{"id":5781,"date":"2025-10-10T11:18:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T23:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/?p=5781"},"modified":"2025-10-10T13:41:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T01:41:35","slug":"on-the-road-to-samarkand-lisas-journey-through-central-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/on-the-road-to-samarkand-lisas-journey-through-central-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"On the Road to Samarkand: Lisa\u2019s Journey Through Central Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"757\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-1024x757.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5790\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-1024x757.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-768x568.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"757\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20757%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5790 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20757%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-1024x757.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-768x568.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1.jpg 1440w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand-1-1024x757.jpg\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>A Journey Through Two Lands of Legend<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When Lisa Anthony, Product &amp; Sales Manager at Wendy Wu Tours New Zealand, joined our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/tours\/road-to-samarkand.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Road to Samarkand<\/a><\/strong> tour, she expected an adventure. What she discovered was a jaw-dropping world of contrasts. From snow-capped peaks and golden deserts to nomadic tradition and glittering Islamic architecture, this is a part of the world where the unexpected waits around every corner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Kyrgyzstan: Mountains, Eagles and Timeless Traditions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The adventure begins in Bishkek, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/kyrgyzstan\/\">Kyrgyzstan<\/a>\u2019s charming capital framed by the Tian Shan Mountains. An early morning gentle hike in Ala Archa National Park introduces the group to crystal clear glacial streams, lush alpine meadows, and pristine mountain landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-1024x576.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-730x410.jpg 730w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20576%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5787 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20576%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-730x410.jpg 730w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n.jpg 1600w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/542215646_3164609493696378_195998468983204436_n-1024x576.jpg\"><figcaption>Ala Archa National Park, Kyrgyzstan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom the moment we arrived in Bishkek, I felt like we were stepping into another world,\u201d Lisa recalls. \u201cKyrgyzstan is so clean and green, and the people are incredibly warm and proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">From there, the road loops east towards&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/kyrgyzstan\/karakol\/issyk-kul\/\">Issyk Kul<\/a>&nbsp;&#8211; the second largest alpine lake in the world, the shores of which have been inhabited since the Bronze Ag<\/span>e. Issyk Kul means &#8216;warm lake&#8217;, which may come as a surprise given its lofty mountain locale; however, the lake never freezes thanks to a combination of depth, mineralality and geothermal activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">After admiring the lake&#8217;s mesmerising natural setting and cultural treasures, it was back on the road to t<\/span>he small, remote town of&nbsp;Karakol&nbsp;&#8211; the gateway to some of Kyrgyzstan&#8217;s most captivating landscapes. An unexpected highlight was the Karakol Sunday Animal Market, where everyone observed traders buying and selling sheep, horses, cows and goats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-1024x1024.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%201024%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5794 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%201024%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader.jpg 1440w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-animal-trader-1024x1024.jpg\"><figcaption>Lisa meets an animal trader at the Sunday market in Karakol<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At Bokonbayevo Village, the group met local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/kyrgyzstan\/bishkek\/eagle-hunting\/\">eagle hunters<\/a> who still practise the ancient art passed down through generations. Eagle hunting is a revered tradition in Kyrgyzstan wherein golden eagles are trained to hunt smaller animals. Although rural villages no longer rely on this methodology for sustenance, the tradition is carried on to help preserve the Kyrgyz nomadic culture. As Lisa observed, these birds serve as much more than a hunting instrument &#8211; the bond between a bird and its owner is sacred and takes years to develop fully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI watched one man kiss his eagle for comfort before the demonstration,\u201d Lisa remembers. \u201cThere\u2019s such respect between them; it\u2019s a bond for life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was at this point that Lisa really pondered the incredible diversity and contrasts of this unique corner of the world. \u201cEvery day brought a new landscape and a new story,\u201d she reflects. \u201cOne morning, we were hiking in Semenov Gorge near Karakol; that afternoon, I was holding a 20-kilo eagle on my arm!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"868\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-868x1024.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-868x1024.jpg 868w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-254x300.jpg 254w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-768x906.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1.jpg 1221w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"868\" height=\"1024\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20868%201024%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5793 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20868%201024%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 868w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 868px) 100vw, 868px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-868x1024.jpg 868w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-254x300.jpg 254w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-768x906.