Aug 17-18: Depart USA to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Travel to Turkmenistan from the United States requires at least one international connection, as no direct flights are available. The most reliable and frequently recommended carriers for this route are Turkish Airlines, which offers excellent connectivity via Istanbul, and Emirates, which provides convenient routing through Dubai. Travelers should plan for a total journey involving at least one stopover, with typical flight options and pricing varying based on your departure city and specific travel dates.

Aug 19: Arrival in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Welcome to Turkmenistan! Most flights arrive early in the morning, including Turkish Airlines flights from Istanbul and FlyDubai or Emirates flights from Dubai. Upon arrival, you will obtain your visa using our pre-approved invitation letter, then transfer to the hotel for breakfast and early check-in. The rest of the morning is yours to relax.

At 12:00 pm, meet your tour leader and fellow travelers for a welcome briefing and lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll take an orientation tour of Ashgabat, whose name translates as “City of Love.” Known for its striking white-marble architecture, the capital is home to some of the country’s most unusual monuments. We’ll visit the Monument of Independence, a white-marble structure resembling the Eiffel Tower; the rocket-shaped Arch of Neutrality; the Palace of Happiness, an official wedding venue shaped like an eight-pointed star; and the National Memory Complex. The complex includes an eternal flame and the Earthquake Memorial, crowned by a sculpture of a bull holding the Earth on its horns.

The day ends with a welcome dinner overlooking the city.

Accommodation: Hotel Diwan 5* or similar, including early check-in
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 20: Ashgabat City Tour

After breakfast, we’ll visit the ruins of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the earliest capitals of the Parthian Empire. Set atop an irregular pentagonal hill at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, this atmospheric 14-hectare site contains two partially excavated complexes dating from the third century BC to the third century AD. Archaeologists believe they served as a royal residence and temple complex.

At the end of the Parthian period, Old Nisa was abandoned and its role passed to New Nisa, another archaeological site a few kilometers to the west that later became an important medieval Silk Road city.

We’ll then travel to Geokdepe village and visit a stud farm specializing in magnificent Akhal-Teke horses. Known for their speed, endurance, and ancient lineage, these horses are a national symbol of Turkmenistan. You’ll have opportunities to ride, feed, and photograph them before enjoying lunch at the farm.

On the way back to Ashgabat, we’ll visit Turkmenistan’s largest mosque and the family mausoleum of the country’s first president, Turkmenbashi.

Back in the capital, we’ll explore the National Museum of History, which houses more than 327,000 objects. Its collection includes artifacts from Old Nisa, Ancient Merv, and other archaeological sites across Turkmenistan. We’ll also visit a local market before ending the evening with dinner and a Turkmen folklore performance.

Accommodation: Hotel Diwan 5* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 21: Ashgabat–Dashoguz, Turkmenistan–Khiva, Uzbekistan

This morning, we’ll fly from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, with the flight scheduled for 9:50 am to 10:40 am. After a farewell lunch at a local Turkmen restaurant, we’ll transfer to the nearby Uzbekistan border.

We’ll cross the border on foot, where your Uzbek guide and driver will be waiting. Please note that the border crossing may take around two hours. From there, it is approximately a one-hour drive to Khiva.

After dinner, we’ll take a sunset walk along the top of Khiva’s old city wall.

Accommodation: Hotel Mercure 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 22: Khiva City Tour

After breakfast, we’ll set out on a walking tour of Khiva, a city filled with beautifully preserved historic sites.

Our focus will be Ichan-Kala, Khiva’s walled inner city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The citadel contains more than 50 historic monuments and hundreds of traditional houses dating back centuries. As we enter through its enormous gates, one of the first sights is the turquoise-tiled Kalta Minor minaret, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

We’ll spend the day exploring Khiva’s mosques, madrassas, minarets, palaces, and winding lanes.

Accommodation: Hotel Mercure 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 23: Khiva–Bukhara, Uzbekistan

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the railway station and board the high-speed train to Bukhara (exact time not known yet, train ride takes around 3.5 hours). Upon arrival, we’ll drive approximately 30 minutes into the city for lunch and hotel check-in.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a walking tour of Bukhara, once one of the Silk Road’s most important trading centers and a respected hub of theology and scholarship. Its remarkably preserved Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with minarets, mosques, madrassas, and lively public squares.

Highlights include the Poi Kalon complex, the bazaars housed beneath Bukhara’s distinctive trading domes, and the Lyabi Hauz area. As we make our way through the maze of narrow streets, you’ll get a sense of the city’s rich history and enduring character.

Accommodation: Hotel Poykent Bukhara Old City 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 24: Bukhara–Samarkand, Uzbekistan

We’ll spend the first part of the day continuing our exploration of Bukhara. Visits include the Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, and the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum and spring. There will also be time to shop or visit workshops run by local artisans specializing in traditional handicrafts.

