Premium Central Asia (15 destinations)

Journey back to the days of the Great Silk Road on an 18-day Premium adventure through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Explore the cosmopolitan capital of Tashkent, marvel at the architecture in Samarkand, discover the holy sites of Bukhara and visit the ancient monuments of Khiva. Get to know the ins and outs of an Uzbek village and go on hikes in Sharyn Canyon and Jety Oguz Valley. Spend a night in a traditional yurt camp alongside the massive alpine lake of Issyk Kul, plus visit a family-owned winery for a tasting, have lunch in a small traditional village and enjoy a masterclass of local cuisine from a Dungan family. With all this and more, what’s holding you back from your next adventure?

As there are a couple of long travel days, plenty of time spent on your feet and days can be hot and dusty, you'll need to be reasonably fit to get the most out of this trip. When crossing the international borders, you will be required to handle your own luggage as no porters are available to help., The Central Asian diet relies heavily on meat-based dishes. Dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian and gluten free, are not well known in Uzbekistan, and may have very limited options., Our accommodation is all carefully selected, but keep in mind that the standard in this part of the world does not always live up to the Western expectations you might be used to. Rooms can be small, water pressure can be unreliable, and some amenities might not always be available., Winter weather in Uzbekistan is unpredictable with cold, sunny conditions as likely as rain or snow in certain locations. At this time of year, it is important you prepare for the various weather conditions you may encounter and pack accordingly – plenty of layers, waterproofs and appropriate footwear., Your yurt accommodation is comfortable, but relatively basic. We think this is an essential part of visiting the region, and worth sacrificing some amenities for a memorable night in a spectacular place. Because these are sacred dwellings, there are no bathrooms within the yurt. Shared facilities will be available., The border crossings on this trip are unpredictable – they can be deserted, very busy or somewhere in between. An open mind, patience and an appreciation that this is all part of the joy of travelling in this fascinating part of the world will help., A single supplement is not available on Day 14 at the yurt camp.