3-Week Tour Packages
Insider tips: Recommended 3-week tour itineraries
Compiled by
Melissa3 week travel expert at TourRadar
21 Days in Central Asia, incl. Bishkek and Tashkent
A grand 21-day tour through 5 countries lets you delve into major cultural centers like Samarkand and Bukhara for 2-3 days each. The route covers 20 distinct cities, including overnight desert camping at Darvaza crater. Internal flights between Mary-Ashgabat and Urgench-Tashkent optimize travel time.
- Days 1-3
Kyrgyzstan
Begin your journey in Bishkek. Visit Oak Park and Ala-Too Square in the early morning to beat the heat. "The Osh Bazaar is a must - go in the morning when vendors are setting up for the best atmosphere." Take a 5-hour drive to Issyk Kul Lake on Day 2 and stop at the ancient Burana Tower along the way. In Cholpon-Ata you'll find interesting petroglyphs - wear sturdy shoes since the rock field can be tricky to navigate.
- Days 4-5
Kazakhstan
Head to Almaty in Kazakhstan. Get to the Green Bazaar by 7am to see traders preparing for the day. Visit the wooden Zenkov Cathedral and take in the views from Kok-Tobe. "The National Museum provides crucial context for understanding Central Asian history - allow at least 2 hours here."
- Days 6-8
Tajikistan
Book a morning flight to Dushanbe to avoid common afternoon summer storms. Check out the city's giant flagpole and National Museum. Take a drive north through mountain landscapes to Khujand. "The 7 Lakes area requires careful timing - roads can become impassable after rain."
- Days 9-13
Uzbekistan First Half
Experience Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities starting with Samarkand. Visit Registan Square at sunset when the tiles look their best. Plan 2-3 days for Bukhara's sights. "Stay in the old town near Lyabi-Hauz pool - everything is walkable and the evening atmosphere is magical."
- Days 14-17
Turkmenistan
Discover Turkmenistan's marble city of Ashgabat and the historic ruins of Merv. Set up camp near the Darvaza gas crater. "The 'Door to Hell' is spectacular at night but bring warm clothes - desert temperatures plummet after dark."
- Days 18-21
Uzbekistan Second Half
Return to Uzbekistan to explore Khiva's preserved old city. Fly to Tashkent for your final stop. Take time to see the ornate metro stations. "The Chorsu Bazaar is overwhelming - go with a guide first to get oriented, then return solo to bargain."
21 Days in Vietnam & Cambodia, incl. Hanoi and Siem Reap
A dynamic 21-day schedule balances cultural immersion with beach relaxation. Features 2-3 nights in key spots like Hoi An and Koh Rong Sanloem, overnight train/bus journeys, and efficient travel days maximizing local exploration.
- Days 1-2
Hanoi
Begin in Vietnam's vibrant capital. Walk the Old Quarter's narrow streets early morning before crowds fill the area. "The rickshaw tour through Hanoi's bustling streets was incredible - ask your driver to take you down Train Street for amazing photos." Book a nighttime food tour to sample egg coffee and local street food.
- Days 3-4
Ha Long Bay
Take a 4-hour bus to this natural wonder. "Kayaking through the limestone caves was breathtaking, but book a top deck cabin on the boat - the views at sunrise are worth it." Visit Freedom Island for quiet swimming spots away from other tourists.
- Days 5-6
Ninh Binh
Travel 3 hours south to what locals call "Ha Long Bay on land." Bike through rice fields in the early morning. Take on the Dragon Mountain viewpoint hike before 9 AM and wear good shoes. "The row boat ride through the caves is magical, but sit in the middle of the boat for the best photos."
- Days 7-9
Hoi An
Take an overnight train to this beautiful town. Request bottom bunks for a smoother ride. Try the cooking classes and make your own lanterns. "The morning market tour with our cooking instructor was fascinating - she showed us how to pick the freshest ingredients and taught us secret family recipes."
- Days 10-11
Ho Chi Minh City
Fly south for city exploration. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels early to avoid the heat. Take a day trip to see the Mekong Delta's floating markets.
- Days 12-13
Phnom Penh
Take a 6-hour luxury bus into Cambodia. Visit S21 Prison and the Killing Fields to understand Cambodia's recent history. "Our local guide's personal family stories brought this difficult history to life."
- Days 14-15
Kampot
Relax in this peaceful riverside town. Learn about Cambodia's pepper trade at local plantations. "The sunset river cruise was stunning - bring mosquito repellent."
