Treasures of Central Asia: steppes, peaks and cities of gold

After arriving early in the morning or during the night, you will enjoy some rest and breakfast at the hotel . You will then set off with your guide to discover the Tajik capital, located at an altitude of 850m .

Your tour begins in the Presidential Gardens , where the statue of the poet Rudaki stands alongside that of Ismail Samani , the father of the dynasty that unified the Persian cultures of the region. As you stroll, the pastel-hued neoclassical buildings evoke the architectural style of St. Petersburg. You will also explore the large Central Market before enjoying lunch .

Note: If arriving during the night, the overnight stay at the hotel is included.

This morning, you'll head to Lake Iskanderkul , a vast body of water nestled in the heart of the Fanskye Mountains . From its shores, you'll enjoy an unobstructed view of the glaciers of the Ayniy region . This site, also known as "Lake Alexander the Great," offers a natural and historical escape. You'll stroll along the banks before discovering Fan Niagara , a 38-meter- high waterfall. After lunch by the lake , you'll travel to the village of Saritag to spend the night with a local family .

You set off early this morning towards the Fan Mountains . The route climbs gradually through a stark landscape of sedimentary rocks, sandstone, and limestone, bordered by valleys dotted with willows and poplars. After crossing a pass at 2700m near a tunnel, you reach the village of Sarvoda . You then leave the paved road to continue on a track , in the heart of a verdant valley dotted with apricot and sea buckthorn orchards.

You finally reach the Sangui Safed Gorge , the official starting point of your trek . Here you'll set up camp at your first riverside campsite and meet your local team (cooks, muleteers, and assistant guides). Depending on the time available, a short warm-up hike will be offered to conclude the day.

From your campsite, you can see the fairy chimneys carved into the rocks that give the Sanguisafed Gorge ("white stone") its name. You then embark on a 12km round trip hike along the gorge, following the Imat River upstream.

The route passes sheepfolds and offers panoramic views of the peaks of Bolchoya Ganza (5306m) and Chapdara (5049m) . You walk along a ledge path lined with willows, birches and junipers, where you might spot local wildlife such as hares, partridges or bearded vultures.

The ascent leads you to a rocky outcrop, perfect for a picnic lunch overlooking the glacier . An optional extension to the foot of the Imat Glacier (2900m) is possible. You then descend via the same route to spend a second night at the campsite .

You set off towards the Kulikalon lakes, following a trail that winds through limestone scree. The route climbs towards the Allaudin pass , the highest point of the trek at 3800m altitude. During the ascent, you'll have views overlooking several lakes with shades of blue, green, and turquoise.

Upon reaching the pass, you'll discover a clear view of the glaciers of the Marya and Mirali peaks , as well as Lake Kulikalon . The descent then continues on softer terrain, amidst a vegetation of twisted juniper trees. You'll finally reach the shores of Lake Bibijanat , situated at 2900m , where you'll set up camp for the night.

You begin your day heading towards the Kulikalon lakes along a trail winding through limestone scree. The ascent takes you to the Allaudin Pass , reaching an altitude of 3800m , the highest point of your trek. During the climb, you'll overlook bodies of water with shades of blue and turquoise.

Upon reaching the pass, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of the glaciers of the Marya and Mirali peaks , as well as the vast Kulikalon lake . The descent then continues on softer terrain, through juniper trees sculpted by the elements. Finally, you'll reach the shores of Lake Bibijanat , situated at 2900m , where you'll set up camp for the night.

You'll trek through a juniper forest from Lake Bibijanat to Lake Kulikalon , crossing a few small fords and encountering local shepherds. The route then climbs 400 meters to reach the Chukurak Pass at 3200 meters. You'll descend into the Govkhona Valley to Lake Chukurak , nestled at the foot of Rudaki Peak . After a picnic lunch by the lake , you can continue your trek for another 100 meters of elevation gain to Lake Zirat or enjoy some rest at the campsite. The day concludes with a final dinner at the bivouac alongside the Tajik team.

You bid farewell to the muleteer team who accompanied you on your trek. You first travel to the village of Artuch before heading to Panjikent . From there, you transfer for 50km (approximately 1 hour ) to reach the Jartepa border crossing. After clearing customs and passing through passport control at both border posts, you cross back into Uzbekistan .

You will explore Samarkand , a mythical city established at the crossroads of ancient trade routes between Asia and the West. Marked by the invasion of Genghis Khan and then rebuilt under the reign of Tamerlane , who made it the capital of his empire, the city bears witness to a rich historical heritage.

Your day begins in Registan Square , lined with madrasas adorned with glazed tiles, built between the 15th and 17th centuries. You continue your visit to the Bibi-Khanim Mosque , then explore the Shah-i-Zinde mausoleum complex. Your tour concludes with a visit to the Rukhabad Mausoleum and the Gur-e-Amir , an iconic structure housing the tombs of Timur (Tamerlane), his sons, and grandsons.

You will spend your morning exploring Samarkand in greater depth, visiting its mausoleums and historical buildings . Late morning, you will depart for Bukhara , located approximately 200 km away. After settling into your hotel , you will begin your exploration of the city. This initial visit will allow you to soak up the local atmosphere and admire the medieval architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

You'll set off to discover Bukhara , a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, located in the Zerafshan Valley . Once a renowned trading hub for carpets and jewelry, the city was later the cradle of Zoroastrianism and then Islam. Throughout your day, you'll explore this cultural center, visiting its mosques , saints' tombs , and numerous madrasas . You'll admire iconic buildings from its medieval past, starting with the Ark Citadel , built between the 1st and 4th centuries. Your itinerary will also take you to the Po-i-Kalân complex , the Kosh complex, Labi-Khouse Square, and the Ulugh Beg and Abdulaziz Madrasas , built between the 15th and 17th centuries.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you'll depart for Khiva . This route takes you through the Kyzylkum Desert , a vast desert plain emblematic of Central Asia . You'll enjoy the journey, observing the open and wild landscapes as the kilometers unfold. You'll arrive in Khiva at the end of the day, where you'll check into your hotel .

You will dedicate your day to discovering Khiva , a historic oasis in Khorezm. You will pass through the pink clay walls of the old city to explore Itchan Kala , a well-preserved quarter that showcases the region's medieval architecture. Your walk through the narrow streets will lead you to the Kukhana Ark fortress, the former residence of the 16th-century khans. You will also discover the Friday Mosque and its 11th-century minaret, as well as the Islom Khoja Madrasa , built in the 19th century. Note: Depending on the schedule of your domestic flight from Urgench to Tashkent (1 hour journey), departure is either this evening at 8:00 PM (with an overnight stay in Tashkent ) or tomorrow at 3:00 PM (with an overnight stay in Khiva ).

Depending on the schedule of your Urgench-Tashkent domestic flight, your morning will be spent in either Khiva or Tashkent . If your flight departed the previous evening at 8:00 PM , you can enjoy the beginning of your day in the capital. If your flight is scheduled for 3:00 PM , you will spend the morning in Khiva before your transfer.

In Tashkent, you'll discover the large covered market with its fragrant stalls of spices, flowers, and fruits, then head to the Chorsu Bazaar . Next, you'll explore the historic center of Hasti-Imam and its monuments surrounded by gardens. Its library houses the oldest Quran in the world. You'll complete this visit with a tour of a 16th-century madrasa and a mausoleum before checking into your hotel .

Depending on your flight schedule, you will have the morning to explore the historic center of Tashkent . You will then head to the airport to leave Uzbekistan and fly to Bishkek .

Upon arrival in Kyrgyzstan , you will be greeted by the local team who will transfer you to your hotel. You will then enjoy a guided tour of the capital for an initial introduction, before setting off to explore the Kyrgyz lakes and steppes the following day. This day of transition concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in Bishkek .

This morning you set off towards Lake Song-Kul , situated at an altitude of 3016m . After lunch en route , you cross the Chu Plain , bordered by ridges rising to 5000m . Your route continues through the Boom Gorge , the natural border between the Chu and Issyk-Kul regions, then you skirt the Orthotokoy Reservoir and its semi-desert landscapes.

You reach the lake at the end of the day, where a first stroll along the banks allows you to meet nomadic families and local fishermen. Your day concludes with dinner and a night in a yurt .

You'll dedicate this day to Lake Song-Koul , immersing yourself in the rhythm of pastoral life. A hike will take you to the surrounding hills, offering a panoramic view of the lake. Along the way, you'll interact with fishermen and nomadic families living on the shores. You'll discover their traditional activities, including milking mares and making koumiss (fermented mare's milk), which you can then sample.

In the late afternoon, you'll watch a demonstration of equestrian games organized by young nomads training for the Buzkashi season. Free time will then allow you to enjoy the site before dinner. You'll share lunch , dinner , and spend the night in a yurt at the camp.

After breakfast in the yurt , you set off towards the Tach-Rabat valley . Your journey by vehicle crosses the Kourtka pass and travels through the valley of the same name to Naryn for a lunch break.

In the afternoon, you'll cycle along an ancient Silk Road route through the At-Bachi Valley . After a stop in the village of the same name for supplies, you'll visit the ruins of the ancient fortified city of Korchoi Korgon . Throughout this leg of the journey, you'll be accompanied by the peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains , which reach altitudes of 5,000 meters .

You finally reach Tach-Rabat , a site housing an ancient 9th-century Nestorian temple converted into a caravanserai . You settle into your yurt camp and, if you wish, enjoy a sauna at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay are on-site, in the yurt.

After breakfast , you begin the day with a visit to the old caravanserai . You then start your hike towards the nearby Itchke Valley. Along the way, the trail offers an unobstructed view of the valley and the snow-capped peaks of the surrounding Celestial Mountains.

After your picnic lunch , your route continues through the heart of this valley, bordered by mineral cliffs composed of schist, marl, and limestone. At the end of your hike, a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to the yurt camp . In the late afternoon, an optional introductory horseback riding lesson is available to explore the surrounding area on horseback. Finally, you'll conclude this stage of your journey with a convivial dinner and another night in the yurt .

This morning you begin the final ascent of your route to the Tach-Rabat Pass , situated at an altitude of 3964m . Your path crosses the verdant Tach-Rabat Valley , climbs alpine slopes, and ends amidst moraine landscapes. From the pass, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the Aksai Valley and Lake Chatyr-Kul . You then descend towards your yurt camp .

This approximately 4-hour hike can also be done on horseback , an option accessible even to beginner riders. If you prefer a more relaxed day, you can stay and rest at the campsite in the middle of the pastures.

This morning you'll explore the ruins of Kochoi Korgon Fortress, a site steeped in the history of the Silk Road . You'll then stop in Naryn for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll meet a local falconer who will reveal the secrets of this ancient art. Afterwards, you'll travel to the village of Kochkor where you'll be welcomed into a local home for the night. Your day will conclude with a traditional Kyrgyz dinner enlivened by a storyteller from Manas , accompanied by traditional songs and music .

After breakfast at a local's home , you'll set off towards Bishkek . Along the way, you'll stop at Boom Gorge to begin a 3-hour hike . This walk will take you to the heart of Boom Canyon , where you'll enjoy a picnic lunch.

In the afternoon, your itinerary takes you to the Chu Valley . There, you'll explore a historical site that traces the history of the Silk Road and the period of Mongol conquests in Central Asia. You'll then arrive in Bishkek , where you'll have time to settle into your accommodation. The day concludes with dinner at your leisure , allowing you to enjoy the capital at your own pace.