Best of Central Asia

After breakfast, we will transfer to Ala Archa National Park, 30km outside Bishkek. We will walk in the park, appreciate the mountain views, and inhale the wonderfully fresh, clean air. After this interlude, we will return to Bishkek and continue driving on the main road leading toward lake Issyk Kul. Our first stop will be Burana Tower near the town of Tokmok, 80km east of Bishkek. Burana’s 11th-century minaret is the only remaining building from the ancient city of Balasagun, once the capital of the mighty Karakhanid empire. You can walk up the winding staircase and enjoy a wide view of the scenic Chuy Valley. There is also a small open-air museum of balbals, carved stone figures often found around ancient burial mounds.

In June, July, August & September: Kochkor

From Burana we will continue driving about two hours to the mountain village of Kochkor, where we will arrive just in time for dinner. After dinner, you can see a demonstration of how shyrdak, traditional felt carpets, are made. Kochkor is located at an altitude of almost 1,800 meters, and you can get some acclimatization for the ascent to lake Song Kul on the following day.

Overnight in hotel Nomad Lodge or similar

In May & October: Chon Kemin

From Burana, we will drive further on into the mountains to our guesthouse in the beautiful Chon Kemin Valley. After less than two hours’ ride we will arrive just in time for dinner. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

Kemin Guesthouse (single/twin room with private bathroom)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the summer months, we will drive up to Lake Song Kul. In May and October Song Kul is not accessible due to snow and it is replaced with the mountain valley of Chon Kemin. See below the different itineraries for today, depending on your selected departure.

In June, July, August & September: Kochkor – Song-Kul

In the morning we learn how boorsok (deep-fried bread, a specialty of Kyrgyzstan) is made and will taste it for breakfast. After breakfast, we start our ascent towards mountain lake Song Kul. The lake is not very far from Kochkor, but due to bad road conditions, it will still be a quite long and bumpy ride to the lake (c. 4 hours). Lake Song Kul is a mountainous lake at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. The nomads pass their summer on the “jailoo” (summer pasture) with their animals. We will arrive in time for lunch, which will be served in the yurt camp. Free time in the afternoon to go on a walk to the shore or horse ride and observe nomadic life. The yurt camp is located about 3 kilometers from the shore of the lake. We will also watch a match of Kok Boru – a traditional spectacle of horsemanship.

Overnight in a yurt (2 people in a yurt, shared western toilets outside, simple shower)

In May & October: Chon Kemin – Kochkor

In the morning we learn how boorsok (deep fried bread, a speciality of Kyrgyzstan) is made and will taste it for breakfast. After breakfast, you can walk into the village, observe the life of the local people; or opt for a short horse ride into the surrounding hills. We will also have a chance to watch a match of Kok Boru – a traditional spectacle of horsemanship. After lunch, we drive about two hours through the mountains to the village of Kochkor. Before dinner, you can see a demonstration of how shyrdak, traditional felt carpets, are made. Dinner in a family guesthouse and overnight in a simple hotel.

Overnight in hotel Nomad Lodge or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we will drive to Issyk Kul, “the pearl of Kyrgyzstan” and the second-largest mountain lake in the world. At an altitude of 1,600 meters, it is warm enough in summer for swimming and a popular beach destination for the Kyrgyz and Kazakh people. The way down to Kochkor is the same road again. It’s only a short distance on from Kochkor to Issyk Kul, but we will have several interesting stops along the way. Our first stop is in the village of Kyzyl Tuu, where we will meet a yurt maker and learn more about this traditional nomadic dwelling. Many people in this village are involved in yurt making business. Near Bokonbayevo, we will meet an eagle hunter, who will show us his eagle and give a short demonstration for us. At Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon, which derives its name from its bizarre landscape made of fabulous rock formations, we will walk for around one hour. From here, it is then just half an hour to reach our destination, a yurt camp near the shore of Issyk Kul. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.

Overnight in yurt camp (2 people in a yurt, shared bathroom facilities)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will drive further east along Issyk Kul’s southern shore towards the town of Karakol. En route we will take a diversion into the side valley of Jety Oguz, famous for its two red rock formations called “Seven Bulls” and “The Broken Heart”. You will see these rocks and our guide will tell you the legends behind their interesting names.

In Karakol, we will have lunch with a local Uighur family, and a short sightseeing tour of the town’s most interesting sights. These include the Dungan Mosque, built in 1904; and the wooden Russian Orthodox Church, which has been standing since 1869. From Karakol, it is another 30km drive north to the village of Tepke, where we will spend the night in the welcoming guesthouse of a family who breed Kyrgyz horses.

Overnight at Reina Kench Guesthouse (single/twin room with shower and toilet in the room)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It is time to leave Kyrgyzstan behind and cross the mountains into Kazakhstan, driving to Almaty, Kazakhstan's former capital and its largest city. It is a very long ride and partly on bad roads. About half way between Karakol and Almaty, we will stop for a picnic lunch at one of the most famous natural sights in Kazakhstan, Charyn Canyon. The canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon, although it is much smaller in size with a total length of 80-90km. The part of the canyon you will visit is known as the Valley of Castles for its unusual rock formations. It is 3km long and 100m deep. We will walk these 3km down to the river, and have our lunch in a scenic spot there. We will arrive in Almaty in time for dinner.

Overnight in Hotel Kazzhol Park 4* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Almaty was Kazakhstan’s capital until 1997 and it remains the country’s business and educational center. The roads are wide and tree-lined, and there are good views of the Zailisky Ala-Tau Mountains which form a backdrop to the city. The name Almaty means “the place with apples” and it is believed that this is where apples originated from.

In Almaty we will visit Panfilov Park to see the city’s most famous sight, Zenkov Cathedral. In the same park is the impressive Soviet Glory Memorial, a tribute to 28 men who, as the story goes, repelled 50 German tanks from the outskirts of Moscow during World War II. At Green Bazaar, you will get the chance to explore local Kazakh culture as you shop for fresh fruits and vegetables. There will be some free time in the afternoon to explore the city on your own, or to relax at the hotel. Your guide will be available to help and happy to suggest places to go and things to see or do.

In the evening, we will meet again in the hotel lobby and take the cable car to Kok Tobe, a hill overlooking the city from which there are panoramic views. We will then have dinner together before returning to the hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we are heading to the mountains just outside of Almaty. We will take a cable car to reach one of the main landmarks of Almaty, the Shymbulak ski resort, where you will enjoy wonderful views of the Ili Alatau Mountains from the top at 3,200 meters altitude. On the way to the ski resort you will pass the legendary Medeo skating rink. It is located in the picturesque Medeo Gorge at an altitude of 1,600 m and it is one of the largest and highest ice rinks in the world. After lunch, transfer to the airport to catch the domestic flight to the Kazakh capital Nursultan (4 PM – 6 PM). Dinner on the way to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Hilton Garden Inn 4* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today after an early breakNur-Sultan is Central Asia’s youngest capital and a showpiece for 21st century Kazakhstan. We will visit the National Museum of Kazakhstan, walk to Independence Square, and in the afternoon enjoy the panoramic city view from the top of Baiterek Tower. We will walk along Nurzhol Boulevard, designed by celebrity architect Kisho Kurokawa, to the Khan Shatyr, the giant, tent-like shopping center designed by the equally famous Norman Foster. We will also have a chance to see the center of the “old” part of Nusultan and have a walk along Ishim river.

Overnight in Hilton Garden Inn 4* or similarfast we will drive to Iskander Kul, a mountain lake named after Alexander the Great. Triangular in shape, it is considered one of the most exquisitely beautiful lakes in all the former Soviet Union nations. It is nestled in the Fann Mountains at an altitude of 2,200m. The route is a delightful one, through rugged mountain scenery. On the shore of the lake we will have lunch, then take a short hike to a nearby waterfall. It is then a four-hour drive on to reach the town of Panjakent, where we arrive just in time for dinner and will stay for overnight in a hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel. On the way to the airport we will visit the futuristic Expo 2017 complex which boasts the biggest spherical building in the world, the Nur Alem Museum of the Energy. It was originally the Kazakh Pavilion. From there we will continue to the airport to catch the flight to the Uzbek capital Tashkent (2:10 PM – 3:10 PM, Air Astana).
From Tashkent airport we transfer to the hotel in the city center and have Uzbek welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hotel Inspira-S 4* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

With a population of over 3 million people, Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia. Its history dates back to the first century BC when an urban settlement grew up around a major caravan crossroad on the Silk Road. Much of what you see today, however, dates from the late 20th or 21st centuries, as a devastating earthquake in 1966 destroyed much of the older city. Rebuilding Tashkent was a major Soviet infrastructure project, with laborers coming to work here from across the Soviet Union.

We will start the day’s sightseeing at the Monument of Courage, which remembers the victims of the earthquake. We will then walk to Independence Square, a symbol of freedom for Uzbekistan’s citizens, who declared their independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. At Amir Timur square you will see the statue of the great conqueror. Next, we drive to Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s green-domed market, with its acres of spices, fresh produce, and traditional crafts. We will also visit the Old City to find the Khast Imom complex, which houses the historic holy Quran of Caliph Osman. Today’s city tour will end with the Museum of Applied Arts, an ornate, rainbow-colored building that was previously the official residence of the Russian Ambassador.

