Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan

Welcome to Uzbekistan! On your arrival in its capital and the biggest city, Tashkent, the driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. After a short break, your private guide will accompany you to feel the unique charm of Tashkent.

First, arrive at the Hazrati Imam Complex in the old town, surrounded by historic mud-brick houses that have survived the 1966 earthquake. Imam means guide and leader in Arabic, generally referring to a great scholar of Islam. As the name suggests, this complex is built to memorize a great scholar, Hazrati Imam, where you can see the Barakhan Madrasah, Tillya Sheikh Mosque, the Mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, and Imam Al Bukhari Islamic Institute. Looking at the architecture of Hazrati Imam Mosque, whose green marble comes from Turkey, blue tile veneer from Iran, and sandalwood columns from India, you’ll feel deeply that Tashkent was once a prosperous crossroads of diverse civilizations on the ancient Silk Road.

Then, head to Chorsu Bazaar to get a closer touch with the bustling local life. From the outside, you can see its concentric structure with a 75-meter-diameter (246-foot) dome and a higher turquoise tholobate. While entering it, the spacious market looks like the Pantheon in Rome, bursting with various goods, including fresh horse meat, fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, handicrafts, and traditional Uzbek clothing.

Next, follow your guide to take the metro downtown and appreciate the distinctive furnishing styles of different metro stations. In 1977, Tashkent became the first city in Central Asia to have a subway, whose stations combined sharp Soviet style and gorgeous Islamic style through vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, marble, reliefs, and mosaics, showcasing the culture and history of Uzbekistan. From embossment and mural paintings at different themed stations, you may know about the city’s heroes or the previous daily life of ordinary people.

Next, let’s move to Mustakillik Square. Passing through the silver arch with the Semurg (“Bird of Happiness”) carved around the fountain, you’ll see a globe-shaped monument symbolizing Uzbekistan’s independence, opposite which stands the statue of the “Weeping Mother,” with the eternal flame on the ground, commemorating fallen soldiers in World War II. Continue to Amir Temur Square at the center of Tashkent and admire the statue of Timur riding a horse and holding a sword, the most majestic of the three Timur statues in Uzbekistan, with the green ribbed domed Timur Museum on the north, immersing in the rich history of Tashkent.

The final stop is the Museum of Applied Art, a model of oriental architecture and decorative art in Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Observe its exquisite fractal geometric wall and roof and its unique structure to feel the charm of Uzbekistan’s traditional architecture. Amaze at the “suzani” embroideries featuring cultures of various regions in Uzbekistan. Also, mesmerized by luxurious and dazzling jewelry combining traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, intricate wood carvings, and simple-shaped but artfully painted ceramics, all showing the superb skills of local artisans at that time. After all visits, the guide will accompany you back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars) or similar

Today, the driver will transfer you to Tashkent Airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Khiva, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage city. Upon arrival at Urgench International Airport, the local driver will drive you for nearly one hour to the hotel in Khiva and meet your guide. Then, the guide will show you around Itchan Kala, the ancient inner city of Khiva famed for its well-preserved ancient buildings, labyrinthine narrow streets and rich cultural traditions.

As a Central Asian saying goes, “I would give a bag of gold just to see Khiva.” Now, you have the chance to explore Itchan Kala’s ubiquitous ancient buildings, which present architectural styles from different periods since the 17th century. Moreover, many residents still live here, running shops, restaurants and homestays next to scenic spots, allowing you to vividly feel the glamour of intertwined history and the present. After making unforgettable photos with the majestic Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and Muhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassah, move on to Kalta Minor Minaret, left unfinished because of Muhammad Amin Khan’s accidental death. Still, its beautifully turquoise-paved circular structure has also made it Khiva’s icon, and one can’t help but wonder how magnificent it would have been if it had been completed.

The next stop is Juma Mosque, the oldest mosque in Khiva, dating back to 1789, famous for its 218 carved wooden columns, some thousands of years old. Why have these wooden pillars been well-preserved for such a long time? The secret lies in the connection between their bottoms and stone bases. It is said that the padded camel hair can prevent moths. When the sunlight shines through the patio, it strongly contrasts light and shadow, making the mosque more peaceful and solemn.

