Highlights of Central Asia
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Tour Overview
Get a taste of Central Asia's charm on this 16-day trip through ancient silk road towns and bustling bazaars. Visit four out of the five Stans as you travel the Kazak steppe and Uzbek Silk Road towns by train. Starting in Bishkek, visit the clear waters of Issyk-kul Lake, cross the border to the charming Almaty, catch an overnight train to Uzbekistan and seek out the delicious plov, then explore the white marbled capital of Ashgabat. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp near Issyk-kul Lake, hike the flaming red rocks at Jety Ogus, toast with locally produced wine to a Kazak home-cooked feast and learn about the full Silk Road history in the blue-hued mosques, madrasas and ruins in Samarkand, Bukhara and Merv.
Trip Code: KFSH
Start
Bishkek
End
Ashgabat
Destination
Uzbekistan
Meals
14 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle, High Speed Train, Overnight Train
Accommodation
Hotel (12 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Tourist yurt camp (1 night), Guest house (1 night)
Days
16
Max Group Size
Min 1 - Max 12
Min Age
15
Style
Originali
Physical
3i
Trip Highlights
Why you'll love this trip
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Discover the history and former glory of the Silk Road with visits to the ancient trade towns and ruins in Bukhara, Samarkand and Merv.
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Rub shoulders with the locals at bazaars, hear about their daily life and learn about how to make plov with a local family in Samarkand.
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Spend a night in the yurt camp near Issyk-kul Lake. Taste the popular Kygyz snack boorsook, see how Kyrgyz carpets are made and enjoy a peaceful night under the stars, living like a local nomad.
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Explore Central Asia’s landscape on short hikes to the flaming red rocks in Jety Oguz and the Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan.
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Unveil the mysterious Turkmenistan in its white capital of Ashgabat, which rose from the devastation of an earthquake in 1948 and see the futuristic transformation the city has gone through on a city tour with your local leader.
Day by Day Itinerary
Itinerary
What's Included
Inclusions and activities
Meals
14 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle, High Speed Train, Overnight Train
Accommodation
Hotel (12 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Tourist yurt camp (1 night), Guest house (1 night)
Included activities
- Bishkek - City Walking Tour
- Issyk-kul Lake - Kyrgyz carpet making demonstration
- Issyk-kul Lake - Kyrgyz Elechek Demonstration
- Issyk-kul Lake - Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
- Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
Optional activities
Is This Trip Right for You?
Is this trip right for you?
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There are some long travelling days on this trip, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
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This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves some walking and swimming, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit and comfortable clothing.
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Multiple activities on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions and on occasion, may be cancelled for safety or operational reasons. In the case of cancellation, we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement activity.
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KFSH · 16 days
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