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With their reputation for welcoming visitors and their unique cultural footprint, the countries of Central Asia will remind you why you travel. This comprehensive 23-day tour will take you through nearly all the 'stans we visit, offering a fascinating glimpse at a beautiful part of the world most travellers miss. Stay at unique homestays, sleep in traditional yurts, discover the breathtaking mountain and desert scenery, enjoy free time in the Uzbek city of Tashkent, and roam gorgeous buildings built centuries ago. See Central Asia with a group of like-minded adventurers and an expert Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and cross off an entire and unexpected region of the world from your must-see list.
- Duration: 23 Days
- Guaranteed Departure: Yes
- Physical rating: Average
- Supplier Tour ID: AYKU/227672
- Your Guide: English speaking
- Starts: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Finishes: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Age requirement: 12 +
- Bishkek
- Chong-Kemin
- Ozero Sonkël’
- Bokonbayevo
- Jety-Oguz
- Karakol
- Saty Village
- Almaty
- Dushanbe
- Kŭli Iskandarkŭl
- Khŭjand
- Tashkent
- Samarkand
- Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Bukhara
- Khiva
Itinerary
Day 1: Bishkek
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Bishkek/Chong-Kemin
Enjoy a morning city tour of Bishkek before departing for Chong-Kemin. Stop at the Burana Tower before arriving at the community guest house. Explore the village and then eat a home cooked traditional dinner.
After breakfast, embark on a morning city tour of Bishkek. Later, depart Bishkek for Chong-Kemin. Along the way, stop at one of Kyrgyzstan's oldest sights, the Burana Tower and learn about this ancient structure, rare in nomadic culture. Continue along the scenic valley before reaching Chong-Kemin. Stay in a unique guest house that employs the local villagers. Soak in the stunning scenery while exploring the village.
Day 3: Chong-Kemin/Song Kul
Continue on to Song Kul and spend the night in a traditional yurt. Opt to spend the day hiking or go for a horseback ride.
In the morning, embark on an optional hike to the nearby mountains with stunning views. After lunch, take a scenic drive to Song Kul and be immersed in Kyrgyz culture with an overnight stay in a traditional yurt. Experience daily nomadic life, opting to hike the landscape or explore the scenery via horseback. Enjoy delicious traditional cuisine for dinner. In the evening, get cozy in the yurt around the stove.
Day 4: Ozero Sonkël’/Bokonbayevo
After breakfast, depart for Kochkor and stop at a Kyrgyz felt-making workshop. After lunch drive to Bokonbayevo Village and spend the night at a homestay, indulging in a traditional local meal.
Upon arrival in Kochkor, learn about the importance of felt-making to the Kyrgyz culture and local artisans. Learn to craft with locals during an intimate workshop and then head to Bokonbayevo village. Experience a traditional Kyrgyz meal and then spend the night at a local homestay getting to know the local community members.
Day 5: Bokonbayevo/Jety-Oguz
Take a morning departure to Barskoon Village for a visit to Ak-Orgo Workshop Centre. Observe how traditional yurts are built and learn about the importance of this Kyrgyz craft. Continue to Jety-Oguz Gorge & and overnight in a traditional yurt.
Day 6: Jety-Oguz/Karakol
Say goodbye to the beautiful valley of Jeti-Oguz and transfer to Karakol. Visit the Prejevalskiy Museum and enjoy a walking tour of the city followed by free time to explore.
Continue to Karakol and stop at the Prejevalskiy Museum followed by a walking tour of the city. See the Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and pagoda-style Dungan Mosque, built by Chinese Muslims in the early 20th Century.
Day 7: Karakol/Saty Village
Drive to the border and cross into Kazakhstan. Continue driving until arriving in Saty Village, part of the Kolsay Lakes National Park. Embark on a two hour hike exploring Kaindy Lake, known as the sunken forest. Spend the night in a guest house sampling traditional Kazakh meals.
Cross the border into Kazakhstan embarking for Saty Village. Begin by hiking Kolsay Lake National Park. Known for Kaindy Lake, soak in the bright hues and marvel at the eerie sight of submerged trees. Feel fully immersed in nature. Tonight, stay at a local guest house and indulge in traditional Kazakh meals - a truly Kazakh experience.
Day 8: Saty Village/Almaty
Depart for Almaty early this morning, stopping along the way to marvel at Charyn Canyon. Arrive in Almaty, taking in a city tour highlighting sights like the historical centre and Zenkov Cathedral. Have a free afternoon to explore the capital city.