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1.jpg 1221w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lisa-golden-eagle-1-868x1024.jpg\"><figcaption>Lisa spends some quality time with her own 20kg golden eagle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meals in Kyrgyzstan are often shared in family homes or traditional yurts, where guests are welcomed like long-lost friends. \u201cOne family builds yurts for a living,\u201d Lisa explains. \u201cThey handcraft every wooden frame and felt covering. It\u2019s extraordinary craftsmanship, and the food inside was just as memorable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The landscape turns wilder as the journey winds south to Tash Rabat Caravanserai, a 15th-century stone fortress tucked in a quiet valley at 3,200 metres. This caravanserai is one of the best preserved on the old Silk Road from China to Istanbul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTash Rabat took my breath away,\u201d Lisa says. \u201cThe stillness, the history, you could almost hear the echo of traders and monks who once passed through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><noscript><img src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-1024x581.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5795\" width=\"840\" height=\"476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-1024x581.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-768x436.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-1536x872.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n.jpg 1880w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\"><\/noscript><img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20840%20476%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5795 lazyload\" width=\"840\" height=\"476\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20840%20476%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-1024x581.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-768x436.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-1536x872.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n.jpg 1880w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/515973437_3170419589782035_1850549606696278274_n-1024x581.jpg\"><figcaption> Tash Rabat Caravanserai, Kyrgyzstan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Crossing into Uzbekistan: The Jewel of the Silk Road<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaving the high passes behind, the group crosses into <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Uzbekistan<\/a><\/strong>, where turquoise domes replace green pastures and the scent of baked bread drifts from bustling bazaars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe contrast was incredible,\u201d Lisa says. \u201cUzbekistan feels more Persian and Turkish in its design and food: elegant mosques, ornate tiles, and spices everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Tashkent, the group explored the Tila Shaikh Mosque, home to one of the oldest known copies of the Quran (written on deer skin), before wandering through Chorsu Bazaar, a kaleidoscope of colour and sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"581\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-1024x581.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5806\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-1024x581.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-1536x871.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"581\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20581%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5806 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20581%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-1024x581.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-1536x871.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n.jpg 2048w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/544984469_3172932642864063_8791205906021520081_n-1024x581.jpg\"><figcaption>Tila Shaikh Mosque, Tashkent, Uzbekistan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Samarkand: The Beating Heart of the Silk Road<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Few destinations capture the imagination quite like <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/samarkand\/\" target=\"_blank\">Samarkand<\/a>, a city that once sat at the crossroads of empires. Located between Uzbekistan&#8217;s vast deserts and the High Pamir mountain range, Samarkand has been continuously inhabited for more than 2,700 years. During that time, many of history&#8217;s most notorious characters have wandered its streets, including Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Marco Polo. Its centrepiece, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/samarkand\/the-registan\/\" target=\"_blank\">Registan Square<\/a>, glitters with majolica tiles in every shade of blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-1024x577.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-730x410.jpg 730w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20577%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5796 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20577%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-730x410.jpg 730w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n.jpg 2048w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/547119770_3174968429327151_7879891252136257656_n-1024x577.jpg\"><figcaption>Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRegistan Square is up there with the Taj Mahal and Kyoto\u2019s Golden Pavilion,\u201d Lisa enthuses. \u201cThe craftsmanship is exquisite &#8211; it feels like standing inside a jewel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visits to the Mausoleum of Tamerlane, Ulugbek\u2019s Observatory, and the Shahi Zinda Necropolis reveal the depth of history layered within the city. For Lisa, Shahi Zinda was a personal favourite:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe turquoise mosaics shimmer in the sunlight; it\u2019s just magic. You can almost picture traders, poets, and kings walking those same lanes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"655\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-1024x655.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-1024x655.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-768x491.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-1536x983.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"655\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20655%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5797 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20655%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-1024x655.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-768x491.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-1536x983.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n.jpg 2048w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/546869525_3174982872659040_8271572550100933573_n-1024x655.jpg\"><figcaption>Mausoleum of Tamerlane, Samarkand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In nearby Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Amir Temur (Tamerlane), she found herself standing in a moment of living history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI realised I was standing where Alexander the Great once married,\u201d she says. \u201cIt gave me goosebumps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evenings in Samarkand bring cool desert evenings, cultural encounters and feasts beneath the stars. \u201cDinner at a local family home, learning to make plov, it\u2019s one of those \u2018pinch me\u2019 experiences,\u201d Lisa smiles. \u201cEvery meal exceeded expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Bukhara and Khiva: Cities of Sand and Spirit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Travelling west, the road unravels towards Bukhara, one of Central Asia&#8217;s most holy cities. Bukhara rises out of the desert sands like a mirage &#8211; an ancient masterpiece, adorned with turquoise domes and maranets. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring this legendary city is like stepping into a living museum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBukhara stole my heart,\u201d Lisa admits. \u201cIt\u2019s serene and spiritual, with 350 mosques and 100 madrassahs, once the centre of culture and religion on the Silk Road.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-1024x533.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-1024x533.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-300x156.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-768x399.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-1536x799.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"533\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20533%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5800 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20533%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-1024x533.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-300x156.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-768x399.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-1536x799.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n.jpg 2048w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/548103800_3179824835508177_3354755801526444288_n-1024x533.jpg\"><figcaption>Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, Bukhara, Uzbekistan&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The group wandered through the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/khiva\/kalta-minor-minaret\/\"> Kalon Minaret,<\/a> Emir\u2019s Summer Palace, and Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum before dining with a local miniature painter in his studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The grand finale awaited in UNESCO-listed<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/khiva\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Khiva<\/a>, with its soaring city walls and warren-like alleyways, reached after a long drive across the Kyzyl Kum Desert. The city\u2019s ochre walls and blue-tiled towers shine like an azure oasis in the distance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKhiva felt frozen in time,\u201d Lisa says. \u201cWe explored palaces, mosques and even the harem labyrinth. That night, we dined outdoors beside the minaret as musicians played. Pure magic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"911\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-1024x911.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-1024x911.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-300x267.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-768x684.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n.jpg 1227w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"911\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20911%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5801 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20911%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-1024x911.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-300x267.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-768x684.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n.jpg 1227w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/549734801_3182571218566872_3585208128925824968_n-1024x911.jpg\"><figcaption>Ichan Kala, Old City of Khiva, Uzbekistan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>A Journey of Connection and Wonder<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After 23 days tracing the Silk Road from the mountains of Kyrgyzstan to the deserts of Uzbekistan, Lisa returned home transformed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/destinations\/central-asia\/\">Central Asia<\/a> blew me away,\u201d she reflects. \u201cThe scenery, the people, the food &#8211; every day offered something new. It\u2019s the perfect trip for anyone who\u2019s seen Asia\u2019s classics and wants something truly different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt class=\"wp-image-5802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-60x60.jpeg 60w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/noscript><img width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%201024%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt class=\"wp-image-5802 lazyload\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%201024%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-60x60.jpeg 60w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n.jpeg 1440w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/551408423_18368422234147820_2472887206546763412_n-1024x1024.jpeg\"><figcaption>Happy ladies enjoying having their photo take in Khiva<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Follow the Road to Samarkand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Experience your own epic Central Asia tour on the Road to Samarkand, a fully inclusive 23-day journey through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, rich with culture, history, and discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the tranquil shores of Issyk Kul to the dazzling domes of Samarkand, follow in the footsteps of Silk Road traders, and uncover a world few travellers have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/tours\/road-to-samarkand.htm\">Discover the <\/a><em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/tours\/road-to-samarkand.htm\">Road to Samarkand<\/a><\/em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/uzbekistan\/tours\/road-to-samarkand.htm\"> tour<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Journey Through Two Lands of Legend When Lisa Anthony, Product &amp; Sales Manager at Wendy Wu Tours New Zealand, joined our Road to Samarkand tour, she expected an adventure. What she discovered was a jaw-dropping world of contrasts. From snow-capped peaks and golden deserts to nomadic tradition and glittering Islamic architecture, this is a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":5783,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":""},"categories":[4,380,157,379],"tags":[288,363,377,381,382,376,130],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/registan-square-samarkand.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5781"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5781"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5812,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5781\/revisions\/5812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}