In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the railway station, approximately 30 minutes away, and take the high-speed train to Samarkand. The train is scheduled from 4:20 pm to 6:05 pm.

Dinner will be served at a restaurant near our hotel. Afterward, anyone interested may visit Registan Square to see it illuminated at night.

Accommodation: Hotel Zarafshon Parkside 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 25: Samarkand City Tour.

Samarkand was the capital of the Timurid Empire and the seat of Timur, one of history’s most powerful conquerors. His empire stretched across much of Eurasia, and while he ruled with an iron fist, he also supported art, architecture, and literature. Much of Samarkand’s Timurid heritage remains intact, offering a glimpse of the city at the height of its power.

We’ll begin at Gur-e-Amir, the richly decorated mausoleum where Timur is buried. Here, we’ll hear stories about his life and his role in transforming Samarkand.

Next, we’ll visit Registan Square, Uzbekistan’s best-known landmark. Once the center of medieval Samarkand, the square is framed by three magnificent madrassas: Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori.

Our final stop is Shah-i-Zinda, a remarkable necropolis lined with intricately tiled mausoleums.

In the evening, we’ll board the high-speed train to Tashkent, scheduled from 7:50 pm to 10:10 pm. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel and check in.

Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 26: Day Trip to Mountain Village and Train to Tashkent, Uzbekistan

After breakfast, we will drive about one hour out of Samarkand to visit an Uzbek village in the foothills of the Hissar mountain range. We will have lunch together with a family and learn about rural life in Uzbekistan. There is also a folklore show arranged specially for us by a group of local musicians and dancers.

Later, we return to the city. In the evening, we’ll board the high-speed train to Tashkent, scheduled from 5:00 pm – 7:20 pm. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel and check in. Dinner on the way to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 27: Tashkent City Tour.

After breakfast, we’ll visit Tashkent’s Old City, home to the Khast Imam Complex. We’ll also see the Center of Islamic Civilization from the outside.

Next, we’ll experience the energy of Chorsu Bazaar, the city’s main market, before riding Tashkent’s beautifully decorated metro. We’ll also stop at Amir Temur Square, and take a stroll on the nearby walking boulevard, known as the “Broadway”. We complete the city tour with a visit of the beautiful Museum of Applied Arts and the Independence Square.

Accommodation: Hotel Inspira-S 4* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 28: Tashkent – Dushanbe. City Tour.

We need to get up early to catch the short one-hour flight from Tashkent to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan (8:00 am – 9:00 am).

We start the city tour with a visit to the National Museum of Antiquities with its famous Sleeping Buddha, excavated from the Buddhist monastery at Ajina Teppa.

Next, we visit Navruz Palace. Initially, this building was envisaged as the largest teahouse in the world. However, during construction (which involved hundreds of artisans from all over Tajikistan), the interior became so impressive that it was decided to use it as a palace instead of a teahouse. Most of the rooms are now used for official government meetings with guests from abroad, or for international conferences. Just one room is open to the public, and usually, weddings take place there. This is a unique opportunity to tour the interior of this ornate modern palace.

Today we will also have a chance to visit a famous stone mosaics master, whose works are also on display in Navruz Palace.

After, we check in at the Hilton hotel and have some time to rest. Before dinner, we will visit the statue of Ismail Somoni, whose mausoleum you saw in Bukhara. This large monument commemorates the 1,100th anniversary of the Samanid State, a Golden Age of the Tajik nation, when science and arts flourished. From there, we will walk up to Rudaki Park, dedicated to the great Persian poet Rudaki, who also lived during the Samanid period, in the 10th century AD. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel Hilton 5*
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 29: Dushanbe City Tour. Flight to Almaty.

After breakfast, we visit the Museum of Musical Instruments and Folklore. Badakhshani actor Gurminj Zavkybekov began this small but fascinating museum. Displaying a fine collection of beautifully crafted antique and modern instruments from Afghanistan, the Pamirs, Turkey, and China, the museum is often the scene of exuberant performances and demonstrations.

Next, we will visit the newly built Independence Monument. From the top, we can enjoy a nice last view of Dushanbe. We will also visit the central market of Dushanbe today.

In the afternoon, we will take the Air Astana flight to Almaty (5:20 pm – 7:05 pm). We will meet our Kazakh guide and driver and transfer to the city center. Dinner is served at a restaurant right next to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Novotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 30: Nomadic Village

We’ll begin the day at Republic Square with a brief introduction to Almaty. From there, we’ll drive approximately one hour into the mountain foothills to visit the Nomad Ethnic Centre.

