15 independent reviews for The Silk Road small group tour
Reviews for The Silk Road small group tour
Anon review 11 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Golden eagle hunting display and Samarkand.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not especially.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Average. Our guide wasn’t at the airport to meet group on arrival. We had to wait a long time before he showed up, then had to wait a further long time for the driver to arrive, so not a great start considering everyone had just got off a long haul overnight flight. On arrival in Bishkek we went straight into a 6hr city tour (supposed to be just a ‘couple of hours’) which after a long overnight flight most of the group found a little exhausting… This could have been better considered. Overall both guides were extremely well informed and confidently provided plenty of background information about the historical, political and cultural heritage of all the sites visited. However, whilst I found the information provided interesting, at times explanations could be overly long to the point where it felt like more of a history of politics lecture, and rather heavy going. Particularly the number of ‘monuments’ for which the background was explained in minute detail. When travelling I personally enjoy wildlife and the outdoors, culture e.g. visiting ancient sites and local flavour over cities and monuments, so the cities portion of the trip was less appealing to me for this reason. I also found some of the ‘sites’ of interest in Kyrg and Kaz extremely underwhelming. i.e. Hours of long drives through barren, dusty and desolate terrain to visit ‘valleys’, ‘lakes’, gorges ad ‘canyons’ which didn’t live up to expectations as described in the trip notes. Museums containing a lot of ‘replica’ artefacts (the wealth of artefacts having been removed to St Petersburg Hermitage museum during the soviet era) were also somewhat disappointing… The highlights for me were the Kyrg Golden Eagle hunting display (at extra cost but worth it), and an Uzbek folk dance / fashion show…A horse riding trip might also have been a nice optional extra at some point – our guide looked into this for a few of the group but unfortunately the timing and location were not conducive… Most of the itinerary was covered, but not all, which was disappointing (I carried a copy of the tour itinerary with me so I could keep an eye on this as we went along and a few times had to query if we were doing something when it looked like it was going to be skipped. It transpired our Uz guide had an out of date itinerary. Kyrg sites were skipped without explanation or because we ‘ran out of time’). The overnight stay in the yurt camp was ok, but nothing special (the experience could have been improved with some form of entertainment e.g. traditional music or dancing, or local handicrafts or yurt making workshop etc)…. The heaters turned on at dinner time meant when it came to bed time the yurts were unbearably hot so no one slept at all well. Everyone had brought extra clothing as we were expecting it to be very cold (it was chilly outside but not freezing). The overnight train from Kyrg to Kaz was a good way to cover a long distance but, as expected, luggage space was tight, toileting facilities questionable and food provision very limited – I suggest you should add a note to your trip notes that travellers should bring their own food, snacks and spare loo roll). Food options were also very limited on the other two ‘fast trains’, so again, a note to bring your own would have been useful. It wasn’t made entirely clear in the trip notes there would be two very late night arrivals (e.g. midnight) and quite such early morning starts (e.g. 4/5am). This resulted in most of the group being quite tired at some points during the trip. For the Kyrg/Kaz portion of the trip, Vitaly our guide was very interactive and felt like part of the group, which was nice. He accompanied us for meals and was with us from the start to the end of each day… He worked extremely hard and also provided great local insights and had a good sense of humour to boot, which made that portion of the trip more enjoyable. In Uz our guide Tahir did shorter days and generally didn’t join us for dinner, which was fine, but less sociable... There was quite a lot of ‘free time’ where we were left to our own devices, which, when at a historical site for up to 30mins or so was fine, but on a couple of occasions amounted to several hours during the day when we were stranded without transport, a long walk or taxi ride away from anything of interest, which wasn’t ideal. This unfortunately also caused some friction within the group as there were disagreements about how to best use the spare time, e.g. some of the group wanted to have the free time in the morning whilst others wanted to have it in the afternoon. This wasn’t managed very well by the guide. At times if felt like we weren’t always top priority… People found it useful that the Kryg/Kaz tour bus had wifi. It would have been good if the Uz buses had it too, but they didn’t. Overall both sections of the trip had pros and cons – I personally didn’t feel like the nature / outdoors parts of the trip were that great (e.g. I thought our stop at lake Issyk Kul was a complete dump.) Also, I would not recommend this trip for anyone with mobility issues as these countries are not geared up for disabled or mobility impaired travellers at this time. There was a mobility impaired lady in her 70’s in our group and I personally don’t think she should have been on this trip. She fell over twice, couldn’t take part in a lot of the activities, and at times held up the rest of the group which shouldn’t have been the case. I think that people capabilities should be more rigorously assessed so this can be managed better at the time of booking. i.e. one person with unrealistic expectations shouldn’t be allowed to impact other guests.Read the operator's response here:
We’re grateful for your review, and are glad to read that you found there to be some real highlights and worthwhile aspects of this trip, though we’re sorry to read that it didn’t entirely meet your expectations. We hugely value your feedback and have made sure to pass it in full to our Product team for their attention. It’s disappointing for us to hear that some parts of the itinerary were changed slightly; while nothing is constant in adventure travel, we would always want our trips to align as closely with the trip notes we provide as possible. With that said, we would mention that from the post-trip surveys submitted by other members of your group, all other travellers rated the trip experience as a whole at 5 out of 5, and scored the itinerary at an average of 4.50 out of 5. This suggests to us that the majority found the tour to meet or exceed their expectations, though we would of course never want to dismiss your feedback and will follow up on her comments internally.
In terms of sustainable travel, we prioritise using locally owned guesthouses and yurts for our clients, especially in Kyrgyzstan, which ensures that the money we spend on accommodation is put back into the local economy rather than chain hotels. Activities such as the eagle hunting demonstration also mean we get to support local people and expand our customers’ understanding of their way of life. As we say, we’re thankful that you have taken the time to detail your experience, as it’s feedback like this which allows us to maintain and improve the
quality of our trips.
Hilary Bourne review 10 Sep 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Holding a golden eagle on horseback knowing that she was well cared for and would be rehabituated and released back into the wild when she reached breeding age, the drive up bumpy roads in the middle of nowhere to the yurt camp and, of course, the amazing architecture in Uzbekistan.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Water from 5 litre bottles was usually provided on board the mini buses which was good.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10 out of 10. Fantastic guides - friendly, entertaining and incredibly knowledgeable.Judith Taylor review 12 Aug 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Golden Eagle hunters in Kyrgyzstan2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get an e-sim before you go if your phone is compatible. Mobi matters has one that covers the 'Stans. It's handy to have access to data during long drives and train trips and to have some independence to walk around and explore. Currently the train does not go over the border from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan. You cross the main road border by bus. The border is quite crowded and chaotic so be prepared to be assertive.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was very good - but almost like 2 separate trips. The first part has long drives in the minibus into magnificent countryside. You are immersed in local life more, it is much less touristy and you have some great hikes. The second half in Uzbekistan is for the most part, a more traditional city sites tour with the typical tourist trappings.Will Mouger review 18 Jun 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The night in the yurt and stepping outside in the morning to see the wonderful landscape.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for long minibus journeys over bumpy roads. Maybe Tupperware to protect food purchased for several picnics. Don’t leave coins in your baggage as it can cause problems when trying to leave Uzbekistan.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really. We stayed in a village guest house, which was good and presumably supported that village. There was water on the bus and we were advised to bring our own bottles to refill, which was good, but all the hotels provided bottled water in the rooms each day. We had a dinner in a “Uighur family home” but there was little contact with the family. We used some national parks and I assume the fees for that supported conservation. We all bought a few things from the markets but most of our money went to the travel companies and hotels.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Some great landscapes, especially Kyrgyzstan, some wonderful Islamic architecture, fascinating markets, very friendly people. Great to experience such a different environment with like-minded travellers.Hazel White review 1 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The differences in the countries, wide variety of nationalities, friendliness of people and fantastic fresh food throughout the trip all made for a very happy trip.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You may experience a wide variety of weather conditions requiring specific clothing. Comfortable shoes and sandals are essential. Google translate is also useful. This trip is fast paced and very informative.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, both accommodation, guides and transportation all benefited local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was an extremely interesting insight into a part of the word we had previously not know much about.David Talbot review 25 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Most of it! the stunning buildings mainly in Uzbekistan, the night in the yurt, the eagle hunters ....2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't expect any 'downtime' - there isn't really any, it's full-on and action packed.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, to a certain extent though several of the hotels replaced towels and even bedding after one night which is totally unnecessary. Also still providing tiny plastic bottles of shampoo etc when a refillable wall dispenser is the shower area is much better. The water refill system worked perfectly and none of us ever had the need to buy bottles of water.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Well organised from UK end and perfectly carried out, exactly according to the itinerary while on the road. Guides and drivers were efficient, friendly and unfailingly helpful. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip.Sarah Nevill-Stinson review 20 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
My first holiday as a single (recently divorced) it was reassuring that there were 6 singles to enjoy this great trip. It was a good mixture of nature and glorious buildings, also illustrating well the differences between the three countries: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Economics, Geography, Farming and Crops, were all different. I perhaps noticed crops a little more as years spent with an Agricultural Research Scientist husband had taught me to notice such things. Also as the weather turned, wonderful to see particularly in Kyrgyzstan the animals (horses, cattle, sheep and goats) being bought down to the valley for the winter.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It was fast moving, so at times quite tiring. I now use packing cubes in my suitcase, which I label, so that I always know where to find items. I felt this saved me oodles of time. A good water bottle, even with a filter is essential. My chosen dates, beginning of September were good. Even at the lower altitudes of the holiday, the afternoons were not too too hot. The Met Office app ahead of the holiday gave enought forward weather data to help me decide what to pack.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We very much stayed in local hotels, run by locals, so that our monies should have been going back into the local communities. I hope it did.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a fascinating holiday on a number of fronts. I had not done too much history homework ahead of the holiday, rather just wanted to experience where I was in the world, the geography - an unmade major road in Kyrgyzstan that was is supposed to being improved by the Chinese, but we were told that Afghanistanis and Pakistanis were now being employed because they are cheaper! Another reason to look at a wider map of the area. At the eastern end of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, there were many more residents with a more Asian appearance - well we were not far from China, and Xinjiang, the area where so many are being oppressed, so this was hardly surprising.Jenny Tucker review 29 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The eagle demonstration, we had the opportunity to put on the gauntlet and actually hold the eagle on the arm. There were many highlights to this holiday from visiting the city's of Uzbekistan with their wonderful Muslim architecture, the mosaic work is amazing, to spending a night in a yurt high in the mountains. Once it was dark, because there is no light pollution or pollution of any sort, the pitch black sky was filled with shining bright stars – and incredible sight. We were fortunate enough to have two brilliant guides, Tahir and Aziz, who were incredibly knowledgeable, were extremely proud of their own countries and while being very friendly were also very professional.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that this trip is very full on and can be quite exhausting.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Difficult to tell but we had two meals in the evening in family homes where clearly the family was being paid for their hospitality. Also we used trains for part of the time which probably had less impact on the environment than if we had used road transport.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The holiday was very well organised and the guide's first-class.Graham Packer review 1 Oct 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Scenery in Kyrgyzstan, amazing!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Advertised as Leisure/Moderate, not altogether sure that this is a fair description.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly benefited local economy, given the amount of coach travel I’m not sure there was any environmental benefits.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An informative, interesting, and awe inspiring holiday.Val Matthews review 11 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
So many 'Wow' moments would be impossible to choose just one favourite!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Dollars are widely taken in many shops and markets (although you will also need the local money for smaller purchases and some restaurants). Pounds and Euros can be changed at Exchange facilities but aren't so recognised 'on the street'. The country as a whole is far more westernised than I expected so no real issues about dress code.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Our guide was local, we had several meals at family homes and stayed in small traditional hotels where possible. Large water containers provided so we could fill up our smaller bottles rather than buy new all the time.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Magical. Khiva was amazing and I was worried the trip had peaked too soon, but Bukhara and Samarkand were both just as incredible in their own right, as was the overnight yurt.Dave Hinder review 25 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The culture and architecture. Guides were very knowledgeable and gave a great history of the silk road itself.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared and take some sturdy walking shoes3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefit was that we used local hotels and not hotel chains owned outside the country and shopped at locally owned shops.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A great introduction to the STANS and the silk roadHannah Bashir review 10 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to say - lots of fantastic elements and a great variety! Spending the night in a yurt in the Jeti-Oguz valley was a fun, unique and very comfortable experience. Really enjoyed experiencing the train travel2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The hiking days were more leisurely than I had expected, and I imagine this was tailored to our group which covered a wide age range. Furthermore there are a few long distances in the coach, particularly in Kyrgyzstan. As such, this trip might not best suited to people who are keen for a lot of walking in the outdoors. Equally there aren't any rest days, just short periods (i.e. a few hours) and evenings which are free so it is quite intense - but worth it for everything that's included in the schedule!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
With the exception of where we stayed in Almaty, all the hotels were small and (I think) locally owned businesses. We were introduced to local craftspeople when it came to souvenir shopping opportunities who would teach us about their crafts. There were no flights during the tour despite covering large geographical areas (we travelled by coach and train). We couldn't drink tapwater but to reduce plastic waste we were asked to bring our own bottles to refill from large bottles for the group.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was fantastic - loved learning about the history and culture of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. We had fantastic local guides and the countries were both beautiful and welcoming places. I'm definitely keen to return and see more of Central Asia!Hema Vaghjiani review 20 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming in the lake in the desert.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Unless you know your history well , 10 day trip is good introduction to the culture and lifestyle in Uzbekistan3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes eating and shopping helped the locals as they heavily rely on tourism. Having been provided large water cans each day helped reduce using small individual bottles .4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
7Helen Wilson review 7 Jun 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Bukhara Ancient Citadel, Registan Square Samarkand, Train journey to Almaty2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's full on from the moment you arrive so plenty of stamina is required. Consider taking probiotics before your holiday to avoid stomach/bowel problems.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I would like to think so. We ate at a local family's in Kyrgyzstan and stayed in a Yurt Camp run by locals.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I enjoyed our holiday very much although I would have liked to have had some free time which was meant to happen but never did!! We usually arrived after 5 to the hotel which meant little time to relax.Karen Harrison review 28 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Uzbekistan as a whole was the most interesting part of the trip. The night in a yurt in the mountains in Kyrgyzstan came a close second, with spectacular views of the Milky Way.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you try the local food. Take socks and a torch for your night in the yurt, and a spoon and fork for picnic lunches. Take a fabric carrier bag for your shopping so you don't have to use a plastic bag.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We visited local restaurants and bought local food. Plastic water bottles are a real problem creating litter almost everywhere. We were encouraged (rightly so) to hold onto and refill one smaller plastic bottle from a larger bottle supplied by the leader.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was a really memorable experience, full of contrast.Holiday Reviews
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