• This morning we'll jump in the car and head to our second Stan, Kyrgyzstan, doing our first land border crossing of the trip.

• Arriving in Bishkek around lunchtime, we'll do a walking tour of Bishkek, a quintessential Soviet city with an amazing mix of Stalinist and Brezhnev era architecture. The wide boulevards and Brutalist apartment blocks, stand in stark contrast to the snow-capped mountain backdrop.

• We’ll start with the Frunze Museum, dedicated to Mikhail Frunze, whom the city of Bishkek used to be named after (and why the airport code is still FRU!).

• Making our way past Victory Square, the circus and Tsum, we'll visit the Lenin Statue and Ala Too Square, home to the National Museum of Kyrgyzstan and a large Kyrgyz flag. Although this flag isn't quite as famous as their world-record holding neighbours, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, it is still impressive and every hour, on the hour, there's a changing of the guards.

• If there's time we'll continue on to Osh Bazaar, passing the White House on the way, and we’ll finish off the day learning about some of the weird and wonderful produce and delicacies you’ll find in the market.

• In the evening, you'll have free time to explore all the many eating and drinking options that Bishkek now has, however we will be visiting our favourite restaurant in Kyrgyzstan, which we think is the best Japanese restaurant in Central Asia.

• Our first stop after leaving Bishkek the town of Tokmok, a stereotypical Soviet town and home of the former air force training base. To honour the town’s past, there’s a MiG-23 mounted as a memorial, which we'll have a quick photo stop at.
• Continuing on, our next stop will be at Burana Tower, one of Kyrgyzstan's most famous sites. A 25 metre brick tower, this was once a 45 metre tall minaret, which was once the minaret of a mosque in Balassagyn city. Now you can climb to the top of it for some great views over the nearby landscape.
• Next up is a real local treat – a game of Kok Boru, which is played on horseback, and the aim is to get a newly decapitated goat into the other team's goal. They'll also demonstrate other horseback sports such as shirtless wrestling.
• If you're game you can even have a go yourself, whether it's just seeing if you can pick up the dead goat (not as easy as they make it look!), or getting on a horse and actually trying to play.
• Next will be Kochkor. Although most of the time this would be considered a small, rural town, compared to where you're about to spend the next few days, this will feel like the big smoke!
• We'll stop at the Soviet WWII memorial and the Lenin statue, both in the centre of town. We'll also take you to our favourite souvenir shop in Kyrgyzstan - run by local women, it's a great spot to find most things you might be looking for, from handicrafts, to antiques, and everything in between.
• We'll take a short walk through the market, and have lunch.
• Getting back in our transport, next on the agenda is the main event of the day. Leaving the main road and heading up into the mountains, we'll make the epic drive to Song Kol. Set high in the mountains, the lake itself is in the middle of a fertile plateau, dotted with horses, sheep and yurts.
• This is where we'll really start our road trip through rural Kyrgyzstan. The next few days, until arriving in Osh, will be full of naturally beautiful waterfalls, lakes, mountains, yurts, horses, small villages, plains covered in flowers, and roadside fruit and honey stalls.
• As we gain altitude, the temperature will suddenly drop, and even though we’ll have been hot down in Bishkek and Almaty, we’ll now be very glad to have stoves on in each yurt for warmth.
• Depending on how early we arrive, you'll have the opportunity to go horse riding, or just take a walk around the area or if you’re really brave, a dip in the lake. Either way it’ll be a relaxing and peaceful evening under the stars.
• Dinner will be in the main yurt at our camp, cooked by the family we’re staying with.

