Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan/Tajikistan/Turkmenistan
On the Silk Road in Central Asia
Program No. 18766RJ
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On the Silk Road in Central Asia
On the Silk Road in Central Asia
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Participant Reviews
Based on 67 Reviews
SHOWING
This was a well organized and executed trip, very much due to our competent guide Abdu Samadov. The experiences were outstanding from musical performances, demonstrations of games on horseback with goat carcasses, falconry, felt making, and ceramics. The architecture was very different from what I was used to and largely built with blue tiles in all kinds of configurations. The food was excellent with most days two full meals in addition to breakfast. We learned new things about all aspects of life in these countries, that once were ruled by the USSR, and have worked so hard to establish their autonamy.
— Review left January 10, 2026
The Silk Road was a wonderful and eye-opening experience for anyone not familiar with Central Asia. The history is interesting, the people are friendly and there is a mix of old and new side-by-side in the Silk Road cities.
— Review left December 30, 2025
Dazzling colors, stunning architecture, authentic and warm people, diverse scenery from mountains/lakes to deserts to bustling cities. Great choices on food, surprisingly clean and affordable. The best part of the trip was our guide Abdu; a true professional who loves sharing his in depth knowledge of the Stans with us. I truly memorable trip. thank you!
— Review left November 18, 2025
I would highly recommend the Silk Road in Central Asia program. It was a great way to learn about an area of the world that may have significant implications for the US in the future. Great program!
— Review left October 31, 2025
Great tour thru the 5 Stans, along the ancient Silk Road. Active pace. Great meals. Comfortable transportation. Friendly traveling companions.
— Review left October 25, 2025
This trip made a dream come true for me. The activity level and the amount of information and experiences to which we were exposed were intense, but it was the best way to get a feel for five very different countries within three weeks. I highly recommend this tour if you're curious about Central Asia. It's a dynamically vibrant, proud, and complex region of the world that deserves more attention and understanding.
— Review left October 18, 2025
This is a trip of a life time. We learned so much about the history and culture of five republics that used to be a part of the Soviet Union. All Americans benefit from learning about these up and coming tourism centers.
— Review left October 16, 2025
This trip gave me so many insights to a part of the world many westerners ( myself included) know little about. It's a combination of ancient and modern with a myriad of cultures, traditions, languages & ethnicities.
Jama, our main guide, couldn't have been better, with his caring and thoughtful oversight of our group. His expertise of Central Asia is astounding, and he readily encourages questions and engagement to further broaden understanding of this part of the world. His sense of humor and positive attitude made the trip so enjoyable. In addition, he worked non-stop, and often behind the scenes to make sure our program ran smoothly. Thank you, Jama! Our local Kyrgyzstan guide was also brilliant.
For me, the trip's highlights included visiting fabled Samarkand and Bukhara , seeing the Tien Shan mountains covered in a fresh coat of snow, visiting the Shahid Memorial Complex and Courage Earthquake Monument in Tashkent, and marvelling at the the artistry, intricate designs & architecture of mosques, madrasahs, minarets and mausoleums.
— Review left October 13, 2025
The Road scholar trip brought Central Asia alive for me! It was very educational and enlightening, thanks in great measure to our trip leader Jama!
— Review left October 9, 2025
Road Scholars makes traveling the Silk Road transformative and pretty easy. It surprised me how many new and interesting places we were immersed in every day. The guides are excellent in that they truly care about you and will bring the Silk Road to life.
— Review left October 9, 2025
The trip is well worth it! The leads/guides are personable and knowledgeable. They helped us consider new perspectives. It's a busy schedule - plenty of walking and standing. The area is beautiful and the people are wonderful. It is a 'must do'!
— Review left October 8, 2025
If you have Abdu as your guide, you are lucky. What a fabulous job - so caring, knowledgable, organized, polite. The trip gave us the opportunity to feel like we were on the Silk Road as well as experiencing life in modern times. Very good planning and execution provided diverse views into five countries who have experienced their own unique paths out of the USSR. The accommodations were good, especially the Alexia Hotel in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. I was glad there were vegetables available even at breakfast, and many of the eggplant dishes were amazing. Border crossings were interesting, particularly the four-hour ordeal into Turkmenistan, but as usual, Abdu lead us with competence. I would recommend this trip for the adventurous, particularly for travelers who want to be challenged and see places and cultures most North Americas never do. It was my 14th trip with Road Scholar and definitely one of the best. Thanks again, Abdu!!
— Review left September 21, 2025
I found the people in the 5 countries all very warm and welcoming, each country is similar and yet different in a wonderful way that keeps you engaged, the future for each country is complex and evolving on a yearly basis as are the people, I see a great future for the 5 countries and hope to be around in 30 years to see how they changed. I will recommend this trip to others who enjoy exploring new places and cultures.
Thank you Abdu for guiding us on this adventure!
— Review left September 21, 2025
This trip was outstanding. I can strongly recommend it. I travel a lot and I can say it was the best trip I've been on.
The tour leader was Jama. He was fantastic. He has comprehensive knowledge of the region and its history. He can talk non-stop for hours; and he does.
That said, the trip involves a lot of moving around - 5 countries in 3 weeks. The accommodations were excellent - a couple were just OK. The food is mostly beef and lamb. The boarder crossings are long and hot, but nobody was lost.
With this overview of the region, I hope to go back and focus on a few destinations.
Carl
— Review left July 11, 2025
Amazing trip! Our Trip Leader, Abdu (Abdugolib Samadov) is a wealth of information - so knowledgeable and eager to share information as well as personal stories with our group - conveying the pride he has for the region. He took excellent care of the group - readily available for our every need. We engaged with the local guides and people in each country as they were eager to meet and share with us. The food was plentiful and always beautifully prepared and presented. We visited six UNESCO World Heritage Sites; were serenaded by professional musicians on several occasions and even participated in a mock wedding, costumes included! The accommodations were good and offered a full breakfast menu to start each day - service was excellent. The Alexia Hotel in Bukhara, Uzbekistan was outstanding! We enjoyed home hosted lunches and dinners that gave us further opportunities to engage with the locals. The itinerary lived up to the rating of "Let's Go!" - Abdu kept track of our miles and steps - we traveled 1,248 miles, averaged over 7,000 steps daily, and completed four overland border crossings. We saw magnificent architecture, museums, and monuments and rode a cable car to a local park. This is a wonderful trip for being introduced to Central Asia and to learn about the history and heritage. Credit goes to our local guides for their knowledge and sharing. Abdu is an passionate, proud and caring representative for this area - would recommend experiencing this trip with him. Wonderful experience for my first trip with Road Scholar.
— Review left June 17, 2025
One word- WOW. First, you have a TREASURE in Abdou. The breadth and depth of his intellect are unprecedented, as is his skill in communication. His grace and charm eased so many border crossings. He baby sat so many sometimes grumpy 70-somethings w/o ever getting annoyed. His passion for his homeland and all of the Stans made us all feel like we were a part a historical tectonic shift that will keep our attention for the rest of our lives. He taught me to think of the USSR, China, and Turkey in multidimensional ways. And his average work day pushed 18 hours.
The local guides were a nice addition with very different views of especially the USSR legacy. One was a little too pro Moscow for a few of others' tastes but I liked him...again we need to always challenge our preconception.
What to change? My thoughts-
1. Drop the school visit, the one headed by the old American.
2. Try to find a few activities that would be easier to zip out for those who need a few extra hours to rest, facebook etc. OR set up movie parties where he canresr and we can e=reelax and learn
3. Smaller banquet servings please! And warn more about raw fruits and veggies. (My professional background indicates that leafy veggies,
ground grown fruit e g melons and berries are the riskiest
4. work in a train ride! and also a camel and horse ride.
5. Clone Abdou...I want him to lead me thru India and the rest of the former SSRs.
You all are a wonderful enterprise. thank you all.
— Review left June 13, 2025
Incredible trip. I learned so much about these 5 countries in Central Asia, and I only wish I could have spent more time in each one.
Abdu, our trip leader, was excellent: very knowledgeable, very passionate about his region, ready with humorous remarks, and very attentive. The local guides were also good.
The accommodations were good, especially the Alexia Hotel in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. All the hotel locations were stellar. I liked the food, and the entertainment was fun & enjoyable.
Overall, I would say that this was one of my best trips ever for seeing a new part of the world & acquiring knowledge & meeting locals & having pleasant companions.
— Review left June 8, 2025
Our Silk Road Experience with an Amazing Guide was Epic!
— Review left June 7, 2025
Road Scholar introduced us to the region of Central Asia like almost no other group could have done. We learned about this area of the world through the leadership of exceptional guides and cultural interpreters who helped us understand and appreciate the history, architecture, gastronomy, religion, crafts, games and sports of the 5 countries we visited. Well done, Road Scholar! -Dr. John
— Review left June 6, 2025
This was my first group tour ever and I was understandably nervous as a solo traveler. It turned out to be very enjoyable. I appreciated the pace of the more or less constant activity on the tour and found it educational and informative.
— Review left May 28, 2025
This was a challenging program; you should be physically fit due to the packed itinerary, infrastructure challenges (stairs, stairs, stairs) and heat depending on the time of year. The meals were excellent if often meat-heavy. The most challenging aspect was navigating Istanbul Airport; I think Road Scholar needs to improve on helping participants get through this huge airport. The transfer between Bishkek and Toshkent should have been done by train. That flight was a disaster - stressful, uncomfortable and worse - time consuming. My favorites were excellent restaurants, museums and bazaars. Finally please pack light as border crossings are handled by yourself and in some cases there are many security layers to pass through. I loved Central Asia!
— Review left May 25, 2025
Great trip - I'd highly recommend - with a couple "fun" caveats:
1) Read the pre-reading. Study the maps. It's well worth it and when you're standing in front of 2500 years of history everyday, keeping things straight in your head will really help. Make a timeline/compare it with milestones you already have a grasp of (like was this before or after the reign of Charlamagne or Queen Elizabeth?) I used Google Maps constantly - driving the Pamir Mountains was spectacular.
2) Take their luggage restrictions seriously. You will have to get ALL your luggage up stairs. You will have to walk and wheel it over cobblestones, broken sidewalks, curbs and gravel roads. There will not be porters. Don't bring suitcases as big as you are and plan loading everything yourself on x-ray machines at every (very busy)border crossing.
3) You will need to carry and drink lots of water - as in 6-10 bottles per day. The risk of using public facilities is nothing when compared to being dehydrated in the heat (it will happen). Yes, you will be using roadside facilities not up to your standards - so be prepared (and they're not all that bad).
4) Keep your imagination first and foremost in your mind. Folks laugh that we see alot of "Mosques. Markets, Mausoleums and Museums." The truth is that we are seeing alot of forts, oases, shrines and ruins - but you won't see them easily between the superhighways, skyscrapers and traffic. It's fantastic to visit a ruin in the morning and then see what was discovered in that ruin in a museum in the afternoon. To visit a mausoleum and then see families picnicking out back to celebrate their visit and give thanks in ways we don't see at home.
5) Don't forget that ancient cities were walkable. Just because we have a tight bus tour schedule and lots to see doesn't mean you shouldn't make time to walk around like the locals. I got in my 10,000 steps everyday with pleasure. Find time to make the trip yours - each destination is a treasure.
— Review left May 20, 2025
An amazing, but strenuous, tour through five of the former soviet republics in central asia. You will learn much more than you expect about this part of the world.
— Review left May 17, 2025
Excellent program and the guide, Jama, greatly enhanced the overall experience. If you decide to take this trip you will really feel like you experienced Central Asia as well as a traveler can in 3 weeks.
— Review left May 15, 2025
What an unforgettable adventure! architecture, landscape, music and dance, bazaars, fresh-baked Uzbek bread and most of all, thousands of years of history. This was an extraordinary introduction to the rich and varied cultures of the Central Asian republics, past and present, and a very fast-paced and remarkably in-depth trip. Tour leader and local experts and speakers were outstanding.
— Review left May 1, 2025
Trip is a chance to see a part of the world that few people know anything about . It is a chance to see the new , juxtaposed with the ancient, where Alexander the Great, Genghis Kahn, Tamerlane and the Soviet Union exerted their influence for many years.
— Review left January 17, 2025
This Road Scholar tour can seem somewhat overwhelming with visiting five countries in less than three weeks, but it is well worth it. In fact, it is probably my favorite Road Scholar trip, primarily due to our amazing leader, Jamshid Fayzullaev . Jama, as we called him, continually informed us of what we were seeing and the history pertaining to it. He is not only highly intelligent and personable, but also has a great sense of humor. This trip has encouraged me to spend more time in Central Asia which is something I was not interested in previously. I now see that, as an American, I have basically been sheltered from learning about this fascinating part of the world.
— Review left November 20, 2024
This is one of my top three trips - and I've traveled a lot, with Road Scholar, other groups, and individually! Credit goes mainly to our fantastic Group Leader, Jamshid Fayzullaev, who devised and led the program. The destinations are exotic, with long, complicated histories that few Americans are familiar with. But the program coordinated the disparate elements - antiquity, Silk Road, Soviet, post-Soviet/independence - so we could understand what we were seeing. And there was always an emphasis on educational experiences, not just sightseeing (but there was time for shopping!).
So many memorable experiences! The bus ride through the mountains from Khujand to Samarkand along one of the ancient Silk Road trails; exploring an old neighborhood in Samarkand and learning about traditional family life; visiting bazaars in Bukhara, Almaty, and other cities; learning about nomad life and crafts and music; seeing the grotesqueness of Turkmenistan. Even the border crossings were fascinating.
It's a strenuous trip and there's a lot of time on the bus. But the buses are new and clean (and the drivers are magicians!); the country guides are personable and knowledgeable; the hotels range from very good to excellent; the food was ample and interesting and well-done; the museums are mostly new and well organized, with knowledgeable, English speaking docents.
I'll note that about half of our group (including me) were singles, but the group became very cohesive; we all supported and looked out for each other. I always felt safe.
All in all, an outstanding trip unlike any other. Well worth the long plane rides!
— Review left November 16, 2024
Outstanding opportunity to visit cultural and historic sites along Silk Road in 5 countries. Great food and lodging. Highly recommended.
— Review left November 13, 2024
The Silk Road program was excellent. It was demanding and challenging, but also fun.
— Review left November 9, 2024
Silk Road Tour was fascinating and really fun. We covered over 2000 miles - many diverse activities including archaeological sites, cultural and artistic demonstrations, buildings and so much more. Jama was the best guide ever ensuring the experience surpassed all my expectations.
— Review left November 1, 2024
By and large, I enjoyed our trip to Central Asia. It was fascinating to visit 5 different countries, although we spent most of our time in Uzbekistan because it had Taskent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Food was tasty, but there was way too much of it at every meal. We knew we would be ON THE GO, but some days were too long. We felt someone was packing 10 pounds into a 5 pound bag! Did we have to see so many M's - mosques, mausoleums, and minarets? There were some important historic people to follow, but I felt the number of M's was excessive. Take us to the most important ones! Museum guides were informative. I loved the children's presentation! That was a welcome relief from being in the bus some more. The falcon farm was fun to go to - the presenter was a hoot! It was wonderful to see the horse games. That was a touch of culture. I would have liked MORE personal exchanges with the locals, to hear them talk about their lives. We visited 4 bazaars. The foods were fascinating to view. We were given very little time to shop at them. Some people like to take home souvenirs to friends and family. Don't take people to a bazaar if they can't shop for a while after at the souvenir shops around. If horsemeat and kumis are the foods that are popular in that area, I felt you should have had a tasting of those things as part of the experience. The hotels were fine. I especially loved the boutique hotel in Bukhara. Dilfuza and the cook made it especially nice at breakfast. Talk to the owner there about giving these ladies a raise! It was a nice intimate hotel. Our guides were pretty good. There is a fine line between telling good information and then just talking for the sake of talking. Quiet time is OK too. If guides would tell us a lot about the place we were planning to visit next while we were on the bus, then people wouldn't have to stand outside and listen to all of the information. I was glad I went on this trip. I learned so much. Mary Bowman
— Review left October 30, 2024
One of the best trips I’ve ever had. Learned and enjoyed a part of the world I was totally unfamiliar with.
— Review left October 27, 2024
I also meant to comment on the Tripcast app, would heve liked more participation by our group. could have been more encouraging
— Review left October 19, 2024
This trip confirmed that it will be the last one I’ll ever take with Road Scholar. I had looked forward to visiting the Stans in Central Asia for so long, but it was, in actuality, a tremendous disappointment. The destinations included were great, but the itinerary was boring, made increasingly more so by the guide who seemed intent on overwhelming us with an unnecessary level of detail that was neither interesting nor memorable. The stops leaned heavily on museums and mosques. After the first two or three which were interesting, they became monotonous, as the artifacts and architecture tended to be identical from one to the next. There was also very little variety in the meals served, and when we had the opportunity to do a home visit, there was zero interaction with our hosts. There was nothing cultural about these visits, which were actually just a different setting for a meal. For a trip that was titled “Silk Road”, there was minimal focus on the textiles that created the historical riches of this region. If anyone stopped to browse something that they might like to purchase, the guide admonished us that this wasn’t a shopping trip. Instead, time was spent listening to interminable lectures while standing for very long periods. There was so little free time on this trip, it felt like a forced march on a daily basis. I couldn’t wait to come home. I have friends who have visited this area and found it very enjoyable, but frankly they traveled with other tour providers who put together more well-rounded experiences for their travelers who could learn, eat, meet the locals, and take home some shopping memories. The 5 Stans were the 92-96th countries I’ve visited in my travels, and based on what I consider a good knowledge of what makes for an enjoyable trip, my impression is that Road Scholar invested limited effort in making this a well-rounded touristic experience. 3 final words: never me again.
— Review left September 29, 2024
It was a beautiful trip. Extremely well organized and managed.
— Review left September 21, 2024
The Silk Road tour opens up a part of Asia that is almost wholly unfamiliar to most Americans. We saw so many fascinating sights, learned a good deal about the complex religious histories of the various countries, enjoyed some wonderful demonstrations of music and crafts, and were excited, day after day, by what we were seeing and doing. The trip is physically challenging, but our efforts were well rewarded. I was delighted by this great tour!
— Review left September 14, 2024
Our trip was very good with a great group of 22 people. The best thing about our trip was our guide, Anvar. He was extremely knowledgeable, caring and patient. The weakest pat of the trip was the selection hotels. In most instances they were sub-par.
I would love a trip like this to add a few days for people to do some nature related sight seeing given the mountains around.
— Review left June 21, 2024
This was a spectacular trip, encompassing history, culture, architecture, archeology and a glimpse into life in countries of the former Soviet Union. An enormous palette brought to life by our fantastic tour leader Jamshid (Jama). Jama is incredibly knowledgeable about the Stans and the Silk Road and shares his knowledge with clarity and enthusiasm. He makes the experience come to life. In addition, Jama is an ace tour manager, keeping everything smooth and in control, no matter what challenges. He reminded me of the proverbial duck that appears to glide smoothly over the surface of the water while paddling furiously underneath. Jama’s knowledge and expertise allowed us to completely enjoy the wonders the Silk Road has to offer.
— Review left June 11, 2024
This "Silk Road Tour" was as fascinating as it was comprehensive, but the real "value added" was our fantastic Tour Leader, Jamshid ("Jama"), who created this tour, shared his extensive knowledge with all of us, and repeatedly made magic happen when things went amiss. He is a treasure. This is a fascinating part of the world that few Americans visit (a shame), but has played an important role in shaping our civilization.
— Review left June 7, 2024
As my first RS trip, I was amazed, first of all, by the knowledge, care, and thoroughness of our guide Jamshid. Central Asia is a fascinating area and one that I knew little about; the ability to compare and contrast five countries gave me an appreciation of the people, culture, and history.
— Review left May 26, 2024
This was a fascinating experience with so much to see and learn about. As a result it can feel very intense at times but I wouldn't have given up any of the experiences. Just be prepared to feel mentally and physically exhausted by the end of it - but in a good way. I loved it!!
— Review left May 24, 2024
A+ trip to the 5 Stans. It included curated experiences of the similarities and differences in cultures, customs, religions, food, dress, natural resources, architecture, art and more as we stopped in many cities along the Silk Road. Jama, our primary guide, fostered great camaraderie and managed flawless logistics. So much fun!
— Review left May 19, 2024
The “Silk Road” program is Exceptional in every aspect! Each Country with individual Story.ands Color! Culture,Scenic, History..accepting smiling ,people. From snow capped mountains to mesmerizing desert . Incredible lifetime memory! A Must experience!
— Review left May 18, 2024
Amazing and well planned tour of five countries along the Silk Road. Comfortable lodging and variety in meals. You learn about history and meet the people as you move along on this fast paced trip. You see cities and countryside, meet horses and even herds of sheep on the Pamir Highway. We can’t say enough good things about our tour manager Jama who did a superb job. Five stars for sure!
— Review left May 18, 2024
Silk Road trip and our guide Jama and local guides exceeded my expectations. An absolute Grand trip!
— Review left May 17, 2024
On this program you'll learn about a wonderful part of the world that has brilliant cultures that developed outside the influence of European cultures.
— Review left May 4, 2024
The trip was fabulous is every way! I especially loved Almaty, Bukhara and Ashkabat.
I have only a couple of comments/suggestions:
--Lunches and dinners had TOO MUCH FOOD! In particular, the number of courses made lunch last too long.
--I found the horse games n Bishkek to be objectionable due to the cruel treatment of the horses. I love horses and especially enjoyed the Turkmenistan Horse Stables, but the cruelty to horses is truly unethical, in my opinion.
--I forget which city had the hotel that was recently renovated-- things were still falling apart and the level of cleanliness and general disrepair of the facility made it below the standards that Road Scholar travelers have grown to expect.
— Review left May 3, 2024
Central Asia is rich in history, culture, and generous people. This program included something for everyone and was well-worth the trip!
— Review left November 6, 2023
This was a well-organized tour and a highly memorable trip.
— Review left October 25, 2023
Don’t rely on program information materials. Money requirements are wrong. Travel luggage restrictions are incomplete. Deal with those inadequacies and enjoy the lushness of Central Asia. You’ll be very lucky to have Farrukh as your tour leader.
— Review left October 5, 2023
This tour was fascinating and exceeded my expectations. Abdu was an incredible leader and made the border crossings and daily logistics easy for us. I learned a lot about Central Asia and took home a new perspective on geopolitics.
— Review left September 23, 2023
The Silk Road tour is an outstanding program. The sites we visited are some of the most beautiful, interesting and moving in the world. This trip follows the crossroads of world history and culture and we learned so much. The local people we met shared their stories with us and gave us insight into a part of the world I knew little about. But it all came together because of the outstanding tour leader we had, Abdugolib Samadov, whose knowledge, patience, humor, and intelligence made this a tour I will not forget.
— Review left September 16, 2023
This is not a trip for those who have not traveled extensively before, as it can decidedly put one outside one's comfort zone. That said, it was an extraordinary experience for all us in our small group, and while we saw many new sights, most significantly, under the guidance of Abdu Samadov, we were often able to meet and talk with real people, which greatly expanded our understanding of this part of the world. His knowledge was deep and personal, both linguistically and historically, and I could not imagine a better leader for this trip. It made for this being very special throughout.
— Review left September 15, 2023
Five Stars. In summary, a great program, full of learning opportunities, magnificent buildings, history everywhere with conquering armies. Not an easy one (long coach rides, simple restroom facilities), but you will see places that not many people are able to visit. I would never have attempted this program without being in a tour group. Our program did not include Turkmenistan (May 2023), and there were substitute visits. Our tour leader, Anvar, was excellent and provided us with so much information.
— Review left May 21, 2023
The trip was very well organized and moved along very efficiently. Our main guide, Anvar, was exceptional. He was knowledgeable and always on schedule. His instructions and his discussion of all points of interest were clear and informative. In my own case, Anvar knew that I did not eat red meat and took steps to provide alternatives at all meals. I look forward to our next trip with RoadScholar.
— Review left November 28, 2019
Road Scholar provided a thorough tour of the Silk Road in which the five Stan countries were explored. Road Scholar offers an educational experience for those interested in learning more about the world. Their guides are knowledgeable and conscientious, eager to teach you about their regions.
— Review left November 26, 2019
This trip was pretty amazing, totally different world and culture. The people are extremely warm and welcoming, the guides are fabulous. But, one must be ready for a few things that Americans are not used to, i.e. Asian toilets are the only ones available in a few (very few) places. The food is very "meat-centric", served beef or lamb at nearly every meal. Meat is not aged and is extremely gamey; I lost weight! This is a very active trip with a lot of walking, getting on and off the bus, border crossings, etc. Arriving in Ashgabat is like going from the medieval world into a science fiction movie. For me, it was re-recognizing that my reality is not the only one, great for gaining perspective.
— Review left November 26, 2019
I highly recommend Road Scholars' Silk Road trip. The organization and execution of the trip were superb and flawless. All scheduled events and several extras, which were added to the itinerary at the request of our group, were executed on time. The transportation to and from our events was spacious and clean. Bottled water was generously available whenever we asked. Our local guides were knowledgeable, courteous, and friendly and the local home visits were excellent with plenty of delicious non-spicy food.
I've visited 131 countries and regions of the Travelers Century Club's list. I have traveled with many tour groups some of which were led by very competent individuals; but the logistics, coordination, competence, and leadership demonstrated Jamshid Fayzullaev stands above all my previous experiences. He designed this tour, and in addition, he served as our local guide during what I believe was the heart of the tour – our visits to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, Uzbekistan. The trip, especially this part, was outstanding.
— Review left November 25, 2019
This trip along the Silk Road in Central Asia was my lifetime trip, as this is my all-time favorite part of history. I had big expectations, and they were more than met. The richness of this experience: the culture, people, artisans, history, and architecture; will leave me in a state of gratitude forever.
— Review left November 24, 2019
This was my first international trip with Road Scholar and my third visit to Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan (1994 and 96). I’m impressed with what I saw and learned. Five countries in twenty days was fast paced, but the excellent pre-trip assistance from Nathan Cox and on-site leadership of (Jama) Jamshid Fayzullaev provided an exhilarating program with few glitches. Hotels were comfortable and convenient and food plentiful. I especially enjoyed meeting and traveling with a congenial group of seasoned travelers, one of whom may be a cousin a few generations removed. Visits to museums and historical and UNESCO sites were generously combined with special presentations and demonstrations—a master class in the art of making Bukhara Plov (pilaf), Kyrgyz felt making for domestic use, carpet construction, paper from mulberry tree fiber, and up close encounters with Kazakh falcons, Kyrgyz games on horseback, and the famous Akhal-Tekke horses of Turkmenistan. These and other encounters with local families, teachers, and Americans living/working in Central Asia provided opportunities to experience Central Asian hospitality and to better understand the area from multiple points of view. The Tashkent I knew in 1994 and 96 has received a face lift making it difficult to recognize some of the historical sites from the outside. Samarkand was much more familiar as the Registan Square and the tombs and mausoleums of legendary people were as I remembered them. Traffic and construction of buildings, roads, airports and train depots give the appearance of progress in Central Asia. Yet there is evidence that work has only begun. While the history of the Silk Road took center stage, the 21st century Silk Road, under construction on the old roadbeds, begged to be recognized. I would love to revisit the area in five years. Meanwhile, I'll look for other adventures with Road Scholar.
