Welcome to Tashkent! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in, available from noon. Begin your journey with a guided tour of Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital, the largest city in Central Asia. Explore the Old City, home to the Khast-Imam Complex, where the legendary Quran of Caliph Uthman is preserved. Admire landmarks like the Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, and the Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, alongside the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Stroll through the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, followed by a memorable metro ride to the city center. Visit the Applied Arts Museum, Navoi Theater, and conclude at Amir Timur Square. Overnight stay in Tashkent.
Duration of sightseeing: 5-6 hours
Catch an early morning flight to Urgench (1 hour 40 minutes). Upon landing, transfer to your hotel in Khiva. Begin your guided walking tour of the UNESCO-listed Ichan-Kala Fortress, a well-preserved medieval town.
Explore the architectural wonders of the fortress, including Mukhammad Aminkhan and Mukhammad Rahimkhan madrasahs, the Kalta-Minor Minaret, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Islam Khoja Minaret. Spend your afternoon enjoying free time in this historic city. Overnight in Khiva.
Sightseeing duration: 5 hours
Leave Khiva and embark on a drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 hours). Travel through the Kyzylkum Desert, a route once part of the Great Silk Road. Pause to enjoy scenic views of the Amu Darya River and the surrounding desert.
Arrive in Bukhara by late afternoon and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxation. Overnight in Bukhara.
(Note: Cafés along this route offer basic services; consider bringing a packed lunch.)
This morning begin a walking tour of Bukhara’s Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Lyabi-Khauz Complex, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, bustling trade domes, Kalyan Mosque, and the majestic Kalyan Minaret. Admire the Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek Madrasah, Abdulazizkhan Madrasah, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum and the Samani Mausoleum. Overnight in Bukhara.
Duration of sightseeing: 6-7 hours
Start your day with visits to Bukhara’s outskirts, including the grand summer residence of the last emir, Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, and the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis.
Transfer to the train station to catch the high-speed Afrosiyob train (departure: 15:52, arrival: 17:25) to Samarkand. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Sightseeing Duration: 4-5 hours
Today, enjoy a full day exploring the majestic city of Samarkand. Start with a visit to the Registan Square, the ruins of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and the bustling Siab Bazaar. Visit the impressive Gur-Emir Mausoleum, resting place of Amir Timur. End the day with a leisurely stroll through Samarkand’s charming streets. Overnight in Samarkand.
Duration of sightseeing: 6-7 hours
After hotel check-out, continue your exploration of Samarkand. Visit the historic Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory, and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Head to Konigil village to witness the traditional production of Samarkand paper from mulberry. After some free time, transfer to the train station for your journey back to Tashkent on the Afrosiyob train. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Fly to Bishkek (1 hour 15 minutes). After checking into your hotel, embark on a city tour. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, the iconic Manas Statue, Philharmonic Hall, and the Victory Monument, showcasing Soviet-era architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Sightseeing Duration: 3-4 hours
Drive to the breathtaking Issyk-Kul Lake (250 km, 4-5 hours), one of the largest alpine lakes in the world. Visit the petroglyphs at Cholpon-Ata, ancient rock carvings, and the Ethnographical Museum. Enjoy free time to relax on the lake’s beach. Overnight stay at a lakeside hotel.
Sightseeing Duration: 2 hours
Travel to Karakol (170 km, 2 hours). Visit the Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to the Russian explorer. Discover Karakol’s attractions, including the Russian Orthodox Church, Dungan Mosque, and the local bazaar. Enjoy a traditional Uyghur dinner at a family home before overnighting at a hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive to Kochkor (270 km, 5 hours), stopping at Jety-Oguz Gorge, renowned for its striking red sandstone formations and legends of the “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart.” Enjoy a two-hour hike to a waterfall and lunch in a yurt camp before continuing to Kochkor. Stay with a Kyrgyz family, savoring a traditional dinner of beshbarmak.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit a felt workshop in Kochkor, where you can craft and purchase felt souvenirs. After lunch with a Kyrgyz family, head to Bishkek (230 km, 3 hours). Stop at the historic Burana Tower, a relic of the ancient city of Balasagun, before reaching your hotel. Overnight in Bishkek.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
| Number of Tourists | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy* (per tourist) | $4800 | $2900 | $2600 | $2250 | $2000 |
| Comfort** (per tourist) | $5400 | $3200 | $2900 | $2550 | $2300 |
* — based on 3* hotel accommodation / ** — based on 4* hotel accommodation /
All transportation throughout the tour Sightseeing tour programme with local guides Entrance fees to the museums, mausoleums and other sights Accommodation (shared double/twin room) Economy class tickets for flights Tashkent-Urgench, Tashkent-Bishkek Tickets for trains Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent English speaking escort guide in Kyrgyzstan (except last day) Felt making show in Kochkor
Any Private Expenses Tips are not included, but would be appreciated Travel insurance Consular fees for tourist visa and associated expenses Full board (lunches and dinners) Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour International flight tickets before and after the tour Registration in Kyrgyzstan (20$)
I recently completed the 13-day Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan tour organized by Shahina Travel, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the bustling streets of Tashkent to the tranquil beauty of Issyk-Kul Lake, every stop was an unforgettable adventure. The highlights were definitely the UNESCO sites in Khiva and Bukhara, as well as the stunning Registan Square in Samarkand. The breathtaking landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, especially Jety-Oguz Gorge and Issyk-Kul, left me in awe. The local culture and traditions were brought to life through the charming villages and fascinating experiences like the felt carpet workshop in Kochkor. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and made the history and culture of both countries come alive. Shahina Travel took care of all the details, making the trip seamless and stress-free. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an immersive, well-rounded journey through Central Asia. Thank you, Shahina Travel!