info@sezam-voyages.com
Phone
+998 90 743 85 82
+998 93 333 01 48
Working Hours
Mon – Sat, 9:00 – 18:00
Location
Kaganskaya Street, 25, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Beknazar Berdiyev
Founder & Director
25 Years of Opening Central Asia to the World
With over 25 years of dedicated experience in Central Asian tourism, Beknazar Berdiyev has personally guided and organized journeys for more than 10,000 travelers from across Europe, Canada, and East Asia. His deep-rooted passion for the Silk Road's heritage and his unmatched knowledge of the region's culture, history, and hidden treasures led him to establish Sezam Voyages — a company built on authenticity, trust, and a genuine desire to share the wonders of Central Asia with the world.
Every itinerary crafted by Sezam Voyages reflects Beknazar's philosophy: travel should be transformative. From the ancient mosaics of Samarkand to the remote mountain passes of Kyrgyzstan, each journey is designed with meticulous attention to detail, deep local connections, and a commitment to creating memories that last a lifetime.
All Our Tours
UZBEKISTAN OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Discover the Real Uzbekistan Far from the well-trodden tourist trail, this journey takes you into the heart of an intimate, unspoiled Uzbekistan. Sleep in village homestays in the mountains, ride Bactrian camels across the Kyzylkum Desert, uncover Bronze Age petroglyphs etched into rock three thousand years ago, and share daily life with Uzbek families at the foot of the Nuratau and Zeravshan ranges. Between these timeless encounters, the legendary Silk Road jewels of Bukhara the Holy and Samarkand the Magnificent reveal their full splendour. Route: Tashkent – Forish – Ukhum – Hayat – Nuratau – Gijduvan – Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Oqsoy – Samarkand – Tashkent Practical Information 🏃 Fitness level: moderate (one trekking day of 5–6 hours, Day 3) 🏨 Accommodation: a mix of 3★ or 4★ hotels (Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand) and village homestays (Ukhum, Hayat, Shakhrisabz, Oqsoy) offering simple but warm hospitality, plus one night in a yurt in the Kyzylkum Desert ☀️ Best season: March to June and September to November 🎒 What to bring: walking shoes, light clothing and a jacket for cool mountain and desert evenings, sun protection, headlamp for the yurt night
BETWEEN SUMMITS AND DOMES
Route: Tashkent – Kumyshkan – Aksakata River – Ahtahta Pass – Revasht River – Revasht Pass – Karabuzuk Pass – Adamtash Pass – Yangiabad – Tashkent – Samarkand – Tashkent Uzbekistan: Between Summits and Marvels This 14-day circuit is designed for travellers who dream of combining a high-mountain trek with the discovery of Silk Road treasures. For eight days, you will traverse the Western Tian Shan mountains — granite ridges, centuries-old juniper forests, waterfalls cascading down rock faces, passes above 2,000 m — in a silence broken only by birdsong and the murmur of rivers. Then the journey shifts to the architectural splendour of Samarkand, where Tamerlane’s turquoise domes answer the golden mosaics of the Registan. A complete itinerary blending physical challenge, cultural wonder and authentic encounters with Uzbekistan’s mountain communities. This trek is for you if… • You dream of hiking off the beaten track, far from mass tourism • You enjoy multi-day treks with bivouacs in the wild • You want to discover a little-known mountain range in Central Asia • You wish to combine a sporting adventure with Silk Road cultural discovery • You value contact with local communities and team spirit (guide, cook, muleteers) ℹ️ Practical Information 🦶 Fitness level: Moderate to sporty ★★★☆☆. Eight days of trekking with stages of 12 to 23 km. The most demanding day is Day 7 (two passes, 15 km, +800 m elevation). The high point is Adamtash Pass at 2,310 m (Day 8). A good general level of fitness and experience of mountain walking are required. The route involves no technical difficulty (no ropes, no mountaineering gear), but endurance is necessary. 🎒 Recommended equipment: Waterproof high-ankle hiking boots (essential). Trekking poles (highly recommended). 30–40 litre daypack. Warm clothing and windproof jacket (nights at altitude can be cold). Sleeping bag comfort rating 0°C. Sunscreen and sunglasses. 🌡️ Climate: From May to October, days are warm and sunny (20–30°C in the valleys), but nights at altitude can drop to 5–10°C. Passes above 2,000 m can be windy. The ideal period is June to September. Bring layered clothing. 🏕️ Accommodation: Good-standard hotels in Tashkent and Samarkand. During the trek, bivouac under canvas (2-person tents provided, mattresses provided). The foresters’ base (Day 6) offers shower facilities. This circuit prioritises immersion in the wilderness. 🍽️ Meals during the trek: A professional cook accompanies you. Hot breakfasts, carefully prepared picnic lunches, full dinners cooked at the bivouac. Filtered drinking water provided. 🚂 Afrosiyob train: High-speed train linking Tashkent to Samarkand in 2 h 10 min. Economy-class seats. If unavailable, a comfort-class ticket on a regular Sharq or Nasaf train will be provided. 📌 Please note: The order of visits may be modified depending on local and weather conditions, without altering the programme content. Hiking routes may be adjusted to the group’s level. The trek may be cancelled or modified in the event of extreme weather conditions.
FROM MULBERRY LEAF TO SILK
Route: Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana / Margilan – Rishton – Khujand (Tajikistan) – Penjikent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Tashkent A Journey Only May Can Offer This exclusive itinerary invites you to witness something very few travellers ever experience: cocoon season in Uzbekistan. From mid-May to the end of the month, in the farms and shaded courtyards of the Fergana Valley, Uzbek families feed silkworms around the clock with fresh mulberry leaves, until the magical moment when the caterpillars — having multiplied their weight ten thousand times over — begin to spin a cocoon of silk thread: 1,500 metres of thread, produced in just 48 hours by a single worm. This journey allows you to follow the entire age-old process: from the picking of mulberry leaves to the rearing of silkworms, from the harvesting of cocoons to the reeling of silk thread, from dyeing baths with natural pigments to weaving on hand looms. And not in a museum, but alongside the silk farmers themselves and in the workshops of Margilan, the world capital of Uzbek silk. But this itinerary goes further than most: from the Fergana Valley, you will cross the border into Tajikistan to reach Khujand, the ancient Alexandria Eschate — "the farthest Alexandria", founded by Alexander the Great — and then Penjikent, the "Pompeii of Central Asia", a Sogdian city whose ancient frescoes bear witness to the splendour of Silk Road merchants. A border crossing that traces the exact route of the silk caravans from two thousand years ago. Practical Information 🗓️ Why May? The cocoon season in Uzbekistan runs from mid-April to the end of May — the only time of year when you can witness silkworm rearing and cocoon formation on site. This 18 May departure is timed to coincide with the peak of the harvest. 🌍 Two countries, one journey. This tour crosses both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Two border crossings are included (Andarkhon and Jartepa/Sarazm), both smooth and well-organised with our assistance. Most European nationalities benefit from an e-visa or visa exemption for Tajikistan. Sezam Voyages handles all formalities on your behalf. 🏨 Comfort level. Carefully selected 3-4 star hotels in every city. The tour prioritises comfort and genuine encounters with local artisans. 🚶 Fitness level. Accessible to all travellers, with no particular physical demands. Some days involve sustained walking during visits. ☀️ Climate. May is one of the most pleasant months in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan (20-30 °C / 68-86 °F). Pack light clothing with a cardigan for the evenings. A hat and sunscreen are recommended. 📌 Please note. The order of visits may be adjusted according to local conditions and the cocoon harvest calendar, without altering the content of the programme.
FLAVOURS OF UZBEKISTAN
Route: Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana – Margilan – Rishtan – Tashkent – Nukus – Ayaz-Kala – Khiva – Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand – Tashkent This 14-day journey invites you to discover Uzbekistan through a rare lens: its cuisine. From the colourful bazaars of the Fergana Valley to the inner courtyards of Bukhara, from the steppes of Karakalpakstan to the terraces of Samarkand, every stage combines heritage visits with authentic culinary experiences. You will do more than taste the dishes — you will head to the market to choose the ingredients yourself, then take part in their preparation alongside local people. A trip where history, architecture and gastronomy become one. Practical information 🏨 Comfort level. Carefully selected 3-4 star hotels in each city. Meals with local families offer simple comfort and unrivalled hospitality. 🚶 Fitness level. Suitable for anyone in reasonable general fitness. No particular difficulty; sturdy closed shoes are recommended for archaeological sites. ☀️ Climate. Bring light clothing in summer (April–September) with a cardigan for the evenings. In winter (October–March), pack warm clothing. 📌 Please note. The order of visits may be adjusted according to local conditions and domestic flight schedules, without altering the content of the programme.
THE ARTISANS OF THE SILK ROAD
Route: Tashkent — Khiva — Bukhara — Nurata — Kyzylkum — Aydarkul — Samarkand — Shakhrisabz — Samarkand — Tashkent Uzbekistan is far more than turquoise domes and majestic madrasas. Along the Silk Road, a living heritage is handed down from generation to generation: woodcarvers in Khiva, silk weavers, miniature painters in Bukhara, ceramicists in Gijduvan. This journey invites you to step through the workshop doors and meet the hands that keep these centuries-old crafts alive. Practical Information 🏨 Comfort level. Carefully selected 3★ hotels in each city. One night in a traditional yurt in the Kyzylkum Desert (simple comfort, authentic hospitality). The rest of the journey offers standard comfort. 🚶 Fitness level. Accessible to all travellers, with no particular physical demands. The Khiva – Bukhara day (day 4) involves a long drive across the desert (approximately 7 hours). Comfortable shoes are recommended for sightseeing and workshops. ☀️ Climate. Pack light clothing in summer (April–September) with a cardigan for the evenings, especially in the desert where temperature differences between day and night can be significant. In winter (October–March), warm clothing is essential. 📌 Please note. The order of visits may be adjusted according to local conditions, without altering the content of the programme.
