Best of Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan
16 DAYS
Tashkent - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand - Turkestan - Bishkek - Karakol - Almaty
16 DAYS
Tashkent - Khiva - Bukhara - Samarkand - Turkestan - Bishkek - Karakol - Almaty
Kyzyl Kum desert. Very important Islamic objects for Muslim world in Bukhara and Samarkand. City hero – Otrar. Mausoleum of Akhmed Khodja Yassavi in Turkestan town. Second alpine lake in the world – Issyk Kul Lake. Dungan mosque and Orthodox Cathedral in Karakol town. Formal capital of Kazakhstan and its features.
AVAILABLE DATES:
- Individual dates are also available. Contact the program manager.
TRIP DETAILS
SEASON ........................................................March-OctoberGROUP SIZE........................................max 8pax, min 2pax
PRICE:
$ (≥ 8 people)≥ 6 people in the group: $ per person
≥ 4 people in the group: $ per person
= 2 people in the group: $ per person
GUARANTEED FROM 2 PAX
During this fascinating trip you will explore the legacy of the Great Silk Road, step into nomadic traditions and see unique landscapes of Central Asia.
This route full of contrasts between history, traditions, and the modernity of the capital city of Kazakhstan.
This route full of contrasts between history, traditions, and the modernity of the capital city of Kazakhstan.
Day 1: Flight to Tashkent city
Our staff will welcome you in Tashkent International airport. Transfer to Tashkent and accommodation in a hotel. Free time.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva
Morning flight to Urgench town.
Arrival in Urgench town. Transfer to Khiva (35 km).
Morning sightseeing in Khiva: Visit to the oldest part of the city: Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17th century); Mohammed-Amin-Khan Madrassah (19th century), Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18th century), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19th century), Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum.
Afternoon sightseeing in Khiva: Uch Avlioli («three saints») Mausoleum, Jami Mosque (18th century), Kutluq-Murad Inaq Madrassah (19th century), Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, Tash Hauli Palace, Alla-Kuli-Khan (18th century), Arab Mohammed Khan (18th century) Madrassahs.
Overnight in Khiva town.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 3: Khiva town – Bukhara town
Transfer to Bukhara across Kyzyl Kum desert.
Upon arrival to Bukhara accommodation in a hotel.
Bukhara is one of the highlights of our travel. It was a remarkable trade center during the Great Silk Road and a relevant place for the Islamic culture in Uzbekistan. Bukhara is plenty of impressive historical monuments, minarets and madrassas, narrow streets lined with bazaars and ancient ruins. The center of Bukhara looks like an open-air museum and it has obviously declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
Upon arrival to Bukhara accommodation in a hotel.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 4: Bukhara town
Morning sightseeing in Bukhara: Ismael Samani mausoleum (9-10th centuries), Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14th century), Registan ensemble, Ark Fortress (16th century) and Bolo-Hauz complex (18th century).
Afternoon sightseeing: Poi-Kalon ensemble (including Minaret (12th century), Mosque (15th century), functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16th century), Amir-Alim-Khan Madrassah (14th century), Taqi (trading domes), Kukeldash Madrassah (16th century).
National dinner with folklore show.
Overnight in Bukhara town.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 5: Bukhara town – Shakhrisabz town – Samarkand town
Transfer to Samarkand. En route visit Shakhrisabz. Sightseen tour around Shakhisabz complex. Visit tombs of Amir Timur and his relatives.
Upon arrival to Samarkand accommodation and overnight.
Samarkand was one of the main trading points of the Great Silk Road. The historical and architectural legacy in this city is just out of this world and makes you travel back in time.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 6: Samarkand town
Morning sightseeing: Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Shir Dor and Tillya-Kari Madrassahs (17th century), Bibi Khanum Mosque.
Visit to the local bazaar.
Afternoon sightseeing: Ulugbek observatory (15th century), Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (15th century), Shahi-Zinda necropolis (14-15th centuries).
Overnight in Samarkand.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 7: Samarkand town – Tashkent city
Transfer to Tashkent city.
Sightseeing tour in Tashkent including visits of Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Mosque on Khasty Imam Street, Visit to Chor-Su (handicraft bazaar). Museum of History of Uzbekistan, Museum of Applied Arts. Alisher Navoi Theater and square. Amir Timur Monument and Square.
Overnight in Tashkent city.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 8: Tashkent city – Chimkent city – Turkestan town
In the morning meeting with Kyrgyz team on the Uzbek-Kazakh border. Transfer to Sairam town situated 10 km from Chimkent for excursion there.
