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Journey through Central Asia

  • Duration
    27 days
  • Tour Type
    Group Tour
  • Tour Style
    Go Beyond
  • Price From
    £8,040pp
  • Read Reviews
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Travel from Bishkek to Ashgabat on this 27 day 'Five Stan' cultural experience. This in depth tour will see you visiting the Silk Road gems of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the quirky Turkmenistan, colourful markets, fascinating villages and Swiss Alps type scenery. Retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great on this unforgettable Central Asian journey.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 25 , Lunches: 24 , Dinners: 25
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    25 nights in 3/4 star accommodation
  • Hassle Free Visa
    Exclusive to Wendy Wu Tours
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 18
  • Physical Rating 4Learn More
    X A good level of fitness is required as you can expect to be walking, or taking part in a physical activity like cycling, for longer periods of time on several days throughout the tour, and may be required to tackle some more challenging terrain. Download the detailed tour dossier for details of your chosen tour. Learn More
    Extended walking. Physical activities on challenging terrain.
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Call 0808 274 8594

Tour Highlights

Our Journey through Central Asia tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.

Tour Experiences

Tour Itinerary

  • Days 1-2
    Fly to Bishkek
    Days 1-2: Fly to Bishkek

    Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the morning is yours to relax before dinner.

    • Dinner
  • Day 3
    Ala Archa National Park
    Day 3: Ala Archa National Park

    Travel to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through its picturesque scenery of rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. Return to Bishkek for a city tour, where you will visit Manas Monument before enjoying a walking tour around Ala Too Square to watch the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony. You will also visit the Independence Monument, Old Square and more.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 4
    Bishkek - Chon Kemin National Park
    Day 4: Bishkek - Chon Kemin National Park

    This morning, depart for the peaceful village of Chon-Kemin, enjoying breathtaking views of the 12th Century Burana Tower along the way. Chon Kemin is a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains and a fir forest. Take in daily village life as you wander along the foothills and enjoy the views.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 5
    Chon-Kemin - Bokonbayevo
    Day 5: Chon-Kemin - Bokonbayevo

    Today we drive to Kochkor village , the centre of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts. Here you will be able to see how the traditional Kygyz wool carpets, called ‘shyrdak’, are made. Continue further to Bokonbayevo Village, passing the Southern shore of Issyk Kul Lak, the second largest mountain lake in the world, along the way.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 6
    Golden Eagle Hunting - Karakol
    Day 6: Golden Eagle Hunting - Karakol

    Visit Skazka Canyon, before going on to meet with a “Berkutchi”, a Golden Eagle hunter and watch a hunting demonstration, gaining insight into this millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition. Continue on to Barskoon Gorge to see the waterfall named ‘Tears of Leopard’. The gorge is considered one of the most beautiful in the Issyk Kul area. Continue to Karakol.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 7
    Jety-Orguz Gorge
    Day 7: Jety-Orguz Gorge

    Visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, which was completed in 1895 and tour a Chinese mosque. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone. Go on to enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family, learning the fascinating story of why this Muslim Chinese group immigrated to the region 140 years ago.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 8
    Karakol - Almaty
    Day 8: Karakol - Almaty

    Rise early and travel to the outskirts of town for the unforgettable Karakol Sunday Animal Market. Drive through breath-taking scenery to, visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, named due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing structures. Travel on to Almaty where you will overnight.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 9
    Almaty
    Day 9: Almaty

    This morning, discover the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, dedicated to the Panfilov heroes of an Alma-Ata Infantry as well as the Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church made entirely of wood. In the afternoon, explore the Ili Alatau mountains and Medeu, an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink, located at the height of 1,690 metres. Go on to visit Shymbulak, a mountain resort located 2,260 metres above sea level. Continue to Kok Tobe, before taking a ride on a cable car for magnificent panoramic views of the city. You will return to your hotel afterwards, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 10
    Almaty - Dushanbe
    Day 10: Almaty - Dushanbe

    This morning in Almaty is yours to enjoy at your leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan arriving in the early afternoon

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 11
    Dushanbe
    Day 11: Dushanbe

    Today, visit the famous Museum of National Antiquities. Walk through the botanical gardens, Rudaki Park and stop at the Ismoili Somoni Monument. After lunch, visit the historical Fortresses of Hissor, the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of Life.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 12
    Lake Iskander Kul
    Day 12: Lake Iskander Kul

    Visit the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul on the way to Khujand.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 13
    Khujand - Tashkent
    Day 13: Khujand - Tashkent

