The Three Stans of The Silk Road

Our journey begins today in Bishkek. This vibrant capital of Kyrgyzstan has a youthful history, originating as a clay fortress established by the Khan of Kokand in 1825, only to be devastated by Russian forces 43 years later and rebuilt in 1878. For those arriving on schedule, our tour leader will be waiting for you at the hotel reception at 11am for a welcome meeting, followed by a sightseeing excursion both by bus and on foot. We will explore the city's prominent monuments and structures, enjoy a relaxing stroll through Oak Park, visit the Manas Sculpture, and take a walk along the Alley of the Youth next to Philharmonic Hall. If you wish to arrange an airport transfer today, please arrive at Manas International Airport (FRU), located about a 40-minute drive from the hotel. For anyone landing in the early hours today or those who arrived before, kindly reach out to us for additional accommodation options. Early check-in is available for a fee, please contact us to book this service if your flight lands in early hours today. Please keep in mind that if you want to participate in the Bishkek city tour today, you need to be at the hotel by 11.30am which is we'll set off for our tour. If you are booking your own flights, we suggest allowing at least an hour for airport clearance. Since the drive from the airport to the hotel takes roughly 40 minutes, the latest your flight should arrive is 9.30am. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will provide essential updates at 6.30pm this evening or at 8.45am on the morning of day 2.

This morning, as we depart from Bishkek, we head to Tokmok town and visit Burana Tower and its museum. This 11th-century structure is all that survives of the ancient city of Balasagun, standing at only half its original height, a historical landmark from the Silk Road nestled in the expansive landscape. On our journey to Kochkor, we will stop at a women's cooperative called Altyn Kol, which means \ Golden Hands\ . Here, we will take part in a masterclass on felt carpet production, allowing each of us to have a hands-on experience as we work on a section of a carpet in progress. On our arrival in Kochkor, we'll check in into our guesthouse before heading to dinner which will take place at a local Kyrgyz family-run restaurant.

After breakfast, we'll wind our way to the iconic Lake Issyk Kul; its name means 'the lake that never freezes'. We trace our way alongside its southern shores to the village of Kyzyl Tuu, one of the centres for yurt production. Here we learn more about how these fascinating structures work and why they have been the chosen dwellings for Central Asian nomads for centuries. In the afternoon we continue to make our way around the lake and our final stop of today's journey is in Bokonbayevo where we meet an Eagle Hunter. Here we will see how this form of falconry has been practiced and perfected over centuries. We arrive at our yurt camp, on the banks of Lake Issyk Kul in the late afternoon, where there will be time for a dip in the lake and a breadmaking session before dinner. We'll learn how to make Boorsok, the national bread and one of the country's staple foods. The doughy mixture is deep-fried in large quantities before being spread across the 'dastorkan' or table, doubling as a table decoration. Cooking an abundance of Boorsok is seen as a sign of generosity on the part of the host, so seldom will you see a dinner table not chock-full of tasty offerings. Tonight's yurts will be twin-share with western-style toilets and hot showers available.

After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the shores of Issyk Kul, we'll start driving to Karakol town. On the way, we'll stop in a village and visit a family of producers of Kygyz musical instruments. Here we'll learn about Copo Choor (a small flute made of clay) and Komus (the most popular three-stringed national instrument). As we continue our drive, we'll also stop at Jety-Oguz Gorge to enjoy some stunning views and breathe in the fresh mountain air. This place is famous for its red rock formations in the shape of a broken heart and seven bulls, and it's been a source of legends for the local people for centuries. After a short walk here, we'll continue to the town of Karakol, where we'll meet civilisation once again. Embarking on a tour of the town, we'll discover some of its most interesting sights, including the Dungan Mosque which was built in 1904 without using a single nail and serving as a place of worship for the country's Chinese Muslims. The architecture is quite striking, foregoing minarets and opting instead for a wooden pagoda-style roof. We also see the Russian Orthodox Church which was constructed entirely of wood in 1869 and is still standing today. Finally, we'll visit the museum of the Russian explorer Przkevalski, after whom the town was originally named. Dinner this evening will be with a local Uyghur family where we'll sample traditional dishes and flavours from the local area.

Bidding goodbye to our hosts this morning, we'll set off for our next country, Kazakhstan. Our route takes us up to the tip of the eastern Tien Shan range where we cross the border at Kegen before descending to the dry, dusty and hot Kazakh steppe. We'll drive approximately for three hours to reach our first Kazakh destination and overnight spot, Kolsai Lakes National Park. After a short orientation and visit to one of the three lakes within the park, there will be a chance to relax by the outdoor pool at the hotel. Approximate overall driving time 5 hours.

