Central Asia Adventure: Astana to Ashgabat

Salemetsiz be! Welcome to Kazakhstan. Your adventure begins in Astana with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. Astana was purpose-built to become the capital city of Kazakhstan in 1997 and is home to meticulously planned city streets and architecture. The modern metropolis was designed by leading Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, who won first prize in a competition against other world-renowned architects. Now, it’s one of the youngest cities in Central Asia. If you arrive early, maybe stroll along the Astana waterfront or go shopping in the world’s largest tent at the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre. Tonight, join your leader and group for dinner in town for your first authentic Kazakh food experience.

This morning, join your leader for a city tour around some of the most impressive designs of the new city. Visit Bayterek tower, then stroll down Nur Boulevard to Khan Shatyr – another city landmark in the shape of a giant transparent tent. Visit Nur-Astana Mosque – with its capacity of 5000 worshippers inside and an additional 2000 outside, it’s one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Then, you'll stop at the Palace of Peace & Reconciliation – a pyramid-shaped conference hall considered Astana's symbolic centre. This afternoon, why not find some horse meat dishes or plov (a popular rice dish with chunks of lamb, onions and carrots) for lunch. After, you’ll met back up with your group and visit a renowned local jeweller and his workshop to learn about his craft.

This morning, take a flight to the historic centre of Kazakhstan, Turkistan – home to more relics and cultural sites than any other place in the country. When you arrive, visit the new Caravan Serai – a complex recently built to model ancient Silk Road trade centres, giving visitors a taste of what life was once like here. With your free time in the late afternoon, you can see the Yasawi Mausoleum, illuminated with vivid colours and patterned exteriors.

Head out on a city tour this morning, starting with a visit to Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum – Kazakhstan’s most iconic building. Built by Tamerlane, it’s said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. As it’s a religious site, it’s recommended that women wear a headscarf when entering. On the grounds, you'll find a rose garden, monuments, an archaeological museum and a mosque. Leaving the mausoleum, jump in your private transport to Shymkent, stopping at the ancient settlement of Otrar on the way. First excavated in 1969, its history dates back to the first century AD, with remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses that can still be seen today. This is also where Genghis Khan's army is said to have fought when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia. Board your overnight train in the evening.

Pulling into Alamaty this morning, hop off the train and head out to find some breakfast. Today, you’ll be going on a daytrip to Lake Issyk and Turgen Gorge. Stop at the Issyk Museum – an archaeological reserve dedicated to Kazakh history and Scythian culture (an ancient nomadic people who were particularly skilled in horseback warfare). Continue to Ile-Alatau National Park, where peaceful Lake Issyk sits in the foothills of the surrounding mountains. Relax and refresh on the lakeshore of this stunning spot before carrying on to Turgen Gorge, where a short hike will bring you to a waterfall. On the way back to Almaty, stop by a winery, where you’ll meet with a local craft winemaker and sample some raw wine, craft cheese and tuck into a hearty lunch.

Today, you’ll take a city tour of Almaty with a local guide. This former capital of Kazakhstan now has a completely different vibrancy to Astana, with its wide tree-lined streets, numerous parks and the view of the snow-capped mountains. Visit Central Square and the colourful Zenkoff Cathedral in Panfilov Park, dedicated to the 28 guardsmen who died defending Moscow against German tanks in WWII. Check out the fascinating Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, which features a great collection of ancient relics. Finally, visit Zelenyi Bazaar and experience the vibrant market scene before returning to the hotel to rest and recharge.

This morning, drive to Saty Village, stopping at the spectacular Charyn Canyon along the way. The richly coloured canyon carves a path through the surrounding landscape, with vivid tones of oranges and browns shifting and changing as the sun travels across the sky. Enjoy some time here to marvel at the natural wonder and grab some photos before continuing to Saty Village, where you’ll check into your homestay and experience a taste of local life in the Tien Shan Mountain Range.

This morning, watch the beautiful landscape change as you drive to Kyrgyzstan. Along the way, stop at Burana Tower – a minaret that’s the most visible remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun. Then, continue to Don Aryk, where you’ll meet a local Kyrgyz family and sit down for a home-cooked lunch. After, continue to today’s destination – Issyk-Kul Lake. At 170 km long and 70 m wide, the Issyk-Kul Lake is the second-largest alpine lake in the world. Your yurt camp for tonight is set up along the south shore of the lake where you'll get a fantastic view of the snow-capped mountains setting behind the lake. Made of felt and tarpaulins on a round frame, yurts are the traditional dwellings of the Kyrgyz people, and this will be your 'settlement' for today and tomorrow.

After breakfast, you’ll head out to Kyzyl Tuu – known for yurt making. Almost every family here is a yurt maker, and the village is known far beyond Kyrgyzstan. Visit an artisan family who’ll teach you about their traditional yurts. With a special workshop, you’ll learn the basics of how these nomadic dwellings have been manufactured and how they play an important role in the community here. The rest of the afternoon is then free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe relax at your yurt camp, jump into the lake or set off on a short hike.

Travel to Song-Kol Lake this morning. This alpine is considered sacred to many Kyrgyz people and one of the best summer pastures for nomadic herders. On the way, stop at Kochkor to visit the local market and a women's felt co-op. The landscape today will change depending on the season, but it is sure to be beautiful no matter when you travel. In the summer, you might see nomadic herdsmen and their families watching over goats, sheep and horses. When you arrive later today, spend some time exploring the surroundings at your own pace. Tonight, fall asleep in yurts set up along the shore.

Travel along gravel roads to the tiny village of Kyzyl-Oi after breakfast. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. On the way, pass large coal deposits and travel along the Kokomeren River, which feeds into the Syr Darya. Then, stop for a picnic lunch on the banks of the river and maybe use your free time to explore the village when you arrive. Tonight, learn how the locals cook their favourite snack of boorsok.

Get ready for a full day of driving though beautiful landscapes. As you cross the Suusamyr Valley (a high steppe plateau situated at around 2200 m above sea level) take in the mountainous surroundings, often dotted with yurts. Then, travel along the Chychkan River that cuts through the Tien Shan Mountain Range. Stop here for a while and soak up the beautiful scenery before continuing to Toktogul – a city in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan, named after a popular poet and musician from the region, Toktogul Satilganov. Later, you’ll arrive at tonight’s accommodation, which is part of the local community-based tourism network in Toktogul.

After breakfast, travel to Osh – the second-largest city in Kyrgystan. Located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country, Osh is often referred to as the Capital of the South and is the oldest city in the country. Along the way, stop at Uzgen – an ancient trading town and handicrafts centre along the Silk Road. Although much of the ancient city has been destroyed, the three surviving mosques remain important examples of medieval Central Asian architecture. When you arrive in Osh this afternoon, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace.

Rise and shine early for a visit to the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyrgyzstan – the Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain. For centuries, Silk Road travellers have sought out the mountain's caves and petroglyphs, believing they’d be blessed with longevity and healthy children. Visit the National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time in Osh. Maybe visit the Jayma Bazaar, where you might pick up an interesting souvenir or two, or maybe take a self-guided tour of the remnants of Osh's Soviet past with a walk to the giant Lenin statue in the city square.

This morning, cross the border to Margilan in Uzbekistan – a city along the Silk Road that’s been at the centre of Uzbekistan’s silk production since the 11th century. When you arrive, visit a silk weaving workshop and the ikat-silk weavers of Margilan. Here, you can wander through the markets and workshops and learn about every step of the silk production process. Then, meet a potter at one of Rishton’s ceramics workshops. According to legend, ceramic production originated in Rishton in the 9th century when the city became a transit point on the Silk Road. Sit down to lunch at the potter’s home and learn about this ancient craft before travelling to Kokand. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace.

In the cool of the morning, discover the Khudayar Khan Palace Museum – the palace of the last Khan of Kokand Khanate. The palace, constructed in the late 19th century, is known for its blue, green and yellow tiles on the facade of the building and ornate interiors. Then, enjoy an afternoon free to explore Kokand at your own pace. Maybe see the Friday Mosque, wander through the bustling bazaars or visit the Royal Cemetery. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant and head out for dinner with your fellow travellers.

Cross the border into Tajikistan this morning. Then, continue to Khujand. Known as Alexandria Eskhata (Alexandria the Furthest) and believed to be founded by Alexander the Great, Khujand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe wander around the evening bazaar and barter a good price on fruits and other local produce. Across the market is Jami Mosque from 16th century. If time allows, maybe visit the History Museum or Khujand Fortification.

This morning, start your journey to Panjakent – once the capital of ancient Sogdiana country on the Silk Road. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. On the way, visit Marquzor Lakes – a chain of alpine lakes and local villages. Have lunch with a local Tajik family in the village before continuing to Penjikent. When you arrive this afternoon, explore the ancient city walls and ruins. Archaeologists working on the site have recently discovered more than fifty rooms here! Visit the tiny museum and wander through the foothills of the city walls before enjoying a free night to explore at your own pace.

After breakfast, take the bus across the border back into Uzbekistan. When you arrive, take a bus to Samarkand. This city is located at the very centre of the ancient Silk Road – a vast network of land and sea trade routes, which facilitated the exchange of goods like silk and spices from the second century to the mid-15th century. Later today, follow your leader on a short city orientation walk and see the historic mosques and bustling bazaars. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your group – your local leader will have the best recommendations of where to eat!

This morning, visit central square called the Registan, which features mosques and mausoleums that are true pinnacles of Islamic architecture. Then, continue to Guri-Amir, where Tamerlane is buried, and then the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Visit Shak-i-Zinda – a necropolis that features a series of blue-tiled mausoleums. This sacred site has monuments from the 14th to 19th century, reflecting the development of the monumental art and architecture of the Timurid dynasty onwards. Tonight, you’ll learn the secrets of plov cuisine during a cooking demonstration with a local family.

This morning, take the train back to Tashkent. As the largest city in Central Asia, Tashkent blends Russian and Uzbek style, with grand mosques that sit alongside modern highways and Soviet monuments. Enjoy a free afternoon – maybe visit the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan or wander through the Art Gallery of Uzbekistan. Tonight, why not celebrate this great adventure with an optional farewell dinner!

Today is a free day to relax and recharge in Tashkent. Maybe explore any of the mosques you haven’t seen yet or take a walk among the contemporary architecture. Tonight, you’ll have a third welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you on the last leg of your epic adventure. After your meeting, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your local leader will have the best recommendations!

This morning, embark on a city tour to explore Tashkent. Visit the Amir Timur Square in the city’s centre and wander the bustling Chorsu Bazaar. An impressive dome tops the main building here and the market sells everything you could imagine. Explore the decorated metro stations, which were only allowed to be photographed from 2018, and the Khast Imom Complex. Have some free time in the afternoon and maybe stock some snacks for your overnight train tonight.

Arrive in Khiva mid-morning – many global powers have laid claim to this city over the centuries, from Khans to Silk Road traders and the Soviet Union. Get acquainted with Khiva on a city tour with your leader. See the incredible blue-tiled Kalta Minor Minaret and the Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassa. Explore the Kuhna Ark – the 'citadel within a citadel' that once housed the Khan and his family in the 17th century – then, get a view from above from the Ak-sheikh Baba Observatory. Visit the towering Islom Hoja Minaret – the tallest building in Khiva – and explore the Juma Mosque. Wander through the elaborately decorated courtyards connected by labyrinthian corridors at the Tosh-Hovli Palace and find a good spot to watch the sunset over this ancient city.

After breakfast today, you’ll have a free day to explore Khiva at your own pace. Home to more than 60 cultural sites, medieval mosques and opulent palaces, there is plenty to see and do in this fascinatingly ancient city. Maybe head to one of the many museums, check out the souvenir shops or wander around one of the craft studios. If you’re not sure where to go and what to see, just ask your leader for tips!

