Central Asia Group Tour – 14 Days

Arrive in vibrant Almaty, Kazakhstan’s cultural capital nestled at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains. Upon arrival, our friendly driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

At 09:00, meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby to begin your full-day discovery of Almaty, a city where natural beauty meets cultural heritage.

🌄 Start with a scenic drive (25 km) to the Chimbulak Mountain Resort, nestled in the majestic Tien Shan Mountains. Ride the cable car up the slopes and take in jaw-dropping panoramic views of snowy peaks and alpine landscapes — a picture-perfect moment you won’t forget.

🍽 Welcome lunch at a local restaurant

Continue your tour back in the city, exploring some of Almaty's most iconic landmarks:

• Panfilov Park, a peaceful green oasis in the heart of the city

• Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden churches

• Republic Square, the political and historical core of modern Kazakhstan

• Almaty City Museum, where you’ll dive into the rich past and vibrant culture of the region

🌆 Evening – Free time to enjoy Almaty at your leisure
🏨 Overnight at the hotel in Almaty

🚌 At 09:00, depart Almaty and embark on a picturesque road trip to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The newly built highway takes you through stunning natural landscapes — rolling hills, distant mountains, and wide-open valleys (250 km, approx. 4 hours).

🏨 Upon arrival in Bishkek, check-in at the hotel and enjoy a short break.

🌍 Begin your city tour and explore the charm of Bishkek:

• Oak Park, a leafy retreat in the center of the city

• Ala-Too Square, the heart of Bishkek’s civic life

• Statue of Manas, honoring the hero of Kyrgyz epic poetry

• The elegant Philharmonic Hall and the Victory Monument, prime examples of monumental Soviet architecture

🕰 Tour duration: 2–3 hours
🏨 Overnight at the hotel in Bishkek

🍳 Breakfast at the hotel

🕘 At 09:00, leave Bishkek and head toward the Burana Tower, a remarkable 11th-century minaret that once marked the thriving Silk Road city of Balasagun. It’s one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic historical landmarks.

🐎 Next, witness the excitement of a traditional Kyrgyz horse game – Ulak Tartysh (Kok Boru), where teams of skilled riders compete to carry a goat carcass across the field. It’s intense, spectacular, and uniquely Central Asian.

🏡 Continue to Don Aryk village, where you’ll be warmly welcomed into a local Kyrgyz family’s home for a delicious homemade lunch.

🏕 After lunch, dive into nomadic culture with a demonstration of yurt building. You’re invited to take part and learn about the symbolic meaning of each piece of this iconic nomadic dwelling, guided by knowledgeable local women.

✈ In the late afternoon, transfer to Bishkek Airport (110 km, ~1.5 hrs) for your flight to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Upon arrival (flight duration: 1h 20min), you’ll be transferred to your hotel.

🏨 Overnight in Tashkent – ready to explore another fascinating country tomorrow!

🍳 Breakfast at the hotel

🕙 At 10:00, begin your immersive city tour of Tashkent, where ancient traditions meet modern Soviet charm.

🕌 Step back in time in the Old City, home to the revered Khast-Imam Complex, where one of the oldest Qur’ans in the world is preserved — a sacred relic of Islamic heritage.

🛍 Stroll through the colorful, bustling Chorsu Bazaar, a local favorite for spices, nuts, dried fruits, and authentic souvenirs. Here, the air is thick with the aromas of the East and the rhythm of daily Uzbek life.

🚇 Hop on the Tashkent Metro, famed for its beautifully designed stations, and glide into the modern center of the city.

🎨 Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, a hidden gem showcasing stunning examples of Uzbek craftsmanship — from intricate embroidery to hand-painted ceramics.

🌳 Take a scenic walk past the Navoi Opera Theater and finish your tour at Amir Timur Square, the heart of modern Tashkent, surrounded by monuments and fountains.

🕔 The city tour lasts around 5–6 hours, after which you'll have free time to explore on your own or relax.

🏨 Overnight at the hotel in Tashkent – tomorrow you’ll journey deeper into Uzbekistan’s ancient wonders!

🥐 Early morning: Pick up your take-away breakfast from the hotel and transfer to the train station.

🚄 Board the modern Afrosiyob high-speed train for a scenic ride to Samarkand (300 km / ~2h 10 min), one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the jewel of the ancient Silk Road.

👋 Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver — your journey through the wonders of Samarkand begins!

📍 Your city tour starts with:

• Gur Emir Mausoleum – the majestic final resting place of Amir Timur (Tamerlane), where the blue domes and richly decorated interiors evoke the power of a vast empire.

• Registan Square – the crown jewel of Islamic architecture and the beating heart of medieval Samarkand, flanked by three stunning madrassahs.

🕌 Next, explore the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, once one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world, then dive into the vibrant life of the Siyob Bazaar, perfect for sampling dried fruits, sweets, and spices.

🍽 After lunch, continue to the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, a holy site with richly tiled mausoleums — a true masterpiece of Timurid architecture.

🌿 End the day with a visit to Konigil village, where you'll discover the ancient method of making traditional Samarkand paper from mulberry bark — a craft passed down through generations.

🏨 Overnight at the hotel in Samarkand.

📌 Excursion duration: 6–7 hours

🍳 After breakfast, embark on a scenic transfer to the Uzbekistan–Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50 km / ~1 hour). After completing customs and passport formalities on both sides, exit the control area where your Tajik guide and driver will be waiting to greet you.

🏞 Depart for the magnificent Seven Lakes of the Fann Mountains (80 km / ~2 hours) — a truly unforgettable natural wonder. Each lake boasts its own unique shade, from serene turquoise to deep violet, surrounded by rugged peaks and alpine tranquility.

🥘 Enjoy a traditional lunch at a cozy guesthouse next to the 4th lake, a peaceful spot perfect for soaking in the atmosphere.

🥾 Optional: For adventure seekers, a guided hike from the 6th to the 7th lake offers panoramic views and a rewarding nature experience (weather and time permitting).

🌄 In the late afternoon, transfer to Penjikent, a historic Silk Road town. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a well-earned rest.

🏨 Overnight in Penjikent

📌 Included experiences: border transfer, Seven Lakes exploration, local lunch, optional hike

Let me know when you're ready to continue with Day 8 or if you'd like to combine this itinerary into a formatted brochure later!

🍳 Start your day with breakfast, then set off to explore the ancient ruins of Penjikent — once a thriving Sogdian city founded in the 5th century and later abandoned in the 8th century. Walk among the excavated remains of homes, a bustling city bazaar, and the citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples, gaining rare insight into one of Central Asia’s most fascinating civilizations.

🕌 In modern Penjikent, visit a vibrant local bazaar, a charming mosque, and the Rudaki Museum — dedicated to the great Persian poet Abu Abdallah Rudaki, a native of the town and often hailed as the father of Persian poetry.

📸 After your 3-hour cultural tour, depart for the Jartepa border crossing. Once border formalities are complete, meet your Uzbek driver on the other side and begin your journey to Bukhara (270 km / ~4–5 hours).

🏨 Upon arrival in Bukhara — one of the most sacred and historic cities along the Silk Road — check in to your hotel and relax after the day’s travel.

🌙 Overnight in Bukhara

📌 Included experiences: guided Penjikent tour, Rudaki Museum, border crossing, private transfer to Bukhara

🍳 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then at 10:00, step back in time with a guided walking tour through the Old City of Bukhara, one of the most atmospheric and spiritually rich destinations on the Silk Road.

🕌 Highlights include:

• Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble – a tranquil square with a pond surrounded by madrassas and ancient trees

• Chor-Minor Madrasa – a unique architectural gem with four distinct minarets

• Kalyan Minaret & Mosque – the iconic 46-meter tower that Genghis Khan spared

• Miri-Arab Madrasa – still a functioning Islamic school today

• Ulugbek & Abdulazizkhan Madrasas – a striking contrast of simplicity and grandeur

• Ark Fortress – once the royal residence of Bukhara’s emirs

• Ismail Samani Mausoleum – a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture

• Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum – “Job’s spring,” a legendary site with sacred water

• Ancient Trading Domes – where you can still shop for silk, spices, and handcrafts

🕒 Free time from 15:00 to relax, explore at your own pace, or hunt for souvenirs in one of the covered bazaars.

🌟 In the evening, enjoy an unforgettable National Folklore Show at Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa starting at 18:00 — complete with traditional music, dancing, and fashion.

🏨 Overnight in Bukhara

📌 Walking tour duration: approx. 5 hours
🎭 Cultural show: 18:00–19:00

🍽 Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy your final morning in Bukhara with free time to relax or explore at your leisure.

🕑 At 14:00, begin your overland journey to the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan border at Farap-Alat (100 km, ~1.5 hours). Upon arrival, complete customs and passport control on both sides.

👋 Once you’ve cleared the formalities, our Turkmen guide and driver will greet you with a name sign and escort you to Turkmenabat Airport (50 km, ~1 hour).

✈️ Evening flight to Ashgabat departs at 20:00, arriving at 20:50.

🌃 Upon arrival, enjoy a short panoramic night tour of Ashgabat’s luminous cityscape — a stunning introduction to the white-marble capital.

🏨 Transfer to your hotel and overnight in Ashgabat.

📌 Border crossing duration depends on customs clearance.
🕓 Flight time: approx. 50 minutes
🌙 Evening sightseeing: panoramic city tour en route to the hotel

🍽 Breakfast at the hotel.
🕘 At 09:00, begin a guided city tour of Ashgabat, the striking capital of Turkmenistan — officially recognized by the Guinness World Records for having the highest concentration of white marble buildings in the world.

🌆 Highlights of the morning tour include:

• Old Nissa – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient capital of the Parthian Empire.

• Spiritual Mosque – one of Central Asia’s largest and most architecturally impressive mosques.

• National Museum of History – showcasing rich artifacts and insights into Turkmenistan’s past.

• Monument of Neutrality and Independence Park – symbols of national pride and identity.

• Ertugrul Gazi Mosque – inspired by Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, reflecting strong Ottoman influences.

🕓 After lunch, embark on a desert drive (280 km, ~4 hours) through the Karakum Desert to one of Turkmenistan’s most surreal and iconic sites — the Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the “Gates of Hell.”

🔥 Upon arrival at sunset, your desert camp will be set up, and you'll enjoy a hearty fire-cooked dinner near the glowing crater — a truly unforgettable experience under the stars.

🏕 Overnight in yurts near the crater.

📌 Note: Basic outdoor toilets and washing facilities are available at the camp.

🍽 Early camp-style breakfast under the open skies of the desert.

🚗 After breakfast, begin the journey across the Karakum Desert, traveling 270 km (~4 hours) to the Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan border at Dashoguz–Shavat.

🛃 Upon completing border formalities at both checkpoints, you’ll be welcomed by your Uzbek guide and driver on the other side.

🚘 Continue the drive to the magical city of Khiva (60 km, ~1 hour), a true gem of the Silk Road.

🏨 Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to relax or explore the charming streets of this open-air museum city.

🌙 Overnight at the hotel in Khiva.

🍽 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out (your luggage will be securely stored for the day).

🏛 Spend the morning exploring the enchanting Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and living museum of Silk Road-era architecture. Your guided walking tour will include:

• Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasa

• Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasa

• The iconic Kalta Minor Minaret

• Juma Mosque with its forest of wooden columns

• The richly decorated Tash-Khovli Palace

• Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, the city’s holiest site

• And the striking Minaret of Islom Khodja, the tallest in Khiva

🍽 In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner to celebrate your unforgettable journey.

✈️ After dinner, transfer to Urgench Airport (30 km, ~35 min) for your evening flight to Tashkent (1 h 40 min).

🏨 Upon arrival in Tashkent, transfer to your hotel and overnight stay.

🧳 Hotel check-out by 12:00 noon.

🕒 Enjoy free time at your leisure – take a final stroll through Tashkent, shop for souvenirs, or relax at a local café before your journey home.

🚐 At the scheduled time, transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure.

End of your Central Asia Group Tour