18-day Central Asia on Silk Road Tour18 Days | Private | Spring, autumn | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan

Day 1: Almaty – Arrival

 

Arrive in Almaty. You will be met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty

 

After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start the sightseeing tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and Museum of National Musical Instruments (closed on Mondays). In the afternoon a short drive (25 km) will take you to Chimbulak. Here, visit the ski resort and ride the cable car to enjoy the amazing views of the snowy peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains.
Today’s last stop is Kok-Tobe, a park located at an altitude of 1,100 meters on the green hill, this place is very popular among locals and tourists. Take a ride on comfortable cable car and within 10 minutes, you are admiring the magnificent panoramic view of the city. Once we come down from the hill, we are going back to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 3: Almaty – Bishkek

 

After breakfast depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h). Cross Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border. Arrive in Bishkek, check in to the hotel.
In the afternoon start sightseeing tour: Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas; National Museum of Fine Arts (closed on Mondays), Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 4: Bishkek – Grigorevka Gorge – Cholpon Ata – Issyk-Kul

 

In the morning drive from Bishkek to Issyk-Kul Lake (250 km, 4 h). Arrive at Grigorevka gorge (60 km, 2 h) full of lush green Alpine meadows and fir trees. Take an easy hike in the gorge. Continue to Cholpon-Ata where you will see petroglyphs – the rock carvings made by prehistoric people lying under the open sky and visit Rukh Ordo Cultural Complex. Transfer to the hotel on the Northern shore of the lake. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Issyk-Kul – Bishkek

 

After breakfast transfer to Bishkek (280 km, 4 h). Stop on the way to see Burana Tower, the remnants of the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13th centuries). Arrive in Bishkek, free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Bishkek – Osh – Fergana

 

Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport for flight to Osh. Upon arrival you will have a short city tour in Osh founded by King Solomon 3000 years ago, as legends say. Visit Suleiman-Too (Solomon’s Mountain), National Museum of History and Archaeology, and Osh bazaar that hasn't changed location from the times when Osh was an important trading destination on the Great Silk Road. Transfer to Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan border point Dostuk. Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. In Uzbekistan meet your driver and continue to Fergana (110 km, 1,5-2 h). Check into the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 7: Fergana – Margilan – Rishtan – Kokand – Tashkent

 

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver and depart for Margilan (15 km, 30 minutes) to visit the Silk Factory. Here, you will observe the entire process of producing silk fabrics with traditional ikat patterns – from collecting silkworm cocoons to hand dyeing and weaving the fabric on a loom. Continue to Rishtan (40 km, 1 hour), famous for its magnificent ceramics. You will visit the home and workshop of Rustam Usmanov, a master potter whose works have been exhibited at international exhibitions. You will observe the process of pottery making and admire a beautiful collection of traditional Rishtan ceramics with intricate patterns and blue-green glaze. Next transfer to Kokand (80 km) where you will visit the main historical and cultural sights of Kokand: the palace of Khudoyar Khan and the Jami Mosque. You will also visit the museum of Hamza, a famous poet and playwright, whose full name is Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi. Transfer to the railway station to get the train departing to Tashkent at 17:38. Arrival in Tashkent at 21:38. Transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 8: Tashkent

 

Breakfast. Sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia with a guide.
You begin with a visit to the Courage Monument, which commemorates the 1966 earthquake and honours the resilience of the people of Tashkent, before continuing to the historic Old City. Visit the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, walk past the Khast-Imam Complex, view the exterior of the Islamic Civilization Center, and stroll along the newly developed Zarkaynar Street. Next, explore Chorsu Bazaar and a local pottery gallery, then ride the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro to the modern city centre. Enjoy free time for lunch on Taras Shevchenko Street, known for its lively dining scene, then continue to the State Museum of Applied Arts and admire the elegant facade of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, concluding the tour at Amir Timur Square. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 9: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

 

Early breakfast. Transfer to the local airport for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h 40 min). Arrival in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min). Later, a guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 10: Khiva – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Ashgabat

 

After breakfast drive to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet your Turkmenistan guide and drive to Kunya-Urgench (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Visit mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla hill. In the afternoon drive to Dashoguz airport (120 km, 1 h 30 min), take an evening flight to Ashgabat (580 km, 50 min). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours

Day 11: Ashgabat

 

After breakfast sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan that has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. During the city tour you will explore an archaeological site of Old Nisa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. You will visit the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and newly built Independence Park. Intense and interesting excursion also includes a stopover at the Akhalteke horse stables and Lenin Monument.  Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6 hours

Day 12: Ashgabat – Mary – Merv – Bukhara

 

Early breakfast.Transfer to the airport to take a morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 min). Upon arrival drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min), an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortress, and others. In the afternoon depart to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point (45 km, 1 h). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet your driver and continue to Bukhara (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrival in Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 13: Bukhara

 

Breakfast. Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 14: Bukhara – Samarkand

 

After breakfast continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h). Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik dating back to the 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in and overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

Day 15: Samarkand – Penjikent – Samarkand

 

After breakfast transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Customs and passport control on both sides, cross the border, meet Tajik local guide and driver and drive to Penjikent, a major Sogdian city in the 5th century destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum and local bazaar. Visit ancient Penjikent located a 5-minute drive away from modern Penjikent. Late in the afternoon return to the Jartepa border crossing. Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. On Uzbekistan side meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Samarkand

 

After breakfast meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 17: Samarkand – Tashkent

 

Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrosiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to learn how Samarkand paper from mulberry is made in a traditional way. Enjoy free time with the car and driver at your disposal. Late afternoon transfer to the railway station. The high-speed Afrosiyob train arrives in Tashkent in two hours (300 km). Upon arrival pick-up and transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 18: Tashkent – Departure

 

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. End of Central Asia on Silk Road Tour.

Price includes:

• All transfers: 1-2 pax on sedan standard type car, 3-8 pax on minivan/van;
• Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
• Sightseeing tour program in each country with local guides (in Uzbekistan, different guides in each city);
• Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
• Economy class tickets for flights Bishkek-Osh, Dashoguz-Ashgabat, Ashgabat-Mary; Economy class tickets for Comfort and Standard options and business for Premium option for flight Tashkent-Urgench;
• Trains tickets: Kokand–Tashkent and Samarkand–Tashkent;
• Visa support for Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan tourist visas;
• Dinner on day 4;
• A tax of 2 USD per night, paid to the hotel upon check out in Turkmenistan.

Price doesn't include:

• Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
• Full board (lunches and dinners);
• Hotel charges for additional services;
• Comfort car supplement in Uzbekistan total – 840USD;
• Visa support for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan tourist visas;
• Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (approx. 80 USD), migration tax (14 USD) and express PCR test (33 USD);
• International flight tickets before and after the tour;
• Personal travel insurance;
• Tips are not included, but would be appreciated.