Essence of Central Asia

• Airport Pick-ups & Drop-offs

• All Accommodations (26 Nights)

• Daily Breakfast, 10 Lunches and 7 Dinners

• Domestic Flight from Tashkent to Urgench and Flight from Samarkand to Almaty

• High-speed Trains from Khiva to Bukhara and from Bukhara to Samarkand (Economy Class)

• All Transfers and Drives as per Itinerary in a Private Vehicle

• English-speaking Guides for All Sightseeing in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

• English-speaking Driver in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, plus English-speaking Guides for the City Tours in Almaty and Bishkek

• 4x4 Vehicle to the Altyn Arashan Valley incl. Hot Springs

• Private Meeting with a Traditional Eagle Hunter

• Cable Cars in Almaty to Shymbulak and Kok Tobe

• Entrance and National Park Fees as per Itinerary

• Personalized Travel Guide Book

• International Airfare (Arrival in Tashkent, Departure from Bishkek)

• Travel Insurance (required) and Any Visa Fees

• Other Meals and Drinks

• English-speaking Tour Guide in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

• Guide and Driver on Free Days

• Horse Riding and Other Optional Activities

• Photo and Video Fees at Museums

• Early Check-in and Late Check-out

• Personal Expenses: Laundry, Phone, Souvenirs, Tips for Guides and Drivers

• Extra Cost for Solo Travelers

• Unforeseen Expenses Due to Weather or Delays

• Any Other Item Not Specifically Mentioned as Included

• English-speaking Tour Guide in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

• INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT:

International flights can be arranged upon request, subject to availability. A 10% service fee will apply to cover handling and booking costs.

• VISA:

Visa requirements differ depending on your nationality. We strongly recommend verifying the latest entry regulations with official immigration authorities before you travel.

• CASH/ATM:

Each country has its own currency: the som in Uzbekistan, the somoni in Tajikistan, the tenge in Kazakhstan and again the som in Kyrgyzstan.

ATMs are easy to find in the cities, and larger hotels and restaurants often accept cards. In the countryside, at guesthouses and at bazaars you need cash. Euros and US dollars are easy to exchange at banks and exchange offices.

• DRIVER OR TOUR GUIDE:

In Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, local English-speaking guides accompany you on all sightseeing tours. In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan you travel with a private English-speaking driver, and in Almaty and Bishkek local guides show you the cities.

On the nature excursions your driver takes you to the starting point, explains the way and waits for you at the meeting point. This means you do the hikes on your own. He is happy to answer simple questions, but he does not replace a trained tour guide.

If you would like more company and background knowledge, you can add an English-speaking tour guide for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with a separate guide in each country. Your guide also joins you on the hikes and sightseeing, and only on the free day in Almaty are you on your own.

• FLIGHTS & TRAINS ALONG THE WAY:

The flight from Samarkand to Almaty currently operates only twice a week, so we plan your travel dates around it. Flight and train times for 2027 have not been published yet. If you fly to Urgench in the afternoon, the sightseeing in Khiva moves to the next day.

• BORDER CROSSING:

On this journey you cross a land border three times: twice between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and once between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The formalities usually take half an hour to an hour, and your next team is already waiting on the other side.

• HIKES:

All hikes are easy and follow clear, mostly signposted trails. For orientation we recommend the MAPS.ME app, which shows many trails and viewpoints, especially in Kyrgyzstan. Some excursions take you above 2,000 metres, so pack sturdy shoes and a warm jacket.

• ACCOMMODATION:

In Tashkent, Samarkand, Almaty and Bishkek you stay in 4-star hotels. In Khiva and Bukhara you stay in charming smaller hotels right in the old town, in Khiva even inside the city walls. In Karakol you stay in a small hotel, at the Seven Lakes in a simple hotel, and in Saty, Bokonbaevo and the Chon-Kemin valley in cosy guesthouses. Upgrades are available on request.

• AK-SAI CANYONS:

After heavy rain, the road to the Ak-Sai canyons is sometimes impassable. In that case you visit the Konorchek canyons in the Boom gorge the next day on the way to Chon-Kemin, which are just as impressive.

• CANCELLATION, REFUNDS & TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Once bookings have been confirmed, all cancellations will follow the terms and conditions of our local suppliers and service providers. Please note that many partners require advance payments to secure availability, and their refund policies may vary. We will always do our best to recover any refundable amounts wherever possible, but some services may be fully non-refundable depending on supplier conditions.

We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and unexpected changes. This ensures peace of mind and financial protection in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

You’ll receive a comprehensive Travel Guide Book in PDF format with all your confirmed bookings, key travel information, and a personalized day-by-day itinerary designed specifically for you.

The guide also includes practical tips to help your trip go smoothly, along with must-see locations, local eateries, hand-picked café recommendations we have personally tried and loved.

We will even connect you with reliable local taxi drivers, guides, and companies we have met during our own travels and fully trust.

The best time for this journey is May. In Uzbekistan it is already warm and summery, usually around 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F) during the day, but not yet as hot as in high summer. In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan nature is at its most beautiful: valleys and slopes are lush green and full of flowers, and Lakes Kaindy and Kolsai glow turquoise.

Ideally, you start in Uzbekistan at the end of April or the beginning of May. That way you experience the Silk Road cities at pleasant temperatures and Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan just when everything is green and in bloom.

It is much cooler in the mountains. At night it can get properly cold at the Seven Lakes, in Saty and in the Altyn Arashan valley, and there are occasional rain showers. So pack a warm jacket and rain gear.

In high summer Uzbekistan gets very hot, often above 40°C (104°F). September is also a lovely time to travel, when the cities become more pleasant again.

Overall, May/June/September is the best month to combine the Silk Road cities with the nature of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

SIM cards are available in every country at the airport or in town, and you will need your passport. Coverage is good in the cities, while in the mountains and valleys the signal is often weak or missing. Most hotels and many guesthouses have Wi-Fi. As you travel through four countries, an eSIM is especially practical.

If you prefer not to buy a physical SIM card, I recommend using an eSIM from Airalo. You'll find more detailed information about this option in my Travel Guide Book, including a 10% discount on their services.