    Enjoy a tour of Khujand, visiting Pushkin Square, Timur Malik's Fortress and the atmospheric Panjshanbe Bazaar. Travel to Tashkent this afternoon.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 14
    Tashkent
    Day 14: Tashkent

    See the highlights of Tashkent today, including Barak Khan and Kukeidash Madrassahs, Chorsu Bazaar and the opulently-decorated stations of Tashkent's metro system.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 15
    Tashkent - Samarkand
    Day 15: Tashkent - Samarkand

    Drive to Samarkand, where after checking into your hotel you will visit the iconic Registan Square, the heartbeat of Samarkand Admire the three beautiful madrassahs on the square's perimeter.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 16
    Samarkand
    Day 16: Samarkand

    Enjoy a full day's tour of Samarkand, starting with Gur Emir, the mausoleum to Tamerlane. Next, continue to Bibi Khanum Mosque before visiting Ulugbek's observatory and the ancient settlement of Afrosiab.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 17
    Samarkand - Bukhara
    Day 17: Samarkand - Bukhara

    Head out of Samarkand to the town of Shakhrisabz where you will explore the remains of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and KokGumbas Mosque. Continue your journey this afternoon as you make your way to Bukhara.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 18
    Bukhara Sightseeing
    Day 18: Bukhara Sightseeing

    You have a city tour of one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 19
    Bukhara Sightseeing
    Day 19: Bukhara Sightseeing

    Head out of Bukhara to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy some downtime this afternoon.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 20
    Bukhara - Khiva
    Day 20: Bukhara - Khiva

    Travel across the famous Kyzyl Kum Desert today. Watch in awe as the scenery changes from saksaul trees to the Amudarya riverbank.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 21
    Khiva
    Day 21: Khiva

    Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Khiva's most famous sights, finishing at the Friday Mosque and the 19th century Tash Hauli Palace.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 22
    Khiva - Ashgabat
    Day 22: Khiva - Ashgabat

    Transfer overland to Kunya-Urgench, the once-glorious capital of the Khorezmshah Empire and a now UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, transfer to Dashoguz for your evening flight to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 23
    Ashgabat
    Day 23: Ashgabat

    Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Ashgabat in your own time. Afterwards, head to Arkadash stud farm and learn about the “winged” Akhal Tekkes horses. En route back to Ashgabat stop at the Kipchak Complex where the largest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the country’s first president is located.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 24
    The Ancient City of Merv
    Day 24: The Ancient City of Merv

    Rise early for your flight to Mary. From the airport you will transfer overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary affter to visit the local History Museum.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 25
    Darvaza Flaming Crater
    Day 25: Darvaza Flaming Crater

    Fly back to Ashgabat and enjoy a morning tour of the city. In the afternoon you will head to Darvaza to witness its famous Flaming Crater. Enjoy a walk around the perimeter and tuck into a delicious nomadic-style camp-side dinner under the starts. Following dinner, you will return to Ashgabat.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 26
    Ashgabat
    Day 26: Ashgabat

    Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum that exhibits an interesting collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets and various carpet objects.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 27
    Fly Ashgabat to UK
    Day 27: Fly Ashgabat to UK

    Fly to the UK, arriving home later the same day.

