Welcome to Kazakhstan! Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy free time to relax or take a first walk through the leafy avenues of the city framed by the snow-capped Tien Shan mountains.
Explore the southern capital of Kazakhstan: visit the Central Historical Museum, stroll through Panfilov Park, and ascend Kok-Tobe hill for sweeping city views. End the day with a scenic cable car ride.
Dive into Kazakh culture in the Huns ethno-village: see yurts, try kumis, watch equestrian shows. Continue to Charyn Canyon for a hike through the stunning "Valley of Castles." Overnight in Saty village.
Ethno Experience & Charyn Canyon
Visit Kaindy Lake, famous for its submerged trees, then hike around the tranquil Kolsai Lake. The alpine scenery is breathtaking. Return to Saty for a cozy evening at a guesthouse.
Drive back to Almaty and take an evening flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Transfer to hotel and rest.
City tour of Bishkek, then drive to Burana Tower. Continue along the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, visiting petroglyph sites. Arrive in Karakol for overnight. Explore Dungan mosque and Russian Orthodox church.
Bishkek to Karakol via Burana & Issyk-Kul
Head to the dramatic red cliffs of Jeti Oguz. Stop at Skazka Canyon and see a demonstration of eagle hunting in Bokonbaevo. Arrive in Kochkor, dinner with a local family.
Jeti Oguz & Eagle Hunters
Learn felt-making with local artisans, then cross Moldo-Ashu Pass to reach the high-altitude Son-Kul Lake. Sleep in traditional yurts under the stars.
Drive through 33 Parrots Pass back to Bishkek and take an evening flight to Osh. Hotel check-in and relax.
Cross the border. Visit silk factories in Margilan, ceramic masters in Rishtan, and the royal palace in Kokand. Overnight in Kokand.
Fergana Valley (Uzbekistan)
Enter Tajikistan via Patar. Visit Khujand’s central bazaar and Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum. Continue to Istaravshan for fortress ruins and old town. Arrive in Dushanbe.
Into Tajikistan: Khujand & Istaravshan
Tour Hissar Fortress, a former emir’s residence. Back in Dushanbe, visit Navruz Palace, Botanical Garden, and vibrant Mehrgon Market.
Travel through Anzob Pass to reach the stunning Iskanderkul Lake. Walk to a nearby waterfall, visit Snake Lake, and stay overnight in Sarytag village.
Visit ancient Sarazm (UNESCO site), then cross back into Uzbekistan. Transfer to the legendary city of Samarkand.
Sarazm & Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
Tour Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum, Bibi Khanym Mosque, Shakhi-Zinda, and Siab Bazaar. Free time in the evening.
Visit Ulugbek Observatory, the Paper Mill, Daniel’s Tomb, and Afrosiyab Museum. Evening train to Bukhara.
Full-day walking tour: Ark Fortress, Samanid Mausoleum, Kalyan Minaret, trading domes, and Lyabi-Hauz ensemble.
Cross into Turkmenistan, explore ancient Merv (UNESCO), then fly to Ashgabat. Hotel check-in and rest.
To Turkmenistan: Merv & Ashgabat
Morning city tour, then drive to the burning gas crater of Darvaza in the Karakum Desert. Overnight in yurt camp.
Ashgabat & Darvaza Crater
Cross the Shavat border. Transfer to Khiva, the Silk Road’s living museum. Free evening inside Ichan-Kala.
Explore Ichan-Kala’s architectural gems: Kunya-Ark, Kalta Minor, Tash-Khovli Palace, and Islam Khoja Minaret.
Fly from Urgench to Tashkent. City tour: Khast Imam, Chorsu Bazaar, Museum of Applied Arts, and Amir Timur Square.
Transfer to airport for your flight home. End of an unforgettable journey across Central Asia.