• Wander a colorful farmers’ market in Samarkand
• Visit the home of a master of suzani, a type of embroidery that is unique to this part of the world
• Stroll through the centuries-old bazaars of Bukhara, which are housed in restored "trading domes"

Cycling in Central Asia is a popular way of getting around. Amplify your explorations of this fascinating region on two wheels! Here’s how:

• Rent a bike to tour Khiva’s Old City
• Use leisure time to explore cycling options in cities including Samarkand and Bukhara

Savor some of the most interesting dishes and flavors when you travel through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Here’s what’s on the menu for this adventure:

• Savor tea at a local teahouse in Bukhara
• Join a local family for a home-hosted dinner, featuring delectable pilav demonstrated by a chef
• Enjoy opportunities to seek out lunches and dinners on your own, experiencing the authentic cuisine of this region

Islamic culture is a rich influence on this region’s music, which often utilizes instruments and sounds unfamiliar to most people — a true feast for the senses. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll enjoy:

• Savor a Welcome Dinner with an included folk show
• Enjoy a musical performance by a well-known Uzbek folk singer
• Attend an evening show of historical costume performance at a local theater
• Connect with locals at a lunch at the home of Lady Zarafshan with folk dancing

You’ve traveled across the globe to get here, so it’s essential to preserve your memories of the journey as authentically as possible. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

• Make the most of the “golden hour,” the time frame before dawn and dusk that offers warm, camera-friendly lighting that’s flattering for everyone
• Embrace street photography. Yes, architecture and landscapes are beautiful, but so is this region’s culture and people — and photographing the everyday life here is one of the best ways to authentically memorialize your experiences
• Change your perspective. Try shooting from a different angle and enjoy the adventure. For example, climb a stairwell and shoot a landscape from up high or, alternately, get low and shoot a scene from the ground. Wherever you are, embrace this artistic challenge by getting out of your comfort zone!

• Discover some of the religious diversity in Bukhara as we visit an old synagogue as well as a madrassa
• Admire the spiritual splendor of mosques, madrassas, and mausoleums in UNESCO-listed Old Khiva
• Visit famed religious sites in Samarkand, yet another of the Silk Road’s famous cities

• Explore Khiva’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Tour the ruins of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site destroyed by an earthquake and later excavated by archeologists
• Visit Samarkand’s Shakhi-Zinda Mausoleum complex as well as St. Daniel’s Tomb
• Walk around UNESCO-listed Bukhara’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter

Your land adventure has been enhanced with special features catering to independent travelers, including:

• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer to get to know your fellow travelers
• Explore and make more intimate discoveries in a small group of just 24 or less like-minded travelers
• The services of a complimentary worldwide Destination Manager to enhance your adventure with added sightseeing excursions, hotel stays, restaurant reservations, and more

Customize your Silk Road adventure with these top Concierge suggestions:

• Horseback riding in Ashgabat 
• Add an additional night in Ashgabat 
• Visit nearby Kyrgyzstan