This tour will lead you through the modern and historic cities of Central Asian countries. You will discover the cultural treasures and traditions of the nomadic people who have crossed the region for ages, and of the people who have settled in its cities. Behold the modern marvel development of the ancient Silk Road. Explore the sprawling Soviet-styled cities and tour four capitals of Central Asia. Absorb the architectural legacies of flourishing Islamic culture and the great Timurid Empire in Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva. In your short stay, you will live through the centuries of Central Asian Silk Road.
Welcome to Central Asia! Our driver will be waiting to meet you for the trip to your hotel. Meet your group and the tour leader in the hotel lobby after breakfast. Today it is time to begin a genuine journey deep into the remarkable history of Uzbekistan.
Tashkent, the largest city in Central Asia, is a curious blend of Islamic and Soviet influences. Visit the Old City area of Tashkent where you will discover ancient historical sites: the Khast Imom Complex, which contains ancient Quran book of Caliph Uthman and the mausoleum of the Islamic saint, Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi. Join the animated throng of traders at Chor-Su Bazaar before taking a ride on the former-Soviet Tashkent Metro, which features some of the most ornately decorated stations in the world. Exit the metro at Amir Temur Square Station to view the statue of Timur, the great conqueror and founder of the Timurid Empire, and, next to that, the grand Independence Square. Complete the day with a visit to the Applied Arts Museum to immerse yourself in the vibrant Uzbek art scene. During dinner at one of the top restaurants in Tashkent, you will be regaled with stories of Uzbekistan by your tour leader: its rich history, its customs, its traditions, and its people. We will have a welcome dinner at one of the finest eateries in Tashkent. The evening will be a great opportunity to discuss the adventures that lie in store, and you can ask any questions you might have about your tour.
A very early day begins at 4.30 with a trip to the local airport for your flight to the western part of Uzbekistan. Once you arrive in the city of Urgench, you will take a thirty-five-minute drive to your hotel in Khiva. Khiva is bursting with historical sites – and today you will get a chance to see them all after the breakfast and little rest.
Today you will visit the walled inner city section of Khiva called Ichan-Kala. This old section of town preserves more than fifty historic monuments and hundreds of old houses dating back hundreds of years. The fortress is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk through the enormous city gates, you are confronted by the glistening Islamic beacon, the Kalta-minor Minaret. Delve deep into the town on a guided tour that embraces all of the city sites, and includes an ascent of the Islam Khodja Minaret, the highest minaret in Khiva. Enjoy broad views of Old Khiva atop the Kunya-Ark Citadel. Invest your free time during the afternoon to enjoy more of the city and shop for souvenirs. Or enjoy a drink at one of the many cafes around the ancient city.
Leaving Khiva will be a drag, but as our destination today is the equally delightful Bukhara, we’re sure you’ll forgive us. Heading west, we’ll follow the highway that takes us right into the Kyzylkum desert, just as the ancient Silk Road traders once did. The mighty Amudarya River cuts through the desert and we will stop on route to see this important waterway that flows into what remains of the Aral Sea. It’s a long day on shaky roads, so prepare yourself with plenty of snacks and charge up your devices so the music doesn’t run out. At the end of this arduous drive, the reward will be Bukhara, where we’ll arrive late into the night and ready to rest.
The second of our UNESCO World Heritage stops, even the very name Bukhara conjures up images of the exotic Orient. Today, as for centuries, it’s an important trading post and you’ll have numerous opportunities to see traditional Uzbek products being bought and sold. The Old Town has been well preserved and is crammed full of minarets, mosques, and madrassas. Its once notorious canals and pools, the source of many an epidemic, have now been drained but the most famous, Lyabi-Hauz, is still there, an oasis shaded by mulberry trees at the heart of the city.
Your guide will show you the city’s unmissable sights, after which there’ll be plenty of time for you to wander Bukhara’s labyrinthine alleyways to soak up the atmosphere by yourself. In the evening we will visit national folklore show and get to know ancient culture of modern Uzbekistan.
A single day isn’t enough to do Bukhara justice and so we devote a second to exploring this fascinating place. This morning, we’ll take you to the summer residence of Bukhara’s last Emir, a unique site which blends Oriental and Russian architecture. In the afternoon, hit the road, as tonight’s destination is the exotic city of Samarkand. Stop on the way to see caravanserai dating back to 11th century.
