On arrival in Almaty, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Almaty is the largest as well as the most culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan.

Depending on your arrival time, after you’ve had a chance to freshen up, you’ll head out with your guide for a walking tour to see architecture iconic of Almaty: beautiful wooden Russian buildings such as the Zenkov Cathedral, the ex-assembly House of Czar Officers, and an early 20th century apparel shop. Also visit 28 Panfilov’s Guardsmen Park and explore the Green Bazaar.

Spend the day getting yourself acquainted with Almaty’s history on a city tour beginning with a visit to the National Museum of History. Next, explore the Republic Square and take a cable car ride to Kok Tobe for panoramic views of the city.

This afternoon, head out for an excursion to the picturesque Big Almaty Lake, whose turquoise surface reflects the surrounding peaks like a mirror. Afterwards, visit the Sunkar Bird Refuge to learn about the birds of prey in the area. Sunkar was originally established to protect the Sakar falcon, which was captured and exported to Arabia for big money. The reserve is now home to 15 different species of birds including owls, eagles, lammergeier, vultures, hawks, and falcons. Though most birds at the center are not able to be re-released, there is a breeding program that releases golden eagles and Sakar falcons back into the wild. You’ll also see a show performed by some of the birds.

Return to your hotel in Almaty for your overnight.

After breakfast, head towards the border to the next country, Kyrgyzstan, first stopping to visit the amazing Charyn Canyon. This canyon is considered to be the younger brother of the Grand Canyon, smaller, but similar in appearance. The dramatic erosion made by the Charyn River has created an impressive landscape. This area is also known as the Valley of Castles due to its peculiar bright red color and rock formations that resemble castles. It’s just as spectacular during the day as it is under the starlit skies of the night.

Continue across the border into Kyrgyzstan and proceed with border formalities. Meet your Kyrgyz guide and proceed along the picturesque Karkara Valley, famous for its mountain flowers that attract many bee keepers, to your hotel in Karakol.

Today’s total estimated driving time: 250 miles.

The atmosphere of Karakol will take you back a hundred years and give you the feel of Tsarist Russia. You’ll spend some time exploring the city including the old Russian-style homes, built between 1870 and 1910; the 19th-century Russian Orthodox Church; and the Dungan Mosque, built by Chinese architect Chou Seu and skilled Chinese carvers in the early 1900’s.

Afterwards, head out on a drive offering spectacular scenery and frequent stops as you travel to Kochkor Village. Your first stop will be Jeti-Oguz Gorge for the chance to admire the fantastic rock formations made of red sandstone. The local pastures here are used by shepherds grazing their flocks of sheep and herds of horses. Proceed along the south shores of Issyk-Kul, the world’s second largest alpine lake (only smaller than Lake Titicaca in South America) to Kochkor, the biggest producer of traditional Kyrgyz felt handicrafts. When you arrive at Kochkor, you will meet a family that will show you how to make woolen felt carpets. You can even participate in the process! Dinner and overnight will be at a local home stay.

Total driving distance is about 155 miles.

The drive today continues to the alpine region of Son-Kul Lake over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (2,046 ft). Son-Kul is the second largest lake after Issyk-Kul Lake and the largest fresh water lake in Kyrgyzstan. It is surrounded by broad pastures dotted with yurts, grazing cattle, and mountains. The shepherds in the neighboring regions drive their livestock up in the mountains and set a yurt camp where they live during summer months. This region is an excellent place to get familiar with the traditional lifestyle of Kyrgyz nomads. At your yurt camp, you can enjoy horseback riding, an easy hike to the mountains to observe an amazing panorama of Son-Kul Lake and mountains, play with the local children, or participate in a cooking class featuring national cuisine.

Total driving distance: approximately 80 miles.

The road to Jalal-Abad travels over the spectacular Moldo Ashuu (11,280 ft) and Kok Art (10,496 ft) passes. Along the way, you will see the colorful landscapes of the Naryn River basin. This river is the largest in Kyrgyzstan, flowing further in Uzbekistan as Syr Darya, and feeds into the Aral Sea. Arrive in Jalal-Abad, located in the foothills of the Babash Ata Mountains near the Uzbekistan border, and check-in to your hotel for the night.

Total driving distance: approximately 205 miles.

As you make your way to Osh, the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan, you’ll stop at the ancient town of Uzgen, located on the banks of the Kara Daria River in the Fergana Valley. It is thought the city dates back to the fourth century BCE and was an important stop on the Silk Road. Here you’ll see the 2,000-year-old minaret and mausoleum complex, which are well-preserved. The mausoleum complex represents 11th and 12th-century Karakhanid Dynasty architecture and from the minaret, you can get good views of Uzen town and possibly even the snow-covered Pamir Mountains on clear days. Another interesting aspect of this town are the historical rice mills, which process red rice, a specialty used by the locals to make “plov” (pilaf) and you will have a chance to learn more about Uzen rice as well as visit the rice market.

Situated at a crossroad of the ancient Silk Road, at over 3,000 years old, Osh is the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan. The age of the city has been determined by the rock drawings and inscriptions found on the northern slopes of the four-­headed Sulayman Mountain, located in the center of Osh. This mountain, also known as “Solomon’s Throne”, is a historical and architectural monument, and still a popular site for Muslims. Osh is also known for its bazaar, one of the oldest of its kind in Central Asia, located in the heart of the city. This 2,000 year old market brings sellers from all over the world. This is a great place to get a glimpse into the fascinating diverse cultures, traditions, and business activities. After spending some time exploring the market, visit the Historical Museum. The museum was carved inside the Sulayman Mountain, Kyrgyzstan’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyrgyzstan. As one of the largest museums in Kyrgyzstan, its collections include more than 33,000 archeological and ethnographic items, handicrafts, paintings, sculptures, and graphics from the region. Also visit a local bread bakery where you’ll have a chance to learn how to bake “lepyoshka,” a flatbread similar to Indian naan. You’ll even be able to prepare the dough, shape it, decorate it, and bake it yourself. Next, visit the workshop of Zakir Aka, a knife maker who has been making knives by hand for almost 60 years. These knives make a great gift for the cook in your life.

Enjoy dinner with a local family. The host will demonstrate and explain local cooking techniques including Central Asia’s most popular meal, Plov.

Total driving distance: approximately 62 miles.

Today will be a long driving day as you make your way to the Tajikistan border and on to Khujand, but there will be great views and frequent stops along the way.

In Khujand, visit the mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin, the ruler of Khujand during the 12th century as well as a famous poet. Also visit the Historical Museum, which features a set of marble mosaics depicting the life of Alexander the Great as well as traditional Tajiki textiles and carpets. Before retiring to your hotel for the night, visit the Panjshanbe Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Tajikistan where many locals come to do their shopping for fruits, vegetable, breads, and spices as well as household items. This market’s unique architectural style combines classicism, Soviet, and oriental designs.

Total driving distance is about 230 miles.

From Khujand, make the drive through Varzob Gorge and Istiklol Tunnel to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. The beautiful landscape and views of snowy peaks and passes are spectacular. Stop at the ancient city of Istarafshan, founded by the Persian king Cyrus the Great during the seventh century. Explore the old town including the Kok Gumbaz (Blue Dome) Mosque, beautifully tiled in turquoise, and the Hazrat-i Shoh Mosque to see some fine carvings and painted ceilings. Also see Mug Teppe, where a great fortress once stood.

Continue on to Dushanbe, enjoying amazing views of the Fan Mountain range and the emerald-colored Iskandarkul Lake that reflects off the mountains. Also make a few stops at local villages to get acquainted with the people and watch as they carry on with their daily activities.

Overnight in Dushanbe. Estimated driving distance: 225 miles.

