Astana to Tashkent
Overview
Highlights
- Discover Central Asia’s fascinating mix of ancient Silk Road culture, Soviet influence and post-independence nations with local leaders to show you the way.
- Learn about the Silk Road and its history – see the Registan in Samarkand (one of the pinnacles of Islamic architecture), spend time in UNESCO World Heritage-listed, 6th-century Bukhara and uncover the charm of the legendary Turkistan.
- Immerse yourself in the unique natural landscapes of this seldom-travelled part of the world – be surrounded by the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, take a train ride through the vistas of the Kazakh steppe, see the little 'Grand Canyon' at Charyn and discover the sunken forest of Kolsai Lakes.
- Be wowed by Song Kol Lake and Issyk-kul Lake, where you may see flocks of sheep, goats and herds of horses with their nomadic herdsmen. Stay in a yurt camp at the shore and live like the locals have for centuries in these traditional tents.
- Experience traditional Central Asian hospitality – there's really nothing like being welcomed into a local home or yurt for a meal, chatting with stall holders at bazaars or simply chatting with the locals at the sites.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Astana - City tour
- Astana - Local Jewler Visit
- Turkistan – Caravan Serai complex
- Otrar - Ancient settlement
- Turkistan - Yasui Mausoleum
- Almaty – Winery visit and wine tasting
- Almaty – Turgen Gorge
- Almaty – Lake Issyk
- Almaty - Zenkov Cathedral
- Almaty - Panfilov Park
- Almaty - Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
- Almaty - Zelenyi Bazaar
- Charyn Canyon - National Park
- Kolsay Lakes National Park - Hiking
- Karakol - Dungan Mosque
- Karakol - Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
- Karakol - Jeti Orghuz Canyon Hike
- Cholpon Ata - Petroglyphs
- Lake Issyk-Kul - Boat tour
- Bishkek - City walking tour
- Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
- Don Aryk - Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
- Issyk-Kul Lake - Yurt workshop
- Kochkor - Market
- Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op
- Kyzyl-Oi - Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
- Uzgen - Uzgen Minaret & Complex
- Osh - Sulaiman-Too Mountain
- Osh - National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
- Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
- Tashkent - Amir Timur Square
- Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
- Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Bukhara - Ark Fortress
- Samarkand - Leader-led orientation walk
- Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Samarkand - Registan Square
- Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
- Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
- Samarkand - Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
Itinerary
Salemetsiz be! Welcome to Kazakhstan. Your adventure begins in Astana with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. Astana was purpose-built to become the capital city of Kazakhstan in 1997 and is home to meticulously planned city streets and architecture. The modern ...
This morning, join your leader for a city tour around some of the most impressive designs of the new city. Visit Bayterek tower, then stroll down Nur Boulevard to Khan Shatyr – another city landmark in the shape of a giant transparent tent. Visit Nur-Astana Mosque – w...
This morning, take a flight to the historic centre of Kazakhstan, Turkistan – home to more relics and cultural sites than any other place in the country. When you arrive, visit the new Caravan Serai – a complex recently built to model ancient Silk Road trade centres, ...
Head out on a city tour this morning, starting with a visit to Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum – Kazakhstan’s most iconic building. Built by Tamerlane, it’s said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. As it’s a religious site, it’s recommended that women...
Pulling into Alamaty this morning, hop off the train and head out to find some breakfast. Today, you’ll be going on a daytrip to Lake Issyk and Turgen Gorge. Stop at the Issyk Museum – an archaeological reserve dedicated to Kazakh history and Scythian culture (an anci...
Today, you’ll take a city tour of Almaty with a local guide. This former capital of Kazakhstan now has a completely different vibrancy to Astana, with its wide tree-lined streets, numerous parks and the view of the snow-capped mountains. Visit Central Square and the c...
This morning, drive to Saty Village, stopping at the spectacular Charyn Canyon along the way. The richly coloured canyon carves a path through the surrounding landscape, with vivid tones of oranges and browns shifting and changing as the sun travels across the sky. En...
This morning, visit Kolsay Lakes, also known as ‘the blue necklace’ for the clear blue waters framed by the mountains. If there’s time, you’ll take a hike to the lesser-known Kaindy Lake – a turquoise lake with a ‘submerged forest’ protruding from the water. Amazingly...
This morning you’ll head out on a city tour of Karakol – once a small Russian military post, then a bustling soviet state, this town is bursting with history. Visit the Dungan Mosque – built in 1910, this colourful mosque was created without the use of a single nail. ...
Today you’ll have a full day's drive to Bishkek, which sits along the northern shore of Issyk Kul – the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. The views of the landscape are not to be missed, especially your first glimpse of Issy...
