Itinerary
- Day 1
Bishkek
You'll arrive in Bishkek and get transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to walk around the city and check out Victory Square, Ala-Too Square, Oak Park, and the History Museum. There's also a traditional Central Asian bazaar to browse through, plus time to wander and find other local spots that catch your interest.
- Start point
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Manas airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Golden Dragon hotel), Hotel
Optional Activities
- City tour of Bishkek including Victory Square, Duboviy Park, Ploshad Ala-Too Square, History Museum, walking tour, National Philharmonic
- Visit to central Asian Bazaar
Landmarks Victory Square Duboviy Park (Oak Park) Ploshad Ala-Too (Ala-Too Square) History Museum National Philharmonic - Day 2
Bishkek to Issyk Kul Lake
After breakfast, you'll head to Issyk Kul Lake with a stop at Burana Tower along the way. Lunch happens at a Kyrgyz family home near Tokmok, then you'll drive through Boom Canyon to see Paleolithic petroglyphs and check out a local museum in Cholpon Ata. You'll check in to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Lunch in Kyrgyz family home near Tokmok)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Three Crowns hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit to Burana Tower
- Lunch in Kyrgyz family home near Tokmok
- Visit petroglyphs of Paleolithic era and local museum in Cholpon Ata
- Drive through Boom Canyon
Landmarks Burana Tower Boom Canyon Cholpon Ata 
- Day 3
Issyk Kul Lake to Bishkek
Following breakfast at the hotel, you're transferring to Grigorevka Gorge to explore the area. There's a lunch break partway through, and then you'll head back to Bishkek for the night. You'll need to sort out your own dinner arrangements.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Golden Dragon hotel), Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit to Grigorevka Gorge
Landmarks Grigorevka Gorge - Day 4
Bishkek to Almaty
This morning you'll take an excursion to Ala Archa National Park. Lunch is at a local restaurant, and in the afternoon you'll transfer to Almaty (240 km from Bishkek) for an overnight stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kazzhol hotel)
Included Activities
- Morning excursion to Ala Archa National Park
Landmarks Ala Archa National Park 
- Day 5
Almaty
After breakfast, sightseeing starts at 9:00 AM. You'll visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Wooden Cathedral, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the National Musical Instruments Museum, Central State Museum, and Green Bazaar. By evening you'll head to the observatory for a panoramic view of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kazzhol hotel)
Included Activities
- Panfilov Park
- Zenkov Wooden Cathedral
- St. Nicholas Cathedral
- National Musical Instruments Museum
- Central State Museum
- Green Bazaar
- Panoramic view at observatory
Landmarks Panfilov Park Zenkov Wooden Cathedral St. Nicholas Cathedral National Musical Instruments Museum Central State Museum Green Bazaar - Day 6
Almaty to Dushanbe
You'll transfer to Almaty airport at 8:00 AM for flight KC 131, departing at 11:05 AM and arriving in Dushanbe at 12:00 PM. After meeting your guide at the airport, you'll explore Dushanbe's museums, monuments, and the historic fortress of Hissar, which sits about 30 km outside the city.
Included Activities
- Flight Almaty to Dushanbe (KC 131, Air Astana, 11:05 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Airport meeting and transfer
- City sightseeing in Dushanbe including Tajikistan United Museum, Museum of Ethnography, Sleeping Buddha, Monument Somoni, Rudaki Park, and Hissar Fortress (30 km outside city)
Landmarks Tajikistan United Museum Museum of Ethnography Sleeping Buddha Monument Somoni Rudaki Park Hissar Fortress - Day 7
Dushanbe to Marguzor Lake - Penjikent
You're driving to Iskandarkul Lake in the Fan Mountains, a region known for mountain climbing with roughly 100 passes and 30 alpine lakes to explore. You'll see the spectacular 38-meter 'Fan Niagara' waterfall, then continue to the Seven Marguzor Lakes via Zarafshon Valley. There's a 3 km hike from the 6th to 7th lake, and you'll finish the day in Penjikent.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Penjikent plaza)
Included Activities
- Drive to Iskandarkul Lake
- Exploration of Fan Mountains
- Drive to Marguzor Lakes via Zarafshon Valley
- Visit seven Marguzor Lakes (Mizhgon, Soya, Husher, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma)
- Hiking from 6th lake Marguzor to 7th lake Hazorchashma (3 km)
Landmarks Iskandarkul Lake Fan Mountains Fan Niagara Waterfall Marguzor Lakes Zarafshon Valley - Day 8
Penjikent - Sarazm
After breakfast, you'll visit the ancient ruins of Panjikent, which was a major settlement from the 1st-6th centuries AD during the Sogdian and Bactrian empires before Arabs destroyed it in the 7th century. You'll explore the museum and stay overnight in Penjikent.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Penjikent plaza)
Included Activities
- Visit ancient ruins of Panjikent (1st-6th centuries AD)
- Visit Rudaki Museum
Landmarks Panjikent Ancient Ruins Rudaki Museum - Day 9
Penjikent to Samarkand
In the morning you'll see the ancient ruins of Sarazm, another significant city from the Sogdian and Bactrian empires that was destroyed by Arabs in the 7th century. After lunch, you're driving 50 km to the Uzbekistan border, crossing over, and arriving in Samarkand for the night.
