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Baltit Fort, Gilgit, Pakistan
Home Group Tours Pakistan & Uzbekistan: The Legacy of the Great Game

Pakistan

Pakistan & Uzbekistan: The Legacy of the Great Game

  • EXPERT-LED GROUP TOUR
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ex. flights
Single Supplement Tour Expert Group Size Status
23/09/27 10/10/27 18 days £7,395 pp £1,375 Sophie Ibbotson 15 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place
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In the late 19th century, the mountains, deserts and trading cities of Central Asia became the stage for one of history’s most fascinating geopolitical rivalries. The contest between the British and Russian Empires, later immortalised by Rudyard Kipling as the Great Game, reshaped borders, influenced cultures and left a legacy that still echoes across the region today.

Led by Central Asia specialist Sophie Ibbotson, whose extensive experience across the region brings added historical and cultural insight, this journey follows the route of that imperial contest. Beginning in Lahore, where Kipling found inspiration for Kim, travel north through the cantonment towns of the Punjab and into the spectacular mountain landscapes of Gilgit and Hunza, where British political agents watched the northern passes and Russian ambitions beyond them. Along the way, encounter Mughal masterpieces, frontier settlements, ancient fortresses and communities whose lives were shaped by events far beyond their valleys.

Crossing into Uzbekistan, continue through the great Silk Road cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Here, Russian influence layered itself upon centuries of Central Asian history, creating one of the region’s most distinctive cultural landscapes. Together, these two countries reveal the geography, politics and cultures that defined the Great Game and continue to shape this fascinating region today.

Introducing your expert

Sophie Ibbotson

Sophie Ibbotson

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Sophie Ibbotson is an Orientalist, writer, and consultant specialising in South and Central Asia. She read Hindi and Urdu at Clare College, Cambridge, falling in love with the histories of the Silk Road and the Mughal Empire; and since 2008 has worked predominantly in Afghanistan and Central Asia — in the very heart of the Great Game — advising national governments and the World Bank on projects ranging from tourism and cultural heritage to investment promotion and small business development.

She is Uzbekistan’s Ambassador for Ecology; the former Chairman of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs; and the author of six guidebooks for Bradt Travel Guides, including Uzbekistan. Sophie’s next book, Oxus, a biography and travelogue about Central Asia’s longest river, will be published by Icon Books in 2027.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

View from Altit Fort towards Hunza River, Karakorum Mountains, Pakistan 1

Great Game Frontiers

Follow the routes, rivalries and mountain kingdoms that shaped the Great Game, travelling through one of the world’s most spectacular mountain regions.

Lahore Fort, Lahore, Pakistan 2

World Heritage Sites

Explore a remarkable collection of UNESCO-listed monuments, cities and cultural landmarks from Lahore Fort to Samarkand and Khiva.

Local Market, Sindh, Pakistan 3

Cultural Encounters

Experience qawwali music, mountain polo and enduring traditions, offering insight into the cultures of Pakistan and Central Asia.

View of Islamic buildings through blue mosaic archway. 4

Silk Road Treasures

Discover the magnificent architecture, trading cities and cultural legacy of Uzbekistan’s historic Silk Road.

Explore our suggested itinerary

Map View List View

  • Day 1

    Arrive Lahore

  • Day 2

    Lahore

  • Day 3

    Lahore & Wagah Border

  • Day 4

    Lahore to Islamabad

  • Day 5

    Islamabad - Skardu - Gilgit

  • Day 6

    Gilgit to Karimabad (Hunza)

  • Day 7

    Upper Hunza & Gulmit

  • Day 8

    Hunza to Kachura

  • Day 9

    Kachura to Islamabad

  • Day 10

    Islamabad to Tashkent

  • Day 11

    Tashkent to Samarkand

  • Day 12

    Samarkand

  • Day 13

    Samarkand to Bukhara

  • Day 14

    Bukhara

  • Day 15

    Bukhara to Khiva

  • Day 16

    Khiva

  • Day 17

    Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent

  • Day 18

    Depart Tashkent

Day 1

Arrive Lahore

Arrive in Lahore and transfer to your hotel for immediate check in. This afternoon visit Lahore Museum, Kipling’s celebrated “Wonder House”, whose collections provide an introduction to the empires, cultures and histories that shaped the Punjab and the Great Game.

Day 2

Lahore

Explore Lahore’s Walled City, including Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, the Faqir Khana Museum and Wazir Khan Mosque. Wander through the historic bazaars before enjoying a traditional qawwali performance this evening.

Day 3

Lahore & Wagah Border

Visit Jahangir’s Tomb and the Shalimar Gardens before travelling to Wagah on the India-Pakistan border. Witness the daily flag-lowering ceremony, a colourful display of patriotism and pageantry on the historic Grand Trunk Road.

Day 4

Lahore to Islamabad

Drive to Islamabad, stopping to explore Rawalpindi Cantonment, once a major British military base. Continue to Raja Bazaar, the city’s historic commercial centre.

Day 5

Islamabad - Skardu - Gilgit

Fly to Skardu before continuing through spectacular Karakoram scenery to Gilgit. Attend a traditional polo match, visit the British Military Cemetery and learn about Gilgit’s pivotal role in the Great Game.

Day 6

Gilgit to Karimabad (Hunza)

Drive into the Hunza Valley, visiting Baltit and Altit forts before continuing to Eagle’s Nest viewpoint. This evening, enjoy dinner overlooking the mountains and valley below.

Day 7

Upper Hunza & Gulmit

Journey through Upper Hunza to Gulmit, stopping to admire the dramatic Passu Cones. Visit local museums and heritage sites before learning about the creation of the Wakhan Corridor and its role in the Great Game.

Day 8

Hunza to Kachura

Follow the Karakoram Highway south through deep gorges and mountain valleys to Kachura Lake, a peaceful setting amid the dramatic landscapes of northern Pakistan.

Day 9

Kachura to Islamabad

Fly from Skardu to Islamabad. Visit the striking Faisal Mosque and enjoy time at leisure before a farewell dinner marking the end of your time in Pakistan.

Day 10

Islamabad to Tashkent

Fly to Tashkent and explore a city shaped by Russian expansion into Central Asia. Visit the State Museum of Applied Arts before enjoying a traditional Russian-inspired dinner.

Day 11

Tashkent to Samarkand

Travel by high-speed train to Samarkand. Explore the Russian quarter, including the former Russian-Chinese Bank and Orthodox Cathedral, revealing a different side to this historic Silk Road city.

Day 12

Samarkand

Discover Samarkand’s architectural treasures, including Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi Khanym Mosque, the Registan and Gur-i Amir. This evening there may be the opportunity to see Registan square illuminated after dark.

Day 13

Samarkand to Bukhara

Travel by high-speed train to Bukhara. Explore the Samanid Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ark Fortress and traditional bazaars, with an optional visit to one of the city’s historic bathhouses.

Day 14

Bukhara

Spend the day exploring Bukhara’s historic centre, including the Poi Kalon complex, trading domes, Lyabi Hauz and Sitorai Mokhi Khosa. Time at leisure allows you to soak up the atmosphere of this Silk Road city.

Day 15

Bukhara to Khiva

Cross the vast Kyzylkum Desert to Khiva, tracing ancient caravan routes through one of Central Asia’s most evocative landscapes.

Day 16

Khiva

Explore the UNESCO-listed walled city of Ichan Kala, one of Central Asia’s best-preserved historic cities. Later, visit the photography exhibition at Nurullaboy Palace.

Day 17

Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent

Visit the desert fortresses of Ayaz Qala and Topraq Qala before continuing to Urgench for your flight to Tashkent. Gather this evening for a farewell dinner.

Day 18

Depart Tashkent

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Bridge to Masherbrum mountain peak, Pakistan
Rivalry Across Central Asia

What Was the Great Game?

The Great Game was the 19th-century rivalry between the British and Russian Empires for influence across Central Asia. Fought through diplomacy, intelligence gathering and exploration rather than open warfare, it reshaped the political map of the region. One of its most enduring legacies was the creation of the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of Afghanistan designed to separate the two empires. This journey explores the landscapes and historic cities that lay at the heart of that contest.

Lower half of polo player in action.
Pakistan
Polo in the Mountains

The Home of Polo

Long before polo became associated with British officers and English country houses, it was played in the valleys of northern Pakistan. Gilgit and Hunza are widely regarded as among the sport’s earliest homes, and local matches remain fast-paced, fiercely contested community events. During the journey, attend a traditional polo match and meet local players, gaining an insight into a sporting tradition that has been part of mountain life for centuries.

Includes / Excludes

Important Information

Activity Level
Moderate Activity
Single Supplement

Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.

Flexibility

To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.

What is included

  • Accompanied by Sophie Ibbotson as tour expert throughout
  • Accompanied by a local English speaking guide
  • Entrance to all sites mentioned
  • Accommodation throughout
  • Immediate check in on arrival in Lahore
  • Most meals
  • Transportation throughout with 4x4 vehicles used across Pakistan's mountain regions
  • Domestic flights in economy class
  • Train travel in economy class

What is excluded

  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas

Other available dates

For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980

Start date End date Days
Prices from
ex. flights
Tour Expert Group Size Status
23/09/27 10/10/27 18 days £7,395 pp Sophie Ibbotson 15 Max AVAILABLE Reserve place

Reserve your place on this group tour

Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.

01285 880 980

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