Central Asia Explorer

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan—sometimes known as the four ’Stans—present a rich historical and ethnic canvas, dazzling scenery, and a multitude of architectural wonders, from the blue-domed Silk Road oasis of Samarkand, where Tamerlane once held sway, to Issyk-Kul, a vast alpine lake surrounded by the forested peaks of the Tien Shan. With veteran Central Asia Trip Leader Roger Williams, we enjoy a full exploration of these four countries, roaming ancient bazaars that take us back to the times of the Arabian Nights, meeting local families and traditional artisans, and exploring two World Heritage Sites: magnificent Bukhara, a 2,000-year-old Silk Road city-state, and Khiva, a walled town isolated in a vast desert. Join us for the ultimate Silk Road adventure!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-7
Almaty, Kazakhstan / Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

After a visit to Kazakhstan’s capital, we head across the mountains to Kyrgyzstan, arriving at Karakol on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. Our lakeside visits include a turn-of-the-century Russian Orthodox church and a colorful market where nomads and traders bargain for cattle, horses, and sheep. En route to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, we visit the striking 11th century Burana tower, a Silk Road monument and all that remains of the ancient Kara-Khanid khanate.

Days 9-11
Tashkent, Uzbekistan / Samarkand

We fly to the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, a bustling Silk Route caravan crossroads in the 8th century, and visit the Tilla Shaykh Mosque, with its gold-plated ceiling, and the narrow lanes of the lively Chorsu Bazaar. We then drive the “Golden Road to Samarkand,” as the poet James Elroy Flecker imagined it in 1913, and set our sights on the breathtaking main square, the Registan, with its handsome blue-tiled mosques and 15th century madrassas. Here we feast our eyes on the Shahr-i-Zindah, one of Tamerlane’s first creations, with its incomparable mosaics of the deepest sapphire and turquoise tiles.

Days 10-15
Bukhara / Khiva

Heading to the old Silk Road oasis of Bukhara, we explore the beautifully restored medieval quarter, now a World Heritage Site, with its covered bazaars and mulberry-shaded plazas where old men play chess. This place truly gives a feeling for what Central Asian life was like centuries ago. Our next stop is the medieval city-state of Khiva, a walled town surrounded by desert and preserved in its entirety as a living museum. A Shaybanid khanate dating to the 8th century, mysterious Khiva was one of the two major slave markets of Central Asia for hundreds of years (Bukhara was the other).

Days 16-18
Tashauz, Turkmenistan / Ashkabat

We journey from Uzbekistan into Turkmenistan, driving to Tashauz for a flight to Ashkabat, an ancient city surrounded by the Kara-Kum (black sands) desert. Our explorations here include the legendary Tolkuchka Bazaar, with its camels, goats, and cast of thousands. Here we can haggle for anything from a Turkmen sheepskin hat to a fine Bukhara carpet.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 3, moderate. While this trip is not expected to be physically strenuous, the rustic accommodations, long travel days, and transportation conditions may be quite demanding. Accommodations are in good city hotels and in comfortable rustic lodges. Overland travel is in minivans and small buses, depending upon the size of the group. Road conditions can be very basic, and trip members should be prepared for long drives. Our expedition travels to areas that have experienced very little tourism. We believe that the most important requirements are a spirit of adventure and the understanding that you are visiting a remote and fascinating region. This is not a hiking trip, but we do hope to have opportunities for walks of two hours or more during the journey.

Explanation of Trip Levels