Then, visit Toshkhovli Palace, built between 1832 and 1841, with 150 rooms scattered in nine courtyards. Walk into any lavishly decorated room, and you’ll be shocked by its intricately carved wooden columns, ornately painted ceilings, typical Central Asian turquoise tiles, and the high rooftop. Continue to Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, whose owner was a poet in the 13th century and was worshipped by locals due to his multiple legends. Unlike other turquoise-hued domes, the mosque, which is based on the mausoleum, is covered with blue glazed tiles and is called the “Blue Mosque of Khiva.”

Keep going to Islam Khoja Minaret, which looks extraordinarily tall thanks to its shape and the visual effect of alternating brickwork and glazed patterns. Climbing to the top, you’ll gain a bird’s eye view of Khiva - countless adobe houses with flat roofs, winding maze-like streets, bright-colored domes of mosques, and primitive ancient city walls.
► Note: The internal stairs are too narrow to be careless while climbing, and it is not recommended to climb the tower if you have claustrophobia or other similar symptoms.

Finally, arrive at Kunya-Ark, once a fortress and residence of the ruler and his family. Although the original 12th-century buildings can no longer be seen, in the 19th-century renovation, Khiva’s artists and architects fully expressed their understanding of beauty through fancy carvings and elegant decorative ceramics. Also, Kunya-Ark’s commanding position makes it a great place to watch the sunset, where you can enjoy the tranquil Khiva under the afterglow.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva (3 stars)

Today, we’ll leave for Bukhara, a seven to eight-hour car ride away. Take a break at Kyzylkum Desert on the way to admire the desert scenery and the Amu Darya River. Then, continue driving for to Bukhara, the birthplace of One Thousand and One Nights. Everything outside the car window will satisfy your imagination of an ancient city on the Silk Road - countless madrasahs, curious tourists, bustling traffic, and hearty vendors. Despite being unadorned in appearance, Bukhara has always kept its pure spirit for over a thousand years, still lively after experiencing the vicissitudes of time. After check-in, rest well tonight to release the fatigue of such a long journey. Many gorgeous sites are awaiting you tomorrow.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Amulet Hotel, Bukhara (3 stars) or similar

After breakfast, spend a whole day with your guide to explore Bukhara. Begin with the Lyabi Khause ensemble, an idyllic and peaceful square centered by a pond built around 1620 and surrounded by ancient mulberry trees dating back to the 15th century, where you can see locals sitting with the pleasant coolness and chatting leisurely. Passing Magoki Attori Mosque, one of the oldest extant mosques in Bukhara and now a carpet museum, reach Chor Minor Madrasah, which means “four minarets” in Tajik. However, you’ll find that the four exquisite spires topped with blue mosaics serve more like decorations than minarets, with one even having a lifelike statue of a bird building its nest. Let your knowledgeable guide tell you an interesting story about it!

Next comes Toki Sarrofon (Trading Domes), a 16th-century market with three domed buildings, including Toki-Sarafon, Toki-Tilpak Furushon, and Toki-Zargaron. Strolling on the Hakikat Road, which connects these domed markets and witnesses Bukhara’s long trading history, you’ll encounter various stores selling featured local products, from spices to textiles. After a short visit to Ulugʻbek Madrasasi and Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah, arrive at Poyi Kalon complex to watch Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrasah, among which the nearly 47-meter (155-foot) soaring Kalyan Minaret preserved for almost nine centuries had once shocked Genghis Khan.

Then, move to Ark Fortress, once the Khan’s residence and now a cultural and religious center with intricate patterns all over the highly detailed architecture. Its museum and exhibits inside offer you a journey through the ancient Bukhara, immersing you in its splendid history to find the rich cultural heritage of Central Asia. Keep going to Bolo Hauz Mosque, which translates to “above the pond,” because the mosque is beautifully reflected in the octagonal artificial pond in front. Besides, don’t miss its twenty spectacular wooden carved pillars, earning it the name “20-pillar mosque.”

The last two spots today are two iconic mausoleums. Marvel at the brick-made Samanid Mausoleum, the oldest and best-preserved original building in Bukhara and the oldest Islamic building in Central Asia, whose lowest one-meter-high wall dates back 1,000 years. Finally, listen to a gripping story about Chashmai Ayub and the city at Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum. Legend has it that the prophet Chashmai Ayub once encountered a devastating drought here. When he witnessed numerous deaths of thirst, he kept beating the arid ground, and a spring miraculously emerged, saving his followers. Therefore, his tomb was built as a holy site to memorize where the spring first appeared, and Bukhara city grew up around here.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Amulet Hotel, Bukhara (3 stars) or similar

This morning, let’s continue the Bukhara tour. Arrive at the grandiose Sitori-i-Mokhi Khosa palace (Summer Palace), the only palace of Bukhara’s ruler that has survived today, to admire colorful gilded artifacts, items used by royal families, and a fantastic glassware collection. Standing in the palace’s rooms, its different colors and wardrobes symbolize the distinct identities of royal men and women, making you feel like you have entered an imaginary royal life.

The next destination is Bakhautdin Naqsband Mausoleum, a memorial complex of the founder of the Sufi Naqshbandi Order, highly worshipped by pilgrims. Then, drive outside the city to visit Chor Bakr Memorial Complex, an Islamic building complex that integrates mosques and family mausoleums, peaceful and solemn.

After that, we will drive for four hours to Samarkand, once the capital of the Timurid Empire (1370-1507), nicknamed the pearl on the ancient Silk Road, with a history of 2,500 years. Timur built this magnificent city by gathering extravagant wealth when he conquered Central Asia. Although the ancient Samarkand declined with the empire’s demise, it gradually regained its former glory after restoration in the following centuries. Charming exotic customs come to you with profound cultural heritage in this city, and every inch of land beneath your step seems to be a brilliant relic.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Samarkand (4 stars) or similar

Today, strike out your Samarkand city tour with the guide and driver from the landmark Registan Square in the city center, vast and well-proportioned with Ulugh Beg Madrasa, Sherdor Madrassah, and Tilya-Kori Madrasah, the oldest preserved Islamic seminaries in the world that even survived frequent earthquakes. Gravitate toward their giant arches, towering minarets, deep blue domes, intricate and delicate wall patterns, imaginative shapes and colors, and magnificent interiors.

Next, feast your eyes on various local foods at Siyob Bozor, one of the largest markets in Uzbekistan and once a trade center on the ancient Silk Road. After passing by grains, spices, fruits, nuts, and dairy products, the heady smell of baked stuffed buns (“somsa” in Uzbek) filled with onion and mutton may instantly raise your hunger, each costing only UZS 5,000 (less than $0.5), unmissable for gastronomes.

Continue to Bibi Khanym Mosque, built between 1399 and 1405, whose 38-meter-high (125-foot) portico and 41-meter-high (135-foot) dome make it an awe-inspiring Islamic architecture. From the spacious and serene courtyard and the entrance decorated with endearing mosaics, it’s easy to imagine how stunning the interior will be, especially when the mosque was named after Timur’s beloved wife, which adds a touch of romance.

Then, climb a flight of stairs to learn about Ulugbek’s contribution to astronomy and his dedication to scientific inquiry at the 15th-century Observatory of Ulugbek, which also offers a panoramic view of Samarkand. When you look at the impressive sextant, a large instrument used to measure celestial bodies at the time with astonishing scale and precision, you can’t help but be touched by people’s everlasting curiosity and pursuit of the universe and feel the intersection of history, science and culture.

Keep moving to Shah-i-Zinda, a mysterious mausoleum complex cored the tomb of Kusam ibn Abbas, who was called the “Eternal King,” or Shah-i-Zinda in Persian, the cousin of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. As if entering an otherworld scene from One Thousand and One Nights, the avenue flanked by magnificent tombs serves as a road leading to heaven. Walk along the long stairs and pass through the archway, and the blue wall, like a painting decorated with artful details, unfolds in your eyes, even more sacrosanct when the sunlight shines into the aisle.

At the end, let’s appreciate the 15th-century Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, preserving the tombs of Timur’s family. Beyond the resplendent dome and interior, what to mention is Timur’s dark green jade tomb built by his grandson Ulugbek, on which it is written: Whoever digs my tomb will suffer. Coincidentally, two weeks after a slinking dig of Timur’s tomb on June 8, 1941, when Samarkand belonged to the Soviet Union, Hitler began to attack the Soviet Union, which spontaneously reminded people of this prophecy.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Samarkand (4 stars) or similar

This morning, we’ll drive for an hour to leave for Tajikistan via the Jartepa border crossing. After visiting many world-famous ancient Silk Road cities and relics in Uzbekistan, make new memories in Tajikistan on the Pamir Plateau. Unlike Uzbekistan’s desert and grassland, Tajikistan boasts sweeping vistas of snow-capped mountains, seemingly within reach even if you stand in the urban area. As the only country in Central Asia where the leading ethnic group is not Turkic, Tajikistan retains the ancient Aryan cultural traditions, which will be authentically experienced when we visit local villages in the mountains tomorrow.

