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Explorer
Central Asia Explorer
17 Days | Unspool history on the Silk Road, from mountain yurts to minarets
4.9
Excellent
circle43 reviews
location_on 17 days
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Start
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Finish
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
tour
Trip Code
KFSR
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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
16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
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Transport
Private Bus, Metro, High Speed Train, local train
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Accommodation
Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (11 nights), Tourist Yurt Camps (3 night)
From £3,124(17 days)
Trip Informations
Be entranced by the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and historical wonders of Uzbekistan on this 17-day tour. Traverse landscapes of alpine lakes and mountains interrupted only by dots of yurts, feel the divine artistic power of the detailed mosaics and towering minarets of ancient cities, and be welcomed into homes and family-run businesses by locals. A mix of ancient nomadic cultures, various iterations of both conservative and progressive Islam, Soviet influence and post-independence nationalism mean Central Asia is home to unique traditions. Travels here will leave you raving about the region for years to come and planning your next trip back as soon as you get home.
Why you’ll love this trip
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Get to know the locals as you meet a local eagle trainer (or Berkutchi), learn how to build a yurt in a local workshop, test your taste buds with a dinner of home-cooked plov (Uzbekistan's signature dish) and rub shoulders with the locals in the bustling bazaars
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Travel along the Chychkan River beneath the towering peaks of Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan range, mountains even more spectacular for emptiness of the valleys below them.
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Enjoy authentic experiences like sleeping in traditional yurts on the banks of Lake Issykul, staying in local villages and making yourself at home in a boutique hotel that used to be an old Jewish house in Bukhara
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Wander through the grand square Registan in Samarkand, admiring the imposing architecture from afar and the detailed craftmanship on the tiling up close.
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Spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukhara, a 6th-century-BC city that's drenched in history and home to the formidable Ark of Bukhara.
Is this trip right for you?
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Central Asia is a remote destination, perfect for Tuuur travellers! You will venture well away from cities, right off the beaten track and be able to immerse yourself in local food, life and culture. Accommodation may on occasion be more basic than what you are used to, especially in local homes, guesthouses and at the yurt. Shower and toilet facilities will be limited in some places and non-existent 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 and require patience. The vehicle we use is small enough to access places where the general road condition doesn't allow for buses, but this means it can be a cosy journey when the group is almost full. We find this is a great way for the group to bond and share an amazing journey together and there will be stops along the way to take photos and stretch your legs.
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What Kyrgyzstan lacks in historical sights (compared to the Silk Road monuments and Old Towns of Uzbekistan) it makes up for in incredible natural landscapes and plenty of opportunities for interaction with local families in small villages.
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This trip spends 1 night at high altitude at Song-kol Lake (over 3000 meters) and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. We recommend not partaking in any strenuous activity until you have time to gauge your reaction to the high altitude. See the ‘Health’ 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
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Private Bus, Metro, High Speed Train, local train
bed Accommodation
Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (11 nights), Tourist Yurt Camps (3 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
museum Add on activities
circleBishkek - State Historical Museum - KGS150
circleOsh - Bazaar - Free
circleSamarkand - Afrosiab Museum - UZS30000
circleSamarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory - UZS30000
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Friday May 30, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£3,251
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Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£3,251
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Friday Jun 13, 2025
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,251
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Friday Jun 20, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Friday Jun 27, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Friday Jul 04, 2025
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,295
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Friday Jul 25, 2025
Sunday Aug 10, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£3,295
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Friday Aug 01, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,295
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Friday Aug 08, 2025
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Friday Aug 15, 2025
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Friday Aug 22, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Friday Aug 29, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,251
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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 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. We'll need your passport details no later than 45 days before departure in order to purchase train tickets on this trip. Delay in providing these details or providing incorrect details may result in extra fee in change or being unable to secure services.
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