Following ancient Silk roads this trip allows to see all 5 Central Asian countries in only 2 weeks. The trip is mainly cultural and historical sightseeing enriched with visits to crafts workshops, folk shows during meals and visits to local bazaars.
Below is a brief itinerary showing one of the most convenient ways of seeing Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan in one trip.
Best season: April – early May and September
Duration: 15 days
Day 1. Kyrgyzstan
Arrive in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan). City tour and visit to the bazaar
Welcome dinner.
Overnights in Bishkek. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B
Day 2. Kyrgyzstan
Drive from Bishkek to Issuk-Kul lake (260 km totally) with stops at Burana Tower near Tokmok town.
Lunch on a yacht during a 1 hour sail on the Issyk-Kul lake.
Drive to Cholpon-Ata to see ancient rock carvings (petroglyphs) and local museum
Overnight in a resort centre on shores of the Issyk-kul lake (accommodation possibilities 3-4 stars resort centres).
Day 3. Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan
Full day drive to Almaty (totally 510 km + border formalities). Lunch on the way.
Overnight in Almaty. (Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B
Day 4. Kazakhstan
Full day sightseeing in Almaty, including a visit to Medeo skating ring located in beautiful mountains; as well walking part of the tour in the centre.
Overnight in Almaty. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B
Day 5. Kazakhstan – Tajikistan
Take morning flight to Dushanbe.
Sightseeing in Dushanbe including visit to the Museum of National Antiquities and Botanical garden.
Overnight in Dushanbe. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B
Day 6. Tajikistan
Drive to Istaravshan, a town founded by Alexander the Great over 2500 years ago. Tour of the old part of the town. Continue driving to Khujand, another ancient town, founded by Cyrus the Great. Tour of the old town including visits to the museum of Archeology and Fortification and local bazaar. Total driving time ca. 300km.
Overnight in Khujand. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-4 stars, B&B
Day 7. Tajikistan – Uzbekistan
Drive to Tashkent. (ca. 170 km + time for border formalities)
After lunch half-day sightseeing in Tashkent, including the old part (mahallah) and the new modern city, including a visit to hast-Imam square and the library of Islamic institute of imam Al-Bukhari and see ancient Osman Koran of the 7th century.
Overnight in Tashkent. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B
Day 8. Uzbekistan
Take morning train to Samarkand (2-3 hours depending on the train).
After lunch take a half-day tour of Samarkand including visits to Gur-Emir Mausoleum and Registan square, one of the Great unknown wonders of the world.
Overnight in Samarkand. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B
Day 9. Uzbekistan
Half day sightseeing in Samarkand including visits to Ulugbek Observatory, Shakh-i-Zinda mausoleum complex, Bibi Khanum Mosque and Siab bazaar.
Free time after lunch
Overnight in Samarkand. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars, B&B
Day 10. Uzbekistan
Drive to Bukhara in the morning (270 km).
After lunch sightseeing in old Bukhara, including Samanid mausoleum, Chashma Auyb mausoleum and Bolo-Hauz Mosque.
Overnight in Bukgara. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-4 stars, B&B
Day 11. Uzbekistan
Start the day with a half-day tour around the old town of Bukhara. After lunch free time for shopping or wandering around along the narrow twisting ancient streets.
Overnight in Bukhara. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-4 stars, B&B
Day 12. Uzbekistan
Start early in the morning and drive to Khiva via Kyzyl-Kum desert (ca. 450 km).
Lunch in a local tea-house on the way
Upon arrival a walking tour of the old town of Khiva, one of the most impressive and colorful ancient towns in Central Asia.
Overnight in Khiva. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-4 stars, B&B
Day 13. Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan
Drive ca. 60 km to the border with Turkmenistan, and after passing all border formalities drive another 2 hours to Kunye-Urgench, the former capital of ancient Khorezm Empire in the 1100s.
After sightseeing in Kunye-Urgench return back to the town of Dashgovus. After dinner take an evening flight to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenstan.
Overnight in Ashgabat. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars
Day 14. Turkmenistan
Morning trip (18 km one way) to Nissa to see the remains of once huge Parthian fortress and citadel.
Return to Ashgabat for lunch and afternoon city sightseeing and a visit to the local National museum boasting a great collection of archaeological artifacts.
Overnight in Ashgabat. Accommodation possibilities: hotels 3-5 stars
Day 15. Turkmenistan
Departure from Ashgabat