Silk Road Chronicles: 18-Day Central Asia Tour

Upon arrival in Almaty, you will be greeted by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to relax and settle into the city. Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis, lies at the foothills of the majestic Tian Shan Mountains. Overnight at the hotel.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel. Your guide and driver will meet you in the lobby to start the city exploration. Visit Panfilov Park, named after the heroic Panfilov Division soldiers of World War II, and admire the Zenkov Cathedral, a striking wooden Orthodox church built without nails. Next, explore the Central State Museum, home to fascinating artifacts showcasing Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical heritage.

Proceed to Republic Square, a significant civic center symbolizing the city’s modernity. Afterward, a short 25 km drive takes you to Chimbulak Ski Resort. Ascend the scenic cable car for breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains. The day concludes at the Sunkar Falcon Farm, where you will witness a captivating falconry show, highlighting an ancient Kazakh tradition (note: closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Duration: 6–7 hours.

Enjoy breakfast before embarking on a picturesque drive to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, via a newly built highway (250 km, 4 hours). The journey offers captivating views of Kazakhstan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s scenic landscapes. After crossing the border, arrive in Bishkek and check into your hotel.

Spend the afternoon on a sightseeing tour. Discover Oak Park, known for its shady trees and open-air sculptures, and explore Ala-Too Square, the city’s vibrant central plaza. Admire the Statue of Manas, a tribute to the legendary Kyrgyz hero. Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts (closed Mondays), Philharmonic Hall, and the imposing Victory Monument, a testament to Soviet-era architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 3–4 hours.

Depart Bishkek in the morning for Issyk-Kul Lake (250 km, 4 hours). En route, explore Grigorievka Gorge, known for its lush alpine meadows and pristine fir forests. Enjoy an easy hike to experience the area’s serene beauty.

Continue to the lakeside town of Cholpon-Ata, where you will visit an open-air collection of ancient petroglyphs and the Ethnographic Museum, offering insights into the region’s prehistoric past. End your day by transferring to your hotel or guesthouse on Issyk-Kul’s northern shore for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Bishkek (280 km, 4 hours). Stop en route at the historic Burana Tower, the last remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun, a key stop on the Silk Road. Climb the tower and explore the surrounding open-air museum featuring ancient stone carvings. Arrive in Bishkek and enjoy some free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Start your day with breakfast before transferring to the airport for a flight to Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city. Embark on a short city tour upon arrival. Visit the sacred Suleiman-Too Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been a place of worship for thousands of years. Explore the National Museum of History and Archaeology, located within the mountain, and stroll through the bustling Osh Bazaar, an authentic Silk Road market.

After the tour, drive to the Dostuk border point to cross into Uzbekistan. Meet your driver on the Uzbek side and continue to Fergana (110 km, 1.5–2 hours). Check into the hotel.
Duration: 2 hours.

Begin your day in Margilan, where you’ll visit the Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah, a hub for traditional crafts. Explore a local market and witness silk production at the Yodgorlik Silk Factory, renowned for its intricate Ikat patterns.

Next, travel to Rishtan, known for its exquisite ceramics. At the home of master potter Rustam Usmanov, observe the process of crafting pottery and view a collection of intricately designed ceramics. Continue to Kokand, the historical capital of the Kokand Khanate, and tour the Khudoyar-Khan Palace, a stunning architectural gem.

Board the evening train to Tashkent, arriving in the Uzbek capital at 9:38 PM. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Duration: 4–5 hours.

Discover Uzbekistan’s capital with a guided tour. Visit the Khast-Imam Complex, home to the world-famous Quran of Caliph Uthman. Explore the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar and take a ride on the Tashkent Metro to the city center. Admire exhibits at the Museum of Applied Arts and stroll through Navoi Theater to reach Amir Timur Square.
Duration of sightseeing: 5-6 hours
Overnight in Tashkent.

Start your day early with breakfast before heading to Tashkent airport for a domestic flight to Urgench (a journey of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, covering 1,093 km). Upon arrival, a short transfer (30 km, 35 minutes) will take you to your hotel in the historic city of Khiva. After settling in, embark on a guided walking tour of Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its preserved medieval architecture. Discover the stunning Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, the elegant Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, and the iconic Kalta-Minor Minaret. Explore the intricate designs of Juma Mosque, the ornate Tash-Khovli Palace, and the sacred Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. End the tour with a visit to the towering Islam-Khoja Minaret. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to wander around and soak in Khiva’s vibrant atmosphere. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour Duration: 5 hours

Following breakfast, drive to the Shavat-Dashoguz border crossing (60 km, 1 hour) to enter Turkmenistan. After completing border formalities, meet your Turkmen guide and proceed to the historic site of Kunya-Urgench (100 km, 1.5 hours). Explore remarkable landmarks such as the mausoleums of Turabek Khanum, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, and Sultan Ali. Admire the towering Kutlug-Timur Minaret and the mysterious Kyrk Molla hill. In the afternoon, transfer to Dashoguz airport (120 km, 1.5 hours) for an evening flight to Ashgabat (580 km, 50 minutes). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Tour Duration: 2 hours

After breakfast, embark on an exciting city tour of Ashgabat, a modern marvel recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for its abundance of white marble buildings. Visit the archaeological site of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Spiritual Mosque, one of Central Asia’s largest mosques. Delve into the National Museum of History and explore iconic landmarks such as the Monument of Neutrality and Independence Park. Other highlights include the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and a visit to the renowned Akhal-Teke horse stables, where you can learn about Turkmenistan’s prized horses. The tour also includes a stop at the Lenin Monument. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour Duration: 6 hours

Start your day with an early breakfast before transferring to the airport for a morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 minutes). From Mary, drive to the ancient city of Merv (40 km, 30 minutes), a key hub on the historic Silk Road. Explore the extensive historical park, which includes Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, and Keshk Fortress. In the afternoon, depart for the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border (45 km, 1 hour). Complete border formalities and meet your driver for the onward journey to Bukhara (100 km, 1.5 hours). Upon arrival in Bukhara, check into your hotel and enjoy leisure time. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour Duration: 4–5 hours

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of Bukhara’s Old City. Explore the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, and the charming Chor-Minor Madrasah. Marvel at the bustling trade domes and iconic structures like Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrasah. Visit the intricately decorated Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, and tour the historic Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, and Ismail Samani Mausoleum. Conclude your day at the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour Duration: 6–7 hours

After breakfast, continue your exploration with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, and the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi, a revered Sufi figure. In the afternoon, set off for Samarkand (280 km, 4 hours), with a stop at the historic Rabat-i-Malik Caravanserai en route. Arrive in Samarkand in the evening and check into your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour Duration: 2–3 hours

Following breakfast, drive to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border at Jartepa (50 km, 1 hour). After clearing customs on both sides, meet your guide in Tajikistan and proceed to Penjikent, once a thriving Sogdian city. Visit the Rudaki Museum and local bazaar, and explore the ruins of ancient Penjikent. Return to the border in the late afternoon and transfer back to your Samarkand hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Start your day with a guided tour of Samarkand’s iconic landmarks. Discover the grandeur of Registan Square, the remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and the bustling Siyob Bazaar. Visit Ulugbek Observatory, the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, and the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Amir Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour Duration: 6–7 hours

After breakfast, visit the Afrosiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Head to the Konigil village to observe the traditional process of crafting Samarkand paper from mulberry. Spend your free time exploring independently before transferring to the train station for the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Tashkent (300 km, 2 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night.
Tour Duration: 3–4 hours

Check out from your hotel by noon and enjoy free time for final exploration or relaxation. Later, transfer to Tashkent International Airport for your departure, marking the end of this unforgettable Central Asia tour.