Dushanbe, which translates to “Monday” in the Tajik language, is the capital and largest city in Tajikistan. This ancient city dates back to 3,000 years with archeological digs revealing the remains of Greek-Bactrian settlements as well as other medieval settlements. Your exploration of Dushanbe continues this morning with a visit to the Museum of Antiquities, home to the UNESCO protected reclining Buddha – the largest statue of Buddha in Central Asia. See the city’s main religious sites including the main mosque, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the 19th century synagogue. Visit Rudaki park to see the huge statue of Somoni, honoring this Samanid Dynasty founder, and explore the Shah Mansur (Green) Bazaar.

This afternoon, make the short drive out from the town and visit Hissar Fortress, the 18th-century former residence of Bek, a deputy to the Emir of Bukhara. At one time, the fort contained a palace, pool, and garden, but now only the stunning gate and twin towers remain.

Return to your hotel where the rest of the day is free to explore on your own.

Today’s drive takes you across the Uzbekistan border to Termez, stopping to see the amazing architectural details of the 12th-century Jarkurgan Minaret on the way. Termez is considered to be a pearl of the East, an ancient city at the crossroads of civilizations and the heart of Central Asia. The city was repeatedly destroyed, but survived and today gives a hospitable welcome to visitors. The city dates back as far as the sixth century and became an important center for Buddhism during the third to the first centuries BCE.

Estimated driving distance: 155 miles.

You’ll spend the day exploring Termez, beginning with the Termez Archeological Museum where you will discover ancient archeological findings that date back to the Kushan and Greco-Bactrian Periods. Next, visit the Buddhist Temple complex of Fayaz-Tepe (3-1 century BCE), a U-shaped structure containing a series of corridors, cells, and sanctuaries. There is also a unique 30-foot-high Buddhist dagoba. Your visit concludes at the Kampyrtepa Complex, one of the oldest archeological monuments in Uzbekistan. It was a waypoint for merchants traveling the Great Silk Road where they could rest, ship their goods, and pray before continuing with their journey.

Another long driving day takes you to Samarkand, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Uzbekistan. Along the way, stop to visit another ancient city, Shakrisabz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Tamerlane. Shakrisabz, which means “Green City,” was a center of science and art during Tamerlane’s rule and today you’ll find modern buildings intermingled with ancient structures, bringing a unique blend to the city. A few of the town’s most important sites include the 14th-century Ak-Saray Palace (White Palace), Tamerlane’s summer palace; Kok Bumbaz Mosque (Blue Dome), built by Ulugh Beg in 1437 to honor his father, Shah Rukh; and the Hazrat-i Imam Complex, which contains the Tomb of Jehangir, Tamerlane’s oldest and favorite son.

End the day in Samarkand, the capital of the Tamerlane’s Empire during the 14th-century.

Estimated driving distance: 230 miles.

The historic town of Samarkand sits at a crossroad of the Silk Road trade routes  and is a melting pot of world cultures. Founded in the seventh century BCE with the name Afrosiab, Samarkand received its most significant development during Tamerlane’s period between the 14th and 15th centuries. Many of the city’s ancient sites have been well-preserved or restored to their former glory. Imagine yourself in the days of Tamerlane as you visit sites significant during his rule. Visit the Gur-e Amir mausoleum of Tamerlane; Registan Square, where people once gathered to hear royal proclamations and view public executions; and Bibi-Khanym Mosque, built in the early 15th century to commemorate Tamerlane’s wife. You will also see the Ulugbek Observatory, named after the grandson of Tamerlane and famous astronomer. A highlight of the day is probably a visit to the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, with its 20 beautifully decorated mausoleums where the nobles of the Timurids are buried. Samarkand is also the best place on your journey to learn about traditional crafts, including embroidery, silk weaving, copper engraving, ceramics, carving and painting on wood, which all still flourish today. If you like, spend some of your free time at the local bazaar.

