Meals

25 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Others

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 Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum Tashkent - City tour Tashkent - Metro tour Khiva - Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa Khiva - Juma Mosque Khiva - Tosh-Hovli Palace Khiva - Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum Khiva - Kuhna Ark Darvaza - "Door to Hell" Crater Yerbent - Village visit Nohur - Village walking tour Geokdepe - Horse breeder visit with bread & snack cooking demostration Ashgabat - Anau ruins Ashgabat - Neutrality Arch Ashgabat - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque Ashgabat - City tour Ashgabat - Nisa ruins Ashgabat - Russian Bazaar Merv - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum Merv - Erk Kala & Gayur Kala Merv - Big & Small Kizkala Mary - City tour

Accommodation

Accommodation is clean and simple. You’ll mainly stay in small, locally-run, 2-3 star hotels and guesthouses, which reflect the character of the area,generally these will be a twin room with private facilities. Sometimes you’ll stay in larger, more comfortable hotels or occasionally rustic accommodation with basic facilities. We use a variety of accommodation on most trips; chosen for their value for money, location and atmosphere. We also try and incorporate unique accommodation experiences, such as a night with a local tribe, or sleeping under the stars in the desert. HOMESTAYS: Please note that at our homestays you might be required to share a room with people of other genders, or with your leader. Because we stay at real people’s homes, beds might be pull-out couches or mattresses on the floor, or even a yurt in their backyard. Some of the accommodation along the way is very basic, staying in local guesthouses, yurts and homestays with limited facilities. Some facilities are shared and some accommodation has cold water only or no bathroom facilities. Guesthouse/Homestay (3 night), Hotel (18 nights), Yurt (4 nights), Overnight train (1 night)

Transport

Private Bus , Metro , Train , Overnight Train

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Bishkek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Bishkek

Welcome to Bishkek! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Tomorrow you’ll take a tour of the city, so don’t stress too much if you don’t have time to see much today. Bishkek is tree-lined town of parks and gardens, handsome houses and wide streets perfect for strolling. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe head out in search of some samsa (pastry pockets filled with meat and vegetables).
Day 2 Day 2: Bishkek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Bishkek

Embark on city tour that showcases the various stages of Bishkek’s history. Visit the severe Ala-Too Square, once known as Lenin Square, and learn about the towering statue depicting folkloric hero Manas. Continue to Dubovy Park, and wander among the open-air galleries before strolling between the century-old oaks along Freedom Avenue. In the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to further explore Bishkek. Quite the contrast to the relaxed quiet streets, square and parks in the city centre, Osh Market is noisy, crowded, and a perfect peek into local life. You’ll find all kinds of things on sale here, from spices and fruits to clothes and carpets.
Day 3 Day 3: Issyk-Kul Lake
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Issyk-Kul Lake

This morning, up and on the road through the beautiful landscaps of Kyrgyzstan. You’ll be travelling with our vehicle for the next few days so get ready for a road trip through some pretty stunning mountains and lakes. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is the most visible remnant of the ancient city Balasagun. Then continue to Don Aryk and meet a local Kyrgyz family and enjoy a home-cooked lunch. Then onto the destination of today - Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. At 170 - kilometres-long and 70-kilometres-wide, her beauty is a real sight to behold. Your yurt camp for tonight is set up along the south shore of the lake where you’ll get a fantastic view of the snow-capped mountains setting behind the lake. Made of felt and tarpaulins on a round frame, yurts are the traditional dwellings of the Kyrgyz people and this will be your ’settlement’ for today and tomorrow.
Day 4 Day 4: Issyk-Kul Lake
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Issyk-Kul Lake

With relaxed plans for today, you’ll head out to Kyzyl Tuu - known for yurt making. Almost every family here is a yurt making and the village is known far beyond Kyrgyzstan. You’ll visit an artisan family who’ll teach you more about their traditional yurts. With a special workshop, you’ll learn the basics of how these nomadic dwellings have been manufactured and how they play an important role in the community here. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening, relax in your yurt camp, jump into the lake, take a hike or sit back and watch the world goes by.
Day 5 Day 5: Song-Kol Lake (3016 Metres)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Song-Kol Lake (3016 Metres)

Back on the road and travel to Song-Kol Lake, another alpine stunner that is considered a sacred place to many Kyrgyz people, as well as one of the best summer pastures for nomadic herders. On the way, stop at Kochkor to visit the local market and a women’s felt co-op. The landscape today will change depending on the season but is sure to be beautiful no matter when you travel. In the summer you might see nomadic herdsmen and their families watching over goats, sheep, and horses. Enjoy exploring your surroundings for the rest of the day, maybe hiking one of the many trails. Tonight, fall asleep in yurts set up along the shore. Tomorrow, those daring enough for an invigorating morning splash can use the lake to wash off the sleep.
Day 6 Day 6: Kyzyl-Oi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Kyzyl-Oi