This morning, we continue our journey through Kazakhstan. We stop first thing at Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon albeit on a smaller scale. We visit a part of the canyon known as the 'Valley of Castles' due to its unusual rock formations, and from here we descend 100 metres on even steps and then walk about 2.5 km through the canyon on mostly flat terrain. Once we reach the river it'll be possible to dip your feet in the river - for those who feel in need of a cool-down. We'll then return the same way. After returning to the road we continue onto Almaty where we aim to arrive in the early evening. Almaty ceded capital status to Astana in 1997, but it remains the cultural and financial centre, where Russians, nomadic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tartars and many other ethnic groups rub shoulders in its bustling markets. The city has an almost European feel, partly due to the earthquake in 1911 that flattened Almaty resulting in the complete re-planning and re-building of the city. Wide, leafy boulevards were constructed and lined with low-rise white-washed housing and offices, and the few period buildings that remained intact were restored to their former glory. The city enjoys an enviable position, nestled in the foothills of the Zailiysky Alatau range, with beautiful turquoise lakes, snow-capped mountains and chic ski resorts just a short drive away. Once checked in, there'll be a chance to go for a wander in the former capital's streets. Many walls around the city are covered by street art, made by national and international artists. Approximate overall driving time 4.5 hours.

Today we set out to explore some of Almaty's major sites, starting in the Park of 28 Guards. The park is diverse, serving as a popular meeting place for locals as well as housing a variety of important monuments and buildings. The park's focal point is the Ascension Cathedral, a beautiful Russian Orthodox-style cathedral and one of only two wooden buildings left in the city. Also found in the park are imposing Soviet statues remembering falling soldiers from campaigns such as WW2 and the Afghan War, where many Kazakh nationals fought to support the USSR's interests. We then move on to Green Market, a fascinating meeting place for the city's locals to come for their daily shopping. The market offers an eclectic range of produce brought by nomads as far-flung as Korea, all the way through China and Central Asia. Here you can find exotic fruits, and vegetables, an extensive butchery section with all types of meat and a wide variety of savoury foods. Make sure to try Kazy (smoked horse sausage) and Kurt (salted cheese balls popular with beer). The rest of the afternoon has been left free to relax, or for further exploration. Dinner will be early this evening at a traditional Kazakh café before embarking on our overnight train journey. Actual train schedules are normally available three months before travel, so our tour leader will adjust the rest of the day depending on our departure time in the evening. Once aboard the train, our tour leader will allocate beds and will try to keep our group together as far as possible, however, it might be necessary to share with other travellers and passengers of a different gender and we'll sleep in four-berth cabins. Passing through some of Kyrgyzstan's most breathtaking landscapes, it's an authentic and practical way to travel. That being said, amenities are fairly basic. The overnight train journey takes approximately 14 hours.

This morning, we will continue our train journey to the western part of the country, arriving in the city of Turkestan by early afternoon. After checking into our hotel and freshening up, we will embark on a half-day tour with a local guide. Turkestan, one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan and an integral part of the Silk Road, has a rich archaeological history dating back to the 4th century and is recognized as the 'Spiritual capital of the Turkic world'. The whole region is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups from West, Central, East, and North Asia, as well as parts of Europe, all of whom speak the Turkic language. This important historical site attracts both pilgrims and tourists, where the past beautifully merges with the modern world. During our city tour, we'll explore the Azret Sultan historical-architectural complex, a masterpiece of medieval architecture that has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Its most prominent site is the architectural complex Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi which dates back to the 14th century. Khoja Ahmed Yasawi was a Sufi poet and philosopher who introduced Islam to the nomads of Central Asia, and the mausoleum was built by Tamerlane to commemorate him. We will also visit an underground Mosque Khilvet, built in the 12th century and a bathhouse from the 16th century. There is free time in the evening to visit the modern multifunctional complex Karavan Saray and enjoy a show of lights and fountains. Weather permitting, every night there is a boat parade and theatrical floating performance inspired by an ancient epic called 'Kyz-Zhibek and Tolegen' - not to be missed! Overnight in our well-located hotel for our last night in Kazakhstan.

Leaving Turkestan behind this morning, we head south and make for the border and our third and final country, Uzbekistan. Along the way, we'll stop at Shymkent for a quick city tour. This is the third largest city in Kazakhstan with a population of more than 1 million. Our tour leader will take us to pay a visit to the monument of the Kazakh hero Baidibek Bey, constructed on the top of a small hill with a panoramic city view. There will be time for a stroll in the pedestrian area and a quick bite to eat before continuing our journey to the border. Here we'll part ways with the tour leader who accompanied us so far and will meet our Uzbek tour leader and driver once we've crossed the border on foot. From here, it's just a short drive on to Tashkent, the Uzbek capital and one of Central Asia's most vibrant cities. Occupying a prime spot on the central Eurasian trading routes, Tashkent became one of the most important stops on the caravan routes across Central Asia. It grew under the auspices of the Mongols, Tamerlane and the Shaybanids, before finally falling to the Russians during the 19th century. A massive earthquake destroyed much of the city in 1966, allowing its Russian overlords to resurrect a 'perfect' soviet city from its ruins. Parts of the old city do remain and we'll set out to explore them over the next two days. Approximate overall driving time 4.5 hours.

