The 9-day Central Asia Express Tour is the way to make the most out of a short trip. From the most ancient to the modern day, this is the best tour of Central Asia for those with a little less time. Start with Tashkent, the biggest city in Central Asia, before heading to Samarkand, one of the most ancient. A day trip to Penjikent is a good introduction to the ancient history of Tajikistan. Bishkek is a modern capital with a unique spirit. Finish up the Central Asia Express Tour in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital and a busy city next to stunning mountains. For those with busy schedules, the Central Asia Express Tour is the best tour for getting to know the region and all its best places.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start a sightseeing tour in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia.
Begin at 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, where your captivating Tashkent City Tour comes to an end.
Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Begin at 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, where your captivating Tashkent City Tour comes to an end.
Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
After breakfast transfer to the railway station. The high-speed train Afrosiyob
arrives in Samarkand in two hours (300 km). Your guide and driver will meet you at the train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, old oriental Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum (the resting place of Timur). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
arrives in Samarkand in two hours (300 km). Your guide and driver will meet you at the train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, old oriental Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum (the resting place of Timur). Overnight at the hotel.Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
After early 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 (30 km, 40 min).
Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, a local Bazaar and mosque. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch drive to the ruins of ancient Penjikent a major Sogdian city destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century.
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. Сontinue to Uzbekistan. Meet your driver and transfer to Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand, transfer to the hotel.
Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, a local Bazaar and mosque. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch drive to the ruins of ancient Penjikent a major Sogdian city destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century.
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. Сontinue to Uzbekistan. Meet your driver and transfer to Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand, transfer to the hotel.
Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue a sightseeing tour: visit Afrosiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. After, enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal. Late in the afternoon transfer to the railway station. Take the high-speed train, Afrosiyob, departing to Tashkent (300 km). Upon arrival pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Free time. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to get an evening flight to Bishkek. Arrive in Bishkek, transfer to the hotel for overnight.
After breakfast drive to Burana Tower, which was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the tower and the small museum nearby return to Bishkek. In the afternoon sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km, 50 min) which attracts visitors with its beautiful mountain scenery and hiking trails. The fast-flowing Ala-Archa River runs through this alpine gorge, surrounded by snowy peaks with steep forested slopes. Enjoy free time or have a hike/trek in the park.
Return to Bishkek in the afternoon. Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Almaty, KC 110. Transfer to the hotel on arrival.
Return to Bishkek in the afternoon. Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Almaty, KC 110. Transfer to the hotel on arrival.
Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel before noon. Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start the sightseeing tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Almaty City Museum, and Republic Square. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill, visit Medeo Gorge. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Check-out from the hotel before noon. Transfer to Almaty International Airport. End of Central Asian Express Tour.
Price includes:
- All transfers: 1-2 pax on sedan economy type car, 3-8 pax on minivan/van;
- Accommodation with breakfast: standard double/twin room for Standard, Comfort and Premium options;
- Sightseeing tour program with English speaking guides in each country (NB: in Uzbekistan there will be different guides in each city);
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Tickets for trains Tashkent-Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
- Economy class tickets for Standard and Comfort options and business for Premium option for flights Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty.
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 total – 180 USD;
- All costs associated with visas;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Personal travel insurance.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2026 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Standard:
ATECA Hotel Suites / Inspira-S / Milan / Aster Hotel Group / Europe / Praga / Navruz
Comfort:
Swissôtel / Holiday Inn Tashkent City / Hampton by Hilton / Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace / Crowne Plaza TashkentCourtyard by Marriot / Wyndham Tashkent
Premium:
Hilton Tashkent City / Hyatt Regency
ATECA Hotel Suites / Inspira-S / Milan / Aster Hotel Group / Europe / Praga / Navruz
Comfort:
Swissôtel / Holiday Inn Tashkent City / Hampton by Hilton / Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace / Crowne Plaza TashkentCourtyard by Marriot / Wyndham Tashkent
Premium:
Hilton Tashkent City / Hyatt Regency
Standard:
Wellfort / Astoria Plaza / Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa / Bibikhanum / Ko’k Saroy Plaza / Silk Road Empire / Golden Samarkand / Samaria Hotel and Spa
Comfort:
Ametist Hotel Complex / Royal / Astoria Plaza / DiliMah Premium Luxury / Golden Samarkand / Emirhan
Premium:
Hilton Samarkand Regency / Mövenpick / Zarafshon Parkside / Kohinur Plaza / Kosh Havuz Boutique / Hilton Garden Inn
Wellfort / Astoria Plaza / Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa / Bibikhanum / Ko’k Saroy Plaza / Silk Road Empire / Golden Samarkand / Samaria Hotel and Spa
Comfort:
Ametist Hotel Complex / Royal / Astoria Plaza / DiliMah Premium Luxury / Golden Samarkand / Emirhan
Premium:
Hilton Samarkand Regency / Mövenpick / Zarafshon Parkside / Kohinur Plaza / Kosh Havuz Boutique / Hilton Garden Inn
Standard:
Damas / Ambassador / Sofia
Comfort:
Orion hotel Bishkek / Novotel Bishkek City Center
Premium:
Sheraton / Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Damas / Ambassador / Sofia
Comfort:
Orion hotel Bishkek / Novotel Bishkek City Center
Premium:
Sheraton / Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Standard:
Grand Sapphire / Plaza / Kazzhol
Comfort:
Kazzhol Park / Garden Park / Resident City / Renion City
Premium:
Rixos / Intercontinental
Grand Sapphire / Plaza / Kazzhol
Comfort:
Kazzhol Park / Garden Park / Resident City / Renion City
Premium:
Rixos / Intercontinental
Tour Enquiry
Important notes:
- If you need to obtain an Uzbekistan visa, it should be a multiple-entry e-visa.
Central Asian Express Tour Reviews
Author: Farook K | Rating: 5Visited: May 2025
We had a great time & wonderful new experiences, it was tailored made for us last minute tour of 4 countries of Central Asia.
Author: John | Rating: 5
We took this tour in July 2017 and were very impressed by both the sites and by the tour company. Everything promised was delivered and more. The hotels were better than expected and the guides were excellent with good English and real knowledge of their cities and regions.
