Luxury Uzbekistan & Central Asia Tours

Introduction to Uzbekistan
(8 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

A Week in Uzbekistan
(7 Days)
Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand

Highlights of Uzbekistan
(10 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

Best of Samarkand & Tashkent
(6 Days)
Tashkent, Samarkand & Shakhrisabz

Uzbekistan in Depth
(14 Days)
Tashkent, Fergana Valley, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva

Jewish Tour of Uzbekistan
(9 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

Luxury Kazakhstan Tours

Introduction to Kazakhstan
(6 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake 

Highlights of Kazakhstan
(9 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake 

Multi-Country Tours

Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan in Depth
(16 Days)
Bishkek, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand 

Introduction to Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
(11 Days)
Bishkek, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Samarkand 

Cultural & Natural Highlights of Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
(13 Days)
Bishkek & Ala Archa National Park, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon 

Highlights of Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan
(13 Days)
Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand 

Ultimate Journey through Central Asia
(20 Days)
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan 

Introduction to Central Asia
(14 Days)
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan in Depth

(16 days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Bishkek, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

This in-depth private tour of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan features traditional culture, historic Silk Road cities, ancient ruins, UNESCO sites and the incredible natural beauty of Central Asia’s mountains and grasslands.

Begin in 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.

Next, transfer along the coast of Issyk-Kul Lake 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.

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.

En route back to Bishkek, 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). Also enjoy lunch at the home of a German-speaking Mennonite family, a minority population that has lived and farmed in the region for generations.

From Bishkek, 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, for a night before continuing to spellbindingKhiva, 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.

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. One evening, enjoy a performance of traditional Uzbek dances. Additional touring options include visiting the Bolo Hauz Mosque, Maghoki-Attari Mosque or the synagogue and Jewish cemetery.

One morning, take an excursion to Gijduvan, a town famous for rustic pottery, to visit local workshops and browse for colorful glazed ceramics. Alternatively, 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. One evening, enjoy a performance about Uzbek history and traditional costumes at the El Merosi theater. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a tasting at a local winery, a lesson to learn to make traditional bread and other activities.

One day, 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.

Return to Tashkent by high-speed train for a night.

Itinerary Overview
Day 1

Arrive Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon private city tour

Day 2

Bishkek – Karkara

Private cultural and scenic touring en route to yurt camp for 2 nights

Day 3

Karkara

Private touring and activities such as horseback riding and hiking

Day 4

Karkara – Karakol

Private transfer to guest house for 1 night. Afternoon private tour

Day 5

Karakol – Kochkor

Private touring en route to guest house for 1 night, including eagle hunting demonstration

Day 6

Kochkor – Bishkek  

Private touring and lunch with a local family en route to hotel for 1 night

Day 7

Bishkek – Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Morning private excursion to Ala Archa National Park. Afternoon private transfer to airport for flight to Tashkent. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night

Day 8

Tashkent – Khiva

Private transfer to airport for flight. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights

Day 9

Khiva

Full-day private tour

Day 10

Khiva – Bukhara

Private transfer to train station for train to Bukhara. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private touring as time permits

Day 11

Bukhara

Full-day private tour. Evening performance

Day 12

Bukhara – Samarkand

Morning private Uzbek cooking class or private excursion to Gijduvan. Afternoon private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Samarkand. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights

Day 13

Samarkand

Full-day private tour. Evening performance

Day 14

Samarkand & Shakhrisabz

Private excursion

Day 15

Samarkand – Tashkent

Morning private tour. Afternoon private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Tashkent. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night

Day 16

Depart Tashkent

Private airport transfer


Hotels
Bishkek: Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Karkara: Ak-Sai Yurt Camp
Karakol: Green Yard Guest House
Kochkor: Nomad Lodge
Tashkent: Hyatt Regency Tashkent
Khiva: Hotel Asia Khiva
Bukhara: Sahid Zarafshon or Zargaron Plaza Hotel
Samarkand: DiliMah Hotel or Hotel Grand Samarkand

Cost
$11,210 Per Person (double occupancy)

Luxury Uzbekistan & Central Asia Tours

Introduction to Uzbekistan
(8 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

A Week in Uzbekistan
(7 Days)
Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand

Highlights of Uzbekistan
(10 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

Best of Samarkand & Tashkent
(6 Days)
Tashkent, Samarkand & Shakhrisabz

Uzbekistan in Depth
(14 Days)
Tashkent, Fergana Valley, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva

Jewish Tour of Uzbekistan
(9 Days)
Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand

Luxury Kazakhstan Tours

Introduction to Kazakhstan
(6 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake 

Highlights of Kazakhstan
(9 Days)
Nur-Sultan, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake 

Multi-Country Tours

Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan in Depth
(16 Days)
Bishkek, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand 

Introduction to Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
(11 Days)
Bishkek, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Samarkand 

Cultural & Natural Highlights of Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan
(13 Days)
Bishkek & Ala Archa National Park, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon 

Highlights of Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan
(13 Days)
Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand 

Ultimate Journey through Central Asia
(20 Days)
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan 

Introduction to Central Asia
(14 Days)
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan

Testimonials

You all did a great job with my Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Georgia tour. The guides and local representatives were all terrific. 
~ J.P., Delray Beach, FL

We have had nothing but great success using Artisans of Leisure. Every trip, experience, hotel and people are better than perfect. Bravo to your team.
~ M.W., Vancouver, Canada

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