Take an adventure holiday in UZBEKISTAN with World Expeditions, one of the world’s leading travel companies.
Uzbekistan conjures up images of a time of oriental mystery, a time when the now ancient cities of Uzbekistan were located on the ancient Silk Road, the trading route between China and the West. The route took its name from silk, the commodity most in demand in Europe from China during the Roman period. Some of the most influential and savage conquerors came and ruled these lands.
Alexander the Great set up at least 8 cities in Central Asia between 334 - 323 BC before the caravans began traveling through the Silk Road after around 138 BC China opened its border to trade. Between 484 - 1150 Huns and Turks came from the west and brought with them a new religion of Islam. Many mosques and Madrassahs were built in Uzbekistan cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva during this period, including remaining structures of the Samanids. Most of the cities were destroyed during the invasion of the Genghis Khan in 1220. His descendant Timur, known also as Tamerlane, resurrected once famous cities by using the labor of slaves and artists captured during successful crusades. Timur conquered Persia, captured Baghdad, and lead expeditions to Anatolia and India. Most of the architecture that is found in Samarkand was build by Timur and his grandson Ulugbek.
Uzbekistan is bordered by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan The geography of Uzbekistan is mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes, as well as broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys. Fergana Valley in east is surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.