The caravan moves on - Uzbekistan 2026
From the 2nd century B.C. well into the Middle Ages, the Silk Road [↗] was the world’s most important trade route. Goods, religions, and knowledge traveled from Asia to Europe and back. From China, silk, porcelain, works of art, and spices were the main items brought to Europe; in return, gold, gemstones, and - above all - glass were transported.
The main route ran through what is now Uzbekistan. Caravanserais sprang up along the route, developing into fortified cities with mosques and Koranic schools. Over time, much of it was destroyed (primarily by Genghis Khan [↗]) and then rebuilt.
Inspired by Marco Polo’s tales, I had been dreaming of a trip along at least part of the Silk Road even back when it was still possible to travel through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Nowadays, it’s possible to travel through fewer and fewer countries along the route.
So Uzbekistan has been on my wish list for quite some time. My first attempt two years ago was canceled by the tour operator due to lack of demand. So now I’m giving it another try. The tour operator I usually travel with - because they offer the freedom I’m looking for - doesn’t have anything suitable on offer, and the photography tour I would have liked to book starts just a few days before Freya’s birthday.
So I’ve ended up with SKR Reisen. Although the trip will be a traditional guided tour, it includes half-days of free time here and there. Plus, the groups are relatively small. Just before departure, my trip wasn’t even fully booked.
“The caravan moves on” was our guide's favorite saying whenever we drove from one place to the next.
