Central Asia on Silk Road Tour

Arrival to Bishkek, transfer to the hotel. Time to rest.

In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of Kyrgyzstam capital Bishkek: Kyrgyz National Philharmoniс, Statue of Manas, Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Victory Square, Museum of Fine Arts and Osh market. 

Overnight in Bishkek.

After breakfast, leave Bishkek and drive towards Issyk-Kul Lake.

Our firts stop is at Burana Tower, a remnant from ancient city Balasagun dating back to 11-13th centuries.

After visit to Burana tower, you will learn some Kyrgyz traditions, one of them being Kyrgyz national horse game “Ulak Tartysh” (goat pulling). Ulak-tartysh (or kok-boru) is a fight between two teams of riders for a goat carcass. You will watch the game and have lunch in the local Kyrgyz family.

Continue to Cholpon-Ata.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel, located near Issyk-Kul Lake (B, L, D)

Transfer to Karakol (150 km / 93 miles). En route, visit  an open air museum of petroglyphs in Cholpon-Ata. The museum dates back to 500 BC – 100 AD. The stones petroglyphs depict wolves, long-horned ibex, goats, horses, snow leopards, sacrifices and some hunting scenes. Also you can visit museum of local lore.

When you reach Karakol, enjoy a sightseeing tour with visits to Prjevalsky museum, Wooden Orthodox Church, Dungan mosque in Chinese style. Kyrgyzstan is a multiethnic country and during this tour you will have a chance to get acquainted with its diverse culture.

Today you will have a dinner in Uigur or Dungan family with Kyrgyz national music and songs. These nations came to Kyrgyzstan from China and live in Karakol since 1869.

Overnight in the guest house (B, D)

Transfer to Kochkor along the Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way you will stop at the Jety-Oguz (Seven Bulls) Gorge. You will learn why it is called Seven Bulls and explore the Broken Heart rock.

After lunch transfer to Bokonbaevo where you will see an eagle hunting show. Continue driving to Kochkor while enjoying the best views on the Issyk-Kul Lake.

There will be a Kyrgyz folkloric dinner show with Kyrgyz national music and songs.

Overnight in a family run hotel (B, L, D)

Transfer to Son-Kul (120 km/75 miles). Son-Kul is one of the highest lakes in Kyrgyzstan (3016 m above sea level) and the best place to experience a nomadic life. You will have a chance to ride a horse, see edelweiss flowers, camels, yaks, golden eagles, and learn how local women make Kymyz - Kyrgyz national drink made from mare’s milk. This is a remote mountain lake situated on a treeless, high mountain plateau (3016 m) where shepherds bring the livestock in the summertime, set up yurts – round portable nomadic dwelling. In this magnificent place you can see hundreds of herds and a lot of different yurts.

Overnight in the yurt camp (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to Bishkek. On your way, visit a felt carpet workshop in Kochkor village. Lunch en route.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel. Transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km/25 miles), an alpine gorge with the fast-flowing Ala-Archa River, surrounded by tall, snow-covered peaks with steep-sided, forested mountain slopes. Enjoy hiking in the gorge.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport. Flight to Tashkent at 18:35 (6:35 pm). Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Tashkent hotel (B)

After breakfast, a sightseeing tour of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia. We start with exploring the Old City: visit Khast-Imam Complex, where the world-famous Quran, a holy book that belonged to Caliph Uthman, has been preserved. The complex comprises Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to Chorsu Bazaar. Then, ride the Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit the Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square.

You will be transferred to the domestic airport in the late afternoon and take the evening flight to Urgench, departing at 18:40 (6:40 pm). The flight is 1 hour and 40 minutes. Arrive in Urgench at 20:20 (8:20 pm) and transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min).

Overnight at the hotel in Khiva (B)

After breakfast, we take you on a sightseeing tour in Khiva. You will visit the Ichan-Qala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Ichan-Qala Fortress visit Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque, Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan Madrasah, Abdullakhan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja.  

In the evening, transfer to the domestic airport. Flight to Bukhara leaves at 21:00 (9:00 pm) and arrives at 22:00 (10:00 pm). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. 

Overnight at the hotel in Bukhara (B)

After breakfast, start on a walking sightseeing tour in Bukhara.
Visit Lyabi Hauz 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. Dinner and a National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah.

Overnight at the hotel in Bukhara (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, a unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Head to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis.

Take the high-speed Afrosiyob train (1.5 hours) transfer in the afternoon. Arrive in Samarkand and check in to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Samarkand (B)

After breakfast, Samarkand sightseeing tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory.

Free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel in Samarkand (B)

After breakfast, continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand. You will visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiab Museum, and the Tomb of Saint Daniel.

Then, drive to Konigil village to explore the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Farewell lunch in Samarkand.

Free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km/31 miles/1 hour). Customs and passport control are on both sides. Cross the border and meet your Tajik local guide and driver to Seven Lakes (80 km/50 miles/1.5-2h).

Haf Kul - seven lakes of different colors in the mountains of Tajikistan: 1. Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin lakes (2139m.a.l), Khurdak, 6.Marguzor, 7.Hazorchashma lakes (2400m a.s.l.). Picnic at the lake.

After lunch, drive to Penjikent. Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, as Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian Poetry. Visit the ancient Penjikent ruins of old Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and a city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins.

Overnight at the hotel  (B, L, D)

Drive to Dushanbe via Iskanderkul Lake. According to the legend, Lake Iskanderkul was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great's path to India passed by this lake.

Lunch at the traditional homestay "Dilovar".

Afterward, you will stroll around the lake, explore Five Springs and Zmeinoe (Snake) Lake, and walk to a 38 m high waterfall that local people compare to Niagara and call Fanskaya Niagara (Niagara of Fan). Drive to Dushanbe.

Overnight at the hotel in Dushanbe (B, L, D)

Start sightseeing in the capital of Tajikistan. Visit a lovely Botanical garden with many old trees. The National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan (closed on Mondays) includes exhibits on history, natural history, and art (Buddha in Nirvana is one of the most valuable exhibits of the museum), Ismail Somoni Monument, the Building of National Spirit, Rudaki Prospect and the Main Mosque of Dushanbe.

Overnight at the hotel in Dushanbe (B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport (B)