An eight-day private tour combining the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan with the nature of Kyrgyzstan: Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, then Bishkek, a ship ride on Issyk Kul, the gorges around Karakol, a yurt camp and eagle hunting.
A private eight-day express tour that balances cultural exploration in Uzbekistan with nature and adventure in Kyrgyzstan. The first three days follow the Silk Road route: a Tashkent city tour; a train to Samarkand for the Gur-Emir mausoleum, Registan Square, the Bibi-Khanym Palace and Shahi-Zinda; and a train to Bukhara for the Kalyan minaret, Lyabi Hauz, the Ark citadel and the trading domes. On day four the group flies from Tashkent to Bishkek for an evening city excursion. The Kyrgyz half covers the Burana Tower, the Kok Moinok canyon, a ship ride on Issyk Kul, a horse ride in Jeti Oguz, the Skazka canyon, the Bel Tam yurt camp and eagle hunting near Ak Sai.
Private tour: only your group participates. Start time 8 AM or coordinated; the tour starts in the morning in Tashkent.
Availability: all year round. Duration 8 days / 8 nights. Level of difficulty: easy.
The programme uses high-speed trains inside Uzbekistan and a one-hour flight from Tashkent to Bishkek.
Suggested to bring: summer clothes, warm clothes, baseball cap or panama, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, hiking shoes, umbrella, camera.
The prices published on the page are: 1 person (solo private tour) 3,500 USD; 2 people 2,150 USD per person; 3 people and up 1,855 USD per person. Larger groups are asked to make an inquiry.
The headline From price of 1,855 USD per person therefore applies to groups of three or more.
Included in the package: transport in both countries, English-speaking guides, 8 nights (hotels and yurt camp), 8 breakfasts plus lunch on day 8 and dinner on day 7, the Tashkent - Bishkek flight, all high-speed train tickets, all activities, 2 L of bottled water per person daily and all entrance fees. Not included: international flights, travel and health insurance, meals at restaurants and other personal expenses.
The tour starts in the morning in Tashkent with a city excursion through Old Tashkent: Barak-Khan Madrasah and the Tillya Sheikh Mosque in Hast Imam Square; the Library of Eastern Manuscripts, home to centuries-old texts including the oldest Quran written in the 7th century; the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar with lunch in a national restaurant; the Monument of Courage; Independence Square with fountains, statues and the Arch of Good Will; the residence of Romanov, the exiled grandson of Emperor Nikolai I; the Opera and Ballet theatre; and Amir Timur Square. Check-in at a hotel (Manor or similar) and personal free time.
After breakfast, a high-speed train ride to Samarkand (2 hours) and an immediate dive into the city's heritage: the Gur-Emir mausoleum with the tombs of the Timurid dynasty; Registan Square, the heart of Samarkand, which appeared long before the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, with lunch in a national restaurant; the Siyab bazaar; the 15th-century Bibi-Khanym Palace; the Ulugbek Observatory; and the Shahi-Zinda complex. Check-in at a hotel (Minor, Continental or similar) and free time in the evening.
After breakfast, the high-speed train to Bukhara (2 hours) and an introduction to the city: the Kalyan minaret, known as the Tower of Death; Chor Minor, one of Bukhara's most photographed monuments; the Lyabi Hauz area around a 17th-century pond, with lunch; the Ark citadel, a fortress and symbol of power with origins in the 5th century AD; and the trading domes of Bukhara for souvenirs. Check-in at a hotel (Devonbegi, Safia or similar) and free time in the evening.
In the morning, the high-speed train back to Tashkent (4 hours) and lunch on arrival. Transfer to the airport for a one-hour flight to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and a transfer to the city centre. Check-in at a hotel (Ambassador, Solutel, City Stay or similar), a short rest and an evening city excursion as an introduction to Bishkek, dinner in a restaurant and free time.
Drive towards the legendary Issyk Kul lake (230 km) with a stop at the Burana Tower (11th century): about 30 minutes to climb the tower and see the balbals. On the way, a light one-hour hike (both ways) in the picturesque Kok Moinok canyon and lunch in a restaurant. On arrival in Cholpon Ata, the central town of the lake's north coast, a ship takes the group about 4 km out on the lake and stops at a depth of 120 m; in the hot season (May - September) you can swim at sunset with life jackets provided. Check-in at a hotel (Olimp or similar), personal free time and dinner.
Visit to the open-air cultural centre Rukh Ordo, then the drive along the north coast towards Karakol town. On the way, the scenic Grigoriev and Semyonov gorges and a hike to the hidden green alpine lake Suttuu Bulak (2.5 hours both ways), with lunch in a village restaurant. Arrival in Karakol and check-in at a hotel (78 Hotel, Green Yard or similar). After a short rest, a 20-minute drive to the neighbouring Ak Suu village for a relaxing soak in the hot spring pools near the forest. Return to Karakol, dinner in a restaurant and rest.
A brief town excursion of Karakol: the Dungan Mosque of 1910, the Orthodox church of 1895 and a handmade souvenir shop if you are interested. Then a 40-minute drive to the picturesque Jeti Oguz gorge (Seven Bulls rocks) with a horse ride up to a hidden waterfall (hiking is also possible) through vast scenic pastures, and a stop at the Seven Bulls panoramic viewpoint on the way back. Lunch in a village restaurant, then the famous Skazka (Fairy Tale) canyon for an easy but stunning hike. The day ends at the Bel Tam yurt camp on the wild beach of Issyk Kul: check-in to yurts, free time at sunset for swimming and walking, dinner in a big kitchen yurt and a bonfire. Overnight in yurts.
After more time at the yurt camp in the morning, the group takes the road again and visits the nearby Ak Sai canyons for a breathtaking Kyrgyz eagle hunting demonstration, with everyone taking part in the archery. Then a drive deeper into the charming Canyon of Forgotten Rivers for a light walk up to its panorama, followed by a picnic on the wild beach of Issyk Kul with eating, swimming and sunbathing. Return to Bishkek (230 km), check-in at a hotel (Ambassador, Solutel, City Stay or similar) and free time in the evening. End of the tour.
Fixed date Ventura Tours Central Asia A two-day group tour from Bishkek to the high-altitude Son Kol lake at 3,000 m: Burana Tower, the Konorchek canyon, a night in a yurt, horse riding on alpine meadows and full board.
Fixed date Ventura Tours Central Asia An express two-day group tour along the south coast of Issyk Kul: Burana Tower, the Konorchek canyon, a night at the Bel Tam yurt camp on the wild beach, Skazka canyon, eagle hunting and a picnic by the lake.
Multi-day Ventura Tours Central Asia A private six-day journey through the Issyk Kul region with a challenging two-day trek to the alpine lake Ala Kol at 3,600 m: Burana Tower, a ship ride on the lake, hot springs, Jeti Oguz, waterfalls, a yurt camp and eagle hunting.
Multi-day Ventura Tours Central Asia A private three-day tour from Almaty: the city's main sights, Panfilov Park and Kok Tobe, the Charyn canyon, and the alpine Kolsay and Kaindy lakes hidden among the Tien Shan conifer forests.
