Itinerary
- Day 1
Bishkek
You'll arrive in Bishkek and get picked up from Manas International Airport (transfer available). Head to your hotel where you'll meet the tour leader around 11am for a welcome meeting. After that, spend time walking through the city's main monuments and buildings, then take a leisure stroll through Oak Park to get oriented.
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with tour leader
- Bishkek city sightseeing tour by bus and on foot
- Walk through Oak Park
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer from Manas International Airport
Landmarks/POIs Oak Park - Day 2
Bishkek to Karakol
Leave Bishkek early and drive into the mountains to see Burana Tower, an old minaret from the ancient city of Balasagun. Stop at Cholpon-Ata to check out petroglyphs showing hunters and animals carved thousands of years ago. From there you'll travel along Issyk Kul Lake's shore, arriving in Karakol by evening for dinner with a local Dungan or Uygur family.
- Meals
- Dinner (Meal cooked by a family from an ethnic minority group, either Dungan or Uygur)
Included Activities
- Visit Burana Tower
- See petroglyphs at Cholpon-Ata
- Views of Issyk Kul Lake
- Evening meal with local Dungan or Uygur family
Landmarks/POIs Burana Tower Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs Issyk Kul Lake - Day 3
Karakol to Djety-Oguz
Start the day exploring Karakol's cultural sites including the Prjevalsky Museum and the Dungan Mosque, a wooden structure from 1910 that looks like a Buddhist pagoda. Also visit the Orthodox Cathedral. Later drive to the Valley of Seven Bulls at Djety-Oguz where you'll see red sandstone formations and the historic sanatorium where Yuri Gagarin once stayed.
Included Activities
- Visit Prjevalsky Museum
- Visit Dungan Mosque
- Visit Orthodox Cathedral
- Visit Valley of Seven Bulls at Djety-Oguz
Landmarks/POIs Prjevalsky Museum Dungan Mosque Orthodox Cathedral Valley of Seven Bulls (Djety-Oguz) - Day 4
Djety-Oguz to Kochkor
Drive along Issyk Kul Lake's southern shore with time for a swim in the cold water. Visit Barskaun Gorge to see waterfalls, then stop for a riverside picnic where you might spot birds. End the day in Kochkor, a typical Kyrgyz town, staying in local guesthouses.
- Meals
- Lunch (Riverside picnic)
Included Activities
- Swimming in Issyk Kul Lake
- Visit Barskaun Gorge waterfalls
- Riverside picnic with bird spotting
Landmarks/POIs Barskaun Gorge Issyk Kul Lake - Day 5
Kochkor to Song Kul
Watch women from Kochkor demonstrate traditional felt-making, creating shirdaks (felt applique rugs) they're famous for. Then cross the Kalmak-Ashu Pass at 3,346 metres and reach Song Kul Lake, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. You'll stay in traditional yurts and can relax by the lake or take an evening walk.
Included Activities
- Traditional felt-making demonstration in Kochkor
- Cross Kalmak-Ashu Pass
- Arrive at Song Kul Lake
Optional Activities
- Walk by Song Kul Lake
Landmarks/POIs Kalmak-Ashu Pass Song Kul Lake - Day 6
Song Kul to Kochkor
Choose your own pace today: relax by the lake or, if the weather cooperates, hike through the Moldo-Toor range with the lake as your backdrop (around four hours at 3,300 metres altitude). After lunch, drive back to Kochkor via the Teskey-Topok Pass on a different route. Later there's a traditional music and folklore performance.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Optional hike through Moldo-Toor range
- Musical folklore ensemble performance with traditional Kyrgyz music and instruments
Optional Activities
- Relax by Song Kul Lake
Landmarks/POIs Moldo-Toor Range Teskey-Topok Pass - Day 7
Kochkor to Suusamyr Valley
Spend the day driving through wild mountain scenery in the inner Tien Shan Mountains. You'll travel through the Suusamyr Valley at 2,000-3,200 metres altitude with dramatic ridge ranges surrounding you. The route includes multiple photo stops as you cross various mountain passes.