Overnight in Hotel Inspira-S 4* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we need to get up very early in the morning to catch the flight to the Tajik capital Dushanbe (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM).

Originally, Dushanbe was a small village centered on a market which took place every Monday. The Persian word Dushanbe means “Monday”, so this is how the city got its name. It was during the Soviet Union that Dushanbe became the industrial center of Tajikistan and the capital city it is today.

Arriving in Dushanbe you will meet your Tajik guide and start the city tour. We will visit the Museum of Antiquities with its 13m-long Sleeping Buddha, then tour the marvellous modern Navruz Palace. Together we will visit the Ismail Samani statue. This large gold and marble monument commemorates the 1,100th anniversary of the Samanid State, a Golden Age of the Tajik nation, when science and arts flourished. From there we will walk across to Rudaki Park, dedicated to great Persian poet Rudaki, who lived under the Samanids during the 10th century. By then it’ll be time for a delicious dinner in a Tajik restaurant.

Overnight in hotel Atlas 4* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will drive to Iskander Kul, a mountain lake named after Alexander the Great. Triangular in shape, it is considered one of the most exquisitely beautiful lakes in all the former Soviet Union nations, It is nestled in the Fann Mountains at an altitude of 2,200m. The route is a delightful one, through rugged mountains scenery. On the shore of the lake we will have lunch, then take a short hike to a nearby waterfall. It is then a four-hour drive on to reach the town of Penjikent, where we arrive just in time for dinner and will stay for overnight in a hotel.

Overnight in Hotel Panjakent Plaza 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day trip will start with a bumpy ride into the mountains to explore the area of the Seven Lakes. This mountain valley is not far from Penjikent, but due to the terrible road conditions, this trip takes a full day. Near the fourth lake, there is a guesthouse. If you want to, you can stay there after lunch and relax, otherwise we will drive further up the valley to the sixth lake. It is then a short and easy hike of about two hours (both ways) to the seventh and highest lake, Hazorchashma. There will be time to enjoy the scenery and wander along the lake shore before hiking back down to the sixth lake and returning by road to Penjikent.

Overnight in Hotel Umarion 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Penjikent behind this morning, we head west and make for the border and our forth country, Uzbekistan. Before crossing we stop off at the UNESCO site of Sarazm, dating back to the 4th century BC and bearing evidence of one of the first settlements in Tajikistan, possibly even Central Asia. Continuing onto the border, we cross on foot before picking up our Uzbek bus and making the short drive onto the much-fabled city of Samarkand, where we arrive in the late morning.

Sublime Samarkand was the capital of the Timurid Empire; Timur was one of history’s greatest conquerors. His vast empire rivaled any, stretching across the Eurasian steppe. He ruled his kingdom with an iron fist, whilst at the same time patronizing the arts and literature. Much of the architectural heritage from this period has been preserved, allowing us to see how the city might have been at the peak of Timur's power.

We will start the city tour with a visit to the Gur-e-Amir, the gilded mausoleum where Timur is buried. We will hear stories from his life and how he began the construction of Samarkand. Then, we will go to the Registan, the most famous landmark in all of Uzbekistan. This square was the focal point of medieval Samarkand and is framed by three beautiful madrassas (religious schools), Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori. After lunch, we will stroll through the spacious courtyard of the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, a structure that legend says was gifted to Timur by one of his wives. We will have time to explore the Siyob Bazaar before checking in at the hotel and having dinner in the city center.

Overnight in Hotel Rabat 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we continue to explore the fairytale city of Samarkand. We go first to the Shah-i Zinda, a magnificent tiled necropolis; and then visit Ulgubek’s Observatory, which was once the biggest research center in Central Asia. Ulugbek was decades ahead of the West with his observations of the solar system and the Earth, and we will learn more about his story in this prestigious setting. Our next stop will be the Konigil Paper Mill. Here you will see the process of making paper from mulberry tree bark, just as it was done in 8th century Samarkand. We will enjoy lunch together, after which those who wish to do so can visit Afrasiyab Museum to learn about the ancient city of Samarkand – then known as Afrasiyab – which was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century.

