Central Asia Immersion Group Tour 22-day

Astana – Arrival (Kazakhstan)

Arrival in Astana. Transfer to the hotel followed by check-in from 14:00. Leisure time. Hotel overnight stay.

Astana (Kazakhstan)
Breakfast. At 09:00, meet your guide and fellow travelers in the hotel lobby to begin a city tour of Kazakhstan’s capital. Explore the “Old Centre,” once a bustling hub for merchants. Stroll along the Millennium Axis, a concept designed by Kisho Kurokawa, the master planner behind Astana’s urban layout. See the Opera House and the Round Square, known for its vibrant fountains. Discover Independence Square, home to the 91-meter-tall snow-white Kazakh Eli stele, Khazret Sultan Mosque, and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. Continue to Green Water and Nurzhol boulevards, showcasing impressive skyscrapers with striking designs. Ride the elevator to the top of the Bayterek Tower for stunning panoramic views from the observation platform. Wrap up the morning tour with a visit to Khan-Shatyr, a popular shopping and entertainment complex. Enjoy a delicious welcome lunch. Free time. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour duration: 4–5 hours
Meals: Lunch

Astana – Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Almaty. Upon arrival, embark on a city tour of Almaty. The morning highlights include Republic Square, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, and the Central State Museum. A short 25 km drive will bring you to Chimbulak, where you’ll visit the ski resort and take a cable car ride to admire the breathtaking views of the snow-covered Tian Shan Mountains. The final stop for the day will be the Sunkar Falcon Farm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), where you’ll witness an impressive demonstration featuring trained hawks—these birds play a significant role in Kazakh culture and traditional hunting. Return to the hotel by 18:00. Leisure time. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour duration: 5–6 hours

Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Karakol (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan)
Breakfast. At 08:00, meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Depart Almaty and head towards Charyn Canyon (220 km, approximately 3–4 hours). This 154-meter-long canyon, located in eastern Kazakhstan within the Charyn National Park, offers breathtaking views of its vast multi-colored tower formations. The park also features an ancient ash-tree grove and the Castle Valley, adding to the allure of the canyon. The remarkable beauty of the canyon will make the journey from Almaty worthwhile, and you’ll cherish this Kazakh natural wonder for years to come. Upon arrival, enjoy a picnic and some time to relax. Afterward, take a walk along the canyon and soak in the views. Continue your journey to the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border post at Kegen (116 km), where you’ll meet your Kyrgyz driver and guide for the transfer to Karakol through the Karkara Valley (110 km). Enjoy a traditional dinner with an Uigur family, complemented by a Kyrgyz folkloric performance with national music and songs. Overnight stay at the hotel in Karakol.
Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner

Karakol – Jety Oguz – Kochkor (Kyrgyzstan)
After breakfast, visit the fascinating Wooden Orthodox Church and the unique Dungan Mosque, which is built in Chinese architectural style. Then, travel to Jety-Oguz Gorge. Enjoy a short hike through the gorge, and afterward, drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. On the way, stop in Bokonbaevo to witness an eagle hunting demonstration. Continue your drive to Kochkor, enjoying some of the best scenic views of Lake Issyk-Kul along the route. In Kochkor, have dinner and spend the night with a local Kyrgyz family.
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Kochkor – Son-Kul (Kyrgyzstan)
Drive to Son-Kul, located 120 km away, a remote mountain lake at an altitude of 3,016 meters above sea level, passing through the Kalmak Ashu pass (3,400 meters). This lake lies on a treeless plateau, one of the highest in Kyrgyzstan, where shepherds bring their herds during the summer months and set up yurt camps for their seasonal residence. In this stunning setting, you’ll witness vast herds of livestock, numerous yurts, edelweiss flowers, and even camels. With your guide, you’ll gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of Kyrgyz nomads, observing local women prepare kymyz, the national drink made from mare’s milk. You will likely be invited to sample kymyz along with homemade jam, traditional bread, and dairy products. You’ll also have the opportunity to take a horseback ride (optional, at an extra cost). Dinner and overnight stay in a yurt camp.
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Son-Kul – Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
Breakfast. At 09:00, begin the transfer to Bishkek (400 km). En route, stop in Kochkor for a workshop where you’ll witness the traditional process of making Kyrgyz felt carpets. After lunch, continue the drive to Bishkek, passing by the Burana Tower. This ancient tower was part of the historical city of Balasagun, which flourished from the 11th to the 13th centuries. Arrive in Bishkek and check into your hotel for the night.
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Bishkek – Tashkent (Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, at 09:00, start your sightseeing tour in Bishkek. Visit Oak Park, Victory Square, Ala-Too Square, the Statue of Manas, the Philharmonic Hall, Osh Bazaar (the Oriental market), and the new mosque dedicated to Mahmud Kashgari. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon after lunch. In the evening, transfer to Bishkek Airport for the HY780 flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival in Tashkent, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Tour duration: 3 hours

Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, at 09:00, begin your Tashkent tour by exploring the Old City, including the Khast-Imam Complex and Chorsu Bazaar. Then, take a ride on the Tashkent Metro to the city center, where you will visit the Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square, the final stop of your city tour. Enjoy some free time afterward. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour duration: 5-6 hours

Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport for your morning flight HY051 to Urgench (1093 km, 1 hour 30 minutes). Upon arrival in Urgench, take a transfer to your hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 minutes) to drop off your luggage.

