Road to Samarkand
Journey through the heart of Central Asia crossing beautiful deserts and mountain landscapes. Discover ancient cities full of intricate Islamic architecture, thriving bazaars and a mystical old-world atmosphere, all linked with the legends of the Silk Road.
Kyrgyz Women Cooperative - In Kochkor, visit a wonderful local cooperative where women are trained in traditional Kyrgyz handicrafts and given space to show and sell their work, allowing them to earn a wage while keeping old traditions alive.
Cruise on the Lake Issyk Kul - Take to the tranquil, vivid-blue waters of Lake Issyk Kul, the world's second largest alpine lake, enjoying a relaxing cruise as you admire the spectacular views of the rugged Ala-Too Mountains.
Watch Golden Eagle Hunting - One of Central Asia's most iconic experiences, witness the skill and majesty of golden eagle hunting – an age-old Kyrgyz tradition – in the spectacular setting of Kyrgyzstan's highlands.
Bishkek (2N) - Cholpon - Ata (1N) - Karakol (2N) - Naryn (2N) - Chong Kemin (1N) - Tashkent (2N) - Samarkand (4N) - Bukhara (3N) - Khiva (2N) - Tashkent (1N)
- International flights and current taxes (prices may vary depending on departure city)
- All Meals (refer to itinerary)
- Breakfasts: 20 /Lunches: 19 /Dinners: 20
- Domestic transportation
- Touring with guides and entrance fees
- 3 – 4 star accommodation, plus guesthouse
Days 1-2: Fly Via Dubai To Bishkek
Fly overnight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital and cultural hub. Upon arrival check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure, before dinner.
Includes: Dinner
Day 3: Ala Archa National Park
Drive to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through its picturesque scenery of rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. Return to Bishkek for a city tour, where you will visit Manas Monument, the State History Museum before enjoying a walking tour around Ala Too Square to watch the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Lake Issyk Kul
Visit the magnificent 12th-century Burana Tower before departing for Cholpon-Ata. Set on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul, visit the astonishing collection of 8th Century petroglyphs etched into glacial stone nearby. Later, take a cruise on the beautiful Lake Issyk Kul, admiring its spectacular alpine-esque surroundings.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Drive To Karakol
Drive to Karakol, stopping at Semenov Gorge for a gentle hike en route. Visit the Kyrchyn Jailoo ethnic village and arrive in Karakol in the early afternoon. This afternoon visit the Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to the Russian explorer, and visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and the Chinese mosque.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Jeti-oguz Gorge
Rise early to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Karakol's Sunday morning animal market which rivals Kashgar's famous animal market. In the afternoon, travel to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge for a walk through the canyon of red sandstone. This evening enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family in Karakol.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Eagle Hunting
Drive 3 hours to Bokonbaevo Village and watch an eagle hunting demonstration, a millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition practised with majestic golden eagles. Continue to Naryn, where you will stay the night.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Journey To Tash Rabat
Pass through dramatic mountain and valley landscapes to reach Tash Rabat, a small stone caravansary that was of great significance at the height of the Silk Road. Enjoy the peaceful valley said to contain some of the finest landscapes in Kyrgyzstan before returning to Naryn.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Kochkor
Transfer to Kochkor, the centre of Kyrgyz felt handicrafts. Visit a traditional 'shyrdak' (wool carpet) workshop and a co-op that provides training for local women in traditional handicrafts. In the evening you will travel to a guesthouse near Chong-Kemin National Park.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Chong Kemin National Park
Travel from Kochkor to Chong Kemin, a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains. Enjoy a walk in the foothills before travelling to Bishkek airport for your flight to Tashkent.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Tashkent
Explore Tashkent's sights, including the Barak Khana Seminary, Kukeldash madrassas, Tila Shaikh mosque and their archives. Browse the wares of Chorsu bazaar before experiencing a ceramic workshop.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Golden City Of Samarkand
Travel to the legendary city of Samarkand where you will enjoy a tour of Registan Square, the Ulug-Bek and Tillya-Kori madrassah. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your leisure.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Samarkand
Explore Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane, the grandest structure of Amir Temur's times - the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum and the Siab Bazaar and Shahi Zinda Necropolis. Later in the afternoon see Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Konigil Village