- Accommodation
- (Minor hotel 3*)
Included Activities
- Visit ancient ruins of Sarazm
Landmarks Sarazm Ancient Ruins 
- Day 10
Samarkand
After breakfast, you'll spend a full day sightseeing starting at 9:00 AM. You're checking out Registan Square with its three 15th-17th century madrasahs, the 14th-century Bibi Hanum Mosque, and Siab Bazaar. You'll also visit Shahi Zinda holy necropolis, Ulugbek's 14th-century observatory, and Gur Emir mausoleum. The day ends at Central Bazaar where you can taste the famous Samarkand bread.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- (Minor hotel 3*)
Included Activities
- Visit Registan Square with 3 madrasahs (15th-17th centuries)
- Visit Bibi Hanum Mosque (14th century)
- Visit Siab Bazaar of Samarkand
- Visit Shahi Zinda complex and holy necropolis of Kusam Ibn Abbas
- Visit Ulugbek's Observatory (14th century)
- Visit Gur Emir mausoleum
- Visit Afrasiyob Museum/Central Bazaar and taste Samarkand bread (Non)
Optional Activities
- Sound and Light show in Samarkand
Landmarks Registan Square Bibi Hanum Mosque Siab Bazaar Shahi Zinda Complex Ulugbek's Observatory Gur Emir Mausoleum Afrasiyob Museum Central Bazaar of Samarkand 
- Day 11
Samarkand to Bukhara
You'll start with breakfast at your hotel before heading to Bukhara by way of Shakhrisabz. Along the route, there are stops at the Ak-Saray and Kok Gumbaz Mosque to walk through and see. Once you arrive in Bukhara, the evening is yours to take a walking tour of the old town center. You'll pass through shops and craft workshops, check out galleries, and stop by local cafés. Spend the night in Bukhara.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel at 0830)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fatima boutique or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Ak-Saray Palace
- Visit Kok Gumbaz Mosque
- Walking tour of Bukhara old town center
Optional Activities
- Folk music show in Bukhara
Landmarks Ak-Saray Palace Kok Gumbaz Mosque Bukhara Old Town Center 
- Day 12
Bukhara
After breakfast, you have a full day of sightseeing to experience Bukhara's role as a major Islamic religious and education center. You'll visit several mosques and madrasahs including the Samanid Dynasty Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, the Ark Fortress, the Kalon Complex, and the Lyabi Khauz complex. Folk shows can be arranged if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fatima boutique or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Samanid's Dynasty Mausoleum
- Visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum
- Visit Bolo-Khauz Mosque
- Visit The Ark Fortress (Citadel)
- Visit Kalon Complex (minaret, mosque, and madrasah)
- Visit Magoki Attori Mosque
- Visit Ulugbek and Abdulaziz Khan madrasahs
- Visit Lyabi Khauz complex
Optional Activities
- Folk and costume show in old madrasah
Landmarks Samanid Dynasty Mausoleum Chashma Ayub Mausoleum Bolo-Khauz Mosque The Ark Fortress Kalon Complex Magoki Attori Mosque Ulugbek Madrasah Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah Lyabi Khauz Complex 
- Day 13
Bukhara
You're spending another full day exploring Bukhara starting at 9:00 AM. You'll visit the Chor Minor memorial (which was a former summer palace of Bukhara Emir), Sitora-Mokhi-Khosa, and the Museum of Decorative Applied Art. In the afternoon, you're driving to Gijduvan to visit a pottery master's house, having some tea, then heading back to Bukhara.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fatima boutique or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Chor Minor memorial (former summer palace)
- Visit Sitora-Mokhi-Khosa
- Visit Museum of Decorative Applied Art
- Visit Abdulla's pottery house in Gijduvan
- Tea with pottery master in Gijduvan
Landmarks Chor Minor Sitora-Mokhi-Khosa Museum of Decorative Applied Art Gijduvan 
- Day 14
Bukhara to Mary
After breakfast, you're departing for the Turkmenistan border at 8:30 AM. You'll go through customs procedures and continue driving to Mary via Turkmenabat, crossing the Floating Bridge along the way. You'll arrive in Mary for an overnight stay at a 4-star hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast)
Included Activities
- Cross the Floating Bridge
Landmarks Floating Bridge - Day 15
Mary to Ashgabat