A long travel day today. This morning, say goodbye to Uzbekistan and cross the border into Turkmenistan. After border formalities, you’ll meet your new leader and head on to Dashoguz. When you arrive, visit a local bazaar and stretch your legs. Then, switch into 4WDs and drive on to Derweze – this village in the middle of the Karakum Desert is famous for ‘The Gates of Hell’ – this gas crater is an astounding 70-m-wide, 30-m-deep pit permanently aflame and formally known as the Darvaza Crater. Soviet oil prospectors started drilling in 1971 expecting to find oil, and the ground collapsed. Worried about the gas released into the air, they deliberately set the crater on fire to burn off the excess, expecting it to last a few weeks. As you’ll see today, they were wrong, and the crater has been burning ever since. When you arrive, take a walk around the crater and learn about the flora and fauna of the desert. Watch the sunset over the flames from your nearby yurt camp and enjoy a picnic dinner

Drive to Nohur Village via Ashgabat today, through the desert and into the Kopet Dag Mountains that separate Turkmenistan from Iran. On the way, you’ll stop to stretch your legs and take photos with visits to a mud crater, a water crater and the Yerbent Nomad Village. When you arrive in Ashgabat, stop for lunch and change to minibuses for the dusty winding roads to Nohur Village. When you arrive at your guesthouse in the afternoon, you’ll watch how the locals weave Keteni – a homespun silk fabric. Maybe take a walk to see the distinctive local graves, marked by the horns of mountain goats, and then along the shepherd’s trails that pass by waterfalls and swimming holes. Tonight, you’ll have a traditional dinner home-cooked by your hosts.

Enjoy a traditional breakfast in the guesthouse this morning, then head out to learn more about the village lifestyle of local Turkmen tribes. You’ll meet with the residents here who are a part of the Nohur ethnic group, who consider themselves to be descendants of Alexander the Great. Wander around the tribes’ cemetery, overgrown and equipped with the mountain goat horns, and learn about the peoples’ customs, traditions and spirituality. After, visit Gyz Bibi Cave – a place of local pilgrimage. See an 800-year-old Cynar tree – more than 800 years old tree, then say goodbye to the village and head on to Ashgabat. Along the way, you’ll visit a local horse breeder’s farm for a cooking demonstration of Baursaki. Watch the process of frying the dough in oil, then maybe try it out for yourself! Watch how their bread is cooked in a tandoor (a mud oven), then sit down with your host to enjoy some of the treats as you learn about his family and his passion for Akhal-Teke horses – this breed of horse is specific to the region and have a reputation for their speed, endurance, intelligence and distinctive metallic sheen. Later, continue to Ashgabat, where you’ll spend the night.

Take a full day to wrap your head around this desert city on an immersive guided tour. First, visit the ancient settlement of Nisa, built in the 3rd century BC. See the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex, built to honour those killed in the Battle of Geok Tepe in 1881, in World War II and in the 1948 earthquake. Then, head out of town to the ruins of Anau. The crumbling remains of the 15th century medieval mosque still attracts the devout, who come to pray and make offerings. Wander the Russian Bazaar to see locals doing their daily shopping and maybe taste some samosas, doner-kebabs and sweet melon! See the local Turkmen’s handmade souvenirs and maybe choose something special to bring home. This afternoon, take in the four-pointed martinets of the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. You’ll then have some free time to relax and recharge before an evening visit to the monuments of Archabil Street, including the Neutrality Arch.

Rise and shine for the drive to Mary (pronounced ‘Mah-rih’) – the somewhat ostentatious displays of wealth in this city can be traced to the long-running gas and cotton industries. When you arrive, settle into your hotel, then head out to wander through the lively bazaar with your leader. Take drive out to Merv, also known as Margiana or Margush, and enjoy some time exploring Turkmenistan's most recognised site. This sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site is home to numerous walled structures from various periods spread across a 1200-hectare area. See impressive columns smoothed by wind and time at the Greater Kizkala and walk hills that were once the fortress walls of Erk Kala. While not the most impressive visually, Gyaur Kala dates to 400 BC and has a fascinating history. Spend some time exploring these relics of grand empires, then return to Mary for some free time. Maybe visit the Mary Regional Museum. Housed in a palace of white marble, the museum features archaeological displays and exhibitions on traditional Turkmen life and culture.

This morning after breakfast, head out to see the local Orthodox Church and take some more time wandering around Mary’s city center, before returning to Ashgabat – the City of White Marble. Arrive late afternoon and head out again as the sun goes down to walk along the promenade with your group. Maybe find somewhere for dinner and celebrate your final night on this incredible adventure.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you need help with organising a transfer to the airport, just speak to your leader.