From the Lakes of Fann to the Cities of the Silk Road
Combine the lake landscapes of Tadjikistan with three of the main Silk Road cities in Uzbekistan over eight days. Start in Douchanbé, spend two days around Iskanderkul and the Seven Lakes, then cross the border near Pendjikent to reach Samarcande.
Duration
8 days
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
groupe
The spirit of travel
Combine the lake landscapes of Tadjikistan with three of the main Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan over eight days. Begin in Douchanbé, spend two days around Iskanderkul and the Seven Lakes, then cross the border near Pendjikent to reach Samarcande. Continue to Boukhara and Khiva, before finishing in Ourguentch for the rest of your journey. This concentrated itinerary starts with mountains and continues with the discovery of heritage.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Discovery of the city of Dushanbe
Meet your local representative and proceed to your hotel. If you arrive later, the day is dedicated to rest. Your guide will present the mountain stages and border crossings, while the evening is free for you to enjoy your first Tajik meal at the restaurant of your choice.
If your flight arrives early, visit the Museum of Antiquities and take a stroll in Rudaki Park.
From Dushanbe to Iskanderkul and Penjikent
The walk to the waterfall is included only if time permits. As this day is dedicated to a long transfer, visits to Pendjikent remain brief and the evening at the hotel is free.
Douchanbé → Pendjikent
Leave early by crossing the Varzob corridor, then take a detour to Iskanderkul. Continue towards Pendjikent through the Zarafshon valley.
Enjoy a walk along the lake.
The Seven Lakes and the Passage to Samarkand
Sarazm can replace a stop by a lake if border schedules require an earlier departure.
Pendjikent → Samarcande
After lunch, return to Pendjikent and cross the border at the Jartepa–Sarazm checkpoint, changing vehicles if necessary. Continue to Samarkand for an evening arrival.
Visit the Seven Lakes lower lakes and continue towards Marguzor if road conditions permit. A long hike to the seventh lake is not planned in the cross-border program for this day.
Monuments and Market of Samarkand
Visits are organized according to opening hours and temperatures. Plan a lunch break and free time to stroll around, so that the day is not just a succession of photo stops.
Dedicate a full day to Samarkand with a local guide. Discover the Registan Squareand Gour Emir, then continue to Shah-i-Zinda and the area around Bibi-Khanum and the Siab bazaar.
From Samarkand to Bukhara
Upon your arrival, meet the local team and head to the hotel. If the chosen train is not available, a road transfer will be offered as a replacement, with a separate quote.
Samarcande → Boukhara
Join the station to board the reserved train heading to Bukhara. Exact schedules are selected after confirming ticket availability.
Enjoy a first stroll around Lyabi Hauz and the commercial domes.
Day dedicated to Bukhara's heritage
The guide establishes links between the city's buildings and its commercial and scholarly history. Take a lunch break and plan time to discover craft shops or stop for tea. Since the center is compact, this day unfolds mainly on foot, with vehicle transfers for visits further afield if needed.
Explore the historic centre of Bukhara, notably the Kalyan ensemble, the Ark sector and the Samanids mausoleum.
From Bukhara to Khiva across the desert
This is the longest plain transfer on the itinerary, with lunch breaks and rest stops organized in advance. A confirmed train can replace the road journey as part of an individually revised quote.
Kyzylkoum → Khiva
Cross the Kyzylkoum corridor towards Khiva. Arrive in Khiva in the late afternoon or evening and settle in, reserving the main visit of the old town for the next day.
Khiva and departure via Urgench
The program requires a sufficiently late flight. For an early morning flight, add one night in Khiva and postpone the transfer to the airport to day 9.
Explore Itchan Kala with your guide and visit the interior of some mosques and palaces. Explore the streets around Kalta Minor and Juma Mosque before heading to Urgench for an evening departure.
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
French nationals can obtain an e-visa online before departure, valid for a tourist stay of up to 45 days. An additional authorization (GBAO permit) is required if you plan to cross the Pamir. Check the exact conditions with the embassy before traveling, as regulations change regularly.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, budget between 120 and 200 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transportation and activities. Tajikistan remains an affordable destination, but its remote location and road conditions require private 4x4 transfers that represent a significant portion of the budget. International flights are additional.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Tajikistan is a demanding destination: long mountain roads, high altitudes on the Pamir, and sometimes basic accommodations. We can design family stays focused on Dushanbe and accessible valleys, prioritizing slow-paced itineraries and comfortable guesthouses, but this destination is better suited for teenagers than young children.
Chat with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates, then receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You can freely adjust each step before confirming. During your trip, your English-speaking local agency remains available 7 days a week to support you on the ground.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee which protects 100% of your funds in case of default. Secure payment, English-speaking assistance on site and repatriation covered: you travel to this remote destination with complete peace of mind.
Let's talk about your next trip to Tadjikistan
A Nomadays advisor will get back to you to refine this project — itinerary, dates, budget, wishes — and propose a tailor-made version suited to your trip.
