and locals alike.

Overnight: Bukhara (Uzbekistan) 2 Nights

Enjoy a full day in Bukhara with a morning city tour with visits to the imposing 5th century Ark Fortress, the stunning Bolo Hauz Mosque with its wooden pillars and ornate tiling, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum and spring, named for the Biblical Job (Ayyub) who is considered a prophet in Islam. According to local legend, Job wandered into central Asia afflicted with a skin condition as part of his trial by God. Seeing that he refused to give up his faith, God permitted him to call forth a soothing balm by striking the ground with his foot, unearthing a stream of pure, clean water to heal his afflicted skin.

This afternoon we have free time – on CFT tours we employ the Buddy System so if you don’t wish to strike out on your own you can choose to be with other travellers, stay with the CFT Tour Leader or relax back at our hotel.

Bukhara offers some wonderful optional activities like visiting local artisans to shop for handicrafts or experiencing a traditional steam bath at the local hammam (Turkish bath – single sex).
We come back together tonight to share tales of our adventure over dinner.

Overnight: Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

Enjoy a morning dedicated to handicrafts, from painting to wood carving and textiles. We meet the master miniaturist who employs the intricate techniques of Persian miniature painting to restore ancient manuscripts and create new paintings, sometimes using sheets of silk paper dating back over 200 years. Under their guidance we can channel our inner artist to create a painting for ourselves.

Visit the Artisan Development Centre, a thriving hub that celebrates and preserves the rich cultural and artistic traditions of this Central Asian region such as carpet weaving, gold embroidery, ceramics, and wood carving. Enjoy lunch at the workshop of Rahman, an embroidery maker, who specialises in beautiful Suzani (needle work) textiles.

This afternoon we take the bullet train to Samarkand, a city that derived its commercial importance from its location at the junction of trade routes from China and India. One of the oldest cities in the world, Samarkand was founded around the 7th century BC, making it even older than Rome!

A key trading centre on the Silk Road for over 2,500 years, the merchants, scholars, and explorers who journeyed here from all over the world brought with them different goods, idea, languages and traditions and created a unique blend of cultures. Samarkand’s rich history, stunning architecture and cultural diversity was recognised with World Heritage Site status in 2001.

We check-in to our hotel and after dinner we will visit the illuminated Registan Square, the most famous landmark in all of Uzbekistan.

Overnight: Samarkand (Uzbekistan) 3 Nights

Take in the incredible valley views as we drive to Shahrisabz via the dramatic Tahtakaracha Pass, a historic trade route shared for centuries by Christian, Buddhist and Islamic merchants. Formerly known as Kesh, this ancient city was once the metropolitan see for the Church of the East (Nestorian Church), a vital base for Christianity along the Silk Road.

In 1336, the infamous Turco-Mongol conqueror Amir Timur (Tamerlane) was born in Kesh and his later rise to power transformed his home region. Under Tamerlane the diverse religious and cultural landscape of Central Asia was completely devasted, with Christian populations forced to choose between conversion, exile, or death.

Today Shakrisabz is a World Heritage site, famous for its remarkable 15th Century monuments. Artisans from across the vast Timurid Empire —including Christian craftsmen from the Caucasus — all contributed to the intricate tilework and engineering we will see here.

Visit the monumental ruins of Ak-Saray, Timur’s grand summer palace, featuring a massive 38-meter-high entrance portal adorned with striking blue and gold tilework. Relax in the shade of majestic, centuries-old maple trees or explore the architectural beauty of the blue-domed Kok Gumbaz mosque built by Timur’s grandson Ulugbek in 1435. We return to Samarkand after a memorable day.

Overnight: Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

This morning, we will share Sunday worship with locals before a tour of this sublime city.
Samarkand flourished under the rule of Timur (Tamerlane / Tamburlaine), one of history’s greatest conquerors, who choose to make the city the capital of his Timurid Empire (ca. 1370 – 1507). Timur was a brutal warrior who expanded his empire across much of Asia yet he was also a patron of the arts and sciences, contributing to Samarkand’s status as a cultural centre and economic hub, a legacy that continued long after his death. Much of the architectural heritage from this period has been preserved, allowing us to see how the city might have been at the peak of Timur’s power.

Our city tour begins with a visit to Gur-e-Amir, the gilded mausoleum where Timur is buried; hear stories from his life, how he began the construction of Samarkand and also how his military campaigns resulted in the near eradication of the remaining Christian communities in the region.
When Samarkand became part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, the city saw a new influx of Christians including Catholics and Orthodox Christians. We visit the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, one of the few churches that remained open for active worship during the era of Soviet religious persecution.

Registan Square was the focal point of medieval Samarkand and is framed by three beautifully decorated madrassas (religious schools) – Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori – covered in intricate mosaics. During the 15th century this was a seat of scientific learning as hundreds of students studied science, mathematics and astronomy as well as law, languages, and the Qur’an.
We walk to Bibi-Khanum Mosque, considered a masterpiece of the Timurid Renaissance it is one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world (legend says it was gifted to Timur by one of his wives).

We end our day exploring the Siyob Bazaar; this popular traditional shopping venue provides a truly authentic experience as you browse through local wares and produce.

Overnight: Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, we continue to explore the fairytale city of Samarkand. We visit Shah-I Zinda, one of the city’s most renowned sites; a magnificent, tiled necropolis where grand tombs decorated with brilliant bursts of colour and geometric patterns resemble palaces. The name means ‘Tomb of the Living King’ and it holds the grave of 7th century Qusam, the cousin of the prophet Mohammed.

The nearby Khoja Daniyar mausoleum is believed to house the grave of Daniel, the Old Testament prophet known for his loyalty and righteousness and whose godliness saved him from the lion’s den. The grand tomb houses an 18-metre-long sarcophagus and is a site revered by Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. From here we drive an hour out to the foothills of the Hissar mountain range to visit an Uzbek village. Immerse yourself in village life as we prepare lunch with a local family, learn about living in rural Uzbekistan and enjoy a folkloric performance before a walk in the village.

We return to Samarkand to take a late afternoon bullet train back to Tashkent

Overnight : Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

Enjoy a morning of sightseeing before our evening flight to Beijing. We visit Independence Square, a symbol of freedom for the Uzbek people who declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and nearby Amir Temur Square. Between these two major squares is the popular artists area nicknamed “Broadway” by locals, a place where you can meet street musicians, artists, photographers, magicians and even acrobats who want to demonstrate their abilities.

During our lunch we will receive our pottery pieces that were fired in the kiln whilst we were touring. Enjoy a final Group Dinner to share our stories of what it has meant to travel the Silk Road together. We then bid “hayrlashuv” to Uzbekistan and fly to Beijing.

Overnight: Inflight

A morning arrival in Beijing. Relax at our Airport Hotel prior to our early evening flight to Australia.

Overnight: Inflight

We arrive in Sydney with memories of the incredible Silk Road and the wonderful new friends we have made along the way.