Central Asia Overland Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Almaty, Kazakhstan

After your arrival at the international airport in Almaty, you will transfer to your hotel for an early check in. After taking some time to rest and enjoy breakfast, you will set out on an excursion in Almaty to visit the State History Museum (closed on Tuesday) and the Republican Square. Walk around Panfilov’s Park to see Zenkov’s Orthodox Cathedral, the Great Patriotic War Memorial, and the Green Bazaar.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Almaty
Meals: Breakfast

Day 2 Transfer to Altyn Emel State Natural Park

With an early morning start, you will transfer to Altyn Emel State Natural Park and the Singing Sand Dunes for an interesting hike. In the afternoon, you will drive into the Aktau and Katutau mountains (possible only for individuals of 1-2 pax who take a 4WD). Afterward, you will once again drive to Bashi village, where you will enjoy a nice dinner and an overnight stay in the guesthouse.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Bashi Village
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Charyn Canyons and Kolsai Lakes

After another early morning, you will begin making your way to Charyn Canyons. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long and up to 300 meters deep. Here, you can walk around canyons and then continue on your way to Kolsai lakes. Upon arrival in the evening, you will enjoy dinner and accommodation in a guesthouse.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Kolsai National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Kolsai Lakes Full Day

Today you will spend a full day of leisure at Kolsai Lakes, enjoying the beautiful scenery and activities on offer there.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Kolsai National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Drive to Karakol of Kyrgyzstan

After breakfast, you will make the drive to Karakol via the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border (Kegen). In the afternoon, you will reach Karakol town, where you will be able to rest at your hotel accommodations.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Karakol
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6 Drive to Son Kul Lake via Dzhety Oguz

After a good night’s rest, you will awake in the morning for a drive to Son Kul Lake via the rugged terrain of Dzhety Oguz gorge and Skazka canyon. Upon arrival at Son Kul, you will find your accommodation and lunch in a yurt camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Son Kul
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 Drive to Kazarman

After breakfast on day 7, you will drive to Kazarman. Here, you will spend the night in a local family’s house, sharing an unforgettable experience while taking in their culture and hospitality.
Overnight Location: Homestay in Kazarman
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Drive to Osh

This morning you will enjoy breakfast and make the scenic drive to Osh via Uzgen town, which are situated 50 km apart. Upon your arrival in Osh, you will find your accommodation in a hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kazarman
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Drive to Margilan, Uzbekistan

After breakfast, you will undertake an excursion in Osh, where you will visit Suleyman Too (meaning “Suleyman’s mountain”). You will then experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Osh bazaar, which was once a fixture of the Silk Road. Afterwards, you will drive to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, change vehicles and guides, and continue driving to Margilan.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Margilan
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Excursion in Margilan and Drive to Kokand

After breakfast, you will undertake an excursion in Margilan, which will include the “Yodgorlik Silk Factory”, Adras workshop, Said Akhmad-Khoja madrasa, and complex Mir Siddiq. After a fairly short 50km drive to Rashtan, you will visit a local Kyrgyz family where wool weaving crafts are made, as well as a ceramicist’s house (Master Mr. Said) to watch and participate in making ceramic products. Another drive to Kokand will allow you to visit the Khudayar Khan’s Palace and “Dahmai Shahon” (Royal Cemetery).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kokand
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Drive to Tashkent and City Tour

In the morning, you will make the drive to Tashkent, where you will set out on a tour to visit the oriental Chorsu bazaar, Hasti Imam Complex (Barakhan Medresha, Tillya Sheikh Mosque and Muyi Muborak Library with famous Holy Osman Koran), Applied Art Museum, Tashkent Metro Stations (Underground which is famous for its cleanliness and unique architectural designs), Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, Alisher Navoi Theatre Square.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tashkent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Drive to Khujand of Tajikistan

A 110km morning drive will bring guests to the Uzbek-Tajik border “Oybek”. Here, you will once again change vehicles and guides, before continuing on another 60km to Khujand. Upon arrival, you will visit Panchshanbe bazaar, the Rudaki monument, Ismail Samaniy Monument, Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin, Kyarakkum (Tajik Sea), and the Arbob Cultural Palace.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Khujand
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 Visit to Khujand Historical Places and Drive to Penjikent

After breakfast, you will be able to enjoy an excursion in Khujand, where you will visit the Khujand Historical Museum and Temurmalik Castle – also known as Khujand Fortress. Afterwards, you will drive to Penjikent, stopping off along the way to visit Istaravshan castle. Upon your arrival in Penjikent, you can visit Saramz (ancient town), before settling in for the night at your Hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Penjikent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 Exploring the Famous 7 Lakes

After a morning transfer to Haf Kul, you can experience the seven lakes of different colors in the mountains of Tajikistan. Here, you will have the opportunity for a short stay to enjoy some snacks & tea on the lakeshore while soaking up the views. Return to Penjikent for an overnight stay in a hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Penjikent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 Drive to Samarkand of Uzbekistan

After spending some time sightseeing in Penjikent – including the Rudaki Museum, local Bazaar, and mosque – you will visit the ancient town, which is located within 5 minutes drive. This was a major Sogdian city dating back to the 5th century and was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the VIII century.

