This tour follows the Silk Road from Almaty in Kazakhstan to Bishkek and Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, then on to Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand in Uzbekistan. From Kazakh yurt culture to the madrasas of Registan Square and the tombs of Bukhara, it brings together the historic centres of Central Asia. The train journey from Bukhara to Samarkand is one of the route's highlights.
Read more
Starting in Almaty and ending in Samarkand, this Silk Road discovery tour lasts eleven nights. Kyrgyzstan comes first, with Bishkek, Boom Canyon and a nature day on the shore of Issyk Kul. Tashkent and Khiva follow, and a six hour drive across the Kyzylkum Desert leads from Khiva to Bukhara. After the Bukhara city tour the group takes the train to Samarkand, and the programme closes with the flight to Istanbul. Regional flights and the train ride are included.
01
Kazakh yurt culture
A Shashu welcome ceremony and traditional horseback games at the Hun Ethnographic Complex.
02
Registan Square
Three grand madrasas forming one of Central Asia's landmark squares, in Samarkand.
03
Khiva's Stone City
A UNESCO World Heritage open-air museum city on the Silk Road.
i
Planning your budgetPersonal expenses, the departure tax and optional photography fees at museums are not included. A minimum gratuity of 100 USD per person is recommended for the driver, guide and waiters. See details →
Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, set in the south-east of the country at the northern foot of the Tian Shan mountains. It was the capital until 1997 and is still the country's cultural and business centre.
The line shows the order of overnight stops; it is not the actual road or flight path. Map: Natural Earth, GeoNames.
01DAY 1 | ISTANBUL → ALMATY | FLIGHT AND CITY TOUR - 00:40 - 7:55Hun Ethnographic Complex, traditional shows and Kok-Tobe Hill.
Almaty · night 1
Touring Almaty
After meeting at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport, we complete check-in and passport formalities and board our flight to Almaty. On arrival, we travel to the city centre in a private vehicle waiting for us. After checking into our hotel and taking a short rest, we set out on a tour of Almaty, one of Kazakhstan's major cities.
At the Hun Ethnographic Complex, we are welcomed with Şaşu, a traditional Kazakh greeting ceremony. We then watch demonstrations of the Kazakh traditions Beşike Salu and Tusay Kesu. In a Kazakh tent (yurt), we learn about local hospitality and watch demonstrations of traditional horseback games such as Kız Kuu (Chase the Girl) and Atpen Audarysmak. During the Kazakh National Bread-Making Demonstration, we observe how traditional bread, an important part of local cuisine, is prepared.
We have lunch at a local restaurant and sample regional dishes. After lunch, weather permitting, we take a cable car up Shymbulak Mountain and enjoy the mountain views.
After returning to the city centre, we continue our panoramic tour of Almaty. We see Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral. During our visit to the Green Market (Zelyony Bazaar), there is free time to browse local products. We take in a bird's-eye view of the city from Kok-Tobe Hill.
After dinner, we return to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Almaty.
02DAY 2 | ALMATY → BISHKEK | FLIGHT I 15:55 - 17:45 AND EVENING CITY TOURFlight, then a tour of Ala-Too Square and the Manas Monument.
Bishkek · night 2
Almaty to Bishkek
After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the airport and take our flight to Bishkek with Centrum Air C6. Upon arrival, we travel to the city centre in our private vehicle and check in at our hotel.
After a short rest, we set out on an evening city tour of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. During the tour, we take in panoramic views of Ala-Too Square, the Manas Monument and the city's key landmarks.
After dinner, we return to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Bishkek.
03DAY 3 | BISHKEK → BOOM CANYON → ISSYK-KUL | NATURE AND LOCAL SIGHTSEEINGBurana Tower, Boom Canyon and free time by Issyk-Kul lake.
Issyk-Kul · night 3
Boom Canyon and Issyk-Kul
After breakfast at our hotel, we set off for the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. Along the way, we see steppes and mountain ranges, with sightseeing stops introducing us to Kyrgyz culture and the region's natural surroundings.
During the journey of approximately 270 km, we stop for photos at Boom Canyon in Central Asia. Along the route, we visit Burana Tower and Archaeological Complex.
On arrival at Issyk-Kul, we have free time around the lake. Guests who wish can explore the area and take a walk along the lakeshore.
We have dinner at our hotel in the Issyk-Kul region and stay here overnight.
04DAY 4 | ISSYK-KUL → BISHKEK | RETURN AND FREE TIMEReturn drive and free time in Bishkek.
Bishkek · night 4
Back to Bishkek
After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Issyk-Kul and begin our return journey to Bishkek. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel. Guests have free time for the rest of the day. Those who wish can take a walk in the city centre, shop at local markets or rest at the hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel in Bishkek.
05DAY 5 | BISHKEK → TASHKENT | 14:20 - 15:00Flight and rest at the hotel.
Tashkent · night 5
Bishkek to Tashkent
In the morning, we transfer to the airport and take our flight to Tashkent. After arriving in Tashkent at approximately 15:00, we travel to our hotel in a private vehicle waiting for us.
