Silk Road and Nomadic Treks

You arrive in the morning at Urgench Airport , located near Khiva . After being greeted by your local team, you are transferred to your accommodation for some well-deserved rest and relaxation . In the afternoon, you set off for an initial exploration of this historic caravan city . You stroll at your own pace through its preserved alleyways to soak up the city's unique atmosphere before beginning your guided tours the following day.

You will explore Khiva , an oasis city renowned for hosting one of the most important markets in Central Asia. The morning is dedicated to discovering the Djouma Mosque , the 17th-century fortress of Kunya Ark , the Muhammad Rahimkhon Feruz Madrasa , and the mausoleum of Sayid Alaouddine .

After lunch in the courtyard of a madrasa , you continue your journey to discover the major buildings of Uzbek art . You take the time to wander through the covered bazaar to soak up the local atmosphere. The day ends with dinner at Toza Bog , the summer palace used by the last Khan of Khiva until 1919.

You depart early in the morning for a day's drive to Bukhara . Along the way, you cross the Amu Darya River and travel through the landscapes of the Kyzylkum Desert , with the opportunity to meet local shepherds . You stop for lunch at a chaykana , a traditional Uzbek restaurant. Upon arrival in Bukhara, you check into your hotel before taking a stroll around Lyabi-Khauz Square. For dinner, you are welcomed into an Uzbek home to share plov , the national dish.

You'll embark on a walking tour of Bukhara , one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. You'll explore this well-preserved medieval city, discovering its heritage of Arab, Persian, and Turkish influences. Along the way, you'll discover several UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Maghoki Attari Mosque with its two-story structure and the Kalyan complex . You'll also visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum , a 9th-century building linked to the Samanid dynasty. Finally, your day will be punctuated by the discovery of local crafts , renowned particularly for their knife- making and textile production.

You travel to Samarkand via the legendary Royal Road . After lunch, you set off for an initial exploration of the city and its Timurid heritage dating back to the 15th century.

You'll explore the famous Registan Square , bordered by its three iconic buildings: the Ulugh Beg Madrasa , the Tillya Kori Madrasa , and the Sher-Dor Madrasa . Your tour continues with a visit to the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum , which houses the tombs of Timur (Tamerlane) and his descendants, as well as the Bibi-Khanym Mosque . In the late afternoon, you'll wander at your own pace through the colorful alleys of the Siyab Bazaar to soak up the local atmosphere. The day concludes with dinner at a traditional Uzbek restaurant.

You dedicate this day to continuing your exploration of Samarkand . In the morning, you visit the Shakhi-Zinda necropolis before discovering the remains of Ulugh Beg's astronomical observatory . You then head to Afrasiab Hill to explore its eponymous museum , ideal for understanding the cultural, religious, and commercial exchanges along the Silk Road .

You have a free afternoon to soak up the city's atmosphere at your own pace. At the end of the day, you'll join a wine enthusiast for a tasting of local wines . Your visit concludes with dinner in town followed by an overnight stay at the hotel .

Enjoy a free morning to stroll at your own pace through the city of Samarkand . This is your last chance to admire the heritage and architecture that have contributed to the city's rich cultural heritage since the 13th century. Wander through the stalls of the local bazaar , perfect for soaking up the aromas of spices and making any last-minute purchases. In the late afternoon, you'll board the train to Tashkent , passing through Djizak . Upon arrival, your day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel .

Today you leave Uzbekistan for Kyrgyzstan . Depending on your flight schedule, you can spend the morning exploring the historic center of Tashkent . You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bishkek .

Upon arrival, the local team will greet you and escort you to your accommodation. You'll enjoy a guided tour of the capital for an initial immersion into Kyrgyz culture, before continuing on to the lakes and steppes the following day. Your day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel .

You set off towards Lake Song-Kul , located at an altitude of 3016m . After lunch en route , your journey takes you across the Chu Plain , bordered by peaks rising to 5000m . You continue your route through the Boom Gorge , the natural border between the Chu and Issyk-Kul regions, and then along the semi-desert landscapes of the Orthotokoie Reservoir .

