MAY 2026 · 9 DAYS

A Silk Road
Culinary Journey in
Central Asia

Continuing our Silk Road adventure, we dive deeper into Central Asia’s rich flavors and vibrant cultures. Starting in Almaty, Kazakhstan, we explore a crossroads of cuisines—from hearty Kazakh nomadic dishes to Soviet-influenced favorites like Georgian khachapuri and Russian borscht. Beyond food, we wander leafy streets, admire Soviet mosaics, and take in panoramic views from Kok Tobe Hill. A highlight? Learning to make laghman, the region’s beloved hand-pulled noodles enjoyed by people from different ethnic groups. Next, we enter Uzbekistan for Tashkent's plov, the iconic rice pilaf dish. In Samarkand, we feast on sizzling shashlik skewers and explore the wonders of Timurid architecture before crossing into Tajikistan's Silk Road oasis towns, Panjakent and Khujand, tasting national specialties like kurutob and shakorob.

Who This Experience Is For

Foodie

Food is your love language. From traditional family recipes at street stalls to new creations at innovative restaurants, you will experience each region's culinary scene authentically.

Culinary Storyteller

You believe sharing a meal is a great way to learn about a culture and make new friends. You don't just taste new dishes, you savor the stories behind them. Every bite comes with a history, a tradition, or a surprising culinary tidbit, leaving both your palate and your curiosity deeply satisfied.

Walk, Savor, Reflect

You love going on walks after a meal. In between bites, we will stroll through neighborhoods where we learn more about daily life of the locals. These city walks bring the sites we visit to life, connecting what’s on your plate to the people, history, and traditions that shaped it.

Note: Itinerary may change. Changes will be communicated to travelers in advance when possible.

Itinerary

The Silk Road started in modern day China and then continued to Central Asia to modern day Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. If you would like to join for Part 1 of the Silk Road Culinary Journey, check out this page.
Visit the Ascension (Zenkov) Cathedral, a stunning wooden Orthodox cathedral.

Hike Big Almaty Lake. Walk along the Golden Corridor (downtown Almaty/artsy district), Panfilov Street and Panfilov Park, and Gorkey Park.

Explore the Green Bazaar, a bustling market offering fresh produce, local handicrafts, and traditional Kazakh food.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Kok-Tobe Hill, accessible by cable car.

Visit the Almaty City Museum, Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Abilkhan Kasteev Art Museum to learn about the country's history, culture, and fine arts.

Spend a half day hiking to Big Almaty Lake or Kok Jailau.

We will also organize a nighttime show at the Almaty Abay Opera House.
Our day begins with a vibrant immersion into local life at the Chorsu Bazaar, a bustling marketplace overflowing with colorful spices, fresh produce, and traditional crafts.

We will also visit the Hazrati Imam Complex, which houses the Tillya Sheikh Mosque, famous for its golden dome and the Quran of Caliph Othman, believed to be one of the oldest in the world.

Afterwards, we'll savor a delicious lunch of authentic Uzbek plov at the renowned Besh Qozon Plov Center.

We'll ascend the Tashkent TV Tower for panoramic city views before indulging in a delightful chicken tabaka dinner with local Uzbek students, fostering meaningful connections and deepening our understanding of this fascinating country.
Our journey begins with an early morning train journey to the enchanting city of Samarkand.

Upon arrival, we will be captivated by the Registan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where three magnificent madrasas stand as testaments to the city's architectural brilliance.

We will then pay homage at the Gur-i Amir Сomplex, the mausoleum of Amir Timur, the Turkic conqueror and the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty.

Further exploration will lead us to the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, a mesmerizing collection of mausoleums adorned with intricate tilework.

A visit to the Siyob Bozori, a bustling marketplace brimming with local crafts and vibrant colors, will provide a glimpse into the city's vibrant soul.

Finally, we will be mesmerized by the enchanting spectacle of the Registan illuminated under the cloak of night, a truly unforgettable conclusion to our day.
Visit the Ancient City of Sarazm, a Sogdian city that was founded in 3500 BC

Visit the Mausoleum of Mukhammad Bashoro

A Guided Tour of the Seven Lakes, group of picturesque lakes in Northern Tajikistan

Visit the Panjakent Market, a historical market that was the last stop for caravans heading east from Samarkand to stock up before they crossed the mountains.

Panjakent History Museum
Try Kurutob, Tajikistan’s National Dish

Visit the Panjkent Bazaar and learn about the fundamental ingredients of Tajik cuisine.

Mausoleum of Sheik Muslihiddin

Take the Cable Car across the Syr Darya River

Khujand Fortress

Plov making workshop with local Tajik family

Visit the Historical Museum and the Khujand Fortress to learn more about the history of culture of Tajikistan’s Sughd Region.

Bridging Cultures Over Chai: A cozy space for locals and travelers to connect, learn more about each other’s cultures, and build friendships—sip, smile and share, one cup at a time.

Highlights

Bazaar Nomad Scavenger Hunt

At a bazaar, divide into teams and compete to finish the scavenger hunt while sampling delicious local treats with a nomadic history

Dine with Local Uzbek students

Eat dinner while chatting with local students, deepening our understanding of Uzbek culture and people.

Plov Cooking Class

Meet a local Tajik family in their home and learn how to make plov, one of Central Asia's most beloved dishes

JOIN US FOR PART 1

A Silk Road Culinary Journey

Start with us on the historic Silk Road in Shaanxi, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, China.

View Details

Turpan, Xinjiang, China

What Is Included

Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time).

We LOVE sharing the beauties of China with our friends and encourage you to ask any questions!

Whenever necessary, we will have local guides and drivers accompanying us as well.
For all our experiences, we strive to pick accommodations that are clean and authentic.

Whenever possible, we choose to support small, local guesthouses run by people from the community.

Costs differ between single and double occupancy, please review the costs below
Every night, you will try different traditional dishes of the region we are in. Family style means you will share food with your fellow travelers. Both of us are HUGE foodies and we can vouch for the quality of the food we pick!

If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, etc.) or food allergies, please inform us in advance of the trip so we can make this trip enjoyable and safe for you.
In this virtual pre-departure orientation, we will cover essential apps (payment, maps, VPNs, eSIMs) and practical on the ground tips that will help you navigate China like a local.

It's also an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and ask us any questions!
For any sites mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered.

Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
All overland transportation, including high speed trains, buses, and rideshares.

Metro rides within cities are not covered.

Transportation during free time is not covered.

Any transportation to Almaty (flight or train) before the trip begins is not covered and any transportation after Day 9 is not covered.
To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag! Inform us of your t-shirt size prior to the trip.

What Is Not Included

- Travel Insurance (REQUIRED for every traveler)

- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Tourist Visa (if required)

- Meals Not Included in the Itinerary

- Breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic drinks

- Personal Expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)

- Room service, laundry, incidentals

- Activities not a part of the itinerary

- Hospital bills and related medical expenses
- Damaged or lost personal possessions

Costs

Single Occupancy

$2500 USD (includes VAT)

You will have a room and bathroom to yourself

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Double Occupancy

$2000 USD (includes VAT)

You will share a room with a person of the same gender or your requested roommate

What Our Travelers Say

Jurrien & Sandra

Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN. Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well.

Sebastien

China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends.

Angela & Yang

During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!

Matt

I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!

Ted

I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement

with the communities they visit.

I would definitely go on another trip with them!

Frequently Asked Questions

This group trip is designed for adults, 21 years and older who can handle traveling to high elevation destinations. If you and your grandparents, parents and/or children would like to join a trip like this, we can arrange a private trip specifically for your family. Please email us at hello@graceandyj.com if you are interested in a private trip.
Yes, this trip is halal friendly, as the cities and regions we visit have a large Muslim population.
Please mention in your Interest Form that you require our dining establishments to be halal friendly and we will ensure that your needs are met.
All the establishments that we visit as a group will be certified halal (and at minimum pork and lard free, though alcohol may be served at some establishments).
If you have any specific dietary needs, please indicate on the interest form and we will do our best to accommodate.
Enter in our Interest Form where you are interested in going and if there is enough interest in visiting that destination, we will consider adding it to the itinerary if possible.

The cost of the experience may change.

Alternatively, we can host a private experience for you and anyone you want to bring along.
For Kazakhstan, please refer to this official webpage for their visa policies.
For Uzbekistan, please refer to this official webpage for their visa policies.
For Tajikistan, please refer to this official webpage for their visa policies.
From Roots to Bridges will not accept responsibility if you are refused entry to any of the above countries because you lack the correct visa documentation.
You should book your departure flight from your home country to Almaty International Airport (will likely require a layover in another city) and your return flight from Tashkent International Airport in Uzbekistan.
Visiting Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan? For Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, download Yandex Taxi (ridesharing) and for Uzbekistan, download Maxim (ridesharing). For all three countries, download Google Translate (or similar), as English is not commonly spoken.
In Kazakhstan, we will bring you a physical store to buy a Tele2 or Beeline and purchase a roaming plan that works for Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. If you don't have a SIM card slot in your phone, buy an E-SIM like the 3HK E-SIM.

* All information presented here is subject to change. The most updated information will be provided to you in your pre-departure orientation.
Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Kazakhstan.

Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Uzbekistan.

Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Tajikistan.

For this experience*, our cancellation policy is below. To cancel your spot, you must email us at hello@graceandyj.com. If applicable, you will receive a refund to your original form of payment between 5-14 business days, excluding bank transaction fees.

More than 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 20% of total price (deposit)

Between 45 – 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 40% of the total price

Between 30 – 45 Days: Cancellation fee of 60% of the total price

Less than 30 days prior to departure: No refund

After trip departure: No refund

*Note: Different experiences may have different deposit amounts and cancellation policies. Please refer to each experience page for the most up to date information.
We understand that medical emergencies may cause you to not be able to attend this trip or cut the trip short.

Therefore, we require our travelers to buy travel insurance before the trip begins to cover unforeseen cancellations.

Our Travel Philosophy

We started traveling around China in 2023 with a desire to reconnect with our ancestral homeland. From then to now, we have traveled to half of China's provinces & regions. In the process, we realized that the beauty, history, and cultural diversity of China goes well beyond the typical path that tourists take (Beijing, Shanghai, etc). We want to show you the real China, from the cities to village in China's undiscovered provinces and regions. Whether or not you can speak Chinese, we want to help you navigate all the complexities that come with traveling around China and foster an environment that allows you to connect on a deeper level with Chinese culture, people, language, and food. Learn more from our YouTube videos!