Itinerary
- Day 1
Bishkek
You'll arrive at Bishkek airport and head to your hotel for an early check-in. After grabbing lunch, the day opens up with a walking tour through the capital where you'll see the white marble Soviet buildings and green parks scattered throughout. There's time to watch the Changing of the Guards, then you'll walk through the traditional bazaar to check out felt Kalpak hats and local goods. By evening, dinner at a local café gives you a taste of how the city comes alive at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at local café/restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bishkek main sights
- Changing of the Guards spectacle
- Visit to traditional bazaar for felt Kalpak hats
- Dinner at local café/restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Gapar Aitiev National Museum of Fine Art
Landmarks/POIs Changing of the Guards Gapar Aitiev National Museum of Fine Art - Day 2
Bishkek
Today focuses on the World Nomad Games Opening Ceremony and show, a major cultural event that brings together traditional Kyrgyz performances and spectacle. Before the ceremony, you'll have time to explore various events happening around Bishkek to get a feel for what the games are all about. The evening ceremony itself is the centerpiece, showcasing music, dance, and cultural displays that set the tone for the week ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- World Nomad Games Opening Ceremony and show
Optional Activities
- Explore various events around the city
- Day 3
Bishkek to Issyk-Kul
You'll drive north to reach Issyk-Kul's shore, stopping at your homestay near the turquoise waters with snow-capped mountains rising around the lake. After settling in, the rest of the day opens up to World Nomad Games events and activities. Horse racing, polo, wrestling, archery, and falconry competitions fill the landscape, and you can move between them at your own pace. Music performances and cultural exhibitions run throughout the day, giving plenty of choices for what to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to northern shore of Issyk-Kul
- World Nomad Games - Horse racing
- World Nomad Games - Kok-Boru (polo)
- World Nomad Games - Wrestling
- World Nomad Games - Archery
- World Nomad Games - Falconry
- Music and cultural exhibitions
Landmarks/POIs Issyk-Kul - Day 4
Issyk-Kul
Another full day at the games site means more time to catch traditional Kyrgyz sports competitions. Horse racing and polo matches offer action and skill, while wrestling and archery draw crowds. If you missed the falconry displays yesterday, they're happening again today. Cultural exhibitions continue, and you can spend your time focused on whatever activities interest you most from the varied schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- World Nomad Games - Horse racing
- World Nomad Games - Kok-Boru (polo)
- World Nomad Games - Wrestling
- World Nomad Games - Archery
- World Nomad Games - Falconry
- Music and cultural exhibitions
- Day 5
Issyk-Kul
Your final day at the World Nomad Games lets you revisit favorite events or catch anything you haven't seen yet. The traditional sports competitions continue throughout the day, and cultural exhibitions remain open. By late afternoon, you'll start thinking about leaving, though the games energy typically builds toward the closing ceremonies happening around this time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- World Nomad Games - Horse racing
- World Nomad Games - Kok-Boru (polo)
- World Nomad Games - Wrestling
- World Nomad Games - Archery
- World Nomad Games - Falconry
- Music and cultural exhibitions
- Day 6
Issyk-Kul to Son Kul
After the games, you'll head south with a stop at the Kochkor carpet warehouse to browse traditional woven pieces and local crafts. From there, the drive winds through mountain scenery toward Son Kul, a high-altitude lake sitting at 3,016 meters. Nomadic Kyrgyz shepherds use these pastures seasonally, and you'll stay in traditional yurts near the water. A welcome dinner with local hosts gives you a first taste of their hospitality and cooking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional dinner with local hosts)
Included Activities
- Visit to Kochkor carpet warehouse
- Drive to Son Kul mountain lake
- Traditional dinner with local hosts
Landmarks/POIs Son Kul Kochkor - Day 7
Son Kul
The day is flexible around Son Kul. You can walk or ride horseback around the lake visiting nomadic communities scattered across the pastures, or hike into the surrounding hills looking for petroglyphs and taking in the panoramic views. If you'd rather stay put, the camp offers chances to relax and visit local shepherds to try kumis, the fermented mare's milk that's traditional here. Watching traditional Kyrgyz horse games is another option if they're happening nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking access around Son Kul lake
- Access to local nomadic communities
- Relaxation time at yurt camp
- Viewing of traditional Kyrgyz horse games
Optional Activities
- Horse riding around the lake (payable locally)
- Hiking into hills to search for petroglyphs
- Visit local shepherds and taste kumis (fermented mare's milk)
Landmarks/POIs Son Kul - Day 8
Son Kul to Tash Rabat
After breakfast, you'll drive south into the Tian Shan Mountains, following one of the main ancient Silk Road routes near the Chinese border. The road winds through high passes and multiple valleys with mountain views constantly changing. By late afternoon, you'll reach Tash Rabat, a rebuilt ancient caravanserai where merchants once stopped for shelter from bandits and harsh weather. The structure gives real sense of what trade routes required centuries ago.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Tian Shan Mountains
