📍 Serbia

SILK ROAD ODYSSEY: BELGRADE TO KABUL OVERLAND ADVENTURE

Fortresses guarding confluences, bazaar labyrinths echoing centuries of trade, passes crossing watersheds. The ancient Silk Road.

≈ 19
Days
526
Km
14
Stops
📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Cross Belgrade and its fortresses, then reach Istanbul at the crossroads of worlds. Pass through Tabriz and its bazaar, then cross Iranian passes before reaching Quetta and its harsher lands. End in Kabul at the foot of the Hindu Kush. An intense itinerary, made of ancient roads, crossroad cities and raw horizons.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Belgrade

danube fortress launches transcontinental odyssey east

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9 photos
Day 1
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Discover

1
Belgrade: lively cafés, first Balkan encounters and preparation for the great departure.
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Activities

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Strolling along the banks of the Danube and Sava, observing the city and adjusting the itinerary.
2
Day

Prilep

tobacco fields beneath marko's towers ruins

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9 photos
Day 2
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Discover

1
Pristina: crossing a capital still marked by recent history, first rural villages.
2
Skopje: passage through a crossroads city, mixture of modernity and more modest neighborhoods.
3
Prilep: small towns and countryside, improvisations to survive and first mechanical troubles.
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Activities

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Getting help for makeshift repairs and discovering the solidarity of the inhabitants.
3
Day

Alexandroupoli

thracian coast gateway toward turkish frontier

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2 photos
Day 3
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Discover

1
Thessaloniki: port stop, discovery of the Mediterranean and bustling markets.
2
Alexandroupoli: coastal city facing the Aegean Sea, mixture of cultures on the waterfront.
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Activities

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Observing the port activity and the comings and goings of ferries and cargo ships.
4
Day

Istanbul

bosphorus currents divide continents beneath minarets

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2 photos
Day 4
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Discover

1
Edirne: gateway to Turkey, mosques and bazaars mark the entrance to the Orient.
2
Istanbul: crossing the Bosphorus, immersion in the souks, hammams and alleys of the old city.
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Activities

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Going from one continent to another by ferry and feeling complete disorientation.
5
Day

Erzurum

anatolian plateau fortress guards armenian approaches

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6 photos
Day 5
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Discover

1
Sungurlu: first kilometers in the heart of interior Anatolia.
2
Trabzon: arrival on the Black Sea, stopover in a port city between mountains and sea.
3
Erzurum: ascent toward the high plateaus, first great steppe expanses.
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Activities

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Being welcomed in Anatolian villages and sharing tea and simple meals.
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Next stop
Distance: 84.4 km
Travel time: 1h24
6
Day

Kop Pass

mountain road climbs toward iranian highlands

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6 photos
Day 6
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Discover

1
Kop Pass: sublime and challenging mountain road, oscillating between fog, snow and clear sky.
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Activities

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Stopping at the roadside to contemplate the undulations of the earth and the immensity of the landscapes.
7
Day

Tabriz

carpet bazaar corridors echo safavid grandeur

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8 photos
Day 7
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Discover

1
Tabriz: long winter halt, forced pauses due to climate and travel fatigue.
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Activities

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Learning to live at the rhythm of the city, frequenting bazaars and tea houses despite the isolation.
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Next stop
Distance: 199.8 km
Travel time: 2h30
8
Day

Mahabad

kurdish heartland amid zagros mountain valleys

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4 photos
Day 8
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Discover

1
Mahabad: forced stay with the police for lack of means, meticulous observation of bazaar life.
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Activities

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Observing minorities and market exchanges, despite the uncomfortable position of a destitute traveler.
9
Day

Tehran

alborz shadows fall across persian capital sprawl

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10 photos
Day 9
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Discover

1
Tehran: immersion in a capital that is both modern and traditional.
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Activities

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Navigating between offices for visas and evenings spent discussing with the inhabitants.
10
Day

Bam

citadel ruins rise from desert earthquake silence

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10 photos
Day 10
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Discover

1
Isfahan: wonder at the squares, bridges and mosques of the former capital.
2
Persepolis: direct confrontation with the ruins of the Achaemenid empire.
3
Yazd: desert cities, ancient quarters and wind towers.
4
Bam: citadel and oasis landscapes, travel journal in hand.
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Activities

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Encounters with scholars, artists and hosts of traditional houses.
11
Day

Mirjaveh

border crossing where pakistan wilderness begins

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2 photos
Day 11
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Discover

1
Zahedan: large city in eastern Iran, last major center before the desert.
2
Mirjaveh: border post and gates to the desert, preparations for the passage to the subcontinent.
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Activities

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Feeling fatigue and fascination for the infinite spaces of Baluchistan.
12
Day

Quetta

baloch tribal gateway beneath chiltan peaks

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3 photos
Day 12
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Discover

1
Quetta: major stopover in Pakistan, simple life and exchanges with other travelers.
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Activities

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Adapting to local constraints and sharing stories and plans over modest meals.
13
Day

Kabul

hindu kush ramparts guard war-worn capital

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3 photos
Day 13
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Discover

1
Kandahar: route through the plains and landscapes of southern Afghanistan.
2
Kabul: arrival in the capital nestled between mountains, moments of doubt and personal accomplishment.
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Activities

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Participating in excavations and exploring the archaeological traces of the country.
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Next stop
Distance: 242.1 km
Travel time: 3h02
14
Day

Khyber Pass

legendary passage cleaves mountain stone history

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6 photos
Day 14
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Discover

1
Khyber Pass: end of the narrated journey, impression of having crossed an entire world.
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Activities

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Recapping the path traveled and the encounters, at the threshold of India.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather conditions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, mild temperatures, and excellent conditions for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Ideal for exploring cities, monasteries, and experiencing Serbian culture with comfortable temperatures.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with harvest season, stable weather, and beautiful fall colors. Perfect for wine tourism, cultural exploration, and outdoor activities with moderate prices and pleasant conditions.

Summer (July-August): Warm weather (20-32°C) with festival season, long daylight hours, and peak cultural activities. Highest prices and crowds but best conditions for river activities and mountain hiking.

Winter (December-February): Cold temperatures (-5 to 8°C) with potential snow, lowest prices, and authentic winter experiences. Good for winter sports in mountains and experiencing traditional Serbian winter culture.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 15 and 23 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Serbia?

Balkan crossroads with rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. Experience traditional music, beautiful landscapes, and authentic Serbian culture. The country offers cultural immersion with natural beauty and historical significance. Serbia provides Balkan experiences with cultural authenticity and natural wonders. ⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: While generally safe, Serbia has some areas requiring caution, particularly northern Kosovo border regions where tensions may escalate. Avoid political demonstrations, be respectful when discussing recent conflicts, and exercise normal urban precautions in Belgrade and other cities where petty crime occurs.