Fantastic trip including a 5 night hike staying in tents. The hike was the highlight with magnificent views while walking through a variety of terrains. At times it was a little challenging but we are over 60! It added to the adventure. Everything was well organised.
Trekking and Hiking
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Guest House, Hotel, Hut, Tent
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bishkek, Ala Kol Lake, Arashan G
Bishkek, Ala Kol Lake, Arashan Gorge, Karakol, Cholpon-Ata, Son-Köl, Issyk-Kul, Jeti Oguz, Telety Pass
I'm finally writing my review after being home for a month. What an interesting trip. Great people along the way, marvelous scenery in both the cities and the countryside. The accommodation ranged from 5 star to quirky and the hosts were always warm and welcoming. The homestays were a highlight with lovely people in stunning settings. All the guides (and drivers) were knowledgeable and ready to share their knowledge of the sites around us. The trip was a great highlight of central Asia and I would go back in a shot.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ashgabat, Almaty, Penjikent, Dus
Ashgabat, Almaty, Penjikent, Dushanbe, Khujand, Fergana, Osh, Arslanbob, Sary Tash, Chychkan, Bishkek, Charyn Canyon National Park, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Vast deserts, rolling steppe, fertile valleys and majestic mountains form the backdrop to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, which are commonly known as the Five Stans. Among this changing and varied landscape are traditional villages, ancient towns and modern cities, which tell a tale of advancing Greek and Persian armies, marauding Mongolian hordes, traders selling wares along the Silk Road, philosophers, astronomers, Communist experiments and post-Soviet eccentrics. Journey past giant burning gas pits, intricately tiled mosques, alpine lakes bordered by yurt camps, grand monuments, rural villages and colourful markets on this epic trip through the heart of Central Asia.
About this trip: We have two versions of this trip. One starts in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and ends in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the other runs in reverse. Apart from the direction of travel, the two itineraries are similar - the main difference is the route taken through Kyrgyzstan and the accommodation there. This itinerary runs from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, includes Chon-Kemin and Bishkek and stays in guesthouses and hotels rather than yurts. The other itinerary runs from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan, includes Son Kul Lake and there are three nights staying in yurts in Kyrgyzstan.
Both itineraries include a night in a yurt in Turkmenistan.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Journey back to the days of the Great Silk Road on a 18-day Premium adventure through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Tashkent, marvel at the glorious architecture in Samarkand, discover the holy sites of Bukhara and visit the ancient monuments of Khiva. Join a local family for a traditional cooking class and get to know the ins and outs of an Uzbek village. Visit Sharyn Canyon, Skazka Canyon and Jety Oguz Valley and take hikes to soak up the scenery. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp alongside the massive alpine lake of Issyk Kul. See the monuments, learn the histories and dive into the local cultures of main cities like Bishkek and Almaty. Visit a family-owned winery for a tasting, head to a small local village for a traditional lunch and enjoy a masterclass of local cuisine from a Dungan family. With all this and more, what’s holding you back from your next adventure?
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