Your Tajik driver and guide will pick you up at the border crossing and transfer you to Panjakent (aka Penjikent), one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, nicknamed the “Pompeii of Central Asia.” Before heading downtown, we’ll visit Sarazm Ancient City with a history of 5,500 to 6,000 years, home to many well-preserved palaces and religious buildings, from which you’ll learn about the development of primitive urbanization here from the 4th to late 3rd century BC and cultural exchanges between Sarazm and Turkmenistan, the Iranian plateau, and the Indus Valley.

Then, explore a local bazaar and continue to Rudaki Historical Museum, named after Abu Abdullah Rudaki, a famous 10th-century poet and Tajik national hero. While observing the large number of artifacts excavated from the Sarazm site and ancient Panjakent site, the guide will help you dig into the history of Panjakent and the story of the Sogdian civilization. Since seeing speaks louder than imaginary, our final stop is the Ancient Panjakent excavations. As early as the 6th century AD, murals prevailed in ancient Panjakent and peaked in the 8th century, which can still be seen in many of the remaining houses on the site. Unfortunately, the Arab army captured and destroyed the city at the end of the 8th century. After all visits, you will be escorted to the hotel in Panjakent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Umarion Hotel, Panjakent (3 stars) or similar

This morning, we’ll drive 1.5 hours to Fann Mountains, home to seven incredible alpine lakes collectively known as Haftkul in Tajik (namely “seven lakes”) but each named after their topographical features respectively. Ancient rock paintings found along the shore of the Marguzor Lake indicate that these lakes are very old. We’ll visit all seven lakes along the serpentine road, with a total elevation change of 760 meters (2,500 feet), and a distance of over 14 kilometers, appreciating their stunningly turquoise, blue, or even purple at various times.

Then, a 2-hour hike awaits you to explore Shing Village and visit how locals live in the deep mountain. Meaning “green pasture” in the ancient Sughd language, Shing Village is larger and more modern than many other villages hidden in Tajikistan’s remote mountains, with a large population of over a thousand Tajiks, but still retaining ancient and conservative traditions - men raise livestock, cultivate fields, or make handicrafts, while women stay at home to cook, do housework, and take care of children. When you see a hospital, a school, and two mosques, and know that more than 200 villagers have received higher education, you will break the stereotype of a village in the mountains. In the afternoon, we will drive another 1.5 hours back to the hotel in Panjakent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Umarion Hotel, Panjakent (3 stars) or similar

Early in the morning, let’s embark on a 4-hour drive to Istaravshan, a crossroad city that connects Kashgar and Samarkand from east to west, and Sogdia and Bactria from north to south. After arriving, we’ll visit Mug Tepe Fort, built to guard such a crucial trade hub in history and renovated in 2002 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Istaravshan. Also, weave your way into Istaravshan’s labyrinthine streets to find a hidden gem, Abdullatif Sultan Medressa, whose turquoise-tiled dome earns it the nickname Kuk-Gumbaz, “Blue Dome” in Tajik.

Then, after watching various unique handiworks in a local bazaar, we’ll continue driving for 1.5 hours to Khujand in the Fergana Valley, where the Syr Darya River runs through the city, explaining Khujand in Tajik - “the source of the river.” Like a shining pearl sinking into rolling hills, the city quietly displays its historical sedimentation and natural wonders, with the cloud-kissing snow-capped mountains seeming to be within reach complemented by the blue sky, forming a picturesque scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Firuz Hotel, Khujand (4 stars) or similar

Today, your guided Khujand tour starts with the Sughd Region Museum, whose magnificent appearance is like a fortress and looks particularly beautiful in the sun. Visiting the large number of artifacts related to the ancient Sughd, including rare Tajik hand-woven carpets, Tajik embroidery, and national dress, you’ll amaze at their uncanny artistry. Beyond these, a realistically laid-out three-dimensional model in the basement will let you feel as if you have traveled through time and witnessed the prehistoric life of Sughd. Moreover, the Sughd region was also included in the famous kingdom of Macedonia (808 - 168 BC) after its king Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BC) swept across the Persian Empire; therefore, you can also see exquisite marble murals here depicting the important moments of Alexander the Great from birth, marriage, and expedition, to burial.

