Across the Steppes
and Silk Road
and Silk Road
Across the steppes
and silk road
Travel through dramatic canyons, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and mountain villages where ancient nomadic traditions are still alive.
Continue along the legendary Silk Road to the blue-domed masterpieces of Samarkand and Bukhara — cities that once dazzled merchants and scholars from every corner of the world.
A perfect blend of nature, culture, and history, this adventure offers an unforgettable look at the landscapes and peoples that define the spirit of Central Asia.
Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan
14 days / 13 nights
Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Kolsay Lakes – Kaindy – Karakol – Djety-Oguz gorge – Skazka – Bokonbaevo village – Kochkor – Bishkek – Tashkent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Khiva – Tashkent
Tour length:
Countries:
Itinerary:
Send Request
Guaranteed arrival dates in 2026
Group #1:
09. 05 – 22. 06. 2026
Group #2:
Group #3:
30. 05 – 12. 06. 2026
22. 08 – 04. 09. 2026
Group #4:
Group #5:
19. 09 – 02. 10. 2026
10. 10 – 23. 10. 2026
Highlights
- Journey across Kazakhstan’s vast steppes, dramatic canyons, and alpine lakes
- Walk through the Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon
- Watch a traditional eagle hunting demonstration
- in Bokonbaevo
- Explore the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva
Tour itinerary
Day 1
Almaty, arrival
We arrive in Almaty early in the morning and transfer to the hotel for rest after the flight.
Later we begin a full-day discovery of Kazakhstan’s largest city, set against the backdrop of the snowy Tien Shan mountains.
Our first stop is the colorful Green Bazaar, followed by a stroll through Panfilov Park, home to the striking wooden Zenkov Cathedral and the moving Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame.
Next, we ride up to Kok-Tobe Hill, crowned by the city’s TV tower, where sweeping views over Almaty open before us.
We descend by the famous cableway and continue into the mountains.
At Medeo, the world’s highest skating rink, we pause before ascending by cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort, reaching 3,200 meters for breathtaking alpine panoramas. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Overnight in Almaty.
Overnight in Almaty.
Day 2
Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Kolsay Lakes by road, 440 km
After breakfast, we set out eastward toward one of Kazakhstan’s most breathtaking natural wonders — Charyn Canyon.
Often called the “little brother” of the Grand Canyon, this spectacular gorge stretches for more than 150 km.
Within two hours, we reach the famous Valley of Castles, where centuries of wind and rain have sculpted the sandstone cliffs into shapes resembling ancient fortresses. We’ll walk down into the canyon for about 40 minutes until we reach the Charyn River, surrounded by vivid red and orange walls — a perfect spot for photos and quiet admiration.
Lunch will be served at a cozy café near the canyon, offering a chance to relax before we continue our journey to the Kolsay Lakes — a pristine mountain paradise nestled in the northern Tien Shan range.
On arrival in the late afternoon, you’ll be greeted by fresh mountain air and serene alpine scenery. Check into a welcoming guesthouse, enjoy a home-style dinner, and rest after a day filled with adventure and stunning landscapes.
Day 3
Kolsay Lakes - Kaindy - "Kegen" land border - Karakol by road, 250 km
After breakfast, we check out and set off to Kaindy Lake, a mystical place formed after a powerful earthquake in 1911.
A landslide created a natural dam, flooding a spruce forest whose ghostly trunks still rise from the turquoise water.
This hauntingly beautiful “sunken forest” must be seen to be believed.
We walk from the slope down to the lake for breathtaking views, or, alternatively, ride on horseback (optional, arranged by locals).
On the way back, we stop at a village home for a hearty, homemade lunch. In the afternoon we continue to the Kegen border.
After crossing into Kyrgyzstan and completing formalities, we drive to Karakol, a charming town at the foot of the Tien Shan mountains. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
Karakol & Jety-Oguz Gorge
This morning we discover Karakol’s cultural gems. We start at the colorful Dungan Mosque, built entirely of wood without a single nail, then step into the wooden Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Our final stop is the museum of Nikolay Przhevalsky, the Russian explorer who mapped much of Central Asia.