This morning, our city tour starts with the Khast Imom Complex, one of the spiritual monuments of the capital located in the heart of the old city. There will be a chance to explore the blue-coloured domed Chorsu Bazaar which is nearby. We then move on to Independence Square with its fountains, impressive buildings and flower beds and we'll finish with a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts, formerly a Tsarist Russian diplomat's house, it stores over 4,000 pieces that will make us understand even more the history of this country. The rest of the day is free at leisure, and you can choose to further explore Tashkent. You might want to have a go at travelling like a local and take the Tashkent Metro which boasts some ornately decorated stations or wander around Amir Timur Square to admire its historical buildings we finish with a stroll on the broadway, a lively pedestrian alley right in the heart of the city.

After breakfast this morning we will head to the train station to take the high-speed train to Bukhara, a comfortable journey of just over four hours travelling at over 250kph. Bukhara was a key trading post on the Silk Road. This UNESCO-listed city has many zig-zagged backstreets, bustling bazaars and historical monuments. Many call it 'Bukhoroi Shareef' translating to Holy Bukhara on account of its hundreds of mosques and mausoleums. The city has seen various dynasties battling for influence as it has always stood as a centre of trade, culture, and scholarship. Today's afternoon of sightseeing starts with a walking tour. Highlights include the Lyab-i Hauz which once supplied the city's water; the striking blue-tiled Abdul Khan Madrasah and the 9th-century Mghoki Arrar Mosque. We then visit one of the most outstanding and iconic buildings in Bukhara; the Poi Kalon complex and Kalyan Mosque with its towering minaret dating back to 1127, one of the few buildings in the city to pre-date Genghis Khan's invasion. After our first part of the city tour is completed, we will check into our centrally located hotel.

We continue our city tour in the old town of Bukhara. Our exploration starts with the Ark, a massive citadel that served as a fortress from the 5th century until its capture by the Russians in 1920. Today, the Ark houses several small museums dedicated to Bukhara's history. Bukhara was the site where two British soldiers were imprisoned during 'The Great Game,' a significant race for Imperial power between Victorian Britain and Tsarist Russia across Central Asia. Next, we visit the Bolo Khauz Mosque with its peaceful pond and facade before taking a short drive to the Samanid Mausoleum, an iconic example of early Islamic architecture and a pilgrimage site housing the tomb of the Samanid dynasty's founder. In the afternoon we'll visit the Mausoleum of Naqshbandi, 15 km outside the city centre. There are many orders in Sufism, all of which have been represented at different times in what is now Uzbekistan. The Naqshbandiyya order has a great and long-lasting influence, and the memorial place is still a popular place of pilgrimage for Sufis. From here, we will visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. In Persian, it is called Sitorai Mokhi Hossa, 'the place where the moon meets the stars'. Return to Bukhara for our final night in this well-preserved Persian city.

Today, we will drive to two villages near Bukhara to learn about the rural life of Uzbekistan. Our first stop is the locally famous pottery workshop in Gijduvan, where we will observe artisans mastering techniques that have been passed down for centuries. After that, we will continue to the village of Vobkent, where a local resident will welcome us into his home and introduce us to his family and community. We will take a walk to meet the villagers and see the cotton fields where they work. Finally, we will prepare and enjoy lunch together. In the afternoon we drive back to Bukhara and take the two-hour high-speed train Afrosiob from Bukhara to the much-fabled city of Samarkand. Stormed by Alexander the Great and reduced to ashes by Genghis Khan, Samarkand was nevertheless transformed into the most glittering city in Transoxiana by Tamerlane, who made it his capital in the 14th century. Even today, the monumental scale of the buildings overwhelms visitors. Approximate overall driving time 4.5 hours.

This morning, we will visit Registan Square, Samarkand's turquoise mosaic masterpiece. Registan's sweeping public square is flanked on three sides by huge intricately tiled madrasahs. Meticulously restored during Soviet times, it now echoes its former glory, and we will spend time taking in the scale of the monument, as well as learning about its role over the six centuries it has been standing. We will also visit the Gur Emir, the gold-ceilinged tomb of Tamerlane himself, revered as somewhat of a national icon in Uzbekistan. In the afternoon our sightseeing is accompanied by a local guide who will take us to the Shah-i-Zinda - a beautifully tiled necropolis of tombs, mosques and mausoleums belonging to Tamerlane's family, friends and the prophet Mohammad's cousin. We will also visit the Ulug-Beg Observatory, considered to have been one of the finest observatories in the Islamic World. It was here that Ulug-Beg, the great medieval astronomer, built his gigantic sextant which enabled him to calculate the length of a year within just 10 seconds. The tour will include Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once the largest in Central Asia; it was built by Tamerlane with loot from Indian campaigns and named after his favourite Mongolian wife. At the end of our tour, there will be an opportunity for a last round of handmade souvenir shopping.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Samarkand. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Samarkand at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Samarkand International Airport (SKD), which is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. If you wish to explore further independently after the tour has ended, you may want to consider an overnight train from Samarkand to the ancient city of Khiva. At the time of writing, the connection between these two cities relies on regular speed daily trains. However, Uzbek national railways are implementing multiple infrastructure improvements and high-speed trains should become available in the near future.