Next, visit the Mausoleum of Sheik Muslihiddin, built in the 12th century in memory of this revered poet and ruler of the city, soaking up the tranquility of this Islamic-style building decorated with intricate tilework. Then, move to Panjshanbe Bozor, whose name means “Thursday” in Tajik because the daily market now used to be a periodic one every Thursday. A roam in the huge, domed, bustling market crowded with colorful stalls selling seeds, vegetables, meat, sweets, and costumes is a lively pleasure.

Continue to Arbob Palace, a cultural center that hosts various conferences, exhibitions, and artistic performances. Admire its unique architecture, which reflects a fusion of Soviet and local Tajik styles. It features exquisite columns, arches, colorful mosaic decorations, spacious halls, and lush courtyards, a symbol of Tajikistan’s rich cultural identities.

Finally, drive out of the city to watch Kairakum Reservoir, a large artificial lake treasured by inland residents as the “Tajik Sea” since they cannot access the real sea. Looking far into the distance at its numerous small lakes and shallows, you’ll find lush vegetation including rose willow, olive, poplar, and acres of reed. Here live thousands of wintering waterfowl, waders, and birds of prey, thus making it designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. Finish the visit here, and we will return to the hotel in Khujand.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Firuz Hotel, Khujand (4 stars) or similar

This morning, the Tajik driver will transfer you to the Uzbek Border Crossing Point in about one hour. After transit formalities, the Uzbek driver will pick you up and drive for three hours to Kokand, where your guide awaits. Then, follow the guide to visit the magnificent Palace of Khudáyár Khán, whose exterior is decorated with colored tiles and equipped with four soaring towers. Step inside, and the murals, the exhibited cultural relics, maps, musical instruments, military equipment, etc., allow you to glimpse the life of the ancient Uzbek royal family.

Continue to Norbut-biy Madrasah, the largest religious center in Kokand, where local architects had pulled out all the stops, with tall and magnificent gates, double arches, giant brick towers, and intricate blue-tiled decorations despite its one-layer structure. The final stop in Kokand is Modari Khan Mausoleum, a mausoleum complex built in memory of Umar Khan’s mother, which is said to be decorated by ceramists from Rishtan and local master carvers. Passing through a low dome entrance with plant ornaments, you can see a mosque for holding funeral ceremonies and a fenced yard dotted with tombs, representing the Fergana type of memorial architecture.

As we just mentioned, Rishtan is Uzbekistan's most famous pottery center due to its high-quality clay and cobalt pigments. We’ll drive 40 minutes there to watch ceramics-making, which produces 90% of the ceramic products in souvenir shops throughout Uzbekistan. After that, the driver will escort you to the hotel in Fergana, which takes about 1.5 hours. In a basin with crisscrossing rivers, Fergana is the agricultural center of Central Asia, abundant in fruits and vegetables, natural beauty, and a prosperous culture.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Asia Fergana (4 stars) or similar

In the morning, the guide will show you around Akhmad Al-Fergani Park in the city center, standing with a grand monument to commemorate Akhmad Al-Fergani, a famous medieval astronomer and mathematician. After soaking up the elegant environment in the large park, we’ll drive to Margilan, Central Asia’s silk industry center.

Here, pay a short visit to Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah, a 19th-century Islamic school and now a workshop for making silk and pottery. Then, move on to the largest traditional handmade silk factory in Uzbekistan, Yodgorlik Silk Factory, which preserves the conventional Altas and Ikat textile skills passed down for thousands of years. Unlike the usual steps of weaving and then dyeing, the local craft dyes the threads into required colors in sections by tie-dyeing before weaving, making the pattern edges on the finished cloth slightly blurred with a distinctive smudge effect.

