The Best of Central Asia

Day 1

Arrival Bishkek Kyrgyzstan

Upon arrival you’ll be met by your guide and privately escorted by car to your accommodation. 

Take some time to settle into your room before meeting your guide for a tour of the city. You'll head to sites such as Ala-too Square, the Manas on Horse Monument, the open-air sculpture garden in the leafy Oak (Dubovy) Park, and Erkindik (Freedom) Boulevard. You'll also enjoy traditional Kyrgz dishes and drinks at Supara Ethno-complex. 

Day 2

Bishkek

Today you'll be driven out of the city to the Kyrgyz countryside.  

About 80km from the hotel is Burana Tower, built in the 11th century it is one of the only existing watchtowers on the old Silk Road and makes for an impressive picture with snow-capped mountains as the backdrop.

You'll get a real taste of Kyrgyzstan at a local family’s home where you'll enjoy lunch and find out more about rural life. Delve deeper into the local culture and visit Don-Aryk, a small village where you can learn how to make rugs and hats out of felt. 

Day 3

Almaty Kazakhstan

Wake up in Bishkek and experience the sights and sounds of Osh Bazaar, Bishkek’s largest market filled with local crafts, fruit, rise, grains and brightly coloured Kyrgyz textiles.

Then head off into the mountains with your guide for some light hiking and a chance to take photos of the scenery en route to the airport.

On arrival in Almaty there will be a guide waiting to escort you to your hotel. 

Once settled, you'll visit Ala Archa National Park, which is centered on a steep gorge of the river Ala Archa. The mountains that surround it include more than 20 glaciers and 50 peaks. 

Day 4

Almaty

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting off for a full day of sightseeing.

Visit the Green (Zelyony) Bazaar where you can shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, clothes, jewellery, toys and local chocolates. Visit Panfilov Park, a green oasis in the centre of the city to honour the 28 Kazakh soldiers who died in WWII, and stop by Zenkov cathedral and the Central State Museum.

For a break from the city, you can drive to a traditional Kazakh falcon farm to see the local falconers training their birds of prey. If views are your thing, climb aboard the Kok-Tube cable car, from which there is a fantastic view of Almaty.  
 

Day 5

Tashkent Uzbekistan

This morning you'll be met at the hotel lobby and escorted to the airport.

Depending on your flight time, you'll have time to further explore Almaty or venture into Tashkent.

Day 6

Tashkent Uzbekistan

Tashkent is Uzbekistan’s oldest city, however due to a huge earthquake in 1966 a lot of the city has been rebuilt. Today it's a jumble of tree-lined boulevards, oversized 20th century Soviet buildings and reconstructed traces of the old city.

Today your guide will show you some of the highlights including Khast Imam Square, the Chorosu Bazaar, Kukeldeash Madrassah, the artwork of the Metro, Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and the Museum of Applied Arts. 

Day 7

Urgench Khiva

On arrival to Urgench, you'll be met at the airport and driven to nearby Khiva.

Day 8

Khiva

Today you'll explore the incredible city of Khiva with your private guide.

Be amazed by the beautiful architecture of Khiva from the Tash-Hauli Palace; Kalta Minor Minaret with its brilliant blue majolica tiles; the partially underground Juma Mosque with its forest of wooden carved columns; and the Islam Khoja Madrassah complex and its towering minaret and the mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud.

Day 9

Bukhara

After breakfast you'll be driven to Bukhara, across the majestic Kyzyl Kum Desert, to Bukhara.

An oasis in the desert, the ancient city of Bukhara is bursting with historical sites including the Kalon Assembly, the Zindan Prison and the Ark Citadel.

Day 10

Bukhara

Spend the day exploring the city with your local guide.

Highlights will include Lyabi-Hauz ensemble, Kukeldash Madrassah, Magoki Attori Mosque, Samani Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, and the bazaar Trade Domes of Bukhara.

Day 11

Samarkand

Enjoy the morning at Bukhara before your train journey to Samarkand.

On arrival at Samarkand settle in to your hotel room, before you go out to see the infamous sites of the city, including Emir’s Summer Palace, Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum and the blue-topped minarets of Chor Minor.

Day 12

Samarkand

Spend the day further exploring the city with your guide.

Highlights include the impressive Ulug Bek Observatory; beautifully designed Shah-i-Zinda Complex of tombs and mausoleums; the Bibi Khanum Mosque; the oriental agricultural market Siab Bazaar; the Afrosiab History Museum; and a paper making workshop.

Day 13

Penjikent Tajikistan and Dushanbe

After breakfast you'll transfer with your guide to nearby Tajik border. Here your Tajik guide will meet you, take you on a quick guide of Penjikent, and over the Fan Mountains on to Tajikistan’s Capital of Dushanbe.

Visit sites including Penjikent Excavations and Museum of Archaeology, the central bazaar, the Rudaki Museum, and head out of the city to the Varzob Gorge.

Day 14

Dushanbe

Visit further sites  including the National Museum of Tajikistan, Flagpole Park, Ismail Samani Monument, Museum of Antiquities and Hissar Fortress.

Day 15

Dushanbe

Today you'll be escorted to the airport for your onward flight home.