Highlights of Central Asia





Explore the highlights of Central Asia from Bishkek to Ashgabat
Get a taste of Central Asia's charm on this 16-day trip through ancient silk road towns and bustling bazaars. Visit four out of the five Stans as you travel the Kazak steppe and Uzbek Silk Road towns by train. Starting in Bishkek, visit the clear waters of Issyk-kul Lake, cross the border to the charming Almaty, catch an overnight train to Uzbekistan and seek out the delicious plov, then explore the white marbled capital of Ashgabat. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp near Issyk-kul Lake, hike the flaming red rocks at Jety Ogus, toast with locally produced wine to a Kazak home-cooked feast and learn about the full Silk Road history in the blue-hued mosques, madrasas and ruins in Samarkand, Bukhara and Merv.
Start: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
End: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Duration
- 16 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Discover the history and former glory of the Silk Road with visits to the ancient trade towns and ruins in Bukhara, Samarkand and Merv.
- Rub shoulders with the locals at bazaars, hear about their daily life and learn about how to make plov with a local family in Samarkand.
- Spend a night in the yurt camp near Issyk-kul Lake. Taste the popular Kygyz snack boorsook, see how Kyrgyz carpets are made and enjoy a peaceful night under the stars, living like a local nomad.
- Explore Central Asia’s landscape on short hikes to the flaming red rocks in Jety Oguz and the Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan.
- Unveil the mysterious Turkmenistan in its white capital of Ashgabat, which rose from the devastation of an earthquake in 1948 and see the futuristic transformation the city has gone through on a city tour with your local leader.
Itinerary
Salam! Welcome to Kyrgyzstan. Your adventure begins in Bishkek with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Tomorrow you’ll take a tour of the city, so don’t stress if you don’t have time to see much today. Bishkek is a tree-lined town of parks and gardens, houses and wide streets perfect for strolling. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe head out in search of some samsa (pastry pockets filled with meat and vegetables). After the meeting tonight, maybe head out to dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Many flights in Bishkek arrive very early in the morning. If you’d like to be able to check into your hotel on arrival, please book an extra night of accommodation beforehand so a room is available for you.
Today, head out on a city tour that showcases the various stages of Bishkek’s history. Visit the Ala-Too Square (once known as Lenin Square) and learn about the towering statue depicting the folkloric hero, Manas. Continue to Dubovy Park, where you’ll wander the open-air galleries and between the century-old oaks along Freedom Avenue. This afternoon, you'll have some free time to further explore Bishkek at your own pace. Maybe visit the Osh Market and walk through the stalls selling spices, fruits, clothes and carpets.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bishkek - City walking tour
This morning, drive through the beautiful landscapes of Kyrgyzstan. Your first stop is at Burana Tower – a tall, slender minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city, Balasagun. Then continue to Barbulak, where you’ll meet a local Kyrgyz family and sit down for a home-cooked lunch. Continue to Issyk-Kul Lake – the second-largest alpine lake in the world, stretching 170 km long and 70 km wide. When you arrive this afternoon, you’ll have some free time to settle into your yurt camp. Set along the lake’s southern shore with views of snow-capped mountains, these camps are traditional dwellings of the Kyrgyz people. Later, learn how boorsook (fried dough) is made, followed by a demonstration of traditional Kyrgyz carpet weaving. After dinner, attend an elecheck demonstration, where you’ll learn how the traditional Kyrgyz female headpiece is wrapped and worn.
- Tourist yurt camp (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Issyk-kul Lake - Kyrgyz carpet making demonstration
- Issyk-kul Lake - Kyrgyz Elechek Demonstration
- Issyk-kul Lake - Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
- Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
- Barbulak - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Sleeping arrangements tonight are on a multi-share basis with mattresses on the floor, potentially mixed gender sharing depending on the group composition. There will be up to four people in one yurt. It can get very chilly in the evenings, so there's a stove for heating and plenty of blankets. Bathroom facilities are located separately from the yurts and are shared on the camp. The conditions here are basic, but the stunning view and the unique experience of staying in a yurt is certainly rewarding.
Depart the yurt camp this morning and travel to Karakol – the furthest eastern outpost of former Tsarist Russia and, later, of the USSR. On the way, visit Skazka Canyon (Fairytale Canyon) and soak in the surrounding landscape of rugged stone peaks that contrast the meadows and alpine lakes. Then, head to Jety Oguz Valley, also known as ‘seven bulls’ due to the striking seven red-brown cliffs found here. Spend some time exploring the valley before continuing to Karakol – this town was founded as a Russian military outpost and still has a few ‘gingerbread houses’ along its scenic streets.
- Guest house (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Karakol - Jety Oguz Visit
- Karakol - Skazka Canyon Visit
- Issyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Because of the nature of the terrain, the visit to Skazka Canyon relies on dry weather.