Start your guided walking sightseeing tour, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ichan-Kala Fortress. Visit landmarks like Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islom Khodja.

Enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour duration: 5 hours

Khiva – Darvaza Gas Crater (Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan)

After breakfast, depart at 09:30 am for a drive to the Shavat-Dashoguz border crossing between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan (60 km, 1 hour). Complete border formalities on both sides, then meet your Turkmen guide and continue the journey to the Darvaza gas crater, located in the heart of the Karakum Desert (270 km, 4 hours).

Once you arrive, set up camp for the night and enjoy a delicious dinner cooked over the fire near the glowing gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Tour duration: 2 hours
Meals: Camp-style dinner
Note: At the Darvaza camp, you’ll stay in a yurt, or you can choose from 1- or 2-person tents. Toilets and basic washing facilities are located outside.

Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

After a camp-style breakfast, begin the drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 3 hours 30 minutes). Along the way, make stops to visit the water and mud craters. Upon arrival in Ashgabat, explore the National Museum of History. Check in at the hotel and enjoy some free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Ashgabat – Mary (Turkmenistan)

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Ashgabat, the fascinating capital of Turkmenistan. Known for holding the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings, the city offers numerous landmarks to explore. During the tour, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Nisa, the Spiritual Mosque (one of Central Asia’s largest), the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, the newly-built Independence Park, and the Ahalteke horse stables.

In the evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Mary (370 km, 40 minutes). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy some free time.
Tour duration: 6 hours
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Mary – Merv – Bukhara (Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, drive to Merv (40 km, 30 minutes), an ancient city that once played a significant role as a hub for international trade and crafts along the Silk Road. Explore the Historical and Cultural Park of “Ancient Merv” (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), including the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortress, and other notable sites.

In the afternoon, continue the drive to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border at Farap-Alat (290 km, 5 hours 30 minutes). After completing the border formalities at both checkpoints, meet your driver on the Uzbekistan side and proceed to Bukhara (100 km, 1 hour 30 minutes). Upon arrival in Bukhara, check-in at your hotel.
Tour duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Lunch

Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, embark on a guided walking tour through the Old City of Bukhara. Explore the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, the trading domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrassah. Continue your journey with visits to Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, as well as the Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums.

In the evening, enjoy a national folklore performance at Nadir Divan-Begi Madrassah. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours

Bukhara – Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, continue your guided sightseeing tour around Bukhara. Drive outside the city to visit Chor-Minor Madrassah and Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the last emir of Bukhara. Explore the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi.

At 15:00, transfer to the railway station to catch the 15:50 train to Samarkand. Upon arrival in Samarkand, transfer to the hotel and enjoy some free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour duration: 2-3 hours

Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, begin your Samarkand city tour at 09:00. Visit the stunning Registan Square, the Gur Emir (Tamerlane’s mausoleum), the ruins of Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis.

Next, drive to the village of Koni Ghil to observe the traditional process of making Samarkand paper from mulberry tree bark.

Enjoy a free evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours

Samarkand – Penjikent (Uzbekistan/Tajikistan)

In the morning, transfer to the Jartepa border crossing point between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan (50 km, 1 hour). After completing the border formalities at both checkpoints, meet your Tajik local guide and driver, and begin your sightseeing tour of Penjikent.

Visit the Rudaki Museum, as Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, widely regarded as the father of Persian poetry. Explore ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a city established by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by the Arabs in the 8th century. The excavated site reveals the foundations of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples, and remnants of the city bazaar.

Make a stop at Sarazm, one of Central Asia’s oldest settlements with 5,500 years of history. In 2010, Sarazm was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list.

Enjoy some free time before overnighting at the hotel.
Tour duration: 3-4 hours

Penjikent – Seven Lakes – Penjikent (Tajikistan)

After breakfast, drive to the Seven Lakes (80 km), a series of seven stunning, multi-colored lakes nestled in the mountains of Tajikistan. You will visit the following lakes: 1. Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin (2,139m above sea level), 5. Khurdak, 6. Marguzor, and 7. Hazorchashma (2,400m above sea level).

Enjoy lunch during the tour, then transfer back to the Penjikent hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals: Lunch

Penjikent – Iskanderkul – Dushanbe (Tajikistan)

In the morning, depart from Penjikent and drive to Iskanderkul (270 km, 4-5 hours), passing through the scenic Anzob Pass (3,300m above sea level). Explore the area around Iskanderkul Lake, which is believed to be named after Alexander the Great, who is known as Iskander in the East. It is said that he traveled through this lake from India to Central Asia.

Visit Zmeinoe (Snake) Lake and take a walk to the impressive 38-meter-high “Fan Niagara” waterfall. After lunch, continue your drive to Dushanbe (130 km, 2-3 hours) and check in at your hotel.
Meals: Lunch

Dushanbe (Tajikistan)

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby to begin your city tour of Dushanbe. Visit the Hissar Fortress, Madrassah Kuhna, the Mosque of Hoji Yakub, the National Museum of Tajikistan, the Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, the Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park.

Enjoy some free time in the afternoon. In the evening, a farewell dinner will be provided. Overnight at the hotel.
Tour duration: 4-5 hours
Meals: Dinner

Dushanbe – Departure (Tajikistan)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel by noon. Enjoy some free time until your transfer to Dushanbe International Airport. Depart for your onward journey. This marks the end of the Central Asia Immersion group tour.