Itinerary
- Days 1 - 2
Overnight Flight to Bishkek
You'll fly overnight to Bishkek, touching down in Kyrgyzstan's capital. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and rest before dinner. This gives you time to shake off the flight and get oriented to the city.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 3
Bishkek
Head out to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. Back in Bishkek later, you'll take a city tour that includes Manas Monument, the State History Museum, and Ala Too Square where you can watch the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Leisurely hike through Ala Archa National Park
- Visit Manas Monument
- Visit State History Museum
- Walking tour around Ala Too Square
- Watch changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony
Landmarks/POIs Manas Monument State History Museum Ala Too Square Ala Archa National Park - Day 4
Burana Tower to Cholpon-Ata
Start with the 12th-century Burana Tower, then drive to Cholpon-Ata on Lake Issyk Kul's shores. You'll see 8th century petroglyphs carved into glacial stone, and later take a cruise across the lake with views of the alpine-like surroundings stretching all around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit 12th-century Burana Tower
- Visit 8th Century petroglyphs near Cholpon-Ata
- Cruise on Lake Issyk Kul
Landmarks/POIs Burana Tower Lake Issyk Kul Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs - Day 5
Semenov Gorge to Karakol
Drive toward Karakol and stop at Semenov Gorge for a gentle hike along the way. You'll visit the Kyrchyn Jailoo ethnic village before arriving in Karakol in the early afternoon. From there, check out the Przhevalsky Museum, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, and the Chinese Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Gentle hike at Semenov Gorge
- Visit Kyrchyn Jailoo ethnic village
- Visit Przhevalsky Museum
- Visit Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
- Visit Chinese Mosque
Landmarks/POIs Semenov Gorge Przhevalsky Museum Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Chinese Mosque - Day 6
Karakol
Wake early to explore Karakol's Sunday morning animal market, which rivals the famous one in Kashgar. After lunch, head to Jeti-Oguz Gorge for a walk through the red sandstone canyon. This evening you'll have a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family in Karakol)
Included Activities
- Visit Karakol's Sunday morning animal market
- Walk through Jeti-Oguz Gorge red sandstone canyon
- Home-cooked dinner with local Dungan family
Landmarks/POIs Karakol Animal Market Jeti-Oguz Gorge - Day 7
Bokonbaevo to Naryn
Leave Karakol early and travel to Bokonbaevo to watch an eagle hunting demonstration, a Kyrgyz tradition passed down through centuries with majestic golden eagles. Later, continue on to Naryn for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Watch eagle hunting demonstration at Bokonbaevo
Landmarks/POIs Bokonbaevo - Day 8
Tash Rabat
Travel through dramatic mountain and valley landscapes to reach Tash Rabat, a small stone caravansary that held great importance along the old Silk Road. You'll explore the peaceful valley around it, said to have some of Kyrgyzstan's finest landscapes, before heading back to Naryn.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tash Rabat stone caravansary
- Explore Tash Rabat valley landscapes
Landmarks/POIs Tash Rabat - Day 9
Kochkor to Chong-Kemin National Park
Transfer to Kochkor, the centre of Kyrgyz felt handicrafts. Visit a traditional shyrdak wool carpet workshop and a co-op where local women train in traditional handicraft skills. In the evening, you'll travel to a guesthouse near Chong-Kemin National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit traditional 'shyrdak' wool carpet workshop in Kochkor
- Visit handicraft co-op providing training for local women
Landmarks/POIs Kochkor Chong-Kemin National Park - Day 10
Chong Kemin to Tashkent
Travel from Kochkor to Chong Kemin, a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by mountains. Take a walk in the foothills, then head to Bishkek airport for your flight to Tashkent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk in Chong Kemin foothills
Landmarks/POIs Chong Kemin Valley - Day 11
Tashkent
Explore Tashkent's main sights including the Barak Khana Seminary, Kukeldash Madrassahs, and Tila Shaikh Mosque along with their archives. Browse through Chorsu bazaar, then check out a ceramic workshop to see local crafts in action.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Barak Khana Seminary
- Visit Kukeldash Madrassahs
- Visit Tila Shaikh Mosque and archives
- Browse Chorsu bazaar
- Ceramic workshop
Landmarks/POIs Barak Khana Seminary Kukeldash Madrassahs Tila Shaikh Mosque Chorsu Bazaar - Day 12
Samarkand
Travel to Samarkand and take a tour of Registan Square, seeing the Ulug-Bek and Tillya-Kori madrasah up close. You'll have the rest of the day to explore at your own pace and get a feel for the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour Registan Square
