Golden Road to Samarkand

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  Tour Operator  TDA Global Cycling

  Tajikistan & Uzbekistan

 14 days (Bike: 9 days)

  1220 km  (~136km per day)

 Avid

 Mixed on/off-road

Guided

Supported

This historic Silk Road section begins in Dushanbe where the riders will head their bicycles west and quickly cross into Uzbekistan.

From that border, it is three riding days to the ancient city of Samarqand, where the riders’ eyes will feast upon the minarets and domes of Uzbekistan's most glorious city, as described so well in James Elroy Flecker’s epic poem, The Golden Journey to Samarqand. From this magical place we cycle towards another - Central Asia's holiest city, Bukhara. In both these historic cities, the cyclists can explore buildings with histories spanning thousands of years and sights seemingly drawn from the medieval tales of flying carpets and 1001 Nights.

The riders will enjoy time off in Samarqand, allowing them time to explore this legendary Silk Road city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. An oasis on the edge of the Kyzyl Kum desert, Samarqand features the stunning Registan public square, bordered by several madrasas and the impressive tomb of Timur, the Gur-Emir, completed in 1405. The route now heads northwest and passes through ancient Bukhara, once a major centre of Islamic theology and culture. The riders then spin through a vast desert before arriving in Khiva, considered one of the most well-preserved Silk Road cities in the world. Once home to a notorious slave market, it marks the end of this memorable section.

Highlights

  • The Golden Road to Samarqand
  • Historic Centre of Bukhara
  • UNESCO heritage site of Khiva

Tour Information

From

Dushanbe

To

Khiva

Cost From

Guided   US$ 5100

Departure(s)

August 25, 2025

Inclusions

  • 8 Nights in hotels - 5 nights of camping
  • Most dinners
  • Most breakfasts
  • All roadside lunches
  • Afternoon soup on riding days
  • Experienced chef
  • Vehicle to carry your bags
  • Experienced tour leader
  • Sweep rider
  • Security as needed
  • Bike mechanic
  • Medic
  • Local support
  • Tour jersey
  • Commemorative tour medal
  • Celebratory final dinner
  • Pre-tour information bulletins
  • Pre-tour rider discussion forum

Exclusions

  • A registration fee of US$150 must first be paid to hold your place on the tour and is in addition to the entry fee
  • Flights

Additional

  • Ride the full Silk Route or one or more sections
  • We recommend a touring bike with 35-40c tires.
  • Full tour entry fees will receive an early payment discount of US$1000 if full payment is received 6 months before the start of the tour.
  • Those coming for multiple sections get 10% off for 2 or more sections on the same tour.
  • TDA alumni get special alumni discounts.

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While great care has been taken to show full and correct tour details, unfortunately transcription errors do occur and, although we continually seek to eliminate these, we apologise for any mistakes. Plans or bookings should not be made exclusively based on information shown on this website but must be confirmed with the tour operator.