10 May 2027
Twin share
£4,155pp
Single from £4,754
Escorted tour
Silk Road of Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan: Song Kul to Samarkand – 23 Days
Issyk-Kul, Song Kul, Arslanbob, the Fergana Valley, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, in a small group of up to 18.
23 days
From £4,075
Tour overview
This 23-day small-group journey combines the mountains and nomadic culture of Kyrgyzstan with the great Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. Groups have between 4 and 18 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout and local guides along the way. You travel by road, with smaller vehicles over the Kamchik Pass, a domestic flight from Tashkent to Urgench and a high-speed train from Samarkand. You stay in hotels and family guesthouses, with a night in a yurt camp by Song Kul lake and a night in a village guesthouse in the Nuratau mountains. Breakfast is included daily, with many dinners in Kyrgyzstan. The trip is land-only, starting in Bishkek and ending in Tashkent.
From Bishkek you drive past the Burana Tower and the petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata along the shore of Issyk-Kul to Karakol, with its wooden Dungan mosque, Orthodox cathedral and the museum of the explorer Przhevalsky. A walk in the red-rock Djety-Oguz gorge and the waterfalls of the Barskaun gorge lead to Kochkor, where women make shirdak felt rugs by hand and a folk ensemble performs. You then climb to Song Kul, a high lake ringed by summer pastures, for a night in a yurt.
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The route crosses the wild Tien Shan through the Suusamyr valley, with a walk in the Chichkan gorge to Saz Kul lake, to Djalal-Abad and the vast walnut forests of Arslanbob. Crossing into Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley, you visit the ceramic workshops of Rishtan on the way over the Kamchik Pass to Tashkent.
A flight takes you west to Khiva, a walled city of minarets and madrasas, before a drive across the plains to Bukhara for three nights, with a guided walk past Lyabi-Hauz, the Kalon Minaret and the trading domes, and a free day. A night in a mountain village guesthouse near Nurata, with a walk to ancient petroglyphs, precedes two days in Samarkand, with the Registan and the tiled necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda, and a high-speed train back to Tashkent.
The physical rating is medium, with several walks and long drives on mountain roads, and simple facilities at the yurt camp. This trip suits travellers with time to explore both countries in depth, from nomadic pastures to Islamic architecture.
Trip highlights
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Issyk-Kul, Karakol and the Djety-Oguz gorge (Days 2–3)
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Felt-making in Kochkor and a night in a yurt at Song Kul (Days 5–6)
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The walnut forests of Arslanbob (Day 10)
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Rishtan's ceramic workshops in the Fergana Valley (Day 12)
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Khiva and three nights in Bukhara (Days 14–18)
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A village guesthouse near Nurata and Samarkand (Days 19–21)
Your route
23 stops from Bishkek to Tashkent
- Bishkek Day 1
- Burana Tower Day 2
- Cholpon-Ata Day 2
- Karakol Days 2–3
- Djety-Oguz Gorge Day 3
- Barskaun Gorge Day 4
- Kochkor Days 4 & 6
- Song-Kul Lake Day 5
- Suusamyr Valley Day 7
- Toktogul Reservoir Day 8
- Djalal-Abad Days 9–10
- Arslanbob Day 10
- Osh Day 11
- Fergana Day 11
- Rishtan Day 12
- Kokand Day 12
- Tashkent Days 12–13
- Urgench Day 14
- Khiva Days 14–15
- Bukhara Days 16–18
- Hayat Village Day 19
- Samarkand Days 20–21
- Tashkent Days 22–23
Why choose this tour
An in-depth journey through Kyrgyzstan's mountains as well as Uzbekistan's three great cities. Family guesthouses, a yurt camp and village stays bring you close to local life.
Best suited to
- Travellers with three weeks to explore Central Asia
- Walkers who enjoy mountain scenery
- Anyone interested in nomadic life and crafts
- Silk Road and architecture enthusiasts
Day-by-day itinerary
23 days from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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Day 1 · Bishkek Bishkek
Arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's young capital, which began as a clay fort on the Silk Road, for an afternoon city tour.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Burana Tower, Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul, Karakol Burana Tower and Issyk-Kul to Karakol
Visit the Burana Tower and the petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata, then follow the shore of Issyk-Kul, ringed by the Tien Shan mountains, to Karakol.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 · Karakol, Djety-Oguz Gorge Karakol and Djety-Oguz
See Karakol's wooden Dungan mosque, Orthodox cathedral and Przhevalsky museum, then walk in the red-rock Djety-Oguz gorge.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Barskaun Gorge, Kochkor Barskaun waterfalls to Kochkor
Follow the southern shore of Issyk-Kul, with a dip in the lake and the waterfalls of the Barskaun gorge, to a family guesthouse in Kochkor.
- Hotel
- Family guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 · Kochkor, Song Kul Felt-making and Song Kul
Watch women make shirdak felt rugs by hand, then drive into the mountains to Song Kul, a high lake of summer pastures, for a night in a yurt.
- Hotel
- Yurt camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 6 · Song Kul, Kochkor Song Kul to Kochkor
Relax by the lake or hike into the hills, then walk over grassy slopes before returning to Kochkor for a folk music performance.
- Hotel
- Family guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 7 · Suusamyr Valley Suusamyr Valley
Drive through the wild inner Tien Shan along the high Suusamyr valley, a summer grazing ground for nomadic herders.
