Follow the Race - Find the Real

Days 1 & 2: Turkey

Your adventure begins in Istanbul, where East and West blend in spectacular fashion. Over three nights, explore the city’s remarkable heritage: the majestic Hagia Sophia, the exquisite Blue Mosque, the atmospheric Grand Bazaar, and the historic Topkapi Palace. Enjoy sunsets over the Bosphorus and soak up Istanbul’s rich Ottoman, Byzantine and contemporary culture before your journey along the Silk Road truly begins.

Days 3-7: Azerbaijan

Fly onto to Azerbaijan to join the 22 day Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan tour, where you can relax or explore the laid back capital before dinner in the atmospheric Old Town. The next day features a guided walk through the historic Icheri Sheher, including the Shirvanshahs’ Palace and Maiden Tower, followed by lunch and free time.

You then travel to the Absheron region to see ancient rock art, Azerbaijan’s famous mud volcanoes, the ever burning Yanardag hillside, and the Ateshgah Fire Temple. Continuing north, you journey through the dramatic Caucasus Mountains, stopping in Shamakhi to visit the 8th century Juma Mosque and join a local family to make traditional yoghurt before arriving in Gabala.

Your final day takes you to Nidj village to meet the Udin people, ending in Sheki to explore its Silk Road heritage, including the beautiful Sheki Palace and a visit with a local family.

Days 8 & 9: Georgia

Crossing from Azerbaijan to Georgia, you'll head towards Telavi, with a stop at a local house for a delicious lunch. Following that, the Khareba Winery beckon; indulge in a diverse array of Georgian wines while gaining knowledge about winemaking techniques and the storied history of Georgian viticulture.

Travel to the beautiful 18th-century town of Sighnaghi. Continue to Bodbe Convent, the burial place, so legend tells, of St Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century.

Days 10 - 15: Armenia

Crossing into Armenia, delve into one of the world’s oldest Christian cultures. Highlights include the caverncut Geghard Monastery, the pagan Temple of Garni, and Echmiadzin, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Church.

Wander the streets of Yerevan, framed by Mount Ararat, and explore the country’s deep history through its age old monasteries, cultural museums and scenic valleys.

Days 16 - 24: Georgia....Again!

Crossing the Armenia–Georgia border at Bavra, you travel to the 12th–13th century rock cut city of Vardzia. The journey continues to Borjomi for time in its mineral rich park, then on to Kutaisi for a city tour featuring landmarks such as Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery.

Heading into Upper Svaneti, you stop at Enguri Dam before reaching Mestia, known for its medieval Svan tower houses, and then travel by 4x4 to Ushgul, one of Europe’s highest inhabited settlements. Returning toward Kutaisi, you explore the Sisa Tura Ethno Village and enjoy Megrelian culinary traditions before visiting Zugdidi’s Dadiani Palace Museum.

The route then leads to Gori to see the Stalin Museum and the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, followed by panoramic mountain views en route to Gudauri. In Kazbegi, you visit the iconic hilltop Gergeti Trinity Church and enjoy a khinkali masterclass before ending in Mtskheta and Tbilisi, exploring sacred sites, the Old Town and Narikala Fortress

Days 25 - 31: Kyrgyzstan

Flying to Bishkek, you begin the 26 day Journey Through Central Asia tour, entering the heart of the Silk Road. In Kyrgyzstan, marvel at the alpine beauty of Lake IssykKul, explore traditional yurt camps, visit the ancient Burana Tower, and meet nomadic communities who still preserve centuriesold horseback and handicraft traditions amid sweeping mountain vistas.

Days 32 & 33: Kazakhstan

Your time in Kazakhstan centres around the culturally rich city of Almaty, beautifully framed by the soaring Ili Alatau section of the Tian Shan mountains. Explore the cities beautiful parks with its striking WWII memorials and striking Russian Orthodox cathedrals, before ascending into the mountains to visit alpine resorts and parks with panoramic views of Almaty.

Days 34 - 35: Tajikistan

Fly on to to Dushanbe then spend the next day exploring the city’s key sights, including the Museum of National Antiquities, the botanical gardens, Rudaki Park, the Ismoili Somoni Monument, and the historic Hissor Fortress with the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of Life.

Continue the journey with a scenic visit to the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul en route to Khujand, where the final day features a tour of Pushkin Square, Timur Malik’s Fortress and the lively Panjshanbe Bazaar before heading onward to Tashkent.

Days 36 - 44: Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, the Silk Road comes gloriously to life. Wander the legendary cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, where turquoise domes, intricate tilework and bustling bazaars create an immersive step back in time.

Your journey begins with a tour of Tashkent’s key sights, including the Barak Khan and Kukeidash Madrassahs, Chorsu Bazaar and the ornate metro stations, before travelling to Samarkand to explore the magnificent Registan Square and its striking madrassahs.

A full day in Samarkand follows with visits to Gur Emir, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ulugbek’s Observatory and the ancient site of Afrosiab, before heading via Shakhrisabz’s Ak Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and Kok Gumbas Mosque to historic Bukhara. Over two days, discover Bukhara’s Silk Road treasures such as Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon, the Ark Fortress, the summer palace of Sitora i Mokhikhosa and the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum.

Continue across the Kyzyl Kum Desert to Khiva for a walking tour of its famed old town, ending at the Friday Mosque and Tash Hauli Palace, before transferring overland to the ancient UNESCO listed site of Kunya Urgench.

Days 45 - 48: Turkmenistan

Crossing into Turkmenistan, explore the whitemarbled capital Ashgabat, a city of bold monuments and sweeping boulevards. Visit ancient Nisa, a UNESCO site once central to the Parthian Empire, and uncover the country’s unique blend of archaeological wonders and modern spectacle. Turkmenistan’s surreal landscapes and rich history make this one of the Silk Road'squo;s most intriguing stops.

Days 49 - 55: Mongolia

Flying to Ulaanbaatar, your final journey is the 7 day Heart of Mongolia private tour. Travel deep into the Mongolian steppe, staying in traditional ger camps, visiting the spiritual centre of Erdene Zuu Monastery, and exploring the dramatic Orkhon Valley, birthplace of the nomadic empires. Encounter vast grasslands, wild horses, and a culture shaped by centuries of nomadic tradition—an unforgettable finale to your 60day odyssey.