Classic Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Lying at the geographic and cultural heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan stretch from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the western edge of China, spanning a wealth of landscapes, peoples and traditions. Home to the Turkic tribes of old, their cities and mountains, even to this day, are pervaded with the magic and romance of the ancient Silk Road.

Tashkent provides the starting point for this incredible odyssey, providing a gateway onto the medieval city of Khiva ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 ARRIVE TASHKENT

Day 1 ARRIVE TASHKENT

Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon embark on a city tour of modern Tashkent. Begin with the central square Amir Timur Maydoni, dominated by a statue of Tamerlaine on horseback and the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, designed by the architect responsible for Lenin's tomb. Also visit the Applied Arts Museum and the extensive Chorsu Bazaar. As you wander through the streets, you will discover many of its madrassahs, mausoleums and mosques dating back to the 16th and 17th century.

Miran International Hotel

Day 2 TASHKENT - URGENCH - KHIVA

Day 2 TASHKENT - URGENCH - KHIVA

Fly to Urgench and then it's just a short drive to Khiva. On arrival explore Khiva on foot, a unique walled, oasis town, preserved in its entirety since medieval times. You will visit the "Kunya Ark" or old citadel which was the Emir's residence with its magnificent summer mosque and harem. Also see the Juma Mosque with its 200 individually carved wooden pillars and the Tash Khauli Palace.

Orient Star Hotel (Khiva Madrasah)
Breakfast

Day 3 KHIVA - BUKHARA

Day 3 KHIVA - BUKHARA

A long drive today (7-8 hours) though the barren Kyzyl Kum or red desert to the magical city of Bukhara.

Minzifa Hotel
Breakfast

Day 4 BUKHARA

Day 4 BUKHARA

A full day's tour through the narrow streets of old Bukhara. Visit the Ark Citadel, former residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. Continue to Bolo-Khauz Mosque and Kalyan Square with its great minaret and the Ismael Samani Mausoleum dating from the 10th century. Spend some time wandering the old trading domes, now home to many handicraft stalls.

Minzifa Hotel
Breakfast

Day 5 BUKHARA

Day 5 BUKHARA

This morning visit the summer palace of Bukhara’s last Emir, just outside the city. It is an eclectic mix of Oriental and European design and contains a good collection of suanes (Uzbek traditional embroidery) and Chinese porcelain brought to Bukhara by camel caravan in the 19th century. Next, see Lyabi-Khauz Square surrounded by madrassahs and crowded tea houses.

Minzifa Hotel
Breakfast

Day 6 BUKHARA - SAMARKAND

Day 6 BUKHARA - SAMARKAND

This morning free time for leisure. In the afternoon, transfer to the train station and take the Afrosiyob or Sharq train to Samarkand. The journey takes just under 2 hours and 30 mins and you will pass through countryside before approaching the suburbs of Samarkand. You will be able to purchase light refreshments en route. Be met at the station and transferred to your hotel.

Malika Prime Hotel
Breakfast

Day 7 SAMARKAND

Day 7 SAMARKAND

Enjoy a full day guided tour of Samarkand including Registan Square, the highlight of the trip, surrounded on three sides by blue tiled madrassahs. It is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and no picture can convey the magnificence of this square. Continue to Tamerlaine's tomb, Ulukbek's Observatory, the Shahi-Zinda mausoleum complex and the Bibi Khanum Mosque built in honour of Tamerlaine's wife. Around the mosque there is a buzzing local market.

Malika Prime Hotel
Breakfast

Day 8 SAMARKAND - TASHKENT

Day 8 SAMARKAND - TASHKENT

This morning is left free for you to explore Samarkand at your own pace. This afternoon, take the train to Tashkent. Transfer to the railway station and board the train at 18:00 to Tashkent. Your tourist class seat will be reserved for you, the journey takes two hours 10 minutes, so you should arrive at 20:10. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Miran International Hotel
Breakfast

Day 9 TASHKENT - BISHKEK (KYRGYZSTAN)

Day 9 TASHKENT - BISHKEK (KYRGYZSTAN)

Fly to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, splendidly set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the city including the main square and State National History museum and stroll around Bishkek's Osh Bazaar.

Asia Mountains 1
Breakfast

Day 10 BISHKEK

Day 10 BISHKEK

Full day visit to Ala Archa Canyon, part of the Ala Archa National Park. Take a walk up into the mountains for amazing views over the park. Your mountain guide will lead you on various walking routes at your own pace through forests fragrant with pine and juniper. Ala Archa is a favourite place for the citizens of Bishkek, who like to take walks amidst unspoilt nature and relax by a waterfall.

Asia Mountains 1
Breakfast

Day 11 BISHKEK - LAKE ISSYK KUL - KARAKOL

Day 11 BISHKEK - LAKE ISSYK KUL - KARAKOL

Take a trip out to Lake Issyk Kul or “warm lake”. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Measuring 182km long by 58km wide, the lake is heated from below by volcanic activity and never freezes even in the depths of winter. There's time to have lunch and a walk by the lake before continuing to Karakol, a sleepy provincial town with a Russian flavour, sandwiched between the lake and the imposing Tien Shan Mountains.

Matsunoki Guesthouse
Breakfast

Day 12 KARAKOL - CHON KEMIN VALLEY

Day 12 KARAKOL - CHON KEMIN VALLEY

Explore the backstreets of Karakol, full of Russian style cottages shaded by white poplars and see the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral built in 1895 and the Chinese Dungan Mosque. Later on, drive to Ashu village in the Chon Kemin Valley near the Kazakh border, and meet your host family in your guesthouse house accommodation.

Ashu Guesthouse
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 CHON KEMIN VALLEY - ALMATY (KAZAKHSTAN)

Day 13 CHON KEMIN VALLEY - ALMATY (KAZAKHSTAN)

There is time this morning to explore this rural village, which is full of farms and fields growing various crops. Drive on to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city.

Kazzhol Hotel Almaty
Breakfast

Day 14 ALMATY

Day 14 ALMATY

In the morning take a sightseeing tour of Almaty visiting Republic Square with the former Presidential Palace and Independence Monument, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Russian Cathedral, built entirely of wood in 1904 without the use of any nails, and the colourful St Nicholas's Cathedral.This afternoon is at leisure.

Kazzhol Hotel Almaty
Breakfast

Day 15 DEPART ALMATY

Day 15 DEPART ALMATY

After breakfast transfer to the hotel for your onward flight.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED

15 days from £3,050

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 6518 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Natalie

Natalie is our Central Asia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Natalie by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

Lake Kaindy is a must if venturing to the southeast, remote and well-hidden but all part of the adventure. The nearby Kolsai Lakes allow you to make the journey extra worthwhile with some great hiking routes.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN KAZAKHSTAN