Sairam has practically no Soviet- or Russian-style architecture, and maintains an authentic Central Asian feel. It is considered to be one of the oldest settlements in Kazakhstan where mausoleums abound, and continue to be built even today.
The ancient town of Ispijab, now Sairam, is famous for its mausoleums of Ibragim – Ata (17-20th centuries) and Karashash-Ana (17th c.)
After excursion transfer to Turkestan town. Arrival and accommodation.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 9: Turkestan town – Chimkent city
Sightseeing tour in Turkestan: Mausoleum of Khodja Akhmed Yassawi, ancient town and local museum – all parts of the local famous Khazret Sultan complex.
Drive back to Chimkent, visiting the ancient settlement of Otrar (UNESCO site) on the way.
Overnight and dinner in the hotel in Chimkent city.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 10: Chimkent city – Bishkek city
A day of driving from Chimkent to Bishkek.
Lunch en route.
Near Taraz town visit two ancient graceful mausoleums of Aisha Bibi and Babadzha-hatun.
Overland crossing point via Chaldovar and drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan. In the evening accommodation and dinner in the hotel of Bishkek.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 11: Bishkek city – Ala-Archa gorge – Bishkek city
In the morning drive to Ala-Archa National Natural Park, a popular place for picnics, hikes, rock climbing and alpinism. Our guide will inform you about several hikes suitable for different levels. In each of them you will be surrounded by stunning landscapes and get familiar with Kyrgyz virgin nature.
In the afternoon, transfer to Bishkek for a city tour: Monument of our National hero Manas, Changing of Guards of Honor, Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin statues, main Ala Too Square, governmental buildings, Oak park, fine Art Gallery in the open air, and Victory Square dedicated to the World War II soviet heroes. The city tours ends in the picturesque Osh Bazaar, the largest and crowdest market in the city.
Optionally: dinner with folklore performance.
Overnight in Bishkek city.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 12: Bishkek city – Cholpon Ata town
In the morning one hour drive to the historical and architectural complex of Burana. Burana tower is an ancient minaret designated world heritage by UNESCO. It was built in the 11th century in a territory called Balasagyn, which was an important trading point for the Great Silk Road. In this archeological complex located 80 km away from Bishkek you can explore the Burana tower, a collection of Balbals (handmade statues) and a small museum where pieces found in excavation are shown.
(Excursion takes approx. 1-hour, simple walk, but good shoes required as it’s dusty and little climbing to the tower up along the steep stairs).
After excursion lunch in a local family in Tokmok. In the afternoon three hours drive to the Issyk-Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world and one of the pearls of Kyrgyzstan.
Arrival to the north shore of the lake (Cholpon Ata town) and accommodation in one of resorts.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 13: Cholpon Ata town – Karakol town
In the morning you visit Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs site, the temple in the open air of Scythians and Hungsuns civilizations in 9-8 centuries BC till 3-4 centuries AD.
After excursion drive to Karakol town situated in the east of the lake area, at the foot of the most picturesque mountains of Tian Shan.
On the way visit the museum of N. M. Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent.
Lunch in a café in Karakol.
Then sightseeing tour in the town. Visit Dungan mosque, a unique construction in Chinese style, but serving as a mosque. Also you will see an old orthodox cathedral made of wood without any nails.
Accommodation in a hotel/guest house. Dinner and overnight.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 14: Karakol town – Djety Oguz gorge – Karakol town
In the morning short drive to Djety Oguz gorge. Hike to explore this awesome, singular area. Djety Oguz in Kyrgyz means “Seven Bulls”. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations.
On this day you get acquainted with nomadic way of life of the Kyrgyz people by visiting their yurts. Enjoy beautiful gorges and spectacular views.
Lunch picnic.
Afternoon transfer back to Karakol town. Dinner in a local café. Overnight in the hotel/guest house.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 15: Karakol town – Bishkek city
Long way driving back to Bishkek. Transfer along the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake. Enjoying the views.
Lunch en route. Dinner in Bishkek city.
Evening arrival to Bishkek city. Accommodation and overnight.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 16: Bishkek city – Almaty city
In the morning transfer from Bishkek to Almaty. Crossing Kazakh-Kyrgyz border takes about one hour on the way to Almaty.
Lunch en route.
Upon arrival in Almaty accommodation in a hotel.
After a short rest excursion to the 28 Panfilov’s solders Park to see Orthodox Cathedral, War Memorial and National Musical Instruments Museum.
Dinner and overnight.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 16: Almaty city – airport
Transfer to the airport. Flight back home.
🍽 Breakfast
Our staff will welcome you in Tashkent International airport. Transfer to Tashkent and accommodation in a hotel. Free time.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva
Morning flight to Urgench town.
Arrival in Urgench town. Transfer to Khiva (35 km).
Morning sightseeing in Khiva: Visit to the oldest part of the city: Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17th century); Mohammed-Amin-Khan Madrassah (19th century), Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18th century), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19th century), Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum.
Afternoon sightseeing in Khiva: Uch Avlioli («three saints») Mausoleum, Jami Mosque (18th century), Kutluq-Murad Inaq Madrassah (19th century), Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, Tash Hauli Palace, Alla-Kuli-Khan (18th century), Arab Mohammed Khan (18th century) Madrassahs.
Overnight in Khiva town.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 3: Khiva town – Bukhara town
Transfer to Bukhara across Kyzyl Kum desert.
Upon arrival to Bukhara accommodation in a hotel.
Bukhara is one of the highlights of our travel. It was a remarkable trade center during the Great Silk Road and a relevant place for the Islamic culture in Uzbekistan. Bukhara is plenty of impressive historical monuments, minarets and madrassas, narrow streets lined with bazaars and ancient ruins. The center of Bukhara looks like an open-air museum and it has obviously declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
Upon arrival to Bukhara accommodation in a hotel.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 4: Bukhara town
Morning sightseeing in Bukhara: Ismael Samani mausoleum (9-10th centuries), Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14th century), Registan ensemble, Ark Fortress (16th century) and Bolo-Hauz complex (18th century).
Afternoon sightseeing: Poi-Kalon ensemble (including Minaret (12th century), Mosque (15th century), functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16th century), Amir-Alim-Khan Madrassah (14th century), Taqi (trading domes), Kukeldash Madrassah (16th century).
National dinner with folklore show.
Overnight in Bukhara town.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 5: Bukhara town – Shakhrisabz town – Samarkand town
Transfer to Samarkand. En route visit Shakhrisabz. Sightseen tour around Shakhisabz complex. Visit tombs of Amir Timur and his relatives.
Upon arrival to Samarkand accommodation and overnight.
Samarkand was one of the main trading points of the Great Silk Road. The historical and architectural legacy in this city is just out of this world and makes you travel back in time.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 6: Samarkand town
Morning sightseeing: Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Shir Dor and Tillya-Kari Madrassahs (17th century), Bibi Khanum Mosque.
Visit to the local bazaar.
Afternoon sightseeing: Ulugbek observatory (15th century), Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (15th century), Shahi-Zinda necropolis (14-15th centuries).
Overnight in Samarkand.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 7: Samarkand town – Tashkent city
Transfer to Tashkent city.
Sightseeing tour in Tashkent including visits of Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Mosque on Khasty Imam Street, Visit to Chor-Su (handicraft bazaar). Museum of History of Uzbekistan, Museum of Applied Arts. Alisher Navoi Theater and square. Amir Timur Monument and Square.
Overnight in Tashkent city.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 8: Tashkent city – Chimkent city – Turkestan town
In the morning meeting with Kyrgyz team on the Uzbek-Kazakh border. Transfer to Sairam town situated 10 km from Chimkent for excursion there.
Sairam has practically no Soviet- or Russian-style architecture, and maintains an authentic Central Asian feel. It is considered to be one of the oldest settlements in Kazakhstan where mausoleums abound, and continue to be built even today.
The ancient town of Ispijab, now Sairam, is famous for its mausoleums of Ibragim – Ata (17-20th centuries) and Karashash-Ana (17th c.)
After excursion transfer to Turkestan town. Arrival and accommodation.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 9: Turkestan town – Chimkent city
Sightseeing tour in Turkestan: Mausoleum of Khodja Akhmed Yassawi, ancient town and local museum – all parts of the local famous Khazret Sultan complex.
Drive back to Chimkent, visiting the ancient settlement of Otrar (UNESCO site) on the way.
Overnight and dinner in the hotel in Chimkent city.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 10: Chimkent city – Bishkek city
A day of driving from Chimkent to Bishkek.
Lunch en route.
Near Taraz town visit two ancient graceful mausoleums of Aisha Bibi and Babadzha-hatun.
