Original
Explorer
Central Asia Explorer
17 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
65 reviews
17 days
Start
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Finish
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Trip Code
KFSR
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
Private Bus, Metro, Train
Accommodation
Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (11 nights), Tourist Yurt Camps (3 night)
From £3,124(17 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Get to know the locals as you 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.
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.
Enjoy authentic experiences like sleeping in traditional yurts on the banks of Lake Issy-kul, staying in local villages and making yourself at home in a boutique hotel that used to be an old Jewish house in Bukhara.
Wander through the grand square Registan in Samarkand, admiring the imposing architecture from afar and the detailed craftmanship on the tiling up close.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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
Unspool history on the Silk Road, from mountain yurts to minarets
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.
Inclusions
Meals
16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
Private Bus, Metro, Train
Accommodation
Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (11 nights), Tourist Yurt Camps (3 night)
Included activities
Bishkek - City walking tour
Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
Don Aryk - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
Issyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
Kochkor - Market
Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op
Kyzyl-Oi - Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
Uzgen - Uzgen Minaret & Complex
Osh - Sulaiman-Too Mountain
Osh - National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
Tashkent - Amir Timur Square
Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
Bukhara - Ark Fortress
Samarkand - Leader-led orientation walk
Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Samarkand - Registan Square
Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
Samarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
Optional activities
Bishkek - State Historical Museum - KGS150
Osh - Bazaar - Free
Bukhara - Kalon Minaret & Mosque - UZS6000
Samarkand - Afrosiab Museum - UZS60000
Samarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory - UZS50000
Dates and availability
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Important notes
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.
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.
Reviews (66)
5 stars
60
4 stars
3
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
Sharon
May 24, 2025
I had high expectations for this trip and it surpassed them all. The itinerary, the local culture, the food, and the people made for an amazing adventure.
Preethi
May 21, 2025
After over 30 years as an independent traveler, this was my first group overnight tour. It far exceeded my expectations, largely due to an excellent tour leader (El), the spontaneity of our roadside stops on long drives, Kyrgyzstan's spectacular natural beauty, Uzbekistan's monumental architecture (both modern and medieval), and the freedom to choose our own lunches and dinners in urban areas.
Yuan-Ying
May 16, 2025
This trip has exceeded my expectation in every way. The well-organized tour made traveling a breeze, with reliable transport and decent accommodation sorted, as well as providing a chance to participate in interesting activities and to learn from the knowledgeable local guides. Central Asia is amazing and I'm completely in love.
Melissa
May 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this trip. From the leader to the driver and the beautiful scenery of Kyrgyzstan, I really enjoyed it. We couldn’t make it to Son-Kul lake but we got to see a lovely Canyon and stay in a near by town. The yurt camp was a highlight and same with Kyzyl Oi.
joanne
May 09, 2025
Overall and excellent trip. I prefer the Kyrgyzstan part of the trip as it was more interesting culturally and more people interaction. Uzbekistan's was unusually hot, more history beautiful madrassa and Mosques the night of the Plov dinner was outstanding and fun. . In Kryzgystan we were near an eagle training center he asked if we would like to take a look. Nothing short of amazing and LUCKY as it is not part of the itinerary and a trainer was there with his eagle. Ulan our tour leader was outstanding!
Penny
May 06, 2025
Highly recommend the 17 day trip . Both our guide El and driver Sergei ( nicknamed Hugh) were experienced , safe and knowledgeable. Incredible scenes , respectful people and great food! Do it!
Penny
Apr 26, 2025
This trip covers a variety of activities apart from the main sites - mountains , plains , small villages and cities . Our tour guide El was excellent . Highly recommend !
Jean
Apr 26, 2025
Our 11th trip with Intrepid. Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan was one of the best. The guide and driver, cooked a BBQ picnic lunch for us. The guide was caring, understanding of our needs, helpful at all times. His knowledge of the history was outstanding. These countries are safe, clean, and graffiti free. Uzbekistan is one of the most developed countries like China. More developed than my own country Australia. Just go and experience this place.
NICK
Apr 20, 2025
Fantastic trip. Meerbek (Meeko) is an outstanding tour guide. We learnt so much about Central Asia. Best part was meeting locals in their homes. Scenery and inclusions amazing. Recommend highly.
David
Nov 05, 2024
You may require dental work after the sheer number of jaw-dropping sights in Kyrgyzstan, and you might second-guess your vocabulary given how often you’ll involuntarily say “WOW!” walking around the ancient cities of Uzbekistan. An absolutely amazing time
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