Included Activities
- Drive through Suusamyr Valley
- Photo stops at scenic viewpoints
Landmarks/POIs Suusamyr Valley Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range Talas Ala-Too Range - Day 8
Suusamyr Valley to Toktogul
After breakfast cross the Ala-Bel pass and follow the Chichkan River to the It-Agar River. Walk an earth trail (about two hours up, one hour down) to the alpine Lake of Saz Kul, mostly easy terrain. Continue driving along the Naryn River to the Toktogul Reservoir, Central Asia's largest, for overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk to Lake of Saz Kul
- Drive to Toktogul Reservoir
Landmarks/POIs Ala-Bel Pass Lake of Saz Kul Toktogul Reservoir - Day 9
Toktogul to Djalal-Abad
Leave Toktogul and drive through wild landscapes toward Djalal-Abad, located in the foothills of the Baba Ata Mountains at the northeastern end of the Fergana Valley. The city is known for its spas and mineral water production. You'll have the afternoon free to explore or relax.
Optional Activities
- Explore the city and its spas
Landmarks/POIs Baba Ata Mountains - Day 10
Djalal-Abad to Arslanbob
Travel 90 kilometres north to Arslanbob village and walk through the famous walnut groves called 'The Royal Woods of Kyrgyzstan' with a local guide. You'll find a beautiful waterfall in the forest on this three to four hour easy walk with mountain views. Head back to Djalal-Abad in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Walk through walnut groves of Arslanbob with local guide
- See waterfall in the forest
Landmarks/POIs Arslanbob Walnut Groves - Day 11
Djalal-Abad to Fergana
Leave Djalal-Abad and head into the Fergana Valley. Pass the ancient city of Osh, then reach checkpoint 'Dostlik' on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border where you'll complete immigration and customs formalities and meet your Uzbek tour leader. Drive to Fergana City for the night.
Included Activities
- Border crossing at checkpoint Dostlik
Optional Activities
- Visit Osh
Landmarks/POIs Osh - Day 12
Fergana to Tashkent
Travel in smaller vehicles and cross Kamchik Pass. Stop in Rishtan to visit a traditional ceramics workshop and learn about Uzbek geometric designs influenced by the Silk Road. Brief stop in Kokand, former home of Kokand Khan, then continue to Tashkent.
Included Activities
- Cross Kamchik Pass
- Visit Rishtan ceramic workshop
- Stop in Kokand town
Landmarks/POIs Kamchik Pass Rishtan Kokand - Day 13
Tashkent
Work with a local guide to explore Tashkent's key sights including Independence Square, Navoi Theatre, the Old City, Abu Khasim Madrassah, and the Earthquake Monument. Take a ride on the Tashkent Metro to see its flamboyantly decorated stations. The afternoon is free for your own exploration.
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Tashkent
- Visit Independence Square
- Visit Navoi Theatre
- Visit Old City
- Visit Abu Khasim Madrassah
- Visit Earthquake Monument
- Ride Tashkent Metro
Optional Activities
- Explore Tashkent independently
Landmarks/POIs Independence Square Navoi Theatre Old City (Tashkent) Abu Khasim Madrassah Earthquake Monument Tashkent Metro - Day 14
Tashkent to Khiva
The morning is yours to explore Tashkent on your own. Early evening you'll fly to Urgench on the internal group flight, then take a 40-minute bus transfer to Khiva, your base for the next two nights. Khiva is a remarkably well-preserved city that was a major stop on the Silk Route.
Included Activities
- Internal flight to Urgench
- Bus transfer to Khiva
Optional Activities
- Explore Tashkent
Landmarks/POIs Khiva - Day 15
Khiva
Take a walking tour through the Old Citadel, a 12th-century fortress with palaces, harems, barracks and mosques. Climb the Dzhuma Minaret steps for panoramic views of the streets below. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore mosques, tombs and palaces at your own pace, then see the beautifully lit city at night.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Citadel
- Climb Dzhuma Minaret
Optional Activities
- Explore mosques, tombs and palaces
- Evening exploration of the city
Landmarks/POIs Old Citadel (Khiva) Dzhuma Minaret - Day 16
Khiva to Bukhara
Drive to Bukhara with plenty of stops through expansive plains and past old caravanserais. Bukhara is considered by many the 'Bastion of Islam' and home to famous Islamic poets. The city has over 140 unique monuments and retains much of its Uzbek character. You'll stay here for three nights.
