2-Week Central Asia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Central Asia itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaCentral Asia travel expert at TourRadar

• 14 Days in Central Asia, incl. Bishkek and Tashkent

  This 14-day tour reaches Kyrgyzstan's Song Kul Lake at 3,016m, Kazakhstan's Charyn Canyon, and Tajikistan's Fann Mountains. The route covers 12 unique cities, with traditional yurt stays and local immersion in Saty Village and Gazza Village.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Bishkek & Chong-Kemin

    Begin your journey in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital, then travel to the peaceful Chong-Kemin Valley. "We were pleasantly surprised by how nice, polite and helpful the local people were," one traveler shared. Visit the historic Burana Tower, an unusual find in this nomadic region. Book a local guesthouse in Ashuu village early since rooms are limited.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Song Kul Lake & Tamga

    Take a 4-hour drive through the beautiful Kalmak-Ashuu pass to Song Kul Lake at 3,016m. Pack for varied weather since temperatures can swing dramatically at this height. You'll spend the night in a traditional yurt camp. The mountain pass might be closed in May-June due to weather conditions. Next stop is Tamga village by Lake Issyk-Kul.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Karakol & Jeti-Oguz

    Visit Karakol to see its distinct architecture, including the Chinese-style Dungan Mosque. Start your day early to explore Jeti-Oguz Gorge with its famous "Broken Heart" and "Seven Bulls" formations. Wear good hiking shoes as the trails can get slippery. One visitor noted: "The hikes in dramatic landscapes were a highlight of the trip."

    
  • Days 7-8

    Kazakhstan (Saty Village & Almaty)

    Cross into Kazakhstan and visit Saty Village in Kolsay Lakes National Park. Take a 4x4 to explore the underwater forest at Kaindy Lake. Move on to Almaty with a stop at Charyn Canyon. Visit Almaty's Green Hill in the morning for the best city views.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Dushanbe & Fann Mountains

    Take a morning flight to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Drive to Iskander Darya waterfall through mountain valleys. Stay in Gazza Village's community guesthouse and pack warm clothes for cool nights. Spend time hiking near Voru River and visiting ancient mountain villages.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Khujand & Tashkent

    Start at Khujand's market before crossing to Uzbekistan. Finish in Tashkent where old Soviet buildings stand next to modern architecture. As one traveler said: "It truly was an adventure, sometimes exhausting but fascinating seeing so many places in such a short time."

    

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• 12 Day Central Asia Itinerary, incl. Tashkent and Samarkand

  Six Central Asian cities form this 12-day tour, from Uzbekistan's grand Registan Square to Tajikistan's ancient Penjikent ruins and Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake. The itinerary features UNESCO sites, 30 included meals, and 4-star accommodations.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    Start your journey in Uzbekistan's capital. Visit the Hast-Imam complex early morning to see the historic Quran of Osman before the crowds come in. Plan to see Kukeldash Madrasah before 11 AM to avoid the intense midday heat. Stop by the banks near Chorsu Bazaar to exchange money - they offer better rates than hotels.

    
  • Day 3

    Khujand, Tajikistan

    Head to the Oybek border before 9 AM to avoid long lines. You'll have a 4-hour drive to Khujand through beautiful mountain landscapes. Make sure to visit Payshanba bazaar, the largest market in Central Asia. Bring small US bills for shopping since most vendors don't take cards.

    
  • Day 4

    Penjikent/Samarkand

    Spend the day driving through Istaravshan to historic Penjikent. Plan extra time for the border crossing between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - it can take anywhere from 1-3 hours. Get to the Rudaki Museum before 4 PM when it closes.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Samarkand

    Give yourself two full days in Uzbekistan's most beautiful city. Get to Registan Square at sunrise for crowd-free photos and amazing morning light on the tilework. Watch out for wind at Bibi Khanum Mosque. A recent visitor shared: "The evening light on Gur-Emir Mausoleum's blue dome is magical - time your visit for just before sunset."

    
  • Days 7-8

    Bukhara

    Take a morning train from Samarkand (2.5 hours). Take your time exploring this ancient city. Visit Lyabi-Hauz early or during lunch to avoid crowds. Wear good shoes if you plan to climb Kalyan Minaret. Look for suzani textiles in the covered bazaars - prices are better than Tashkent.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Bishkek & Issyk-Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan

    Catch a 2-hour flight to Kyrgyzstan's capital. The drive to Issyk-Kul takes you through beautiful Boom Gorge. Bring warm clothes for the lake area - it gets chilly even in summer. Set aside 2-3 hours for the Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs and bring sun protection.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Bishkek

    Take the scenic northern shore road back to Bishkek. Visit Ala-Too Square at sunset when local families gather. Plan your shopping at Osh Bazaar before 6 PM when it closes. Spend your final night in the capital.

    

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• 14 Days in Central Asia, incl. Tashkent and Bishkek

  A grand tour spans 2,750km across 4 countries, featuring Uzbekistan's ancient madrasas, Tajikistan's Payshanba bazaar, Kazakhstan's Panfilov Park, and Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake, complete with 13 breakfasts and expert local guides.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

    Start your journey in Uzbekistan's capital. Visit the Hast-Imam complex early morning before the crowds to see the ancient Quran of Osman. Check out the historic Kukeldash Madrasa in late afternoon when the lighting is best for photos. The metro system is beautiful but can be tricky to navigate since signs are in Uzbek.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Samarkand

    Take the high-speed train from Tashkent (2.5 hours). Visit the iconic Registan Square at sunset when the tiles shine their brightest. Head to Bibi-Khanum Mosque early to avoid crowds and heat. For the Gur-Emir Mausoleum where Timur rests, bring a scarf to cover your shoulders.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Bukhara and Return to Tashkent

    Take the train to Bukhara, the best-preserved medieval city in Central Asia. The historic center is walkable but watch your step on the smooth ancient stones. Local families gather at Lyabi-Hauz plaza in the evenings. Make sure to catch the sunset from the Ark Fortress. Take the train back to Tashkent for your Kazakhstan flight.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Almaty (Kazakhstan)

    The flight from Tashkent is about 1.5 hours. The city blends Soviet buildings with modern cafes. Take the cable car up Kok-Tobe hill for city views early in the day before afternoon storms roll in. Bring small bills if you plan to haggle at the Green Bazaar.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

    The drive from Almaty to Bishkek takes 4-5 hours through mountain landscapes. Stop at Burana Tower but be careful on the steep uneven steps. Visit Osh Bazaar to see local life in action. The State History Museum helps you understand the region's background.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Issyk-Kul Lake

    This high-altitude lake sits at 5,250 feet. Pack layers since temperatures change quickly. The Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs are spread out so wear good shoes and bring water. Boat trips depend on weather so keep your schedule flexible.

    
  • Day 14

    Bishkek

    Head back to Bishkek. Book morning flights since afternoon mountain winds can delay travel.

    

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