Sublime Samarkand evokes an almost mythical past full of romance and intrigue. This was the domain of Timur, one of history’s great conquerors. His vast empire rivalled any, stretching across the Eurasian steppe, who ruled his kingdom with an iron fist while at the same time patronizing the arts and literature. Much of his architectural heritage has been preserved, allowing us to see how the city might have been at the peak of his power. We’ll begin in spectacular Registan Square, the focal point of ancient Samarkand and framed by three beautiful madrassas.
We’ll explore one of the city’s unmissable sights, the Bibi Khanum Mosque, before delving into the Siyob Bazaar to haggle for dried fruit and souvenirs to take home. Finally, our guide will show us the well-preserved Ulugbek Observatory. Uzbek astronomer Ulugbek was decades ahead of the west with his observations of the solar system and the earth and we’ll learn more about his story in this prestigious setting. After this sightseeing, you’ll retain some leisure time before we visit Samarkand Theatre of historical costume.
Transport: Minivan with A/C for city tour
Accommodation: Hotel 3* by Western standards, 702 m altitude
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Today, we’ll pay a visit to the Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Later, we’ll drive to Koni Ghil village to explore the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry and silk carpet factory. You’ll have the chance to try this for yourself; with expert tuition, it’s not as hard as it looks. After this sightseeing, it’s time to depart Samarkand as we take the fast-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent at 17:00
Today we say good bye to marvelous cities of Uzbekistan and go with an early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Oybek-Fotekhobod (100 km, 1 h. 30 min.). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints and meet Tajik local guide drive to Khujand for another hour.
In Khujand, you will be visiting museums, central mosque and Panjshanbe Bazar that is located at the heart of Khujand. City Park and Khujand Museum will also be visited before having dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Transfer ca. 3 hours
After breakfast, your day will begin with a scenic drive to Dushanbe through mountainous Anzob Pass which reaches 3300m altitude.
We will drive to the historic Hissar Fort (VII – XVII cc), just outside Dushanbe. The once an official residence Bukhara Emir delegates, it has 1m thick walls with numerous gun and cannon slots. Though on ruins, you can still feel and experience the grandiosity of Hissar Fort. Post this historic visit, you will be guided to the 16th century Madrassa-i Kuhna that faces the entrance of the Hissar Fort; the Mahdumi Azam Mausoleum will also be visited.
We start the day with a guided tour of the city with the first stop at the National Museum of Tajikistan. The museum contains exhibits of history, nature, and art. Continue from there to Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum and get to know the rich musical history of the region from its roots during the golden age of the Silk Road.
The main square of the capital features a monumental statue of the founder of the Samanid Empire, Ismail Somoni, with his crown of gold. Before you enjoy dinner and a restful evening, stroll around in Rudaki Park, where famous Persian scientists and poets are memorialized with impressive statues. After sightseeing, you will have some time to buy souvenirs and enjoy some free time.
After breakfast, you will make your way to the Dushanbe International Airport and check in for your flight to Almaty. Upon arrival in Almaty you will be met by our driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in. During dinner at one of the top restaurants in Almaty you will be regaled with stories of Kazakhstan by your tour leader: its rich history, its customs, and its people.
Transport: Flight to Almaty – 860m, ca. 1,5 hours/ Minivan with A/C for transfer/ city tour
Accommodation: Hotel – 3* by Western standards, altitude 500 m
During the Soviet Rule, Almaty was a capital city with settlements dating back to pre-historic times. Today it has a rich history as Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis, and it boasts many interesting places to visit. See examples of colonial Russian architecture like the wooden Orthodox Church – the Zenkov Cathedral – and the National Musical Instruments Museum.
After a visit to the museum, walk in the cooling shade of the verdant Panfilov Park, named for the Panfilov division that defended Moscow in World War II. Next, feel the hustle and bustle of the oriental market in Green Bazaar, where you can buy anything from dried fruit to fresh meat to fermented camel milk. Go on a funicular ride to Kok-Tobe Hill and enjoy the sweeping view of the “Green City.”
Today we drive to Issyk lake and on the way, we will visit the Tomb of the Golden man, that became a symbol of Kazakhstan. Enjoy stunning lake located one hour away from Almaty and opt for short hikes around. When evening comes, you make your way to the Bishkek International Airport and unwind on an evening flight to Bishkek.
Transport: Minivan with A/C for transfer and excursion to Issyk lake – 2-3 hours. Flight to Bishkek – ca. 1 hour
Your guide and driver will greet you at your hotel after breakfast. After a fifty-minute drive, you will arrive at your first destination for the day: Ala-Archa National Park. This alpine wilderness attracts visitors with its breathtaking mountain vistas and scenic hiking trails. The raging Ala-Archa River runs through the alpine gorge, surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks and steep, forested slopes. Enjoy your morning either resting or hiking in the park before returning to Bishkek for an afternoon tour.
Sightseeing in Bishkek includes stops by the museum, Oak Park (the oldest park in Bishkek), Central Square, and Philharmonic Hall. Later, amble through more of the city’s charming parks and listen to the stories behind its most beloved landmarks and monuments. Today we will have a farewell evening to remember the best moments from our trip.
Today it’s time to say a fond farewell to Central Asia. After breakfast, we will bring you to the Bishkek International Airport for your departure. We hope you have enjoyed your journey and that you will consider a return trip to explore in depth your favorite state of Central Asia.
Tashkent – city tour
Khiva – walking tour
Bukhara – walking tour
Samarkand – city tour
Khujand -city tour
Dushanbe-city tour
Almaty-city tour
Bishkek-city tour
The Kazakh currency is called the Tenge (KZT). The banking system in Kazakhstan is the most developed in Central Asia and in big cities there are many places to exchange money and to withdraw cash from ATMs using a variety of cards. We recommend bringing some cash in new USD bank notes of denominations of at least 20 USD. Small and old-looking bank notes are harder to exchange. Paying directly with a credit card is still not possible at most places, except for high-end restaurants, hotels and international stores like Zara, Mango, McDonalds or Starbucks. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during guided trips to Central Asia.
Kazakhstan is a multi-ethnic country with a long history of tolerance. Guests and locals are treated with respect and the whole country can be regarded as a very safe destination for travelers. That said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, avoid dark streets at night and take only official taxis. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Kazakh partners and we closely monitor political events.
Citizens of most Western countries do not need a visa for a stay of up to 15 days in Kazakhstan. To be sure whether you need visa or not you can check on the website of The Visa Machine. Any permits you might need for access to places that will be visited during your tour, we will provide for you free of charge.
As soon as we receive the deposit payment for your tour, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Kazakhstan.
The climate of Kazakhstan is continental and dry in the majority of the country, including the largest cities. Summers are very hot with day temperatures between 30° and 40° Celsius and winters extremely cold with strong winds. In the mountains, however, weather is quite changeable. If you are planning to visit the mountains the best season is summer. Be aware, however, at high altitudes of 3000 metres or more it may even snow overnight during the summer. For cultural sightseeing tours spring and autumn are the best seasons. Autumn is also the time when the country goes to harvest, meaning markets are full of fresh fruit and vegetables. In 2017 the world exposition takes place in the Kazakh capital of Astana from June 10 to September 10. If you are planning to visit Astana we recommend that you go during that time.
Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveller’s diarrhoea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Kazakhstan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Kazakhstan are basic at best.
The Kyrgyz currency is called the Som (KGS). In the capital Bishkek there are many ATMs that you can find in shopping centers, supermarkets or on the main streets. All of them accept Visa cards and some, like Kyrgyz Kommerts Bank, Demir Bank and Uni Credit accept other cards such as MasterCard or Maestro card. Outside of Bishkek, we don’t recommend relying on ATMs as there are so few of them. We also recommend that you bring some cash in new USD banknotes of denominations of at least 20 USD. There are many exchange offices, some working 24/7. Small and old-looking bank notes are harder to exchange. Paying directly with a credit card is still not possible at most places, except for high-end restaurants, hotels and a small number of international stores. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during guided trips to Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan is the most liberal and democratic country in the Central Asian region. For the last seven years, the political situation in the country has been calm and there is nothing to suggest that this situation might change. Guests and locals are treated with respect and the whole country can be regarded as very safe destination for travelers. That said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, avoid dark streets at night and only use official taxis. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Kyrgyz partners and we closely monitor political events.
Citizens of most Western countries do not need a visa for a stay of up to 60 days in Kyrgyzstan. To be sure whether you need a visa or not you can check on www.thevisamachine.com. Any special permits that you might need for access to places that will be visited during your tour, we will provide to you free of charge.
As soon as we receive your deposit payment, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Kyrgyzstan.
The climate of Kyrgyzstan is continental and dry in the majority of the country, including the largest cities. In the Ferghana Valley in the south and in capital Bishkek, summers are very hot with day temperatures between 30° and 40° Celsius. However, most of the country is situated more than 1500 meters above the sea level, where temperatures are in the mid-20s during summer. At high altitudes of 3000 meters or more it may even snow overnight during the summer, so make sure you bring some warm clothes. The best season to visit for activity or jeep tours would be in summer and winter for skiing tours. Please note, weather in some mountain areas may be very changeable.
Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Kyrgyzstan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Kyrgyzstan are basic at best.
The Tajik currency is called the Somoni (TJS). In the capital Dushanbe there are a few ATMs that you’ll find in shopping centres, supermarkets or on the main streets, but most of them accept only Visa cards. Outside of Dushanbe we don’t recommend relying on ATMs as there are only a few of them and they may run out of money.
We recommend bringing cash in new USD bank notes of denominations of at least 20 USD. There are many exchange offices, some working 24/7. Small and old-looking bank notes are harder to exchange. Paying directly with credit card is still not possible at most places, except for few high-end restaurants and hotels. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during guided trips to Central Asia.
The political situation in the country has been calm in recent years and there are no indications of upcoming tensions. The border area with Afghanistan is safe as well, but we do not recommend crossing the border for a trip into Afghanistan. Guests and locals are treated with respect and Tajikistan can be regarded as safe destination for travelers. That being said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, avoid dark streets at night and only take official taxi rides. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Tajik partners and we closely monitor political events.
Citizens of almost every country can obtain an e-Visa online for stays of up to 45 days in Tajikistan. All you need to do is enter the requested information then pay a fee of 50 USD by credit card and you will receive almost immediately the eVisa by email. You can print it out and use it just like an ordinary visa to enter the country. Please note, if you are planning to visit Pamir region, you need a GBAO permit, which you can purchase online, together with the eVisa, for an additional fee of USD 20.
As soon as we receive the deposit payment for your tour, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Tajikistan.
The climate of Tajikistan is continental and dry across most of the country, including the largest cities. In regions situated at relatively low altitude, such as the capital Dushanbe, the south of Tajikistan around Kulob and the Khujand region, summers are very hot with day temperatures between 30° and 40° Celsius. However, most of the country is situated at high altitudes, where temperatures are in the mid 20s or less during the summer. If you visit the Fann or Pamir Mountains, make sure to bring some warm clothes, as it can get very cold at night at elevations of more than 3000 metres. The best season to visit is during summer.
Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered or boiled. Do not use tap water for brushing teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for Tajikistan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Tajikistan are basic at best. Please note: there is a small risk of malaria in the south of Tajikistan by the borders with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. None of our tours visit this region.
The Uzbek currency is called the Som (UZS). There are few ATMs in Uzbekistan and even then, most do not accept any card other than Visa. Stores and restaurants typically do not accept credit cards. We recommend you bring all money in cash, preferably carrying new USD bank notes of different denominations. They will be easy to exchange – for the best rates ask your guide – and you will be able to pay directly with USD for some souvenirs. An emergency fund of around 500 USD in cash is always good to have during trips to Central Asia.
Uzbekistan is a safe country and most trips are trouble-free. There is a visible police presence and most citizens are law abiding. That said, you are advised to wear a money belt, watch your belongings, steer clear of dark streets at night and avoid taking rides in unofficial taxis alone. Your safety is our first priority at Kalpak Travel; we know and regularly assess all our Uzbek partners and we closely monitor political events.
Citizens of most countries need a visa. You can check your requirements on the website of The Visa Machine - http://www.thevisamachine.com. For a service fee, they can apply for the visa for you and send it to you, or you can apply directly at the nearest embassy. Please note: we will provide a letter of invitation free of charge to those booking a tour with us if it is needed.
As soon as we receive the deposit payment for your tour, we will confirm your booking and send you an email with important pre-departure information. Please read it carefully as it contains important information on customs regulations for Uzbekistan.
The climate of Uzbekistan is continental and dry. The best season to visit is during spring and autumn, from mid-April until early June and then again from September until early November. Autumn is drier than spring, but even in spring chances are high you can enjoy the bluest sky you have ever seen. Autumn is also the time when the country goes to harvest, meaning markets are full of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you don’t mind the dry heat of 40° Celsius, summer is the best time to go. There are few tourists and the sky is blue every single day. If you consider visiting Uzbekistan in winter, having the country all to yourself, we recommend going in December, when day temperature is still around 10° Celsius and the chill wind that characterises January & February has not yet reared its ugly head.
Do not drink water, unless it is bottled, filtered or boiled. Do not use it for brushing teeth or making ice either. Do not eat ice cream. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. If you follow these basic rules, you are likely to avoid any health issues like traveler’s diarrhea. Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended vaccinations for travelers to Uzbekistan. Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. Medical services in Uzbekistan are basic at best.
As soon as we receive your deposit, we will confirm your booking and send you additional pre-departure information. There you will find the full list of medicine that it is prohibited to import into Uzbekistan and also medicine which you can import only with doctor’s prescription.