• Before leaving Song Kol in the morning, you'll have a chance to do any more horse riding, walking, swimming, or simple view-watching, that you might want.
• Then we’ll continue on our way through rural Kyrgyzstan, driving through the Jumgal Valley and crossing the Kara-Keche Pass.
• We'll arrive in Kyzyl Oi in the late afternoon, an old village located in the Suusamyr Valley in a narrow gorge of the powerful Kokomeren River.
• At 1800 metres above sea level, and characterised by scattered reddish clay houses, it gets its name which means “Red Bowl” from the formation caused by the high red mountains surrounding it.
• We'll arrive in the late afternoon at our destination for the day, and meet our favourite local family in Kyzyl-Oi.
• A n old village located in the Suusamyr Valley in a narrow gorge of the powerful Kokomeren River, this is a place to get a real insight into rural living in Kyrgyzstan. At 1800 metres above sea level, and characterised by scattered reddish clay houses, it gets its name which means “Red Bowl” from the formation caused by the high red mountains surrounding it.
• You should have some time to explore the town a bit if you like, or you can watch/help the ladies of the house prepare dinner.
• If the grandfather of the house is around, he'll show you ordo (a tradtional game involving throwing animal knuckles at other animal knuckles), and his chicken rearing techniques, and tell you all sorts of stories about life in rural Kyrgyzstan during and after the Soviet Union.

• Leaving Kyzyl Oi, we’ll drive through the Suusamyr Valley towards Toktogul, with a few stops and detours on the way.

• Our first small detour will be to the tiny village of Kojomkul, where you'll never guess what there is - a monument to Kojomkul! Kyrgyzstan's most famous strong man, who you'll a lot about during our trip.
• Continuing on our way we'll stop in the very small village of Manas, where there's a wonderful, you guessed it - statue of Manas.
• And our next slight detour will follow the Agar River and make a stop at Ozero Sazka - Reflection Lake. Named for good reason!
• After a short walk past a yurt camp, a bunch of horses, and across a small stream, we'll come out at the edge of the picturesque lake.
• Continuing on our way, we'll arrive at our destination for the day in the late afternoon. The town of Toktogul, 1000 metres above sea level, was originally named after Toktogul Satylganov, a well-known Kyrygz poet and musician. His contributions and talent were so extensive that he is featured on the 100 Som note.
• You can go for a wander around the town if you want to, before we have dinner at our homestay for the night.

• Leaving Toktogul this morning, we'll continue our road trip through rural Kyrgyzstan.
• We'll be driving along the extremely picturesque Naryn River for most of the day, as we wind our way through western Kyrgyzstan.
• We might stop and buy a watermelon or a box of strawberries, so we can kick it local style and have a lake-side picnic at Toktogul Reservoir. A very popular place for locals to set up for an entire day, with makeshift tents, camp seats and tressle tables everywhere, we'll stop here for a refreshing swim and just to relax and hang out for a while.
• If we've got time, we'll stop will be at the Uzgen Minaret just before arriving in Osh, an 11th Century, 27.5m tall tower, alongside three mausoleums.
• Although in some ways it’ll feel like we’ve re-entered civilisation after a few days in the Kyrgyz countryside, Osh feels a lot different to Bishkek. There’s a bit of a rugged, wild west sort of feel, that’s quite charming.
• We’ll visit the sacred Sulaiman Too Mountain, the main attraction in Osh.
• We’ll walk to the top of the rocky outcrop, no doubt meeting lots of local pilgrims happy to have a chat on the way.
• Not only is the scraggy hill a site in itself, with amazing views out over the whole city, and also peppered with ancient petroglyphs, but it’s also home to Sulaiman Too Museum, one of those famous crazy Soviet buildings that appear on all the lists of weird Soviet structures.
• If there's time we’ll go to the Osh bazaar, one of Central Asia’s largest open-air markets. This is a great opportunity to find some cool souvenirs – hats, coats, rugs, fabrics, ornaments, loads of the cool stuff you’ve been admiring on locals and in their houses since being in Central Asia.