Overland crossing point via Chaldovar and drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan. In the evening accommodation and dinner in the hotel of Bishkek.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 11: Bishkek city – Ala-Archa gorge – Bishkek city
In the morning drive to Ala-Archa National Natural Park, a popular place for picnics, hikes, rock climbing and alpinism. Our guide will inform you about several hikes suitable for different levels. In each of them you will be surrounded by stunning landscapes and get familiar with Kyrgyz virgin nature.
In the afternoon, transfer to Bishkek for a city tour: Monument of our National hero Manas, Changing of Guards of Honor, Kurmanjan Datka and Lenin statues, main Ala Too Square, governmental buildings, Oak park, fine Art Gallery in the open air, and Victory Square dedicated to the World War II soviet heroes. The city tours ends in the picturesque Osh Bazaar, the largest and crowdest market in the city.
Optionally: dinner with folklore performance.
Overnight in Bishkek city.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 12: Bishkek city – Cholpon Ata town
In the morning one hour drive to the historical and architectural complex of Burana. Burana tower is an ancient minaret designated world heritage by UNESCO. It was built in the 11th century in a territory called Balasagyn, which was an important trading point for the Great Silk Road. In this archeological complex located 80 km away from Bishkek you can explore the Burana tower, a collection of Balbals (handmade statues) and a small museum where pieces found in excavation are shown.
(Excursion takes approx. 1-hour, simple walk, but good shoes required as it’s dusty and little climbing to the tower up along the steep stairs).
After excursion lunch in a local family in Tokmok. In the afternoon three hours drive to the Issyk-Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world and one of the pearls of Kyrgyzstan.
Arrival to the north shore of the lake (Cholpon Ata town) and accommodation in one of resorts.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 13: Cholpon Ata town – Karakol town
In the morning you visit Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs site, the temple in the open air of Scythians and Hungsuns civilizations in 9-8 centuries BC till 3-4 centuries AD.
After excursion drive to Karakol town situated in the east of the lake area, at the foot of the most picturesque mountains of Tian Shan.
On the way visit the museum of N. M. Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent.
Lunch in a café in Karakol.
Then sightseeing tour in the town. Visit Dungan mosque, a unique construction in Chinese style, but serving as a mosque. Also you will see an old orthodox cathedral made of wood without any nails.
Accommodation in a hotel/guest house. Dinner and overnight.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 14: Karakol town – Djety Oguz gorge – Karakol town
In the morning short drive to Djety Oguz gorge. Hike to explore this awesome, singular area. Djety Oguz in Kyrgyz means “Seven Bulls”. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations.
On this day you get acquainted with nomadic way of life of the Kyrgyz people by visiting their yurts. Enjoy beautiful gorges and spectacular views.
Lunch picnic.
Afternoon transfer back to Karakol town. Dinner in a local café. Overnight in the hotel/guest house.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 15: Karakol town – Bishkek city
Long way driving back to Bishkek. Transfer along the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake. Enjoying the views.
Lunch en route. Dinner in Bishkek city.
Evening arrival to Bishkek city. Accommodation and overnight.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 16: Bishkek city – Almaty city
In the morning transfer from Bishkek to Almaty. Crossing Kazakh-Kyrgyz border takes about one hour on the way to Almaty.
Lunch en route.
Upon arrival in Almaty accommodation in a hotel.
After a short rest excursion to the 28 Panfilov’s solders Park to see Orthodox Cathedral, War Memorial and National Musical Instruments Museum.
Dinner and overnight.
🏠 Hotel
🍽 Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 16: Almaty city – airport
Transfer to the airport. Flight back home.
🍽 Breakfast
Note: If you would like to have individual program, we can create your private itinerary that perfectly matches your wishes, just drop an email to us.
What’s included:
- Accommodation: hotels, guesthouses, yurt camps
- Full board meal
- Transportation
- English-speaking guide during the tour
- Entrance fees and shows
What’s not included:
- International air fares
- Hotel charges for additional services
- Travel insurance (required)
- Personal expenses, e.g. souvenirs
- Gratuity to (guides & drivers)
USEFUL INFO:
- This tour can be in a group or you can also opt to book the whole itinerary as a private tour.
- For tours we require all travelers on our group tours to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
- Travel insurance is required for this tour. You are free to choose any insurance company.
- Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to visit Kyrgyzstan, visit Visa Regulation for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
- Read more about Kazakhstan Travel Information
- Check out Terms & Conditions here
Contact us
Feel free to reach out. We love to hear from you.