— Review left November 18, 2019
5 Stars!
Having just returned, I continue to reflect on this historic region about which few Americans have any knowledge. A vast area that exceeds a third of the continental US, it contains high mountain ranges, fertile valleys, and expansive deserts, and is home to a diverse population of ethnic groups. The tour touches upon each of these features and visits many of the cities of the ancient trade routes between China and the West. The reading I had done beforehand came alive, and I was better able to understand the geopolitics of both the ancient conquests and current events including China's Belt and Road Initiative. Seeing the 'Stans for myself also enhanced my understanding of the former Soviet Union, the dynamics of which I had originally experienced in my prior profession.
Key to the success of our trip was Jamshid Fayzullaev, our knowledgeable and articulate guide, who is not only an expert on the history and culture of Central Asia but also a master logistician. He made the many long bus rides, border crossings, hotel registration procedures, internal flights, etc. relatively easy and uncomplicated. He always went the "extra mile" to ensure that all of our (sometimes unreasonable) needs were more than met.
After reading other reviews, I am somewhat mystified by some of the commenters on other tours regarding, for example, transportation issues, hotels, presentations, and entertainment. Traversing five countries in two weeks, staying in multiple locations, and dining in an array of restaurants can involve minor inconveniences--but that is part of the experience of this region. Fortunately, the members of our group took it all in stride, and we had a wonderful time together.
In short, for me, the trip couldn't have been better.
— Review left November 10, 2019
The trip was somewhat disappointing. The area does not seem ready for tourists. The falcon show/lunch in Almaty was very good; however, there was nothing of interest in the city. The lunch with felt making was great; however, the other three in-home dinners were disappointing. The puppet show, the children dancing, the tour of the international school, and the talk by the language school were all sub-par and unprofessional. All of us were disappointed that there was not one evening of a professional performance. We saw a bus turning off the main road and asked the guide where it was going. He told us they were going to a site where there were camels and yerts. This may have been a "tourist trap"; however, we all agreed we would have enjoyed seeing this spot (had expectations of see at least one camel). The people living in these countries were lovely, our guide was excellent and the other tour members were the highlight of the trip. Thank you, Connie Humble
— Review left November 3, 2019
The journey on the silk road opened my mind to a region I'd vaguely recognized as post-Soviet, but never quite realized the huge differences between the countries, both in the past and in the 21st century. Jama is a gem. Without hesitation I'd travel on any tour he led. I hope road scholar keeps that in mind.
— Review left June 7, 2019
An outstanding trip. If you can get Jamshid (Jama) as your guide, you must go. He is one of the best R.S. guides I have enjoyed in the past 8 trips. Bring along your sense of humor and some money for silly hats!!
— Review left May 20, 2019
Great pre-program service with Nathan Cox.
Fantastic trip, Great guides in every countries. Jama's printed hand out were full of precious informations.
Good accommodation "almost" everywhere.
Good group but too many people. Groups should be smaller. Competitors offer group of 16 people maximum. Road Scholar should aim to have the same.
— Review left May 19, 2019
the BEST director JAMA he will amaze you. He has a love for his job and will give it to you. All the history and sites are unbelievable.
— Review left May 2, 2019