Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is a city with buildings from the soviet era, vast squares and bustling local bazaars. It is the perfect base for day trips to nearby Ala Archa National Park, and the Burana Tower, a Silk Road-era minaret and all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun. 

Enjoy a relaxed half-day city tour of Bishkek, taking in Ala-Too Square, Dubovy Park and Osh Bazaar.

This  morning, depart on an excursion to the beautiful Ala Archa National Park with its picturesque gorge of snow-capped mountains, pine forested valleys, waterfalls and gushing rivers. Enjoy a morning of hiking and a deluxe picnic lunch amidst the beautiful environment.

In the afternoon, you will be treated to witness a private yurt set up by the local nomads.

Enjoy dinner in a yurt restaurant and be entertained by a Folklore musical performance showcasing traditional musical instruments and Kyrgyz melodies.

This morning, we drive about 275km or about 5 hours to the shore of Issykul Lake. En route, we visit Suyab which is the hometown of the famous China poet Li Bai (李白) and Burana, a minaret constructed in the 11th century AD during the heyday of the Silk Road. After having lunch with a local family, we continue to Issykul Lake. At 1,609m above sea level, it is surrounded by the snowy mountains of Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain) and it is the world’s second largest salt lake (after Caspian). Spend an idyllic afternoon exploring the area.

After a leisurely breakfast, drive back to Bishkek, with lunch en route to the airport. 

In the evening, take a flight to Osh. 

Domestic Flight (Economy)
YK179, Bishkek – Osh: 17:00 – 17:40

Right in the heart of the Ferghana Valley, Osh has been an important crossroad during the golden age of the Silk Road. Till today, it retains the distinctive historical charm of exotic Central Asia with one of the most vibrant bazaars.

Spend the full day exploring Osh. The age of the city can be judged from the rock drawings and inscriptions found on the northern slope of the four-headed Suleiman Mountain, one of the main shrines of the Islamic world in Central Asia. You will visit main cave historical museum, the mosque of Babur, The Great Mogols Dynasty founder, and take a bird eye’s view of the city.

Drive to the border at Dustlik into Uzbekistan to arrive in Ferghana (approx. 70km, 2hrs). En route, we will visit Andijan (approx. 50 km, 1hr). It dates back to the 9th century and is the birthplace of Babur which founded the Moghul Dynasty in India. It is also the capital of Ferghana state and an important Silk Road staging post. Visit Juma Mosque and Medressa and the Babur Literary Museum. 

Proceed to Ferghana (approx. 75 km, 1hr). Upon arrival, visit the regional museum of history (one of the oldest museums in Uzbekistan) with a fine collection of items, relating to all periods of history, culture and art of Fergana valley.

Our tour of Fergana includes a visit to the Drama theatre which is named after governor M.D. Skobelev.

Head out to Margilan (approx. 30mmin, 15km) visit a traditional silk factory “Yodgorlik”, where you will get acquainted with the whole process of silk production. A further 30km (about 35m) takes you to Rishtan, where you will visit the well-known family ceramic workshops of Rustam Usmonov. Enjoy lunch with the local family. 

Continue onwards to Kokand (approx. 50min, 40km) and check into your hotel.

This morning, we cross another border, this time into one of the most inaccessible country along the Silk Road if not the world – Tajikistan! From Kokand, it is a 75km (about 2 hours’) drive to Khujand. 

En route, enjoy lunch by a garden along the shore of Kayrakum Lake. Arriving in Khujand, we take a short walk in the Kamoli Khujandi Park where the Lenin monument stands.

Little known to the outside world, Khujand has witnessed dramatic history  and many giants (from Persian Shah, Cyrus the great to Alexander of the ancient world to Lenin of modern history), have left their marks here.  You will visit Khujand historical museum, Panjshanbe Bazaar and Shaikh Muslihaddin Mosque, Sugdiana State Museum and the Ancient Ruins of Alexander.

In the afternoon, we go on a private tour of the Arbob Palace built by the Soviet, and a museum today.

This evening, be treated to a private Tajikistan dinner and show in a traditional guesthouse.

Today, we head out into the high mountains where the real beauty of Tajikistan lies. Drive 280km or about 5 hours. We will drive through the tunnel of the Shahristan Pass to Pendjikent, stopping en route in Istaravshan to visit Kok Gumbaz,and Sari Mazor mausoleum. 

Penjikent is one of the oldest towns in Central Asia, whose name translates as “the city of five villages” and is located in the verdant and picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Explore the ancient archaeological site of Old Penjikent with a historian, visit the Rudaki Museum in homage to the famous 10th century Tajik poet and unearth the secrets of Sarazm, a UNESCO listed proto-urban settlement dating back to 4 BC.

Today, we head out into the high mountains where the real beauty of Tajikistan lies. Arriving in Iskanderul, you will have time to hike around the lake and to the waterfall. Dinner by shore of the lake prepared by our own chef. 

Enjoy another morning of hiking around Iskanderkul’s amazing landscapes before driving about 135km or about 3½ hours to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. En route, enjoy lunch in Varzob gorge where trout fish are caught in the river Varzob.

Lying in the far west of the country, Tajikistan’s capital city of Dushanbe sits in the shadow of snow-capped mountains, a city of wide boulevards, verdant parks, excellent museums and vibrant bazaars. Visit the Museum of National Antiquities, Hisor Fortress and Rudaki Park, as well as join on an exclusive private visit to the Golden Hall and Hall of Mirrors in the Navruz Palace.

A transfer will be arranged to Dushanbe Airport for your departure flight.