Silk Road Epic Journeys – Kashgar & Central Asia Tour

Upon arrival at Kashgar airport you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

This day is planned to coincide with the famous Sunday market in Kashgar where everything from carpets, blankets, foods, horses, donkeys, sheep and even camels are for sale. The population of the town swells by 100,000 and is truly one of the most incredible bazaars in Asia; and a photographer’s paradise! After the market, we visit the Eidgah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb and the old town.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day trip to Karakul Lake along the famous Karakorum Highway. The scenery along the way is magnificent. We will be stopping at the Lake where you can enjoy the breath taking views of the Muztagh-ata Mountain. After lunch, free time to enjoy the area. Later return to Kashgar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Radisson Blu, Hampton or Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Tourist Class: Kyriad Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

In the morning transfer to the border crossing of Torugart pass. After border formalities you will be met by our Kyrgyz team member.  We visit the Caravan Sarai dated from 11th century which served as a fortress for travellers along the Great Silk Road and continue driving to Naryn.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Khan Tengri Hotel
• Tourist Class: Khan Tengri Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

After breakfast, en route to Issyk-Kul Lake, we visit the local handcraft center which is run by local communities in Kochkor village.
Here, you will learn how nomadic Kyrgyz women made Shyrdak, and Ala-Kiyiz – a floor covering made by pressing naturally dyed felt of various colors. You will see the process of felt carpet-making and wool-dying. Kochkor is famous for farming and felt-makers.
Our destination, the Issyk-Kul Lake, is the second-largest alpine lake after Lake Titicaca in South America. A combination of depth, thermal activity and mild salinity stops the lake from freezing and thus its name `Issyk-Kul’ meaning`warm lake’. Archaeological discoveries from the lake’s include ancient relics and graves dating back to the first millennium BC. An ancient trade center from the second century BC is thought to have been destroyed by the rise and fall of the lake’s level.
Before checking in at our hotel we will visit Cholpon-Ata, known for petroglyphs which are thought to have been created by the tribes of the Neolithic period. The images are mainly primitive long-horned ibex, horses, camels and snow leopards.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Karven or Karpiz
• Tourist Class: Three Crown
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Drive to Karakol, one of the first towns of the Russian Cossak settlements from late 19th century. En-route we visit Przevalski Memorial Museum (Przevalski was a Great Russian explorer from the late 19th century). In Karakol, we visiting the museum, Dungan Pagoda type of mosque and the Orthodox wooden Church.
Dinner at one of ethnic minorities Uighur’s or Dungan’s family house accompanied with a traditional Kyrgyz local folk music.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Green Yard or Karagat
• Tourist Class: Green Yard
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

After breakfast drive to Bokonbaeva village. En-route we stop at Jety Oguz Canyon for a hike or optional horse ride. Next we visit the Skazka Fairy Tale canyon and enjoy the eagle hunting performance.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Yurt Camp Beltam
• Tourist Class: Yurt Camp Beltam
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning drive to Bishkek. We stop in Kyzyl-Tuu village where a Kyrgyz family will show you how to make traditional yurt tents. Our next stop will be in Burana tower, the remains of the ancient city of Balasaguni formed by the Karakhanid dynasty in the 10^th century. We also make a short stop at Burana village where you’ll watch the famous horse game show, Buzkashi. Arrival in Bishkek. Walking city tour of Bishkek, which includes Central Square Alatoo, White House, Parliament House, Manas on Horse Statue, Lenin Statue, and Oak Park.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Orion Hotel
• Tourist Class: Golden Dragon or Similar
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning drive to Almaty via Korday border crossing.
Afternoon sightseeing of Almaty city, including the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wood buildings and the Central State Museum. After lunch, ascend the Kok-Tube Mountain by cable car. Return to Almaty and visit the unique National Museum of Kazak Musical Instruments.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Rixos Almaty or Dostyk Hotel
• Tourist Class: Kazzhol Park Almaty or Resident Abay
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

After breakfast, we drive to Medeo;a picturesque valley located 15 km above Almaty. Besides the beautiful natural setting, Medea houses the world’s largest speed skating rink and dyke. The dyke is a fine piece of engineering created to protect the city from mud floods and its reservoir has an impressive capacity of 6,000,000 m of water. Our last stop is at the end of the gorge where there is a ski resort Chimbulak, situated at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. It is one of Central Asia’s top skiing spots. The ski season lasts from November to April.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Rixos Almaty or Dostyk Hotel
• Tourist Class: Kazzhol Park Almaty or Resident Abay
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning transfer to the airport for Air Astana flight KC 131 EDT 12:00 PM.
Upon arrival you will be met by our guide and transfer to your hotels, later in the afternoon visit the main avenues; Rudaki Street Somoni Street, Central Park & Victory Park – the main relaxation and leisure areas in the city, we also visit the Tajikistan National Museum of Antiquities where the famous statue of Buddha in Nirvana is preserved.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Shumon or Atlas Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning we drive for 30 KM to see the remains of Hissar Fortress, built in the 18th century. Our visit also includes 2 local madrasas. Later return to Dushanbe.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Serena Hotel
• Tourist Class: Shumon or Atlas Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning we drive to Iskandar Kul (Alexander Lake). After exploration around Iskandar Kul Lake. Hike up toward the water fall, later continue driving to Penjikent. Penjikent translates as “the city of five villages” and is located on the verdant Zeravshan river valley. Dating from the 5th century, Penjikent was a thriving regional hub on the Great Silk Road.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Umaion Hotel or Panjakent Plaza
• Tourist Class: Sugd Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning we drive to visit the Seven Lakes (80 km) through the settlement of Sarazm the UNESCO World Heritage site. Seven lakes of Marguzor is located in the west of Fan Mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Today you will have a chance to hike around the Mountain, after picnic lunch return to Penjikent. Afternoon visit Penjikent museum, local market. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Umarion Hotel
• Tourist Class: Sugd Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

In the morning drive to Khujand, en-route stopping at Istrafshan to visit the fifteenth century Kuk Gumbaz Mosque, the Hafz-i-Sangin Mosque and the eighteenth century Hazrat-i-Shah Mosque and mausoleum complex. Later continue driving to Khujand.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Parliment Palace Hotel
• Tourist Class: Sugd or Deluxe Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Morning city tour of Khujand including a visit to the ancient part of Timurmalik fortress, museum and Panjshanbe market. In the afternoon transfer to Oybek border to Tashkent.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Lotte City Tashkent Palace
• Tourist Class: Florence Boutique or Ateca Suits
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Our city tour begins with visiting the Hazrati Imam Complex, the spiritual heart of the city. Explore the Barak-Khan Madrasah, Hazrati Imam Mosque, and Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, together forming one of Tashkent’s most important historic and religious landmarks.

Continue to Chorsu Bazaar, one of Tashkent’s oldest and most vibrant markets. Wander through colourful stalls filled with spices, dried fruits, fresh produce, sweets, and traditional Uzbek foods. Be sure to visit a traditional tandir bakery, where local bakers press non bread by hand against the walls of a clay oven. Try it warm from the oven for an authentic taste of everyday Uzbek life.

See another side of Tashkent aboard the city’s famous Metro, stopping at some of its most impressive stations, including Alisher Navoi, Uzbekistan, and Kosmonavtlar. Each station features its own distinctive architecture, mosaics, chandeliers, and artistic design.

Continue to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in an elegant historic residence. Its collection of intricate embroidery, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, and wood carving offers an insight into Uzbekistan’s rich artistic and craft traditions.

The tour then continues to Independence Square, Tashkent’s principal ceremonial space and an important symbol of the country’s independence. Finish at Amir Timur Square, one of the city’s central landmarks, dominated by the monument to Amir Timur, the celebrated 14th-century ruler and statesman.

Note: The State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan is currently closed for renovation. We will add it back to the itinerary once it reopens to visitors.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Lotte City Tashkent Palace
• Tourist Class: Florence Boutique or Ateca Suits
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning transfer to the train station for express train journey to Samarkand. Afternoon city tour of Samarkand. For most people Samarkand is as mythical as Atlantis or as remote and legendary as Timbouctou. The sublime larger-than-life monuments of Timur, the technicolour bazaar and the city’s long, rich history work a special kind of magic. On arrival we’ll visit the old bazaars for which this exotic city is famous for.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick or Zafshon Parkside
• Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan or Registon Saroy
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Samarkand, sometimes called the ‘Rome of the Orient’ was already flourishing when Rome and Babylon were founded. During the course of our full day tour we visit the famous Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Mausoleum of Tamerlane and the Observatory of Ulughbek; the site where Uleg Bek, grandson of Tamerlane, made some of the greatest achievements of the pre-telescope era of astronomy in the 15th century. We also visit the regal mausoleums of Shah-I Zinda, site of Central Asia’s most sacred Islamic shrine, the massive mosque of Bibi Khanym, and the adjacent colourful market. You can purchase Samarkand’s famous bread which Alexander the Great unsuccessfully tried to have duplicated back home in Greece, or try some of the region’s local produce, from grapes to the world’s tastiest melons of multiple varieties. Our afternoon tour covers the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick or Zafshon Parkside
• Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan or Registon Saroy
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Travel to Bukhara via Shakrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. We visit Tamerlane’s palace Ak Sarai, the Kok Gumbaz mosque, Mausoleum of Jehangir (Tamerlane’s grandson) and Tamerlane’s Mausoleum. Bukhara is one of the centere of the Russian/British Intelligence Services in the 19th Century.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium or Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique or Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today we explore the old quarter on foot. Bukhara is an ancient city with its bustling “trade domes,” active mosques, and the Kalyan Minaret (“tower of death”), one of Central Asia’s tallest. We’ll stroll around the streets and visit the old town center where old men with long white beards gossip for hours while drinking tea. Bukhara has been designated a World Heritage Site; the resulting restoration of some of the mosques, constructed in the 11th to 15th centuries, to make them appear as if they were built yesterday. There are even some structures still standing that date back to Zorastrian times 2,500 years ago. We also visit The Ark, a large fortress with the Emir’s open-air throne room and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, an intricate and beautiful 10th century brick structure that is nicely preserved. We’ll also venture to the outskirts of Bukhara and visit the summer palace of the last emir, built by a Russian Czar with grand halls and a harem. We will also see Char Minar, a gate of an ancient madrassa long time gone. It was built in 1809 and has more in common with Indian art styles than local.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium or Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique or Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Full free day at leisure in Bukhara.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mercure Accor, Paradise Plaza, Labi Rud Premium or Shahriston
• Tourist Class: Makon Art, Lyabi House, Nodirabegim Boutique or Rizo Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning, drive to the Uzbek Turkmen border and continue to ancient Merv. Today we visit a historically important site; one of the most significant in Turkmenistan. The site consists of a series of towns each succeeded by another throughout the course of history and contains, amongst other things, the remains of Erk Kala and it’s citadel and the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Mary Hotel
• Tourist Class: Mary Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

In the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Ashgabad, later half day sightseeing of Ashgabad including visit of Tolkuchka Bazaar. We continue to Old Nisa, an ancient Parthian settlement and the spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Sport Hotel
• Tourist Class: Yildiz Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Today we visit the National Museum of History & Ethnography of Turkmenistan.
In the afternoon drive to Darwaza Gas Crater, en-route we visit a Nomad village, Karakum desert and continue driving to Darwaza flaming gas crater or the ‘mouth of hell’. The crater is about 60 meters wide and 20 meters deep. Later return to Ashgabad.

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Sport Hotel
• Tourist Class: Yildiz Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast-Dinner

Our service will end with airport transfer.
Meals Included: Breakfast