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When most people land, they have no idea what to expect. By the end of their stay, they don’t want to leave. That's Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan!
Everywhere you turn in this remarkable region, breathtaking landscapes unfold—snow-capped peaks tower over crystal-clear lakes, rugged gorges carve through the earth, and vast deserts stretch endlessly into the horizon. In ancient cities alive with history, every street and alleyway tells a story, while remote villages and hidden valleys reveal the untamed beauty of Central Asia.
This journey takes you deep into the heart of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, where genuine hospitality is a way of life. It’s common to be welcomed into a local home for tea, invited to share in a celebration, or simply greeted with warm smiles. You’ll wander through bustling markets untouched by mass tourism, witness master artisans keeping centuries-old traditions alive, and savor regional dishes crafted with generations of expertise. Every day holds something unexpected—whether it’s an intimate cultural experience or a spontaneous encounter that makes the adventure even more unforgettable.
As we traverse these breathtaking landscapes, we’ll stay in family-run guesthouses, dine with locals, and spend time with nomadic communities whose way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. Whether it’s sharing a simple meal by the fire or joining a lively village gathering, these moments of human connection will leave the deepest impressions.
Few travelers venture to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, but those who do often feel as if they’ve uncovered something rare and extraordinary. These are places that linger in your heart long after the journey ends!
Price – Single room
$4980
Price – Shared room
$4410
Book with Confidence
To reserve your spot on a tour, a $500 deposit will be required. However, you can book with complete peace of mind as this deposit will be refundable – minus a 3% transaction fee – for 30 days. For our complete payment/refund policy, please READ HERE.
If you make a deposit for a tour within 90 days of the tour start date, the deposit is non-refundable.
Interact with nomadic Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities and learn about their culture
Go deep into nature—canyons, valleys, waterfalls, and one of the world’s largest mountain lakes
Unearth the remnants of the Silk Road
Wander through the ancient Uzbek cities of Samarkand and Bukhara
Immerse yourself in Kyrgyz village life with family-run guesthouses and home-cooked meals
Visit traditional bazaars and workshops to discover Central Asia’s rich craft heritage
Ride in a military 4x4 truck to remote hot springs in a stunning alpine valley
Learn about Kyrgyz textiles and create your own felt-silk craft at a local design center Bishkek (arrival day)
Sep 6
Arrival day
Included: Dinner
Upon arrival at the Bishkek International Airport, you'll be picked up by our private driver and taken to our hotel in the city center. Once everyone has arrived we'll have an evening orientation followed by a great local dinner.
Bishkek
Sep 7
Highlights: Walking tour of Bishkek, visit to Aidai Asngulova Center
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we'll embark on a full walking tour of Bishkek, heading through the center of this planned city, with its endless monuments and grand plazas. From colorful markets to the unique public ping pong parks, into hidden neighborhoods that are home to a mix of the modern and classic, you'll get an excellent feel for this peaceful city that maintains an appealing and positive vibe. After exploring the city center, we’ll board our bus and drive to the outskirts of Bishkek to visit the Aidai Asngulova Center, a workshop dedicated to preserving Kyrgyz felt and silk craftsmanship. Here we'll learn about traditional Kyrgyz fashion, the process of felt-making, and how these skills are being kept alive. You’ll also have the chance to create your own small scarf, using natural dyes and traditional techniques. While your scarf dries, we’ll enjoy a homemade lunch and hear from Aidai herself about her efforts to revive and protect Kyrgyz costume traditions.
Bishkek » Tamga
Sep 8
Highlights: Lake Issy-Kul, dramatic Ala-Too Mountains, Skazka Canyon
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Off we go towards the grandiose Ala-Too Mountain Range, with a journey that takes us along the second largest mountain lake in the world. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the lake is home to small villages, quiet towns, and nomadic communities that still follow traditional ways of life. Along the way we’ll stop at Burana Tower, the last remaining piece of the ancient city of Balasagun, where we’ll learn about its history along the Silk Road. Later we’ll take a walk through Skazka Canyon, known for its unusual rock formations shaped by wind and time. By early evening we’ll reach the small town of Tamga, where we’ll check into our welcoming family-run guesthouse. After some time to relax, we’ll sit down for a home-cooked meal prepared by our hosts. (Total driving time to Tamga is about 8 hours with stops, but the incredible scenery makes the journey worth it.)
Tamga
Sep 9
Highlights: Tamga, Soviet Sanatorium, Barskoon Valley, waterfalls
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today will start with a walk around the peaceful, friendly village and a visit to the Soviet Sanatorium, an old health resort that was used for astronauts returning from space. For those who want something more active, you'll also have a chance to do some optional horseback ride. After having some free time and lunch, we'll drive to the Barskoon Valley to visit the waterfalls and the monuments to Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. Upon our return to Tamga you can opt to take a swim in the waters of Issy-kul Lake or relax at our guesthouse. You can also visit the local sauna for a 1 hour session at the spa! We'll then have another freshly prepared, home-cooked dinner.
Tamga » Djeti Oguz » Yrgyk » Karakol
Sep 10
Highlights: Jety-Oguz region, Yrdyk village, Karakol, traditional dinner experience
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we'll leave Tamga behind and head towards the Djeti Oguz region. We'll stop for a scenic view of the impressive rock formations before continuing out to to the village of Yrdyk, home to Dungan people (Muslim Chinese people of Hui origin). We'll meet our local hosts and have a traditional lunch of Dungan dishes in their home. After lunch we'll go for a guided walk around this unique village to learn about the native culture and gain a deeper understanding of this rarely visited area. In the mid-afternoon we'll continue to the quiet town of Karakol and check into our accommodation before an optional group dinner.
Karakol
Sep 11
Highlights: Karakol tour, markets and food tasting, hot springs
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we'll head out for a complete walking tour of this traditional town. With its Orthodox wooden church, picturesque neighborhoods and many local craft markets, we'll explore at a leisurely pace, always flexible to the local experiences that will pop up along the way. We'll also visit local markets and taste some excellent regional cuisine, while meeting local people who will be excited to interact with foreign visitors. In the afternoon, there will be free time and an optional visit to the nearby hot springs for a warm soak!
Karakol » Chon-Kyzylsuu Valley » Karakol
Sep 12
Highlights: Full-day trip to the Chon Kyzylsuu Valley
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we’ll set off on a ride in a Russian military truck, taking us deep into the peaceful Chon Kyzylsuu Valley. As we travel through rocky paths and open plains, we’ll take in the changing landscapes, from rolling hills to distant mountain peaks. Once we arrive we’ll stretch our legs with a light hike, giving us time to take in the valley’s quiet beauty. We’ll also have the chance to soak in outdoor hot springs, a perfect way to relax while surrounded by nature. A picnic lunch will be served in this scenic setting before we make our way back to Karakol. The evening will be yours to spend as you wish, and your tour leader will be available to offer recommendations.
Karakol » Chon-Kemin Valley
Sep 13
Highlights: Sunday Animal Market, Chon-Kemin Valley, family-run guesthouse
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Waking up early will be worth it today as we stop by the traditional Sunday morning Animal Market on the outskirts of Karakol. Once we tour this bustling market that is probably unlike any other market you've ever seen, we'll begin our journey around the north side of Lake Issy-kul. Our destination is the beautiful Chon-Kemin Valley where we'll visit a farm village. We'll go for a short hike through the valley, meet local farmers and then enjoy an excellent dinner and overnight at a family-run guesthouse. (Total driving time to Chon-Kemin can be 5 hours, but it’s another gorgeous drive on a different route!)
Chon-Kemin Valley » Bishkek » Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
Sep 14
Highlights: Burana Tower, Chuy Valley, flight to Tashkent
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After a leisurely breakfast we'll leave the valley and head back to Bishkek. Along the way we'll stop at the Burana Tower, an impressive and ancient minaret located in the Chuy Valley. After a stop for lunch, we'll arrive back in Bishkek and transfer straight to the airport for our evening flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Upon arrival in Tashkent, we'll transfer to our hotel for a good night's rest.
Tashkent
Sep 15
Highlights: Tashkent tour, evening out on the town
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we'll head out with our guide for a wander that takes in the mix of modern and Soviet-era architecture. This will include the Museum of Stalin's Repressions, Chorsu Bazaar, an ancient madrassa and mosque, a variety of neighborhoods, a local lunch and a trip along the local metro. We'll return to the hotel in the late afternoon before having dinner and a night out on the town!
Tashkent » Samarkand
Sep 16
Highlights: Drive to Samarkand, local workshops, evening light show
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we’ll set off on a 4-hour drive to Samarkand, stopping along the way to visit a traditional mulberry paper-making workshop, where artisans continue an age-old craft using techniques passed down for centuries. We’ll also visit an ancient observatory, once a major center for astronomical studies, to learn about the contributions of medieval scholars in mapping the stars. Upon arriving in Samarkand, we’ll check into our hotel and take some time to rest before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant. In the evening, we’ll experience a unique light show in the heart of the city, where Samarkand’s most famous landmarks are illuminated, bringing its rich history to life.
Samarkand
Sep 17
Highlights: Full tour of Samarkand, local lunch, wine tasting
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we'll set out on a tour of city's most remarkable sites. Our first stop will be Registan Square, the heart of ancient Samarkand, where three grand madrasas showcase intricate tilework and towering minarets, making it one of the most stunning architectural ensembles in the country. We’ll then visit the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, once the largest mosque in the Islamic world, before continuing to the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, a collection of beautifully decorated mausoleums that have stood for centuries. We’ll also stop by the Ulugh Beg Observatory, built in the 15th century by the famous astronomer Ulugh Beg, where we’ll learn about the groundbreaking astronomical discoveries made here. In the afternoon we’ll have lunch at a well-known family-run restaurant, where we’ll enjoy the region’s signature dish prepared using traditional recipes. Afterwards we’ll visit a local Uzbek winery to sample a variety of regional wines and learn about the country’s little-known but long-standing winemaking traditions. We’ll then return to Samarkand for a free evening to explore or relax at your own pace.