Visit Ulugbek's observatory, constructed by Ulugbek (Grandson of the Great Amir Temur) in 1428-1429. Later see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab. Continue to Konigil Village to visit a paper-making workshop. In the afternoon, return to Samarkand and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Shakhrisabz
Travel to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the Great Amir Timur (Tamerlane). Explore the city, visiting sites such as the remnants of Ak-Saray Palace, Dorus Tilavat cemetery and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. Return to Samarkand this afternoon.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Bukhara
Journey to Bukhara. En route, visit Gijduvan, a centre of famous handmade ceramics. Here you will see the fascinating process of making these ceramics. Continue on to Bukhara where you will have the afternoon to begin to explore this fascinating city.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Bukhara
This morning’s sightseeing includes: the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble, Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah, Khanaga and Magoki Attari Mosques, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque, plus the Maddrassahs of Aziz Khan and Ulugbek. After lunch you will discover the Ark of Bukhara, Bolo Hauz Mosque and the Mausoleums of Ismail Samanid and Chashma Ayub.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18: Bukhara
This morning, visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the Emir's summer palace, a 20th Century confection of a building! Continue to the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausolem of a famous Sufi spiritual leader of the region. The afternoon is at leisure. Return to Bukhara and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19: Khiva
This morning, you will set out for Khiva, a journey that will take you across Kyzyl Kum desert and a stop at Amudarya River. The route runs 480 kilometres through the stark beauty of the desert, the scenery changing from sparse saksaul trees to the lush riverbanks of the Amudarya.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 20: Walled City Of Itchan Kala
Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kunya Ark and the turquoise tiled Islom-Khodja. Wander through the fascinating Madrassah Rakhimkhon, a beacon of religious, astronomic, geographic and mathematical studies, and see the 19th Century Tash Hauli Palace, decorated in blue fine china tiles.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 21: Fly To Taskent
Transfer to Urgench to fly to Tashkent. Upon arrival visit the Museum of Applied Arts as well as the Mustakilik Square and the famous Tashkent Metro. With it's marble and granite decorations the Metro feels like an underground palace.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 22-23: Fly Tashkent To Australia
Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia via Dubai
Includes: Breakfast
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
- 13 May 2025 - 03 Jun 2025
from $16,280 pp twin share / $18,170 pp solo - 27 May 2025 - 17 Jun 2025
from$16,280$15,780 pp twin share /$18,170/ $17,670 pp solo - 02 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025
from $16,280 pp twin share / $18,170 pp solo - 09 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
from$16,280$15,780 pp twin share /$18,170/ $17,670 pp solo - 16 Sep 2025 - 07 Oct 2025
from $16,280 pp twin share / $18,170 pp solo - 23 Sep 2025 - 14 Oct 2025
from $16,280 pp twin share / $18,170 pp solo - 30 Sep 2025 - 21 Oct 2025
from $16,280 pp twin share / $18,170 pp solo - 12 May 2026 - 02 Jun 2026
from $16,580 pp twin share / $18,470 pp solo - 26 May 2026 - 16 Jun 2026
from$16,580$16,080 pp twin share /$18,470/ $17,970 pp solo - 01 Sep 2026 - 22 Sep 2026
from $16,580 pp twin share / $18,470 pp solo - 08 Sep 2026 - 29 Sep 2026
from $16,580 pp twin share / $18,470 pp solo - 15 Sep 2026 - 06 Oct 2026
from$16,580$16,080 pp twin share /$18,470/ $17,970 pp solo - 22 Sep 2026 - 13 Oct 2026
from $16,580 pp twin share / $18,470 pp solo - 29 Sep 2026 - 20 Oct 2026
from $16,580 pp twin share / $18,470 pp solo
Advertised pricing subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Guest House "Khan-Tengri" - Naryn
Guest House "Khan-Tengri" is considered to be one of the best guest houses in Naryn. It’s located in a quiet district of Naryn where you can feel the warm atmosphere of Kyrgyz hospitality. The guest house has 25 en-suite comfortable rooms, all featuring cable TV and furniture. The internet and bar are other facilities provided.
2 Guest Houses - Kochkor
Guest House “Green Yard” - Karakol
Green Yard Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Karakol, a short distance from the famous Issyk-Kul Lake and ski-resort. The hotel features spacious en-suite rooms, fitted with modern amenities including a flat-screen TV, wardrobe and desk. Free toiletries and a hairdryer are also available in a bathroom. Guests can also relax in the sauna and massage parlour.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 01 June 2024. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
- Customary tipping amount approximately US$150pp (AU$224pp) is paid locally in Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan.
- Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.