Bishkek

Arrive in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, and transfer to your hotel to rest and freshen up. In the afternoon, begin a guided city tour in the city centre. Visit Ala-Too Square, with statues of Kurmanzhan Datka, Manas and Lenin, reflecting Russian and Soviet-era influence in the architecture and monuments. Walk through Old Square to see the Parliament House and Fine Art Gallery. End at Victory Square, a moving World War II memorial. A calm introduction to Kyrgyzstan’s history, culture and capital city life.

Meals Included: Dinner

Chon-Kemin Valley

Drive to Burana Tower near Tokmok, a UNESCO-listed Silk Road site, and learn its history with your guide. Enjoy optional horseback riding games, then share a traditional Kyrgyz lunch with a local family for an authentic taste of hospitality. Continue into Chon Kemin Valley and check in at Ashuu Guest House. The afternoon is free for outdoor activities such as horseback riding, swimming, or learning how to set up a traditional yurt with guidance from your tour leader. Overnight in the valley surrounded by mountain scenery.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chon-Kemin Valley

Karkara

Travel to Karkara Valley, a tranquil highland region of alpine meadows, fresh air and wide mountain views. En route, stop in Cholpon Ata to visit the open-air petroglyph museum, where ancient carvings depict hunters, animals and snow leopards, some dating back over 2,000 years. Arrive in Karkara and settle into your yurt glamping camp by the river. Spend the afternoon at leisure: relax in the peaceful setting, explore nearby on foot, or enjoy a sauna under the stars. An easy evening with time to unwind.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Kolsay Lake

Leave Kyrgyzstan and cross the Kegen Border into Kazakhstan, completing border formalities with support from your guide. Continue to Saty Village, gateway to the Kolsay Lakes, often called the “Pearls of the Tien Shan.” Spend the day hiking and enjoying nature walks around the lakes, where clear blue water mirrors fir forests and surrounding mountains. Take a picnic lunch by the shore and enjoy the quiet alpine atmosphere. This is a rewarding day for travellers who value scenic views, trekking, and pristine landscapes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Almaty

Drive to Charyn Canyon, one of Kazakhstan’s most striking natural wonders, known for dramatic cliffs and colourful rock formations. Walk through the canyon’s scenic sections and take time for photographs and viewpoints. Continue to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, for a guided city tour. Visit Republic Square, Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral), the Monument of Independence, and enjoy the city’s green parks and tree-lined avenues. End at Green Bazaar for fresh produce, spices and handcrafted goods, ideal for souvenir shopping and local crafts.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotel Options:

Kazzhol park Hotel

WHY WE LOVE THIS HOTEL

Kazzhol Park Hotel is a modern city hotel in central Almaty, close to cafes, shops and business districts. It works well as a practical base for sightseeing or meetings in Kazakhstan’s main hub.

Rooms are contemporary and comfortable, with Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and well-equipped bathrooms providing straightforward hotel-standard comfort.

Guests can make use of an on-site restaurant and bar, plus fitness facilities, before heading out to explore Almaty’s parks, museums and the nearby mountains for day trips.
 

Almaty

Dushanbe

Begin in Almaty at the Central State Historical Museum, offering insight into Kazakhstan’s culture and history. Afterwards, take a short flight to Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan. On arrival, meet your Tajik guide and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed walk along leafy boulevards and through Rudaki Park, a key cultural and recreational space. Take in Dushanbe’s distinctive mix of Soviet-era architecture and modern developments, setting the scene for Tajikistan’s Silk Road history and contemporary life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dushanbe

Start the day at the Museum of Antiquities, one of Tajikistan’s most important cultural sites, known for its ancient artefacts and the renowned Buddha of Ajina-Tepe. Continue to the Ismail Somoni monument, then visit Mehrgon Bazaar to see local produce and everyday city life. In the afternoon, travel to Hissar Fortress, a significant 16th-century stronghold that once safeguarded Silk Road routes. Explore the old madrassahs nearby and learn how the fortress and surrounding complex shaped Tajikistan’s past. Return to Dushanbe for the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tashkent

Fly to Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, and begin exploring its Islamic heritage and modern identity. Visit the Khast Imam Complex, home to a rare Qur’an manuscript, then continue to Kukeldash Madrasah. Explore Chorsu Bazaar, one of the city’s most colourful markets, filled with spices, fresh produce and opportunities for souvenir shopping. Drive along Tashkent’s wide boulevards and green parks, then see key landmarks such as Independence Square and Amir Temur Square. Visit the Museum of Applied Arts for Uzbek design traditions, and note the main train station, a major hub for onward travel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tashkent

