Journey through Central Asia
Journey through Central Asia
Journey through Central Asia
27 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: Bishkek, ሀመር።, Ala Archa National Park, Chon-Kemin, Kochkor, Bokonbayevo, Karakol, Jety - Oguz, Almaty, Үлкен Алматы көлі, Dushanbe, Iskanderkul, Khujand, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Ashgabat, Merv, Mary
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1738
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 18
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
16-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$10088
$9456 (USD)
including Flights from the UK
Operator discount: -$631
Tour Overview
Travel from Bishkek to Ashgabat on this 27 day 'Five Stan' cultural experience. This in depth tour will see you visiting the Silk Road gems of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the quirky Turkmenistan, colourful markets, fascinating villages and Swiss Alps type scenery. Retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great on this unforgettable Central Asian journey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Fly To Bishkek
Location: Bishkek
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the morning is yours to relax. Later enjoy a welcome lunch before embarking on a city tour.
Day 3 : Ala Archa National Park
Location: Ala Archa National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive south to Ala Archa National Park where you will embark on a leisurely hike, enjoying the picturesque scenery of snow-capped mountains and freshwater rivers. Return to Bishkek for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 4 : Bishkek - Chon Kemin National Park
Location: Chon-Kemin
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, depart for the peaceful village of Chon-Kemin, enjoying breathtaking views along the way. Upon arrival, you can take in the daily life in Ashu Village, take a leisurely walk in the foothills of the surrounding by magnificent mountains and fir tree forests, interact with some locals or take a participate in an optional horse-riding experience (paid locally).
Day 5 : Chon-Kemin - Bokonbayevo
Location: Kochkor, Bokonbayevo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we drive to Kochkor village , the centre of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts. Here you will be able to see how the traditional Kygyz wool carpets, called ‘shyrdak’, are made. Continue driving to Bokonbayevo village and watch a demonstration of Eagle Hunting.
Day 6 : Bokonbayevo - Karakol
Location: Bokonbayevo, Karakol
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Skazka Canyon followed by and Barskoon Gorge to take a light hike to a waterfall named ‘Tears of Leopard’. Arrive in Karakol late this afternoon.
Day 7 : Jety-Orguz Gorge
Location: Jety - Oguz
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, which was completed in 1895 and tour a Chinese mosque. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone.
Day 8 : Karakol - Almaty
Location: Karakol, Almaty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early and travel to the outskirts of town for the unforgettable Karakol Sunday Animal Market. Drive through breath-taking scenery to, visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, named due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing structures. Travel on to Almaty where you will overnight.
Day 9 : Almaty Lake
Location: Үлкен Алматы көлі, Almaty
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will visit Republic Square, Abai Opera Theatre and Green Market, before spending the afternoon at the turquoise Big Almaty Lake nestled in the Tian Shan mountains. Return to Almaty in the late afternoon.
Day 10 : Almaty - Dushanbe
Location: Almaty, Dushanbe
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning in Almaty is yours to enjoy at your leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan arriving in the early afternoon
Day 11 : Dushanbe
Location: Dushanbe
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Embark on a tour of Dushanbe followed by a visit to the Fortress of Hissor, the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of life.
Day 12 : Lake Iskander Kul
Location: Iskanderkul, Khujand
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul on the way to Khujand.
Day 13 : Khujand - Tashkent
Location: Khujand, Tashkent
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a tour of Khujand, visiting Pushkin Square, Timur Malik's Fortress and the atmospheric Panjshanbe Bazaar. Travel to Tashkent this afternoon.
Day 14 : Tashkent
Location: Tashkent
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
See the highlights of Tashkent today, including Barak Khan and Kukeidash Madrassahs, Chorsu Bazaar and the opulently-decorated stations of Tashkent's metro system.
Day 15 : Tashkent - Samarkand
Location: Samarkand
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Samarkand, where after checking into your hotel you will visit the iconic Registan Square, the heartbeat of Samarkand Admire the three beautiful madrassahs on the square's perimeter.
Day 16 : Samarkand
Location: Samarkand
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a full day's tour of Samarkand, starting with Gur Emir, the mausoleum to Tamerlane. Next, continue to Bibi Khanum Mosque before visiting Ulugbek's observatory and the ancient settlement of Afrosiab.
Day 17 : Samarkand - Bukhara
Location: Samarkand, Bukhara
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head out of Samarkand to the town of Shakhrisabz where you will explore the remains of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and KokGumbas Mosque. Continue your journey this afternoon as you make your way to Bukhara.
Day 18 : Bukhara Sightseeing
Location: Bukhara
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You have a city tour of one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.
