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Central Asia's Majestic Mountains & Ancient Architecture

13 Days from £4,390 pp (excl flights)

Discover the breathtaking mountains and alpine landscapes of Kyrgyzstan and historic Silk Road cities in Uzbekistan.

This bespoke tour of the two Central Asian countries starts in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, the famous gateway to the Tian Shan Mountains and a lively hub of arts, culture and cuisine. Explore the highlights of this capital city on a personalised, guided tour and hike and picnic in the breathtaking Al Archa National Park.

Your next stop is at scenic Cholpon-Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in the foothills of the Kyungei Ala-Too ridge. Once a thriving hub on the Silk Road, this small town has been transformed into a bustling resort with adventure sports and sandy beaches. Enjoy an overnight stay by the lake with time for boat rides, explorations on foot and a museum visit, before making your way back to Bishkek.

Next, the Uzbek capital of Tashkent welcomes you with its lively mix of modern culture and historic buildings. It's the perfect starting point to exploring magnificent Silk Road cities that are next on your itinerary. Not just historic landmarks, you will also visit bustling bazaars and sample 'plov', the national dish of Uzbekistan, and rich local wines at a family-run winery.

Khiva, the next destination located on the southern delta of the Amu Darya River, is known as an open-air museum due to its numerous historic monuments and mausoleums, especially in its Itchan-Kala centre. You will discover sites such as the 218-columned Juma Mosque and the Tash Hauli Palace on a personalised tour, apart from the famous Kalta-Minor minaret. Bukhara, some hours away from Khiva, is a romantic oasis rising from the red dunes of the desert. It served as one of the main centres of ancient Persia until 6th century BCE, and its historic buildings are a prime example of Central Asian art and architecture. On a guided tour of this city, you will walk the UNESCO-listed Old Town and the iconic 5th-century Ark of Bukhara, amongst other gems.

The final destination on this tour is Samarkand, the ancient city of Afrasiab founded in the 7th century BC and developed during the Timurid Renaissance in the 14th and 15th centuries. Apart from the iconic Registan Square set at the heart of the city, the offers many other beautiful examples of Islamic architecture and artisanry, such as the Gur-e Amir and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. You will also have the chance to visit its bustling Siab Bazaar on a guided tour, to discover the local culture and striking examples of Uzbek handicrafts.

This private tour can be completely tailored to match your interests and preferences, with guidance from our destination specialists with extensive knowledge of the regions.

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Central Asia’s Majestic Mountains & Ancient Architecture

Trip Highlights

  • Embark on a 2-day adventure at Cholpon Ata and Lake Issyk Kul
  • Uncover the secrets of historic Silk Road cities with bespoke guided tours
  • Enjoy a guided hike and picnic at the breathtaking Al Archa National Park
  • Sample rich and delicious Central Asian wines on a guided winery tour

Start your Journey

Destination 1 - 3

Bishkek

2 nights

Upon arrival, a representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation. Over the next few days, explore Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan which is often used by travelers as a gateway to the majestic Tian Shan Mountains and the beautiful hiking trails of Al Archa National Park.

Personalised Bishkek Highlights Tour

Discover Bishkek, escorted by our local expert in a chauffeured vehicle. Starting at the central Ala-Too Square, you will learn more about the history and culture of the city, included its time as part of the Soviet Union. You will also visit the State Historical Museum, considered one of the largest of its kind in Central Asia and the beautiful Oak Park with its fountains and open air museum. At the end of the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel. (Duration: 3 hrs)

Personalised Hiking Tour of Ala Archa National Park

Experience the beauty of Al Archa National Park on a guided hike which can be adjusted according to your fitness level and preferences. Numerous trails criss-cross this vast and breathtaking expanse, from the Ala Archa River trail, also known as the Ala Archa Valley trail, or the more challenging Ak-Sai Waterfall trail which winds around a ridge by the river and climbs higher. You can take in fantastic views of the alpine landscape as you make your way across the park and then break for a picnic lunch with a view! Later in the day, you will be driven back to your hotel in Bishkek. (Duration: Full day; Please wear sturdy hiking boots and bring a water bottle, snacks, polarized sunglasses, rain jacket and sun hat; Best time to travel: May – Sep)

  • Suggested Accommodation My Hotel Bishkek or similar
Destination 3 - 4

Cholpon-Ata

1 night

Your chauffeur will drive you from Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata in a private vehicle. The drive takes approximately five hours time. Cholpon-Ata lies on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in the foothills of the Kyungei Ala-Too ridge in Kyrgyzstan. Once a stop on the famous Great Silk Road, today it's a thriving resort town with sandy beaches and adventure sports.

Personalized Tour of Cholpon Ata (2D/1N)

Discover the resort town of Cholpon Ata and explore Lake Issyk Kul on this two-day adventure in Kyrgyzstan. Your adventure will begin at the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret located in the Chuy Valley, part of the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun. At Cholpon Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul, enjoy a boat ride on the lake followed by a walk along the lakeshore or visit to the museum in town. The night will be spent in the town, and, after breakfast in the morning, you will enjoy another wonderful walk before continuing on to Tashkent. (Duration: 2 days/1 night; Meals included: yes; Fitness level: easy)

  • Suggested Accommodation Altyn Bulak Lakeside or similar
Destination 4 - 6

Tashkent

2 nights

You will be driven to Bishkek from Cholpon-Ata for a short, hour-long flight to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. This modern capital city is a wonderful starting point for embarking on the Silk Road, with its mix of ancient and modern buildings, along with Soviet-era architecture that speaks to its recent history. It's also a fantastic destination to dig into some aromatic and hearty plov - the national dish of Uzbekistan - at the Central Asian Plov Centre. Tashkent's underground metro stations are also worth a visit, each telling a story with their unique designs.

Personalized Tashkent Highlights Tour with Metro Ride

Discovere rich history and culture of Tashkent on this day-long, guided tour. Starting from your hotel, you will discover elegant European structures from the Turkestan Governorate General era, Soviet buildings and the beautiful blue-domes mosques and madrasas of the city. Highlights of this tour include visits to the Khast-Imam Complex, Kukeldash Madrasah by the famous Chorsu Bazaar, Amir Timur Square and an exciting ride on the Tashkent Metro, considered one of the most beautiful underground systems in the world. (Duration: 6 hrs)

Group Uzumfermer Winery Tour 

The Uzumfermer Winery is a vast family-owned estate located on the outskirts of Tashkent with expansive garden and a restaurant offering wonderful views. This tour will begin with a walk through the vineyard and a tour of the winemaking facility to learn about the winemaking process at this estate. Later, you will sample fine Uzbek wines ranging from dry to sweet in the tasting room, against a backdrop of the Chimgan Mountains.(Duration: 1 hr)

  • Suggested Accommodation Milan Hotel Tashkent or similar
Destination 6 - 8

Khiva

2 nights

From Tashkent, you will take a short 30-minute flight to Urgench International Airport, where our representative will be waiting to receive you and transfer you to your hotel in Khiva. It is certainly smaller than the Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Samrakand, but no less extraordinary. Known as an open-air museum, thanks to its historic Itchan Kala centre with its countless museums, heritage buildings, mosques and minarets, Khiva takes you back in time. Discover its vibrant art and culture as hear sombre tales of its slave trade history.

Personalized Khiva Highlights Walking Tour

Accompanied by our local expert, embark on a walking tour of Khiva's historical centre - the walled Itchan-Kala fortress which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Taj-Khovli Palace, see the Kalta-Minor minaret, and discover the Juma Mosque. Your guide will also show you the Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah and the Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, among many others. Your tour will end at the Allakuli Khan Madrasah, one of the most richly decorated monuments in Khiva. (Duration: Full day)

  • Suggested Accommodation Hotel Bankir Khiva or similar
Destination 8 - 11

Bukhara

3 nights

From Khiva, your chauffeur will drive you to Bukhara in a private vehicle. The journey takes about 6.5 hours across a desert landscape.

Located in central Uzbekistan, Bukhara is a romantic oasis rising from the red dunes of the Kyzylkum Desert. It was once considered one of the holiest cities in Central Asia, and thanks to its prominent spot on the Silk Road, also a centre of arts, culture and exchange of ideas between the East and the West. Bukhara's Old Town and Po-i-Kalyan complex offer wonderful opportunities to discover preserved heritage buildings and monuments dating back centuries. It's also home to several old bathhouses, which invite you in for a relaxing hammam bath.

