Central Asia – Multi-Stan Adventure
23 days
from Almaty to Tashkent
Duration23 days
With their reputation for welcoming visitors and their unique cultural footprint, the countries of Central Asia will remind you why you travel. This comprehensive 23-day tour will take you through all the 'Stans we visit, offering a fascinating glimpse at a beautiful part of the world most travellers miss. Stay at unique homestays, sleep in traditional yurts, discover the breathtaking mountain and desert scenery, enjoy free time in the Uzbek city of Tashkent, and roam gorgeous buildings built centuries ago. See Central Asia with a group of like-minded adventurers and an expert Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and cross off an entire and unexpected region of the world from your must-see list.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 23 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: AlmatyPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: TashkentAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Almaty
Start place: Almaty
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
End place: Almaty
Day 2: Almaty
Start place: Almaty
Take a city tour of Almaty including the historical centre, the Zenkov Cathedral and the Monument of Independence. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore. Opt to climb green hill for a panoramic view or visit the local market.
End place: Almaty
Meals: B
Day 3: Almaty/Karakol
Start place: Almaty
Drive via scenic Charyn Canyon to take in more of the Kazakh landscape. Reach the border and cross into Kyrgyzstan. Enjoy an evening in Karakol.
End place: Karakol
Meals: B
Day 4: Karakol/Kochkor
Start place: Karakol
Visit the Prejevalskiy Museum then drive to Kizil Tuu. Stop en route for a swim in the lake. In Kizil Tuu learn how to built a yurt before continuing on to Kochkor.
End place: Kochkor
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Kochkor/Song Kul
Start place: Kochkor
Visit a felt-making workshop to learn more about this typical Kyrgyz craft. Opt to pick up a carpet or two. Continue on to the scenic Song Kul area and stay overnight in a traditional yurt for a true cultural experience.
End place: Ozero Sonkel'
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Song Kul
Start place: Ozero Sonkel'
Spend a full day soaking in this beautiful area. Opt to head out for some hiking or horseback riding. Enjoy another night in a yurt.
End place: Ozero Sonkel'
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Song Kul/Chong-Kemin
Start place: Ozero Sonkel'
Continue on into the scenic valley of Chong-Kemin. Stay in the local CBT (community based tourism) houses and explore the village. Soak in the stunning scenery.
End place: Chong-Kemin
Meals: B, D
Day 8: Chong-Kemin/Almaty
Start place: Chong-Kemin
Depart Chong-Kemin and stop at one of Kyrgyzstan's oldest sights, the Burana Tower. Learn more about the ancient structure (rare in a nomadic culture) before continuing on to the capital city of Bishkek for an afternoon city tour. Board an evening flight to Almaty.
End place: Almaty
Meals: B, L
Day 9: Almaty/Dushanbe
Start place: Almaty
There may be more travellers joining the group here. Opt to attend an evening welcome meeting to get to know them.
In the morning, transfer to Almaty airport and board a flight to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Enjoy an evening in the city.
End place: Dushanbe
Meals: B
Day 10: Dushanbe/Kŭli Iskandarkŭl
Start place: Dushanbe
Visit some sights in the capital city of Dushanbe, including museums, monuments and the main mosque. After lunch, drive through the valleys and mountains of the area for an overnight in local homes in the stunningly beautiful Iskanderkul area. Meet the locals and explore this gorgeous landscape in the Fann Mountains.
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Kŭli Iskandarkŭl
Spend a full day exploring. Hike in the mountains to an impressive waterfall. After a picnic lunch, return to Sarytag village.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Kŭli Iskandarkŭl/Khŭjand
Continue on to Istaravshan and visit an ancient settlement in Ura-Tube. Enjoy an optional lunch in a local chaikhana (teahouse) before driving to Khujand. Explore the city in the afternoon, visiting the museum and a mausoleum.
Meals: B
Day 13: Khŭjand/Tashkent
Some travellers will be joining the group here as they start their journey into Uzbekistan.