- Visit Ulug-Bek Madrasah
- Visit Tillya-Kori Madrasah
Landmarks/POIs Registan Square Ulug-Bek Madrasah Tillya-Kori Madrasah - Day 13
Samarkand
See Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane, and Bibi-Khanum, the chief Friday Mosque. Walk through Siab Bazaar and the Shahi Zinda Necropolis. Later in the afternoon, visit the Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Gur Emir mausoleum
- Visit Bibi-Khanum Mosque
- Visit Siab Bazaar
- Visit Shahi Zinda Necropolis
- Visit Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel
Landmarks/POIs Gur Emir Bibi-Khanum Mosque Siab Bazaar Shahi Zinda Necropolis Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel - Day 14
Samarkand
Visit Ulugbek's observatory, built in 1428-1429, then see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab. After that, head to Konigil Village to visit a papermaking workshop. You'll return to Samarkand with the rest of the day free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ulugbek's observatory
- Visit ancient settlement of Afrosiab
- Visit papermaking workshop at Konigil Village
Landmarks/POIs Ulugbek's Observatory Afrosiab Konigil Village - Day 15
Shakhrisabz
Travel to Shakhrisabz, birthplace of the Great Amir Timur. Explore sites including the remnants of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat cemetery, and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. You'll head back to Samarkand this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ak-Sarai Palace remnants
- Visit Dorus Tilavat cemetery
- Visit Kok-Gumbas Mosque
Landmarks/POIs Ak-Sarai Palace Dorus Tilavat Kok-Gumbas Mosque - Day 16
Gijduvan to Bukhara
Journey to Bukhara, stopping en route at Gijduvan, a centre for handmade ceramics where you can watch the ceramic-making process. You'll arrive in Bukhara with the afternoon to start exploring this historical city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Gijduvan handmade ceramics workshop
- Learn ceramic making process at Gijduvan
Landmarks/POIs Gijduvan - Day 17
Bukhara
This morning covers the Lab-i-khauz ensemble, Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah, Khanaga and Magoki Attari Mosques, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque, plus the Madrasahs of Aziz Khan and Ulugbek. After lunch, visit the Ark of Bukhara, Bolo Hauz Mosque, and the Mausoleums of Ismail Samanid and Chashma Ayub.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Lab-i-khauz ensemble
- Visit Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah
- Visit Khanaga and Magoki Attari Mosques
- Visit Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque
- Visit Madrasahs of Aziz Khan and Ulugbek
- Visit Ark of Bukhara
- Visit Bolo Hauz Mosque
- Visit Mausoleum of Ismail Samanid
- Visit Mausoleum of Chashma Ayub
Landmarks/POIs Lab-i-khauz Ensemble Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah Khanaga Mosque Magoki Attari Mosque Poi Kalon Complex Aziz Khan Madrasah Ulugbek Madrasah Ark of Bukhara Bolo Hauz Mosque Mausoleum of Ismail Samanid Chashma Ayub Mausoleum - Day 18
Bukhara
See Sitora-i Mohi Khosa, the Emir's summer palace built in the 20th century, then continue to the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum honoring a famous Sufi spiritual leader. The afternoon and rest of the day are yours to explore Bukhara freely.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Sitora-i Mohi Khosa summer palace
- Visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum
Landmarks/POIs Sitora-i Mohi Khosa Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum - Day 19
Bukhara to Khiva
Set out for Khiva, covering 480 kilometres across the Kyzyl Kum desert with a stop at the Amudarya River. The landscape shifts from sparse saksaul trees to the lush riverbanks as you travel through the desert's stark beauty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Kyzyl Kum Desert Amudarya River 
- Day 20
Khiva
Explore ancient Khiva and discover the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala. Walk through the mighty Kunya Ark and the turquoise-tiled Islom-Khodja. You'll also see Madrassah Rakhimkhon, which served as a centre for religious and mathematical studies, and the 19th century Tash Hauli Palace with its blue fine china tiles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala
- Visit Kunya Ark
- Visit Islom-Khodja
- Visit Madrassah Rakhimkhon
- Visit Tash Hauli Palace
Landmarks/POIs Itchan Kala Kunya Ark Islom-Khodja Madrassah Rakhimkhon Tash Hauli Palace - Day 21
Urgench to Tashkent
Transfer to Urgench to fly back to Tashkent. Upon arrival, visit the Museum of Applied Arts, Mustakilik Square, and ride the famous Tashkent Metro with its marble and granite decorations that make it feel like an underground palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Museum of Applied Arts
- Visit Mustakilik Square
- Visit Tashkent Metro
Landmarks/POIs Museum of Applied Arts Mustakilik Square Tashkent Metro - Day 22
Tashkent Departure
Based on your flight times, transfer to Tashkent Airport for your onward journey back to the UK.