• Leaving Osh this morning, we'll cross the border into Uzbekistan.
• We’ll spend the morning driving through the Fergana Valley into the mountains to visit the town of Yangiabad. Before arriving at our final destinatition though, we'll make a few stops in Angren. Not famous, and certainly not in any way a "tourist spot", Angren has some excellent Soviet stuff in it, which we love to check out. There are several murals, a couple of statues and the House of Culture.
• We'll arrive in Yangiabad in the afternoon. A closed town during the Soviet Union, not even appearing on maps, it was built as a mining town where exiles were sent.
• Once home to about 10,000 people, the population got down to just over 300, and it felt like a crumbling little Russian enclave within Uzbekistan. However, in the past couple of years the mountain air and scenic views have grabbed the attention of Tashkentians, and the area has become a popular local tourism spot.
• We'll spend the afternoon wandering the streets of the town, exploring the Soviet architecture, and soaking in the atmposphere - a difficult-to-describe mix of lively and summery, and decrepit and derelict.
• We'll spend the night at a nearby Soviet “resort”. If it's hot you can go for a swim in the river, or if you just want to relax, we might be able to find the massage lady.

• Setting off from Yangiabad in the morning, we'll drive to Parkent, where we'll visit one of our absolute favourite examples of Soviet architecture. The second largest solar furnace in the world. "What's a solar furnace?" you might be wondering. Good question! Come and find out.
• In the afternoon, we'll drive to Tashkent. Despite certain likenesses between Tashkent and Ashgabat, with their wide boulevards, artificially manicured lawns and pristine facades in front of crumbling Soviet buildings, Tashkent is a vibrant capital city with lots to do.
• Arriving in the afternoon, we'll take a stroll from Independence Square, formerly Lenin Square, along the Broadway. On the way we'll also pass the statue of Amir Timur, the Romanov Palace and the Uzbekistan Hotel (a must for any Soviet architecture lovers).
• This is a great way to take in the atmosphere that is modern Tashkent around dusk, a city which is quickly becoming hip and modern. With myriads of food and drink stands, a small market, scooters for rent, and loads of cool Tashkentians, young and old, it's a great place to start getting a vibe for the city. We can stop and browse in the small market full of old Soviet trinkets, sit under a shady pagoda for a cold drink or ice cream, check out the miriads of food trucks and market stalls, and find somewhere nice to have dinner.
• We'll have dinner in one of Tashkent's many up and coming restaurants, and if you're a bit sick of Central Asian food by now, this is a great chance to have something else. We might find something at the Broadway, or there's a great Korean restaurant that's one of our favourites for example.
• Overnight in Tashkent.

• We'll spend today exploring Tashkent, starting with the famous Chorsu Bazaar, with its iconic blue dome that's now home to meat, dairy and dried fruits. Exploring the stalls you'll learn about traditional bread-making methods, local remedies for everything including of course virility issues, and how Uzbek babies are taught to go to the toilet.
• From here, we'll jump on the Tashkent Metro, one of only two metro systems in Central Asia (the other one being in Almaty). As with most Soviet built metros, the stations are unnecessarily lavish, but Tashkent's are particularly ornately decorated. Until June 2018 it was illegal to take photos inside them, but fortunately now pictures of these incredibly photogenic stations are allowed.
• We'll get off at a couple of stations on the way to have a look at our favourites, but we'll use the metro to get to our next stop - the Museum of Railway Techniques.
• This outdoor museum is full of all sorts of old locomotives, and they don't mind us climbing all over them. We can even take a little train ride around the train museum. You don't have to be a train lover to enjoy this charming museum.
• You'll most likely have tried plov by now, but nothing will prepare you for the National Plov Centre, which will be our lunch stop for today. An absolutely massive operation, with an army of Uzbeks preparing multiple varieties of plov in unbelievably huge cauldrons, it is an exceptionally unique experience, and a great place to try the national dish if you haven't already. Coffee, ice-cream, salads, all sorts of juices and teas and of course super freshly baked bread are also available.
• From here we'll make our way to the Tashkent TV Tower for fabulous 360 degree views of the city. Another iconic piece of Soviet architecture, the inside of the tower itself is just as interesting as the views or the outside.
• And finally, we'll visit Tashkent Land, Central Asia's answer to Disneyland. With its faded welcome sign, crumbling gift shop and creaky rides, this is definitely a step back in time. Most tourists don't make it to this gem of Soviet infrastructure, but we just can't resist it. It's probably just as well that the exhilirating “Boomerang” rollercoaster has finally been decommisioned, but our favourite ride is still there - the “African tour”, a boat trip through the jungle land.
• Tonight is another opportunity to eat in one of Tashkent's many great restaurants, before we have limited options again for the next few days.
• Overnight in Tashkent.

