Mention of the Silk Road immediately evokes images of caravans, exotic places, Marco Polo, mysterious lands, languages, and glittering luxuries. Many in the West know little or nothing about Central Asia, and the amazingly rich culture and intellectual history of the area that today lies chiefly in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Many religions and philosophical ideas flowed along the Silk Road in both directions, including Christianity of many varieties, Buddhism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and Manichaeism, all of which enriched the intellectual and spiritual milieu of these cities. Today these lands are experiencing a rebirth and we are excited about learning about their history and ‘finding God on the Silk Road’. Join us on this once in a lifetime journey!
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.
Your Travel and Accommodation Arranged For You
Tips Included for Driver, Restaurant Staff, Local Guides
Authentic Local Experiences With Lots Of Inclusions.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
$500 per person deposit required; additional $500 pre-payment required at the time of 'guarantee." Within 120 days all funds paid are fully non-refundable/non-transferable. SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS ARE LIMITED IN NUMBER
Optional Single Supplement: $850 USD (number of singles limited).
Inclusions
• Pre-trip Zoom classes – dates TBA in January 2025 (participation in zoom classes is restricted to registered participants)
• All accommodation as stated in 3* or 4* star hotels or best available
• Arrival and departure transfers when arriving and departing with the group (independent arrival and departure will incur transfer charges)
• Two meals daily
• Services of an Adventures Abroad tour leader
• Services of English-speaking local guides
• All gratuities: tour leader, local guides, drivers, wait staff, hotel staff, hotel porters (when available)
• All transport necessary to fulfill itinerary
• Entrance fees for visits mentioned in the itinerary
• Visa support letter for countries required
• Domestic flights in Turkmenistan
• Bullet train
• Tourism taxes in Turkmenistan
Exclusions
• International return air from Toronto (group airfare to be determined when trip is guaranteed)
• Items of a personal nature
• Meals not mentioned
• Drinks
• Travel insurance (documentation of travel insurance to be submitted to Jesuits of Canada)
• Photo/video fees
Visa/entry-related costs costs:
• Turkmenistan visa $73 USD at border in cash (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
• Turkmenistan COVID rapid test at border ($48 USD if still required - SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
• Turkmenistan migration tax ($14 USD per person, subject to change)
Seasonality and Weather
In April/May average low temperature is 10C (57 F); average high is 20C (68 F). This is the best time to visit this extreme climate region, where summers are unbearably hot and winters bitterly cold. That said, it is not uncommon for some locations to be rather warm-hot and April/May, and some locations, such as Karakol and mountain passes, can be considerably cooler. The region is semi-arid overall, but showers can still occur in spring. Spring is a pretty time in the region with snowy mountain scenery through mountain passes and a green landscape.
Our pre-trip notes sent at time of booking provide advice on packing and useful items, money matters, food/meals, and other helpful hints to help you plan for your trip.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Road Transport: Our transport in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are provided with plenty of room. In Tajikistan we (usually) use a couple of vans on the first day seeing in Penjikent and area, then 4WD vehicles on the mountain drive from Penjikent to Dushanbe where we generally we use multiple mini-vans for local sightseeing.
Domestic flights via scheduled local carriers.
Our difficulty rating of "2" on this trip relates to the overall ambitious nature of the itinerary, long travel days, early starts, and the possibility of heat which can cause fatigue. We have numerous walking tours and visit several sites that are LARGE with steps and uneven surfaces. Porters are available at hotels but you must be able to manage with your baggage from time to time, especially at airports.
Border crossings also present a challenge as the facilities are not built for comfort, and there is often a considerable distance (ie 400-500 metres) across "no man's land" between posts over which travellers must walk (we leave one bus behind and meet our next one ahead). These distances occur over rough road (sturdy wheeled luggage is a MUST) and in the open (perhaps hot sun). There is no one to assist with baggage so you must be prepared and independent.
Travellers with very specific dietary requirements, or those with pre-existing medical conditions should be aware that we visit some remote locales where services, varied cuisines/foods, and the possibility of advanced medical attention, are limited.
IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE: Some of the countries on this tour either have explicit laws against non-registered religious activity or the laws are vague enough that there is legitimate concern. When it is deemed appropriate and safe, your tour leader and local guide will arrange space for daily mass in a private room in the hotel. Otherwise, in order to protect the safety of our travellers, our staff, and our ability to bring groups to these countries in the future, you must be prepared at all times to defer to the instructions of your tour leader and local guide regarding religious activities. Unless otherwise stated, one must assume that you should not have outwardly obvious signs of your religious affiliation so that the group will not be mistakenly perceived as performing evangelical work. Following these instructions and the leadership of your Adventures Abroad team will ensure a safe, educational and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Activity Level: 2
These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page.
Accommodation
NOTE: If you choose to book by phone (1800 665 3998), please indicate if you need a roommate. When possible, a roommate will be assigned and will rotate with hotel locations, which usually works well. The single supplement will be mandatory in the event that there is no other same-gender participant willing to share. Please also note that single supplements are very popular and limited in number. If you choose to book via this web page, the booking form will prompt you to indicate your preference.
HOTELS (tentative and subject to availability at the time of booking, replacement hotel/s of same standard):
Tashkent – Wyndham Tashkent
Khiva – Asia Khiva
Ashgabat – Sport Hotel
Mary – Mary Hotel
Bukhara – Asia Bukhara
Samarkand – Asia Samarkand
Penjikent – Penjikent Plaza
Dushanbe – Rumi Dushanbe
Almaty - Kazhol Hotel
Bishkek – Plaza Hotel
Staff and Support
Tour Leader throughout, local drivers, local guides at various locations.
If you have any questions, please contact the tour operator:
Serra Hughes
Adventures Abroad
1800 665 3998 ext 5066
shughes@adventures-abroad.com
Upon booking we will provide you with a registration form to be completed and returned (along with a copy of your valid passport) to Patricia O’Reilly at poreilly@jesuits.org or by mail to Jesuits of Canada, Sacred Heart House 43 Queen's Park Cres East, Toronto, ON M5S 2C3
Group Size
20-30 plus Tour Leader
