Itinerary
- Day 1
Almaty
You'll arrive in Almaty early morning and head to your hotel to settle in. Later that day, you'll walk through Kazakhstan's largest city starting with the colorful Green Bazaar, then move on to Panfilov Park to see Zenkov Cathedral. From there, you'll head up to Kok-Tobe Hill for views across the city. Before returning to your hotel, you'll drive into the mountains to check out Medeo skating rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort sitting at 3,200 meters/10,500 feet.
- Start point
- Almaty, Kazakhstan (International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Green Bazaar
- Explore Panfilov Park
- View Zenkov Cathedral
- Visit Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame
- Ride cableway from Kok-Tobe Hill
- Visit Medeo skating rink
- Cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort
Landmarks Green Bazaar Panfilov Park Zenkov Cathedral Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame Kok-Tobe Hill Medeo Shymbulak Ski Resort 
- Day 2
Almaty to Kolsay Lakes
After breakfast, you'll drive east toward Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon but smaller in scale. You'll explore the Valley of Castles and its wind-carved sandstone, then take a 40-minute walk down to the Charyn River. Lunch comes at a café near the canyon. Later, you'll continue on to Kolsay Lakes in the northern Tien Shan mountains, arriving at your guesthouse in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a cozy café near the canyon), Dinner (Home-style dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon
- Walk to Charyn River
- Lunch at café near canyon
Landmarks Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles Charyn River Kolsay Lakes 
- Day 3
Kolsay Lakes to Karakol
You'll start with breakfast and then head to Kaindy Lake, created back in 1911 when an earthquake triggered a landslide that formed a natural dam. This flooded a spruce forest, and now ghostly tree trunks stick up from the turquoise water. You'll walk down to the lake for photos, have homemade lunch at a village home, then drive to the Kegen border crossing into Kyrgyzstan. After handling border formalities, you'll arrive in Karakol by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty, homemade lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Kaindy Lake
- Walk to Kaindy Lake viewing area
- Lunch at village home
Optional Activities
- Horseback ride to Kaindy Lake (arranged by locals)
Landmarks Kaindy Lake 
- Day 4
Karakol
You'll explore Karakol's cultural sites including the wooden Dungan Mosque built entirely without nails, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, and the museum dedicated to Russian explorer Nikolay Przhevalsky. In the afternoon, you'll drive into the mountains to Jety-Oguz Gorge to see red cliffs and rock formations known locally as the 'Seven Bulls' and 'Broken Heart.' You'll return to Karakol for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dungan Mosque
- Visit Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
- Visit Nikolay Przhevalsky Museum
- Explore Jety-Oguz Gorge
Landmarks Dungan Mosque Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Nikolay Przhevalsky Museum Jety-Oguz Gorge - Day 5
Karakol to Kochkor
You'll follow the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul and head to Skazka Canyon, where wind and water have carved red and yellow clay into towers, castles, and ridges. Next, you'll stop in Bokonbaevo village to meet local eagle hunters and watch a falconry demonstration. After lunch along the way, you'll arrive in Kochkor, a village known for felt handicrafts and the hospitality of its people.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Skazka Canyon
- Watch traditional falconry demonstration
- Meet local eagle hunters
Landmarks Lake Issyk-Kul Skazka Canyon Bokonbaevo 
- Day 6
Kochkor to Bishkek
Your morning starts with a felt-making master class in Kochkor where you'll learn from skilled artisans how colorful shyrdaks (felt carpets) are made and the meaning behind their designs. You'll return to Bishkek in the afternoon with the rest of the day free. You can walk through the lively Osh Bazaar, wandering past fragrant spices, dried fruits, textiles, and handicrafts for sale.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Felt-making master class
Optional Activities
- Explore Osh Bazaar
Landmarks Osh Bazaar - Day 7
Bishkek to Tashkent
A guided city tour of Bishkek takes you to the Monument to Manas, legendary hero of Kyrgyz epics. You'll visit Ala-Too Square to see the Changing of the Guard, check out the State Historical Museum, and see statues of Kurmanjan-Datka and Lenin. Then you'll stroll through Oak Park with its sculptures and Fine Arts Gallery. In the afternoon, you'll head to the airport for an evening flight to Tashkent and settle into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Monument to Manas
- Watch Changing of the Guard at Ala-Too Square
- Visit State Historical Museum
- Explore Oak Park
- Visit Fine Arts Gallery
Landmarks Monument to Manas Ala-Too Square State Historical Museum Oak Park Fine Arts Gallery 
- Day 8
Tashkent
You'll explore Tashkent where old and new sit side by side in interesting ways. You'll visit Khast-Imam Square with its ancient madrasahs and mausoleums, wander the colorful Chorsu Bazaar filled with spices and handicrafts, and see Independence Square and Amir Temur Square. The famous Tashkent Metro deserves time too, with its ornate stations that feel like an underground art gallery. Later, you'll take a train to Samarkand and check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Khast-Imam Square
- Explore Chorsu Bazaar
- Visit Independence Square
- Visit Amir Temur Square
- Explore Tashkent Metro
Landmarks Khast-Imam Square Chorsu Bazaar Independence Square Amir Temur Square Tashkent Metro 
- Day 9
Samarkand
You'll discover Samarkand's treasures, one of the Silk Road's most striking cities. You'll begin at Registan Square with its three grand madrasahs: Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Qori. After that, you'll visit the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum with its turquoise dome. Following lunch, you'll see the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and walk through the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis with vibrant blue-tiled mausoleums. You'll finish at the Ulugbek Observatory where stars were charted centuries ago.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Registan Square
- Visit Ulugbek Madrasah
- Visit Sher-Dor Madrasah
- Visit Tilla-Qori Madrasah
- Visit Gur-e Amir Mausoleum
- Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Visit Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis
- Visit Ulugbek Observatory
Landmarks Registan Square Ulugbek Madrasah Sher-Dor Madrasah Tilla-Qori Madrasah Gur-e Amir Mausoleum Bibi-Khanym Mosque Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis Ulugbek Observatory 
- Day 10
Samarkand to Bukhara
You'll leave Samarkand and travel across the Kyzylkum plains toward Bukhara, plains that once hosted ancient caravan routes. Upon arrival in this atmospheric Silk Road city, you'll start exploring the Po-i-Kalyan Complex with its elegant minaret. You'll continue to the Miri-Arab Madrasa, Magoki-Attori Mosque, and Ulugbek Madrasa. By evening, you'll relax at tranquil Lyabi-Hauz Square with its reflecting pool and mulberry trees before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Po-i-Kalyan Complex
- Visit Miri-Arab Madrasa
- Visit Magoki-Attori Mosque
- Visit Ulugbek Madrasa
- Visit Lyabi-Hauz Square
Landmarks Po-i-Kalyan Complex Miri-Arab Madrasa Magoki-Attori Mosque Ulugbek Madrasa Lyabi-Hauz Square 
- Day 11
Bukhara
You'll continue exploring Bukhara starting with the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum linked to the legend of Prophet Job. You'll walk through the bustling local bazaar and visit the elegant Bolo-Khauz Mosque and the mighty Ark Citadel with its old Zindan prison. In the afternoon, you'll see the lavish Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace and the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. Your evening includes a plov master class in a traditional Uzbek home.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Plov master class in a traditional Uzbek home with homemade dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum
- Explore local bazaar
- Visit Bolo-Khauz Mosque
- Visit Ark Citadel
- Visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace
- Visit Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi
- Plov master class
Landmarks Ismail Samani Mausoleum Chashma Ayub Mausoleum Bolo-Khauz Mosque Ark Citadel Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi 
- Day 12
Bukhara to Tashkent
You'll have a leisurely morning in Bukhara, soaking in the timeless atmosphere of this ancient Silk Road city. You'll take a relaxed walk with your guide through old streets, taking in domes, bazaars, and the warmth of local life. After checking out in the afternoon, you'll head to the railway station for a comfortable high-speed train to Tashkent. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk through old streets of Bukhara
- Day 13
Depart Tashkent
You'll have breakfast at your hotel, check out before noon, and transfer to the international airport for your onward flight. You'll leave with warm memories and vivid impressions of your journey through Central Asia.
- End point
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan (International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