Personalized Walking Tour of Bukhara

Explore the UNESCO-listed old town area of Bukhara on foot with a knowledgeable guide. Your tour will begin at the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, also known as the Samanid Mausoleum, one of the oldest monuments in the city. Next, walk to the nearby Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum and the Museum of Water, chronicling the history of water supply in Bukhara. At the iconic 5th-century Ark of Bukhara, learn how this spectacular fortress once functioned as a city within a city. Later, head to the Poi-Kalyan architectural complex to see 12th-century monuments. The approximately 150-feet high Kalyan Minaret, the 16th-century Kalyan Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah distinguished by its blue tiles, are all here. The tour will end at the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble which includes the Kukeldash Madrasah. (Duration: Full day)

  • Suggested Accommodation Mehrob Hotel Bukhara or similar
Destination 11 - 13

Samarkand

2 nights

From Bukhara, board an airplane for a 2-hour-long flight to the heritage city of Samarkand, the last and most spectacular stop on this Silk Road tour. Considered the jewel in the crown of Central Asia, this sprawling city features both modern and ancient architecture dating back to the Timurid dynasty. At the heart of the city lies the beautiful Registan Square, illuminated day and night. Numerous madrasas and mosques dot the city, such as Bibi Khanum and Timur's Gur-E-Amir and the Shah-i-Zinda. Another must-visit site is the Siab Bazaar, a bustling hub of commerce with wares ranging from fresh fruits to Uzbekistan's famed handicrafts.

Personalized Samarkand Highlights Tour

Experience the charms of the historic city of Samarkand with a private chauffeur and guide. Your tour will begin at the the 15th-century Gur-i-Amir mausoleum, final resting place of the Mongol conqueror Timur. Next, stop at the UNESCO-listed Registan Square located at the heart of the city to witness its impressive architecture . There is also a bustling bazaar packed with traditional stalls displaying souvenirs and local handicrafts. Later, continue your tour at the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, known as the ‘Pearl of Samarkand’, and the lively Siab Bazaar. The last stop on your itinerary is the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis with its eleven mausoleums showcasing exquisite tile and terracotta work. (Duration: full day)

  • Suggested Accommodation Kosh Havuz Boutique Hotel or similar
Add to Wishlist
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Plan Your Dream Trip

H&J Top 10
Thailand Kenya Australia Sri Lanka Bali USA Canada Maldives South Africa Costa Rica
Asia
Bali China Cambodia India Indonesia Japan Laos Malaysia Nepal Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Tibet Thailand Vietnam
Africa
Botswana ESwatini (Swaziland) Kenya Lesotho Malawi Morocco Mozambique Namibia Rwanda South Africa Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe
Europe
Iceland
Indian Ocean
Maldives Mauritius Seychelles
North America
Alaska Canada Hawaii USA
Central America
Costa Rica Guatemala Mexico Panama
Oceania
Australia Cook Islands Fiji French Polynesia New Zealand
South America
Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador & Galapagos Peru Uruguay
Middle East
Oman United Arab Emirates Dubai Abu Dhabi
Polar Regions
The Arctic Antarctica
Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan
Adventure Culture Exploring Family orientated Celebration – Honeymoon/Anniversary/Birthday Luxury Relaxing Wildlife

Your info is secure and never shared with 3rd parties.

Plan Your Dream Trip

Thank You

We’ll get back to you soon. To secure an exclusive limited-time offer for your trip, call 020 8106 2403 now to uncover our best-kept secret deals!

What To Expect

.st0{fill:#161717}

Dream Carefree

Go ahead and dream big. Hayes & Jarvis experts are here to help you plan the ultimate escape. Tell us your vision for the trip of a lifetime and we’ll make it a reality.

.st0{fill:#161717}

Plan Carefree

One of our destination experts will reach out to craft a completely customized itinerary. Book your personalized journey and know that our flexible policies have you covered.

Travel Carefree

Relax and prepare for takeoff, knowing that your trip is perfectly planned and you have a personal concierge on call 24/7. Our experts are here to keep you safe and handle the details.

Includes

  • Accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Activities and excursions as specified in the itinerary
  • Transportation services as specified in the itinerary
  • Your Trip Coordination Team: Dedicated support throughout your journey, with a primary, personal point contact and 24/7 assistance in case of emergencies while you are traveling

Excludes

  • Entrance fees and meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Visa fees and hotel taxes
  • Travel, health, and cancellation insurance
  • International airfare

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Central Asia’s Majestic Mountains & Ancient Architecture

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