Overnight in Hotel Rabat 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we will transfer to the train station to catch the high-speed train to Bukhara (9:50 AM – 11:20 AM). Check-in at the hotel in Bukhara and have lunch. After lunch, we have a walking tour of Bukhara, one of the most important trading hubs on the Great Silk Road, as well as a respected center of religious learning. The Old City has been well preserved and is crammed full of minarets, mosques, and madrassas. Its once notorious canals and pools, the source of many an epidemic, have now been drained, but the most famous, Lyabi-Hauz, is still there, an oasis shaded by mulberry trees in the heart of the city. Your guide will show you the city’s unmissable sights, and you can soak up the atmosphere wandering through Bukhara’s labyrinthine alleyways. Key sites on today’s tour itinerary include the 10th century Samanid Mausoleum, Poi Kalon, Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, and the historic trading domes, which still house market stalls. Dinner will be in the city center.
Overnight in Hotel Safiya 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today morning we continue our city tour in the old town of Bukhara. In the afternoon, you can choose to spend some free time in the city or to visit a couple more sights near Bukhara. First, you may visit the Mausoleum of Naqshbandi, 15 km outside the city center. There are many orders in Sufism, all of which have been represented at different times in what is now Uzbekistan. The Naqshbandiyya order has a great and long-lasting influence, and the memorial place is still a popular place of pilgrimage for Sufis. From here, we will visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. In Persian it is called Sitorai Mokhi Hossa, “the place where the moon meets the stars”. Dinner in Bukhara.

Overnight in Hotel Safiya 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After leisurely breakfast, check-out from the hotel by around 11:00 AM and transfer to the train station to catch the fast train to Khiva (12:15 PM – 6:30 PM) It is a long train ride through the Kyzylkum Desert. At the end of the day, we will be rewarded with the magnificence of Khiva. We will arrive in the evening, just in time for dinner in the Old City, and check in at the hotel for the night.

Overnight in Hotel Zarafshan 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our walking tour of Khiva will begin after breakfast. Khiva is bursting with historical sites and today you will get a chance to see them all. We will visit the walled inner-city section of Khiva called the Ichan-Kala. This old section of the city contains more than 50 historic monuments and hundreds of centuries-old houses. The entire citadel is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk through the enormous city gates, you will be confronted by a glistening beacon of Islamic design, the Kalta Minor. Our tour delves deep into all of Khiva's sites, and ends with panoramic views from the top of the Kunya-Ark Citadel. During dinner tonight there will be a performance by local dancers and singers, immersing you in Khorezmian culture.

Overnight in Hotel Zarafshan 3* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning we will drive to the Shavat-Dashoguz border post to enter Turkmenistan (60km, 1 h.). We plan to be at the check point at 9:00 AM when it opens and will pass through formalities on both sides, as well as the 1.5km of no man's land (minibus available for c. $1). With your invitation letter you will be able to get your Turkmenistan visa on arrival, for which you will need to pay around $100 USD per person in cash.

In Turkmenistan you will meet your Turkmen guide and driver and transfer to Kunya Urgench (100 km, 2 h.). Here you will visit the most important mausoleums and see the Kutlug Timur Minaret. In the afternoon, we will drive on to the Darwaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert (270km, 4-5 h.). Together we'll enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner, then sleep overnight at the yurt camp.

Please note: On the September and October departures we will skip Kunya Urgench and drive directly to Darvaza, to be there before sunset. This reduces the driving time by 1-2 hours.

Overnight in Yurt Camp (2 people per yurt, shared bathroom facilities)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a light breakfast at the yurt camp we will drive to Ashgabat via the water crater and the Erbent desert community. Arrival in Ashgabat will be around noon, so we will check in and have lunch at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we will have a short sightseeing tour of Ashgabat. The capital of Turkmenistan has experienced a boom of marble architecture in the 30 years since independence. The tour includes visits to the National Museum of History, the Arch of Neutrality, and the newly-built Independence Park. The tour will end with dinner at Terrace, a restaurant on the seventh floor, with views of Independence Park and the surrounding buildings. Our after-dinner drive through the New City area of Ashgabat will enable you to see the city's nighttime illuminations.

Overnight in Hotel Diwan 5* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we have another busy day. After breakfast, we will drive to Old Nisa Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the earliest of the Parthian Empire’s capitals. It is located atop a hill at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains. 14 hectares in size, the fort incorporates two semi-excavated complexes from the Parthian period (III c. BC – III c. AD), which have been identified as a royal residence and a temple complex. From Nisa, we will continue to the Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia, and then drive back to Ashgabat, stopping en route at the Halk Hakydasy national memorial complex with its WWII and earthquake memorials. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we will visit a farm in Goekdepe, about 50km west of Ashgabat. Here you will see Turkmenistan's famous Akhal Teke horses. Then we will drive back to Ashgabat to share a farewell dinner together at the hotel.

Overnight in Hotel Diwan 5* or similar

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Ashgabat Airport for your flight back home, or to begin a private extension trip.

Included meals: Breakfast