Original
Explorer
Central Asia Explorer
17 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
circle65 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, 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
Why you’ll love this trip
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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.
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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 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.
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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
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.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Bishkek
- DAY 2Day 2 • Bishkek
- DAY 3Day 3 • Issyk-Kul Lake
- DAY 4Day 4 • Issyk-Kul Lake
- DAY 5Day 5 • Song-Kol Lake (3016 metres)
- DAY 6Day 6 • Kyzyl-Oi
- DAY 7Day 7 • Suusamyr Valley/Chychkan River/Toktogul
- DAY 8Day 8 • Osh
- DAY 9Day 9 • Osh
- DAY 10Day 10 • Border Crossing/Andijan/Tashkent
- DAY 11Day 11 • Tashkent
- DAY 12Day 12 • Bukhara
- DAY 13Day 13 • Bukhara
- DAY 14Day 14 • Samarkand
- DAY 15Day 15 • Samarkand
- DAY 16Day 16 • Tashkent
- DAY 17Day 17 • Tashkent
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Private Bus, Metro, Train
bed Accommodation
Guesthouse/Homestay (2 night), Hotel (11 nights), Tourist Yurt Camps (3 night)
festival Included activities
circleBishkek - City walking tour
circleShamsy Valley - Burana tower
circleDon Aryk - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
circleIssyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
circleKochkor - Market
circleKochkor - Women's Felt Co-op
circleKyzyl-Oi - Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
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 - 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 Optional activities
circleBishkek - State Historical Museum - KGS150
circleOsh - Bazaar - Free
circleBukhara - Kalon Minaret & Mosque - UZS6000
circleSamarkand - Afrosiab Museum - UZS60000
circleSamarkand - Ulugbek's Observatory - UZS50000
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Friday Jun 27, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£3,124
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Friday Aug 08, 2025
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
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 - 8 spaces left
£3,240
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Friday Aug 22, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£3,185
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Friday Aug 29, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£3,311
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Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£3,361
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Friday Sep 05, 2025
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£3,366
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Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£3,306
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Friday Sep 12, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£3,647
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Friday Sep 19, 2025
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 2 spaces left
£3,801
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Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£3,465
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Friday Sep 26, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£3,311
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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.
Reviews (66)
5 stars
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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 !
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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.
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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.
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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