Central Asia Adventure Tour

The tour starts inTashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, which has been on this site for over 2000 years. Although much of it was destroyed in the earthquake of 1966 it has been rebuilt as a modern model city, with spacious avenues and ever-present fountains to cool the air. Our sightseeing tour includes various points of interest around the city, like the Independence Square, Navoi Theatre, Old City, Abu Khasim Madrassah and the Earthquake Monument.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we have an early flight to Urgench where we pick up our bus and drive on to the remarkable ancient city of Khiva. The early history of the area is still sketchy but by the time the Arabs arrived in the 8th century there were three important cities in the region of which Khiva was one because it was strategically located on the Volga branch of the Silk Route. Khiva was conquered in 1740 by the Persians, then in the 18th century the British and Russians vied for sovereignty. In 1873 it fell to the Russians as both Samarkand and Bokhara had already done. The city has hardly changed since ancient times, with all the interest focused within the unbroken, clay city walls which are studded with 40 bastions. Exploring the old citadel is like stepping back in time to a scene from the Arabian nights. Originally the 12th century fortress dominated the city but later a palace, harem, barracks and mosques were constructed and the Khan built a second outer wall to make the citadel even more secure. It is worth climbing the steps of the Dzhuma Minaret for a panoramic view of the maze of streets below.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we have a long drive south across expansive brown plains to the fabled city of Bokhara. Considered by some to be the ‘Bastion of Islam’, Bokhara was home to the famous Islamic poets Firdausa and Rudaki. The town retains much of its Uzbek character and has more than 140 unique monuments.

Please note that todays drive to Bokhara is a long drive of approximately 11hrs due to the bad road condtions in this area. We will attempt to break up the jounrey as much as possible with stops along the way.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we make our sightseeing tour of the city on foot and by bus. The walking part of our tour includes the Labi Hauz blue tile decorated Abdul Khan Madrassah and Mghoki Arrar Mosque, and the tallest monument in town, the Kalyan minaret, or the ‘Tower of Death’, from which prisoners were once hurled to their death on market-days. There are a number of dome shaped trading areas typical of Bokhara where textiles and pottery are sold. We drive to visit the Emir’s Palace, the Royal Ark and the Char Minar Mosque. Also known as the ‘Palace of Moon-like Stars’, the Emir’s palace contains the famous White Hall which took the Emir’s 30 architects two years to construct.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Free day for your own exploration of Bokhara.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we will drive to Karmana stopping en route at the Gijduvan ceramic centre for a short break. We then go on to Karmana and visit the 10th century Mir-Said Bakhram Mausoleum. Now turning off the main highway we head north across the desert to Nurata where we aim to have lunch in a local house and see the remains of Alexander the Great’s Karazy Fortress which affords excellent views. We will also visit Chashma Spring before arriving in Yangigazgan where we stay overnight in yurts (nomadic felt tents) in a desert camp. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to ride camels (optional).

Overnight Basic Yurt Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we drive to Lake Aydarkul where we spend time at leisure around the Lake with further opportunity to simply relax and swim . This afternoon we head back to the main highway and continue across the steppe to Samarkand, arriving late afternoon.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Stormed by Alexander the Great and reduced to ashes by Genghis Khan, Samarkand was nevertheless transformed into the most glittering city in Transoxiana in the 14th century by Tamerlane, who made it his capital. We take a sight seeing tour on both mornings to include monuments such as the Registan, a majestic square formed on 3 sides by huge blue tiled madrassahs (ancient centres of religious learning); the Shah-i- Zinda, with its double row of jewel-like mausoleums; and the Gur Emir, the tomb of Tamerlane himself, with its ceiling of gold. It was in Samarkand that Ulug-Beg, the great medieval astronomer, built his gigantic sextant which enabled him to calculate the length of a year to within just 10 seconds. The ruins still stand 11m high. Much is left to do and see during your free time in the city. The old town still holds considerable medieval charm. Along it’s sunbaked, winding, narrow alleys traditionally dressed locals perform their daily rituals or relax in the shade drinking ‘kokchai’ their traditional tea. Alternatively, visit ancient Afrosiab the original site of the town in north east Samarkand which dates back to the late Stone Age.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we make the return journey back to Tashkent to catch a flight to Bishkek for the start of our journey through Kyrgyzstan. On arrival in Bishkek we are transferred to the hotel. Situated dramtically at the foot of the Tien Shan range, Bishkek is a pleasant city with tree lined streets and comfortable summer temperatures. A former Silk Road settlement, Kyrgyzstan's capital is a young city. A clay fort built by the Khan of Kokand in 1825 and destroyed by the Russians in 1868, was rebuilt in 1878 and it is from this time that Bishkek evolved. The city was known as Frunze in Soviet times, named after the Commander who kept Kyrgyzstan from the hands of the Tsars, but reverted to its old name of Bishkek in the 1990's.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving behind the city we head into the heart of this small nation. At its centre lies Lake Issy Kul, which is ringed on both sides by Tien Shan mountains. We drive around the north of the lake arriving late afternoon in Karakol. Strategically located this city was once a Russian military outpost, and was the gateway of expeditions into the Tien Shan and beyond. The great Russian explorer Prjevalsky died here before an expedition to Tibet, the small museum dedicated to him gives a great insight into the 19th century Central Asian explorers. In the city we have the opportunity to see the Chinese influence at the Dungan mosque built in 1910 in the style of a Buddhist pagoda (it’s made of wood without any nails) whilst the strong Russian influence is evident at the Orthodox Cathedral.

Overnight Simple Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

There's a long day ahead as we leave the sleepy city and begin our journey to China. We make a short detour to visit the 'Valley of Seven Bulls', at Djety-Oguz, where large red sandstone rock formations tower over the valley. During Soviet times this area become known as a health retreat, the sanatorium remains. It became famous when after his first flight in space Yuri Gagarin came here to decompress. We then continue along the southen shore of Lake Issy Kul to Kochkor. Kochkor is a typical Krgyz town, whilst here we stay in local guest houses, a great way to get to know the locals. The women of the town are famous for feltmaking and have founded a successful outlet to support their craftmanship. Depending upon size we may find the group split between guesthouses.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we continue our journey towards Kashgar, climbing through the Central Tien Shan mountain range with magnificent views across the alpine lake of Issy-Kul. We arrive in Tash Rabat, the site of an ancient fortified caravanserai, where we stay in ‘yurts’ specially constructed nomadic tents. In use since 2000BC, the yurt has allowed the  nomadic peoples to travel between the seasons. Made from ‘willow’ or ‘popular’ tree the 40 poles ‘ooik’ structure, covered with willow lattice ‘kerege’ and felt to keep it waterproof; a yurt can be constructed anywhere. The upper circular section of the roof is called the ‘Shanyrak’, it holds the poles together and represents the family, the home and in  Krygyzstan, the national emblem on the flag embracing the original 40 tribes.

Overnight Basic Yurt Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We climb to the Torugart pass (3572m) and cross into China where the dramatic alpine scenery gives way to the remote landscapes of Xinjiang province. We reach Kashgar in the evening. The majority of the population in the province are Uighurs, a colourfully dressed Central Asian people, who speak a Turkic language, use Arabic script and are Sunni Muslims.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Kashgar, a name which evokes many images, was once an important staging post along the so-called Silk Route and was the host to many travellers and caravans. Today Kashgar is a delight for the seasoned traveller. A sightseeing tour will show you the major points of interest in and around the city. For a real insight into life along the Silk Road, we recommend that you spend some time exploring the alleyways of Kashgar’s old town. In the evening, join the locals in Id Kah square, which comes alive at dusk. The setting and its people have changed little in ten centuries – a rare view of life in Central Asia. The climax of our time in Kashgar is a visit to the famous Sunday market. Held once a week it is one of the most colourful and exotic markets in Asia. Uighur and Kyrgyz traders of camels, goats, leather, basketware, rugs, daggers, jewellery and a thousand other goods gather here from many miles around to trade and barter - a kind of pilgrimage to the market. We spend the day absorbing this delightful Central Asian scene.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Strategically important for centuries Kashgar stood on a crossroads for Silk Road travellers. At the foot of the Pamir mountains with easy access to Persia, India and Central Asia Kashgar joined the north and southern silk routes. Its importance was enhanced during the 19th century when the Chinese, Russians and British vied for power in what became known as ‘The Great Game’ (The British and Russian embassies remain standing in Kashgar today). The British were determined to stop the Russians expanding their empire southwards towards India, along the precipitous mountain route. Today we organise an optional trip to travel along the Chinese section of the Karakorum Highway road as far as the sublime Kara Kul Lake, lying in the shadow of Mt. Mustagh Ata. Glaciers cut deep into this snowcapped mountain, which at 7,600m dominates its surroundings.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Kashgar behind, we rejoin the Silk Road and retrace our steps through the mighty Karakoram valley, to the spectacular Torugart pass (3752m). After clearing the border formalities, we leave China behind and journey through the dramatic mountain scenery of Kyrgyzstan. The Pamir and Tien Shan mountain ranges account for approximately 90% of the land mass of Kyrgyzstan. The lonely, rugged road is still one of the main trade routes between China and this former Soviet state. Todays journey ends in Tash-Rabat, where once again we stay in the yurt camp.

Overnight Basic Yurt Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we set off  for Song Kul lake, via Naryn. This spectacular lake is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013m above sea level. Surrounded by dramatic snow-covered mountain peaks, it is hidden in a flat, plate-like Jailoo (the Kyrgyz word for mountain pasture) which is covered in Edelweis flowers at certain times of the year. In the summer the shepherds drive the livestock (sheep and/or horses) up into the mountains for pasture and establish a camp for the season. On arrival after settling into our yurts, we will have the opportunity to relax and unwind or perhaps go on a pleasant walk by the lake.

Overnight Basic Yurt Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you may choose to relax by the lake, which is home to an extraordinary number of birds. Over 60 different species have made their homes on the shores of the lake or in the surrounding area. Alternatively, depending upon the weather it may be possible to take a trek into the mountains surrounding the lake. Leaving the camp we trek along grassy, undulating slopes through the Moldo-Toor range.  Song Kul lake offers a spectacular backdrop to the north and we hope to meet locals along the way to get a further glimpse in to this traditional lifestyle.  The trek takes approximately 5 hours and reaches an altitude of 3811m. After lunch we leave our yurts and make our way to Kochkor, arriving early evening.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we visit a local felt making workshop to see the local women and their colourful designs before making our way back to Bishkek. Along the way we visit the Baruna Tower, all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun. The tower is believed to be the oldest minaret in Central Asia with an detailed external pattern of relief work in brick. Originally 45 meters tall only 25 meters remain now following an earthquake in the 15th century. We arrive in Bishkek in the late afternoon and the rest of the day is free to relax.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

Here we have a day of leisure to explore this city, with its open squares, many museums and interesting markets. You will have the opportunity to travel into the Tien Shan mountains to the Ala Archa gorge and its waterfalls (optional).

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

The tour ends in Bishkek this morning after breakfast. Passengers travelling on the Turkish Airlines group flights back to London will depart for the airport in the early hours of the morning before breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast