Journey through Central Asia

(20 days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan

This incredible private tour has been designed for travelers wanting to experience in-depth the highlights of four of the countries that make up Central Asia—Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It features the best of each country, including major cities, fascinating Silk Road towns and archaeological ruins, important UNESCO World Heritage sites, beautiful traditional crafts, spectacular mountain landscapes and much more.

Begin in Tashkent, the modern capital of Uzbekistan. With your private guide, walk through the narrow streets of the Old Town, and visit the vast Hazrati Imam complex to see historic mosques and one of the oldest Korans in the world. Explore Chorsu Bazaar, a busy market under a huge Soviet-era dome that's stocked with spices, produce and other daily goods. Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, a richly decorated historic mansion dedicated to Uzbek crafts such as silk, ceramics, carpets and wood carving. Other touring options include walking through Independence Square, seeing a local synagogue, learning about the country's diverse cultural influences at the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, seeing important historical artworks at the State Fine Arts Museum, and perusing interesting Soviet-era architecture in the metro stations and elsewhere.

Next, visit Bukhara, an ancient Silk Road religious, cultural and trading center. During private touring, discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered the best-preserved medieval Central Asian town. Venture inside ancient domed bazaars to browse stalls for local handicrafts such as rugs, silk, suzani (embroidered textiles), jewelry and woodwork. See cultural highlights such as the Ark, an impressive ancient palace-fortress behind mighty walls; the Poi Kalyan complex, including the 12th-century Kalyan (Kalon) Minaret, a masterpiece of patterned brick, and the 16th-century Miri Arab Madrassa, with its enormous portal and two blue-domed towers; the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble, which features two madrassas and a Sufi lodge around a pond and shady plaza favored by locals; the four-towered Char Minar gatehouse; and the 10th-century Ismail Samani Mausoleum. Additional touring options include visiting the Bolo Hauz Mosque, Maghoki-Attari Mosque or the synagogue and Jewish cemetery.

One day, if desired, take an excursion to Gijduvan, a town famous for rustic pottery, to visit local workshops and browse for colorful glazed ceramics. One morning, enjoy a private cooking class to learn to prepare traditional Uzbek dishes such as plov (lamb pilaf) and samsa (meat pastry).

Continue by high-speed train to fabled Samarkand, one of Central Asia's oldest and most important Silk Road cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During private touring, visit the magnificent Registan, a former trading square bounded on three sides by towering madrassas covered in dazzling tile mosaics. Gaze at the blue-tiled portals, minarets and domes while learning about Samarkand's role as the capital of the influential Timurid dynasty in the 14th and 15th centuries. See other Timurid landmarks such as the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the ornate Gur-e-Amir mausoleum dedicated to legendary ruler Timur (Tamerlane) and his relatives, and the 15th-century Ulugh Beg Observatory, a monumental astronomical device. Walk among the beautiful tile-covered mausoleums of the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble, a hillside necropolis active for more than 800 years. Visit local markets and handicrafts boutiques, and stroll through the old Jewish quarter. Also tour the Afrosiab Museum, which houses archaeological artifacts and an important seventh-century fresco. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a tasting at a local winery, a lesson to learn to make traditional bread and tickets to a performance about Uzbek history and traditional costumes at the El Merosi theater.

One day, if desired, enjoy a private excursion over the mountains to the town of Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Timur (Tamerlane) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the historic center, see structures built during the Timurid dynasty, such as the colossal ruined gates of the Ak Saray Palace, the Dorus Saodat memorial complex, the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and the Chorsu Bazaar.

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, with touring en route of Sarazm, a ruined ancient town and UNESCO World Heritage Site; Panjakent, a lively border town with an archaeological site; or Iskanderkul Lake and the Fann Mountains, a region renowned for beautiful natural scenery.

During private touring around Dushanbe, visit the National Museum of Antiquities and the restored Hisor Fortress, which once protected local trade routes. Alternatively, take a private excursion to Shirkent National Park to look for fossilized dinosaur tracks while hiking among green hills and rock formations.

Fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan for a night before continuing to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. During private touring, explore the city center and see highlights such as the White House, the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts and the Osh Bazaar, a lively produce and housewares market, to browse for traditional Kyrgyz crafts such as felt hats, embroidered slippers and handmade carpets.

One day, take a private excursion to Ala Archa National Park, a deep river valley in the rocky Tian Shan Mountains, for short hikes among the forests and slopes of the breathtaking region. Alternatively, visit the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see a field of mysterious, centuries-old balbals (carved stone heads and figures).

Continue through the Kyrgyzstan countryside to the town of Karakol. During private touring, visit the colorful Dungan Mosque and Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Also enjoy a dinner of local dishes such as ashlan fu noodle soup at the home of a Dungan (Chinese Muslim) family.

Next, transfer to the rural village of Kochkor. En route, see the remarkable Jeti-Oguz (Seven Bulls) sandstone cliff formation, visit a traditional felt-making workshop and watch a demonstration of hunting with a golden eagle, a traditional method once common among the nomadic people in the region.

Next, transfer to Karkara with touring en route. See the petroglyph-covered boulders of the Issyk-Kul Historical State Museum, and visit a local apiary to learn about beekeeping in Kyrgyzstan. In Karkara, stay in a yurt camp in a verdant river valley, and enjoy hiking and horseback riding in the beautiful grasslands and forested hills.

Next, cross the border to Kazakhstan and tour Charyn Canyon and the famed Valley of the Castles, a dramatic landscape of eroded, rust-colored cliffs and towers formed by wind and water. Continue 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 water 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.

Conclude the tour in Astana (formerly known as Nur-Sultan), 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.

Upon request, this tour can be extended to include Turkmenistan.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Tashkent Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon private city tour Day 2 Tashkent – Bukhara Private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Bukhara. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private touring Day 3 Bukhara Full-day private tour, including optional excursion to Gijduvan Day 4 Bukhara – Samarkand Morning private Uzbek cooking class or continue private city touring. Private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Samarkand. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 5 Samarkand Full-day private tour Day 6 Samarkand & Shakhrisabz Private excursion or continue private city touring Day 7 Samarkand – Panjakent – Dushanbe, Tajikistan Private touring en route to hotel for 2 nights Day 8 Dushanbe Full-day private scenic excursion Day 9 Dushanbe – Tashkent, Uzbekistan Private airport transfer for departure assistance and flight to Tashkent. Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 10 Tashkent – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Private airport transfer for departure assistance and flight to Bishkek. Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 11 Bishkek & environs Full-day private city touring and excursion to Ala Archa National Park Day 12 Bishkek – Kochkor Private cultural and scenic touring en route to guest house for 1 night Day 13 Kochkor – Karakol Private touring en route to guest house for 1 night Day 14 Karakol – Karkara Private touring en route to yurt camp for 2 nights Day 15 Karkara Private touring and activities such as horseback riding, eagle hunting performance and hiking Day 16 Karkara – Almaty, Kazakhstan Private overland transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with tour of Charyn State National Park and Valley of the Castles en route Day 17 Almaty & Big Almaty Lake Full-day private excursion, including falcon farm Day 18 Almaty – Astana Private transfer to airport for departure assistance and flight to Astana. Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 19 Astana & Burabay National Park Full-day private excursion, including Lake Borovoe Day 20 Depart Astana Private airport transfer. Departure assistance

Hotels

Tashkent: Hyatt Regency Tashkent or Intercontinental Tashkent Bukhara: Mercure Bukhara Old Town or Wyndham Hotel Bukhara Samarkand: Hilton Samarkand Regency, Savitsky Plaza or Zarafshon Parkside Hotel Dushanbe: Hyatt Regency Dushanbe Bishkek: Hyatt Regency Bishkek Kochkor: Nomad Lodge Karakol: Green Yard Guest House Karkara: Ak-Sai Yurt Camp Almaty: The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty Astana: The Ritz-Carlton, Astana or The St. Regis Astana

Cost

$25,985 Per Person (double occupancy)