Today is a free day in Bishkek until your second welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet the new travellers joining you. Maybe take a walk through one of the parks and gardens or head out in search of some samsa (pastry pockets filled with meat and vegetables). After the meeting, why not grab dinner with your new group and get to know each other.
Embark on city tour that showcases the various stages of Bishkek’s history. Visit the severe Ala-Too Square, once known as Lenin Square, and learn about the towering statue depicting folkloric hero Manas. Continue to Dubovy Park, and wander among the open-air gallerie...
This morning, up and on the road through the beautiful landscaps of Kyrgyzstan. You'll be travelling with our vehicle for the next few days so get ready for a road trip through some pretty stunning mountains and lakes. Firstly stop at Burana Tower, a minaret that is t...
With relaxed plans for today, you'll head out to Kyzyl Tuu - known for yurt making. Almost every family here is a yurt making and the village is known far beyond Kyrgyzstan. You'll visit an artisan family who’ll teach you more about their traditional yurts. With a spe...
Back on the road and travel to Song-Kol Lake, another alpine stunner that is considered a sacred place to many Kyrgyz people, as well as one of the best summer pastures for nomadic herders. On the way, stop at Kochkor to visit the local market and a women's felt co-op...
Travel along gravel roads to the tiny village of Kyzyl-Oi, which is squeezed between mountains. On the way, pass large coal deposits and travel along the Kokomeren River, which feeds into the Syr Darya. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river in the shade of th...
Get ready for a full-day of driving though big, beautiful landscapes. As the roads in Kyrgyzstan see little regular maintenance, even short distances on a map can take hours. The road crosses the Suusamyr Valley – a high steppe plateau situated at around 2200 metres a...
After breakfast, get ready for another all-day journey to Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgystan. Stop en route at Uzgen, an ancient trading town and handicrafts centre along the Silk Road. Although much of the ancient city has been destroyed, a minaret and three m...
Rise and shine for a visit to the only World Heritage site in Kyrgystan, the Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain, also known as Solomon's Throne. For centuries Silk Road travellers have sought out the mountain's caves and their petroglyphs in the belief that they would be bl...
This morning, drive to Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, which is just outside of the city. Transfer to Andijan and board a local train to Tashkent (approximately 5.5 hours). The train is a great place to meet locals, so don’t be surprised if people want to chat to the chet ellik (foreigner). Arrive in the evening and check into the hotel.
Begin your introduction to Uzbekistan by exploring the capital today. Follow your leader on a city walking tour - explore Amir Timur square at the city center, then hop on the metro and lose yourself in the exciting Chorsu Bazaar, browsing traditional wooden cradles, ...
Travel to Bukhara by train this morning. Located on the ancient Silk Road, Bukhara was an important regional and world hub for many, many years and has a long, fascinating history featuring invasions by both Genghis Khan and the Soviet Red Army. Explore this fascinati...
Enjoy a day of sightseeing in beautiful Bukhara. First visit the Sitorai Mohi Khosa, once the summer residence of the last Emir. Designed by Russian architects, it has interiors decorated with traditional filigree plaster, mirrored surfaces and delicate floral wall pa...
Have a free morning to yourself for some further exploration of Bukhara. In the late afternoon,transfer to the station for train to fabled Samarkand. This city is located at the very centre of the ancient Silk Road. Arrival early evening and follow your leader on a short city orientation walk and maybe an optional dinner together.
Enjoy a tour of Samarkand. First up is the central square called the Registan, which features mosques and mausoleums that are true pinnacles of Islamic architecture. Continue to Guri-Amir, where Tamerlane is buried, and then the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Visit Shak...
This morning, take the train back to Tashkent. Enjoy a free afternoon and why not celebrate this great adventure with an optional farewell dinner tonight?
There are no activities planned today and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time after check out.
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Finish point
- Central Palace Halal Tashkent
- 2 Afrosiab Street,
- Tashkent
- UZBEKISTAN
Alternate Finish point
- For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
- 08 Apr 2025 (KFSKC250408), 06 May 2025 (KFSKC250506), 03 Jun 2025 (KFSKC250603), 19 Aug 2025 (KFSKC250819), 02 Sep 2025 (KFSKC250902), 20 Sep 2025 (KFSKC250920), 30 Sep 2025 (KFSKC250930), 07 Apr 2026 (KFSKC260407), 21 Apr 2026 (KFSKC260421), 05 May 2026 (KFSKC260505), 02 Jun 2026 (KFSKC260602), 18 Aug 2026 (KFSKC260818), 25 Aug 2026 (KFSKC260825), 01 Sep 2026 (KFSKC260901), 19 Sep 2026 (KFSKC260919), 29 Sep 2026 (KFSKC260929)
- Central Palace Halal Tashkent
- 2 Afrosiab Street,
- Tashkent
- UZBEKISTAN
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