This tour starts and ends in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek and takes you around the northern and southern shores of Issyk Kul Lake.
Visit the naturally beautiful Ala Archa Gorge and enjoy stunning scenic views. Learn more about the country on a guided city tour of Bishkek. Drive to the second largest alpine lake in the world – Issyk Kul Lake— which never freezes. Get acquainted with traditions and culture of nomadic people: visit yurt maker and eagle hunter houses and learn more about how the famous carpets are created and try to make your own carpet.
For more details on what you will see and do, please see the itinerary.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
1-79 yrs
Operated in
english, russian
Destinations
Bishkek, Issyk-Kul, Ala Archa Na
Bishkek, Issyk-Kul, Ala Archa National Park, Karakol, Kochkor
A fun tour with amazing destination stops and scenery. Great activities and optional activities. A fun CEO whose passion for his country kept me engaged. I?ve learned a lot about myself through this journey and will miss my tour group, CEO and our drivers ?
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Home-stay
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bishkek, Almaty, Chong Kemin, So
Bishkek, Almaty, Chong Kemin, Song Köl Lake, Tamga Village, Jety-Oguz, Karakol, Saty
Uncover the rich heritage of Central Asia on a journey through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — a region shaped for centuries by Silk Road trade, spiritual traditions, and sweeping cultural exchange. Wander the ancient streets of Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara, where history echoes through turquoise-tiled mosques and bustling bazaars. Marvel at natural wonders like Kaindy Lake’s sunken forest and the red rock cliffs of Charyn Canyon. Explore sacred sites and architectural marvels that reveal the region’s religious diversity and deep historical roots. Along the way, connect with nomadic herders in Kyrgyzstan, break bread with Tajik families, and experience the warmth of rural hospitality in Kazakhstan. This is your window into one of the most captivating, and often overlooked, corners of the world.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Trace the ancient Silk Road through the heart of Central Asia, where sweeping landscapes and centuries-old traditions collide in breathtaking fashion. Journey through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, discovering a region where nomadic heritage still shapes everyday life. Share home-cooked meals with Kyrgyz and Cossack families, explore surreal wonders like the sunken forest of Kaindy Lake and the towering cliffs of Charyn Canyon, and connect with locals whose stories bring the past vividly to life. With National Geographic Journeys, you’ll experience this remote crossroads of cultures through immersive encounters, expert insight and unforgettable moments that reveal the true spirit of the Silk Road.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Ready for a wild ride through Central Asia? This 12-day adventure through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is the perfect mashup of jaw-dropping landscapes and deep cultural dives. Hike through canyons that look like they belong on another planet, listen to the desert sing beneath your feet, and learn how to build a yurt like the nomads do. From village stays and yurt workshops to city streets buzzing with history in Bishkek and Almaty — this is one epic journey where nature stuns, culture shines, and every day brings something totally unexpected.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Home-stay, Hostel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bishkek, Almaty, Chon Kemin , Ta
Bishkek, Almaty, Chon Kemin , Tamga Village, Karakol, Saty Village, Altyn-Emel National Park
Pack your bags and a serious sense of adventure — you’re about to blaze across four of Central Asia’s wildest and most underrated countries. This 26-day epic takes you deep into ancient cities and windswept canyons across Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. One minute you’re wandering centuries-old Silk Road streets the next you’re hiking to neon-blue lakes or helping build a nomadic yurt. It’s gritty it’s gorgeous and totally unforgettable.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Home-stay, Hostel, Hotel
Age Range
18-39 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tashkent, Almaty, Samarkand, Shy
Tashkent, Almaty, Samarkand, Shymkent, Taraz, Bishkek, Chon Kemin , Tamga Village, Khiva, Karakol, Saty Village, Altyn-Emel National Park, Bukhara, Marguzor
Once the epicentre of global trade, Central Asia’s Silk Road is now one of the world’s best-kept travel secrets — and it’s calling your name. On this epic journey through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, you’ll roam ancient towns older than most countries, trek to turquoise alpine lakes, and dive into vibrant cultures where past and present collide. Expect camel caravan vibes by day and bustling bazaars by night. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping back in time, this is your chance. Let’s go.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers