After breakfast, take the four-hour journey to Chon-Kemin Gorge, stopping along the way to see the ancient minaret of Burana Tower, constructed in the 11th century. Climb the winding staircase for elevated views over Chuy Valley.
Back on the ground, look out at the field of balbals – anthropomorphic stone carvings traditionally found around ancient burial mounds.
Later, arrive in Chon-Kemin for the evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours / 160km
After breakfast, set off for a 2.5-hour journey toward Lake Issyk-Kul.
Surrounded by the Tian Shan Mountains – otherwise known as the ‘Celestial Mountains’ – this body of water was once a popular stop along the famed Silk Road. Follow the south shoreline to the village of Bokonbaevo, where you’ll visit a local eagle hunter, learning about the thousand-year-old Kyrgyz tradition drawing on the hunting prowess of the golden eagle.
Afterwards, continue to Skazka Canyon for a short hike through the unusual rock formations that have earned it the nickname ‘Fairytale Canyon’. Continue on to Tamga village on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, where you’ll spend your evening at a unique yurt camp.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours / 180km
Kyrgyz yurt glamping
Today, depart on an hour-long drive to Jety Oguz Canyon for a look at the Broken Heart rock formation, as well as the Seven Bulls – one of the most famous landmarks of Kyrgyzstan, comprising several natural sandstone formations. Continue to nearby Karakol, stopping by the wooden Dungan Mosque and intricately constructed Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours / 160km
Today is yours to relax and explore Karakol at your own pace. Stroll through this charming town on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, where Russian colonial-era houses and tree-lined streets blend with the distinctive Dungan Mosque, built in traditional Chinese style without nails. Discover local cafes serving Dungan and Uighur-influenced dishes, browse artisan workshops, or simply enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel.
Later this afternoon, transfer to the nearby Ak-Suu hot springs, where you can immerse yourself in warm, mineral-rich waters renowned for their relaxation and wellbeing. Set amidst the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains, these springs offer a soothing respite after days of exploring the rugged landscapes of eastern Kyrgyzstan. For more dramatic alpine scenery, visitors also often trek further to the Altyn Arashan hot springs high in the mountains.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours / 230km
Ak Suu thermal springs visit
Depart Karakol this morning and drive toward one of Kazakhstan’s most striking natural wonders: Charyn Canyon. Carved over millions of years by the Charyn River, the canyon stretches for more than 50 kilometres and reveals towering walls that rise up to 300 metres. Shades of red, gold and rust shimmer along the rock formations, creating an ever-changing display of colour as the light shifts across the valley. Your visit focuses on the renowned Valley of Castles, where sculpted pillars and narrow passages showcase the canyon’s most dramatic contours.
Continue to Saty village and check in for an evening spent at your hotel.
In the evening, gather for dinner at your accommodation and enjoy a peaceful night in this scenic mountain setting.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours / 160km
Today, take a trip to the nearby ‘Pearls of the Tien Shan’ – the Kolsai Lakes. Arriving at Nizhny Kolsai Lake, the lowest of these three mountain lakes, you’ll spend an hour walking the alpine shoreline.
Later, continue on the four-hour journey westward to Almaty, the cultural hub and former capital of Kazakhstan.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours / 280km
Today, you have the option to join a visit to Huns Ethno Village, located 1.5 hours from Almaty.
Alternatively, enjoy a free day in Almaty. Take the cable car up to Kök Töbe for panoramic views, wander the tree-lined streets and cafes of the centre, explore boutiques along Zhibek Zholy, visit the Central State Museum to learn more about Kazakhstan’s history, or head to the Medeu ice rink and Shymbulak ski resort in the nearby mountains. You can also simply relax at your hotel and enjoy the leisure facilities.
Get to know the ‘City of Apple Trees’ on a guided tour. Browse the produce stalls and local wares of the Green Bazaar, wander the avenues of Panfilov Memorial Park, then stop by Zenkov Cathedral, an entirely wooden Russian Orthodox Church. Pause at the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame – a tribute honouring those who served during World War II.
This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Dushanbe, crossing from Kazakhstan into Tajikistan. On arrival, meet your local Tajik guide and transfer to your hotel in the capital, where you can settle in for a relaxed evening.
Travel time: Flight– approx. two hours
Rise this morning ready to explore the capital of Tajikistan, starting at the National Museum of Antiquities (dependent on flight schedule). Afterwards, visit the ancient Hissar Fortress, a strategic fortification and former royal residence.
After your guided tour, the rest of your day is spent freely.
Continue exploring Dushanbe as you visit the Art Deco-style bronze statue of Samanid emir Ismoil Somoni. Meander through the landscaped gardens of Rudaki Park, gaze on the open-book design of the National Library of Tajikiistan and stop by the 165-metre-high Dushanbe Flagpole. Then, look up at the Kohi Navruz, a teahouse-turned-palace complete with a rotunda and man-made lake.
Conclude your day amid the stalls of Green Bazaar, then return to your hotel for an evening at rest.
Today, take the three-hour trip to the Fann Mountains, passing over the Anzob Pass. On the other side, arrive at Iskanderkul Lake, reflecting the rugged Gissar Range.
