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Journey through Central Asia
Operated by Wendy Wu
Tripcode: CJCREV_AU
Overview
Destination:
Kyrgyzstan,
Turkmenistan,
Duration:28 days
Type:Group tour (max 18)
Travel Period
May 2026 - September 2027
Travel from Bishkek to Ashgabat on this 28 day 'Five Stan' cultural experience. This in depth tour will see you visiting the Silk Road gems of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the quirky Turkmenistan, colourful markets, fascinating villages and Swiss Alps type scenery. Retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great on this unforgettable Central Asian journey.
Tour highlights:
- Bukhara, Discover the ancient and pre-Soviet styles of this intriguing city
- Samarkand, Witness the fabulous architecture here on one of the most illustrious cities on the Silk Road
- Khiva, Explore the ancient city of Khiva
- Darvaza Gas Crater, See the fiery glow from the stunning Darvaza Gas Crater
Tour experiences:
- Visit an Akhal Tekes Stud Farm, Visit a stud farm to learn about the famous Akhal Tekes. A native horse breed with a distinctive metallic sheen. These majestic animals have played an essential role in Turkmenistan's history and are the emblem of the country.
- Watch Golden Eagle Hunting, One of Central Asia's most iconic experiences, witness the skill and majesty of golden eagle hunting – an age-old Kyrgyz tradition – in the spectacular setting of Kyrgyzstan's highlands.
- Sleep in a Traditional Yurt, Get a true taste of the life of the Kyrgyz nomads at a shepherd's camp, where you’ll spend the night sleeping in a traditional yurt.
- The Art of Uzbek Ceramics, Visit the workshop of the renowned Rakhimov family, Akbar and Alisher, and discover the rich history of Uzbek ceramics. Explore their unique collection of exquisite handcrafted pieces and see traditional techniques brought to life.
Places visited:
- Bishkek (2N)
- Chon
- Kemin (1N)
- Bokonbayevo (1N)
- Karakol (2N)
- Almaty (2N)
- Dushanbe (2N)
- Khujand (1N)
- Tashkent (2N)
- Samarkand (2N)
- Bukhara (3N)
- Khiva (2N)
- Ashgabat (2N+2N)
- Mary (1N)
Price notes:
- Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1June 2025. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
- Customary tipping amount of approximately US$160pp (AU$246pp) is paid locally in Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan.
- Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
- Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
Highlights:
Standard inclusions
- International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected)
- All Meals (refer to itinerary)
- Domestic transportation
- Touring with guides and entrance fees
- 3 – 4 star accommodation, guest house & yurt camp
- Visa assistance for Australian passport holders
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDAYS 1-2: Fly To Bishkek
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the days is yours to relax before dinner.
DAY 3: Ala Archa National Park
Travel to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through its picturesque scenery of rugged peaks and dramatic gorges. Return to Bishkek for a city tour, where you will visit Manas Monument before enjoying a walking tour around Ala Too Square to watch the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony. You will also visit the Independence Monument, Old Square and more.
DAY 4: Chong Kemin National Park
This morning, depart for the peaceful village of Chon-Kemin, enjoying breathtaking views of the 12th Century Burana Tower along the way. Chon Kemin is a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains and a fir forest. Take in daily village life as you wander along the foothills and enjoy the views.
DAY 5: Bokonbayevo
Today we drive to Kochkor village , the centre of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts. Here you will be able to see how the traditional Kygyz wool carpets, called ‘shyrdak’, are made. Continue further to Bokonbayevo Village, passing the Southern shore of Issyk Kul Lak, the second largest mountain lake in the world, along the way.
DAY 6: Golden Eagle Hunting - Karakol
Visit Skazka Canyon, before going on to meet with a “Berkutchi”, a Golden Eagle hunter and watch a hunting demonstration, gaining insight into this millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition. Continue on to Barskoon Gorge to see the waterfall named ‘Tears of Leopard’. The gorge is considered one of the most beautiful in the Issyk Kul area. Continue to Karakol.
DAY 7: Jety-Orguz Gorge
Visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, which was completed in 1895 and tour a Chinese mosque. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone. Go on to enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family, learning the fascinating story of why this Muslim Chinese group immigrated to the region 140 years ago..
DAY 8: Karakol - Almaty
Rise early and travel to the outskirts of town for the unforgettable Karakol Sunday Animal Market. Drive through breath-taking scenery to, visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, named due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing structures. Travel on to Almaty where you will overnight.
