16 DAYS BEST OF CENTRAL ASIA: UZBEKISTAN, KYRGYZSTAN & KAZAKHSTAN

Tashkent's ancient town, which was formerly a walled city, is visited during a full-day excursion. Explore the Kafelsashi Shrine, the Barak Khana Seminary, the Tilla Shaikh Mosque Archives, the Kukeldasj Madrassah, Akbar's Pottery House, and the Fine Arts Museum in the Hast Imama Complex. Transfer to the airport in the evening for your trip to Urgench, the Khorezm region's capital (90 mins). Upon arrival, you will be met and driven to your accommodation in Khiva (approx. 45 mins).

Meal Plan: Breakfast; Length of Stay: 2 Nights

The Soviet Union, the Silk Road traders, and the khans have all had significant roles in the history of the walled city of Khiva. Take a full-day walking trip to explore some of the most significant structures and landmarks, such as the Kalta tower, Kunya Arg, the Rakhimkhon madrassah, the Islam Kdodja minaret, the mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud, and Tashauli palace. Additionally, you have the option of visiting some of the craft studios.

*Breakfast on the menu

Morning transfer to the railway station for the Kagan train (approx. 6.5 hours). Take in the scenery as you travel by rail across the Kyzylkum desert. Before making the short trip to your accommodation in the nearby city of Bukhara, one of the oldest in Central Asia, arrive in Kagan in the afternoon and hear about the history of the Railway Station. Take a walking tour of Bukhara later in the day. Explore the old city on foot to visit Lyabi-Hauz Plaza, the Jewish neighborhood, and Madrassah Nadirkhon. Visit a Bukharan puppeteer to find out more about the history of puppet production.

Meal Plan: Breakfast; Length of Stay: 2 Nights

The Magoki Attori mosque, the Arg Fortress, the Balakhauz mosque, the Ismail Samanid mausoleum, the madrassahs of Aziz Khan and Ulugbek, and the massive Poi Kalon minaret are just a few of the ancient sites that may still be seen if you continue to explore Bukhara today. A visit to the studio and gallery of renowned miniaturist painter Davlat, who is famed for this traditional form of painting, will also teach you about Bukhara's artistic traditions. Additionally, you will have time to go to the bazaar, where you may look at and purchase Uzbek caps and other handicrafts. Breakfast and dinner are on the menu.

Leave for Samarkand in the morning (approx. 4 hr drive). Visit Gijduvan, a small town, Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the previous emir of Bukhara, Bakhauddin Nakshbandi, and other locations en route. Visit a farmer's home in the village to learn about Uzbekistan's agriculture. Learn about Uzbek cooking and get to make Samsa buns, among other things. Continue on to Gijduvan and stop by the ceramic center, a family-run business where you can observe the entire making-of-pottery process. then proceed to your Samarkand hotel.

Breakfast Meal Plan Three Nights

Visit Samarkand, the crowning glory of the Silk Road cities, on a full-day city trip. During the Silk Road era, Samarkand was a thriving city that was well regarded for its gardens and plants. The city has an extremely intriguing past that includes invasions by the Mongols, Macedonians under Alexander the Great, and Marco Polo. Visit the Shakh-i-Zinda tomb to see Timurid-era buildings and monuments from the 14th and 15th centuries. Also visit Registan Center, the large central square of Samarkand, the massive Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Afrosiab Museum, Ulugbek's Observatory, and the Silk Road bazaar. Go by car to Tamerlane's tomb, Gur Emir. Visit Samarkand Winery for a wine tasting later in the day. Find all about the ancient Sogdian winemaking customs of Samarkand. Attend the El Mirosi event in the evening to see a performance that showcases Uzbek heritage, costumes, and cultural dances.

*Breakfast on the menu

Take a full-day excursion today to the medieval city of Shakhrisabz and Langar Ota village. Visit the Shaikh Muhammad Sadiq shrine in the village and then hike upward to a 16th-century mosque that has maintained most of its original design. Visit the ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace, the Kok Gumbaz mosque, and other archaeological monuments at Shakhrisabz.

*Breakfast on the menu

Early in the morning, depart for Tashkent (approx. 5 hr drive). When you get to Tashkent, go to the Chorus Bazaar, a large market, to finish up your Uzbek shopping. Transfer to the airport in the late afternoon for your evening journey to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Upon arrival in Bishkek, you will be met and guided to your accommodation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast; Length of Stay: 2 Nights

Take a tour of Bishkek in the morning. Drive by the Presidential Palace first, then proceed to the national monument to witness the changing of the guard. Visit the Frunze Museum in Oak Park to observe the budding artists in action and the statue of Manas, the Kyrgyz epic hero. Drive outside of the city in the afternoon to see the once-bustling Silk Road village of Tokmok. View the ruins of a Turkic gravestone and a Kara Khanid minaret. Visit a Shardyk, a traditional felt-making workshop, as well to learn more about the procedure.

Take a scenic journey to Songkul Lake in the morning (about a 3-hour drive away), where you may enjoy a special yurt camp. Song Kul Lake is located at 3016 meters above sea level. Once there, stroll a little distance to meet a Kyrgyz family. Learn about their traditions and nomadic way of life.

Spend the night in your genuine yurt camp.

*Breakfast Plan* *1-Night Stay

Before leaving for Karakol city, go for a morning stroll along the lake (approx. 4 hr drive). Drive along Issykul Lake's southern shore, stopping to capture pictures at various vantage points along the way. Upon arrival, be transferred to your accommodation in Karakol. Take a quick tour of Karakol later in the day.

Meal Plan: Breakfast; Length of Stay: 2 Nights

Excursion to the charming village of Djeti Oghuz, which is surrounded by alpine forests and lovely slopes. Visit a market selling cows, sheep, horses, and occasionally camels. then proceed to the settlement, where Kyrgyz nomads reside. Later in the day, return to Karakol and tour the Russian Orthodox Church and the Dungan mosque.

*Breakfast on the menu

To reach the Kazakh border, travel across the Tien Shan mountain range and Karakol valley. Following border formalities, travel to the Kegen Pass and Charyn Canyon for some breathtaking vistas of the red sandstone canyons. Take breaks at several sights along the trip. When you get to Almaty, take a taxi to your hotel (approx. 6 hr drive).

Meal Plan: Breakfast; Length of Stay: 2 Nights

Take a full-day trip to Almaty, which features some intriguing Russian-style buildings and is encircled by the Tienshan Mountains. Visit the Central Almaty Mosque, Zeelyoni Bazaar, the Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zhenkov's Holy Ascension Cathedral, the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, and the State Museum of Kazakhstan. Additionally, travel to Kok Tube to ride a gondola to a city-wide vantage point. *Meal Plan Breakfast

The day is at your leisure till you are driven to the airport to catch your journey home. *Meal Plan Breakfast