- Visit Tash Rabat Caravanserai
Landmarks/POIs Tash Rabat Caravanserai Tian Shan Mountains - Day 9
Tash Rabat to Kazarman
A long drive through the mountains carries you toward Kazarman village, with stops for a picnic lunch and photos along the way. Mountain scenery dominates the journey as you move through different valleys and passes. Arriving in the evening, you'll stay with a local family who'll cook home-cooked meals and share their place with you. After settling in, a walk through the village shows the sweeping mountain views surrounding it, and you'll learn the area sits near the famous Makmal gold mine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Home-cooked meal with local family)
Included Activities
- Drive through mountain scenery
- Photo stops en route
- Stay with local family in Kazarman
Optional Activities
- Explore Kazarman village and surrounding area
Landmarks/POIs Makmal gold mine - Day 10
Kazarman to Djalal-Abad
Following breakfast, you'll drive over the Kaldama Ashuu pass at 3,062 meters, taking in the mountain views from the height. The route then drops toward Djalal-Abad, an ancient Silk Road hub known for its mineral spas with healing properties that draw visitors from surrounding regions. You'll explore the town and visit the sanatoria with their mineral-rich salty waters, learning about the spa traditions that have existed here for centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive over Kaldama Ashuu pass
- Visit Djalal-Abad spas and sanatoria
- Explore Djalal-Abad city
Landmarks/POIs Kaldama Ashuu pass Hozret-Ayub-Paigambar spa - Day 11
Djalal-Abad to Osh
You'll transfer to Osh and head straight for Solomon's Throne, a UNESCO-protected rock formation that towers over the city and serves as an important Muslim pilgrimage site. On the way, there's a stop at the Uzgen minarets, three well-preserved mausoleums from the Karakhanid era that show the region's historical depth. Back in Osh, a brief city tour covers the highlights, and traditional cuisine features in your dinner, giving you real flavors of the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with traditional cuisine and hospitality)
Included Activities
- Visit Solomon's Throne (Suleiman Too)
- Stop at Uzgen minarets
- Visit Uzgen local bazaar
- City tour of Osh highlights
- Dinner with traditional cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Solomon's Throne (Suleiman Too) Uzgen minarets - Day 12
Osh to Tashkent
You'll head to the Uzbek/Kyrgyz border at Dustlik and cross into Uzbekistan, driving to Margilan about 3 hours away. This city has been the center of Uzbekistan's silk production since the 11th century, and you'll visit the Yodgorlik Silk Factory to watch the complete process from raising silkworms through to weaving finished cloth. Later, a transfer takes you to the railway station for an evening train to Tashkent. Dinner boxes are provided for the late arrival into the capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner box provided on train)
Included Activities
- Border crossing at Dustlik
- Visit Yodgorlik Silk Factory
- Train journey to Tashkent
Landmarks/POIs Yodgorlik Silk Factory Margilan - Day 13
Tashkent to Nukus to Khiva
A national flight gets you to Nukus in the morning, where you'll visit the remarkable Museum of Fine Arts by Savitsky. This museum holds over 50,000 works of Soviet Avant-Guard art that were rescued from destruction, making it one of the world's most unusual art collections. From there, you'll drive through desert forts including Toprak Kala and Ayaz Kala on your way to Khiva. In the evening, a night walk through the ancient streets lit by magnificent mosques, minarets, and madrassahs shows the city's architectural character. Dinner at a local restaurant wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- National flight to Nukus
- Museum of Fine Arts by Savitsky
- Visit Toprak Kala and Ayaz Kala desert forts
- Night walk through Khiva's ancient streets
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Museum of Fine Arts by Savitsky Toprak Kala Ayaz Kala Khiva - Day 14
Khiva
You'll spend the full day exploring Khiva's inner city, Ichan Kala, an architectural complex surrounded by fortress walls and packed with over 60 monuments. Palaces, mosques, madrassahs, minarets, and mausoleums fill the space, each with its own story and detail work. The ancient Juma Mosque contains 218 pillars, and you'll see the Kunya Ark and Tash Khauli palace along with the sacred Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud. If you want a different way to see things, bicycles are available for rent at nearby Lokomotiv Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ichan Kala inner city complex
- Visit Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah
- Visit Kunya Ark
- Visit Juma Mosque
- Visit Tash Khauli palace (Harem of Khiva Khans)
- Visit Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud
- Visit Islam Khodja complex
Optional Activities
- Bicycle tour of Khiva (rentals available at Lokomotiv Park, 500m from Ichan Kala)
Landmarks/POIs Ichan Kala Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah Kunya Ark Juma Mosque Tash Khauli palace Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud Islam Khodja complex - Day 15
Khiva to Bukhara
