Silk Road Tour: Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan

Arrival in Khiva

After passport control and check-in, we depart for Urgench (Khiva) at 01:20 on Türk Hava Yolları flight TK262.

After a flight of approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, we arrive at Urgench Airport at 07:10 local time. After completing passport formalities, we travel to Khiva in the private vehicle waiting for us. The transfer takes approximately 40 minutes.

On arrival at our hotel, we have breakfast. After a short rest, we begin our guided city tour of Khiva.

During the tour, we visit Pehlivan Mahmud Mausoleum, Cuma Mosque and Minaret, İslam Hoca Madrasa, Kalta Minar (Short Minaret) and the İç Han Fortress area, exploring the Stone City of the Silk Road.

We have dinner accompanied by a local dance performance. We spend the night at our hotel rated 3 stars or above in Khiva (KARAVAN OTEL or similar).

Kizilkum Desert to Bukhara

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Bukhara.

During our road journey of approximately 6 hours, we travel through the Kızılkum Desert in Central Asia, taking in views of the desert landscape.

We take short breaks along the way and learn about the region's history before arriving in Bukhara.

After checking in at our hotel and resting briefly, we take an evening walk through Bukhara city centre with our guide.

We have dinner at a local restaurant.

We spend the night at our hotel in Bukhara (KARAVAN HOTEL or similar).

Bukhara's Centre of Learning

After breakfast at our hotel, we set out on a guided city tour of Bukhara. With a history of approximately 2500 years, Bukhara is one of the main centres of learning and trade on the Silk Road.

During our tour, we visit Nakşibendi Hazretleri Tomb, the complex of Bahâeddin Nakşibend, one of Central Asia's notable Sufis. We take a tea break at the Leb-i Havuz Complex, located in the square where old caravan routes intersect.

We see Bolo Havuz Mosque and Kalan Minaret, both considered symbols of Bukhara. We then visit Mir Arap Madrasa and Kalan Mosque, which date from the Timurid period and reflect classical Central Asian architecture.

After our visits, we return to our hotel in the evening. We have dinner at a local restaurant or at our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Bukhara.

Steppe Road to Samarkand

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we set off for Samarkand. The road journey of approximately 280 km through the steppe landscapes of Central Asia will take approximately 4-5 hours. On arrival, we check into our hotel and have lunch. After a short rest, we begin our city tour of Samarkand.

During our tour, we visit the İmam Buhari Mausoleum, where İmam Buhari, an important scholar of hadith, is buried, and the Gür Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of Emir Timur, founder of the Timurid Empire. We also explore Registan Square, which consists of three large madrasas and is an important example of Central Asian architecture.

After dinner, we return to our hotel to rest. We stay overnight at our hotel in Samarkand (CITY HOTEL or similar).

Samarkand to Tashkent by Train

After breakfast at our hotel, we continue our tour of Samarkand. We visit Bibi Hanım Mosque, which Timur had built for his wife, and the Şah-ı Zinde Complex, a collection of mausoleums associated with the legend of the living king. We then visit Uluğ Bey Observatory and Siyab Bazaar, which reflect Samarkand's scientific heritage and traditional way of life.

After lunch in Samarkand, we transfer to Samarkand train station in the late afternoon. We take an evening train and arrive in Tashkent after a journey of approximately 2,5 hours.

Upon arrival in Tashkent, we transfer to our hotel by private vehicle. Dinner and overnight accommodation at our hotel in Tashkent. (HOTEL UZBEKISTAN or similar.)

Tashkent to Almaty by Air

After breakfast at our hotel, we set out on a city tour of Tashkent and visit all the stops on the itinerary. We visit the Alişer Navayi Opera and Ballet Theatre, Independence Square, Emir Timur Square and statue, the Museum of Applied Arts, Hz.İmam Mosque, where the Hz.Osman Mustafı is kept, Kukeldaş Madrasa and the Old Town. Our tour also includes Çorsu Market, which sells traditional spices, nuts, dried fruit and silk products, and Tashkent TV Tower.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we have a short period of free time. We then transfer to the airport and depart for ALMATY at 19:50 on Air Astana flight KC128.

We arrive in ALMATY at 21:25 local time. After transferring to the hotel, we have dinner and stay overnight.

Almaty's Kazakh Culture

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our Almaty city and culture tour with our guide. Throughout the day, we learn about Kazakh culture, traditions and life on the steppe.

During our visit to the Huns Ethnographic Complex, we are welcomed with Şaşu (Шашу), a traditional Kazakh welcoming ritual. We watch reenactments of traditional Kazakh customs such as Beşike Salu and Tusay Kesu. Inside a Kazakh tent (yurt), we learn about the culture of hospitality and watch demonstrations of traditional games such as Kız Kuu (Chasing the Girl) and Atpen Audarysmak (Wrestling on Horseback). Our visit also includes a Kazakh national bread-making demonstration, an important ritual in local cuisine.

After lunch at a local restaurant, weather permitting, we take a short cable car ride towards Cimbulak (Shymbulak) Mountain.

We then return to the city centre to continue our panoramic tour of Almaty. During the tour, we see Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral. At the Green Market (Zelyony Bazaar), we have free time to shop for local products. We enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city from Kok-Tobe Hill.

We have dinner at a restaurant with panoramic views. We spend the night at our hotel in Almaty (RENION HOTEL or similar).

Flight to Bishkek

After breakfast at our hotel, we have free time in Almaty. Guests can take a walk nearby, do some shopping or stop to take photos during this time.

We complete hotel check-out by midday. After lunch, we transfer to Almaty Airport at the time specified by our guide.

We depart for Bishkek at 16:35 on Air Astana flight KC109. After a short flight, we arrive in Bishkek at 18:25 local time. After passport control, we travel to the city centre in the private vehicle waiting for us.

After checking in at our hotel and taking a short rest, we head out for a brief evening city tour. We see Ala-Too Square, considered the heart of Kyrgyzstan, the Manas Monument and Victory Square. We take an evening walk in the city centre and enjoy panoramic views at night.

We have dinner at a local restaurant. We spend the night at our hotel in Bishkek (ASIA MOUNTAINS HOTEL or similar).

Boom Canyon to Issyk-Kul

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Issyk-Kul region, known for its natural beauty in Kyrgyzstan.

During our journey of approximately 270 km, we stop for photos at Boom Canyon in Central Asia. Along the way, we visit Burana Tower and Archaeological Complex. Built in the 10th century during the Karakhanid period, the tower and the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun are landmarks of the region.

Around noon, we arrive in the town of Cholpon Ata on the shores of Issyk-Kul and check in to our lakeside hotel. During the free time in the afternoon, you can walk along the lake and enjoy the views.

We have dinner at the hotel's restaurant overlooking the lake. We spend the night at our hotel in the Issyk-Kul (Cholpon Ata) region (RADUGA HOTEL or similar).

Back to Bishkek

After breakfast at our lakeside hotel, we depart for Bishkek. We arrive in Bishkek around noon after a journey of approximately 4 hours, taking in mountain views and daily life in the villages along the way.

We continue our city tour with places we have not yet visited. We visit Osh Bazaar, where fruit, nuts and spices are sold, the Philharmonic Hall and Manas Monument Complex, and Victory Square, a symbol of independence for the Kyrgyz people. During our visit to the Central Shopping Area (ZUM), we provide free time for souvenir shopping.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we head to our hotel. In the evening, guests who wish can take a short walk in the city centre or stop at a café.

We spend the night at our hotel in Bishkek (ASIA MOUNTAINS HOTEL or similar). Our transfer to the airport will take place early the next morning.

Return to Istanbul

We check out of our hotel early in the morning and transfer to Bishkek Airport. We depart for Istanbul at 10:10 on Turkish Airlines flight TK345. After a flight of approximately 6 hours, we arrive in Istanbul at 13:15.

The 2026 SILK ROAD TOUR covers KYRGYZSTAN / KAZAKHSTAN / UZBEKISTAN. The total tour duration is 11 Days / 10 Nights. Flights are operated by Turkish Airlines and Air Astana. Accommodation is in 3 and 4 star hotels. A professional Turkish-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout the tour.