Discover Central Asia: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Tashkent
• 1 night Khiva
• 2 nights Bukhara
• 2 nights Samarkand
• 1 night Tashkent
• 2 nights Bishkek
• 2 nights Chon Kemin
• 1 night Song Kul Lake
• 1 night Bishkek

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights  

Day 2: Arrive Tashkent 

On arrival in Tashkent, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for one night. In the afternoon, you’ll head out on a city tour of Tashkent, exploring the old and least Soviet part of the city, the Khast Imam Complex, which dates back to the seventh century. It is home to the Quran of Caliph Uthman, one of the oldest in the world. You’ll explore the bustling Chorsu Market, which has been selling spices and handicrafts to locals since the Middle Ages, before heading to the Museum of Applied Arts, the Amir Temur Square and the Earthquake Monument. You’ll explore on the Tashkent Metro, which is famous for it’s ornately decorated stations. 

Included: Transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Fly to Urgench, travel to Khiva

After breakfast, you’ll head to the airport for an early flight to Urgench in the west of Uzbekistan. On arrival you’ll be met and driven to Khiva, around 40 minutes away. You’ll spend the rest of the day exploring this fascinating city, one of the renowned capitals of old Khorezm. A gem of desert architecture, you’ll explore the inner city of Ichan Kala, with over 60 historical monuments dotted throughout, including the Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah, the Kunya Ark and the Juma Mosque which has 218 pillars. There is so much to see here as you start to soak up the history and culture of Uzbekistan.

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, touring, 4* hotel     

Day 4: Khiva to Bukhara 

Today you’ll set off on a long train journey across the country to Bukhara. It takes around 7 hours – play cards, chat and have a rest before arriving in Bukhara in the early evening. 

Included: Breakfast, train tickets, 4* hotel

Day 5: Bukhara

Spend the day soaking up the architectural heritage of Bukhara, with public baths, mausoleums, trading domes, mosques and madrassahs just waiting to be explored. It’s an enchanting city that really takes you back in times; spend your days strolling between the local bazaars, learning about the history of the Silk Route and trading domes and soaking up different museums, mosques and madrassahs with your guide. As you explore the city, you’ll stop in a local tea houses to enjoy fresh tea and coffee flavoured with different spices. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel                     

Day 6: Train to Samarkand

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a morning at leisure to do some shopping or explore on your own, before heading to the train station for the fast train to Samarkand, around 2 hours away. On arrival, you’ll be driven to your hotel and check in for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, train tickets, 4* hotel          

Day 7: Samarkand

You'll spend the day learning about the architectural history of Samarkand. The city has witnessed a lot of upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great, the Arabic conquest and the Ghengis-Khan conquest. This has allowed Samarkand’s culture to develop and mix together with Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and Eastern cultures. Marvel at the spectacular Registan Square, one of the most iconic views in Uzbekistan, before admiring the incredible mosaics of Bibi-Khanum Mosque. You'll learn from your guide about the history of Timur and his presence in the region, finishing the day at the Siab Bazaar, where you can try local street food and get lost amongst the colourful stalls. 

Included:  Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 8: Train to Tashkent 

Today you’ll continue to enjoy the masterpieces of Samarkand, including the Ulugbek's Observatory, where you will be amazed by the Timurid dynasty's advanced understanding of astronomy. You’ll also visit the Old Paper Mill near Samarkand, where you’ll learn about the lost art of paper-making that was once famous throughout the East. After a morning of exploring, you’ll hop on the train to Tashkent, which is around a 2.5 hour journey. Enjoy your final evening in Uzbekistan – why not head out for a traditional meal, your guide will be able to recommend somewhere fantastic, where you can toast to a wonderful holiday in Uzbekistan.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, train tickets, 4* hotels     

Day 9: Fly to Kyrgyzstan 

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for your the short flight to Kyrgyzstan. On arrival, you'll be met in the airport and driven to your hotel, spending the rest of your evening at leisure in Bishkek. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights,4* hotel

Day 10: Bishkek & Ala Archa National Park  

This morning you'll head out with your guide to Ala Archa National Park, just south of the city. Here you'll find a narrow valley that is home to pretty waterfalls, incredible rock formations and endless pine forests, with the western end of the Tien Shan mountains as a backdrop. In the afternoon, you'll head back to the city to enjoy a half day tour of the highlights. Explore Youth Alley, where the statue of Manus (the founder of the Kyrgyz nation) stands, as well as the Old Square, Oak Park and Erkindik Boulevard, where locals gather to play chess and rest under the trees. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel

Day 11: Burana and Chon Kemin Valley

After breakfast, you'll leave the city behind and travel across Kyrgyzstan to the Chon Kemin Valley. This protected region is home to some of the most diverse flora and fauna in the region, all amongst the lush alpine landscape. Steep glaciers are fringed with green forests and the valley is surrounded on all sides by towering mountain peaks. 

On the way, you'll stop in to visit the Burana Historical Complex, within a large archaeological site to the east of Bishkek. Built in the 11th Century, this 25m minaret once stood at over 40m tall but was partially destroyed in an earthquake in the Middle Ages. You can climb the stairs to the top, soaking up the views of the beautiful surrounding valleys as well as the remains of the nearby mausoleums. In the afternoon you'll arrive at Kalmak-Ashuu village, checking into your family run guesthouse and taking a stroll through the area as you learn about local Kyrgyz life. 

In the evening you'll sit around the campfire, enjoying a Manaschy performance.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring, local guesthouse accommodation 

Day 12: Chon Kemin Valley

After breakfast you'll enjoy a morning hike to Kalmak-Ashuu Gorge, which takes around 3 hours and is a pretty walk through the local landscapes. Your afternoon is free but there is plenty to do if you'd like - we can organise horseback riding, traditional games and a Boorsok show, cooking national Kyrgyz fried bread. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring, local guesthouse accommodation 

Day 13: Chon Kemin to Son Kul Lake 

Today you'll  be heading to Son Kul Lake, your next step into nomadic life. Here the Kyrgyz people still live in traditional simplicity. At the yurt camp by the waters edge, you'll spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families, tasting their fresh airan (yoghurt) and kymys (a fermented drink from mare's milk). Spend the day exploring the lake, hiking and soaking up the local lifestyle. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring, yurt camp with shared toilets

Day 14: Son Kul Lake to Bishkek

Enjoy breakfast at the yurt camp, enjoying your final morning of peaceful tranquility in the countryside before heading back to Bishkek. On your way back you'll stop in a Konorchek Canyon for a short hike, arriving back in the city for your final night in Central Asia. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 15: Depart Bishkek

This morning you'll be driven back to the airport in time for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 16: Arrive UK