• Today we'll be leaving Uzbekistan (for the first time on this tour), and heading to Tajikistan, crossing the land border into our fourth Stan.
• Arriving in Khujand around lunchtime, we'll have a sightseeing tour in the afternoon, including the Panjshanbe bazaar, Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and the Mausoleum of Khujand.
• A highlight of Khujand will be the massive Lenin statue, standing majestically on the side of a hill overlooking the city, this is now the largest statue of Lenin still standing.
• Overnight in Khujand.

• Today we will be doing a full day drive south through the famous Fann Mountains towards Dushanbe.
• We'll be driving via Istiklol Tunnel, sometimes known as the “Death Tunnel”, 2,630m above sea level.
• There will be plenty of stops on the way though for photos, toilets and of course lunch.
• The best stop though will be at Iskanderkul Lake (2,255m above the sea level), where there will be an opportunity to go for a 40 minute hike to the local waterfall after arriving at the lake, or if you’d prefer, you can just relax by the lake or go on a shorter walk around it.
• Arriving at today's destination, we’re going to spend the afternoon and evening at an amazing building which really encapsulates what we're all about. Khoja Obi Garm is a Brutalist behemoth Soviet-era sanatorium that is still in operation. The drive there is like the opening scene from the film The Shining. It's run by the Tajikistan Trade Union organisation to provide workers with rest and relaxation. The treatments are a little unorthodox as they include radon baths, electric shock therapy, pulsating circulation treatment as well as mud baths and acupuncture (treatments not included in tour price). It’s an absolute dream for any lovers of weird Soviet stuff.

• This morning you'll have a chance to get some more treatments, take some photos in different light, or just explore the buidlings and grounds some more, before we leave the Soviet splendour of the previous night behind us.
• Arriving in the capital around lunch time, we'll take a tour of Dushanbe's city centre, including Rudaki Street, the Somoni Monument, and the Building of National Spirit (unfortunately it’s not possible to go inside, but it’s still impressive from the outside).
• We'll also walk through Ce ntral Park, where you can gawk at the huge flagpole which was the largest in the world from 2011 to 2014.
• We’ll visit the largest teahouse in the world, which is actually a series of insanely impressive funtion rooms, all adorned with incredibly ornate, but very varied, decorations. From the room that is lined in entirely mahogony, to the mirror room, or the pastel detail of traditional Tajik decor, they all share one thing - the resplendence.
• Then we'll visit the Museum of National Antiquities, where we'll see one of the biggest (literally and figuratively) objects of Tajik pride - the "Buddha in Nirvana" (Reclining Buddha), an impressive 13 metre long clay statue. ​​​​
• Overnight in Dushanbe.

• Today we'll be leaving Tajikistan and will re-enter Uzbekistan, crossing the border at Jarteppa.
• However, before farewelling Tajikistan, there are a few ancient sites in and around Penjikent that we'll make stops at.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Our first stop will be the UNESCO listed ruins of Sarazm, an archeological site dating back to the 4th Millennium BC (yes, millennium, not century!).
• In Penjikent you’ll visit the Museum of Rudaki, the local bazaar, and the ruins of Sogdian and Sarazm.
• Arriving in Samarkand in the evening, you'll have free time to start getting your bearings around this fascinating city.