Included Activities
- Drive to Bukhara with stops at caravanserais
Landmarks/POIs Bukhara - Day 17
Bukhara
Full day of sightseeing starting with a walking tour. Visit Lyab-i Hauz, the striking blue-tiled Abdul Khan Madrassah, and the 9th-century Mghoki Arrar Mosque. See the Kalyan minaret, known as the 'Tower of Death', and Bukhara's famous trading domes. Afternoon includes the Ark citadel (summer palace of the Emirs), Char Minar Mosque, and wandering through backstreets stopping at traditional tea houses.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bukhara
- Visit Lyab-i Hauz
- Visit Abdul Khan Madrassah
- Visit Mghoki Arrar Mosque
- Visit Kalyan minaret
- Visit trading domes
- Visit The Ark citadel
- Visit summer palace (Palace of Moon-like Stars)
- Visit White Hall
- Visit Char Minar Mosque
Optional Activities
- Stop at local tea houses (chaikhana)
Landmarks/POIs Lyab-i Hauz Abdul Khan Madrassah Mghoki Arrar Mosque Kalyan Minaret The Ark Palace of Moon-like Stars Char Minar Mosque - Day 18
Bukhara
Today is yours to explore independently. Consider climbing the 46-metre-high Kalyan minaret for views over the city, or head to the Taqi-Sarrafon market, one of the four domed bazaars once used for money exchange during the Silk Road and now filled with souvenir shops.
Optional Activities
- Climb Kalyan minaret
- Explore Taqi-Sarrafon market
Landmarks/POIs Kalyan Minaret Taqi-Sarrafon Market - Day 19
Bukhara to Yangikasgan
Drive a short distance to Gijduvan, celebrated for its crafts since the 10th century, and visit a famous ceramic centre. Stop at the 10th-century Mir-Said Bakhram Mausoleum in Karmana. Continue north across the desert to Nurata, famous for the sacred Chashma Spring with healing waters, and explore Alexander the Great's Karazy Fortress ruins. Arrive at Yangikasgan desert camp where you can optionally ride a camel or relax.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in a local house in Nurata)
Included Activities
- Visit Gijduvan ceramic centre
- Visit Mir-Said Bakhram Mausoleum
- Visit Chashma Spring in Nurata
- Lunch in a local house in Nurata
- View Karazy Fortress remains
Optional Activities
- Camel ride at Yangikasgan
Landmarks/POIs Gijduvan Mir-Said Bakhram Mausoleum Chashma Spring Karazy Fortress - Day 20
Yangikasgan to Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand, transformed by Tamerlane in the 14th century into the capital of Transoxiana. Visit Registan, a majestic square framed by three huge blue-tiled madrassahs, and the Gur Emir, the gold-ceilinged tomb of Tamerlane.
Included Activities
- Visit Registan
- Visit Gur Emir (tomb of Tamerlane)
Landmarks/POIs Registan Gur Emir - Day 21
Samarkand
Morning guided tour visiting Shah-i-Zinda, a beautifully tiled necropolis with tombs, mosques and mausoleums of Tamerlane's family and the Prophet Mohammad's cousin. See the Ulug-Beg Observatory, one of the finest in the Islamic world where calculations were accurate to within 10 seconds. Visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once Central Asia's largest. Afternoon free to explore the old town's winding alleys or visit ancient Afrosiab.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Shah-i-Zinda
- Visit Ulug-Beg Observatory
- Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Optional Activities
- Explore old town winding alleys
- Visit ancient Afrosiab
- Stop at tea house for traditional kokchai tea
Landmarks/POIs Shah-i-Zinda Ulug-Beg Observatory Bibi-Khanym Mosque Ancient Afrosiab - Day 22
Samarkand to Tashkent
More time to explore Samarkand on your own. Later this afternoon you'll transfer to the train station for the modern high-speed train back to Tashkent, arriving just after 7pm with time to enjoy your last evening.
Included Activities
- High-speed train to Tashkent
Optional Activities
- Explore Samarkand
- Day 23
Tashkent
The tour ends after breakfast at the hotel with no scheduled activities. You can depart at any time. The hotel offers luggage storage if your flight leaves later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
