Introduction to Uzbekistan
(8 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
A Week in Uzbekistan
(7 Days)
Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand
Highlights of Uzbekistan
(10 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Best of Samarkand & Tashkent
(6 Days)
Tashkent, Samarkand & Shakhrisabz
Uzbekistan in Depth
(14 Days)
Tashkent, Fergana Valley, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva
Jewish Tour of Uzbekistan
(9 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Introduction to Kazakhstan
(6 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake
Highlights of Kazakhstan
(9 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake
Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan in Depth
(16 Days)
Bishkek, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Introduction to Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
(11 Days)
Bishkek, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Samarkand
Cultural & Natural Highlights of Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
(13 Days)
Bishkek & Ala Archa National Park, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon
Highlights of Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan
(13 Days)
Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand
Ultimate Journey through Central Asia
(20 Days)
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
Introduction to Central Asia
(14 Days)
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
(6 days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Nur-Sultan, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake
On the private Kazakhstan tour, visit the two main cities in the country—Nur-Sultan and Almaty—and enjoy private excursions to cultural sites and national parks with beautiful mountain, lake and steppe landscapes.
Begin in Nur-Sultan (formerly known as Astana), the capital of Kazakhstan on the Ishim River. During private touring in this city on the steppe, see futuristic architecture and important landmarks that reflect the cultural traditions and ambitions of the country. Tour the National Museum of Kazakhstan, a modern institution displaying important historical artifacts such as the ancient Golden Man treasures from the Issyk burial mound. See the iconic Bayterek Tower, which symbolizes a classic local legend, and the enormous Hazrat Sultan Mosque, built in 2012. Other highlights in Nur-Sultan include visiting two landmark buildings designed by British architecture firm Foster + Partners: the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation pyramid and the Khan Shatyr, a tentlike shopping mall and entertainment complex with a translucent plastic roof. Also see the Presidential Park, the Ak Orda Presidential Palace and the historic center of the city.
One day, opt to continue city touring, or enjoy a private excursion to Burabay National Park, where pine forests and dramatic rock outcroppings create a beautiful backdrop to Lake Borovoe and other lakes in the protected area. If desired, also visit the ALZHIR Museum-Memorial Complex, a gulag for thousands of Soviet women whose husbands were perceived as traitors under Stalin.
Next, fly to Almaty, a cosmopolitan city (and former capital) in the shadow of the rugged Tian Shan Mountains. During private city touring, see highlights such as leafy Panfilov Park and the colorful wooden Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church also known as Zenkov Cathedral that dates from 1907. Also visit the Green Market, a large indoor food hall. Learn about the history and culture of Kazakhstan in the Central State Museum, which has objects from the Bronze Age to today. See landmarks such as Republic Square and the Independence Monument with its sculpture of the Golden Man on top. Depending on your interests, perhaps also visit the Museum of Folk Music Instruments or see Soviet-era buildings, the subway, Arasan Baths and other places that make up the urban fabric of Almaty. Upon request, we can arrange tickets to performances at the Kazakh State (Abay) Opera and Ballet Theater.
One day, enjoy a private excursion to Big Almaty Lake, a turquoise lake in Ile-Alatau National Park, for beautiful views of the lake and the Tian Shan Mountains. Also visit a local falcon farm and bird-of-prey sanctuary to learn how hawks, falcons and other hunting birds are still used by traditional nomadic hunters.
Another day, enjoy a full-day private excursion in the region. Options include Charyn Canyon and the famed Valley of the Castles, a dramatic landscape of eroded, rust-colored cliffs and towers formed by wind and water; Tamgaly (Tanbaly), a UNESCO World Heritage Site of rocky hills with more than 5,000 petroglyphs created from the Bronze Age through the early 20th century; Tamgaly-Tas to see monumental Buddhist images and texts inscribed hundreds of years ago on large rock outcroppings along the Ili River; and hiking in other parts of Ile-Alatau National Park, such as Turgen Gorge, a diverse landscape of waterfalls, river valleys, foothills and forests.
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Introduction to Uzbekistan
(8 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
A Week in Uzbekistan
(7 Days)
Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand
Highlights of Uzbekistan
(10 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Best of Samarkand & Tashkent
(6 Days)
Tashkent, Samarkand & Shakhrisabz
Uzbekistan in Depth
(14 Days)
Tashkent, Fergana Valley, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva
Jewish Tour of Uzbekistan
(9 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Introduction to Kazakhstan
(6 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake
Highlights of Kazakhstan
(9 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake
Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan in Depth
(16 Days)
Bishkek, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Introduction to Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
(11 Days)
Bishkek, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Samarkand
Cultural & Natural Highlights of Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
(13 Days)
Bishkek & Ala Archa National Park, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon
Highlights of Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan
(13 Days)
Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand
Ultimate Journey through Central Asia
(20 Days)
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
Introduction to Central Asia
(14 Days)
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
You all did a great job with my Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Georgia tour. The guides and local representatives were all terrific.
~ J.P., Delray Beach, FL
We have had nothing but great success using Artisans of Leisure. Every trip, experience, hotel and people are better than perfect. Bravo to your team.
~ M.W., Vancouver, Canada
Recommended by:
Departures
Conde Nast Traveler
The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
Travel + Leisure
Town & Country
Postcard from Our Travelers: Samarkand, Uzbekistan