Uzbekistan
The Silk Route

Overview

Uzbekistan has much to offer the adventure traveller from ancient history, culture and traditional bazaars, to beautiful landscapes. At the heart of the ancient Silk Road from China through the Middle East to Rome, redspokes cycling tour re-traces the footsteps of travellers and traders from a time when Uzbekistan was a well-trodden path. From Tashkent to Bukhara we travel through a desert landscape to Djizakh town. From here we cycle to Lake Turzkan and along the Pistalitau mountain ridge. Our route continues through scenic valley, passing stone and mudbrick houses towards beautiful Sob gorge before we tackle the toughest mountain climb of our trip to reach Fazilman Lake. We cycle through mountain scenery to Sarmysh National Park for Petroglyphs. At the end of our cycling we transfer to historic Bukara, with a rest day to enjoy the sights and the option to visit magical Samakand as we return to Tashkent by train. You have the option to travel on to Khiva on our extended itinerary. 

Uzbekistan can truly be described as a nation of contrasts. The double landlocked country is surrounded by other landlocked countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan). There are huge expanses of desert, pockets of verdant fertile valley and semi-arid grassland; the snow-capped Tien Shan mountains marking the south and eastern borders. In the 13^th Century the country fell under Mongol rule, followed by a period of independent emirates and khanates of Bukhara, Kokand and Samarkand before becoming a part of Russia in 1865, and then the Soviet Union, most recently emerging as an independent nation in 1991.

There is little in the way of rain fall, summertime is very hot (+40), and winters extremely cold (-5). Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit. The redspokes Uzbekistan cycling tour is timed to run during optimal climactic conditions for adventure cycling.

On the redspokes Uzbeksitan cycle tour you will experience mesmerizing scenery, diverse historic and modern architecture, from the columns and intricate patterns of mosques and madrassahs to Christian churches and temples, and enjoy classic Uzbekistan cuisine. 

NB: Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed below, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to flight schedules or other operational factors.