Later we drive into the mountains to the famous Jety-Oguz Gorge (“Seven Bulls”), where dramatic red cliffs rise above the lush spruce forests. Here we admire the striking rock formations known as the “Seven Bulls” and the “Broken Heart.”
The vivid contrast of red sandstone and dark green woods makes this one of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. Return to Karakol for hotel check-in and rest.
Day 5
Karakol - Skazka canyon - Bokonbaevo village - Kochkor village by road, 250 km
After breakfast, we follow the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul toward the Skazka (“Fairytale”) Canyon. Shaped by wind and water over millions of years, the red and yellow clay has been sculpted into towers, castles, and ridges — some resembling the Great Wall of China. A short walk here feels like stepping into another world.
Continuing to Bokonbaevo village, we meet local eagle hunters and watch a traditional falconry demonstration, an ancient practice that has been passed down for generations. Lunch will be arranged on the way.
In the evening, we reach Kochkor, a village famous for its felt handicrafts and warm welcomes. Dinner and overnight in Kochkor.
Day 6
Kochkor - Bishkek by road, 200 km
This morning we immerse ourselves in Kyrgyz traditions with a felt-making master class in Kochkor. Skilled artisans demonstrate how colorful shyrdaks (felt carpets) are crafted, and we join in to learn about the symbolism behind their intricate designs.
Afterward, we return to Bishkek, arriving in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free: a perfect chance to explore the lively Osh Bazaar, where stalls overflow with fragrant spices, dried fruits, textiles, and handicrafts. It’s the ideal place to experience the rhythm of local life and perhaps pick up some souvenirs. Overnight in Bishkek.
Day 7
Bishkek - Tashkent by evening flight
After breakfast we set off on a guided city tour of Bishkek. We’ll begin with the Monument to Manas, the legendary hero of Kyrgyz epics, then head to Ala-Too Square to watch the solemn Changing of the Guard. At the State Historical Museum we trace the story of Kyrgyzstan, while statues of Kurmanjan-Datka and Lenin remind us of the country’s contrasting past. A walk through leafy Oak Park, dotted with sculptures and the Fine Arts Gallery, offers a pleasant pause.
In the afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, check-in, and overnight.
Day 8
Tashkent – Samarkand by evening train
Today we discover Uzbekistan’s bustling capital, where old and new meet in surprising harmony. We’ll visit the spiritual heart of the city – Khast-Imam Square, home to ancient madrasahs and mausoleums, and wander through the colorful Chorsu Bazaar, alive with the aromas of spices, fresh produce, and handicrafts. After lunch, we’ll explore Independence Square and Amir Temur Square, wide spaces framed by impressive architecture. One highlight not to miss is the Tashkent Metro, famous for its ornate stations that feel like an underground art gallery.
In the evening, we take a comfortable train ride to Samarkand, the crown jewel of the Silk Road. Once there, we head straight to the hotel to rest and get ready for tomorrow’s discoveries.
Day 9
Samarkand
After breakfast we set off to discover the treasures of Samarkand, one of the most dazzling cities of the Silk Road. Our tour begins at the iconic Registan Square, framed by three grand madrasahs – Ulugbek, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Qori – each a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. We continue to the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, the resting place of Tamerlane and his dynasty, with its turquoise dome and richly decorated interiors.
After lunch, we visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once one of the largest in the Islamic world, and wander through the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, where vibrant blue-tiled mausoleums line a narrow medieval street. The day ends at the Ulugbek Observatory, where the great astronomer charted the stars centuries ago. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 10
Samarkand – Bukhara by road, 280 km
After breakfast we depart for Bukhara, one of the most atmospheric cities along the Silk Road. The journey takes us across the Kyzylkum plains — once the route of ancient caravans linking oasis to oasis.
Upon arrival, we step into the old town, where centuries of history seem to linger in every brick and dome. We’ll begin our exploration with the majestic Po-i-Kalyan Complex, its elegant minaret once guiding weary travellers by torchlight. Nearby, we’ll visit the Miri-Arab Madrasa, the Magoki-Attori Mosque, and Ulugbek Madrasa, each telling its own story of faith and learning. The day concludes at the tranquil Lyabi-Hauz Square, where mulberry trees shade the reflecting pool and local life unfolds around us.
In the evening, we check into our hotel and rest.
Day 11
Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we continue our discovery of Bukhara, one of the most atmospheric cities on the Silk Road.
We’ll start with the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture, and the Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, associated with the legend of the Prophet Job. Then we’ll wander through the bustling local bazaar, before visiting the elegant Bolo-Khauz Mosque and the mighty Ark Citadel with its old Zindan prison — echoes of the city’s rich and sometimes dramatic past.
In the afternoon, we head beyond the city to explore the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, once the lavish summer residence of the last emir, and the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Central Asia.
As evening falls, we’re welcomed into a traditional Uzbek home for a heartwarming culinary experience. Together with our hosts, we’ll take part in a plov master class, learning how to prepare Uzbekistan’s most beloved dish step by step — before sharing a delicious homemade dinner filled with laughter, aromas, and stories of local life.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12
Bukhara - Khiva by road, 460 km
After breakfast we set off on a long but scenic journey across the Kyzyl-Kum Desert and along the mighty Amudarya River. This vast landscape of golden sands and rippling dunes gives a real sense of the Silk Road’s endurance.
We stop for lunch en route and continue our drive to Khiva, a perfectly preserved medieval city that feels like an open-air museum. On arrival, we have leisure time to wander its narrow streets, visit traditional workshops, and browse local souvenir shops.
Overnight in Khiva.
Day 13
Khiva - Urgench by road, 30 km
Evening flight to Tashkent by evening flight
After breakfast we explore Ichan-Kala, the walled inner city of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its mudbrick walls, minarets, and madrassahs create one of the most atmospheric cities in Central Asia.
Highlights include the Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the Kunya-Ark Fortress, and the tall Islam Hajji Minaret. After lunch, we visit the ornate Tash Khauli Palace, the Juma Mosque with its 200 carved wooden columns, the Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, and the Avesta Museum.
In the evening we transfer to Urgench for the flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, check-in and rest.
Day 14
Tashkent, departure
Early morning transfer to the airport for your international flight. Depending on flight time, breakfast or a lunch-box will be provided.
Tour price includes:
Accommodation at the hotels listed below, or at similar properties of the same category, in double/twin rooms with breakfast. Early check-in on Day 1 in Almaty is included; check-in at other hotels is at 14:00, check-out at 12:00.
Accommodation at the guest house in Kolsay
(twin accommodation).
(twin accommodation).
Accommodation at the yurt camp in Darwaza
(4 persons pr yurt).
(4 persons pr yurt).
Meals – daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners as per the program.
Entrance fees to the monuments and museums mentioned in the itinerary.
Falconry demonstration and felt-making master class in Kyrgyzstan.
Services of English-speaking local guides for sightseeing.
Comfortable air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour, including all airport–hotel–airport transfers.
Railway transfer from Tashkent to Samarkand (economy class).
Flight ticket Bishkek – Tashkent (economy class).
Flight ticket Urgench – Tashkent (economy class).
* Tickets for high-speed trains are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Tour price does not include:
International flight tickets.
Meals not mentioned above.
Medical expenses and travel insurance.
Porterage at hotels, railway stations, and airports.
Tips for guides and drivers.