Samarkand » Bukhara
Sep 18
Highlights: Gijouvan town, local workshops, Bukhara
Highlights: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today will be a long-ish driving day, so we'll head out of Samarkand right after breakfast. Along the way we’ll stop in the town of Gijduvan, a place known for its deep-rooted ceramic traditions. Here we’ll visit a renowned pottery workshop where skilled artisans continue the craft passed down through generations, shaping and painting intricate designs by hand. We’ll have time to observe the process, explore the workshop, and browse the collection before sitting down for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we’ll continue our drive through the Uzbek countryside, arriving in Bukhara around 4:00 p.m. After checking into our hotel there will be time to unwind before dinner.
Bukhara
Sep 19
Highlights: Walking tour of the ancient city
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our tour today will take us deep into the heart of Bukhara’s old city, where we’ll explore its centuries-old streets, lively markets, and architectural treasures. We’ll start at the Kalyan Minaret, a towering structure that has stood for nearly 900 years, before visiting the Samanid Mausoleum, one of the finest examples of early Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Our route will also take us to the Bolo Hauz Mosque, known for its elegant wooden pillars, and the city’s unique water museum, which sheds light on how Bukhara’s residents have managed water resources for centuries. Along the way we’ll browse the traditional bazaar and explore the local crafts and jewelry market, where artisans continue age-old traditions of silk weaving, metalwork, and embroidery. As we wander, don’t be surprised if friendly locals stop to chat, invite us for tea, or introduce us to their friends, Bukhara is known for its warm hospitality. We’ll move at a comfortable pace, allowing time for both planned visits and unexpected encounters that make travel so rewarding. In the afternoon there will be free time to explore on your own before we regroup for dinner.
Bukhara » Tashkent
Sep 20
Highlights: Local activities, free time
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we’ll visit the Ark Fortress, a massive citadel that once served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers for over a thousand years. During our guided tour, we’ll explore its ancient walls, royal quarters, and historical exhibits, gaining insight into the city’s long and eventful past. After our visit we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival we’ll check back into our hotel, with some free time to relax or take a final stroll through the city. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at a beautiful restaurant, where everyone can share their favorite experiences from the past 15 days in this fascinating part of the world!
Tashkent (departure day)
Sep 21
Departure Day
Included: Breakfast
Today our private driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport in time for your departing flight.
Wandering Earl Tours group leader
Small group (maximum 12 participants)
Accommodation (15 nights – 3*/4* hotels and highly-rated guesthouses)
Transportation in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan (2 inner flights and a private van)
Breakfast every day, 12 lunches and 9 dinners
Local guides in each destination
All mentioned activities and entrance fees
Water throughout the trip
Gratuities at hotels/included meals
All airport transfers (Bishkek arrival / Tashkent departure) 
Flights to/from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Passport/visa fees
Meals and activities not mentioned
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Other gratuities 
Physical Level: Medium
While the tour itself is not very strenuous, please note that it can involve the following: somewhat long days, walking for up to 3 hours at a time, being outside in potentially warm and cold temperatures, long drives of up to 8 hours (with stops), optional hikes, early morning wake-ups and other similar scenarios. Western-style toilets can be difficult to find while driving between certain destinations.
Accommodation
On this trip, accommodation ranges from great family-run guesthouses to 3* and 4* hotels. You can always expect comfortable accommodation on this trip. (*Please note: If you book a shared room and we cannot find another traveler to share that room, there will be an extra surcharge for having a single room.)
Transport
During the trip, we'll travel in comfort with our private vans. Our vans offer plenty of space for each guest while giving us access to areas that larger vehicles simply can't go. We'll also have one flight from Bishkek to Tashkent and one from Bukhara to Tashkent.
Meals
Breakfast every day, 12 lunches and 9 dinners are included. With included meals, some will be served family style and other times you will be able to order anything you wish from the menu. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice, although there may be limited options for some requirements.
Sustainability
As with all of our trips, we aim to offer as sustainable an experience as we can. Trash is recycled where possible and we avoid mass tourism activities that cause harm to the environment and/or do not benefit local communities.
Small Groups
This tour requires a minimum of 8 participants and has a maximum of 12 participants in order to ensure the best small group tour experience. With such a small group, you'll be able to enjoy unique, rewarding activities that would not be accessible with more people. That's the kind of trip we love to offer!
Itinerary Changes
While we do our best to follow the itinerary, changes may be made to any aspect of the tour due to a variety of potential situations or unforeseen circumstances.