    • Breakfast
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • -4°c
  • 34mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 4°c
  • 20mm
  • Bishkek
  • -2°c
  • 26mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 3°c
  • 66mm
  • Karakol
  • -13°c
  • 9mm
  • Khiva
  • -2°c
  • 9mm
  • Khujand
  • 0°c
  • 15mm
  • Mary
  • 4°c
  • 24mm
  • Samarkand
  • 3°c
  • 41mm
  • Tashkent
  • 3°c
  • 58mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • -2°c
  • 43mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 6°c
  • 24mm
  • Bishkek
  • 0°c
  • 35mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 5°c
  • 75mm
  • Karakol
  • -12°c
  • 10mm
  • Khiva
  • 0°c
  • 8mm
  • Khujand
  • 2°c
  • 15mm
  • Mary
  • 6°c
  • 19mm
  • Samarkand
  • 4°c
  • 46mm
  • Tashkent
  • 5°c
  • 57mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 4°c
  • 75mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 11°c
  • 41mm
  • Bishkek
  • 6°c
  • 55mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 10°c
  • 108mm
  • Karakol
  • -4°c
  • 19mm
  • Khiva
  • 7°c
  • 18mm
  • Khujand
  • 9°c
  • 25mm
  • Mary
  • 11°c
  • 28mm
  • Samarkand
  • 9°c
  • 69mm
  • Tashkent
  • 10°c
  • 65mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 12°c
  • 107mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 18°c
  • 32mm
  • Bishkek
  • 12°c
  • 67mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 16°c
  • 105mm
  • Karakol
  • 5°c
  • 35mm
  • Khiva
  • 16°c
  • 18mm
  • Khujand
  • 16°c
  • 27mm
  • Mary
  • 18°c
  • 25mm
  • Samarkand
  • 15°c
  • 60mm
  • Tashkent
  • 16°c
  • 60mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 17°c
  • 106mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 23°c
  • 21mm
  • Bishkek
  • 17°c
  • 61mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 20°c
  • 66mm
  • Karakol
  • 10°c
  • 51mm
  • Khiva
  • 22°c
  • 11mm
  • Khujand
  • 22°c
  • 20mm
  • Mary
  • 24°c
  • 11mm
  • Samarkand
  • 20°c
  • 36mm
  • Tashkent
  • 21°c
  • 41mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 22°c
  • 57mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 29°c
  • 6mm
  • Bishkek
  • 22°c
  • 34mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 25°c
  • 6mm
  • Karakol
  • 14°c
  • 56mm
  • Khiva
  • 27°c
  • 3mm
  • Khujand
  • 27°c
  • 9mm
  • Mary
  • 28°c
  • 0mm
  • Samarkand
  • 25°c
  • 6mm
  • Tashkent
  • 26°c
  • 11mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 24°c
  • 47mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 31°c
  • 3mm
  • Bishkek
  • 25°c
  • 21mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 27°c
  • 3mm
  • Karakol
  • 16°c
  • 60mm
  • Khiva
  • 30°c
  • 3mm
  • Khujand
  • 28°c
  • 4mm
  • Mary
  • 31°c
  • 0mm
  • Samarkand
  • 26°c
  • 4mm
  • Tashkent
  • 28°c
  • 4mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 23°c
  • 30mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 29°c
  • 2mm
  • Bishkek
  • 24°c
  • 13mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 25°c
  • 0mm
  • Karakol
  • 15°c
  • 53mm
  • Khiva
  • 26°c
  • 1mm
  • Khujand
  • 26°c
  • 1mm
  • Mary
  • 28°c
  • 0mm
  • Samarkand
  • 25°c
  • 1mm
  • Tashkent
  • 26°c
  • 2mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 18°c
  • 27mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 24°c
  • 3mm
  • Bishkek
  • 18°c
  • 19mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 21°c
  • 3mm
  • Karakol
  • 11°c
  • 37mm
  • Khiva
  • 21°c
  • 1mm
  • Khujand
  • 21°c
  • 3mm
  • Mary
  • 23°c
  • 1mm
  • Samarkand
  • 20°c
  • 4mm
  • Tashkent
  • 21°c
  • 6mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 10°c
  • 60mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 17°c
  • 10mm
  • Bishkek
  • 11°c
  • 45mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 15°c
  • 31mm
  • Karakol
  • 4°c
  • 25mm
  • Khiva
  • 12°c
  • 5mm
  • Khujand
  • 14°c
  • 15mm
  • Mary
  • 16°c
  • 5mm
  • Samarkand
  • 14°c
  • 17mm
  • Tashkent
  • 15°c
  • 29mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • 3°c
  • 56mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 11°c
  • 19mm
  • Bishkek
  • 5°c
  • 42mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 10°c
  • 45mm
  • Karakol
  • -4°c
  • 16mm
  • Khiva
  • 6°c
  • 9mm
  • Khujand
  • 8°c
  • 16mm
  • Mary
  • 10°c
  • 12mm
  • Samarkand
  • 9°c
  • 34mm
  • Tashkent
  • 10°c
  • 41mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Almaty
  • -2°c
  • 42mm
  • Ashgabat
  • 6°c
  • 20mm
  • Bishkek
  • 0°c
  • 35mm
  • Dushanbe
  • 6°c
  • 60mm
  • Karakol
  • -10°c
  • 11mm
  • Khiva
  • 0°c
  • 13mm
  • Khujand
  • 3°c
  • 17mm
  • Mary
  • 6°c
  • 20mm
  • Samarkand
  • 4°c
  • 47mm
  • Tashkent
  • 4°c
  • 54mm
+ -
Journey through Central Asia map

Places Visited: Bishkek – Chon Kemin – Bokonbayevo – Karakol – Almaty – Dushanbe – Khujand – Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Mary - Ashgabat

2024 - Download Detailed Itinerary

2025 - Download Detailed Itinerary

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

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Depart UK
Return Date
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Booking Options

Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.

Depart UK
Return Date
Price
Offer
Booking Options

There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.

Depart UK
Return Date
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Group Tour includes

Additional Price Information

What our Customers Say

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