Information on the hotels:
Almaty
Kolsay Lakes
Karakol
Kochkor
Bishkek
Tashkent
Samarkand
Bukhara
Khiva
City
Hotels
Transportation
1-2 travelers
4 travelers
6-8 travelers
9-14 travelers
Group size
Vehicle
04.07.2025 14:37
Hi Victoria,Can I firstly send my gratitude to yourself and all of the tour operators for an outstanding tour. From the moment I was picked up at the airport to being dropped off everything ran so smoothly. That is down to the fantastic organisation of your team.Secondly the tour guides and drivers were highly professional and went over and above the call of duty with their assitance and information.Furthermore the hotels were of an excellent standard that provided great welcomes. I have no hesitation recommending this tour to friends and family. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or assistance. ---Тhe trip was fantastic and I could not of asked for more. Each country was unique in its own right but my personal highlights were the unusual nature of
Neil Farragher
02.07.2025 11:04
Hi VictoriaHere is our review of the tour: thank you so much again and we do enjoyed our trip in Central Asia especially Uzbekistan. Planning/Booking processA significant amount of time was spent with Victoria planning, fine tuning the trip and making numerous adjustments in particular with the itinerary and hotels. Victoria was accommodating and helpful - always reassuring that she was trying her best to get the work done. She is an asset to the travel industry and overall it was a pleasure to work with her and will definitely use her services again when we travel in the region again.AlmatyOur guide Ansar was excellent. Young, charming and very friendly, he was always trying his best to ensure all the needs of the group were looked after. He was extremely polite and his smiling and generally
Aaron Luo
Leave your
feedback
feedback
Feedbacks from tourists
04.07.2025 14:37
Hi Victoria,Can I firstly send my gratitude to yourself and all of the tour operators for an outstanding tour. From the moment I was picked up at the airport to being dropped off everything ran so smoothly. That is down to the fantastic organisation of your team.Secondly the tour guides and drivers were highly professional and went over and above the call of duty with their assitance and information.Furthermore the hotels were of an excellent standard that provided great welcomes. I have no hesitation recommending this tour to friends and family. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or assistance. ---Тhe trip was fantastic and I could not of asked for more. Each country was unique in its own right but my personal highlights were the unusual nature of Turkmenistan, the amazing 7 lakes of Tajikistan, the nature of Kurdistan and both the history and warm and kind nature of the people of Uzbekistan. Personally I was sad to leave Uzbekistan as I enjoyed it so much.Again when you book a trip of this nature you don't know what to expect but it was so well organised and all of our needs were met. I can probably speak on behalf of the group but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The trip was value for money and we fitted in so much. The danger can be making the trip too long but personally speaking after two weeks your concentration can wane. So in that respectacular I feel this particular tour has the balance of cost, activities and time spent travelling to perfection
Neil Farragher
02.07.2025 11:04
Hi VictoriaHere is our review of the tour: thank you so much again and we do enjoyed our trip in Central Asia especially Uzbekistan. Planning/Booking processA significant amount of time was spent with Victoria planning, fine tuning the trip and making numerous adjustments in particular with the itinerary and hotels. Victoria was accommodating and helpful - always reassuring that she was trying her best to get the work done. She is an asset to the travel industry and overall it was a pleasure to work with her and will definitely use her services again when we travel in the region again.AlmatyOur guide Ansar was excellent. Young, charming and very friendly, he was always trying his best to ensure all the needs of the group were looked after. He was extremely polite and his smiling and generally positive attitude was very good. Everyone enjoyed his company and his knowledge on Khazak culture and people was very good. We learnt a lot about his country and more importantly, his enthusiasm for showing us around was great. Hotel Rixos was very nice - a large hotel with very comfortable rooms and in a good location. Breakfast was also excellent and we enjoyed our stay here.The sights in Almaty were interesting and we had no idea the weather would be so cold and in a few instances, were not prepared for the weather as we did not bring enough warm clothing. Perhaps this is one area where advance warning could be given to the group to let them know to bring sufficient warm clothing.KyrgyzstanCrossing the border was made easy as Ansar followed us all the way through - it was nice to have him there as it was re-assuring to know the procedures and to understand what was to be expected. Ansar handed us over to our next guide Timur. Timur was nice enough - he was knowledgeable and friendly. Our daily program was all arranged and he did his best to ensure we followed the program. He seemed pre-occupied with personal issues (his car apparently had broken down).Solutel Hotel was fine. New and located in safe area, it was acceptable. Meals were easily self arranged as the location was close to