After check-in, you have free time to rest for the remainder of the day. Guests who wish can take short walks around the hotel to explore the area.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at our hotel in Tashkent.
06DAY 6 | TASHKENT → CITY TOURIndependence Square, Hz. Imam Mosque and Chorsu Bazaar.
Tashkent · night 6
Touring Tashkent
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our city tour of Tashkent. The tour includes visits to the Alişer Navayi Opera and Ballet Theatre, Independence Square, Emir Timur Square and the Emir Timur statue, the Museum of Applied Arts, Hz. İmam Mosque, a sacred site housing the Quran manuscript of Hz. Osman, Kukeldaş Madrasah and the Old City district. Our stops also include Çorsu Bazaar, known for its traditional spices, nuts, dried fruit and silk products, and Tashkent TV Tower.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you will have free time for the rest of the day. You can stroll along Tashkent's wide boulevards, explore modern shopping centres or shop for local products and souvenirs in traditional bazaars. During this free time, you can get to know Tashkent better by exploring its modern and historic districts at your own pace.
Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel in Tashkent.
07DAY 7 | TASHKENT → KHIVA | 05:50 - 07:30 AND CITY TOURFlight and a tour of Kalta Minar and the Ichan Kala.
Khiva · night 7
Tashkent to Khiva
Early in the morning, we transfer to the airport and take our flight to Khiva. On arrival, we head to our hotel for breakfast and a short rest.
We then begin our guided city tour of Khiva. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this open-air museum city is one of the best-preserved stops on the Silk Road.
During the tour, we visit Pehlivan Mahmud Mausoleum, Cuma Mosque and Minaret, İslam Hoca Madrasa, Kalta Minar (Short Minaret) and the İç Han Kale area. We walk through the narrow streets of Khiva, known as the Stone City of the Silk Road.
We enjoy dinner accompanied by a local dance performance and spend the night at our hotel in Khiva.
08DAY 8 | KHIVA → BUKHARA | ROAD JOURNEY AND EVENING WALKRoad journey across the Kyzylkum Desert and an evening walk.
Bukhara · night 8
Khiva to Bukhara
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Bukhara. During our road journey of approximately 6 hours, we travel through the Kyzylkum Desert in Central Asia, taking in the views. We make short stops along the way and learn about the region's history and geography from our guide.
Upon arrival in Bukhara, we check in to our hotel and rest briefly. We then take an evening walk through the city centre with our guide. During the walk, we see narrow streets, historic buildings and illuminated squares.
We have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night at our hotel in Bukhara.
09DAY 9 | BUKHARA | CITY TOURThe Naqshbandi tomb, Bolo Hauz Mosque and Kalan Minaret.
Bukhara · night 9
Touring Bukhara
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our guided city tour of Bukhara. With a history of approximately 2500 years, Bukhara is one of the Silk Road's important centres of learning and trade. During the tour, we visit the historic buildings of a city where many scholars and merchants have left their mark.
We visit the Nakşibendi Hazretleri Tomb, part of the complex dedicated to Bahâeddin Nakşibend, one of Central Asia's important Sufis. We take a break at the Leb-i Havuz Complex, located at the crossroads of historic caravan routes. We see Bolo Havuz Mosque and Kalan Minaret, two of the city's landmarks. We also visit Mir Arap Madrasa and Kalan Mosque, examples of classical Central Asian architecture.
After our visits, we return to our hotel. We have dinner at a local restaurant or at our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Bukhara.
10DAY 10 | BUKHARA → SAMARKAND | TRAIN JOURNEY AND CITY TOURTrain journey, the Imam Bukhari and Gur-e-Amir mausoleums, Registan.
Samarkand · night 10
Bukhara to Samarkand
After an early breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the train station and depart for Samarkand by train. Along the way, we take in the landscapes of Central Asia. On arrival in Samarkand, we check in to our hotel and take a short rest after lunch.
We then set out on a city tour to explore Samarkand on the Silk Road. During the tour, we visit the Imam Bukhari Mausoleum, which houses the tomb of one of the Islamic world's leading hadith scholars, and the Gur Emir Mausoleum, the tomb of Emir Timur, founder of the Timurid Empire. We also visit Registan Square, an example of Central Asian architecture comprising three large madrasas.
After exploring Samarkand's historic sites throughout the day, we have dinner and return to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Samarkand.
11DAY 11 | SAMARKAND | CITY TOUR CONTINUEDBibi-Khanym Mosque and the Shah-i-Zinda complex.
Samarkand · night 11
Samarkand tour continues
After breakfast at our hotel, we continue exploring Samarkand. Throughout the day, we tour the historic buildings of Samarkand on the Silk Road and visit Bibi Hanım Mosque and the Şah-ı Zinde Complex.
We have lunch at a local restaurant. After our visits, we return to our hotel at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Samarkand.
12DAY 12 | SAMARKAND → ISTANBUL | RETURN FLIGHT 05:35 - 08:50The Silk Road tour ends with the flight home.
Return to Istanbul
Early in the morning, we transfer to Samarkand Airport. After completing check-in and passport formalities, we take our flight to Istanbul. Our journey through the Silk Road cities ends upon arrival in Istanbul.