Today is a long travel day, including a border crossing back into Kazakhstan. Wake up early this morning and grab a window seat if you can – the scenery is entertainment in itself! You’ll make a few stops along the way for photos and to stretch your legs, including Charyn Canyon – often referred as the little brother of the Grand Canyon in the United States, wind and water have shaped this spectacular canyon with different shapes and colours. Take a short hike to the bottom of the canyon before continuing your journey to Almaty. When you arrive in town later today, enjoy some free time before settling into your accommodation for the night.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Almaty - Charyn Canyon Hike
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Today, you’ll head out with a local guide for a city tour of downtown Almaty. Visit Central Square and the Zenkoff Cathedral (the second tallest wooden building in the world) in historic Panfilov Park – dedicated to the 28 guardsmen who died defending Moscow against German tanks in WWII. Explore the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, which features a great collection of ancient relics, before heading to a local family-run winery just outside the city. Meet the owners, learn about the wine production in Kazakhstan and enjoy a delicious lunch and wine tasting. Return to Almaty in the late afternoon, where you have the rest of the night free to explore at your own pace.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Almaty - Panfilov Park
- Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral
- Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
- Almaty - Winery visit with tasting and home-cooked lunch
Start today off at a slower pace, spending the morning how you like. Maybe wander through Almaty’s beautiful parks, try some local food in one of the many restaurants or visit a museum like the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan to learn more about the region’s history. This evening, you’ll board the overnight train to Tashkent.
- Overnight train (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time on the overnight train will be approximately 17 hours.
On the overnight train, you’ll stay in a second-class kupe carriage, where four people share one compartment and a shared bathroom is located at the end of each carriage. A pillow, sheet and blankets are provided on the train. Depending on the group composition, you may be sharing a compartment with travelers outside of your group.
Wake up in Trashkent as the train pulls into the station at midday When you arrive, head out for a walking tour with your leader around the city. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe start with a visit to Amir Timur Square in the city center, then hop on the metro to Chorsu Bazaar, where you can browse traditional wooden cradles, handmade musical instruments and local produce and spice stalls. Maybe visit the Khast Imom complex – a restored collection of religious buildings, including a mosque and a library containing an ancient Qur’an (religious text), parts of which date back to the 9th century.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Tashkent - Leader-led orientation walk
This morning you’ll take the train along the ancient Silk Road hub of Samarkand. When you arrive, set out on a leader-led orientation walk through a city known for its rich and complex history – once a hub for artisans and traders, and long sought after by conquering armies. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time to maybe visit Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum. Later, visit a local family and learn the secrets of plov cuisine during a cooking demonstration.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Samarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Today starts with a city tour. Visit the enormous Bibi Khanum Mosque and explore the ancient bazaar right behind it, maybe sampling some khalva (local sweets made of sunflower seeds or peanuts) and a glass of squeezed pomegranate juice (depending on the season). After, see the world-renowned Registan, which features three of the most famous madrasas in Uzbekistan. The rest of the afternoon is free. Maybe explore the remains of the medieval observatory developed by Ulug Beg – an astronomer and grandson of nomadic conqueror and Timurid emperor Tamerlane (Amir Timur).
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Samarkand - Registan Square
- Samarkand - Siob Bazaar
Travel to Bukhara by train this morning. Located on the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara was an important regional and world hub for many years and has a long, fascinating history featuring invasions by both Genghis Khan and the Soviet Red Army. When you arrive, explore this fascinating city with your local leader on an orientation walk. Then, visit the Lyabi-Haus area – a busy 17th-century plaza with trees that are over a hundred years old. If there’s time, spend the rest of the day walking through the small craft studios that are tucked away in the nearby madrasah and trading domes.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bukhara - Taki Zargaron Trading Dome
- Bukhara - Lyabi Khauz Complex
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Start the day with a sightseeing tour in beautiful Bukhara. First, visit the Sitorai Mohi Khosa, once the summer residence of the last Emir. Designed by Russian architects, it has interiors decorated with traditional filigree plaster, mirrored surfaces and delicate floral wall paintings by a local artisan. Then, visit the Ark Fortress – the symbol of Bukhara. Later, continue to Central Asia's oldest and most exquisite structure, the tenth-century Ismail Samani Mausoleum. Explore its decorative brickwork, which has survived over 1000 years of rugged history. Then, soak up a free afternoon to explore this ancient Silk Road town. Maybe visit Bolo Haus Mosque, Chor Minor, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, or Ulugbek Madrasah and Abdulaziz Khan Madrassa.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Bukhara - Ark Fortress
- Bukhara - Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace
This morning, travel across the border into Turkmenistan and continue to Mary – the huge display of wealth here is attributed to the booming cotton and gas industries. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive this afternoon, maybe wander through the lively bazaars.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
The border crossing can be long and slow, taking 1 to 2 hours of border formalities. You'll say goodbye to your leader at the Uzbek border and your Turkmenistan leader will meet you at the Turkmen side.
Drive out to Merv and spend some time exploring Turkmenistan's most recognised site. This sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site is home to numerous walled structures from various periods spread across a 1200 hectare area. Visit the impressive columns of Greater Kizkala, walk hills that were once the fortress walls of Erk Kala and learn about Gyaur Kala history, which dates back to 400 BC. After exploring the relics of grand empires, continue to Ashgabat for the night.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Merv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
- Merv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala
- Merv - Big & Small Kizkala
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Spend today exploring this desert city on an immersive guided tour. First, visit the ancient settlement of Nisa, built in the 3rd century BC. See the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, built to honour those killed in the Battle of Geok Tepe in 1881, in World War II and in the 1948 earthquake. Then, head out of town to the ruins of Anau. The crumbling remains of the 15th century medieval mosque still attracts the devout, who come to pray and make offerings. Wander the Russian Bazaar to see locals doing their daily shopping and maybe taste some samosas, doner-kebabs or sweet melon. See the local Turkmen’s handmade souvenirs and maybe choose something special to bring home. This afternoon, take in the four-pointed martinets of the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and visit a Akhal-Teke horse farm to see this precious Turkmenistan treasure. You’ll then have some free time to relax and recharge before an evening visit to the monuments of Archabil Street, including the Neutrality Arch.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ashgabat - Independence Monument
- Ashgabat - Anau ruins
- Ashgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
- Ashgabat - Akhal - Teke horse farm
- Ashgabat - Neutrality Arch
- Ashgabat - Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque & Family Mausoleum of the First President of Turkmenistan
Your trip comes to an end today. As there are no activities planned, you are welcome to leave at any time. If you would like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Private Vehicle, High Speed Train, Overnight Train
Hotel (12 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Tourist yurt camp (1 night), Guest house (1 night)
- Bishkek - City walking tour
- Issyk-kul Lake - Kyrgyz carpet making demonstration
- Issyk-kul Lake - Kyrgyz Elechek Demonstration
- Issyk-kul Lake - Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
- Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
- Barbulak - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
- Karakol - Jety Oguz Visit
- Karakol - Skazka Canyon Visit
- Issyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
- Almaty - Charyn Canyon Hike
- Almaty - Panfilov Park
- Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral
- Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
- Almaty - Winery visit with tasting and home-cooked lunch
- Tashkent - Leader-led orientation walk
- Samarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
- Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Samarkand - Registan Square
- Samarkand - Siob Bazaar
- Bukhara - Taki Zargaron Trading Dome
- Bukhara - Lyabi Khauz Complex
- Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Bukhara - Ark Fortress
- Bukhara - Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace
- Merv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
- Merv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala
- Merv - Big & Small Kizkala
- Ashgabat - Independence Monument
- Ashgabat - Anau ruins
- Ashgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
- Ashgabat - Akhal - Teke horse farm
- Ashgabat - Neutrality Arch
- Ashgabat - Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque & Family Mausoleum of the First President of Turkmenistan
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Before you book you should know
- Tourism is strictly controlled in Turkmenistan, with Letters of Invitation needed in advance in order to apply for your visa (which you can then get on arrival) and guides tending to be protective of what tourists see and fiercely proud of their nation and its leaders. Those used to more freedom of exploration and tour guides with a more global perspective may find their experience here different from in other destinations.
- As there are a number of long travel days, plenty of time spent on your feet and days can be hot and dusty, you'll need excellent general health and fitness to get the most out if this trip.
- You'll spend a night in a yurt camp, which is the traditional dwelling of the nomadic people in Kyrgyzstan. You'll stay in multi-share yurts with basic toilet facilities set up separately. The conditions may be modest, but it's a rewarding experience to be somewhere truly unique!
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the Itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin share basis, unless otherwise stated in the Itinerary. There may be times when facilities are shared, rather than ensuite, which will also be mentioned in the Itinerary if applicable.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination before checking in.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Rich Hotel
111, Timiryazeva St
Bishkek
KYRGYZSTAN
Phone: 996 312 322038
Instructions
Intrepid can provide an arrival transfer through pre-booking. If you have a pre-booked arrival transfer with Intrepid, please ensure you provide your flight details no later than 14 days prior to departure. For your confirmed arrival transfer, your driver will wait outside of the international arrival lounge with a signboard with Intrepid logo. Should you have any issues finding your driver, or experiencing any delays, please contact the local emergency number.
If you are to make your own way to the hotel, there are both official and unofficial taxis outside the airport. If you have Yandex app (the local uber), you can pre-order a taxi via your phone, otherwise, it would be difficult to tell official taxis from unofficial ones. Either way, you will need to haggle a price before getting into the taxi, and some taixs will take more than one customer too. The official taxi rate for getting to the hotel will be about 10USD, and will take around 30-60 minutes depending on the traffic.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available for booking, excluding for Day 3 (yurt) and Day 7 (overnight train), subject to availability. Please contact your booking agent if you are interested.
2. This is a multi-country trip. Please read the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information carefully. You should travel on one passport for the duration, as entering and exiting countries on different passports will cause issues at immigration.
3. We require key documents from you no later than 90 days before the trip to apply for your Letter of Invitation to Turkmenistan.
4. Independent travel isn’t allowed in Turkmenistan. If you have post-trip accommodation booked with us, you can explore nearby your hotel, but please don’t take any photos. Please avoid spending more than 3 days after your trip in Ashgabat as this may negatively impact your LOI application.
5. While travelling in Turkmenistan, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. If you need to stay connected, consider arranging a VPN before leaving home.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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