Leaving Margilan, we’ll keep driving for one hour to Andijan at the crossroads of the East and West, once a famed trade center on the ancient Silk Road. Originating in the 6th century, Andijan was incorporated into the Samanid Empire (819-999) in the 9th century and became one of the main cities in the Fergana Valley. Having developed for five centuries, its science, culture, and economy peaked and witnessed the birth of Zahiriddin M. Babur (1483-1530), the founder of the Mughal Empire (1526-1857). Thus, the guide will lead you to Babur Memorial Park and House Museum for a rewarding visit and finally escort you to the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Toshkent Hotel, Andijan (4 stars) or similar

Today, the Uzbek driver will transfer you to Dostyk Border Crossing, where your Kyrgyz driver and guide will pick you up and accompany you on the subsequent trip to Kyrgyzstan to experience mountain scenery, Issyk-Kul Lake, and the rich nomadic culture.

Our first stop in Kyrgyzstan is the awe-inspiring Sulaiman Mountain, which rises from the Fergana Basin and overlooks Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan. With more than 100 rock paintings, the mountain has been listed as a World Cultural Heritage, looking steep with rugged rocks. Follow the trail to the sun-hat-shaped Sulaiman Mountain Museum embedded in a cave and learn about the religious evolution of Osh through the exhibition inside. Don’t worry about the cave museum being dim and eerie since countless light bulbs and strings of glass balls make it as bright as day.

Next, explore a local bazaar in Osh, and in the afternoon, you’ll be escorted to the airport for a 45-minute flight to Bishkek with your guide. Upon arrival, the driver based there will transfer you to check in the hotel. As the name Bishkek - a wooden stick used to stir the national drink Kumys (fermented mare milk) - means in Kyrgyz, the city has developed from a herders market and is now Kyrgyzstan’s capital and largest city. Located in the basin at the foot of the Alatau Mountains, it has a typical continental climate of broiling summers and freezing winters, with a large temperature difference between day and night.

Since we will be staying in such a vibrant and bustling city tonight, punctuated with Russian architecture, you can walk around the hotel on your own after dinner and enjoy the evening leisure with ubiquitous small parks and statues.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Orion Hotel Bishkek (5 stars) or similar

Today, we will first drive 1.5 hours to Burana Tower, the remains of an 11th-century minaret rising from the vast plain. If interested, you can climb to its top. Although it is dark inside and the stairs are narrow and steep, requiring great attention to your safety when climbing, the view of the snow-capped mountains and plains in the distance will not disappoint.

Next, let’s move to Cholpon Ata resort town by a 3-hour drive, during which you’ll see dry grasslands, gravel landforms, and nomadic scenes of cattle and sheep grazing on the plains. When the azure blue Issyk-Kul Lake faintly shines in the distance, we’ll stop at the charming Chon-Sary-Oi Village to visit a Nomad Museum inspired by the yurt design. Admire traditional Kyrgyz costumes and artworks to better understand the rich history and culture of the Turkic nomads, who are brave and martial, with the wolf as their totem, and skillful in handicrafts, iron smelting, yurt construction, and carriage making.

Ultimately, as Issyk-Kul Lake gets closer, we’ll arrive at Cholpon-Ata on its north shore, which has been a famous health resort since the Soviet era. Although an inland lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, Issyk-Kul Lake never freezes all year round, suffice to Kyrgyz people’s desire to see a sea. If it happens to be hot weather, you might meet locals having fun in the water or sunbathing on the beach, just like at the seaside.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Silence Hotel Cholpon Ata (3-star) or similar

Today, we’ll first reach the Petroglyphs Museum to watch widespread rock paintings depicting animals like cattle, sheep, deer, camels, and hunting scenes. You can also see early circular stone formations used for sacrifices and many stone statues of Turks. Some petroglyphs are well-preserved, while others are difficult to identify, so draw on your imagination with the guide’s explanation. A hat or a parasol to block the sunlight might help you identify the rock paintings more clearly.

Later, drive for three hours to Karakol, where your guide will lead you to visit Holy Trinity Cathedral, a wooden Russian Orthodox Church with an eye-catching brown exterior, bright green roof towers, and golden onion domes. Then, explore the Dungan Mosque, designed and built by Chinese craftsmen between 1907 and 1910 to serve the Dungans (Muslims who fled the war in China), the influx of which in the 1880s caused a population boom in Karakol. Look at the different colors of the mosques, which stand for respective cultural concepts - red for protection from evil spirits, yellow for wealth and prosperity, and green for happiness.

