Journey through Central Asia

Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the days is yours to relax before dinner.

Travel to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through its picturesque scenery of rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. Return to Bishkek for a city tour, where you will visit Manas Monument before enjoying a walking tour around Ala Too Square to watch the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony. You will also visit the Independence Monument, Old Square and more.

This morning, depart for the peaceful village of Chon-Kemin, enjoying breathtaking views of the 12th Century Burana Tower along the way. Chon Kemin is a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains and a fir forest. Take in daily village life as you wander along the foothills and enjoy the views.

Today we drive to Kochkor village , the centre of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts. Here you will be able to see how the traditional Kygyz wool carpets, called ‘shyrdak’, are made. Continue further to Bokonbayevo Village, passing the Southern shore of Issyk Kul Lak, the second largest mountain lake in the world, along the way.

Visit Skazka Canyon, before going on to meet with a “Berkutchi”, a Golden Eagle hunter and watch a hunting demonstration, gaining insight into this millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition. Continue on to Barskoon Gorge to see the waterfall named ‘Tears of Leopard’. The gorge is considered one of the most beautiful in the Issyk Kul area. Continue to Karakol.

Visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, which was completed in 1895 and tour a Chinese mosque. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone. Go on to enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family, learning the fascinating story of why this Muslim Chinese group immigrated to the region 140 years ago..

Rise early and travel to the outskirts of town for the unforgettable Karakol Sunday Animal Market. Drive through breath-taking scenery to, visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, named due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing structures. Travel on to Almaty where you will overnight.

This morning, discover the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, dedicated to the Panfilov heroes of an Alma-Ata Infantry as well as the Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church made entirely of wood. In the afternoon, explore the Ili Alatau mountains and Medeu, an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink, located at the height of 1,690 metres. Go on to visit Shymbulak, a mountain resort located 2,260 metres above sea level. Continue to Kok Tobe, before taking a ride on a cable car for magnificent panoramic views of the city. You will return to your hotel afterwards, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

This morning in Almaty is yours to enjoy at your leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan arriving in the early afternoon

Today vist the famous Museum of National Antiquities. Walk through the botanical gardens, Rudaki Park and stop at the Ismoili Somoni monument. After lunch visit the historical Fortress of Hissor, the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of life

Visit the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul on the way to Khujand.

Enjoy a tour of Khujand, visiting Pushkin Square, Timur Malik's Fortress and the atmospheric Panjshanbe Bazaar. Travel to Tashkent this afternoon.

Take a step back in time in the old town and explore the Tila Shaikh mosque, home to rare copies of the Koran. Stop at Chorsu Bazaar. Visit the ceramic workshop of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov, and explore the history of ceramics. Admire the opulently decorated Tashkent Metro.

Drive to Samarkand, where after checking into your hotel you will visit the iconic Registan Square, the heartbeat of Samarkand. Admire the three beautiful madrassahs on the square's perimeter.

This morning, see Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of conqueror Tamerlane. Next continue to Bibi-Khanum Friday Mosque and Shah-I-Zinda before visiting Ulugh Beg Observatory. Later see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab.

Head out of Samarkand to the town of Shakhrisabz where you will explore the remains of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and KokGumbas Mosque. Continue your journey this afternoon as you make your way to Bukhara.

You have a city tour of one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.

Head out of Bukhara to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Travel across the famous Kyzyl Kum Desert today. Watch in awe as the scenery changes from saksaul trees to the Amudarya riverbank.

Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kuhna Ark and the turquoise-tiled Islam-Khodja. In the afternoon see the Friday Mosque and Tash Hauli Palace

Transfer overland to Kunya-Urgench, the once-glorious capital of the Khorezmshah Empire and a now UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, transfer to Dashoguz for your evening flight to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Ashgabat in your own time. Afterwards, head to Arkadash stud farm and learn about the “winged” Akhal Tekkes horses. En route back to Ashgabat stop at the Kipchak Complex where the largest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the country’s first president is located.

Rise early for your flight to Mary. From the airport you will transfer overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary after to visit the local History Museum.

Fly back to Ashgabat and enjoy a morning tour of the city. In the afternoon you will head to Darvaza to witness its famous Flaming Crater. Enjoy a walk around the perimeter and tuck into a delicious nomadic-style camp-side dinner under the starts. Following dinner, you will return to Ashgabat.

Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum

Fly to Australia, arriving home the following day.