Set amid beautiful scenery outside the city, the center offers an immersive introduction to the traditions and daily life of Kazakhstan’s nomadic peoples. We’ll explore traditional yurts, learn about nomadic customs and crafts, and discover how Kazakh families once lived, traveled, hunted, cooked, and celebrated on the steppe.

The visit may include demonstrations of traditional arts, games, music, and hospitality. We’ll enjoy a traditional meal or refreshments, meet local hosts, and take time to appreciate the surrounding mountain and steppe views.

This experience is more than a visit to an outdoor cultural center. It is a warm and engaging introduction to Kazakh hospitality and the traditions that have shaped the country for centuries.

We’ll return to Almaty in the afternoon. In the evening, we’ll ride the cable car to the top of Kok Tobe Hill for dinner and sunset views over the city.

Accommodation: Hotel Novotel 4*
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Aug 31: Almaty City Tour and Flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Today, we’ll explore Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. Although it ceased to be the national capital in 1997, it remains the country’s main business, cultural, and educational center. Its broad, tree-lined streets offer impressive views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau, also known as the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains.

The name Almaty means “place of apples,” and the region is widely associated with the apple’s origins.

We’ll begin at Panfilov Park, where we’ll visit Zenkov Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The park is also home to the Soviet Glory Memorial, dedicated to the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen who, according to the traditional account, resisted 50 German tanks near Moscow during World War II.

We’ll then visit the Green Bazaar, Almaty’s lively central market.

In the afternoon, we’ll fly to Bishkek, with the flight scheduled from 3:55 pm to 5:45 pm. Upon arrival, we’ll meet our Kyrgyz guide and driver and transfer to a local restaurant for a Kyrgyz welcome dinner. Afterward, we’ll check in at the hotel.

Today, August 31, is the Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan. You may watch some fireworks or celebrations on the main Square Ala Too in the evening after dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Hyatt Regency 5* or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sep 1: Bishkek–Burana–Chon Kemin, Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is best known for its mountains, and today we’ll travel into the Tien Shan range to Chon Kemin Nature Park.

Our first stop is Burana Tower, near the town of Tokmok, approximately 80 kilometers east of Bishkek. Before visiting the tower itself, we’ll head to a nearby village stadium to watch traditional Kyrgyz horse games.

The best known is Kok Boru, also called Buzkashi. Its Kyrgyz name means “blue wolf,” a reference to the ancient nomadic practice of chasing wolves that threatened livestock. Over time, the wolf was replaced by a headless goat carcass, which is still used in the game today. Two teams of riders compete to seize the carcass, carry it across the field at full gallop, and throw it into the opposing team’s goal. The game is fast, physical, and deeply connected to Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic heritage.

After the games, there will be time to take photos with the riders and ask questions. We’ll then enjoy lunch in a local family home.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Burana Tower. This 11th-century minaret is the last major surviving structure from Balasagun, once the capital of the Karakhanid Empire. Those who wish may climb its winding staircase for views across the Chuy Valley. Nearby is a small open-air collection of balbals, carved stone figures traditionally placed near ancient burial mounds.

We’ll continue for another couple of hours to the Chon Kemin Valley and check in at the Kemin Guesthouse. Optionally, it is possible to go on a horseback ride or hike to a panoramic viewpoint (c. 2h).

Accommodation: Kemin Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sep 2: Chon Kemin–Issyk Kul

After breakfast, we depart from Chon Kemin and continue driving to Lake Issyk Kul, the pearl of Kyrgyzstan and the second-largest mountain lake in the world. Located at an altitude of 5,300 feet, it is surrounded by the Tien Shan mountains. We will drive along the southern shore of the lake to the village of Bokonbayevo.

On the way, we will stop in the village of Kyzyl Tuu, to meet a yurt maker with his family. We will learn more about traditional nomadic dwelling and set up a yurt together. Lunch with a yurt maker and his family. Most of the yurts in Kyrgyzstan are made in this village.

In Bokonbayevo village, we will visit a local workshop of craftwomen, who will show us the traditional way of creating Kyrgyz felt carpets, known as Shyrdak by hand.

Our next stop is at Skazka Canyon, where we will take a walk in the red rock formations.

Finally, we will arrive at the comfortable yurt camp, at the shore of Issyk Kul Lake, where we will spend the night.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp “Oimo Tash”
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sep 3: Issyk Kul-Bishkek

After breakfast, we return to the capital, Bishkek (c. 5h).

In the afternoon, we will have a short city tour, and there will be opportunities to buy some souvenirs. Farewell dinner with folklore show.

Accommodation: Yurt Camp “Oimo Tash”
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sep 4: Departure from Bishkek

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Please note that hotel check-out is at 12:00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast