Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Central Asia, where the breathtaking mountain landscapes of Kyrgyzstan meet the timeless Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. Discover ancient trading routes, majestic mosques, vibrant bazaars, scenic alpine lakes, and a rich cultural heritage that has captivated travelers for centuries.
Today we’ll explore Bishkek: visit Central Square Ala Too, see the Manas Monument, the Old Square with the Parliament House and Lenin’s Monument, Oak Park, Asian Bazaar. We continue walking to the Opera and Ballet House and reach Victory Square dedicated to the victims of WWII.
Overnight in Bishkek.
Meal(s): Breakfast.
Transfer in the morning toward Issyk Kul Lake.
En route visit Kyzyl-Tuu village, where we’ll meet a local family who will share the secrets of yurt producing.
Watch how they prepare the different parts of the yurt (poles, walls, and rounded roof). Continue to Issyk Kul lake, southern shore.
Overnight in Ak Say canyon (yurt camp with shared facilities)
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Relax in the morning on the lake shore, then transfer to Bokonbaevo village. We’ll visit the pastures of Bokonbaevo to begin the easy hike to the Shatyly panorama which gives a beautiful view of the lake and mountains.
4 km / 1 hour by foot
Height difference: + 120 m, - 120 m Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Bokonbaevo
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning meet eagle hunter, and watch the hunting demostration.
We’ll then head to Jety Oguz Gorge to see the famous “Broken Heart” and the “Seven Bulls” Rocks – one of the most famous landmarks of Kyrgyzstan, made up of several impressive natural sandstone formations. It is featured in many poems and paintings, as well as music videos.
Later, arrive in Karakol city.
Overnight in Karakol
Meal(s): Breakfast
Discover Karakol, with its rich history and vibrant culture. Start from Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, then head to Dungan Mosque that combines Chinese and Muslim influences.
Continue to Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to Russian explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky. Excursion to local bazaar and tonight, you are invited to the home of a local Dungan family for dinner and cultural exchange.
Overnight in Karakol Meal(s):
Breakfast, Dinner
The beautiful Altyn Arashan Gorge is located in the valley of the Arashan River, 10 km east of Karakol. The gorge is rich in hot springs and vast fir forests. One slope of the gorge is covered with dense spruce forests, while the other slope is covered with a diverse carpet of wild plants, flowers, fruit trees and shrubs. Wildlife in the valley includes mountain goats, deer, bears, wild boar and marmots. You will reach Altyn Arashan by special military car in 2-3 hours. You can relax in hot spring pool there – so take swimming suits!
Drive back to Karakol.
Overnight in Karakol
Meal(s): Breakfast
Today we’ll explore Jyrgalan valley. Located in the heart of the Tien Shan Mountains, the Jyrgalan Valley is a perfect place for adventure – there are various trekking routes, horseback riding, mountain biking and freeride skiing areas.
Overnight in Jyrgalan
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
In the morning we’ll have easy walking to Kok-Bel Waterfall (1h, 5 km). The 20-meter Kok-Bel waterfall is a favorite spot of local shepherds.
Transfer back to Karakol, en route we will stop at Ak Suu hot springs. A soak in hot springs has been an essential part of Karakol culture for a long time. Kyrgyzstan has a lot of thermal springs, one of which is Ak-Suu Kench.
Overnight in Karakol
Meal(s): Breakfast
Today's scenic drive takes you to the stunning Semenov Gorge, known for its tall red cliffs, lush greenery and rushing river. Hike along the trail and admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. After the hike, have a picnic lunch in the serene setting.
Drive to the town of Cholpon Ata, on the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake, surrounded by the snow-covered Tien Shan Mountains.
Before dinner, visit Museum of Petroglyphs, which displays a fascinating collection of ancient carvings dating back to the Bronze Age.
Overnight in Cholpon Ata
Meal(s): Breakfast
Travel back to Bishkek. Along the way, stop in the town of Tokmok, located in the Chuy Valley to visit Burana Tower. This impressive ancient minaret, along with mausoleum ruins, and petroglyphs are all that remain of the ancient city of Balasagun, established by the Karakhanids at the end of the 9th century.
Overnight in Bishkek
Meal(s): Breakfast
Visit Osh Bazaar, one of the largest in Bishkek. At the huge open-air market, it’s possible to buy everything. From food products and spices to common household goods, clothes, souvenirs, and even musical instruments. Also, we’ll explore National Museum of Fine Arts.
At 15:00, transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent HY-778 FRU – TAS at 19:05.
Welcome to Uzbekistan! Upon clearing immigration and customs, the representative will be waiting at the meeting area for your transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Tashkent
Meal(s): Breakfast
Tashkent, a charming mish mash of austere Soviet-style buildings and classical Russian architecture, has a long history of 2,200 years and has been the capital of Uzbekistan since 1930.
We’ll go on a city tour, starting by exploring the narrow winding streets of the Old Town. This area is home to Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya Shaykh Mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Library of Islamic Literature.
Under a giant dome, we’ll find a delightful slice of city life in the traditional Chor-Su Bazaar. In the
modern part of the city we’ll visit Mustakillik Square. We’ll even take a ride on the vibrant, arty Tashkent Metro. The tour of Tashkent ends at Amir Temur Square, established on the intersection of two ancient trade roads in the heart of the city.
Overnight in Tashkent.
Meal(s): Breakfast
After an early breakfast, we`ll proceed to the main station and board the train for the four-hour ride to Kokand.
In Kokand we’ll meet our tour guide, and visit the impressive Juma Mosque and the Khudoyar-Khan Palace with its seven courtyards, 114 rooms and dazzling tiled exterior.
We’ll continue to Rishtan town, famous for ceramic production. At the school of a well-known ceramic master we can learn all about the traditional blue and green pottery. Drive to Ferghana city.
Overnight in Ferghana.
Meal(s): Breakfast.
As far back as the 10th century, Margilan – the largest city in the Ferghana Valley – was known for its craftsmen of silk fabrics. We’ll drive to the town and visit authentic Kumtepa Bazaar (if open) and Yodgorlik Silk factory, where we can witness how silk is woven with traditional Ikat patterns.
We’ll then board the train for the five-hour ride to Tashkent.
Overnight in Tashkent.
Meal(s): Breakfast
A morning flight will take us to Urgench, followed by a 40-minute drive to Khiva.
A visit to this 6th century walled city is like travelling back in time. It is a city of colour thanks to the navy, indigo and cerulean ceramic tiles embedded in the ochre walls of many of the buildings.
We’ll walk the labyrinth of sand-laden alleyways to find the Juma Mosque whose roof is supported by 213 unique columns of 10th century elm; and Tash Hauli, the main palace of Khiva rulers. We’ll also visit Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhamad Rahim Khan Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret and Shirgazi Khan Madrassah.
Overnight in Khiva
Meal(s): Breakfast
After breakfast we’ll set off on a road trip of seven to eight hours to Bukhara. The drive takes us through the red sand Kyzylkum Desert, the 15th largest desert in the world. It’s a dry and desolate, yet beautiful area, populated by nomadic tribes. We’ll have stops to stretch our legs on the bank of the Amudarya River and to have lunch in a local café.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Today we’ll explore Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city. It is home to buildings spanning a thousand years of history and a thoroughly lived-in and cohesive old centre that hasn’t changed too much in two centuries. It is one of the best places in Central Asia for a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan.
We’ll visit the Ark Fortress – the residence of Bukhara khans, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Samanids Mausoleum and some beautiful madrassahs. At the Poi-Kalyan complex we can see the Kalyan Minaret, also known as the ‘Tower of Death’. We’ll also visit the Lyabi Hauz complex, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city containing several impressive Islamic monuments.
Overnight in Bukhara.
Meal(s): Breakfast
No name is as evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand, which lies at the crossroads of the silk trading route through Europe and Asia.
We’ll visit the awe-inspiring restored madrassas standing on three sides of the iconic Registan Square: Ulughbek Madrassah, Sher-Dor Madrassah and the gold-covered Tillya-Kari Madrassah.
Other highlights include the Bibi Khanym Mosque with its ocean-blue domes and exquisite carvings and the Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, which contains monuments dating back between 500 to 1000 years. We’ll also visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum and the Ulughbek Observatory with its interesting underground passages.
Overnight in Samarkand
Meal(s): Breakfast
We’ll continue seeing the sights of Samarkand today. There’s the ancient settlement and museum of Afrosiab, and the Tombstone of Saint Daniyar – the restored tomb of the Old Testament prophet Daniyar (Daniel).
At Konigil village there’s time to visit the local paper mill which offers a fantastic insight into how traditional paper is still made using old-fashioned techniques.
Overnight in Samarkand.
Meal(s): Breakfast
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