• Once known as the “Pearl of the Muslim World”, Samarkand is a city synonymous with the Silk Road, full of towering minarets, shimmering domes and home to a splendid technicolour bazaar, which you will have time to wander around and discover for yourself.
• We'll start with what everybody’s waiting for when they go to Samarkand –  the famous and spectacular Registan Square, which is flanked by three beautifully decorated, sparkling blue mosaic madrassas. Once the city’s commercial centre, Registan Square is modern Samarkand’s centre piece and a pride of the Silk Road.
• Having died in September 2016, Islam Karimov, the First President of Uzbekistan, now has his mausoleum on the newly renamed Islam Karimov Street. Often missed on Samarkand tours, we think this is a must-see site and an important piece of the jigsaw that is Uzbekistan's modern history.
• We'll also pay visits to Bibi Khanum Mosque, Amir Timur's Mausoleum, Siyab Bazaar, and the grave of St. Daniel which is said to grow a foot in length every ten years.
• In the afternoon we'll visit Romanenko House, a place that is difficult to describe. This small suburban house has been transformed into a completely unique textile workshop where thirty men and women redesign ancient Central Asian clothing into colourful, modern designs.
• We'll organise an optional wine tasting at one of the local wine factories for anyone who's interested - this can be a really fun way to see another side of Samarkand life.
• After dinner we'll stop at the front of the Registan for the epic sound and light show that is put on every evening after dark. Some say it's tacky, others find it spectacular - whichever camp you find yourself in, it is definitely something!

• This morning we'll head off from Samarkand and drive to Bukhara.
• Arriving in the afternoon, you will have an opportunity for some free time.
• We'll be staying very close to the centre of the old town, so anyone who wishes to start exploring, you can, or for those who need some down time to catch up on laundry, messages, sorting photos, sleep, or whatever else you might be running behind on this is a great chance for that too.
• In the evening we'll meet up with anyone who wants to have dinner together at our favourite spot in Bukhara, next to the lake in Lyabi Hauz square - a beautiful setting right in the centre of the old town.
• In the evening we'll sit by the lake, chilling out and taking it all in over a cold drink and a chat.

• We've got the whole day to explore Bukhara, starting with a walking tour , strolling through the iconic streets of Bukhara's old town.
• Of course we'll see all the famous minarets, mausoleums, mosques and madrassas, however listing these just doesn't capture Bukhara's charm.
• Aside from the impressive brick and blue tiled buildings, at every turn there are shops selling interesting things you might not have seen before. This is a great place to buy all sorts of kinds of souvenirs.
• We'll have the opportunity to learn about and watch demonstrations of various local handicrafts, such as suzany (a local type of embroidery), blacksmithery, woodwork, cooking (usually of plov), and tons of other stuff.
• We'll end our walking tour at a huge structure that looks like a giant ark. Known as the Ancient Ark Fortress, this was the Palace of Bukhara’s Emirs, and parts of it are still open for visitors. This is probably the single most iconic building in Bukhara.
• We'll spend the evening soaking in the atmosphere. Not only is the old town of Bukhara popular with tourists, but it's always absolutely buzzing with locals too, and there's a great lively vibe.

• Today we will cross the land border at Farap, into Turkmenistan, our fifth and final Stan - another great item to add to your list of quitessential Central Asian experiences. And this in itself can be quite the experience. Hopefully there won’t be many locals crossing and it’ll be relatively quick, but you need to have your wits about you for this crossing.
• Arriving in Turkmenabat in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Lebap Regional Museum. You wouldn’t expect much, but it’s actually a pretty cool little museum, with a fascinating array of taxidermy, multiple dioramas, and huge models and murals of the surrounding area, including depictions of dinosaurs making the footprints in the nearby Dinosaur Plateau. Not to mention some very informative displays about the wheat production and oil production of Turkmenistan of course.
• We'll have a quick dinner at our favourite Fitchi House - a local hotspot. And you'd never believe it, but it's not the only one. They also have a branch in Seattle!
• And then we'll head to the airport and you’ll fly on Turkmenistan Airlines! Departing from the very impractical, but equally as beatuiful star-shaped airport in Turkmenabat, we'll catch the evening flight to Ashgabat.
• And if you thought the airport in Turkmenabat was unnecessarily impressive, just wait til you land in Ashgabat!
• Arriving in the capital for the first time, we'll check into the hotel in Ashgabat and free time for the rest of the evening.

