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Road to Samarkand

Operated by Wendy Wu

Tripcode: CRS_AU

Overview

Destination:

Kyrgyzstan,

Uzbekistan,

Duration:23 days

Type:Group tour (max 18)

Travel Period

September 2026 - September 2026

Journey through the heart of Central Asia crossing beautiful deserts and mountain landscapes. Discover ancient cities full of intricate Islamic architecture, thriving bazaars and a mystical old-world atmosphere, all linked with the legends of the Silk Road.

Tour highlights:

Khiva, Explore the ancient city of Khiva
Lake Issyk Kul, Cruise on beautiful Lake Issyk Kul
Bukhara, Discover the ancient and pre-Soviet styles of this intriguing city
Samarkand, Be mesmerised by this UNESCO city

Tour experiences:

Kyrgyz Women Cooperative, In Kochkor, visit a wonderful local cooperative where women are trained in traditional Kyrgyz handicrafts and given space to show and sell their work, allowing them to earn a wage while keeping old traditions alive.
Cruise on the Lake Issyk Kul, Take to the tranquil, vivid-blue waters of Lake Issyk Kul, the world's second largest alpine lake, enjoying a relaxing cruise as you admire the spectacular views of the rugged Ala-Too Mountains.
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.

Places visited:

Bishkek (2N)
Cholpon
Ata (1N)
Karakol (2N)
Naryn (2N)
Chong Kemin (1N)
Tashkent (2N)
Samarkand (4N)
Bukhara (3N)
Khiva (2N)
Tashkent (1N)

Price notes:

Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 01 June 2025. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
Customary tipping amount approximately US$150pp (AU$231pp) 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, plus guesthouse

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Itinerary

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DAYS 1-2: Fly Via Dubai To Bishkek

Fly overnight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital and cultural hub. Upon arrival check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure, before dinner.

DAY 3: Ala Archa National Park

Drive 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, the State History Museum before enjoying a walking tour around Ala Too Square to watch the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony.

DAY 4: Lake Issyk Kul

Visit the magnificent 12th-century Burana Tower before departing for Cholpon-Ata. Set on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul, visit the astonishing collection of 8th Century petroglyphs etched into glacial stone nearby. Later, take a cruise on the beautiful Lake Issyk Kul, admiring its spectacular alpine-esque surroundings.

DAY 5: Drive to Karakol

Drive to Karakol, stopping at Semenov Gorge for a gentle hike en route. Visit the Kyrchyn Jailoo ethnic village and arrive in Karakol in the early afternoon. This afternoon visit the Przhevalsky Museum, dedicated to the Russian explorer, and visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and the Chinese mosque.

DAY 6: Jeti-Oguz Gorge

Rise early to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Karakol's Sunday morning animal market which rivals Kashgar's famous animal market. In the afternoon, travel to the Jeti-Oguz Gorge for a walk through the canyon of red sandstone. This evening enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family in Karakol.

DAY 7: Eagle Hunting

Drive 3 hours to Bokonbaevo Village and watch an eagle hunting demonstration, a millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition practised with majestic golden eagles. Continue to Naryn, where you will stay the night.

DAY 8: Journey To Tash Rabat

Pass through dramatic mountain and valley landscapes to reach Tash Rabat, a small stone caravansary that was of great significance at the height of the Silk Road. Enjoy the peaceful valley said to contain some of the finest landscapes in Kyrgyzstan before returning to Naryn.

DAY 9: Kochkor

Transfer to Kochkor, the centre of Kyrgyz felt handicrafts. Visit a traditional 'shyrdak' (wool carpet) workshop and a co-op that provides training for local women in traditional handicrafts. In the evening you will travel to a guesthouse near Chong-Kemin National Park.

DAY 10: Chong Kemin National Park

Travel from Kochkor to Chong Kemin, a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains. Enjoy a walk in the foothills before travelling to Bishkek airport for your flight to Tashkent.

DAY 11: Tashkent

Explore Tashkent's sights, including the Barak Khana Seminary, Kukeldash madrassas, Tila Shaikh mosque and their archives. Browse the wares of Chorsu bazaar before experiencing a ceramic workshop.

DAY 12: Golden City of Samarkand

Travel to the legendary city of Samarkand where you will enjoy a tour of Registan Square, the Ulug-Bek and Tillya-Kori madrassah. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring at your leisure.

DAY 13: Samarkand

Explore Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane, the grandest structure of Amir Temur's times - the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum and the Siab Bazaar and Shahi Zinda Necropolis. Later in the afternoon see Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel.

DAY 14: Konigil Village

Visit Ulugbek's observatory, constructed by Ulugbek (Grandson of the Great Amir Temur) in 1428-1429. Later see the ancient settlement of Afrosiab. Continue to Konigil Village to visit a paper-making workshop. In the afternoon, return to Samarkand and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 15: Shakhrisabz

Travel to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the Great Amir Timur (Tamerlane). Explore the city, visiting sites such as the remnants of Ak-Saray Palace, Dorus Tilavat cemetery and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. Return to Samarkand this afternoon.

DAY 16: Bukhara

Journey to Bukhara. En route, visit Gijduvan, a centre of famous handmade ceramics. Here you will see the fascinating process of making these ceramics. Continue on to Bukhara where you will have the afternoon to begin to explore this fascinating city.

DAY 17: Bukhara

This morning’s sightseeing includes: the Lyab-i-Hauz ensemble, Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah, Khanaga and Magoki Attari Mosques, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque, plus the Maddrassahs of Aziz Khan and Ulugbek. After lunch you will discover the Ark of Bukhara, Bolo Hauz Mosque and the Mausoleums of Ismail Samanid and Chashma Ayub.

DAY 18: Bukhara

This morning, visit Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the Emir's summer palace, a 20th Century confection of a building! Continue to the Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausolem of a famous Sufi spiritual leader of the region. The afternoon is at leisure. Return to Bukhara and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 19: Khiva

This morning, you will set out for Khiva, a journey that will take you across Kyzyl Kum desert and a stop at Amudarya River. The route runs 480 kilometres through the stark beauty of the desert, the scenery changing from sparse saksaul trees to the lush riverbanks of the Amudarya.

DAY 20: Walled City Of Itchan Kala

Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kunya Ark and the turquoise tiled Islom-Khodja. Wander through the fascinating Madrassah Rakhimkhon, a beacon of religious, astronomic, geographic and mathematical studies, and see the 19th Century Tash Hauli Palace, decorated in blue fine china tiles.

DAY 21: Fly To Taskent

Transfer to Urgench to fly to Tashkent. Upon arrival visit the Museum of Applied Arts as well as the Mustakilik Square and the famous Tashkent Metro. With it's marble and granite decorations the Metro feels like an underground palace.

DAYS 22-23: Fly Tashkent To Australia

Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia via Dubai

DAYS 22-23: Fly Tashkent To Australia

Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia via Dubai

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.

Important Information

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*Terms and conditions

Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use

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Price from

$15,580 $14,801 *

Member price from

$14,801*

per person twin share

22 nights