Central Asia 2-Week Tours and Itineraries

“The Central Asia Journey is a wonderful adventure for those looking for something different. Four of my fellow travellers were fit over 80 year olds and coped magnificently, myself at 74 and not so fit was surprised I managed to keep up as well as I did. The accommodation was excellent and the food terrific. We were always served alcohol when we needed it, which was often because we are Aussie and it was hotter than I expected. Trip comes highly recommended from a fairly experienced traveler and is great value for money.”

“Cities tend not to be high on my list of places to visit but I was surprised by the many parks and green spaces offsetting the large buildings and wide roads in all the cities visited. Of course the amazing architecture of the mosques, madrassas, minarets, mausoleums, museums and markets were impressive and interesting with a wealth of information from both our tour leaders and local guides, all of whom spoke excellent English.The train journeys and the brief ride on the Metro in Tashkent made pleasant changes to the coach travel. Good to see family groups enjoying the warm evenings in pedestrianised streets and squares, parks, local cafes and bars, etc. No litter, no noisy groups of youths, just a nice atmosphere.Though the planned overnight train ride to Kazakhstan didnt happen owing to international cancellation at little notice, the replacement coach was large and comfortable. In the morning traffic to Almaty many more upmarket cars were on the roads, after very few in Uzbekistan.The short drive out of Almaty with the walk up to the waterfall was a welcome change from the city streets. Then the long drive into the Kyrgyzstan countryside was literally a breath of fresh air; with the vast lake, snow-capped mountains, rushing rivers, flower-strewn meadows and leisurely walks. Not forgetting the impressive golden eagle demonstration. I would have preferred more than one night at the Yurt shores of Lake Camp. A couple of days later, an afternoon swim at the seaside on the Issyk Kul Lake was refreshing.Inevitable long road journeys were offset by ever changing views, excellent driving, mainly good roads and frequent stops.”

“There's never a dull moment in this full-on, activity packed, classic road and rail journey. Squeezing three contrasting countries into just 15 days is something of a challenge and it requires stamina, energy, good humour and an open mind to get the most out of it. With just five in the group, this felt like a private trip and the intensity and space certainly benefitted an excellent itinerary. Uzbekistan has the monuments, China provides the counterpoint and nomadic Kyrgyzstan oozes impossibly beautiful mountain and lakeland vistas. Throw-in the Russian influences and the echoes of Ginghis Khan, Tamerlane, Alexander the Great and Marco Polo and you have an intriguing concoction.”