Travel along gravel roads to the tiny village of Kyzyl-Oi, which is squeezed between mountains. On the way, pass large coal deposits and travel along the Kokomeren River, which feeds into the Syr Darya. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river in the shade of the trees and use your free time to explore the village on arrival. In the evening, learn how the locals cook their favourite snack - Boorsok.
Day 7 Day 7: Suusamyr Valley/Chychkan River/Toktogul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Suusamyr Valley/Chychkan River/Toktogul

Get ready for a full-day of driving though big, beautiful landscapes. As the roads in Kyrgyzstan see little regular maintenance, even short distances on a map can take hours. The road crosses the Suusamyr Valley – a high steppe plateau situated at around 2200 metres above sea level. The mountainous surroundings are often dotted with yurts. Continue along the Chychkan River that cuts through the Tien Shan mountain range. Stop here for a while and soak up the amazing scenery. Arrive at tonight’s accommodation which is part of the local community based tourism network in Toktogul sometime in the early evening.
Day 8 Day 8: Osh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Osh

After breakfast, get ready for another all-day journey to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgystan. Stop en route at Uzgen, an ancient trading town and handicrafts centre along the Silk Road. Although much of the ancient city has been destroyed, a minaret and three mosques that have survived remain important examples of medieval Central Asian architecture. Continue to Osh. Located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country, Osh is often referred to as the ’Capital of the South’ and is the oldest city in the country.
Day 9 Day 9: Osh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Osh

Rise and shine for a visit to the only World Heritage site in Kyrgystan, the Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain, also known as Solomon’s Throne. For centuries Silk Road travellers have sought out the mountain’s caves and their petroglyphs in the belief that they would be blessed with longevity or healthy children. Visit the National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time in Osh. Perhaps visit the Jayma Bazaar, where you might pick up an interesting souvenir or two. Or maybe take a self-guided tour of the remnants of Osh’s soviet past with a walk to the giant Lenin statue in the city square.
Day 10 Day 10: Border Crossing/Andijan/Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Border Crossing/Andijan/Tashkent

This morning, drive to Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, which is just outside of the city. Transfer to Andijan and board a local train to Tashkent (approximately 5.5 hours). The train is a great place to meet locals, so don’t be surprised if people want to chat to the chet ellik (foreigner). Arrive in the evening and check into the hotel.
Day 11 Day 11: Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Tashkent

Begin your introduction to Uzbekistan by exploring the capital today. Follow your leader on a city walking tour - explore Amir Timur square at the city center, then hop on the metro and lose yourself in the exciting Chorsu Bazaar, browsing traditional wooden cradles, handmade musical instruments, and the extensive vegetable and spice markets. Enjoy a free afternoon and maybe go and visit the Khast Imom complex, a restored series of religious buildings (including a mosque) and a library containing an ancient Qur’an, parts of which have been dated to the ninth century, or simply relax and enjoy some well deserved downtime after a busy journey in Kyrgyzstan.
Day 12 Day 12: Bukhara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Bukhara

Travel to Bukhara by train this morning. Located on the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara was an important regional and world hub for many, many years and has a long, fascinating history featuring invasions by both Genghis Khan and the Soviet Red Army. Explore this fascinating city with your tour leader on an orientation walk after arrival and head to the Lyabi-Haus area, a busy 17th-century plaza with hundreds-years-old trees and there is time to wander the small craft studios tucked into the nearby madrasas and trading domes.
Day 13 Day 13: Bukhara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Bukhara

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in beautiful Bukhara. First visit the Sitorai Mohi Khosa, once the summer residence of the last Emir. Designed by Russian architects, it has interiors decorated with traditional filigree plaster, mirrored surfaces and delicate floral wall paintings by local artisans, then visit the Ark Fortress, the symbol of Bukhara before getting to one of Central Asia’s oldest and most exquisite structures, the tenth-century Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the superb decorative brickwork of which has survived 1000 years of rugged history. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore this ancient Silk Road town. Maybe visit Bolo Haus Mosque, Chor Minor, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, or Ulukbek Madrassah and Abdulaziz Khan Madrassa.
Day 14 Day 14: Samarkand
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Samarkand

Have a free morning to yourself for some further exploration of Bukhara. In the late afternoon,transfer to the station for train to fabled Samarkand. This city is located at the very centre of the ancient Silk Road. Arrival early evening and follow your leader on a short city orientation walk and maybe an optional dinner together.
Day 15 Day 15: Samarkand
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Samarkand

Enjoy a tour of Samarkand. First up is the central square called the Registan, which features mosques and mausoleums that are true pinnacles of Islamic architecture. Continue to Guri-Amir, where Tamerlane is buried, and then the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Visit Shak-i-Zinda, a necropolis that features a series of gleaming blue-tiled mausoleums. This sacred site has monuments from the 14th–19th century, reflecting the development of the monumental art and architecture of the Timurid dynasty onwards. It is photo worthy at every turn, just remember to be respectful as pilgrims visit the complex. In the evening, you’ll visit a local family to learn the secrets of plov cuisine during a cooking demonstration in the evening.
Day 16 Day 16: Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Tashkent

This morning, take the train back to Tashkent. Enjoy a free afternoon and why not celebrate this great adventure with an optional farewell dinner tonight?
Day 17 Day 17: Tashkent
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 17: Tashkent

Xush kelibsiz! Welcome to the largest city in Central Asia. Tashkent blends Russian and Uzbek style, with extravagant mosques that sit alongside modern highways and Soviet monuments. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive in Tashkent with time to spare, maybe take a walk to see some of the contemporary architecture that sets this city apart from other Silk Road destinations.
Day 18 Day 18: Tashkent/ Overnight Train
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 18: Tashkent/ Overnight Train

This morning, embark on a city tour to explore Tashkent. Visit the Amir Timur Square in the city’s centre and wander the bustling Chorsu Bazaar. An impressive dome tops the main building here and the market sells everything you could imagine. Explore the decorated metro stations, which were only allowed to be photographed from 2018, and the Khast Imom Complex, which houses one of the oldest copies of Qur’an. Have some free time in the afternoon and maybe stock some snacks for your overnight train tonight.
Day 19 Day 19: Khiva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 19: Khiva

Arrive in Khivathis morning – many global powers have laid claim to this city over the centuries, from Khans to Silk Road traders and the Soviet Union. Get acquainted with Khiva on a city tour with your leader. See the incredible blue-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret and the Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassa. Explore the Kuhna Ark – the ’citadel within a citadel’ that once housed the Khan and his family in the 17th century – then, get a view from above from the Ak-sheikh Baba Observatory. Visit the towering Islom Hoja Minaret – the tallest building in Khiva – and explore the Juma Mosque. Wander through the elaborately decorated courtyards connected by labyrinthian corridors at the Tosh-Hovli Palace and find a good spot to watch the sunset over this ancient city.
Day 20 Day 20: Khiva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 20: Khiva

After breakfast today, you’ll have a free day to explore Khiva at your own pace. Home to more than 60 cultural sites, medieval mosques and opulent palaces, there is plenty to see and do in this fascinatingly ancient city. Maybe head to one of the many museums, check out the souvenir shops or wander around one of the craft studios. If you’re not sure where to go and what to see, just ask your leader for tips!
Day 21 Day 21: Border Crossing/ Darvaza
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 21: Border Crossing/ Darvaza

A long travel day today. This morning, say goodbye to Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan. After border formalities, you’ll meet your new leader and head on to Dashoguz. When you arrive, visit a local bazaar and stretch your legs. Then, switch into 4WDs and drive on to Derweze – this village in the middle of the Karakum Desert is famous for ‘The Gates of Hell’ – this gas crater is an astounding 70-m-wide, 30-m-deep pit permanently aflame and formally known as the Darvaza Crater. Soviet oil prospectors started drilling in 1971 expecting to find oil, and the ground collapsed. Worried about the gas released into the air, they deliberately set the crater on fire to burn off the excess, expecting it to last a few weeks. As you’ll see today, they were wrong, and the crater has been burning ever since. When you arrive, take a walk around the crater and learn about the flora and fauna of the desert. Watch the sunset over the flames from your nearby yurt camp and enjoy a picnic dinner
Day 22 Day 22: Ashgabat/ Nohur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 22: Ashgabat/ Nohur

Drive to Nohur Village via Ashgabat today, through the desert and into the Kopet Dag Mountains that separate Turkmenistan from Iran. On the way, you’ll stop to stretch your legs and take photos with visits to a mud crater, a water crater and the Yerbent Nomad Village. When you arrive in Ashgabat, stop for lunch and change to minibuses for the dusty winding roads to Nohur Village. When you arrive at your guesthouse in the afternoon, you’ll watch how the locals weave Keteni – a homespun silk fabric. Maybe take a walk to see the graves, marked by the horns of mountain goats, and along the shepherd’s trails that pass by waterfalls and swimming holes. Tonight, you’ll have a traditional dinner home-cooked by your hosts.
Day 23 Day 23: Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 23: Ashgabat

