Itinerary
- Day 1
Almaty
You'll get picked up at Almaty airport and head to your hotel for your first night. The drive from the airport gives you a chance to settle in and get oriented to the city.
- Day 2
Almaty
Start the day with a visit to Zenkov Cathedral, then head to the Central State Museum to learn about the region's history. Later you'll drive up to Medeo valley to see the world's largest speed skating rink and the impressive dam. From there, continue to Chimbulak ski resort at 2,200 meters altitude for views of the surrounding peaks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing of Almaty city including Zenkov Cathedral
- Visit Central State Museum
- Drive to Medeo valley
- Visit Chimbulak ski resort
Landmarks/POIs Zenkov Cathedral Central State Museum Medeo Chimbulak - Day 3
Almaty to Bishkek
Early in the morning, drive to Big Almaty Gorge and visit Big Almaty Lake at 2,510 meters altitude. The glacial-fed lake has brilliant blue water and mountain views all around. After lunch you'll head to Bishkek, a drive of a few hours, then transfer to your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Big Almaty Lake
- Drive to Bishkek
Landmarks/POIs Big Almaty Lake - Day 4
Bishkek to Issyk Kul
Head out early for a 3.5 to 4 hour drive to Issyk Kul lake, the world's second largest mountain lake. You'll stop at Grigorevka gorge for an easy hike through alpine meadows and forests. Then visit the Petroglyphs Open Air Museum in Cholpon Ata with prehistoric stone structures and inscriptions. Transfer to your accommodation on the northern shore later that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Issyk Kul lake
- Easy hike in Grigorevka gorge
- Visit Petroglyphs or Open Air Museum
Landmarks/POIs Issyk Kul Lake Grigorevka Gorge Petroglyphs Open Air Museum - Day 5
Cholpon Ata to Tashkent
Have breakfast at your hotel, then transfer back to Bishkek with a stop at Burana Tower, an 11th century minaret. Spend the day checking out Bishkek's sights including Soviet-style architecture and modern monuments celebrating Kyrgyz culture. You'll catch a flight to Tashkent in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit Burana Tower
- Afternoon sightseeing of Bishkek
Landmarks/POIs Burana Tower Philharmonic Concert Hall Monument of the Great War Heroes Monument of Manas Monument of Independence - Day 6
Tashkent
Today you'll spend the full day in Tashkent, Central Asia's largest city. Visit the Applied Arts Museum, Chorsu Bazaar, the Hasti Imam complex with an 8th century Osman Koran, Independence Square, walk through the Tashkent Metro, and see the Fine Arts Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Applied Arts Museum
- Visit Chorsu Bazaar
- Visit Hasti Imam complex
- Visit Independence Square
- Visit Tashkent Metro
- Visit Fine Arts Museum
Landmarks/POIs Applied Arts Museum Chorsu Bazaar Hasti Imam Complex Independence Square Tashkent Metro Fine Arts Museum - Day 7
Tashkent to Samarkand
An early transfer to the train station at 7:00 AM for a 2 to 3 hour ride to Samarkand, arriving around 10:10 to 11:10 AM. After settling in, begin your city tour visiting the Registan square. Then explore Gur Emir mausoleum, Bibi Hanum mosque, Shahi Zinda complex, Afrosiab museum, and the observatory of Ulughbek.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Samarkand
- City tour starting with Registan square
- Visit Gur Emir mausoleum
- Visit Bibi Hanum mosque
- Visit Shahi Zinda complex
- Visit Afrosiab museum
- Visit observatory of Ulughbek
Landmarks/POIs Registan Square Gur Emir Mausoleum Bibi Hanum Mosque Shahi Zinda Complex Afrosiab Museum Observatory of Ulughbek - Day 8
Samarkand
Visit the Samarkand Silk Paper Workshop to see traditional paper-making from Mulberry trees. The afternoon is yours to walk around the city at your own pace, checking out the bazaar, shops, galleries, and optional sites like the 19th century church or synagogue if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Samarkand Silk Paper Workshop
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore bazaar and shops
- Visit church built in 19th century
- Visit Synagogue
- Day 9
Samarkand to Bukhara
Grab breakfast at your hotel, then head to the train station for the Bukhara train departing at 9:50 AM, arriving at 11:20 AM. From there you'll do a full day walking tour exploring Bukhara's religious and educational heritage. You'll see Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ark Fortress, Kalyan Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrasah, Laby Hauz complex, and Chor Minor Madrasah.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Bukhara
- Full day walking tour of Bukhara
- Visit Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum
- Visit Bolo Hauz Mosque
- Visit Ark Fortress
- Visit Kalyan Minaret and Mosque
- Visit Mir Arab Madrasah
- Visit Laby Hauz complex
- Visit Chor Minor Madrasah
Landmarks/POIs Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum Bolo Hauz Mosque Ark Fortress Kalyan Minaret Mir Arab Madrasah Laby Hauz Complex Chor Minor Madrasah - Day 10
Bukhara
Head out to the outskirts of Bukhara to visit the Summer Palace of Bukhara's Emir and the Bahuddin Naqshbandiy Mausoleum, one of Islam's holy sites. You'll also stop by a famous Gijhduvan ceramics master's studio to see their work. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Summer Palace of Bukhara Emir
- Visit Bahuddin Naqshbandiy Mausoleum
- Visit Gijhduvan ceramics master
Optional Activities
- Afternoon free time
Landmarks/POIs Summer Palace of Bukhara Emir Bahuddin Naqshbandiy Mausoleum - Day 11
Bukhara to Khiva
Transfer to Khiva by either train (3 to 5 hours) or van (6 to 7 hours) through the Kyzylkum Desert. Once you arrive, you'll have free time to wander around Ichan Kala, the old city within the fortress walls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Khiva through Kyzylkum Desert
Optional Activities
- Free time in Ichan Kala
Landmarks/POIs Ichan Kala Kyzylkum Desert - Day 12
Khiva
Spend the full day exploring Khiva's walled old city. You'll visit Ark Fortress, Ichan Kala, Madrasah Muhammad Aminkhan, Madrasa Muhammad Rahimkhan, Kalta Minor, local wood and carpet workshops, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Shergazikhan Madrasa, Juma Mosque and Minaret, Tash Hauli Palace, and the caravanserai and bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ark Fortress
- Visit Ichan Kala
- Visit Madrasah Muhammad Aminkhan
- Visit Madrasa Muhammad Rahimkhan
- Visit Kalta Minor
- Visit wood workshop
- Visit carpet workshop
- Visit Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum
- Visit Shergazikhan Madrasa
- Visit Juma Mosque and Minaret
- Visit Tash Hauli Palace
- Visit caravanserai and bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Ark Fortress Ichan Kala Madrasah Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasa Muhammad Rahimkhan Kalta Minor Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum Shergazikhan Madrasa Juma Mosque and Minaret Tash Hauli Palace - Day 13
Khiva to Tashkent
Transfer to Urgench Airport for your flight to Tashkent. Once you arrive back in Tashkent, you have the option for a free day to explore the city, do some last-minute shopping, or take a trip to Chimgan Mountains and Charvak Lake located 80 km from the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Urgench to Tashkent
Optional Activities
- Free day in Tashkent city
- Visit Chimgan Mountains
- Visit Charvak Lake
Landmarks/POIs Chimgan Mountains Charvak Lake - Day 14
Tashkent
Your tour ends here. Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