Visit the Khujand market (largest in Tajikistan) before continuing on to the border. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to the capital city of Tashkent. Enjoy a short orientation walk in the evening before an optional dinner.
End place: Tashkent
Meals: B
Day 14: Tashkent
Start place: Tashkent
Enjoy a free day to explore.
End place: Tashkent
Meals: B
Day 15: Tashkent/Samarkand
Start place: Tashkent
Travel on to Samarkand. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum.
End place: Samarqand
Meals: B
Day 16: Samarkand
Start place: Samarqand
With free time, enjoy the Samarkand sights, have a cup of tea in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar.
Enjoy a city tour and visit to the Registan. Opt to check out the Guri Amir Mausoleum, Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, and the Registan minarets. Use some free time to wander the bazaar or visit more sights.
End place: Samarqand
Meals: B
Day 17: Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp
Start place: Samarqand
Travel out into the desert to visit the Nurata Shrine and remains of the Alexander the Great fortress. Continue on for an evening in a local yurt camp. Opt to ride a camel or enjoy an evening Kazakh singing show.
Meals: B, D
Day 18: Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara
Travel to Bukhara, one of the most charming cities in the country. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, have dinner with a local family, or visit a traditional hammam (bathhouse).
End place: Bukhara
Meals: B
Day 19: Bukhara
Start place: Bukhara
There is plenty of time to explore the artisan shops and wander the narrow twisting streets and alleyways. A centre for pottery, cloth, and Turkmen carpets, the Old City is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, where you can sit at café tables and let the evening drift by. There is also the option to take in a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai or indulge in a Turkish bath.
Take a half-day guided walk around the beautifully restored mosques, madrassas, and covered markets that make up the Old City.
End place: Bukhara
Meals: B
Day 20: Bukhara/Khiva
Start place: Bukhara
Enjoy a full day's travel through the desert to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva. Get to know the place on a late afternoon walking tour.
End place: Khiwa
Meals: B
Day 21: Khiva/Tashkent
Start place: Khiwa
Explore the old town surrounded by city walls, bargain with locals on the market, and wander through the madrassas, climb up minarets, and explore the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Wander through the inner walls of the Ichon-Qala and enjoy spectacular sunset views of the sand-coloured mosques and madrassas.
Enjoy a guided tour of the city with free time to experience the local life. Opt to browse the shops, wander the lanes, examine handmade silk rugs, or sit in a café in this ancient historical town. Later, take an overnight train to Tashkent, travelling alongside the locals.
End place: Tashkent
Meals: B
Day 22: Tashkent
Start place: Tashkent
Arrive back in Tashkent and enjoy a city tour or explore on your own with some free time.
End place: Tashkent
Day 23: Tashkent
Start place: Tashkent
Depart at any time.
End place: Tashkent
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Ozero Sonkël’ Your Local Living Moment: Community Homestay, Kŭli Iskandarkŭl Your Local Living Moment: Plov Cooking Demonstration and Dinner, Samarkand Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp
- City tour (Almaty)
- Charyn Canyon stop
- Karakol city tour (half-day)
- Yurt building presentation (Kizil Tuu)
- Felt-making workshop visit
- Community-based tourism (CBT) stay
- Burana Tower visit
- Half-day city tour (Bishkek)
- Dushanbe city tour
- Hikes and picnic lunch
- Mug Teppe settlement visit (Ura-Tube)
- City tour (Khujand)
- Khujand market visit
- City tour (Tashkent)
- Orientation walk (Samarkand)
- City tour including a Registan visit
- Plov-making demonstration and dinner with a local family
- Nurata Shrine visit
- Alexander the Great fortress visit
- Desert yurt stay (Aydar Kŭl)
- Guided walking tour (half-day, Bukhara)
- Walking tours (Khiva)
- Internal flight
- Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicles, Plane, Train, Walking -
Accommodation
Standard hotels/guesthouses (15 nts), Yurts (3 nts), CBT homestays (3 nts), Sleeper train (1 nt)