Journey through Central Asia

Fly to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the days is yours to relax before dinner.

This morning, visit Ala Archa National Park where you will take a leisurely hike through this alpine area, offering spectacular views of glaciers, waterfalls and high summits. Go on to enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bishkek and visit Manas Monument, Old Square and Parliament House plus much more.

Venture to the scenic Chon Kemin valley, where gentle foothills invite exploration and authentic village encounters bring the warmth of local Kyrgyz culture to life.

Journey to Kochkor Village, a local centre of felt handicrafts, before making your way to the village of Tamga, where you will spend the night with local shepherds in their camp. Sleep in a traditional yurt, for a true taste of the life of the Kyrgyz nomads.

Today you will meet with a berkutchi, a golden eagle hunter, to watch an eagle hunting demonstration, a millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition. Afterwards, travel to Karakol, stopping at Barskoon Gorge on the way to see the ‘Tears of the Leopard’ waterfall.

Visit the Przhevalsky Museum and see the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jeti-Orguz where you can walk through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone, all before joining a local Dungan or Uygur family for dinner.

Rise early for Karakol’s bustling Sunday market. In the afternoon, drive through breathtaking scenery to visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, before crossing the border into Kazakhstan, finishing the day in the country’s largest city, Almaty.

This morning, discover the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, dedicated to the Panfilov heroes of an Alma-Ata Infantry as well as the Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church made entirely of wood. In the afternoon, explore the Ili Alatau mountains and Medeu, an outdoor speed skating and bandy rink, located at the height of 1,690 metres. Go on to visit Shymbulak, a mountain resort located 2,260 metres above sea level. Continue to Kok Tobe, before taking a ride on a cable car for magnificent panoramic views of the city.

This morning in Almaty is yours to enjoy at your leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan arriving in the early afternoon

Take a full day tour of the capital, walking through the botanical gardens, the Ismoili Somoni monument and Kohi Navruz, a cultural palace and showcase of traditional Tajik architecture. After lunch visit the historical Fortress of Hissor.

Travel into the mountains to the shores of Iskanderkul to soak up the spectacular scenery. Continue to Khujand.

Stroll through the vibrant Panjshanbe Bazaar, admire the 10th-century citadel and relax at Pushkin Square. Cross the border into Uzbekistan, arriving in the city of Tashkent.

Take a step back in time in the old town and explore the Barak Khan Madrassah, Kukeldash Madrassah and the Tila Shaikh Mosque, home to rare copies of the Koran. Stop at Chorsu Bazaar and enjoy free time to wander, before visiting the ceramic workshop of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov, and explore the history of ceramics. Lastly, ride the iconic Tashkent Metro and admire the opulently decorated stations.

Drive to Samarkand. Wander into the heart of the city for a first glimpse of some of the magnificent sights in the spectacular Registan Square.

This morning, see Gur Emir, the mausoleum of conqueror Tamerlane. Then, wander through a bustling local market and pause to visit Shah-I-Zinda and Bibi-Khanum Friday Mosque. Visit the Ulugh Beg, an observatory founded in the 15th century and considered one of the finest in the Islamic world.

Drive to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, and visit the Ak-Sarai Palace, the Dorus Tilayat Cemetery and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. Journey on to the holy city of Bukhara.

You have a city tour of one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.

Head out of Bukhara to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Journey across the Kyzyl Kum Desert to Khiva, a magical Silk Road city still hidden behind its 10th-century walls. En route you’ll make a stop on the picturesque banks of the Amudarya River.

Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kuhna Ark and the turquoise-tiled Islom-Khodja.

Cross into Turkmenistan and drive to Konye-Urgench, capital of the Khorezm Empire in the 12th-13th centuries. Explore its magnificent mausoleums, the Kutlug Timur minaret and the fabled Mamun’s Academy of Sciences. Fly to Ashgabat this evening, the nation’s capital.

This morning is free to relax before a visit to a local stud farm to learn about beautiful Akhal Tekes horses. Visit the Kipchak complex, the largest mosque in Turkmenistan, then learn about the country’s unique history at the National Museum of History and Ethnography.

Rise early for your flight to Mary, then travel overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary after to visit the local History Museum.

Fly back to Ashgabat to explore both ancient and modern sides of the city visiting Independence Square and the Turkmenistan Independence Monument to see the Ertoghrul Ghazi Mosque. Drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater to walk around the crater as dusk approaches. Enjoy a nomad-inspired dinner under the stars, with a spectacular view of the crater and its glowing flames. Return to Ashgabat.

Learn about the Turkmenistan’s important cotton and gas industries before a visit to the UNESCO-listed Old Nisa Fortress, a stronghold of the ancient Parthian Empire. After lunch continue to the colourful Russian Bazaar and the National Carpet Museum.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.