• Our first day in Ashgabat, you’re going to be in awe of everything that the capital has to offer. We’ll spend the day taking in all the main sites of Ashgabat, including all those crazy monuments you’ve probably seen pictures of, as we begin explaining all the weird and wonderful aspects of Turkmenistan that make it such a special place.
• We’ll start with a driving tour of Ashgabat's main sites, including Independence Park and Independence Monument, the Monument to the Constitution, the Arch of Neutrality, Lenin Park, and a drive-by of the Olympic Complex which was built for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The complex is home to the famous Horse Stadium ( the largest structure in the shape of a horse in the world – you’ll hear plenty more of these records! ), but unfortunately is closed to the public.
• A highlight of the day will likely be the Alem Centre, the complex which houses the Wheel of Enlightenment, the largest indoor ferris wheel (yes, there’s another one). And YES, for just $2.50, you can even take a ride!
• Stop for lunch at Berkarar Shopping Centre, where you can go ice-skating, play in the games centre, ride a miniature double-decker bus, and even have a cappuccino in a hipster café – bet you weren’t expecting that!
• In the afternoon we’ll visit the university bookshop, a great chance to pick up some very cool, unique Turkmenistan swag, including where you can find amazing coffee table books written by and about the former president (and father of the current president, Serdar Berdimuhamedov), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as ones about Ashgabat and Turkmenistan. You can even get them in English! They also have postcards and posters, and if you're lucky they might even have a copy of the Ruhnama, the book written by Turkmenbashy.
• Spend the night at the Ak Altyn Hotel.

• Happy Carpet Day!
• Today is a very one off opportunity to see the Carpet Museum in Ashgabat in all its glory, with exhibitions, shows, and loads of Turkmens milling around taking part in the festivities. There will be a great atmosphere, and we'll spend most of the day just soaking it in.
• There will be stands set up and a little yurt village, with exhibitions and displays of local food and drinks, carpets of course, historical heroes, and plenty of singing and dancing in traditional clothing. There will be cauldrons of plov, buckets of kumus and chalap, pastries, and who knows what else.

• This morning we will have free time, so you'll have a chance to organise yourself for the evening ahead. We'll be checking out of the hotel in Ashgabat, but you can leave luggage behind for the overnight.
• In the early afternoon, we'll set off on our desert adventure, driving the 250km north to Darvaza, The Gates of Hell.
• One the way we’ll make a few stops – including to see a salt lake, and two other craters (one full of mud, one full of water).
• Our favourite stop on this drive though is the town of Erbent, where you'll get a real up-close look at how rural Turkmens live - very different to what you've seen so far in Ashgabat and other regional cities and towns. We'll patronise the village shop, no doubt take some photos of some dust, possibly an old motorbike or two, maybe even a camel, and if we're lucky we might bump into some school kids. We will also of course use their toilet (not a luxurious one!) before continuing on our way.
• Crossing the sand dunes to get to Darvaza, we’ll arrive in time to watch the sunset over the fiery crater and experience dusk turn to dark at this breathtaking site.
• We will either set up tents near the crater, or stay in one of the nearby yurt camps, depending on many factors, including weather. Either way though, we'll spend the evening viewing the fiery crater from every angle, seeing the colour change as the sun sets and the darkness creeps in, until the crater is in full glow. It's completely mesemerising.

• We'll wake up this morning at the Gates of Hell. What a place to wake up!
• Make sure you get your fill of fiery pits over breakfast, before we drive back to Ashgabat, arriving around lunchtime.
• We'll check into the hotel and have free time for the rest of the afternoon.
• Most people will probably want to head to one of our favourite bazaars in Central Asia – the Russian Bazaar. Here you'll have the opportunity to get some super cheap, local food for lunch, do some souvenir shopping, or if you’re in the market for a Turkmen carpet we can show you a good place to get them.
• This is also where one of the main shops for buying the famous Turkmenistan tracksuits is, so if you've made it to this point in the tour without one, and you're a bit jealous of your tracksuit-adorned fellow travellers, this is your chance to get one.
• You also might like just to go exploring, whether it's a walk to the psychadelic Ashgabat Mall, or to Tashkent Park, or to the alabay (dog) statue, or you could simply walk through one of the areas of new white marble buildings. And of course we'll be there to help you figure out what to do with your time.
• For dinner this evening we’ll go to the Yyldiz Hotel – the newest and most expensive hotel in Turkmenistan, where you can have a real 5 Star restaurant experience for 1 Star prices, complete with 360 degree views of the city.

Leave Ashgabat. Drive to Merv. Visit Merv and Mary. Continue on to Serhetabad, arriving in the evening.

• Drive from your accommodation near Serhetabad to the Afghan border. We'll arrive early in the morning to cross the border.
• After crossing from Turkmenistan into Afghanistan, we will drive to the major city of Herat. Herat, capital of western Afghanistan and the Herat Province, was known for centuries as the Pearl of Khorasan. The city is famous today for its stunning Friday Mosque with intricate blue tilework and the imposing Herat Citadel overlooking the city.
• As the largest city in the west, it's best at blending bustling bazaars filled with colorful handicrafts and spices, serene shrines like Khwaja Abd Allah Ansari, and lively local eateries serving savory Afghan dishes. Wander vibrant streets, explore lush parks like Takht-e-Safar, and immerse in a cultural mosaic of traditions, music, and warm hospitality that captivates every traveler.
• On arrival we’ll check into our hotel, and head out to get some Afghani clothes, exploring our first city in Afghanistan.
• Overnight Herat.

• Herat has the largest collection of ancient buildings in Afghanistan and we will try to fit in as much as we can of the city and its surroundings, including the Friday Mosque, the Tomb of Gowar Shad, the Masullah Complex, and the atmospheric Shrine of Khoja Ansari at Gazar Gah. These are some of the finest examples of Ghorid and Timurid tiling to be found anywhere in the world – arguably the most stunning mosque in the world, though the inhabitants of Mazar-e-Sharif and Samarkand might disagree.
• Visiting the countryside of Herat we'll see thousands of displaced people from Kandahar, Ghor and Badghis provinces due to the conflict. Here we can hear their various stories. If we have time we can see a soccer match and visit the Malan bridge which is modelled on the Khaju Bridge in Isfahan.
• Overnight Herat.

• Tracing the Hari River in the footsteps of the Mughal emperor Babur, we journey into Afghanistan’s rugged high country. The paved roads give way to rough, winding tracks as we pass through remote villages nestled in fertile valleys.
• Marvel at the ancient minarets and crumbling caravanserais that dot the landscape, remnants of the Silk Road era.
• Stop for a picnic lunch by the river, soaking in the serene beauty of the surrounding hills.
• Arrive in Jam, where the iconic 12th century Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, towers over the valley, offering a glimpse into Afghanistan’s rich history.
• Overnight in Jam.

• Continuing east along the Hari River through the wilds of Ghor province, we traverse a rugged stretch of road rarely traveled by outsiders. Ancient mud-walled castles and watchtowers, relics of medieval times, punctuate the stark landscape, evoking tales of ancient warlords.

• Pause to interact with local shepherds and learn about their nomadic way of life.