Samarkand

Begin your day in Samarkand, one of the most iconic Silk Road cities and a highlight of Uzbekistan. Visit the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, final resting place of Tamerlane, then continue to Registan Square, a world heritage site famed for its three richly decorated madrasahs. Your guide will explain Samarkand’s role as a centre of civilisation, trade and learning in the Islamic world. Continue to the grand Bibi Khanum Mosque, built to impress visiting caravans and dignitaries. End at Siab Bazaar, where you can sample local sweets, nuts and dried fruits, and experience the city’s lively market culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Samarkand

Continue your Samarkand tour with Shah-i-Zinda, a stunning avenue of mausoleums celebrated for intricate tilework and sacred history. Visit Ulugh Beg’s Observatory, where major astronomical discoveries were made in the 15th century, reflecting Samarkand’s scholarly legacy. Return to Registan Square for a deeper appreciation of its design and decorative detail, then revisit the Bibi Khanum Mosque to explore more of its structure and story. Throughout the day, your guide will highlight the rulers, artisans and thinkers who shaped Samarkand during the middle ages, leaving a remarkable architectural and cultural inheritance.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bukhara

Travel towards Bukhara with an enroute visit to Shakhrisabz, the hometown of Tamerlane and an important Silk Road stop. Explore the ruins of Ak-Saray Palace, once a vast royal complex intended to showcase imperial power. Visit Kuk Gumbaz Mosque and the Mausoleum of Jahangir, then browse the local market for regional produce and crafts. You will also see the unoccupied tomb built in honour of Tamerlane. Later, continue to Bukhara, one of the magnificent cities of Central Asia, and check in for the night, ready for tomorrow’s guided exploration.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Bukhara

Bukhara

Discover Bukhara, renowned for preserved cultural sites and Islamic architecture that reflect centuries of Silk Road wealth. Begin at the Kalon Minaret, one of the city’s most striking landmarks, then walk to Lyabi Hauz, a tranquil courtyard framed by historic madrasahs. Visit Chor Minor, an unusual four-domed structure with a distinctive silhouette, and the Ismail Somoni Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic brickwork. Continue to The Ark, Bukhara’s ancient fortress and key archaeological site, once home to rulers, courts and administrative life. The day offers a rich, walkable introduction to the city’s layered history.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Khiva

Travel across the deserts of Central Asia, following historic Silk Road routes through vast arid landscapes. Today’s journey evokes the scale of the region, shaped by deserts such as the Kyzylkum, and influenced by the wider desert belt that defines much of Central Asia’s remoteness and beauty. Arrive in Khiva in the late afternoon and check into your hotel. As the light softens, take a short evening walk around Ichan Kala, Khiva’s old town. The golden sunset glow on tiled domes, mudbrick walls and narrow lanes creates an atmospheric first encounter with this remarkable desert city.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Khiva

Take a guided walking tour of Ichan Kala, the UNESCO listed old town and ancient city of Khiva, famed for exceptionally well-preserved architecture. Visit Kalta Minor Minaret and admire towering structures such as the Islam Khoja Minaret, showcasing the craftsmanship and grandeur of Central Asian Islamic design. Explore Tash Khauli Palace, known for elegant courtyards, carved wooden columns and richly patterned interiors. Continue past madrasahs, mosques and caravanserais that reflect Khiva’s role as a trading city on the Silk Road. The compact layout makes for an immersive day on foot, with photogenic viewpoints at every turn.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Khiva

Ashgabat

Cross into Turkmenistan at the Shavat border, completing border crossing procedures and border formalities with assistance from your guide. Continue to Dashoguz for visits to the Juma Mosque and the local bazaar, offering a glimpse into everyday life and regional commerce. Depending on timing, explore a private art gallery to learn about Turkmen creative traditions and contemporary expression. In the evening, take a flight to Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan, noted for white marble buildings and grand avenues. Enjoy a traditional dinner and settle into your hotel, ready to explore one of Central Asia’s most distinctive capitals.

Ashgabat

Explore Ashgabat and its surrounding heritage. Visit Ancient Nissa, a UNESCO world heritage site and ruined city with panoramic views and deep historical significance. Return to the capital to see the Turkmenbashi Mosque Mausoleum and the Arch of Neutrality, then walk through Independence Park. Visit the National Museum for context on Turkmenistan’s history and culture. In the afternoon, meet the famous Akhal-Teke horses, a national symbol, before continuing to the Earthquake Memorial, the Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, and the colourful Gulistan Bazaar. The day blends ancient history, modern monuments and living traditions.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ashgabat

Ashgabat

Your 17-day Central Asia journey comes to an end today. After breakfast, transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your onward flight. Take home lasting memories of Silk Road cities, deserts, mountain landscapes and cultural encounters across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. If you are extending your travels, your guide can assist with onward arrangements and practical advice for independent time in Ashgabat. International flights are not included in the land-only package; please ensure you have confirmed departure details in advance.

Meals Included: Breakfast