Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Tours & Trips

I travelled through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan with Steppe Journeys in April 2026, and it became one of the most memorable trips I’ve had so far. I’ve now visited around 35 countries, with these three being my most recent, and Central Asia genuinely exceeded my expectations. What made the journey stand out most was the people. Odil was consistently attentive and responsive, while Muhammad, together with the local guides and drivers, made travelling across three countries feel remarkably seamless. The guides were knowledgeable, warm and genuinely proud to share their countries with us, which gave the trip a much more personal feel. I was also very fortunate with my travelling companion. We started the journey as complete strangers and ended it as friends, which made an already memorable experience even better. For future departures, a simple pre-tour introduction or shared WhatsApp group could be useful—not only for travellers to connect beforehand, but also for guide details, contact numbers and daily updates. A few small refinements could make the experience even better. Some transfers felt earlier than necessary, particularly in Khiva, where we left so early that we missed breakfast, while another group from the same hotel still managed to eat and make the same flight comfortably. There were also unpleasant shower smells at the hotels in Almaty and Issyk-Kul, which may be worth raising with the individual properties. If the itinerary were ever extended, I would also love to see the option of a day trip from Samarkand to the Seven Lakes (Haft Kul) in Tajikistan. I appreciate that this would require an additional day, but it would make an already strong itinerary even more special. One of the most unexpected moments of the trip was somehow ending up being interviewed by local TV in Khiva—definitely not something I expected when I booked the tour, but one of those little moments that made the journey even more memorable. By the end, I was already thinking about coming back. The history, architecture, and landscapes were incredible, but the warmth of the people stayed with me most. A big thank you to Odil, Muhammad, Zaure, Ayana, all the guides and drivers, and the whole Steppe Journeys team for making this journey happen. It’s an experience I’ll remember for a very long time.

Great experience in two very different countries. The nature in Kyrgyzstan combined with the culture and history of Silk Road in Uzbekistan is a great combo.

Excellent local guides, great itinerary, good hotels