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Bishkek to Ashgabat
26 Days | Journey from Bishkek to Ashgabat through Central Asia
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location_on 26 days
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Start
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Finish
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
tour
Trip Code
KFSRC
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
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Meals
24 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
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Transport
Private Bus, Metro, High Speed Train, Overnight Train
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Accommodation
Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (18 nights), Yurt/Camp (4 nights), Overnight train (1 night)
From £5,225(26 days)
Trip Informations
Be entranced by the beauty and the wonder of Central Asia on this overland journey from the capital of Kyrgyzstan through the heartland of Uzbekistan to the forgotten yet futuristic Ashgabat. Take in the tranquil landscape of Son-Kol Lake, watch for wild boar and deer around Chychkan Gorge, hike up the sacred Sulumain-too Mountain in historic Osh, and get your fill of mosques and museums in Samarkand. Venture into the mysterious Turkmenistan, camp out by the 'gate of hell', and explore Ashgabat with architectures from a scifi movie. Abounding with ancient culture, divine natural beauty, intriguing relics, and welcoming people, this is a journey that will leave you eager to discover more of Central Asia.
Why you’ll love this trip
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Central Asia is a fascinating and unique mix of ancient Silk Road culture, post-soviet culture and striving to redefine nations post independence. Geographically and for a time historically, it is the real centre of Asia
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The much-photographed Registan in Samarkand is one of the true pinnacles of Islamic architecture. You'll be wowed by the scale, grandeur and beauty of the monuments to iconic figures such as Tamerlane and the Persian influenced madressas, mosques and mausoleums
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Experience for yourself the legend that is Central Asian hospitality - there's really nothing like being welcomed into a local home or yurt for a meal, chatting with stall holders at bazaars or simply marvelling at the sights alongside locals
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Kyrgyzstans mountains are its monuments and its majesty. The landscapes here will stay with you long after the journey is over
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Marvel at the beautiful Son-Kol Lake, where in mid-summer you may see flocks of sheep, goats and herds of horses watched over by nomadic herdsmen and their families
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Stay overnight in a yurt lakeside and live like the locals have for centuries in these portable, felt lined traditional tents
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Reflect on the important role horses have played in the traditional Kyrgyz nomadic life style while witnessing horseback sports like odarysh (wrestling on horseback), tiyin-enish (where riders try to pick up coins at full gallop) or kok-baru (goat polo)
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Explore sprawling ruins of Mary, Merv and others with a local guide and contemplate these remnants of empires that once ruled this vast land
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Witness the eternal flames of the Darvaza Crater, aka the 'Door to Hell' as you camp nearby – one of the strangest, most mesmerising geological oddities on earth
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Ashgabat rose from the devastation of an earthquake in 1948 and has enjoyed a surreal and futuristic makeover
Is this trip right for you?
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Central Asia is a remote destination, perfect for intrepid travellers in the true sense of the word! You will venture well away from cities, right off the beaten track and be able to immerse yourself in local food, life and culture.
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There is one night of camping on this trip. This is, of course, all part of your adventure in the Karakum Desert. Sleeping bags, mattresses and tents are provided, but there are no facilities at the campsite.
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Accommodation may on occassion be more basic than what you are used to in homestays, guesthouses and yurt stay. Shower and toilet facilities will be limited in some places and nonexistent in others. While the comfort level won't always be high, the rewards of living in true local style in this far-out part of the world are immeasurable.
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This is an overland journey, so there will be some very long days of travelling and driving, often over rough terrain. This can be tiring at times and will require a great deal of patience at others, especially at border crossings.
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What Kyrgyzstan lacks in 'sights' compared to the Silk Road monuments and old towns of Uzbekistan, it makes up for in alpine landscapes, opportunities for interaction with local families and plenty of time spent on the road or outdoors exploring natural surroundings.
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Tourism is strictly controlled in Turkmenistan, with Letters of Invitation needed in advance in order to apply for your visa (which you can then get on arrival) and guides tending to be protective of what tourists see and fiercely proud of their nation and its leaders. Those used to more freedom of exploration and tour guides with a more global perspective may find their experience here different from in other destinations. Please see the ‘Passport and visas’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
Itinerary
- DAY 1Bishkek
- DAY 2Bishkek
- DAY 3Issyk-Kul Lake
- DAY 4Issyk-Kul Lake
- DAY 5Song-Kol Lake (3016 metres)
- DAY 6Kyzyl-Oi
- DAY 7Suusamyr Valley/Chychkan River/Karakul
- DAY 8Osh
- DAY 9Osh
- DAY 10Border Crossing/Andijan/Tashkent
- DAY 11Tashkent
- DAY 12Bukhara
- DAY 13Bukhara
- DAY 14Samarkand
- DAY 15Samarkand
- DAY 16Tashkent
- DAY 17Tashkent
- DAY 18Tashkent/Overnight Train
- DAY 19Khiva
- DAY 20Darvaza
- DAY 21Yerbent – Ashgabat
- DAY 22Ashgabat
- DAY 23Mary
- DAY 24Merv – Mary
- DAY 25Ashgabat
- DAY 26Ashgabat
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
24 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Private Bus, Metro, High Speed Train, Overnight Train
bed Accommodation
Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (18 nights), Yurt/Camp (4 nights), Overnight train (1 night)
festival Activities
circleBishkek - City walkint tour
circleShamsy Valley - Burana tower
circleDon Aryk - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
circleIssyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
circleIssyk-Kul Lake - Eagle Hunter Visit
circleUzgen - Uzgen Minaret & Complex
circleOsh - Sulaiman-Too Mountain
circleOsh - National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
circleTashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
circleTashkent - Amir Timur Square
circleBukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
circleBukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
circleBukhara - Kalon Mosque
circleBukhara - Ark Fortress
circleSamarkand - Leader-led orientation walk
circleSamarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
circleSamarkand - Registan Square
circleSamarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
circleSamarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
circleSamarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
circleTashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
circleTashkent - City tour
circleTashkent - Metro tour
circleKhiva - Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa
circleKhiva - Juma Mosque
circleKhiva - Tosh-Hovli Palace
circleKhiva - Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum
circleKhiva - Kuhna Ark
circleDarvaza - "Door to Hell" Crater
circleYerbent - Village visit
circleAshgabat - National Museum of Turkmenistan
circleAshgabat - Nisa ruins
circleAshgabat - Anau ruins
circleAshgabat - Independence Monument
circleAshgabat - Neutrality Arch
circleAshgabat - Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque & Family Mausoleum of the First President of Turkmenistan
circleAshgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
circleAshgabat - Akhal-Teke horse Hippodrome
circleMary - Abiverd ruins
circleMerv - Big & Small Kizkala
circleMerv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala
circleMerv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
museum Add on activities
circleBishkek - State Historical Museum - KGS150
circleOsh - Bazaar - Free
circleSamarkand - Afrosiab Museum - UZS30000
circleSamarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory - UZS30000
circleTashkent - State Museum of History of Uzbekistan - UZS50000
circleTashkent - Art Gallery of Uzbekistan - UZS20000
circleTashkent - Museum of Applied Arts - UZS25000
circleCarpet Museum - USD5
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Friday May 30, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£5,594
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Friday Jun 27, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,577
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Friday Jul 25, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£5,577
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Friday Aug 08, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,594
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Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,594
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Friday Aug 15, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,808
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Friday Aug 22, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,808
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Friday Aug 29, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,225
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Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Saturday Sep 27, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,225
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Friday Sep 05, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,225
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Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Saturday Oct 04, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,225
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Friday Sep 12, 2025
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,808
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Friday Sep 19, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£5,808
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Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,808
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 3 to Day 7, Day 18 (overnight train) and Day 20 (camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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2. This trip is a combination of KFSR and KFSM our most popular itineraries. Your tour leader and group composition may change on Day 17.
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3. This is a multi-country trip. Please read the visa section of the Essential Trip Information carefully for the visa requirement. Visa for Turkmenistan requires a Letter of Invitation in advance which needs to be requested with your booking agent no later than 60 days before the trip.
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4. Independent travel is not allowed in Turkmenistan. If you have pre trip accommodation booked with us, you won't be allowed to leave your hotel without a guide in Ashgabat. Please consult with your booking agent if you need to book post-trip accommodation in Ashgabat.
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