Itinerary
- Day 1
Almaty
You'll arrive in Almaty early and head to your hotel for some rest. Later in the morning, check out Green Bazaar with its colorful stalls and local energy, then walk through Panfilov Park to see Zenkov Cathedral with its distinctive wooden architecture. The cableway takes you up to Kok-Tobe Hill where the city spreads out below you. From there, drive further into the mountains to visit Medeo skating rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort at 3,200 meters/10,500 feet, where you'll get alpine views in all directions. Head back to your hotel by evening.
- Start point
- Almaty, Kazakhstan (International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Green Bazaar
- Stroll through Panfilov Park
- Visit Zenkov Cathedral
- View Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame
- Ride cableway to Kok-Tobe Hill
- Visit Medeo skating rink
- Cable car ascent to Shymbulak Ski Resort
Landmarks Green Bazaar Panfilov Park Zenkov Cathedral Kok-Tobe Hill Medeo Shymbulak Ski Resort 
- Day 2
Almaty to Kolsay Lakes
After breakfast, you'll drive east toward Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon. Walk through the Valley of Castles where sandstone cliffs have been shaped into fortress-like formations. The hike down takes about 40 minutes and brings you to the Charyn River, surrounded by vivid red and orange walls perfect for photos. Grab lunch at a local café, then drive to Kolsay Lakes in the northern Tien Shan mountains. You'll arrive in the late afternoon, check into a guesthouse, and have a home-style dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Cozy café near Charyn Canyon), Dinner (Home-style dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles
- Walk to Charyn River
- Lunch at café near canyon
- Travel to Kolsay Lakes
Landmarks Charyn Canyon Kolsay Lakes 
- Day 3
Kolsay Lakes to Karakol
After breakfast, head to Kaindy Lake, created after a 1911 earthquake when a landslide formed a natural dam and flooded a spruce forest. Tree trunks still rise from the turquoise water, creating an unusual landscape. You can walk down the slope for views or take an optional horseback ride. Stop at a village home for homemade lunch on the way back. In the afternoon, drive to the Kegen border and cross into Kyrgyzstan, completing formalities, then continue to Karakol, a town at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty homemade lunch at village home)
Included Activities
- Visit Kaindy Lake
- Walk to lake viewpoint
- Lunch at village home
Optional Activities
- Horseback riding to Kaindy Lake (arranged by locals)
Landmarks Kaindy Lake Kegen Border 
- Day 4
Karakol
Start your morning exploring Karakol's cultural sites. See the colorful Dungan Mosque built entirely of wood without a single nail, then visit the wooden Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Stop by the museum of Nikolay Przhevalsky, the Russian explorer who mapped much of Central Asia. Later, drive into the mountains to Jety-Oguz Gorge, called 'Seven Bulls,' where dramatic red cliffs rise above spruce forests. The contrast between red sandstone and dark green woods is striking. You'll return to Karakol for hotel check-in and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dungan Mosque
- Visit Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
- Visit Nikolay Przhevalsky Museum
- Explore Jety-Oguz Gorge
- View 'Seven Bulls' rock formations
- View 'Broken Heart' rock formation
Landmarks Dungan Mosque Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Nikolay Przhevalsky Museum Jety-Oguz Gorge - Day 5
Karakol to Kochkor
After breakfast, follow the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul toward Skazka Canyon. Red and yellow clay formations have been sculpted by wind and water into towers, castles, and ridges that resemble the Great Wall of China. A short walk here feels like stepping into another world. Continue to Bokonbaevo village to meet local eagle hunters and watch a traditional falconry demonstration. Lunch is provided en route. You'll arrive in Kochkor village by evening, a place known for felt handicrafts, for dinner and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Skazka Canyon
- Walk through canyon
- Meet local eagle hunters
- Watch traditional falconry demonstration
- Lunch en route
Landmarks Lake Issyk-Kul Skazka Canyon Bokonbaevo 
- Day 6
Kochkor to Bishkek
This morning you'll join a felt-making master class in Kochkor with skilled artisans demonstrating how colorful shyrdaks are crafted and explaining the symbolism behind their designs. Return to Bishkek in the afternoon. The rest of your day is free to explore Osh Bazaar, where stalls overflow with fragrant spices, dried fruits, textiles, and handicrafts. Walk around and soak in the rhythm of local life, and pick up souvenirs if something catches your eye.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Felt-making master class in Kochkor
- Learn shyrdak (felt carpet) crafting
Optional Activities
- Explore Osh Bazaar
Landmarks Osh Bazaar - Day 7
Bishkek to Tashkent
After breakfast, you'll have a guided tour of Bishkek starting at the Monument to Manas, the legendary hero of Kyrgyz epics. Head to Ala-Too Square to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Visit the State Historical Museum to learn about Kyrgyzstan's history, and see statues reflecting the country's contrasting past. Walk through Oak Park with its sculptures and check out the Fine Arts Gallery. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, go to your hotel, check in, and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Monument to Manas
- Visit Ala-Too Square
- Watch Changing of the Guard
- Visit State Historical Museum
- Walk through Oak Park
- Visit Fine Arts Gallery
Landmarks Monument to Manas Ala-Too Square State Historical Museum Oak Park Fine Arts Gallery 
- Day 8
Tashkent to Samarkand
In Tashkent, you'll find old and new meeting in unexpected ways. Start at Khast-Imam Square, the spiritual heart with ancient madrasahs and mausoleums, then wander through Chorsu Bazaar filled with spice aromas and handicrafts. After lunch, explore Independence Square and Amir Temur Square with their impressive architecture. Don't miss the Tashkent Metro, famous for ornate stations that feel like an underground art gallery. In the evening, take a comfortable train to Samarkand. After you arrive, head to your hotel to rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Khast-Imam Square
- Explore Chorsu Bazaar
- Visit Independence Square
- Visit Amir Temur Square
- Explore Tashkent Metro
Landmarks Khast-Imam Square Chorsu Bazaar Independence Square Amir Temur Square Tashkent Metro 
- Day 9
Samarkand
Samarkand is one of the most dazzling cities on the Silk Road. Begin at Registan Square with its three grand madrasahs: Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Qori, each masterpieces of Islamic architecture. Continue to the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum with its turquoise dome, resting place of Tamerlane and his dynasty. After lunch, visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once one of the largest in the Islamic world, and walk through Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis where vibrant blue-tiled mausoleums line a medieval street. End the day at the Ulugbek Observatory. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Registan Square
- Visit Ulugbek Madrasah
- Visit Sher-Dor Madrasah
- Visit Tilla-Qori Madrasah
- Visit Gur-e Amir Mausoleum
- Visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Visit Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis
- Visit Ulugbek Observatory
Landmarks Registan Square Ulugbek Madrasah Sher-Dor Madrasah Tilla-Qori Madrasah Gur-e Amir Mausoleum Bibi-Khanym Mosque Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis Ulugbek Observatory 
- Day 10
Samarkand to Bukhara
After breakfast, depart for Bukhara across the Kyzylkum plains, once the route of ancient caravans. Upon arrival, step into the old town where centuries of history linger in every brick and dome. Begin with the Po-i-Kalyan Complex and its elegant minaret that once guided travelers by torchlight. Visit the Miri-Arab Madrasa, Magoki-Attori Mosque, and Ulugbek Madrasa, each with its own story of faith and learning. The day concludes at Lyabi-Hauz Square, where mulberry trees shade the reflecting pool and local life unfolds around you. Check into your hotel and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Po-i-Kalyan Complex
- Visit Miri-Arab Madrasa
- Visit Magoki-Attori Mosque
- Visit Ulugbek Madrasa
- Visit Lyabi-Hauz Square
Landmarks Po-i-Kalyan Complex Miri-Arab Madrasa Magoki-Attori Mosque Ulugbek Madrasa Lyabi-Hauz Square 
- Day 11
Bukhara
After breakfast, continue exploring Bukhara. Start with the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. Wander through the bustling local bazaar, then visit the Bolo-Khauz Mosque and the Ark Citadel with its old Zindan prison. In the afternoon, head beyond the city to the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, the last emir's lavish summer residence, and the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi, one of Central Asia's most sacred pilgrimage sites. In the evening, you'll be welcomed into a traditional Uzbek home for a plov master class, learning to prepare Uzbekistan's beloved dish before sharing a homemade dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Plov master class and homemade dinner in traditional Uzbek home)
Included Activities
- Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum
- Explore local bazaar
- Visit Bolo-Khauz Mosque
- Visit Ark Citadel
- Visit Zindan prison
- Visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace
- Visit Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi
- Plov master class in traditional Uzbek home
Landmarks Ismail Samani Mausoleum Chashma Ayub Mausoleum Bolo-Khauz Mosque Ark Citadel Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi 
- Day 12
Bukhara to Khiva
After breakfast, set off on a long but scenic journey across the Kyzyl-Kum Desert and along the mighty Amudarya River. This vast landscape of golden sands and rippling dunes gives you a real sense of the Silk Road's reach. Stop for lunch en route and continue driving to Khiva, a perfectly preserved medieval city that feels like an open-air museum. Once you arrive, you'll have leisure time to wander its narrow streets, visit traditional workshops, and browse local shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel across Kyzyl-Kum Desert
- Lunch stop en route
- Leisure time in Khiva
Optional Activities
- Explore traditional workshops in Khiva
- Browse local souvenir shops in Khiva
Landmarks Kyzyl-Kum Desert Amudarya River Khiva 
- Day 13
Khiva to Tashkent
After breakfast, explore Ichan-Kala, the walled inner city of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mudbrick walls, minarets, and madrasahs create one of Central Asia's most atmospheric cities. See the Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Kunya-Ark Fortress, and the tall Islam Hajji Minaret. After lunch, visit the ornate Tash Khauli Palace, the Juma Mosque with its 200 carved wooden columns, the Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, and the Avesta Museum. In the evening, transfer to Urgench for your flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, go to your hotel, check in, and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Ichan-Kala
- Visit Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum
- Visit Kunya-Ark Fortress
- Visit Islam Hajji Minaret
- Visit Tash Khauli Palace
- Visit Juma Mosque
- Visit Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah
- Visit Avesta Museum
Landmarks Ichan-Kala Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum Kunya-Ark Fortress Islam Hajji Minaret Tash Khauli Palace Juma Mosque Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah Avesta Museum - Day 14
Tashkent
Early morning transfer to the airport for your international flight. Depending on your departure time, breakfast or a lunch box will be provided before you head out.
- End point
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan (International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