In the afternoon, you will drive to the Tajik-Uzbek border “Jartepa”, change vehicles and guides, and drive to Samarkand, where you will find your hotel accommodations.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Samarkand
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 Enjoying Samarkand

Day 16 of the tour will begin with breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a full-day excursion in Samarkand. As part of the itinerary, you will visit Afrosiyob Museum, the Observatory of Ulugbek, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Bibi-Khanum Mosque – the largest mosque in Central Asia, the oriental bazaar Siyab, Konigil Silk-paper making center, Registan Square (Sherdor Madrasah, Tilla Kari Madrassah and Ulugbek Madrassah) and the Guri-Emir mausoleum.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Samarkand
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17 Drive to Bukhara by Gijduvan

After breakfast, guests will drive to Bukhara, stopping along the way to visit the Rabat Malik caravansary and Sardoba water reservoir from the ancient Silk Road. You will also stop in Gijduvan to visit the mausoleum of Abdulkholik Gijduvani, Ulugbek’s madrasah, and Vabkent Minaret (XI c.) in Vabkent. Upon your arrival in Bukhara, you will transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast

Day 18 Enjoying Bukhara

On day 18, you will enjoy another full-day excursion in Bukhara that includes Samanids’ Mausoleum, Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo-Khovuz mosque, Ark Fortress, and the Poi-Kalyon complex (Kalyan mosque and minaret, Miri Arab madrasa). You will also visit the Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrassas, the Magoki Attori mosque, Trade Domes (Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Telpakifurushon and Toki-Sarrofon), and the Labi Khovuz complex.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast

Day 19 Drive to Khiva

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Khiva through the Kizil-Kum Desert. Along the way, you will stop near the Amudarya River to take some beautifully scenic landscape photos. Upon your arrival in Khiva, you will transfer to your hotel and spend the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Khiva
Meals: Breakfast

Day 20 Enjoying Khiva

Today you will have another action-packed day of sightseeing, this time exploring all of the highlights in Khiva, including the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Makhmud, Tosh-Hovli Palace (Harem), Kunya-Ark Fortress, Kalta-Minor Minaret, Medrese of Shergazi-Khan, and the Complex of Alla-Kuli Khan. You will also explore the Juma Mosque and Minaret, Karavan-Saray, Minaret and Mosque of Khodja-Islam, Tim of Alakulikhan, Medrese of Abdulla-Khan, Mausoleum of Said Alautdin, Medrese of Mukhamad Amin-Khan, Walls of Ichan-Kala, and the impressive Palvan-Darvaza Gate. Overnight accommodation will be in a hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Khiva
Meals: Breakfast

Day 21 Drive to Darwaza of Turkmenistan

After breakfast, you will drive to the Uzbek-Turkmen border, once again changing vehicles and guides before continuing on your journey.

Arriving at your destination, you will be able to discover the Ancient Kunya Urgench UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit a number of historic and cultural highlights including the mausoleum of Nadjmetdin-Kubra, mausoleum of Mongol princess Torebeg-Khanum, Kutlug-Timur minaret, Kyrk-Mollah mausoleum, Il-Arslan mausoleum, Dashmechet, and the Mamun minaret – depending on time.

In the afternoon, you will drive to the infamous Darvaza Gas Crater through theKarakum desert. Enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner near the crater before spending the night in tents.
Overnight Location: Camping in Darwaza
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 22 Drive to Ashgabat and the City Tour

In the morning, you will drive to Ashgabat for a city tour that will take you to the Neutrality Arch, Independence Park, and Earthquake Memorial Complex, Ertogrul Gazi mosque, President Palace and Carpet museum.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals: Breakfast

Day 23 Drive to Mary

After an early breakfast, guests will make the drive to Mary,visiting the ruins of the Anau Mosque and the Abiverd Silk Road Town along the way. Upon arrival in Mary, you will be able to explore the museum in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Mary
Meals: Breakfast

Day 24 Excursion in Mary and Flight Back to Ashgabat

Day 24 of the tour will include a drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Ancient Merv to uncover the rich history that can be found there. Afterwards, you will transfer to the domestic airport for a flight to Ashgabat.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ashgabat
Meals: Breakfast

Day 25 Transfer to Ashgabat Airport and Departure

On the final day of your adventure, you will have an early morning transfer to Ashgabat Airport for a departure flight, waving goodbye to Central Asia and the impressive landscape of the ancient Silk Road.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: None