Day 19 : Bukhara Sightseeing
Location: Bukhara
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head out of Bukhara to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy some downtime this afternoon.
Day 20 : Bukhara - Khiva
Location: Khiva
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel across the famous Kyzyl Kum Desert today. Watch in awe as the scenery changes from saksaul trees to the Amudarya riverbank.
Day 21 : Khiva
Location: Khiva
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Khiva's most famous sights, finishing at the Friday Mosque and the 19th century Tash Hauli Palace.
Day 22 : Khiva - Ashgabat
Location: Ashgabat
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer overland to Kunya-Urgench, the once-glorious capital of the Khorezmshah Empire and a now KUNESCO World Heritage Site. After, transfer to Dashoguz for your evening flight to Tashkent, Turkmenistan.
Day 23 : Ashgabat
Location: Ashgabat
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Ashgabat in your own time. Afterwards, head to Arkadash stud farm and learn about the “winged” Akhal Tekkes horses. En route back to Ashgabat stop at the Kipchak Complex where the largest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the country’s first president is located.
Day 24 : The Ancient City Of Merv
Location: Merv, Mary
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early for your flight to Mary. From the airport you will transfer overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary affter to visit the local History Museum.
Day 25 : Darvaza Flaming Crater
Location: Ashgabat
Fly back to Ashgabat and enjoy a morning tour of the city. In the afternoon you will head to Darvaza to witness its famous Flaming Crater. Enjoy a walk around the perimeter and tuck into a delicious nomadic-style camp-side dinner under the starts. Following dinner, you will return to Ashgabat.
Day 26 : Ashgabat
Location: Ashgabat
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch, you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum that exhibits an interesting collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets and various carpet objects.
Day 27 : Fly Ashgabat To Uk
Location: Ashgabat
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to the UK, arriving home later the same day.
What's Included
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Accommodation
25 nights in 3/4 star
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Country Entry Visas
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Entrance Fees
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Local Taxes
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Meals – Full Board
Breakfasts: 25, Lunches: 24, Dinners: 25
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Hassle Free Visa
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Drinks with Meals
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
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What is the level of development like?
Journey Through Central Asia is one of our unique and adventurous group tours, tracing the ancient Silk Road, including the fabled city of Samarkand. We wish for you to embark on your journey through Central Asia with a level of tolerance and understanding. This region is remote and conditions are not as developed as they are at home. It is essential that all customers recognise the demands o
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Sunday - Friday
May 12, 2024 - Jun 07, 2024Sunday - Friday
Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024Sunday - Friday
Sep 15, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024Sunday - Friday
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024Sunday - Friday
May 18, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025Sunday - Friday
Sep 07, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025Sunday - Friday
Sep 14, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025Sunday - Friday
Sep 21, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wendy Wu allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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How we Keep you safe on our Tours
Your safety and well-being will always be our Number 1 priority which is why we’ve instituted the most stringent COVID health and safety protocols on all of our tours. Here is a brief summary of the steps we are taking to ensure you will be safe, secure and satisfied when you travel with us.
Guides and National Escorts
Our National Escorts and guides will conduct a Health and Safety briefing with you before the tour begins and will help everyone ensure they adhere to social distancing, hygiene practises and local regulations. They will carry a supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for you to use free of charge and will, of course, observe the highest level of personal hygiene at all times.
Should anyone on the group fall ill your National Escort will ensure the individual receives swift medical attention and can only return to the group once cleared to do so.
Transport & Sightseeing
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant after each excursion service, overnight and between different groups.
You will always have at least one seat between you and your fellow tourers, hand sanitiser will be given to the group on each embarkation and vehicles will be thoroughly ventilated prior to passengers boarding.
Drivers will always embark vehicles after clients, disembark the group vehicle prior to clients disembarking, and maintain social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene at all times.
Your guides will assess the situation on the ground avoiding large crowds – where possible, alter timings and splitting the group into smaller sizes.
Accommodation
Wendy Wu Tours will only offer hotels that have undergone a detailed hygiene assessment, have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with government standards.
We will ensure these protocols include staff practising social distancing and wearing appropriate PPI, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in all areas and food safety.
Dining
All the restaurants we visit will be researched and inspected regularly to ensure that they follow the strictest health, cleanliness and safety guidelines.
All waiting staff will wear face masks and gloves and we will arrange à la carte dining, waiter-served meals or waiter-assisted buffets throughout the tour. We will not share open-buffet meals with other hotel or restaurant guests.
Hand sanitiser will be provided to the group before and after every food and beverage service.