Itinerary
- Day 1
Bishkek
You'll arrive in Bishkek and check into your hotel (rooms ready from 14:00). After settling in, a local guide shows you around the capital. You'll walk through Oak Park and head to Central Square Ala-Too, then see the Philharmonic Hall and Victory Square. It's a good introduction to Kyrgyzstan's greenest city and helps you get oriented.
Included Activities
- City tour of Bishkek including Oak Park, Central Square Ala-Too, Philharmonic Hall, and Victory Square
Landmarks Oak Park Central Square Ala-Too Philharmonic Hall Victory Square - Day 2
Bishkek to Chon-Kemin Valley
Heading east from Bishkek, you'll stop at Burana Tower, which is what remains of the ancient city of Balasagun. From there, the route climbs into the mountains toward Chon-Kemin Valley where you'll have lunch at a guesthouse. The afternoon is free to explore the village and local surroundings, or if you're interested, there's an option for horse riding in the hills. Dinner and your overnight stay are at the homestay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Burana Tower
- Explore Chon-Kemin Valley village and local life
Optional Activities
- Short horse-riding tour into surrounding hills
Landmarks Burana Tower Chon-Kemin Valley 
- Day 3
Issyk Kul
Today you drive to Issyk Kul, sitting at 1600m/5249ft altitude and surrounded by the Tien Shan Mountains. It's the second largest mountain lake globally after Titicaca, and the water is slightly saline. Your yurt camp is positioned right nearby. In the afternoon, there's an optional chance to watch a traditional eagle hunting show if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Issyk Kul lake
Optional Activities
- Traditional eagle hunting show
Landmarks Issyk Kul Tien Shan Mountains 
- Day 4
Issyk Kul to Karakol
Continuing east along Issyk Kul's southern shore toward Karakol, you'll pass dramatic mountain scenery. There's a stop in Jety Oguz valley to see red rock formations called 'Seven Bulls' and 'The Broken Heart.' Later you reach Skazka Canyon with its unusual red sandstone shapes. In Karakol, you'll see the Dungan Mosque (built 1904 without metal nails), a wooden Russian Orthodox Church from 1869, and other historic sites. Overnight is in a guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Jety Oguz valley and red rock formations
- Visit Skazka Canyon
- City tour of Karakol including Dungan Mosque, Russian Orthodox Church, and other sites
Landmarks Jety Oguz Valley Skazka Canyon Dungan Mosque Russian Orthodox Church 
- Day 5
Karakol to Almaty
The route crosses mountains heading into Kazakhstan toward Almaty, the former capital. The road is long and rough in sections, but partway through you'll stop at Charyn Canyon. It's often compared to the Grand Canyon though it's smaller, stretching 80-90 kilometers total. You'll arrive in Almaty late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Charyn Canyon
Landmarks Charyn Canyon 
- Day 6
Almaty
Exploring Almaty, you'll notice the wide tree-lined roads with the Zailisky Ala-Too mountains visible in the background. First stop is Panfilov Park to see Zenkov Cathedral, an impressive wooden structure from 1904 without metal nails and one of the world's tallest wooden buildings. You'll also see the Soviet Glory Memorial. The Museum of Musical Instruments is nearby if you want to visit during free time. In the afternoon, a drive up to Medeo ice skating rink offers optional cable car access to Shymbulak skiing area for views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Panfilov Park
- Visit Zenkov Cathedral
- View Soviet Glory Memorial
- Visit Medeo ice skating rink
Optional Activities
- Museum of Musical Instruments
- Cable car ride to Shymbulak skiing area
Landmarks Panfilov Park Zenkov Cathedral Soviet Glory Memorial Museum of Musical Instruments Medeo Shymbulak - Day 7
Almaty to Dushanbe
After breakfast, you'll head to Almaty Airport for an Air Astana flight to Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital. Originally a small village known for its Monday market (Dushanbe means 'Monday' in Persian), it grew into an industrial center during Soviet times. You'll meet your Tajik guide, check into your hotel, then take a short city tour seeing the Ismail Samani Statue and Rudaki Park, named after the great 9th-century Persian poet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Short sightseeing tour of Dushanbe including Ismail Samani Statue and Rudaki Park
Landmarks Ismail Samani Statue Rudaki Park - Day 8
Dushanbe to Penjikent