You arrive at the lake at the end of the day. If you wish, you can take a stroll along the lake shore to meet the fishermen and nomadic families living on the banks. Your day ends with a traditional dinner followed by a night in a yurt .

You'll dedicate your day to exploring the shores of Lake Song-Koul . A hike will take you to higher ground, offering panoramic views of the lake and surrounding valleys. Along the way, you'll meet fishermen and nomadic families , learning about their pastoral way of life. You'll observe the traditional steps involved in milking mares and the making of koumiz , the local fermented mare's milk, which you'll have the opportunity to taste.

In the late afternoon, you'll watch a demonstration of equestrian games performed by the young people of the camp who are training for the buzkashi tournaments. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to stroll along the water's edge before dinner. Lunch , dinner , and your overnight stay in the yurt will take place at the camp.

After breakfast, you leave the camp and head towards the Tach-Rabat valley. Your journey by vehicle takes you over the pass and through the Kourtka valley before arriving in the town of Naryn for a lunch break.

You then continue your journey along an ancient Silk Road route . Passing through the At-Bachi Valley, you stop in a village to stock up on supplies for your upcoming picnics. Your route continues with a visit to Koshoi Korgon , the remains of an ancient fortified town. Throughout this leg of your journey, you'll be surrounded by the peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains , which reach altitudes of 5,000 meters .

Upon arrival in Tach-Rabat, you'll have time to explore a 9th-century Nestorian temple , which later served as a caravanserai. You'll then settle into your new yurt camp , with the option to relax in the sauna at the end of the day. Your stay concludes with dinner and another night in a yurt .

After breakfast, you begin the day by exploring the nearby caravanserai . You then embark on a hike that takes you through the Itchke Valley . This route offers an unobstructed view of the valley and the snow-capped peaks of the surrounding Tian Shan Mountains.

After your picnic , you resume your walk through the valley, along rocky walls composed of schist, marl, and limestone . At the end of your hike, a vehicle will pick you up for the return transfer to your yurt camp .

In the evening, you have the opportunity to participate in a horseback riding initiation . The day ends with a shared dinner , before another night in the yurt .

This morning you begin the final ascent of your trip towards the Tach-Rabat Pass , which reaches an altitude of 3,964 meters . Your route starts in a verdant valley, crosses alpine slopes, and finishes amidst a stark, moraine landscape. At the summit, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the Aksai Valley and Lake Chatyr-Kul , traditionally known as the lake under the roof of the sky.

You then begin your descent back to your yurt camp . This hike can also be done on horseback . This approximately 4-hour option is perfectly suitable for beginner riders. Finally, if you prefer to enjoy a relaxing day in the heart of the pastures, you are welcome to stay and rest at the camp.

You begin the day with a visit to the ruins of Kochoi Korgon Fortress, an opportunity to delve into the Silk Road 's commercial past. You then stop in Naryn for lunch . After the meal, you meet a local falconer who will introduce you to this ancient tradition of hunting birds of prey.

In the afternoon, you head to Kochkor where you stay with a local family for the night. Your evening is dedicated to an immersive folklore dinner , enlivened by traditional Kyrgyz songs and music, as well as the captivating storytelling of the epic of Manas by a storyteller.

After breakfast at your homestay, you'll continue your journey towards Bishkek . Along the way, you'll stop at Boom Gorge for a hike of approximately 3 hours . This walk will take you into the heart of the canyon, where you can enjoy a well-deserved break with a picnic lunch .

In the afternoon, your journey continues through the Chu Valley . There, you'll visit a historical site that retraces the history of the Silk Road and the era of the Mongol conquests in Central Asia. You'll finally arrive in the capital at the end of the day and check into your accommodation. The evening is free for dinner , allowing you to explore Bishkek at your own pace.

You will have an early morning transfer to Bishkek International Airport for your return flight . You will fly to Paris , arriving the same day. This journey marks the end of your stay.