Trip from 1 to 12 of June 2026 / From 3,850€ Discover the highlights of this trip to Central Asia
From Tashkent to Samarkand
We'll begin our trip to Central Asia in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. There, we'll discover the city's Soviet heritage, exploring its metro stations and main square. We'll visit the Chorsu Bazaar and the Khazrati Imam religious complex.
From there, we'll travel by train to Samarkand, a jewel of the Silk Road. We'll tour the impressive Registan Square and the Mausoleum of Tamerlane. Also, we'll visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis. While strolling through the Siyob Bazaar, we'll soak up the ethnic diversity of Uzbekistan.
Tajikistan: Between Mountains and Sogdian Legends
Our trip to Central Asia will take us across the border into Tajikistan. We'll arrive in Penjikent, the centre of Sogdian culture. There, we'll explore the archaeological ruins of Sarazm, with over 5,000 years of history. We'll delve into the villages of the Fann Mountains, where we'll experience traditional life in villages like Voru, with their stepped houses and walkable roofs. After spending the night in Artuch, we'll head to Dushanbe, the Tajik capital. There we'll see the Soviet legacy in its murals, bazaar, and public buildings.
Afghanistan: Between sanctuaries, history, and remote landscapes
From Dushanbe, we will cross into Afghanistan at the Shirkham border. After completing entry procedures, we will reach Mazar-i-Sharif, the spiritual heart of northern Afghanistan. We will visit the shrine of Hazrat Ali and its iconic Blue Mosque. The women will explore the bazaar, one of the most vibrant in the country, while the men will visit the temple. We'll continue to Balkh, ancient Bactria, where walls, mosques, and historic alleyways are still preserved. This stage will connect our trip to Central Asia with the region's cultural origins. Later, we'll reach Samangan, where we'll stop at Sayyad before visiting the rock-cut stupa of Takht-e Rostam. This Buddhist temple is reminiscent of the monolithic churches of Ethiopia and showcases Afghanistan's pre-Islamic heritage.
Bamiyan and the Hindu Kush: History and Resistance
The trip to Central Asia will continue south, ascending the Hindu Kush to reach the Bamiyan Valley. There, we will visit the ruins of Shar-e Zohak and the empty niches where the giant Buddhas once stood, destroyed in 2001. We will learn about the history of the Hazara people, Shiites and descendants of ancient Buddhists, who have suffered discrimination for centuries. We will approach a troglodyte village, where some families live in ancient cells excavated by Buddhist monks in the rock.
End of the trip to Central Asia in Kabul
We'll end our trip to Central Asia in the Afghan capital. There, we'll climb a hill overlooking the city, where young Taliban members gather at sunset. We'll walk through the bird market, some of the few surviving ancient streets, and visit historic houses in the Old Town. We'll conclude the tour by visiting an 11th-century Shia shrine linked to the legend of the Prophet's cloak. During the last few hours, we'll explore the Chicken Street, Kabul's iconic thoroughfare.
© Photos by Edith Scharffenberg, Jordi Zaragozà Anglès and Xavi de las Heras taken during a trip to Central Asia
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