- Hotel
- Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8 · Chichkan Gorge, Saz Kul, Toktogul Chichkan Gorge and Saz Kul
Cross the Ala-Bel pass and walk up the Chichkan gorge to the lake of Saz Kul, then drive on to the Toktogul reservoir.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 9 · Djalal-Abad To Djalal-Abad
A day's drive through dramatic mountain landscapes to Djalal-Abad at the edge of the Fergana Valley.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Arslanbob Arslanbob
Spend the day with a local guide in Arslanbob, walking through one of the largest walnut forests in the world to a waterfall.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Osh, Fergana Into Uzbekistan: Fergana
Pass Osh, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, and cross into Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Rishtan, Kamchik Pass, Tashkent Rishtan and the Kamchik Pass
Visit a ceramic workshop in Rishtan, famous for its blue glazes, then cross the Kamchik Pass in smaller vehicles to Tashkent.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Tashkent Tashkent
A morning tour of Tashkent, rebuilt after the 1966 earthquake, with its mosques, bazaars and metro, and a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 14 · Urgench, Khiva Fly to Khiva
Fly west to Urgench and drive to Khiva, a walled city of minarets, madrasas and palaces.
- Hotel
- Feruzkhan Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 15 · Khiva, Kunya Ark Khiva
Explore the Kunya Ark, the 12th-century citadel, and the old city on a walking tour, with a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- Feruzkhan Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 16 · Bukhara Across the plains to Bukhara
Drive across open plains past old caravanserais to the fabled city of Bukhara.
- Hotel
- Royal Bukhara Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 17 · Lyabi-Hauz, Kalon Minaret, Bukhara Bukhara
A walking tour of Bukhara takes in Lyabi-Hauz, the blue-tiled Abdul Aziz Khan madrasa and the trading domes.
- Hotel
- Royal Bukhara Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 18 · Bukhara Free day in Bukhara
A free day to climb the Kalon Minaret, explore the Ark or browse the bazaars.
- Hotel
- Royal Bukhara Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 19 · Nurata, Nuratau Mountains Nurata mountain village
Stop in Nurata for a home-made lunch, then continue into the mountains for a night in a village guesthouse.
- Hotel
- Village guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 20 · Ukhum, Samarkand, Registan Petroglyphs and Samarkand
Walk through the countryside towards the village of Ukhum and its petroglyphs, then drive to Samarkand to see the Registan.
- Hotel
- Hotel Asia Samarkand or similar
- Meals
- Lunch
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Day 21 · Shah-i-Zinda, Gur-e-Amir, Bibi-Khanym Mosque Samarkand
Visit the tiled necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda and the city's great mosques and mausoleums with a local guide, with a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- Hotel Asia Samarkand or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 22 · Tashkent High-speed train to Tashkent
A free morning in Samarkand, then take the high-speed train back to Tashkent, arriving in the evening.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 23 · Tashkent Trip ends in Tashkent
The trip ends after breakfast. Luggage storage is available at the hotel if your flight is later.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Bishkek (1 night) Hotel
- Karakol (2 nights) Hotel
- Kochkor (1 night) Family guesthouse
- Song Kul (1 night) Yurt camp
- Kochkor (1 night) Family guesthouse
- Suusamyr Valley (1 night) Resort
- Toktogul area (1 night) Hotel
- Djalal-Abad (2 nights) Hotel
- Fergana (1 night) Hotel
- Tashkent (2 nights) Hotel
- Khiva (2 nights) Feruzkhan Hotel or similar
- Bukhara (3 nights) Royal Bukhara Hotel or similar
- Nurata mountains (1 night) Village guesthouse
- Samarkand (2 nights) Hotel Asia Samarkand or similar
- Tashkent (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 22 nights in hotels, family guesthouses and a yurt camp
- Meals 22 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 8 dinners
- Transport road vehicles, a domestic flight from Tashkent to Urgench and a high-speed train from Samarkand to Tashkent
- Guided visits Bishkek, the Burana Tower, Cholpon-Ata, Karakol, Djety-Oguz, Arslanbob, Rishtan, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand
- A felt-making demonstration and folk music performance in Kochkor
- Tour leader throughout, with local guides
Not included
- International flights to Bishkek and from Tashkent
- Airport transfers
- Visas, where required
- Meals not listed and optional activities
- Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights to Central Asia included — they are not
- You need a private bathroom every night — the yurt camp has basic shared facilities
- You dislike long drives on mountain roads
- You want luxury hotels — accommodation is comfortable but simple
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £4,075 per person, twin share, tour only. 9 upcoming departures.
17 May 2027
Twin share
£4,155pp
Single from £4,754
24 May 2027
Twin share
£4,155pp
Single from £4,754
28 Jun 2027
Twin share
£4,095pp
Single from £4,694
02 Aug 2027
Twin share
£4,075pp
Single from £4,674
23 Aug 2027
Twin share
£4,155pp
Single from £4,754
06 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,155pp
Single from £4,754
13 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,155pp
Single from £4,754
20 Sep 2027
Twin share
£4,155pp
Single from £4,754
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
What is the Song Kul yurt camp like?
Traditional felt yurts by the lake, with basic shared long-drop toilets and outdoor washing. It is simple, but a highlight of the trip.
How active is the trip?
The physical rating is medium. Walks include the Chichkan gorge to Saz Kul, about two hours up and one down, the Arslanbob walnut forest, and an optional hike at Song Kul.
Which flight is included?
The domestic flight from Tashkent to Urgench for Khiva. International flights to Bishkek and from Tashkent are not included.
How is this different from Central Asia Explorer?
This trip spends longer in Kyrgyzstan's mountains and includes Khiva and Bukhara. Central Asia Explorer also visits Tajikistan but not Khiva or Bukhara.
What meals are included?
Breakfast every day, with dinners on most nights in Kyrgyzstan and meals at the village guesthouse near Nurata.
Do I need visas?
UK passport holders do not currently need visas for short stays in Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan. Check the latest rules before travel.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary