12-day Central Asia Group Tour12 Days | Group | Spring, summer, autumn | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Participants should be in good health, comfortable walking 4-6 hours daily at a moderate pace, managing stairs and short ascents. Rest assured, we'll ensure plenty of breaks to enjoy the journey together.

Day 1: Almaty – Arrival (Kazakhstan)

 

Arrive in Almaty. Our driver will meet you and take you to the hotel. Check in at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty (Kazakhstan)

 

Following breakfast, your guide and driver will greet you at 09:00 for a full day of sightseeing. Begin with a scenic 25 km drive to Chimbulak Ski Resort. Enjoy a cable car ride offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Tian Shan Mountains' snow-capped peaks. After a welcome lunch, continue your exploration of Almaty's highlights, including Panfilov Park, the historic Zenkov Cathedral, and the Museum of National Musical Instruments. Conclude your tour with free time on the vibrant Arbat Street (Zhybek Zholy Street), Almaty's main pedestrian street. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: welcome lunch

Day 3: Almaty – Bishkek (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan)

 

After breakfast, at 09:00 depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h.). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Start sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

Day 4: Bishkek – Burana – Don Aryk – Bishkek – Tashkent (Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan)

 

After breakfast, depart Bishkek at 09:00. The first stop will be Burana Tower, which was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries). Next on the agenda will be experiencing a Kyrgyz national horse game called “Ulak Tartysh” (goat pulling). Ulak Tartysh (also known as Kok Boru) is a thrilling and ancient game that showcases the incredible strength and agility of nomadic riders.
The highlight of the day is a visit to Don Aryk village, where Aizat Ezhe and her family will welcome you into their home for an authentic Kyrgyz lunch. More than just a meal, this is a chance to experience the true warmth of local hospitality. Afterward, enjoy a hands-on yurt masterclass. Aizat Ezhe will guide you in assembling a nomadic home, sharing the deep symbolism and meaning behind its intricate patterns.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport (110 km~1.5h) for your flight to Tashkent (1h 20 min). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Meals: lunch

Day 5: Tashkent

 

Breakfast. Start the Tashkent city tour at 10:00.
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, then ride the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro to the modern city centre. Enjoy free time for lunch. 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 you will end Tashkent city tour. The city tour will take 6-7 hours, after which you’ll have free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Tashkent – Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

 

Early in the morning get “a take-away breakfast” from the hotel and transfer to the railway station. The high-speed train Afrosiyob departs Tashkent and arrives in Samarkand (300 km, 2h 10 min). Upon arrival in Samarkand meet your driver with the guide. Your city tour will begin with a visit to Gur Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor, Timur. Continue to the spectacular Registan Square, explore the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Siyob bazaar. After lunch break continue to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, then take a short drive to Konigil village to find out about the traditional techniques used to make the famous Samarkand paper from mulberry bark. Overnight at the hotel.
Tea/coffee break
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 7: Samarkand – Seven Lakes – Penjikent (Uzbekistan/Tajikistan)

 

Breakfast. At 9 am transfer to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border point, Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). 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. Meet your local Tajik guide and driver to drive to the Seven Lakes (80 km, ~2 h). These lakes are located in the western part of the Fann Mountains. Each lake has its own color, varying from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Have lunch at the guest house next to the 4th lake. Those who would like to enjoy the view from the 7th lake there is an opportunity to have a hiking tour from the 6th lake up to the 7th lake. (Please note: This trek is subject to weather conditions and may be unavailable if the path is unsafe). In the late afternoon transfer to the hotel in Penjikent. Check in and overnight.
Meals: lunch
Note: As we travel into the more remote parts of the Fann Mountains, tourist infrastructure becomes simpler. We will stay in the best available local hotel, housed in a Soviet-era building. Please expect more basic amenities than in the larger cities; this is part of the experience of travelling in the mountains and staying in less-developed areas.
Please be aware that the road to the Seven Lakes passes through mountainous terrain. Some sections are unpaved and can be quite bumpy, particularly beyond the fourth lake. The journey may be uncomfortable for travellers who are sensitive to rough roads or prone to motion sickness.

Day 8: Penjikent – Samarkand – Bukhara (Tajikistan/Uzbekistan)

 

Breakfast. Drive to ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. In the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, a mosque, and the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). After a 3-hour sightseeing tour drive to the Jartepa border crossing. Complete the border formalities. On the Uzbek side, your driver will meet you. Transfer to Bukhara (270 km, 4-5 hrs.). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel, check in and overnight.
Meals: lunch

Day 9: Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

 

Breakfast. At 10:00, start exploring the Old City of Bukhara. Highlights of the walking tour will include: the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Chor-Minor Madrasa, Kalyan Minaret, Miri-Arab Madrasa, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasas, Ark Fortress, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums, and various trading domes. Free time from 15:00 until the National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasa, which starts at 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.
Tea/coffee break
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 10: Bukhara – Turkmenabat – Ashgabat (Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan)

 

Breakfast. At 09:00 departure for the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point, Farap-Alat (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Upon arrival border formalities. After the customs and passport control at both checkpoints, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide and driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name.
Transfer to Turkmenabat (50 km, 1h). After lunch at a local café, visit to the market. Transfer to the Airport to take the flight to Ashgabat at 16:00. Upon arrival at 17:00 transfer to Ashgabat hotel.
At 20:00 start a guided night city tour with visits Wedding Palace panoramic viewpoint, Monument of Neutrality, Independence Park and Rukhnama monument. Then transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Meals: lunch

Day 11: Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

 

After breakfast half day introductory tour with visits Old Nissa (UNESCO), Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, National Museum and Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: farewell lunch

Day 12: Ashgabat - departure (Turkmenistan)

 

Check out by 12:00. Free time till the transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. Departure. End of the 12-day Central Asia Group Tour.

Price includes:

• All transfers: 1-2 pax by Sedan type car, 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-16 pax by 20 seat bus;
• Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
• English-speaking local guides in each country;
• Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
• Economy class tickets for flights: Bishkek-Tashkent, Turkmenabat-Ashgabat, Urgench-Tashkent;
• Economy-class tickets for trains: Tashkent-Samarkand (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
• Consular fees for visas:
  Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan (triple-entry) and Tajikistan e-visas – for citizens of countries that require a visa (see Uzbekistan visa and Tajikistan visa). If an e-visa is not available for your nationality, we provide visa support (letter of invitation) to obtain the visa at the embassy or Airport on arrival;
• National folklore show in Bukhara on Day 9, tea/coffee breaks on Day 6, 9, 13;
• Meals: lunches in Almaty (Day 2), at a local family’s home in Don-Aryk (Day 4), at Seven Lakes (Day 7), in Samarkand (Day 8), in Turkmenabad (Day 10) and in Ashgabat (Day 11).

Price doesn't include:

• Surcharge for staying in a single room;
• Full board (lunches and dinners);
• Hotel charges for additional services;
• A tax of 2 USD per night in Ashgabat, paid to the hotel upon check out;
• Migration tax (14 USD) and express PCR test (35 USD);
• Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa at Tashkent International Airport (60-80 USD);
• Visa support for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tourist visas;
• Personal travel insurance;
• Tips to local guides and drivers;
• International flight tickets before and after the tour;
• Extra night accommodation at Ashgabat hotel and flight Ashgabat – Dashoguz (295 USD).

100% guaranteed departures – even if there is only 1 traveler.

Group size: 1-16 persons (ages 12+)

Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.