Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan Tours Via Ferghana Valley

Upon arrival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, you will be greeted by our guide and escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. 

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

Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport for flight to Khiva. Upon arrival, we have a short drive to Khiva city for a half-day city tour. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Farovon, Orient Star
• Tourist Class: Malika Khivek, Shaherezada Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Legend has it that Khiva was founded when Shem, son of Noah, discovered a well here. The town certainly existed by the 8th Century, as a minor fort and trading post on a Silk Road branch to the Caspian Sea and the Volga. In the early 16th century, Khiva was made capital of the Timurid Empire, becoming a busy slave market and pivot of the khanate for the next three centuries. Until Russia finally wrested the region from Timurid grasp in the 19th century, even the boldest hearts feared encounters with these fierce tribesmen and their desert territory. Khiva is an ancient walled city and looks much like it did in centuries past. It is one of the few sites in Central Asia where one can easily imagine life during the time of the emirates. We will spend the morning wandering its maze of ruins and great mosques. Later, a tour of this living museum including the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan’s Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa and Minaret. Dinner will be served at Toza Bogh Palace (Summer residence of Muhammad Rahim Khan II). 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Farovon, Orient Star
• Tourist Class: Malika Khivek, Shaherezada Boutique
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the train station for your journey to Bukhara, traveling through the vast, arid expanse of the Kyzyl Kum Desert. As the scenery unfolds, you’ll gain a sense of how people have managed to survive and trade for centuries in this stark yet fascinating landscape. 

Arriving in Bukhara feels like stepping back in time. With over 1,000 years of architectural history and a city center that has changed little in the past two centuries, Bukhara is one of Central Asia’s finest places to experience the atmosphere of pre-Russian Turkestan. Much of the old town is preserved as an open-air museum, featuring a monumental royal fortress, beautifully restored madrasas, ancient public bathhouses, and the remains of what was once a vast and bustling market complex. Today, more than 140 protected historical buildings stand as living witnesses to the city’s remarkable past. 

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

Today we explore Bukhara’s old quarter on foot. This ancient city is known for its bustling trade domes, active mosques, and the impressive Kalyan Minaret, the “Tower of Death,” one of the tallest in Central Asia. We stroll through the old town centre, where elderly men with long white beards gather for hours, chatting and sipping tea. 

Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many mosques from the 11th to 15th centuries have been carefully restored, appearing almost as if they were built yesterday. At the same time, some structures still date back to Zoroastrian times over 2,500 years ago. 

We also visit the massive Ark Fortress, including the Emir’s open-air throne room, and the beautifully preserved 10th-century Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, famous for its intricate brickwork. Later, we head to the outskirts of the city to see the summer palace of the last emir, built with Russian imperial influence and featuring grand halls and a former harem. We also stop at Char Minar, the 1809 gate of a long-lost madrassa, whose decorative towers reflect Indian artistic influences rather than local styles. 

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Bukhara folk show. 

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

We depart early for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, where we tour Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, House of Meditation and the Crypt of Timur, a man who changed the course of history and made a significant difference to Central Asia. There’s little left of Timur’s Ak-Saray Palace except bits of the gigantic, 40 m (98 foot) high entrance covered with gorgeous filigree like blue, white and gold mosaics, but it’s staggering to try and imagine what the rest of this glorious summer palace must have looked like. We continue later to Samarkand. For most people, Samarkand is as mythical as Atlantis or as remote and legendary as Tombouctou. 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. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Hilton Garden Inn, Continental, Mövenpick, Zafshon Parkside
• Tourist Class: Medina, Rayyan, 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, 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 Afrosiab and the Historical Museum of Uzbek Culture and Art. 

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

In the morning, transfer to the train station for a comfortable express train journey to Tashkent. 

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Later, continue on a city tour of Tashkent, 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, drive to the Fergana Valley, passing through the scenic Kamchik Mountain Pass. Along the way, we stop in Kokand to visit the Museum housed in the fortress of the last ruler, Khudayor Khan, where exhibits offer insight into the era of his reign. We also visit the Norbuta-Bia Madrassa and the Modarikhon Mausoleum, important landmarks reflecting the region’s rich history and architecture. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Asia or Voyage Hotel
• Tourist Class: Asia or Voyage Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

Enjoy a morning of sightseeing in the Fergana Valley before transferring to the Dostuk Kyrgyz–Uzbek border. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Kyrgyz guide and continue onward to Osh. 

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided city tour of Osh, including visits to the sacred Suleyman Mountain, Babur’s House, the History Museum, Rabat Abdullah Khan Mosque and Mausoleum, and the vibrant Osh Bazaar, where local life and traditions come vividly together. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Janat Hotel
• Tourist Class: Silkway or Sunrise Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast – Dinner

In the morning, we drive toward Toktogul. Along the way, we stop at the scenic Toktogul Reservoir, visit the Uzgen Tower and the Karakhanid-period mausoleums, and explore Uzgen’s local market, offering a glimpse into everyday life in the region. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Rohkat Guest House
• Tourist Class: Rohkat Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, drive to Chong Kemin, travelling along a scenic route through the Susamyr Valley, Too-Ashu Tunnel, and Ala-Bel Pass. Chong Kemin lies within the Tian Shan mountain range, separating Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and is known for its lush green valleys and dramatic snow-capped peaks. 

Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a former Soviet-era collective potato farm, offering insight into local rural life. In the evening, enjoy a traditional local dinner. 

Overnight stay in a local guesthouse, beautifully decorated with traditional embroidery and felt handicrafts. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Ashu Hotel
• Tourist Class: Aziz Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

In the morning, we explore the beautiful Chong Kemin Valley, with a gentle hike into the forest for panoramic views over the Kalmak-Ashuu Valley. After lunch, we drive to Cholpon-Ata on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, arriving in time to enjoy the serene lakeside atmosphere. 

Hotel Options
• Comfort Class: Karven Group or Kapriz
• Tourist Class: 3 Corony
Meals Included: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

We drive to Karakol, one of the earliest towns established by Russian Cossack settlers in the late 19th century. Along the way, we stop at the Przhevalskiy Memorial Museum, dedicated to the famous Russian explorer of the same era. After lunch, we explore Karakol’s highlights, including the local history museum, the unique Dungan-style mosque with its pagoda-like architecture, and the charming wooden Orthodox Church. The day ends with dinner at a local restaurant. 

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

In the morning, board a 4×4 vehicle for the drive to the Altyn-Arashan Valley, enjoying the spectacular mountain scenery en route. Spend the day exploring the valley, where you can soak in the natural hot springs or take short hikes amid the stunning alpine landscapes. In the late afternoon, return to Karakul for the evening. 

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

In the morning, drive to Jety-Oguz Canyon, where you can enjoy short hikes or take an optional horse ride through the stunning landscapes. Afterwards, continue to Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon, named for its fantastical rock formations that create a truly magical scenery. After exploring the area, drive onward to Betam Bokonbaeva for the evening. 

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

After breakfast, drive to Jaychy, where you will meet an eagle hunter. Dressed in traditional attire, he will proudly showcase his trained hunting eagle, used to assist in hunting across the rugged mountain terrain. 

Continue to the small village of Kyzyl-Tuu, where you will meet a local yurt maker and see how traditional craftsmanship transforms natural materials into functional works of art. 

Drive onward to Bishkek, stopping en route at the historic Burana Tower. Optional horse games show can be arranged along the way. In the late afternoon, enjoy a walking city tour of Bishkek, exploring its highlights and local culture. 

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

Trip will end with airport transfer.

Meals Included: Breakfast