After breakfast, make the drive to Bukhara, location of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and once an important city on the Silk Route known for scholarship, trade, culture, and religion. It was considered the intellectual center of the Islamic world, and today many of its monuments, mosques and mausoleums, dating back as far back as the ninth century, still remain intact. Your guide will take you to the most beautiful places in the city including Poi Kalon, its Minaret and Mosque, and Madrasah. The Kalon Minaret is known as the “Tower of Death” because for many years criminals were executed here by being thrown from the top. The stunning 16th-century Kalon Mosque’s courtyard contains 288 domes resting on 208 pillars. The Madrasah is known for its two large domes that tower above the surrounding buildings in Bukhara. Also visit the Toki Zargaron Trading Domes and the Magoki Attori Mosque, built on the remains of the Zoroastrian Moh Temple. This temple is an excellent example of Kara-khanid era architecture.

Overnight in Bukhara. Estimated driving distance: 167 miles.

On today’s city tour of Bukhara, you will find extraordinarily inspiring examples of ancient architecture and markets with the chance to talk, shop, and visit with local people whose small shops and enterprises are integrated in the historic areas. Visit Ismail Samanid and Chashma Ayub Mausoleums; Bolo Khauz, an unusually designed mosque built in 1712 for the mother of Ashtarkhanid ruler, Abul Fayud Khan; the fifth-century Ark Citadel and fortress that housed many of Bukhara’s rulers; and Chor Minor, an Indian style Madrasa with four minarets.

This evening, enjoy a folklore show at Nadir Divan Begi Madrasa, one of the oldest and most beautiful madrasas in Bukhara. This is a great opportunity to take part in traditional Uzbeki dance and music over dinner.

Today is a long driving day as you make your way to Khiva through the Kyzilkum (Red Sands) Desert, following the route of invaders, nomads, Persian Armies, and ruthless leaders such as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. Stops along the way include a picnic lunch on the banks of the Amu Darya (Oxus) River.

Arrive in Khiva, a sleepy town that was the last resting place of caravans before crossing the desert into Persia. It is said that Khiva was founded by Shem, son of Noah, around 2,500 years ago when he discovered a well in the middle of the desert and shouted, “Khi-wa!” which means, “sweet water.” Take a stroll through its narrow streets, peeking into the small courtyards through the wooden carved doors.

Estimated driving distance: 291 miles.

This ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is like a living city museum with the well preserved atmosphere of an ancient city. You’ll spend the morning exploring its historical structures in the old town including the 17th century Kunya Ark Fortress, the oldest remaining khan’s residence in Khiva; Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasa, a former Muslim University built in the mid-19th-century; the beautifully decorated Islamic Khodja Minaret; the Palvan Kari Complex; and the Rafanek Madrasa.

In the afternoon, continue your exploration with visits to the 16th-century Uch-Avliyo (3 Saints) Mausoleum, dedicated to the three brothers whose fields were saved when they prayed for rain; the unique Juma Mosque, which is quite different from most other Central Asian mosques as it has no high portals, entrance arches or domes, just a one-story building surrounded by a solid blank wall with three doors. However, its prayer hall is quite impressive with pillars that vary in shape and decoration, some dating back to the 10th century; Tash-Hauli Palace Complex, an excellent example of Asian secular architecture of the 19th century and where a cobra still guards the treasures of the last khan; and the 17th century Arab Mohammed Khan Madrasa, one of the oldest madrasas in Khiva.

Everywhere within this old town, you will find fine, ornate wood carvings, an art that has been cultivated in Khiva since ancient times. A highlight of the tour today is the panoramic view over the city from the Akshi Bobo Tower during sunset.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in the country. On arrival, you will be met and taken on a city tour to the ancient squares and buildings and well as the modern section of this 2,000 year old city. Your first stop will be a visit to the Kukeldash Madrasa, which still serves as a Koran School. This madrasa, built in the mid 16th century by the Shaybanid Dynasty rulers, is built from yellow brick. Next, visit the Khast-Imam Square, the religious center of Tashkent, with its beautiful Barak Khan Madrasa. Finish the day out with a visit to Tillya Sheikh (Friday) Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Tashkent and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum where you can see the Koran written by the third Caliph Osman (644-656).

Overnight in Tashkent.

Note: If extending to Turkmenistan, you’ll drive to the border into Turkmenistan today.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight or extend on into Turkmenistan or Moscow.