Next, let’s head to Jeti-Oguz Gorge, where the red sandstone is similar to that in Arizona but set in a green canyon with a gurgling river. Appreciate Seven Bulls Rocks, named for its shape resembling seven crawling bulls, and nearby Broken Heart Rock, which glitters in the sun and takes on different hues as the clouds pass overhead. Beyond rocky landscapes, tracts of woods and villages are also attractive, with shepherds herding sheep on the pastures and horses galloping on steep hillsides like goats. Finally, we’ll return to the hotel in Karakol.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Hotel Karakol (3 stars)

Kyrgyzstan has a well-developed animal husbandry industry with a long history thanks to vast natural pastures and abundant sunshine, evident in its bustling animal markets. Therefore, if it’s lucky to be Sunday today, we’ll experience the active livestock trade at Karakol Animal Market, where you can see different breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, camels, etc.

Then, get ready to pass the border to Kazakhstan by driving for nearly two hours with a stopover at San Tash Village, named after a large cairn that means “counting stones.” The legend goes that Timur asked his soldiers to pick up a stone each and pile them together before going to war and pick up one after the battle, so it’s conceivable that the remaining rocks mean fallen soldiers, which surprised Timur deeply and left as a monument to remind people of the cruelty of war.

Arrive at Karkyra Border Crossing to meet your Kazak driver guide, who will accompany you on the following Kazakhstan tour.
► Tips:
1. The last 30 miles in Kyrgyzstan and the first 10 miles in Kazakhstan are bumpy gravel roads, so if you are prone to motion sickness, please bring medicine.
2. There are few stores providing food or water along the way and at the border crossing, so you’d better bring some.

► What’s Different between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
In the past, people in both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan lived nomadic lives on grasslands. Still, the altitude has differentiated the two regions: most of the Kyrgyz grasslands are located in Heaven Mountains, with Lake Issyk-Kul as the core. In contrast, the main part of the Kazakh grasslands is the lowland region of “seven rivers” and the Kazakh Hills. The lowland nomads gradually became “Kazakhs,” while the highland nomads gathered as “Kyrgyz.”

After picking up, the driver guide will lead you to visit Kaindy Lake, a quake lake boasting a jaw-dropping view of a submerged spruce forest, whose trunks tower above the lake. Looking down into the clear water, you can see not only tree trunks that have not been rotted but also even the intact needles on the branches. Ultimately, we’ll leave the mysterious scene behind and drive to Saty Village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Saty Village guest house

Today, we’ll head to the Kolsai Lakes on the northern slopes of Heaven Mountains in southeastern Kazakhstan. After reaching Lower Kolsai Lake, you’ll be overwhelmed by the eye-popping scenery of vast alpine meadows, green forests, and the turquoise mirror-like lake. Then, strike out a 3-hour hike to explore the hidden Middle Kolsai Lake, have a boxed lunch there, and return along the same way.
► For your information, you can rent a horse if you have less physical strength or want a unique experience. The horseback riding is available from April to October and costs $30-40 extra per person.

► Best Time to Visit Kolsai Lakes
Usually, the best time is from June to September, when the weather is ideal for blockbuster lake views and adrenaline-inducing adventures. However, you may encounter tourist mayhem. So you can come between April and May when the lakes are surrounded by green forest meadows and dotted with blooming flowers, a perfect background for your Instagram photos. Meanwhile, the temperature - basically around 20℃ (70℉) even in summer - and mountain path conditions during these months are more suitable for hiking than in winter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Saty Village guest house

Today, we’ll drive 1.5 hours to Charyn Canyon National Park and spend a whole day exploring its iconic canyons. Known as the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia,” Charyn Canyon is lauded for its stunning natural landscape stretching 154 kilometers (95 miles) and rich geological history of about 12 million years.

Since Charyn Canyon consists of an intricate network of canyons carved by the Charyn River and its tributaries, we’ll appreciate Temirlik Canyon eroded by the Temirlik River, featuring steep red cliffs and rare ancient ash trees, venture into the rugged Bestamak Canyon and admire the dreamy red-orange rocks, marvel at the Moon Canyon (Uzunbulak Canyon) with its lunar-like rock formations, and take photos at leisure by the turbulent Charyn River. Then, arrive at Valley of Castles, where you’ll take a nearly two-hour round-trip hike. You can walk along the canyon’s top edge to get a bird’s eye view or along the bottom of the valley to admire the strange cliffs.
► Tips:
1. The hike is relaxing, so wearing comfortable shoes and sunscreen is enough.
2. If you feel tired after hiking to the end, you can take the shuttle minibus back.