A long scenic drive carries you through the Kyzylkum Desert for 450 kilometers over 7 to 8 hours, running parallel to the Amu Darya River. You'll stop for photos and have lunch somewhere en route to break up the distance. The road takes you close to the Turkmenistan border with views of the river reflecting the sky. Arriving in Bukhara by evening, you'll check into your hotel and have dinner, ready to explore the city the next day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch stop en route), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Kyzylkum Desert
- Photo stops at scenic locations
Landmarks/POIs Kyzylkum Desert Amu Darya River - Day 16
Bukhara
A full day covers Bukhara's architectural heritage and historical sites. You'll explore the Lyabi-Khauz Complex with its three historic madrassahs and mosques, then move through traditional bazaars housed in restored 14th to 17th century trading domes like the Jeweler's Bazaar and Cap-Maker's Bazaar. The exquisitely decorated Ulugbek Madrassah gets a visit, and you'll check out the ceramic center in Gijduvan and the famous Suzani fabric workshop. Evening brings a folk performance at Nodir Divan Begi Madrassah before dinner wraps things up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex
- Visit Nodir-Divan-beghi madrassah
- Visit Kukeldash madrassah
- Visit Khonako mosque
- Visit Magoki-Attari mosque
- Visit Tok-i-Zargaron bazaar
- Visit Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon bazaar
- Visit Tok-i-Sarrafon bazaar
- Visit Madrassah of Ulugbek
- Visit ceramic center at Gijduvan
- Visit Suzani fabrics workshop
- Folk performance at Nodir Divan Begi Madrassah
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Lyabi-Khauz Complex Nodir-Divan-beghi madrassah Kukeldash madrassah Khonako mosque Magoki-Attari mosque Tok-i-Zargaron bazaar Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon bazaar Tok-i-Sarrafon bazaar Madrassah of Ulugbek Gijduvan ceramic center - Day 17
Bukhara to Samarkand
An excursion starts at Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa, the summer palace of Bukhara's last Emir, where delicate architecture reflects in an adjoining lake. Back in the city, you'll continue exploring monuments including the Bolo-Khauz mosque and the Fortress Ark citadel. The Chashma-Ayub shrine with its healing well gets a visit, and you'll see the masterpiece Samanids Mausoleum and the colorful Chor Minor madrassah. Later, a transfer takes you to the railway station for a high-speed train to Samarkand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa palace
- Visit Bolo-Khauz mosque
- Visit Fortress Ark citadel
- Visit Chashma-Ayub shrine
- Visit Samanids Mausoleum
- Visit Chor Minor madrassah
- High-speed train to Samarkand
Optional Activities
- Theatrical performance 'Instant of Eternity' at Samarkand Theatre of Historical Costume (starts at 18:00, price $20/person)
Landmarks/POIs Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa Bolo-Khauz mosque Fortress Ark Chashma-Ayub shrine Samanids Mausoleum Chor Minor - Day 18
Samarkand
Registan square is the first stop and worth all the attention it gets, surrounded by three splendid 15th to 17th century madrassahs with blue-tiled facades that make it one of Central Asia's most beautiful squares. You'll see the Bibi Khanym Mosque dedicated to one of Timur's beloved wives, then walk through the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda with nearly 20 mausoleums featuring fine glazed ceramics. Later, you'll visit a local Uzbek home to learn about customs and participate in cooking Pilov, the national dish, with a dinner hosted by the family afterward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner served by local family hostess)
Included Activities
- Visit Registan square
- Visit Ulugbek madrassah
- Visit Sher-Dor madrassah
- Visit Tillya-Kari madrassah
- Visit Bibi Khanym Mosque
- Visit Shakhi Zinda necropolis
- Visit local Uzbek house
- Participate in Pilov cooking
- Dinner at local Uzbek home
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Chovrenko winery (museum and degustation, additional fee $45/person)
Landmarks/POIs Registan square Ulugbek madrassah Sher-Dor madrassah Tillya-Kari madrassah Bibi Khanym Mosque Shakhi Zinda necropolis - Day 19
Samarkand to Tashkent
Samarkand exploration continues with the octagonal Mausoleum of Gur-Emir containing Timur himself, the Afrosiab excavation site and its museum, and Saint Daniel's tomb. The unique Observatory of Ulugbek shows scientific advancement from centuries past, and you'll visit the Samarkand Handmade Silk Paper Center 'Meros' where artisans have revived ancient hand-made paper production. A transfer to the railway station puts you on the high-speed train to Tashkent, with a short city tour of modern highlights before a final group dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final full group dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Mausoleum of Gur-Emir
- Visit Afrosiab excavation site and museum
- Visit Saint Daniel's tomb
- Visit Observatory of Ulugbek
- Visit Samarkand Handmade Silk Paper Center 'Meros'
- High-speed train to Tashkent
- Panoramic tour of modern Tashkent
- Final group dinner
Landmarks/POIs Mausoleum of Gur-Emir Afrosiab Saint Daniel's tomb Observatory of Ulugbek Earthquake memorial Amir Temur Square Independence Square Theatre Square - Day 20
Tashkent
You'll transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. Alternatively, if you're interested in extending the trip, you can optionally fly to Dushanbe for the Tajikistan Add-On adventure, though that portion isn't included in the main tour package.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Flight to Dushanbe for optional Tajikistan Add-On adventure (flight not included, Uzbekistan Airways HY717 08:00 TAS - 09:00 DYU)
