Our tour is about retracing old paths of caravan countries, of traditional markets, places of interact with multi-cultural ethnic communities whose forefathers came as migrants, invading armies or tradesmen. This tour is an exceptional opportunity to discover, feel and capture the rich aroma of a diverse ethnicity in the lands where once east with west interacted. This was part of the great Indian trade route as old as the traditional Grand Silk Road. The caravans from the east or the west passed through various arteries of the Great Silk Route and one being the Pamir branch halted and rested in the southern parts of Sogdiana. While the camels rested and recuperated from arduous journeys, tradesmen sought opportunity to exchange goods and information of the unseen lands. This was the great spirit of the old travelers which kept these trading routes alive through centuries. Traveling north through Afghanistan was a passage through the territories of Bactria entering Sogdiana. After a rest of couple of weeks or a month caravans were once again on the trail to enter into the lands of golden cities of the Great Silk Road. Indian Trade route was already established since 3rd or 4th century BC, carrying spices, fabrics, gems, ivory, sandal wood articles and even fodder blocks for the camels were mainly traded while in return they carried jade, weapons(swords) asafetida, lapiz lazuli stones and horses. This trade route was used by the pilgrims of 4th, 5th and 7th century who came from China while some Indian sages travelled to Central Asia and into China along the great deserts onto Silk Road cities. This activity was also an exchange of inter-faith harmony be it Zoroastrian, Hinduism, Buddhist or Nestorian Christians but also Manicheans traveled as traders or preachers. By 1st century BC Buddhism was already in vogue in northern Afghanistan and was greatly adopted faith of the region. However when Kushana empire established its foot hold, they adopted Buddhist way of life though narrowly in conflict with ancient Zoroastrianism, successfully propagated its philosophy into Central Asia, along the Great Silk Road into the desert communities of Central China. This evidence is clear from the style and form of Buddhist sculpture and artefacts found in Central Asian and western Chinese cities and monasteries. The madrassah plan found in Central Asia is basically, copy of a Buddhist monastery though Buddhist faith has long ceased since 9th, 10th centuries in these parts.
 
In our itinerary we shall be seeing, traditional bazaars and the multi-ethnic population. Though those days are gone but the spirit of Silk Road cities is still vibrant. Thanks to some places are still holding on to traditional way of life, though many cities have undergone drastic changes. The countryside remains the same the scenic panorama remains the same and to some extent the spirit of the olden days struggles to find its face.

Itineraries

Gallery

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