A Journey through the Silk and Spice Road and the many Narratives of Uzbekistan

Global Leader in Socially Conscious Travel.

A Journey through the Silk and Spice Road and the many Narratives of Uzbekistan

Embark on a captivating 10-day journey through Uzbekistan, discovering its diverse culture and historical wonders. Explore the intersection of multiple narratives, tracing the region’s rich history along the Silk and Spice Roads where intellectuals of Sunni and Shia Islam have alternately clashed and embraced each other over centuries, alongside the famous Jews of Bukhara. Examine a complex relationship with the Kremlin to the north, move through UNESCO-listed ancient sites including well-preserved madrasas, and navigate vibrant bazaars featuring medieval architecture and finely woven carpets. Meet local communities, learn to prepare the local cuisine, and connect with this region’s deep spiritual heritage.

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Tour Dates & Pricing:

Deadline to register: July 17, 2026

Main Tour: $3,500 per person (double room), $4,200 per person (single room)

Deadline to register: January 15, 2027

Main Tour: $3,650 per person (double room), $4,430 per person (single room)

Deadline to register: July 9, 2027

Main Tour: $3,650 per person (double room), $4,430 per person (single room)

TOUR ITINERARY
BOOK NOW

If the scheduled tour dates don’t work for you, reach out to us about planning a private tour—we’re happy to help you create a customized experience for any group size!

PRIVATE TOUR REQUEST
WATCH THE INFORMATION SESSION
“MEJDI Exclusive” Experiences:
Our socially conscious tours are built around the people and stories that bring each destination to life, creating meaningful connections that support local communities.
Hear an expert Uzbek speaker trace the country’s path to post-Soviet independence and analyze current events
Enjoy a local cooking class, visit spice markets and traditional tea houses
Here from a Jewish community member and have dinner at a local home for insight into the religious communities of this region
Visit UNESCO-Heritage sites and examine remarkable architecture
Meet with a Sufi Imam to dive deep into their traditions and customs
Meet with a local scholar to hear about the history of the silk road and the Uzbek connection to it
Step into the home of a local artist and enjoy live Uzbek music
TRIP INCLUDES
9 nights’ accommodation at premium hotels per itinerary
1 Local English Speaking Guide for 10 days
1 MEJDI-Expert Tour Leader for 10 days ​
9 days of private bus transportation, including 2 one-way train tickets (Bukhara-Samarkand & Samarkand-Tashkent)
1 One-way domestic flight Tashkent-Khiva
Meals listed in the itinerary: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Entrances, sites, and honorariums for speakers
Water on bus throughout tour
Dedicated pre-trip traveler services and 24/7 on-ground support

Per person

$3,500

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TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
International airfare
Travel Insurance-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Customary tips for drivers, guides, and hotel staff​
Individual airport transfers outside of the group transfers
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the included section
TOUR ITINERARY
Before you Register​

Read through the Terms and Conditions.

These tours are guaranteed departures, and flight booking guidance will be provided once you register.

Travel insurance is highly recommended for all travelers. Click here for more information on recommended policies and purchasing timeframes:

Travel Insurance Information

Tour Registration

Click to see all available tour dates. Select your preferred tour date to complete the registration process and pay the deposit.

TOUR DATES & BOOK NOW
About Your Group Leader

Dr. Randall McNamara

Dr. Randall McNamara is an educator, chef, and author specializing in culinary history, identity, and culture. He recently served as board chair of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Trained as a Sovietologist and historian, Randall worked in Moscow for seven years with _TIME Magazine_. He witnessed first-hand the fall of the Berlin Wall, the demise of the Soviet Union, and the student occupation of Tiananmen Square. His extensive travels along the Silk Road led to cooking and living in Central Asia. Chef McNamara studied the culinary arts in China, Italy, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the US, and has authored several articles and books on Central Asian cuisine. Additionally, Randall trained in hand-pulled noodles in China, prepared festive pilaf for hundreds at an Uzbek wedding, and explored tandoor cookery from China to Türkiye.

About Your Group Leader

Marjorie Rouse

Marjorie Rouse is a leader in international development, with a focus on supporting healthy information ecosystems and independent media. Her work focuses on empowering local information sources to provide people with the news and information they need to make informed decisions and hold power accountable in a digitally connected world. A critical component of this work has been a peace building approach that brings communities together, with a focus on marginalized communities and reaching rural and minority populations. A native English speaker and fluent in Russian, prior to working in international development, she was an award winning broadcast TV producer based in Moscow. As a journalist she covered the collapse of the Soviet Union as well as conflict in the Balkans, Somalia and Haiti. She has extensive experience in the former Soviet Union, with many trips to Central Asia supporting local partners there from the 1990s to the present. She has traveled to over 70 countries, engaging with local communities and information providers as both a journalist and development professional.

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Traveling Mejdi Tours

All the trips we take are educational and geared towards cultural immersion, and that’s true of MEJDI. But none are so first hand and intentionally personal as the MEJDI tour guides are.

You come away hopeful because the tour guides can have such different backgrounds and experiences and opinions and still respect each other, And, they introduce you to groups that are working to spread that throughout the world.

Kim

Happy Customer

MEJDI was one of the first global tour companies to earn B Corp Certification back in 2014, long before B Corp became widely recognized beyond sustainability circles. For us, this certification is a transparent way to demonstrate that we stand by our values: we ensure local vendors are paid fair wages, prioritize small, locally-owned businesses, and treat our partners and staff with dignity and respect. This deep commitment to social change drives MEJDI’s mission: “We exist to create a more peaceful and interconnected world through travel.”