Journey through Central Asia

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

This incredible private tour has been designed for travelers wanting to experience the highlights of five of the countries that make up Central Asia— Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. 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 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 Charyn Canyon and the famed Valley of the Castles, a dramatic landscape of eroded, rust-colored cliffs and towers formed by wind and water.

Cross the border 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, 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). Another 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.

Next, fly to 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.

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

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer to fabled Samarkand, Uzbekistan, one of Central Asia's oldest and most important Silk Road cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route, tour 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 in Samarkand, 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 in making traditional bread and tickets to a performance about Uzbek history and traditional costumes at the El Merosi theater.

Continue by high-speed train to 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 to spellbinding Khiva, a walled oasis town and former Silk Road caravan stop on the edge of the desert. With your private guide, explore the narrow lanes of the Ichan Kala, the historic heart of Khiva and an atmospheric collection of mudbrick mosques, madrassas and markets that once served itinerant traders. See highlights of this open-air museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as the dazzling tile-covered rooms and courtyards of the 19th-century Tash Khauli (Stone Palace), the blue dome of the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the more than 200 carved wooden pillars of the Juma Mosque, the Islam Khodja complex and the turquoise tile-swathed Kalta Minor Minaret. If desired, climb up a bastion of the Kunya Ark fortress or walk a section of the city walls for views over the rooftops of the town.

Finally, cross the border into Turkmenistan and fly to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. During private touring of Ashgabat’s unusual cityscape, see the vast collection of white marble buildings and golden monuments built over recent decades, and visit local mosques and museums according to your interests.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 2 Almaty & environs Full-day private excursion to Charyn Canyon and the Valley of the Castles Day 3 Almaty – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Morning private overland transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 4 Bishkek & environs Full-day private excursion, including Silk Road sites Day 5 Bishkek – Tashkent, Uzbekistan Morning private excursion to Ala Archa National Park. Later, private transfer to airport for flight to Tashkent. Arrival assistance and private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 6 Tashkent Full-day private city tour Day 7 Tashkent – Dushanbe, Tajikistan Private transfer to airport for flight to Dushanbe. Arrival assistance and private transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 8 Dushanbe & environs Full-day private excursion to Shirkent National Park Day 9 Dushanbe – Panjakent – Samarkand, Uzbekistan Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with touring en route Day 10 Samarkand Full-day private city tour Day 11 Samarkand – Bukhara Morning private Uzbek cooking class or continue private city touring. Private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Bukhara. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 12 Bukhara Full-day private city tour Day 13 Bukhara & Gijduvan Private excursion and/or continue private city touring Day 14 Bukhara – Khiva Private transfer to Khiva hotel for 2 nights Day 15 Khiva Full-day private tour Day 16 Khiva – Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Private transfer to border for border formalities. Continue to Dashoguz airport for flight to Ashgabat. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 17 Ashgabat Full-day private city tour Day 18 Depart Ashgabat Private airport transfer. Departure assistance

Hotels

Almaty: The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty Bishkek: Hyatt Regency Bishkek Tashkent: Intercontinental Tashkent or Hyatt Regency Tashkent Dushanbe: Hyatt Regency Dushanbe Samarkand: Hilton Samarkand Regency or Zarafshon Parkside Hotel Bukhara: Mercure Bukhara Old Town Khiva: Farovon Hotel Ashgabat: Yyldyz Hotel

Cost

From $27,330 Per person (double occupancy)