Central Asia Explorer
- Best price guaranteed
- No booking fees
- COVID-19protected
- City sightseeing
- Museum and gallery visits
- Cultural, religious and historic sites
- Classes and workshops
- Booking Type Instant Booking
- duration 17 days
- tour type Small group
- age requirement 15+ years old
- max group size 12
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Footprint
carbonneutral
CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
- Change dates It is free to change your tour start date prior to 30 days of departure.
- Choose a different tour You can select a new tour run by the same operator up to 30 days before departure.
- Wander through the grand square Registan in Samarkand, admiring the imposing architecture from afar and the detailed craftmanship on the tiling up close.
- Walk under pointed arches and between dometopped mausoleums the size of apartments in the ShakiZinda necropolis, which has pieces from the 14th–19th century.
- Travel along the Chychkan River beneath the towering peaks of Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan range, mountains even more spectacular for emptiness of the valleys below them.
- Stay in a classic feltlined yurt on the shore of alpine SongKol Lake, where you can watch the sunset behind craggy mountains before warming yourself by the stove.
- Visit a Kyrgyz village and watch locals play a traditional horseback sport like odarysh (wrestling on horseback) or kokbaru (goat polo).
Be entranced by the beauty of Kyrgyzstan and historical wonders of Uzbekistan on this 17-day tour. Traverse landscapes of alpine lakes and mountains interrupted only by dots of yurts, feel the divine artistic power of the detailed mosaics and towering minarets of ancient cities, and be welcomed into homes and family-run businesses by locals. A mix of ancient nomadic cultures, various iterations of both conservative and progressive Islam, Soviet influence and post-independence nationalism mean Central Asia is home to unique traditions. Travels here will leave you raving about the region for years to come and planning your next trip back as soon as you get home.
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Day 1: Bishkek
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Day 2: Bishkek
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Day 3: Don Aryk – Issyk-Kul Lake – Kochkor
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Day 4: Song-Kol Lake (3016 metres)
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Day 5: Kyzyl-Oi
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Day 6: Suusamyr Valley – Chychkan – Kok-Bel
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Day 7: Osh
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Day 8: Osh
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Day 9: Border crossing – Andijan – Tashkent
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Day 10: Tashkent
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Day 11: Samarkand
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Day 12: Samarkand
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Day 13: Bukhara
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Day 14: Bukhara
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Day 15: Gijduvan – Bukhara
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Day 16: Tashkent
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Day 17: Tashkent
- Guesthouse/Homestay (4 night), Hotel (11 nights), Yurt (1 night)
- 16 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
- Private Bus , Metro , High Speed Train
- An expert tour leader
- Bishkek - City Tour
- Shamsy Valley - Burana tower
- Don Aryk - Local home visit & horsemanship demonstration
- Kochkor - Market
- Kochkor - Women's Felt Co-op
- Uzgen - Uzgen Minaret & Complex
- Osh - Sulaiman-Too Mountain
- Osh - National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
- Tashkent - Chorsu Bazaar
- Tashkent - Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
- Tashkent - History Museum of the People of Uzbekistan
- Samarkand - Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Samarkand - Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
- Samarkand - Shakh-I-Zinda
- Samarkand - Registan
- Samarkand - Paper making workshop & home cooked lunch
- Bukhara - Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Bukhara - Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
- Bukhara - Chor-Bakr Necropolis
- Bukhara - Ark Fortress
- Bukhara - Kalon Mosque
- Vobkent - Minaret
- Gijduvan - Ceramics workshop
- Any international flights to Bishkek and from Tashkent are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
- Travel insurance is not included in this Central Asia Explorer tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. We recommend purchasing it from World Nomads.
- Earn US$ 93+ in travel credits.
- Best price guaranteed.
- No credit card or booking fees.
- 100% financial protection.
- Carbon neutral tours.
- 25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.
- Read more reasons to book with Bookmundiless
No additional cancellation fees apply for this Central Asia Explorer tour. You can cancel the tour up to 30 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 29 days of departure.
PaymentFor any tour departures within 24 June 2022, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 24 June 2022, a deposit is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 29 days before trip departure.
Travel InsuranceCentral Asia Explorer tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. We recommend using World Nomads' travel insurance.
VisaFor this Central Asia Explorer tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.
Is this trip right for you:- Central Asia is a remote destination, perfect for Intrepid travellers! You will venture well away from cities, right off the beaten track and be able to immerse yourself in local food, life and culture. Accommodation may on occasion be more basic than what you are used to, especially in local homes, guesthouses and at the yurt. Shower and toilet facilities will be limited in some places and non-existent in others. While the comfort level won't always be high, the rewards of living in true local style in this far-out part of the world are immeasurable.