Enjoy a traditional breakfast in the guesthouse this morning, then head out to learn more about the village lifestyle of local Turkmen tribes. You’ll meet with the residents here who are a part of the Nohur ethnic group, who consider themselves to be descendants of Alexander the Great. Wander around the tribes’ cemetery, overgrown and equipped with the mountain goat horns, and learn about the peoples’ customs, traditions and spirituality. After, visit Gyz Bibi Cave – a place of local pilgrimage. See an 800-year-old Cynar tree – more than 800 years old tree, then say goodbye to the village and head on to Ashgabat. Along the way, you’ll visit a local horse breeder’s farm for a cooking demonstration of Baursaki. Watch the process of frying the dough in oil, then maybe try it out for yourself! Watch how their bread is cooked in a tandoor (a mud oven), then sit down with your host to enjoy some of the treats as you learn about his family and his passion for Akhal-Teke horses – this breed of horse is specific to the region and have a reputation for their speed, endurance, intelligence and distinctive metallic sheen. Later, continue to Ashgabat, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 24 Day 24: Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 24: Ashgabat

Take a full day to wrap your head around this desert city on an immersive guided tour. First, visit the ancient settlement of Nisa, built in the 3rd century BC. See the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, built to honour those killed in the Battle of Geok Tepe in 1881, in World War II and in the 1948 earthquake. Then, head out of town to the ruins of Anau. The crumbling remains of the 15th century medieval mosque still attracts the devout, who come to pray and make offerings. Wander the Russian Bazaar to see locals doing their daily shopping and maybe taste some samosas, doner-kebabs and sweet melon! See the local Turkmen’s handmade souvenirs and maybe choose something special to bring home. This afternoon, take in the four-pointed martinets of the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. You’ll then have some free time to relax and recharge before an evening visit to the monuments of Archabil Street, including the Neutrality Arch.
Day 25 Day 25: Merv/ Mary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 25: Merv/ Mary

Rise and shine for the drive to Mary (pronounced ‘Mah-rih’) – the somewhat ostentatious displays of wealth in this city can be traced to the long-running gas and cotton industries. When you arrive, settle into your hotel, then head out to wander through the lively bazaar with your leader. Take drive out to Merv, also known as Margiana or Margush, and enjoy some time exploring Turkmenistan’s most recognised site. This sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site is home to numerous walled structures from various periods spread across a 1200-hectare area. See impressive columns smoothed by wind and time at the Greater Kizkala and walk hills that were once the fortress walls of Erk Kala. While not the most impressive visually, Gyaur Kala dates to 400 BC and has a fascinating history. Spend some time exploring these relics of grand empires, then return to Mary for some free time. Maybe visit the Mary Regional Museum. Housed in a palace of white marble, the museum features archaeological displays and exhibitions on traditional Turkmen life and culture.
Day 26 Day 26: Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 26: Ashgabat

This morning after breakfast, head out to see the local Orthodox Church and take some more time wandering around Mary’s city center, before returning to Ashgabat – the City of White Marble. Arrive late afternoon and head out again as the sun goes down to walk along the promenade with your group. Maybe find somewhere for dinner and celebrate your final night on this incredible adventure.
Day 27 Day 27: Ashgabat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 27: Ashgabat

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you need help with organising a transfer to the airport, just speak to your leader.

+24

27 days tour

Bishkek To Ashgabat

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Bishkek To Ashgabat

Day 1: Bishkek

Day 2: Bishkek

Day 3: Issyk-Kul Lake

Day 4: Issyk-Kul Lake

Day 5: Song-Kol Lake (3016 Metres)

Day 6: Kyzyl-Oi

Day 7: Suusamyr Valley/Chychkan River/Toktogul

Day 8: Osh

Day 9: Osh

Day 10: Border Crossing/Andijan/Tashkent

Day 11: Tashkent

Day 12: Bukhara

Day 13: Bukhara

Day 14: Samarkand

Day 15: Samarkand

Day 16: Tashkent

Day 17: Tashkent

Day 18: Tashkent/ Overnight Train

Day 19: Khiva

Day 20: Khiva

Day 21: Border Crossing/ Darvaza

Day 22: Ashgabat/ Nohur

Day 23: Ashgabat

Day 24: Ashgabat

Day 25: Merv/ Mary

Day 26: Ashgabat

Day 27: Ashgabat

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