• Enjoy a traditional Afghan lunch at a roadside teahouse, savoring local bread and tea. Arrive in Chagcharan, the provincial capital, and explore its bustling bazaar, filled with colorful stalls selling handmade crafts and spices. Spend the night in a basic but welcoming hotel, immersing in local hospitality.

• Overnight in Chagcharan.

• Depart Chagcharan for the breathtaking Band-e-Amir National Park, Afghanistan’s first national park.
• Its five Lapis Lazuli blue lakes, separated by natural travertine dams, shimmer against the barren, rocky landscape. Legend attributes the dams to Ali, cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, though geologists cite mineral deposits.
• Swim or hike along the lakeshores, capturing their surreal beauty. After a picnic lunch, continue to Bamiyan, home to the historic Buddha niches, carved into cliffs in the 6th century. Explore the surrounding caves, once inhabited by monks, and visit a local market for traditional Hazara crafts. Overnight in a cozy Bamiyan guesthouse.
• Overnight in Bamiyan.

• We will spend today in and around Bamiyan, an area of striking natural beauty. The mountains and valleys are dotted with ruins from Afghanistan’s past, and friendly Hazara villages. It is one of the few places in Afghanistan where we can walk freely and safely in a rural environment.
• We will also visit the natural landscape of Dragon valley, see the ruins of Shah e Zohak (Red Fort) and the remains of Shah e Golghola (the city of Screams).
• Overnight Bamiyan.

• Heading off in the morning, we’ll go straight to the capital of Afghanistan – Kabul.
• We'll head out and explore the capital of this amazing country. The sobering OMAR landmine museum, the British Cemetery, and Babur's Gardens – the final resting place of the first Mughal emperor on the hills of Bibi Mahru. This may also include the remains of Darul Aman Palace and a visit to the Kabul Museum.
• We'll make a stop at the famous bird market, which is a maze of small alleyways, with locals haggling over every product you can imagine, including famous Afghan singing birds.
• Our tour around Kabul also includes several notorious sites as well as some heart-warming experiences such as the Children’s Circus.
• Overnight Kabul.

• Today we'll be exploring more of Kabul, and now that you've got a feel for this chaotic city we'll do a bit more walking and will have more chances to mingle with locals.

• We'll take a walk down Chicken Street, once the famous epicentre of the counter-culture and free love movements on the Opium Trail in the 60s. Chicken Street is now famous for its antique and carpet shops.

• The only Synagogue in Afghanistan also happens to be on nearby Flower Street, so if you like we can stop to have a look. However, the last Jewish man left when the Taliban took over in 2021.

• We'll also try and visit the famous 'Bookseller of Kabul' made famous from the 2002 book by Norwegian journalist Asne Seierstad. In the afternoon we'll head to Shahr-e-Park, the main amusement park in Kabul where we'll see Taliban soldiers eating ice-cream and going on the rides.

• Overnight Kabul.

• Depart Kabul early, driving through the dramatic landscapes of eastern Afghanistan toward the historic Khyber Pass. This ancient trade route, once traversed by Alexander the Great and Silk Road caravans, offers stunning views of rugged mountains and deep valleys.
• Stop at a local village en route to enjoy traditional Afghan tea and interact with locals, learning about their customs.
• At Torkham, explore the bustling border crossing, a vibrant hub of commerce and culture. Witness the daily life of traders and travelers before crossing the iconic Khyber Pass into Pakistan, marking the final leg of our journey.
• Once in Pakistan, we'll continue on to Peshawar.
• Overnight in Peshawar.

Peshawar to Islamabad. Evening in Islamabad.

Morning in Islamabad. Drive to Lahore. Salt mine on the way.

Lahore, Wagah.

Start driving to Karachi. Stop somewhere en-route. Moghul forts in the desert en route.

Drive to Karachi. Ship breaking on the way. Arrive in Karachi.

Karachi.

• Today brings us to the end of this epic adventure.
• Get in touch if you'd like help organising anything else in Pakistan.