- Days 16-18
Koh Rong Sanloem
Take a fast boat to this island getaway. Join snorkeling trips to see colorful marine life. "The bioluminescent plankton at night was magical - walk the beach after 9 PM for the best viewing."
- Days 19-21
Siem Reap
Finish your trip at Angkor Wat. Start your sunrise tour at 4:30 AM to avoid crowds. "Hire a guide for the first day to understand the history, then explore smaller temples like Ta Som on your own the second day."
East Coast Highlights - 3 Week | ULTIMATE
Travel through 10 iconic destinations over 21 days, including 2 nights sailing the Whitsundays, 2 nights on Fraser Island, and overnight bus journeys. The schedule mixes thrilling activities with leisure time, featuring 13 nights in hostels and unique stays on boats and islands.
Sydney Australia
388 miByron Bay Australia
45 miSurfers Paradise Australia
44 miBrisbane Australia
108 miRainbow Beach Australia
35 miFraser Island Australia
448 miAirlie Beach Australia
15 miWhitsunday Islands Australia
310 miCairns Australia
98 miGreat Barrier Reef Australia
98 miCairns Australia
21 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
What people love about 3-week tours
Central Asia in Three Weeks --------------------------- The Central Asia Combined Silk Road Tour (21-day trip) had everything. Mountains, deserts, lakes and cities. The historical, cultural and natural. And even the spice of danger (Anzob tunnel, alias the Tunnel of Death). Most of the guides were good and competent, but two were below standard. At short notice Steppe Journeys provided a replacement for one of these without being asked, thankyou. There were three excellent guides - Nurissa (Kirghizstan), Natasha (Turkmenistan) and Bek (Tashkent). Our personal favourite parts of the trip were Bukhara and Khiva. In fact, at almost the end of the tour, we liked Khiva so much when we arrived that we asked to stay an extra night. Steppe Journeys made the arrangements at minimal extra cost, thankyou. The trip was full-on. The travellers on our tour were not in the first bloom of youth and we reluctantly opted to miss two places that would have required a lot of travelling, namely Shakhrisabz and Old Urgench. The itinerary of the Fan mountains and the seven lakes, included a stay in Nofin by the lakes. This was changed to a stay in Gazza far away, which necessitated a long night-time ride over unmade roads. It was too dark to see the village when we arrived. Staying nearer the lakes would have saved a lot of time and uncomfortable travelling. The diversion to Gazza added nothing. One of us is asthmatic. Prior to our holiday we had been assured that we would be helped in obtaining a small oxygen cylinder in Dushanbe for use in case of delays in the Anzob tunnel, which are notorious. When there. the driver and guide were uninterested in helping us, despite our request to them. In the event, our drive through the tunnel was free of blockage and quick, but could have been risky otherwise. We are a couple, and one of us thought that the overnight trip to the Burning Gas Crater in Turkmenistan, across very poor and bumpy roads, was unnecessary. On the other hand, an experience of the desert under different circumstances gave the flavour of so much of the territory of Central Asia, we spent a night in a yurt, and the Crater itself was redolent of a volcano. Let the reader decide. Our main criticism is the arrangements for crossing frontiers. Wonderful Nurissa personally took us across the frontier to the waiting driver in Kazakhstan, but the arrangements at the other frontiers were more hands-off. There were two frontiers where there was a problem, one of which was the responsibility of Steppe Journeys. We recommend that, in future, guides/drivers on both sides of the frontier should be in phone communication with the travellers and with each other, to avoid or at least ameliorate potential difficulties.
Central Asia Combined Silk Road Tour
- Vietnam + Cambodia Intro
Might be good to add the hands bridge and train street in the itinerary?
- East Coast Highlights - 3 Week | ULTIMATE
The three weeks were an incredible and unforgettable experience. Our tour guide, Sam, did an excellent job of ensuring we reached every destination on time. Considering it was his very first tour, everything went remarkably smoothly. Sam consistently went above and beyond to ensure that everyone could still participate in activities despite unforeseen delays, such as with a Greyhound bus. Thanks to his dedication, we were still able to make it to experiences like the scenic flight. The amazing people I met along the way also played a significant role in making this trip so memorable. The itinerary was well-planned for the three weeks, though I felt that four nights in Cairns were slightly excessive. It might have been better to spend an additional night in Byron Bay or Sydney instead. Overall, it was an extraordinary experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. I would happily travel with Ultimate Travel again!