In the morning, you'll visit the UNESCO-listed Ancient Merv, one of Central Asia's greatest ruins. You'll explore the 9th-century Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala, the Two Askhars, and climb Alexander the Great's Erk Kala. You'll also visit the 12th-century Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum. Later you'll return to Mary to see the History Museum before transferring to the airport for an evening flight to Ashgabat.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Ancient Merv (UNESCO)
- Visit Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala (9th century)
- Visit Two Askhars
- Climb Alexander the Great's Erk Kala
- Visit Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (12th century)
- Visit History Museum of Merv Region
- Flight to Ashgabat
Landmarks Ancient Merv Greater and Lesser Kyz Kala Two Askhars Erk Kala Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum History Museum of Merv Region - Day 16
Ashgabat
You'll explore Ashgabat, known as the 'city of love' and famous for its white marble architecture and grand national monuments. You're visiting the Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch, Ahalteke horse stables, the UNESCO-listed Nissa site (an ancient Parthian city), and the National Museum.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sport hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Ertogrul Gazy Mosque
- Visit Independence Park
- Visit Neutrality Arch
- Visit Ahalteke horse stables
- Visit Nissa (UNESCO)
- Visit National Museum
Landmarks Ertogrul Gazy Mosque Independence Park Neutrality Arch Ahalteke Horse Stables Nissa National Museum - Day 17
Ashgabat to Darvaza
You'll have a leisurely morning before transferring to the Karakum desert. You'll stop at the Erbent desert community along the way, then set up camp for the night and enjoy shish kebab cooked in the open air. The crater is particularly good to see, especially after dark.
- Meals
- Dinner (Shish Kebab cooked in open air in camp near gas crater)
- Accommodation
- Yurt (Yurt )
Included Activities
- Visit Erbent desert community
- Set up camp in Karakum desert
- Shish Kebab dinner in camp
Landmarks Karakum Desert Erbent Desert Community Darvaza Gas Crater 
- Day 18
Darvaza to Khiva
You're driving to Dashoguz and visiting the UNESCO-listed Kunya Urgench along the way. If you're feeling tired, you can skip Kunya Urgench and go straight to Khiva instead. You'll cross into Uzbekistan at the border post, meet your Uzbek guide and driver, then continue to Khiva for an overnight stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Feruzkhan)
Included Activities
- Visit Kunya Urgench (UNESCO) - optional based on energy level
Landmarks Kunya Urgench 
- Day 19
Khiva
You're exploring Khiva, an open-air city museum that developed after the 14th-15th centuries when it became the capital of the Khanate (after Kunya Urgench was destroyed by Mongols). You'll visit mosques, madrasahs, and workshops where you can see traditional wood carving and silk carpet weaving. In the evening, you'll take a late-night flight to Tashkent.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- City tour of Khiva (open-air museum)
- Visit mosques, madrasahs, and workshops
- Observe wood carving crafts
- Observe silk carpet weaving
- Flight to Tashkent
Landmarks Khiva Ichan Kala 
- Day 20
Tashkent
You'll explore Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and historic center of Turkistan during the 17th-19th centuries, sitting at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road. You're visiting the old town with 16th-century madrasahs, the 7th-century Uthman Koran, and the Chorsu bazaar. You'll also discover the modern city's museums, galleries, theatres, shopping districts, and the unique Soviet-era Tashkent Metro.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Tashkent old town exploration
- Visit 16th-century madrasahs
- Visit 7th-century Uthman Koran
- Visit Chorsu bazaar
- Explore Tashkent Metro (Soviet era architectural treasure)
Optional Activities
- Opera and Ballet Theatre in Tashkent
- Museums, galleries, and theatres
- Shopping for souvenirs in modern city
Landmarks Chorsu Bazaar Uthman Koran Tashkent Metro - Day 21
Departure
You'll transfer to the airport for your return flight home. That marks the end of your tour services.
- End point
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Airport of Tashkent)
