About this tour
Tour Program: Intellectual Tajikistan–Kyrgyzstan Journey
Duration: 9 days | Countries: Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan | Arrival / Departure: Dushanbe / Osh | Best Time: May – October | Format: VIP tour with expert guidance
Tour Concept
“Stone Silk: Nature in Art” — or “Florence Tajik-Style” — explores the interplay between nature and art across Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Stone painting — this is how the Florentine mosaic is known.
Living fabric — this is how the art of suzani, kiiz, and shyrdak is described.
Two countries, two worlds, two artistic languages, two materials, and two cultures — stone and textile. This tour weaves Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan into a single tapestry, like patterns formed from nature, stories, and the hands of artisans. It combines Tajikistan’s Florentine-style stone mosaics with Kyrgyzstan’s textile art of suzani and kiiz, revealing how nature inspires both the artist and the craftsman. We explore how the environment inspires art: mountain mosaics transform into stone paintings, and the lines of wind and grass are mirrored in felt and silk patterns.
In Tajikistan — the World of Stone
Experience the colorful mosaics of the Pamirs, the minerals of Badakhshan, and the workshops of Dushanbe, where pietra dura techniques have gained an Eastern interpretation, blending European tradition with local aesthetics. Here, stone tells stories of memory, power, and time.
In Kyrgyzstan — the World of Fabric
Transition to living threads, where the artisan’s hand weaves space as precisely as a stonecutter carves form. The natural mosaics of Madygen, the Pamir-Alay landscapes, mountain valleys, and pastures inspire every pattern. In the motifs of suzani and shyrdak, every stitch breathes the land, and every movement of the hand reflects the rhythm of nature.
This Tour Is
An intellectual and sensory journey along the Silk Road, where East meets West, stone meets textile, history meets contemporary life, and art becomes both a reflection of nature and a mirror of culture. Participants observe, analyze, and even try to embody the beauty of nature in stone and fabric, discovering how environment, culture, and craftsmanship come together in unique mosaics of the world.
What to Expect
- Guided museum and workshop visits in Tajikistan: Florentine mosaics, working with jasper, lapis lazuli, agate, and other local minerals.
- Hands-on workshops preserving the artisan philosophy: creating mini mosaics and textile compositions.
- Meetings with experts, lectures, discussions, and comparative cultural analysis.
- Nature walks through the landscapes and natural mosaics of Zeravshan and Madygen.
- Comparative study of Eastern and Western techniques, history, and cultural motifs.
- Meetings with suzani, kiiz, and shyrdak artisans in Kyrgyzstan’s Batken region.
- Culinary experiences with local cuisine.
- Folklore performances.
- Immersion in nomadic and settled cultures: symbolism, patterns, and connection with nature.
- Travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations, followed by expert talks in the evenings.
What Makes This Tour Unique
- Intellectual and practical experiences: lectures, workshops, and comparative cultural analysis.
- Deep immersion in Florentine mosaics and Central Asian textile art.
- Nature as a source of inspiration for creativity.
- Exclusive visits to artisan workshops in Dushanbe, Khujand, and Batken.
- Historical context of the Silk Road, blending nomadic and settled cultures.
Who This Tour Is For
Ideal for travelers who want not just to see the world but to understand its language, explore the interplay of nature, art, and culture, develop aesthetic taste and critical thinking, and create their own artworks under the guidance of master artisans.
Tour Outcomes
- Deep understanding of cultural connections between East and West.
- Ability to observe and reproduce natural patterns in stone and textile.
- Creation of personal miniature mosaic works.
- Experience of an author-designed intellectual journey along a unique route.
Tour Highlights
- Unique combination of Florentine-style stone mosaics and Kyrgyz textile mosaics.
- Natural mosaics as inspiration: Pamir-Alay, Madygen, mountain landscapes, and pastures.
- Hands-on workshops preserving the philosophy of traditional crafts.
- Intellectual lectures, discussions, and comparative cultural analysis.
- Stone and thread, East and West, settled and nomadic life — all connected by a single thread of inspiration.
Experience an exclusive Silk Road journey across Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, exploring the fusion of natural landscapes and traditional arts. This 9-day cultural and nature tour blends the Florentine-style stone mosaics of Tajikistan with the textile arts of Kyrgyzstan, including suzani, shyrdak, and kiiz workshops. Travelers gain hands-on experience with both stone and textile mosaics while discovering the unique landscapes, history, and cultural heritage of Central Asia
Program
Arrival at Dushanbe International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in, lunch, and rest.
Evening introductory lecture: “The Concept of Stone and Textile Mosaics” — an overview of the tour, exploring the connection between East and West.
City walk in Dushanbe, discovering the natural mosaics of the urban landscape.
Dinner at an ethno-teahouse, accompanied by a traditional folk performance to welcome guests.
Morning city tour of Dushanbe.
Visit the workshops of Florentine-style stone mosaic masters Jamshid Juraev and Nasim Negmatov. Demonstration of pietra dura techniques adapted to Tajikistan.
Mini workshop: working with semi-precious stones such as jasper, agate, lapis lazuli, onyx, and others.
Two parallel lectures: artistic perspective and scientific analysis.
A dual immersion into the world of stone:
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Renowned masters Jamshid Juraev and Nasim Negmatov reveal the artistic secrets of stone mosaics.
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Geologist Dr. Farid Salikhov explains how nature creates these unique minerals and why they are exceptional.
13:00 – Lunch at an ethnic restaurant.
14:00 – Tour of Dushanbe’s historical and cultural landmarks: National Museum of Tajikistan, Soviet-era architecture with decorative mosaic elements.
Visit modern architectural masterpieces adorned with stone mosaics, including Kokhi Navruz Complex, listed among the “8 Wonders of SCO,” a highlight of Tajikistan’s independence era.
Evening discussion over dinner: how natural mosaics of mountains, rivers, and minerals inspire artistic creation.
Drive to Penjikent through scenic mountain valleys.
Explore natural landscapes and the region’s “natural mosaics”: mountains, rivers, rocks, vegetation, and authentic rural villages.
Exciting mountain passes along the Zeravshan Valley offer breathtaking views.
Lunch in Penjikent.
Check-in at the hotel.
Excursion to Sarazm (17 km) — one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, a Bronze Age archaeological site (around 5500 BCE), birthplace of Central Asian civilization.
Lecture by expert Abdurauf Razzokov, director of the Penjikent Historical and Archaeological Reserve, responsible for the preservation and promotion of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Return to Penjikent to visit the ancient ruins of Old Penjikent, including citadel remains, residential quarters, and wall frescoes reflecting the spirit of the Sogdian era.
Dinner with a traditional folk show. Overnight at the hotel.
Morning drive to Khujand.
On the way, visit Madm Village, a picturesque mountain settlement in the heart of the Fann Mountains, known for its authentic traditions, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
Stop in Istaravshan, one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, renowned for its artisans. Lunch in the home of master comb maker Sodik Zaripov, who crafts wooden combs by traditional methods passed down through generations. Enjoy authentic Tajik cuisine and a warm family atmosphere.
Arrival in Khujand, the cultural and culinary capital of Northern Tajikistan. Check-in at the hotel.
Evening stroll along the Syr Darya riverfront and optional boat ride. Dinner at Restaurant Naberezhnaya.
Morning visit to the Khujand Archaeological Museum to see mosaics, ancient artifacts, and connections to Alexander the Great and Hellenistic heritage.
Tour the Khujand Fortress Historical Complex, including artisan workshops and the national teahouse offering traditional Tajik cuisine.
Visit a local stone-carving workshop showcasing the adaptation of European pietra dura techniques.
Afternoon visit to Arbob Cultural Palace, a historic palace and park complex.
Evening lecture: “The Silk Road as a Bridge Between East and West”, exploring Sogdiana’s role in connecting civilizations through trade, culture, and religion. Location: Khujand State University named after Academician B. Gafurov.
Dinner at a national teahouse with live music and dance performance by professional artists of the Sughd region. The guide explains the origin of the dances and traditional musical instruments that have accompanied Tajik celebrations for centuries.
Drive from Khujand to Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan, through scenic mountain valleys.
Border formalities.
Lunch in Batken, followed by hotel check-in.
Visit rare petroglyphs near Batken.
Evening lecture on nomadic culture and textile mosaics (kiiz, shyrdak, suzani), discussing how lifestyle influences patterns and composition.
Lecture by Dr. Baktygul Medinova, Director of the Osh Museum of Fine Arts and organizer of regional art projects.
Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Morning excursion to Madygen Geopark, a site of international geological heritage significance. Explore colorful canyons and see the “natural mosaic” of mountains, pastures, and rivers.
Experience nature’s artistic inspiration first-hand. Participants observe and translate natural patterns into artistic designs in textiles and stone mosaics.
Return to Batken. Evening session: “Artist’s Reflection”, discussing the influence of nature on creative perception and the boundary between natural and human-made art.
Expert geologists and art specialists provide insights on the geology and artistic interpretation of the Madygen region.
Visit Batken artisan workshops specializing in kiiz and suzani. Demonstration of techniques and design principles.
Mini-workshop for participants: translating natural motifs into textile patterns.
Lunch at the hotel restaurant.
Drive to Osh (230 km) and check-in at the hotel.
Evening discussion: review workshop results, explore the cultural and natural mosaics of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and examine the connection between stone and textile, East and West.
Dinner at an ethno-teahouse.
Transfer to Osh International Airport for your departure flight.
Price
1/2 DBL price
From $1,700 per person (based on a group of 7 or more).
Included / Excluded
- Comfortable transportation
- Accommodation in 4* hotels
- Expert guides
- Hands-on master classes
- Entrance fees to museums
- Local guides
- Guided excursions and city tours
- Full board meals
- Meetings with notable local figures
- Visits to artisan workshops
- Tasting of local wines
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Single-room supplement
- Bar menu and drinks
- Private car / vehicle
