Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan: Silk Road to the mountains
Tashkent · Samarkand · Bukhara · Bishkek · Issyk-Kul · Karakol
Photo: Aleksander Stypczynski on Unsplash
The blue domes of Samarkand and Bukhara by high-speed train, then across to Kyrgyzstan for alpine valleys, a lake the size of a sea and a yurt lunch. May is the season for both.
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrive Tashkent
Met at arrivals. Chorsu Bazaar and the Khast Imam complex.
- Day 2
High-speed train to Samarkand
Afrosiyob train in about two hours. The Registan at golden hour.
- Day 3
Samarkand
Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-e-Amir and Bibi-Khanym, with a paper-making workshop in Konigil.
- Day 4
On to Bukhara
Train to Bukhara. Evening at Lyabi-Hauz under the mulberry trees.
- Day 5
Bukhara
The Ark fortress, Kalyan Minaret and the old trading domes, with a folk show at dinner.
- Day 6
Back to Tashkent
Fast train to Tashkent; the metro's palace-like stations and a free evening.
- Day 7
Fly to Bishkek
Short flight to Kyrgyzstan. Ala-Too Square and Osh Bazaar.
- Day 8
Ala-Archa National Park
A guided valley walk under snow peaks, paced for every age.
- Day 9
Issyk-Kul
Drive to the lake. Cholpon-Ata's open-air petroglyphs and a lakeside evening.
- Day 10
Karakol and Jeti-Oguz
The red 'Seven Bulls' rocks, a yurt lunch with a nomad family and an eagle-hunting demonstration.
- Day 11
Fly home
Drive back to Bishkek for your flight.
What's included
Included
- Return international flights and the Tashkent–Bishkek flight
- 10 nights in 4-star and boutique hotels
- Afrosiyob high-speed train tickets
- Private transport in both countries
- Daily breakfast and 6 dinners, vegetarian options
- viotours guides in both countries
- Entry fees on the itinerary
- Travel insurance and 24×7 helpline
Not included
- Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan e-visas (we apply with you)
- Lunches
- Camera fees at some monuments
Good to know: May has mild days in the Silk Road cities and green valleys in Kyrgyzstan. High-pasture yurt camps such as Song-Kul usually open from June, so this route stays lower.
Every itinerary can be adjusted for your group's pace, food and mobility. Activities run with licensed operators, weather permitting.