The Syr Darya is Central Asia’s secret river. More than 2,200 kms in length and travelling through four countries – Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan – it flows from its source in the Tien Shan Mountains all the way to what remains of the Aral Sea.

In September, together with Dela Arba Travel from Almaty, I will be starting the first of three expeditions down the river, the first of their kind. Starting at the source we will travel down the river – known as the Naryn at this point – to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, before crossing into the Ferghana Valley. From here we will cross briefly into Tajikistan to visit Khojand and the site of Alexandria Eschate, the city built by Alexander the Great on the shores of the river. From there we will return to Uzbekistan to visit Tashkent and Aidarkul Lake. Along the route we will visit some of the ancient cities and archaeological sites, such as Akhsikent and Sharukhiya. Full details can be found here:

Two further journeys along the river will take place in spring 2027. Expedition 2 will follow the river from the Uzbek border to the remarkable city of Turkestan, location of the superb Khoja Ahmed Yassawi Mausoleum built on the orders of Timur (Tamerlane) at the end of the 14thC. Expedition 3 will follow the river from Turkestan through the Kyzyl Kum desert to the Aral Sea. Along the route we will explore some of the remarkable ‘lost’ cities that can be found deep in the desert.

If you are interested in joining any of these three expeditions, please get in touch. There are still a couple of places on Expedition 1, which leaves on 15 September from Almaty in Kazakhstan. More places are available on the two other expeditions.