Finish the visit, and the driver guide will take you to the resort in Chunja Hot Springs after a 1.5-hour drive.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner
Accommodation: Karadala Hot Springs Hotel

We are going to Zharkent early in the morning, which takes about two hours. Upon arrival, visit Zharkent Mosque, which has an unforgettable cross-cultural appearance, combining the minaret in the shape of a Chinese pagoda with the traditional Islamic dome and a Timurid-style gate. Now it is more served as a museum, without strict requirements like taking off shoes, covering hair, etc., so you can tour freely accompanied by your driver guide. After enjoying a local bazaar, drive another two hours to Basshi Village, check in at the hotel, and have lunch.

In the afternoon, follow your guide to explore Altyn Emel National Park. From the moment you enter Kazakhstan’s largest nature reserve, you will see ever-changing landscapes along the way, including endless grasslands, home to wild animals such as foxes, hedgehogs, and wild donkeys, desolate desert gobi, alien-like strange landforms that will instantly remind you of scenes from Star Wars, and many archaeological sites displaying ancient settlement remains and rich rock paintings.

We’ll stop at the Singing Dunes, where the sand grains rub against each other and resonate when the wind blows, making a singing-like low humming sound only heard in less than 30 dunes worldwide. Take off your shoes and climb to the top, immersing yourself in the dune singing while soaking up the enchanting views of the Ili River and snow-capped mountains from afar. Finally, the driver guide will send you back to Basshi Village.
► Notes: 
1. It may be tiring of a 30 to 45-minute climb on the soft dune, so try to walk on the ridge, where the sand is most stable.
2. The higher you climb, the stronger the wind will be, so remember to wear sunglasses to prevent sand from blowing into your eyes.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner
Accommodation: Basshi Hotel

Today, we’ll head to Altyn Emel National Park again and take a 3-hour hike to explore the Aktau Mountains and Katutau Mountains. We’ll first reach the Kosbastau oasis on the plain between the Ulken Kalkan Mountains and the Katutau Mountains. Even in scorching summers, it is cool here due to streams, dense vegetation and a small lake, where you can see ancient Turanga forests and long-lived trees, including the famous 700-year-old willow, contrasting with the surrounding arid land.

The landscape changes drastically after getting closer to the Katutau Mountains, formed by the solidification of erupted volcanic lava, displaying strange shapes after long-term erosion. Continue to move to the Aktau Mountains, once the bottom of an ancient ocean. Its name means “white mountains” in Kazakh, but now you can see a magical geological formation composed of striped sedimentary rocks in many bright colors, such as green, red, blue and white. After all visits, a 3.5-hour drive will take you to the hotel in Almaty.

► When is the Ideal Visiting Season?
As a hidden gem in Kazakhstan, Altyn Emel National Park is rarely bothered by tourist flux all year round to put you off. For the sake of weather, spring from April to May and autumn from September to October are the best times since the summer here is sweltering under the blazing sun. Still, if you come on sizzlers, your driver guide could try to arrange the tour in the cooler morning.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Renion Park Hotel, Almaty (3 stars)

It’s time to say goodbye to our 21 days Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan tour. On the last day, your driver guide will pick you up at the appointed time and escort you to Almaty Airport. Wish you have had a happy journey with us! During this three-week journey, we’ve visited almost all the major tourist attractions in the four Central Asian countries. If there is a country that you are particularly interested in and want to spend more time visiting, or if you wish to continue touring Turkmenistan or other Asian destinations, please contact our travel consultants to customize a personalized itinerary!

► Where to Feel the Authentic Almaty on Your Own
If there’s enough time before your leaving flight, you can walk 10 minutes from your hotel to the Green Bazaar, the largest market in Almaty. Among an abundance of stalls stacked with various products, the most attractive are dried fruits and meat. The large temperature difference between day and night and the dryness in Kazakhstan give fruits a high sugar content, suitable for making dried fruits, especially dried apricots and dried figs. As for meat, low-fat horse meat is popular among local Muslims to be made into sausages with different flavors. Many enthusiastic sellers may even invite you to taste it! If interested, you can buy some regional specialties to take home.

Meal: Breakfast