Itinerary
- Day 1
Ashgabat
You'll arrive in Ashgabat early and head to your hotel to settle in. After grabbing breakfast, your local guide takes you through the capital's main attractions. The Sunday Bazaar is first, where you can see the Akhal-Teke horses, then you'll continue to the Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, Lenin Monument, Independence Park, Rukhnama, Neutrality Arch, Ferris Wheel, and Magtymguly Monument. Back at the hotel by evening.
- Start point
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ashgabat city center
- Visit Sunday Bazaar
- See Akhal-Teke horses
- Visit Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque
- Visit Lenin Monument
- Visit Independence Park
- Visit Rukhnama
- Visit Neutrality Arch
- Visit Magtymguly Monument
Optional Activities
- Ride the giant Ferris Wheel
Landmarks Sunday Bazaar Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque Lenin Monument Independence Park Rukhnama Neutrality Arch Magtymguly Monument 
- Day 2
Ashgabat to Darvaza Gas Crater
After breakfast, you'll start with the Earthquake Monument and Soviet War Memorial Complex in Ashgabat. Then it's a drive through the Karakum Desert to the Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as the 'Door to Hell'. You arrive before sunset to watch the crater glow as night falls. A traditional barbecue dinner happens right there under the desert sky, then the drive back takes you to Ashgabat around midnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional barbecue dinner under the desert sky)
Included Activities
- Visit Earthquake Monument
- Visit Soviet War Memorial Complex
- Visit Darvaza Gas Crater
- Traditional barbecue dinner under the desert sky
Landmarks Earthquake Monument Soviet War Memorial Complex Darvaza Gas Crater Karakum Desert 
- Day 3
Ashgabat to Merv to Bukhara
You'll fly to Mary after breakfast, then drive to Merv, an ancient oasis city and UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once a major Silk Road hub. The ruins there are really impressive to walk through. After exploring, you drive to the Farap border with Uzbekistan, handle the border crossing, and meet your Uzbek guide. From there, it's a transfer to Bukhara and check-in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Merv ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Landmarks Merv 
- Day 4
Bukhara
Your morning in Bukhara focuses on the old city center with a guided tour. You'll see the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, and the Po-i-Kalyan Complex with its tall minaret. The Ulugbek and Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasahs come next. After lunch, you explore the Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble, Kukeldash and Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasahs, plus the covered bazaars. Dinner is at a traditional local home where they serve plov.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a traditional local home featuring plov (pilaf), Uzbekistan's most beloved dish)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Bukhara
- Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum
- Visit Bolo-Khauz Mosque
- Visit Ark Citadel
- Visit Po-i-Kalyan Complex
- Visit Ulugbek Madrasah
- Visit Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah
- Explore Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble
- Visit Kukeldash Madrasah
- Visit Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah
- Stroll through domed bazaars
Landmarks Ismail Samani Mausoleum Chashma Ayub Mausoleum Bolo-Khauz Mosque Ark Citadel Po-i-Kalyan Complex Ulugbek Madrasah Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble Kukeldash Madrasah Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah 
- Day 5
Bukhara to Samarkand
After breakfast, you continue exploring Bukhara with visits to the Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa Palace, the last Emir's summer residence, and the Bahautdin Naqshbandi Complex honoring the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order. Following lunch, you drive toward Samarkand. Once you arrive, settle into your hotel and take an evening walk at Registan Square to see the light show.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa Palace
- Visit Bahautdin Naqshbandi Complex
- Evening walk at Registan Square
Landmarks Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa Palace Bahautdin Naqshbandi Complex Registan Square 
- Day 6
Samarkand
Samarkand's main sights are on your agenda after breakfast. You begin at Registan Square with its three grand madrasahs: Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Qori. Next comes the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, where Tamerlane is buried, and you'll view the Rukhabad Mausoleum from outside. After lunch, you head to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, walk through the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, and visit the Ulugbek Observatory, once one of the medieval world's most advanced.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Registan Square with three madrasahs (Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, Tilla-Qori)
- Visit Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
- View Rukhabad Mausoleum from outside
- Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Stroll through Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis
- Visit Ulugbek Observatory
Landmarks Registan Square Ulugbek Madrasah Sher-Dor Madrasah Tilla-Qori Madrasah Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum Rukhabad Mausoleum Bibi-Khanym Mosque Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis Ulugbek Observatory 
- Day 7
Samarkand to Tajikistan to Samarkand
Starting early after breakfast, you cross into Tajikistan for a full-day trip. Your Tajik guide meets you at the border. In Penjikent, you explore the Sarazm ruins (UNESCO site over 5,500 years old), visit the Rudaki Museum, and walk through the local bazaar. Then you head to the Fann Mountains to see the famous Seven Lakes with their shifting colors from deep blue to turquoise. You visit six of them with a traditional lunch at a local family home, then return to Samarkand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch at local family home near the fourth lake)
Included Activities
- Explore Sarazm ruins (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Rudaki Museum
- Visit local bazaar in Penjikent
- Visit six of the Seven Lakes in Fann Mountains
- Traditional lunch at local family home near the fourth lake
Landmarks Sarazm Rudaki Museum Seven Lakes Fann Mountains - Day 8
Samarkand to Tashkent
After breakfast, you head to the train station for a scenic ride from Samarkand to Tashkent, departing at 08:05 and arriving at 11:54. Once in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's vibrant capital, a guided walk shows you the city center's mix of modern wide boulevards, Soviet-era buildings, and the Old Town with its winding alleys and busy bazaars. The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Tashkent city center
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Tashkent independently
Landmarks Tashkent Old Town 
- Day 9
Tashkent to Bishkek
Your Tashkent sightseeing tour after breakfast covers the Minor White Mosque, Independence Square, and Amir Timur Square, blending modern Central Asian energy with history. You'll ride the famous Tashkent Metro, known for its beautifully decorated stations that look like underground art galleries. After lunch, you transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's laid-back capital surrounded by snow-capped Tian Shan mountains. Check into your hotel upon arrival.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Tashkent
- Visit Minor White Mosque
- Visit Independence Square
- Visit Amir Timur Square
- Ride on Tashkent Metro
Landmarks Minor White Mosque Independence Square Amir Timur Square Tashkent Metro 
- Day 10
Bishkek
After breakfast, your local guide leads you to Ala-Archa National Park, an alpine gorge in the Tian Shan mountains. The crisp mountain air and beautiful views make for a nice easy hike through pine forests with rocky peaks around you. You return to Bishkek in the afternoon for a city tour hitting Ala-Too Square, the changing of the guard at the flagstaff, the Lenin statue, the Freedom Monument, and the Monument to Manas the Great, Kyrgyzstan's legendary hero.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Easy hike in Ala-Archa National Park
- Guided city tour of Bishkek
- Visit Ala-Too Square
- Watch changing of the guard at flagstaff
- See Lenin statue
- See Freedom Monument
- See Monument to Manas the Great
Landmarks Ala-Archa National Park Ala-Too Square Lenin Monument Freedom Monument Monument to Manas the Great - Day 11
Bishkek to Issyk-Kul Lake
After breakfast, you depart Bishkek heading toward Issyk-Kul Lake, the world's second-largest alpine lake. Along the way, you explore the ruins of ancient Balasagyn and climb Burana Tower, a remnant of the Silk Road era. The route takes you through mountain landscapes until you reach the lake's shores. Check into your lakeside hotel and spend time resting while taking in the scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore ruins of ancient Balasagyn
- Climb Burana Tower
Landmarks Balasagyn Burana Tower Issyk-Kul Lake 
- Day 12
Issyk-Kul to Karakol to Djeti-Oguz
After breakfast, you drive along Issyk-Kul's eastern shore toward Karakol, stopping in Cholpon-Ata to see the open-air museum of ancient petroglyphs and the Nikolay Prjevalsky Museum honoring the famous Russian explorer of Central Asia. In Karakol, you take a city tour visiting the colorful 19th-century Dungan Mosque with its unique wooden structure built without nails, and the striking Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral, also a 19th-century wooden structure. Walk through the central bazaar, then head to Djeti-Oguz Gorge with its dramatic red cliffs and rock formations shaped like 'Broken Heart' and 'Seven Bulls'. Return to Karakol for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit open-air museum of ancient petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata
- Visit Nikolay Prjevalsky Museum
- City tour of Karakol
- Visit Dungan Mosque
- Visit Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Walk through central bazaar in Karakol
- Visit Djeti-Oguz Gorge
Landmarks Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs Nikolay Prjevalsky Museum Dungan Mosque Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral Djeti-Oguz Gorge 
- Day 13
Karakol to Charyn Canyon to Almaty
Departing Karakol at 09:00 after breakfast, you drive to the Kazakhstan border and complete the formalities. Continuing toward Almaty, you stop at Charyn Canyon, often called the 'little brother' of the Grand Canyon. The canyon stretches 150 kilometers with depths reaching 300 meters. You explore the Valley of Castles where rock formations resemble ancient fortresses. Lunch happens en route, and you arrive in Almaty by evening to check in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Charyn Canyon
- Explore Valley of Castles
Landmarks Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles 
- Day 14
Almaty
After breakfast, you spend a full day exploring Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest and most vibrant city. Start at the colorful Green Bazaar, then stroll through Panfilov Park to see the striking wooden Zenkov Cathedral and the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. Ride up to Kok-Tobe Hill with its world's tallest TV tower for panoramic views, then descend by the famous cableway. After lunch, head into the mountains to visit Medeo, the world's highest ice-skating rink, and Shymbulak Ski Resort. A cable car takes you up to 3,200 meters for alpine views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Green Bazaar
- Stroll through Panfilov Park
- Visit Zenkov Cathedral
- See Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame
- Ride to Kok-Tobe Hill
- Visit Almaty TV Tower
- Descend by Almaty cableway
- Visit Medeo ice-skating rink
- Visit Shymbulak Ski Resort
- Ride cable car to 3,200 meters
Landmarks Green Bazaar Panfilov Park Zenkov Cathedral Kok-Tobe Hill Medeo Shymbulak Ski Resort - Day 15
Almaty to Astana
After breakfast, you transfer to the airport for your flight to Astana, Kazakhstan's futuristic capital. Upon arrival, your local guide starts a sightseeing tour with the National Museum of Kazakhstan featuring ten thematic halls on Kazakh history and culture. You see the Hazret Sultan Mosque, one of Central Asia's largest mosques designed like an Oriental palace for 10,000 worshippers. Tour the futuristic Palace of Peace and Reconciliation by Norman Foster, ride Baiterek Tower's elevator for panoramic views, and visit Khan Shatyr, the tent-shaped complex with shopping and dining.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum of Kazakhstan
- Visit Hazret Sultan Mosque
- Tour Palace of Peace and Reconciliation
- Ride Baiterek Tower elevator to viewing deck
- Visit Khan Shatyr
Landmarks National Museum of Kazakhstan Hazret Sultan Mosque Palace of Peace and Reconciliation Baiterek Tower Khan Shatyr - Day 16
Astana
After breakfast, you explore Astana's historical side on the right bank of the Esil River with a pleasant riverside walk offering beautiful views of the modern skyline and the elegant Atyrau Bridge. Visit the Russian Orthodox Church, Central Asia's largest, and tour the Astana Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture and one of the world's ten largest with gleaming white domes. After lunch, you visit Nur Alem, the world's largest spherical building and EXPO 2017's central pavilion. This 100-meter-tall museum features interactive exhibits across eight floors about different energy sources.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk along Esil River
- See Atyrau Bridge
- Visit Russian Orthodox Church
- Tour Astana Grand Mosque
- Visit Nur Alem museum
Landmarks Atyrau Bridge Russian Orthodox Church Astana Grand Mosque Nur Alem - Day 17
Astana Departure
After hotel breakfast, you transfer to Astana International Airport at the scheduled time for your departure flight.
- End point
- Astana, Kazakhstan (International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