Boasting stunning shades of red, orange and brown, the Charyn Canyon is a natural wonder comparable in beauty to the Grand Canyon. Take in the stunning views before continuing on to the former Kazakh capital, Almaty. Take a city tour visiting sights such as the Monument of Independence, Zekoy Cathedral, and historical centre. In the afternoon, use free time to continue exploring this modern city. Opt to climb Green Hill for panoramic views, visit the local markets, or sip coffee in one of the plentiful cafes.
Day 9: Almaty/Dushanbe
In the morning, transfer to Almaty airport and board a flight to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Enjoy an evening in the city.
There may be more travellers joining the group here. Opt to attend an evening welcome meeting to get to know them.
Day 10: Dushanbe/Kŭli Iskandarkŭl
Enjoy a free morning visiting some sights in the capital city of Dushanbe like monuments and the main mosque. After lunch, drive through the valleys and mountains for an overnight at a local home in the stunning Iskandarkul area. Meet the locals and explore the gorgeous landscape of the Fann Mountains.
Day 11: Kŭli Iskandarkŭl
Spend a full day exploring. Hike in the mountains to an impressive waterfall. After a picnic lunch, return to Sarytag village.
Day 12: Kŭli Iskandarkŭl/Khŭjand
Continue on to Istaravshan and visit an ancient settlement in Ura-Tube. Enjoy an optional lunch in a local chaikhana (teahouse) before driving to Khujand. Explore the city in the afternoon, visiting the museum and a mausoleum.
Day 13: Khŭjand/Tashkent
Visit the Khujand market (largest in Tajikistan) before continuing on to the border. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to the capital city of Tashkent. Enjoy a short orientation walk in the evening before an optional dinner.
Some travellers will be joining the group here as they start their journey into Uzbekistan.
Day 14: Tashkent
Enjoy a free day to explore.
Day 15: Tashkent/Samarkand
Travel on to Samarkand. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum.
Day 16: Samarkand
Enjoy a city tour and visit to the Registan. Opt to check out the Guri Amir Mausoleum, Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, and the Registan minarets. Use some free time to wander the bazaar or visit more sights.
With free time, enjoy the Samarkand sights, have a cup of tea in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar.
Day 17: Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
Travel out into the desert to visit the Nurata Shrine and remains of the Alexander the Great fortress. Continue on for an evening in a local yurt camp. Opt to ride a camel or enjoy an evening Kazakh singing show.
Day 18: Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
Travel to Bukhara, one of the most charming cities in the country. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, have dinner with a local family, or visit a traditional hammam (bathhouse).
Day 19: Bukhara
Take a half-day guided walk around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets that make up the Old City.
There is plenty of time to explore the artisan shops and wander the narrow twisting streets and alleyways. A centre for pottery, cloth, and Turkmen carpets, the Old City is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, where you can sit at café tables and let the evening drift by. There is also the option to take in a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai or indulge in a Turkish bath.
Day 20: Bukhara/Khiva
Enjoy a full day's travel through the desert to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva. Get to know the place on a late afternoon walking tour.
Day 21: Khiva
Enjoy a guided tour of the city with free time to experience the local life. Opt to browse the shops, wander the lanes, examine handmade silk rugs, or sit in a café in this ancient historical town.
Explore the old town surrounded by city walls, bargain with locals on the market, and wander through the madrassas, climb up minarets, and explore the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Wander through the inner walls of the Ichon-Qala and enjoy spectacular sunset views of the sand-coloured mosques and madrassas.
Day 22: Khiva/Tashkent
Take a short flight back to Tashkent and enjoy a city tour or explore on your own with some free time.
Day 23: Tashkent
Depart at any time.
- Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Yurt Building Demonstration, Barskoon Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Ozero Sonkël’ Your Local Living Moment: Bokonbayevo Village Homestay, Bokonbayevo Your Local Living Moment: Community Homestay, Kŭli Iskandarkŭl Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Half-day city tour (Bishkek)
- Burana Tower Visit (Bishkek)
- Przhevalsky Museum Visit (Karakol)
- Yurt building presentation (Kizil Tuu)
- Stay Village Stay
- City tour (Almaty)
- Charyn Canyon Visit
- City tour (Dushanbe)
- Waterfall hike (Kŭli Iskandarkŭl)
- City tour (Khujand)
- Mug Yepe Visit (Istaravshan)
- Market visit (Khujand)
- City tour (Samarkand)
- Walking tour (Bukhara)
- Chashma Complex and Holy Spring Visit (Nurata)
- Fortress of Alexander the Great Visit (Nurata)
- City tour (Bukhara)
- Khiva Ancient City Tour
- City tour (Tashkent)
- Felt-making workshop visit
- Hikes and picnic lunch
- Internal flight
- Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Standard hotels/guesthouses (15 nts), yurts (3 nts), CBT homestays (4 nts)
- 21 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners
- Private vehicles, plane, train, walking
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout
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