After early breakfast, you drive to Iskanderkul Lake, named after Alexander the Great. This triangular lake sits in the Fann Mountains at 2200m/7218ft altitude and is considered one of the region's finest. The route offers rugged mountain views. There's a short hike to a nearby waterfall known locally as the Niagara Falls of the Fan Mountains. Later you'll drive another four hours to reach Penjikent.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Iskanderkul Lake
- Short hike to nearby waterfall
Landmarks Iskanderkul Lake Fann Mountains 
- Day 9
Seven Lakes Excursion
A bumpy ride takes you into the Fan Mountains to see the 'Seven Lakes' area near Penjikent. Poor road conditions make this a full-day trip despite the valley not being far away. From the sixth lake, there's an easy two-hour hike (round trip) to the seventh and highest lake, Hazorchashma. You return to Penjikent for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Seven Lakes area in Fan Mountains
- Hike to Hazorchashma lake
Landmarks Seven Lakes Hazorchashma Lake - Day 10
Penjikent to Khujand
Driving north from Penjikent through Istarafshan, you'll cross the scenic Shahriston Pass. In Istarafshan, founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC and marking its 2500th anniversary, you'll visit workshops near the market entrance where master blacksmiths craft hand-made knives. After that it's another 1.5 hours to Khujand, Tajikistan's second largest city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit blacksmith workshops in Istarafshan
- Cross Shahriston Pass
Landmarks Shahriston Pass Istarafshan 
- Day 11
Khujand
In Khujand, situated in the Fergana Valley on the Syr Darya river, you'll explore this ancient city with roots tracing back to Cyrus the Great and Alexander the Great. Stops include Tajikistan's biggest market, Panjshanbe Bazaar, and the adjacent Maslihaddin Mosque. You'll also tour the Museum of Khujand and see the impressive Arbob Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Panjshanbe Bazaar
- Visit Maslihaddin Mosque
- Visit Museum of Khujand
- Visit Arbob Palace
Landmarks Panjshanbe Bazaar Maslihaddin Mosque Museum of Khujand Arbob Palace - Day 12
Khujand to Tashkent
You drive to the Oybek border point between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan at the Khujand-Tashkent crossing. Meeting your Uzbek driver, you'll transfer by bus for a 2-hour drive to Tashkent, Central Asia's largest city and Uzbekistan's capital. City exploration includes the Old City's Khast Imam Complex with its ancient holy Quran of Caliph Osman, the bustling Chor-Su Bazaar, and a ride on the Soviet-era metro system with ornately decorated stations. You'll exit at Amir Temur Square Station to see the statue of the great conqueror and the grand Independence Square. The tour finishes at the Applied Arts Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Khast Imam Complex
- Visit Chor-Su Bazaar
- Ride Tashkent metro system
- View Amir Temur Square and statue
- View Independence Square
- Visit Applied Arts Museum
Landmarks Khast Imam Complex Chor-Su Bazaar Tashkent Metro Amir Temur Square Independence Square Applied Arts Museum - Day 13
Tashkent to Samarkand
After early breakfast, you transfer to the railway station for the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand, a two-hour journey. Beginning your exploration of this former Timurid Empire capital, you start with Siyob Bazaar and the impressive Bibi Khanum Mosque. The main focus is Registan Square with its three beautiful madrassas: Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori. The day ends at Gur-Emir mausoleum where Timur is buried.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Siyob Bazaar
- Visit Bibi Khanum Mosque
- Visit Registan Square
- Visit Ulugbek Madrassa
- Visit Sherdor Madrassa
- Visit Tillya Kori Madrassa
- Visit Gur-Emir mausoleum
Landmarks Siyob Bazaar Bibi Khanum Mosque Registan Square Ulugbek Madrassa Sherdor Madrassa Tillya Kori Madrassa Gur-Emir Mausoleum 
- Day 14
Samarkand
Starting in the village of Koni Ghil, you'll observe traditional mulberry paper-making techniques. Back in the city, you visit Ulugbek's observatory, which was once Central Asia's largest research center. Ulugbek's solar system observations were decades ahead of Western science. Next is Shah-i-Zinda, a necropolis where Timur's family members are buried. The afternoon includes Afrasiyab Museum. Later you take the high-speed train to Bukhara, arriving after 1.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit village of Koni Ghil for traditional Samarkand paper-making demonstration
- Visit Ulugbek's observatory
- Visit Shah-i-Zinda necropolis
- Visit Afrasiyab Museum
Landmarks Koni Ghil Ulugbek's Observatory Shah-i-Zinda Afrasiyab Museum 
- Day 15
Bukhara
Exploring Bukhara, a city whose name evokes the exotic Orient, you'll see centuries of history as an important trading and academic center. The well-preserved Old Town is packed with minarets, mosques, and madrassas showcasing Islamic architecture. Lyabi-Hauz is the heart of the city with its historic pools, canals, and mulberry tree shade. You'll walk through the Kalon Complex, Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chiobs Mausoleum with its spring, the local market, Museum of the Samanids, and the Synagogue.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bukhara Old Town
- Visit Kalon Complex
- Visit Ark Fortress
- Visit Bolo Hauz Mosque
- Visit Chiobs Mausoleum
- Visit local market
- Visit Museum of the Samanids
- Visit Synagogue
- Visit Lyabi-Hauz
Landmarks Kalon Complex Ark Fortress Bolo Hauz Mosque Chiobs Mausoleum Museum of the Samanids Bukhara Synagogue Lyabi-Hauz 
- Day 16
Bukhara to Khiva
A long drive takes you through the Kyzylkum desert, the 15th largest desert globally. Its name means 'Red Sand' in Turkic languages. The journey is arduous, but you'll reach Khiva by evening where the reward of this historic city awaits.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Kyzylkum desert
Landmarks Kyzylkum Desert 
- Day 17
Khiva
After breakfast, a walking tour of Khiva shows you its many historical sites. You explore Ichan Kala, the walled inner-city section with more than fifty historic monuments and hundreds of old houses from centuries past. This entire citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you pass through the enormous city gates, you'll see the glistening Islamic beacon, the Kalta-minor Minaret. The guided walk includes an ascent of the Islam Khodja Minaret, Khiva's highest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Ichan Kala
- View Kalta-minor Minaret
- Climb Islam Khodja Minaret
- Guided tour of historic sites
Landmarks Ichan Kala Kalta-minor Minaret Islam Khodja Minaret 
- Day 18
Khiva to Darvaza, Turkmenistan
Heading to the Turkmenistan border at Shavat-Dashoguz (60km, 1 hour away), you'll arrive at 9:00 AM when it opens. Border formalities at both checkpoints involve crossing a 1.5km neutral zone by minibus (small fee). With your invitation letter, you'll obtain your Turkmenistan visa on arrival (80-140 USD depending on nationality, paid in cash with bills in good condition). Meeting your Turkmen guide and driver, you drive to Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum desert (270km, 4-5 hours). A fire-cooked dinner happens near the burning crater, and you overnight in a yurt camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Fire-cooked meal near the burning gas crater)
Included Activities
- Border crossing at Shavat-Dashoguz
- Visit Darvaza gas crater
- Fire-cooked dinner near gas crater
Landmarks Darvaza Gas Crater Karakum Desert 
- Day 19
Darvaza to Ashgabat
Driving to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, you'll check into your hotel and rest. A short sightseeing tour (3-4 hours) shows you a city transformed by 25 years of 'Marble Architecture' expansion. You'll see the National Museum of History, Arch of Neutrality, and newly built Independence Park. There's an optional dinner at Terrace restaurant with nice views of Independence Park and the surrounding area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Short sightseeing tour of Ashgabat
- Visit National Museum of History
- View Arch of Neutrality
- Visit Independence Park
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Terrace restaurant with views of Independence Park
Landmarks National Museum of History Arch of Neutrality Independence Park 
- Day 20
Ashgabat
This is another full day. After breakfast, you drive to Old Nisa fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the earliest Parthian Empire capital. Sitting on an irregular pentagon hill at the Kopet-Dag Mountains' foot, this 14-hectare site has two semi-excavated Parthian complexes (III century BC-III century AD) designated as royal residence and temple. Next is the Spiritual Mosque, one of Central Asia's biggest mosques. On the return to Ashgabat, you'll stop at National Memorial Complex 'Halk Hakydasy' honoring Second World War and 1948 earthquake victims. Before returning, you visit a farm breeding the famous Turkmen Akhal Teke horses.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Old Nisa fortress
- Visit Spiritual Mosque
- Visit National Memorial Complex Halk Hakydasy
- Visit Turkmen Akhal Teke horse farm
Landmarks Old Nisa Fortress Spiritual Mosque Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex 
- Day 21
Departure from Ashgabat
You transfer to Ashgabat International Airport and depart.