THE JEWELS OF UZBEKISTAN
From the ancient oasis of Khorezm to the turquoise domes of Samarkand, this two-week circuit immerses you in the soul of Uzbekistan. You will explore cities inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, sleep under the stars in a yurt camp in the Kyzylkum Desert, and share daily life with Uzbek families in mountain villages. A complete itinerary weaving together great historic cities, unspoilt nature and authentic encounters.
SPLENDOURS OF THE SILK ROAD
Route: Ashgabat – Darvaza – Kunya-Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand – Penjikent – Seven Lakes – Dushanbe – Kalai-Khumb – Khorog – Jelondi – Murghab – Sary-Tash – Osh – Arslanbob – Kazarman – Son-Kul – Bishkek – Issyk-Kul – Karakol – Saty – Charyn Canyon – Altyn-Emel – Almaty This grand 35-day circuit is the ultimate Central Asian expedition. It crosses all five republics that are heirs to the Silk Road — from the Karakum Desert to the peaks of the Pamir, from the turquoise domes of Samarkand to the yurts of Kyrgyz nomads, from the crystalline lakes of the Fan Mountains to the spectacular canyons of Kazakhstan. This is a journey that embraces the dizzying diversity of the region: millennial civilisations, landscapes of breathtaking beauty, peoples with living traditions and legendary hospitality. An itinerary that does not merely skim the surface of Central Asia, but plunges deep into its heart. Practical Information 📋 Visas: Turkmenistan requires a tourist visa, obtained on arrival at Ashgabat airport or at land border crossings. Visa fees (from USD 85) and the migration tax (USD 14) must be paid in cash in US dollars only and are non-refundable. Bills must be in good condition and recently issued (after 2008). We recommend bringing the exact amount; ten- and twenty-dollar bills will make the process smoother. Tajikistan requires a GBAO permit for the Gorno-Badakhshan region. Most European nationalities benefit from a visa exemption or e-visa for Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Sezam Voyages will assist you with all formalities. 🚧 Borders: Four border crossings are included: Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan–Tajikistan, Tajikistan–Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan. All are managed with the assistance of our local guides. ⛰️ Altitude: The circuit reaches 4,280 m at the Kyzyl-Art Pass (Day 17). Several days take place above 3,000 m (Jelondi, Murghab, Son-Kul). Acclimatisation is gradual. Consult your doctor before departure regarding altitude precautions. 🏕️ Accommodation: Varied and tailored to each stage: 3–4★ hotels in cities, nomadic yurts (Son-Kul, Issyk-Kul, Sary-Tash, Darvaza), homestays in villages (Kalai-Khumb, Murghab, Arslanbob, Kazarman). This circuit prioritises authenticity and human encounters. 🌡️ Climate: Highly variable depending on the stage. Hot in the deserts and cities (30–40°C), cool to cold at altitude (0–15°C at night on the Pamir and at Son-Kul). Bring layered clothing, a warm windproof jacket and comfortable shoes. 📌 Please note: The order of visits may be modified according to local conditions, without altering the programme content. Itineraries may be adjusted depending on road conditions, particularly along the Pamir Highway.
TREASURES OF UZBEKISTAN
Route: Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana – Margilan – Rishtan – Tashkent – Nukus – Lake Sudochye – Barsa-Kelmes – Aral Sea – Muynak – Nukus – Ayaz-Kala – Khiva – Bukhara – Shahrisabz – Samarkand – Tashkent This grand 17-day circuit reveals the many faces of Uzbekistan, well beyond the beaten track. From the fertile Fergana Valley, cradle of silk, to the ghostly shores of the Aral Sea; from the lost fortresses of ancient Khorezm to the turquoise domes of Samarkand—this journey embraces two millennia of history, breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable encounters. A rare itinerary, designed for curious travellers who wish to discover Uzbekistan in depth. Practical information 🛏️ Comfort level: Good standard hotels in the cities. On day 6, overnight in a tent by the Aral Sea (basic comfort, guaranteed adventure). The rest of the trip offers standard comfort. 🥾 Physical condition: This trip is accessible to anyone in good general health. The 4×4 journey to the Aral Sea (day 6) involves long hours on rough terrain. Bring good closed shoes for archaeological sites. 🌦️ Climate: Light clothing is recommended in summer (April–September), with a sweater for the evenings. In winter (October–March), bring warm clothing. The Ustyurt plateau and the Aral Sea area can be windy and cool, even in summer. ℹ️ Note: The order of visits may be modified depending on local conditions and domestic flight schedules, without affecting the content of the program.
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