Itinerary
- Day 1
Almaty
You'll arrive in Almaty early morning and head to your hotel for some rest. Later in the day, start exploring Kazakhstan's largest city by checking out the colorful Green Bazaar, then walk through Panfilov Park to see the striking wooden Zenkov Cathedral. Head up to Kok-Tobe Hill for sweeping views across the city, then ride the cableway back down. From there, you'll drive into the mountains to visit Medeo skating rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort at 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) where alpine views stretch out in all directions before returning to the hotel.
- Start point
- Almaty, Kazakhstan (International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Green Bazaar
- Stroll through Panfilov Park
- Visit Zenkov Cathedral
- Visit Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame
- Ride cableway up Kok-Tobe Hill
- Visit Kok-Tobe TV tower
- Descend by famous cableway
- Visit Medeo skating rink
- Ascend by cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort
Landmarks Green Bazaar Panfilov Park Zenkov Cathedral Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame Kok-Tobe Hill Medeo skating rink Shymbulak Ski Resort Tien Shan mountains - Day 2
Almaty to Charyn Canyon - Kolsay Lakes
After breakfast, you'll travel eastward 440 km toward Charyn Canyon, sometimes called the 'little brother' of the Grand Canyon. Walk through the Valley of Castles where wind and rain have carved sandstone into fortress-like shapes, then hike about 40 minutes down into the canyon to reach the Charyn River surrounded by vivid red and orange walls. Stop for lunch at a café near the canyon, then continue to the pristine Kolsay Lakes in the northern Tien Shan mountains. You'll arrive in the late afternoon, check into your guesthouse, and have a home-style dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served at a cozy café near the canyon), Dinner (Home-style dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon
- Walk to Charyn River
- Lunch at café near canyon
Landmarks Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles Charyn River Kolsay Lakes 
- Day 3
Kolsay Lakes - Kaindy - Karakol
After breakfast, head to Kaindy Lake, a mystical place formed after a 1911 earthquake when a landslide created a natural dam that flooded a spruce forest and ghostly tree trunks still rise from the turquoise water. Walk down to the lake for striking views or ride horseback if you'd like (optional, arranged locally). Stop at a village home for hearty homemade lunch, then continue to the Kegen border crossing into Kyrgyzstan. After completing formalities, you'll drive to Karakol, a charming 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 Kaindy Lake
- Lunch at village home
Optional Activities
- Horseback ride to Kaindy Lake (arranged by locals)
Landmarks Kaindy Lake Kegen border crossing 
- Day 4
Karakol
Start discovering Karakol's cultural sites with the colorful Dungan Mosque, built entirely of wood without a single nail, then visit the wooden Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. You'll explore the museum of Nikolay Przhevalsky, the Russian explorer who mapped much of Central Asia. Later, drive into the mountains to the famous Jety-Oguz Gorge where dramatic red cliffs rise above lush spruce forests. See the striking rock formations known as the 'Seven Bulls' and 'Broken Heart' before heading back to Karakol for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dungan Mosque
- Visit Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
- Visit Nikolay Przhevalsky museum
- Visit Jety-Oguz Gorge
- View Seven Bulls rock formation
- 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 Skazka Canyon - Kochkor
After breakfast, follow the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul toward the Skazka (Fairytale) Canyon where red and yellow clay has been sculpted by wind and water into towers, castles, and ridges over millions of years. Take a short walk through this otherworldly landscape. Continue to Bokonbaevo village to meet local eagle hunters and watch a traditional falconry demonstration, an ancient practice passed down for generations. You'll have lunch on the way, then reach Kochkor village, famous for its felt handicrafts and warm welcomes, where you'll have dinner and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Arranged on the way), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Skazka Canyon
- Walk in Skazka Canyon
- Watch falconry demonstration at Bokonbaevo village
- Meet local eagle hunters
- Lunch en route
Landmarks Lake Issyk-Kul Skazka Canyon Bokonbaevo village 
- Day 6
Kochkor to Bishkek
You'll start with a felt-making master class in Kochkor where skilled artisans show how colorful shyrdaks (felt carpets) are crafted and explain the symbolism behind their intricate designs. Then return to Bishkek, arriving in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore the lively Osh Bazaar where stalls overflow with fragrant spices, dried fruits, textiles, and handicrafts, a great place to experience local life and pick up souvenirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Felt-making master class in Kochkor
Optional Activities
- Explore Osh Bazaar
Landmarks Osh Bazaar 
- Day 7
Bishkek to Tashkent
After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Bishkek starting at the Monument to Manas, the legendary hero of Kyrgyz epics, then head to Ala-Too Square to watch the Changing of the Guard. Visit the State Historical Museum to trace Kyrgyzstan's story while viewing statues of Kurmanjan-Datka and Lenin. Stroll through leafy Oak Park dotted with sculptures and the Fine Arts Gallery. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel, check in, and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Monument to Manas
- Watch Changing of the Guard at Ala-Too Square
- 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
Discover Uzbekistan's bustling capital where old and new meet in surprising ways. Start at Khast-Imam Square, the spiritual heart with ancient madrasahs and mausoleums, then wander through the colorful Chorsu Bazaar alive with aromas of spices, fresh produce, and handicrafts. After lunch, explore Independence Square and Amir Temur Square with their impressive architecture. A real highlight is the Tashkent Metro, famous for its ornate stations that feel like an underground art gallery as you move from platform to platform.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Khast-Imam Square
- Visit 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
Tashkent to Khujand
After breakfast, drive toward the Uzbek-Tajik border at Oybek, complete border formalities, and continue to Khujand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Upon arrival, take a city tour walking through bustling Panjshanbe Bazaar, visiting the historical Museum of Khujand, and seeing the city's fortress walls. The mix of ancient history and modern Tajik life gives you a strong introduction to the country.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Panjshanbe Bazaar
- Visit Museum of Khujand
- View fortress walls
Landmarks Oybek border crossing Panjshanbe Bazaar Museum of Khujand - Day 10
Khujand to Istaravshan - Penjikent
After breakfast, leave Khujand and head toward Istaravshan, a city with more than 2,500 years of history and once an important stop along the Great Silk Road. Explore its bustling bazaars and historic sites, including Kuk-Gumbaz Mosque and colorful caravanserai-style markets where traditional craftsmanship is still alive. Continue through dramatic mountain landscapes to Penjikent, often called the 'Pompeii of Central Asia' for its fascinating ruins of ancient Sogdian settlements. You'll settle into your hotel with time to rest before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Istaravshan
- Explore Istaravshan bazaars
- Visit Kuk-Gumbaz Mosque
- Explore caravanserai-style markets
- Visit Penjikent ruins
Landmarks Istaravshan Kuk-Gumbaz Mosque Penjikent - Day 11
Penjikent - Seven Lakes - Samarkand
After breakfast, explore Penjikent's surroundings starting with the Sarazm ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back more than 5,500 years and one of the earliest settlements in Central Asia. Visit the Rudaki Museum dedicated to the great Persian poet, then wander through the lively local bazaar. Later, journey into the Fan Mountains to discover the Seven Lakes of Marguzor, each with its own character and color from deep sapphire to shimmering turquoise. You'll visit six of them with traditional lunch at a local family home and short walks along the lakeshores. Return to Penjikent, proceed to the Jartepa border crossing into Uzbekistan, and continue to Samarkand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch at a local family home near the fourth lake)
Included Activities
- Visit Sarazm ruins
- Visit Rudaki Museum
- Visit local bazaar in Penjikent
- Visit Seven Lakes of Marguzor
- Walk along lakeshores
- Lunch at local family home near fourth lake
Landmarks Sarazm Rudaki Museum Seven Lakes of Marguzor Fan Mountains Jartepa border crossing 
- Day 12
Samarkand
After breakfast, discover the treasures of Samarkand, one of the most dazzling cities of the Silk Road. Start at the iconic Registan Square, framed by three grand madrasahs (Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Qori), each a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Continue to the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the resting place of Tamerlane with its turquoise dome and richly decorated interiors. After lunch, visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once one of the largest in the Islamic world, and wander through the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis with vibrant blue-tiled mausoleums. End at the Ulugbek Observatory where the great astronomer charted the stars.
- 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 13
Samarkand
Dive deeper into Samarkand's history starting at the Afrosiab Museum and nearby archaeological site, which reveal the ancient roots of the city long before the Timurid era. Visit the tomb of Saint Daniel, a unique pilgrimage site venerated by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. Explore the Khujum carpet factory and a silk paper workshop where age-old crafts are preserved and practiced. Finish with a stroll through the bustling Siab Bazaar, a lively market brimming with spices, dried fruits, nuts, and handicrafts. You'll return to the hotel in the afternoon with evening at leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Afrosiab Museum
- Visit Afrosiab archaeological site
- Visit tomb of Saint Daniel
- Visit Khujum carpet factory
- Visit silk paper workshop
- Stroll through Siab Bazaar
Landmarks Afrosiab Museum Afrosiab archaeological site Tomb of Saint Daniel Khujum carpet factory Siab Bazaar - Day 14
Samarkand to Bukhara
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and take a morning train across the steppe to Bukhara (departure 09:55, arrival 11:38). Begin exploring the Old Town, one of the most atmospheric and best-preserved medieval cities in Central Asia. Start at Lyabi-Hauz Square, a lively plaza shaded by old mulberry trees and surrounded by beautiful madrasas and cozy teahouses. View the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa and Kukeldash Madrasa. Continue through the ancient trading domes (Toqi) where merchants once sold jewelry, silk, and coins, now filled with local crafts and carpets. End the day with a leisurely stroll through narrow lanes, soaking up the atmosphere at sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey from Samarkand to Bukhara
- Visit Lyabi-Hauz Square
- Visit Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa
- Visit Kukeldash Madrasa
- Visit Toki Zargaron trading dome
- Visit Toki Telpak Furushon trading dome
- Visit Toki Sarrafon trading dome
- Stroll through Old Town lanes
Landmarks Lyabi-Hauz Square Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa Kukeldash Madrasa Toki Zargaron Toki Telpak Furushon Toki Sarrafon Bukhara Old Town 
- Day 15
Bukhara
After breakfast, continue discovering Bukhara by visiting the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a true masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum connected to the legend of Prophet Job. Explore the local bazaar full of life, colors, and aromas. Head to the Bolo-Hauz Mosque famous for its elegant wooden pillars reflected in the pool, then enter the mighty Ark Citadel, the former residence of Bukhara's emirs with its old Zindan prison. Finish at the majestic Po-i-Kalyan Complex with its impressive minaret, madrasa, and mosque. In the evening, you'll be welcomed into a traditional local home for an authentic experience with a master class on cooking plov, learning its secrets step by step and sharing a delicious dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic dinner with local family including plov cooking class)
Included Activities
- Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum
- Visit local bazaar
- Visit Bolo-Hauz Mosque
- Visit Ark Citadel
- Visit Zindan prison
- Visit Po-i-Kalyan Complex
- Plov cooking master class at local home
- Dinner with local family
Landmarks Ismail Samani Mausoleum Chashma Ayub Mausoleum Bolo-Hauz Mosque Ark Citadel Zindan prison Po-i-Kalyan Complex 
- Day 16
Bukhara to Khiva
After breakfast, set off on a long but scenic 460 km 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 endurance. Stop for lunch en route and continue driving to Khiva, a perfectly preserved medieval city that feels like an open-air museum. Upon arrival, you'll have leisure time to wander its narrow streets, visit traditional workshops, and browse local souvenir shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Journey across Kyzyl-Kum Desert
- Lunch en route
Optional Activities
- Wander Khiva's narrow streets
- Visit traditional workshops
- Browse local souvenir shops
Landmarks Kyzyl-Kum Desert Amudarya River 
- Day 17
Khiva to Urgench - Tashkent
After breakfast, explore Ichan-Kala, the walled inner city of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its mudbrick walls, minarets, and madrassahs create one of the most atmospheric cities in Central Asia. Highlights include the Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the 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 evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, check in, and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ichan-Kala walled inner city
- 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 18
Tashkent
Have breakfast at the hotel and check out before noon. Transfer to the international airport for your onward flight, taking warm memories and vivid impressions from your journey through Central Asia with you.
- End point
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Tashkent International Airports)
- Meals
- Breakfast