Visit nearby Snake Lake and a gushing waterfall, then carry on for a further three-hour drive as you set a course for Panjakent.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours / 310km
Spend your morning exploring Panjakent, located in the Zeravshan River Valley. Here, you’ll unearth the ancient ruins of Sarazm on the outskirts of the city, another popular stop along the Silk Road.
Before lunch, cross into Uzbekistan at the Jartepa checkpoint. Upon arrival, meet your Uzbek tour guide and take the hour-long drive to Samarkand.
Your afternoon is free to explore Samarkand at your own pace. Wander through the intricately decorated archways of Registan Square, browse the bustling bazaars, or simply relax at your hotel ahead of tomorrow’s guided tour.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 90 minutes / 60km
Standing at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Samarkand is synonymous with the Silk Road and its historic trade.
Today, dive further into its history with visits to the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, 14th-century Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the innovative astronomical site of 15th-century Ulugh Beg Observatory. Peruse the countless artefacts of the Afrasiab Museum, including 7th-century frescoes.
Continue to the Tomb of Daniyar, then stop by a local paper mill for an inside look at how traditional paper has been made since the 8th century.
Depart for Bukhara today, breaking up the four-hour journey with a stop at the ruins of Rabati Malik – an ancient ‘caravanserai’ or roadside inn for weary travellers – as well as the water reservoir of Sardoba. Later, visit the house of a famous ceramicist in Gijduvan.
Arrive later today in Bukhara and set your sights on the coloured glass and tiled ceiling of Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara, otherwise known as the ‘Palace of the Moon and Stars’. Finally, take a short walk through the trading domes of Lyabi-Hauz Plaza and cool off in the shade of age-old mulberry trees.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours / 270km
Today, take a guided trip to the Samanid Mausoleum, look up at the colourful ceiling and carved columns of the Bolo-Hauz Mosque, gaze upon the sloping walls of the Ark of Bukhara fortress, then conclude at the Poi-Kalyan complex, home to one of Central Asia’s largest mosques with its twin cerulean domes.
After an early breakfast, cross the border into Turkmenistan and enjoy a one-hour drive to Turkmenabat before boarding your included flight to Ashgabat, the capital city renowned for its gleaming white marble architecture and grand national monuments.
Dinner will be served at a local restaurant at 7pm.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 3.5 hours / Flight – approx. one hour
Join a guided street tour, including a visit to the National Museum of Turkmenistan, the Presidential and Ruhyyet Palaces, the city’s record-setting Ferris wheel, the Arch of Neutrality and the Ertogrul Gazi Mosque.
Take a journey beyond the bounds of Ashgabat today as you travel an hour to the underground lake of Kow Ata, where you can swim in its naturally heated waters.
Continue to Geok-Tepe Fortress and the turquoise-domed Saparmurat Hajji Mosque, then visit a horse farm to see the Akhal-Teke horses for which Turkmenistan has earned renown.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours / 215km
Depart Ashgabat and travel four hours to the Darvaza Gas Crater, named the ‘Door to Hell’, where a constant fire has burned for 40 years. After Soviet geologists tapped a cavern of natural gas in 1971, the subsequent collapse left a hole 60 metres across and 30 metres deep.
Settle in at your nearby yurt camp, then in the evening watch the flame that was set to burn off the poisonous gas, which stays alight to this day.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours / 280km
Stand at Darvaza Gas Crater’s ‘Door to Hell’
Fill up for your full day of travel with a picnic-style breakfast, then start the drive to Uzbekistan’s border, enjoying a stop for food and rest in Dashoguz. Cross the neutral zone once more, then meet with your Uzbek guide as you transfer to Khiva for the evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours / 370km
Spend your day exploring this ancient trading post, once an important crossroads of the Silk Road.
Visit the Islam Khoja complex for a look at the city’s tallest minaret, then continue to the wide blue minaret of Kalta Minor. See the intricate tiles of the Kuhna Ark citadel, former residence of the khans, carry on to the Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah and the Sayid Alauddin Mausoleum, then finish with a trip to Shergazi-Khan Madrasah and the blue halls of Tosh-Hovli Palace.
Transfer 40 minutes to Urgench International Airport (UGC) for your included flight to Tashkent. Discover the narrow streets of the the Uzbek capital’s Old City, stopping by Barak-Khan Madrasah and Tillya Sheikh Mosque, home to one of the world’s oldest copies of the Quran.
Visit Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Moyie Mubarek Library Museum, where a thumb-sized Quran is kept in an amulet case. Discover daily life under the dome of Chorsu Bazaar, where you can shop for souvenirs and watch Uzbek bread-baking. Take the Tashkent Metro to the city’s more modern neighbourhoods for a look at the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, the central square of Mustaqillik Maydoni and Amir Temur Square, established on the intersection of two ancient trade roads.
Tonight, enjoy a local farewell dinner as you say goodbye to your travel companions.
Travel time: Driving – 40 minutes / Flight – approx. 80 minutes
Spend your morning at leisure before checking out and making your way to Tashkent International Airport (TAS).