several nice restaurants. Timur took us for lunch on our last day to a great local eatery - ended up being one of our best & cheapest meals.The flight to Tashkent was fine but the arrival was chaotic as those travelling Business class and those on economy class arrived at different terminals. The representative who was supposed to meet us was at neither location on our arrival and we waited over 30 minutes to finally meet him (after calls to Victoria to find out what was happening). This was not a nice welcome to Tashkent and we were all tired and hungry and arrived at the Hyatt Hotel late (after the club lounge stopped serving any food) so it was not the best situation. However, we met up with Victoria and our guide Faruk the next day and things improved and Victoria made a nice offer of giving us a free wine tasting in Samarkand as an apology for the mix up - and this was much appreciated by the group.Faruk was also knowledgeable and seemed experienced at handling tour groups - however he brought us to supposed “master-class” factories or craftsmen which were not interesting. We did not get to see any real demonstrations of crafts work and it was all simply uninteresting sale pitches. But it was obviously the usual thing for tourists to be brought to such places - we were bored by this. The only interesting place was the carpet factory where a few of us ended up buying carpets.From here - we went to Bukhara and Samarkand and enjoyed this very much. The sights and things we saw were excellent. In Bukhara - Our Hotel Amulet was excellent. Small, cosy and service was very good. Breakfast was simple but one of the best we had. It was a different atmosphere and we enjoyed staying there.In Samarkand, Platane hotel was also fine. The restaurant was excellent and we had one of our best meals on our trip here. However breakfast was not so good and the waitstaff serving breakfast are different from the night crew serving dinner. The breakfast staff are not good - indifferent and chaotic service - they simply were not interested in what they were doing. The dinner staff were excellent and knew exactly what they were doing.We were dropped off by Faruk at the border with Turkmenistan and the situation at the border could have been better. Faruk did not brief us on the complicated procedures (taking a bus from where we were dropped off to the border and then again another bus to the Turkmenistan immigration control. It was chaotic and we basically had to arrange all this ourselves. It would have been nice to have been briefed on what to expect and how much to pay for the bus etc. Fortunately we managed to navigate our way through all this and it was a relief to meet Olga at the Turkemenistan checkpoint where she took everything in control and arranged for our visa on arrival ad ensured we could go through in a special queue. It took us just over 2 hours to clear the immigration and customs checkpoint and arrive in Turkmenistan.TurkmenistanWe loved that the buses in Turkmenistan were all large and luxurious. Overall Olga is an excellent guide - she was informative and very knowledgeable and it was obvious she was well experienced in handling tourists and ensuring we did the right thing.The hotel in Ashgabat seemed nice but did not function well. It was luxurious and decor very grand but service and food was not so good. It was a pity we could not stay at our 1st choice (Yldyz Hotel). Olga managed our time very well and we got to see all the sights as suggested. She also managed our meals well and took us to places that we enjoyed.UzbekistanBy far - this was the best country. All cities were impressive : Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. We loved the hotel in Khiva - staying in the madrassa was unique but we were not happy with the rooms given to us initially. We were allocated twin rooms on the ground floor. The rooms were dark and small. Whereas rooms on 2nd floor were double rooms, bigger, brighter and even had a small balcony at the back of the room. Apparently Faruk made the change with reception instructing them we wanted twin rooms instead of double rooms (the bookings were all double rooms and not twin rooms). I was lucky enough to change to a 2nd floor room later but one room changed to 2nd floor only on next day and another one, no chance to change to 2nd floor due to fully occupied - so some of us are very disappointed that Faruk just changed our room type which check-in but didn’t ask us while we were just next to him. And when I asked him later why he changed our rooms but he didn’t say sorry. Overall Faruk was a good guide but several areas could be improved upon. He often made decisions without consulting us; in particular our meals. Perhaps he is used to taking groups who have meals included and therefore everything has to be ordered and set. For our group, our meals are not included and we would have liked to have been consulted before he ordered our meals. Also choice of restaurant would have been nice if he had discussed with us first. We were simply taken to restaurants that obviously all other tourists are taken to as it was obvious we kept bumping into the same people. We would have preferred something more customised and perhaps personal. On our return to Almaty to catch our international flights home - it was very nice to see Ansar again and thank you for arranging the same guide to meet us & to ensure we were looked after till we checked into our flight. Ansar is a cut above the others and really made our stay special.Thank youAARON
Aaron Luo