Classic Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
Suggested Itinerary
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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 ...
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 and then through the barren Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara and Samarkand, where you get a chance to explore the mosques and mausoleums of Bukhara and enjoy the Islamic majesty of the stunning Registan Square in Samarkand before flying on to the Kyrgyzstan capital, Bishkek.
A full day in the Ala Archa Canyon and a swim in the warm waters of Lake Issy Kul is then followed by a wander through the fascinating backstreets of Karakol, before heading into the Chon Kemin Valley for an overnight stay in the rural village of Ashu. The journey’s end then sees you amongst the mountains and museums of the Kazakh city of Almaty.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 15 DEPART ALMATY
Day 15 DEPART ALMATY
After breakfast transfer to the hotel for your onward flight.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Minzifa Hotel, Bukhara
The Minzifa is a small, stylish guesthouse located in the old town. Built in traditional Uzbek style around a central courtyard, this friendly charming hotel features the most refined Bukharan. When entering the hotel, one notices the ancient wooden gates adorned by openwork carving. Throughout the building you’ll see the old decorative method of ganch carving by famous craftsmen dynasties of Uzbekistan. All twelve rooms are individually decorated and have modern private bathrooms and air-conditioning. The hotel offers personal service, and a delicious breakfast is served each morning. A recommended choice when staying in Bukhara.
Kazzhol Hotel Almaty, Almaty
The hotel Kazzhol is a three-star property located in the centre of Almaty. A very welcoming hotel for international travellers, you will enjoy good service with an authentic Kazakh ambience. All bedrooms are en suite with clean modern bathrooms and offer TV and telephone. The hotel has a restaurant, laundry service and sauna for guests' convenience.
Orient Star Hotel (Khiva Madrasah), Khiva
Contained inside the 19th century Mukhamed Aminkhan Madrassah, the Orient Star enjoys a faultless location within the walls of Ichan Qala, the medieval citadel in the heart of Khiva. Only a short walk from the city's mosques, madrassas, palaces and hammams, the building used to be the biggest operational madrassah of the city and held up to 250 students. The traditional building now features 60 simply decorated but comfortable and clean en suite rooms. Once cells of the students who studied here, each room is a historical and architectural adventure. The restaurant and bar, situated in another madrasah next to the hotel, offers Uzbek meals and local wine.
Malika Prime Hotel, Samarkand
The Malika Prime Hotel enjoys one of the best locations in Samarkand, just by the Gur Emir Mausoleum and within walking distance of Registan Square. Built in traditional style, this charming hotel is an ideal place to stay in Samarkand. The marble entrance and stairs lead up to a huge terrace which serves as a summer restaurant and bar where you can enjoy a drink and magnificent views of the blue domes of Samarkand. There is also an air-conditioned restaurant downstairs. The 22 ensuite rooms are on the smaller side but spotlessly clean, with wooden floors and air-conditioning.
Asia Mountains 1, Bishkek
This charming guesthouse has been built in the style of a Swiss chalet with twelve comfortable en suite bedrooms and spacious communal areas. Just off a leafy boulevard in bustling Bishkek, the peaceful garden provides an ideal spot for resting after a busy day exploring, especially when the flowers are in bloom between late April and late autumn. The welcoming reception area is open 24 hours a day and in the back of the hotel is an outdoor pool with an accompanying sauna. The hotel’s Swiss-style bar and restaurant serves a choice of delicious breakfasts. Although the facilities are simple, we like the quieter location of this property.
Ashu Guesthouse, Chon Kemin Valley
Lying in a village in the Chon Kemin Valley is the delightful Ashu Guesthouse, established by a local family who wish to share their beautiful surroundings and traditional rural lifestyle. All rooms, though compact, have en suite facilities and are furnished and decorated with locally made items and handicrafts including plenty of colourful embroideries and hand carved wood. Guests can relax on day beds in the large shady gardens after a long day hiking or horse-riding. The rest of the village is on your doorstep to explore and the fertile valley is a great provider for home cooked, locally-sourced meals on the terrace.
Miran International Hotel, Tashkent
Miran International Hotel is a five-star approximately a 20-minute drive from Tashkent airport only a 15-minute to Amir Temur Square and museum, around which many restaurants and cafes can be found. The hotel has 140 very spacious, well-appointed rooms equipped that come with luxurious amenities such as bathrobes and slippers. Decor in the rooms, and indeed the hotel, is classic decadence with antique-style furniture pieces. The hotel restaurant offers an extensive menu of cuisines ranging from traditional Uzbek and Oriental to European. The Master's Lounge bar is ideal for unwinding at the end of the day with a cocktail and live jazz music in the evening. The hotel also boasts a large indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, massage room and health club.
Matsunoki Guesthouse, Karakol
Found in central Karakol, the Matsunoki makes a great base for exploring the city's main sights on foot and providing a bit of comfort before or after a challenging trek towards the Tien Shan. The family-run guesthouse offers a welcoming and homely stay with a notably personable and helpful service. A wonderful home-made breakfast is included and there are restaurants within walking distance for other meals of the day. The guesthouse is set in a quaint building made with wooden support beams, doors and flooring, and there is also a large wooden sun terrace. Rooms are simple yet well done, modern and comfortable, offering lots of light. En suite bathrooms are compact, modern and come with standard amenities. The dining area is bright and airy, overlooking and allowing access to the back porch that leads out into some green space in the garden, which makes for an ideal spot to rest in the summer.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
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
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EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
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.
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Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.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