DAY 9: Almaty
This morning, discover the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, dedicated to the Panfilov heroes of an Alma-Ata Infantry as well as the Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church made entirely of wood. In the afternoon, explore the Ili Alatau mountains and Medeu, an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink, located at the height of 1,690 metres. Go on to visit Shymbulak, a mountain resort located 2,260 metres above sea level. Continue to Kok Tobe, before taking a ride on a cable car for magnificent panoramic views of the city. You will return to your hotel afterwards, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
DAY 10: Fly To Dushanbe
This morning in Almaty is yours to enjoy at your leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan arriving in the early afternoon
DAY 11: Dushanbe
Today vist the famous Museum of National Antiquities. Walk through the botanical gardens, Rudaki Park and stop at the Ismoili Somoni monument. After lunch visit the historical Fortress of Hissor, the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of life
DAY 12: Iskanderkul Lake
Visit the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul on the way to Khujand.
DAY 13: Khujand - Tashkent
Enjoy a tour of Khujand, visiting Pushkin Square, Timur Malik's Fortress and the atmospheric Panjshanbe Bazaar. Travel to Tashkent this afternoon.
DAY 14: Tashkent
Take a step back in time in the old town and explore the Tila Shaikh mosque, home to rare copies of the Koran. Stop at Chorsu Bazaar. Visit the ceramic workshop of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov, and explore the history of ceramics. Admire the opulently decorated Tashkent Metro.
DAY 15: Arrive In Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand, where after checking into your hotel you will visit the iconic Registan Square, the heartbeat of Samarkand. Admire the three beautiful madrassahs on the square's perimeter.
DAY 16: Samarkand
This morning, see Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of conqueror Tamerlane. Next continue to Bibi-Khanum Friday Mosque and Shah-I-Zinda before visiting Ulugh Beg Observatory. Later see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab.
DAY 17: Shakhrisabz
Head out of Samarkand to the town of Shakhrisabz where you will explore the remains of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and KokGumbas Mosque. Continue your journey this afternoon as you make your way to Bukhara.
DAY 18: Bukhara
You have a city tour of one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.
DAY 19: Bukhara
Head out of Bukhara to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
DAY 20: Journey To Khiva
Travel across the famous Kyzyl Kum Desert today. Watch in awe as the scenery changes from saksaul trees to the Amudarya riverbank.
DAY 21: Walled City Of Khiva
Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kuhna Ark and the turquoise-tiled Islam-Khodja.
In the afternoon see the Friday Mosque and Tash Hauli Palace
DAY 22: Explore Kunya-Urgench
Transfer overland to Kunya-Urgench, the once-glorious capital of the Khorezmshah Empire and a now UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, transfer to Dashoguz for your evening flight to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
DAY 23: Explore Ashgabat
Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Ashgabat in your own time. Afterwards, head to Arkadash stud farm and learn about the “winged” Akhal Tekkes horses. En route back to Ashgabat stop at the Kipchak Complex where the largest mosque in Turkmenistan and the family mausoleum of the country’s first president is located.
DAY 24: Ancient City Of Merv
Rise early for your flight to Mary. From the airport you will transfer overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary after to visit the local History Museum.
DAY 25: Darvaza Gas Crater
Fly back to Ashgabat and enjoy a morning tour of the city. In the afternoon you will head to Darvaza to witness its famous Flaming Crater. Enjoy a walk around the perimeter and tuck into a delicious nomadic-style camp-side dinner under the starts. Following dinner, you will return to Ashgabat.
DAY 26: Ashgabat
Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum that exhibits an interesting collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets and various carpet objects.
DAYS 27-28: Fly Ashgabat To Australia
Fly to Australia, arriving home the following day.
Day 26: Ashgabat
Learn about the Turkmenistan’s important cotton and gas industries before Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum that exhibits an interesting collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets and various carpet objects.
Day 27: Flight from Ashgabat to Dubai
Early in the morning transfer to the Ashgabat airport for your flight to Dubai and onto Australia.
On arrival in Dubai you will connect to your flight to Australia returning home on the same or the following day.
Day 28: Land in Australia
Land in Australia where the tour finishes.
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Wendy Wu
Wendy Wu Tours is Australia's leading touring specialist, offering extraordinary tours throughout Asia, Latin America, Eurasia, the Middle East – and most recently, Australasia. Since Wendy sent her very first tour to China in 1994, we've grown from strength to strength and are proud of the multiple awards we've won throughout the years and the unique travel experiences we offer to an expanding range of destinations.
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27 nights
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