- This is an overland journey, so there will be some very long days of travelling and driving, often over rough terrain. This can be tiring and require patience. The vehicle we use is small enough to access places where the general road condition doesn't allow for buses, but this means it can be a cosy journey when the group is almost full. We find this is a great way for the group to bond and share an amazing journey together and there will be stops along the way to take photos and stretch your legs.
- What Kyrgyzstan lacks in historical sights (compared to the Silk Road monuments and Old Towns of Uzbekistan) it makes up for in incredible natural landscapes and plenty of opportunities for interaction with local families in small villages.
This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:
- This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
- Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.
- All travellers 18 years and older will be required to be fully vaccinated. Children aged 17 years and under must present either a negative COVID-19 test, proof of recovery or proof of full vaccination. Any customer who is unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons can apply for an exemption. Customers must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional. These new safety measures apply on all trips, except for tours in Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
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Is Asia open for tourists?
Despite the initial fears of the Covid-19 pandemic, most Asian countries have managed to mitigate its effects. As such, many popular destinations throughout the continent are currently open for travelers with precautionary measures like mandatory vaccinations. A few countries, however, require newly arrived travelers to spend a couple of days in quarantine.
As of February 2022, countries like Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia are officially open for vaccinated tourists without the need for quarantine. Meanwhile, India and Indonesia are two of the countries that may require you to quarantine for up to a week on arrival. However, Japan, Vietnam, and Myanmar are yet to open their doors to visitors.
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How to plan an Asia tour?
Asia is a relatively large continent, so there are a wide variety of destinations to explore. Therefore, if you are planning a multi-country trip to Asia, the first thing you need to prepare is the list of countries you are interested in along with your starting and ending points. You would also need to decide on the best time for your trip depending on seasonal variations that affect each country.
After finalizing when and where to travel in Asia, you should make arrangements for all the necessary travel documents. These would include visas, insurances, Covid-19 test reports, vaccine cards, and so on.
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Which countries should I visit in Asia?
Asia has more than enough destinations to meet every traveler’s needs and desires. If you are into adventure, look no further than the mighty Himalayas. Go on an exhilarating hike to the base camp of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, or head for the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh instead. Thailand, with its blend of dazzling nightlife, rich history, and striking monuments, is the perfect destination not just for those who wish to let their hair down but also for travelers looking forward to being part of a memorable cultural experience.
Go on a tour to Cambodia, home to the monumental Angkor Wat, if you are into off-the-beaten-path destinations, or choose a Japan tour if you wish to discover how traditions and modernity can be seamlessly blended. The Maldives, with its numerous islands and beaches, is sure to provide you with countless opportunities to kick back on sandy stretches, swim in turquoise waters, and go island-hopping, while the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia are a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
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What country in Asia is fluent in English?
English is a widely spoken language in Asia, which means that you would not have much difficulty conversing with locals during your trip. Singapore ranks the highest in terms of its proficiency in the English language. The Philippines comes second, followed by Malaysia. Other countries where you will not face much trouble if you can speak English are South Korea, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
You will find that English is part of life of a section of the population in all these countries. They have road signs in English (along with those in their native languages) as well as English newspapers. Public announcements are often translated into English in these countries, and it is not difficult to come across store banners and product labels written in the language. In addition to all this, locals are also accustomed to tourists, which means they can at least carry out basic conversations in the language.
However, please keep in mind that it is the urban population in the continent that has had the most exposure to the language and is better at communicating in it. The more you travel to the countryside, the fewer English speakers you will meet.
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How much does an Asia tour cost? What is the cheapest country to travel to in Asia?
There are several factors that determine the amount of money you will spend during your Asia tour. These include the countries you wish to visit, the length of your trip, the type of tour you have chosen (group, private, luxury and budget) as well as other expenses like insurance, visas, and transportation.
Laos is probably the cheapest destination in Asia, with an average daily expense of USD 23 per person. India is yet another budget-friendly destination in the region when it comes to foreigners. Expect to spend between USD 35 to USD 40 per person, per day if you are a mid-range traveler. The average daily expense in Cambodia is slightly higher, at USD 50 per person. Japan and Singapore, on the other hand, are some of the most expensive destinations on the planet. On average, travelers should expect to shell out USD 130 dollars per person, per day while in these countries.