Intrepid Travel
Bishkek to Ashgabat
Bishkek to Ashgabat
Be entranced by the beauty and the wonder of Central Asia on this overland journey from the capital of Kyrgyzstan through the heartland of Uzbekistan to the forgotten yet futuristic Ashgabat. Take in the tranquil landscape of Son-Kol Lake, watch for wild boar and deer around Chychkan Gorge, hike up the sacred Sulumain-too Mountain in historic Osh, and get your fill of mosques and museums in Samarkand. Venture into the mysterious Turkmenistan, watch the eternal fire from the ‘Gates of Hell’, and explore Ashgabat with architecture from a sci-fi movie. Abounding with ancient culture, divine natural beauty, intriguing relics and welcoming people, this is a journey that will leave you eager to discover more of Central Asia.
Activities
- Bishkek – City walking tour
- Shamsy Valley – Burana tower
- Don Aryk – Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
- Issyk-Kul Lake – Yurt workshop
- Kochkor – Market
- Kochkor – Women’s Felt Co-op
- Kyzyl-Oi – Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
- Uzgen – Uzgen Minaret & Complex
- Osh – Sulaiman-Too Mountain
- Osh – National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
- Tashkent – Chorsu Bazaar
- Tashkent – Amir Timur Square
- Bukhara – Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
- Bukhara – Ismail Samani Mausoleum
- Bukhara – Ark Fortress
- Samarkand – Leader-led orientation walk
- Samarkand – Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Samarkand – Registan Square
- Samarkand – Shakh-I-Zinda
- Samarkand – Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
- Samarkand – Plov cooking demonstration & family visit
- Tashkent – Chorsu Bazaar
- Tashkent – Khast Imom Complex & Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
- Tashkent – Amir Timur Square
- Tashkent – City tour
- Tashkent – Metro tour
- Khiva – Islom Hoja Minaret & Medressa
- Khiva – Juma Mosque
- Khiva – Tosh-Hovli Palace
- Khiva – Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum
- Khiva – Kuhna Ark
- Darvaza – “Door to Hell” Crater
- Yerbent – Village visit
- Nohur – Village walking tour
- Geokdepe – Horse breeder visit with bread & snack cooking demostration
- Ashgabat – Anau ruins
- Ashgabat – Neutrality Arch
- Ashgabat – Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
- Ashgabat – City tour
- Ashgabat – Nisa ruins
- Ashgabat – Russian Bazaar
- Merv – Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
- Merv – Erk Kala & Gayur Kala
- Merv – Big & Small Kizkala
- Mary – City tour
Highlights
- Explore Central Asia – a fascinating and unique mix of ancient Silk Road culture, post-soviet culture and redefined nations living in post-independence.
- Discover the history of the Silk Road – see the much-photographed Registan in Samarkand (one of the true pinnacles of Islamic architecture), spend time in World Heritage-listed Bukhara (a 6th-century city), visit the UNESCO-protected town of Khiva and explore the sprawling ruins of Mary.
- Be treated to traditional hospitality and get a unique insight into the daily life of locals during a Kyrgyz homestay, a night in a guesthouse in Uzbekistan and the rare chance to stay with a local family in Turkmenistan.
- Marvel at the beautiful natural landscapes in this ever-changing land – see Son-Kol Lake’s flocks of sheep, goats and horses, witness the majesty of the Kyrgyzstans Mountains, visit Issy-Kul Lake, watch the ever-burning flames of ‘The Gates of Hell’ and take in the vast desert of Turkenistan.
- Rub shoulders with locals, bargain in the bazzars and sit down for a homemade plov meal – with your expert leader by the side, you’ll really get into the local insight and learn what’s common and what’s different between these three stans.
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Captial of Uzberkistan and fourth largest city in the former Soviet Union. With a population of nearly 2 milion, it is the cultural and educational center of central Asia. |
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Captial of Uzberkistan and fourth largest city in the former Soviet Union. With a population of nearly 2 milion, it is the cultural and educational center of central Asia. |
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Founded in the 1st century this old city with many ancient buildings is located northeast of Tehran. |
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Founded in the 1st century this old city with many ancient buildings is located northeast of Tehran. |
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One of the oldest cities in Central Asia dating back to the 4th century B.C., it is an important commercialcenter for the area, especially known for agricultural products. It has a university and many historical sites and museums. |
| Day 15 |
One of the oldest cities in Central Asia dating back to the 4th century B.C., it is an important commercialcenter for the area, especially known for agricultural products. It has a university and many historical sites and museums. |
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Captial of Uzberkistan and fourth largest city in the former Soviet Union. With a population of nearly 2 milion, it is the cultural and educational center of central Asia. |
| Day 17 |
Captial of Uzberkistan and fourth largest city in the former Soviet Union. With a population of nearly 2 milion, it is the cultural and educational center of central Asia. |
| Day 18 |
Captial of Uzberkistan and fourth largest city in the former Soviet Union. With a population of nearly 2 milion, it is the cultural and educational center of central Asia. |
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Ashgabat (formerly Ashkhabad) is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. In Persian, the name means "city of love." Notable attractions include the Karakum Canal, the Trans-Caspian railway, and numerous monuments and museums to explore. |
| Day 23 |
Ashgabat (formerly Ashkhabad) is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. In Persian, the name means "city of love." Notable attractions include the Karakum Canal, the Trans-Caspian railway, and numerous monuments and museums to explore. |
| Day 24 |
Ashgabat (formerly Ashkhabad) is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. In Persian, the name means "city of love." Notable attractions include the Karakum Canal, the Trans-Caspian railway, and numerous monuments and museums to explore. |
| Day 25 |
Merv, located in the heart of Turkmenistan, is one of Central Asia's most captivating historical treasures. Once a major hub on the ancient Silk Road, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its well-preserved ruins that echo the grandeur of a bygone era. Visitors can explore the remnants of ancient cities, including the grand Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, a striking 12th-century structure that stands as a testament to the region’s Islamic architectural prowess. Walking through the ruins of Merv is like stepping back in time, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of those who once thrived in this desert oasis. The city of Merv was not just a significant trading post but also a center of learning and culture during its peak in the medieval period. Known as "Marw al-Shahijan" or "Merv, the Great," it was one of the largest cities in the world during the 12th century, rivaling the likes of Baghdad and Constantinople. Today, the ancient city's ruins span several square miles, providing an extensive site for history enthusiasts to explore. The Great Kyz Kala, with its unique corrugated walls, and the smaller Lesser Kyz Kala, offer a glimpse into the defensive structures that once protected this thriving metropolis . Merv's allure is not just in its history but also in the serene beauty of its surroundings. The stark desert landscape, dotted with the ruins of this ancient city, creates a mystical atmosphere that captivates the imagination. Visitors are often struck by the contrast between the vast emptiness of the desert and the rich history that lies beneath the sands. It's a place where one can truly feel the weight of history while enjoying the peace and solitude of the Turkmen desert. Fun fact: Merv was once considered the "Eye of the World" due to its strategic location and immense wealth. At its height, it was one of the largest and most important cities on the Silk Road, serving as a crossroads for trade and culture between the East and West . |
| Day 26 |
Ashgabat (formerly Ashkhabad) is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. In Persian, the name means "city of love." Notable attractions include the Karakum Canal, the Trans-Caspian railway, and numerous monuments and museums to explore. |
| Day 27 |
Ashgabat (formerly Ashkhabad) is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan. In Persian, the name means "city of love." Notable attractions include the Karakum Canal, the Trans-Caspian railway, and numerous monuments and museums to explore. |
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05/02/25 - 05/28/25 |
Starting At $6,232 |
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05/09/25 - 06/04/25 |
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05/23/25 - 06/18/25 |
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06/10/25 - 07/06/25 |
Starting At $7,265 |
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08/08/25 - 09/03/25 |
Starting At $7,415 |
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08/19/25 - 09/14/25 |
Starting At $7,140 |
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08/22/25 - 09/17/25 |
Starting At $7,625 |
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09/19/25 - 10/15/25 |
Starting At $7,855 |
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09/23/25 - 10/19/25 |
Starting At $7,790 |
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09/26/25 - 09/30/25 |
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10/03/25 - 10/29/25 |
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10/10/25 - 11/05/25 |
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04/03/26 - 04/29/26 |
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04/10/26 - 05/06/26 |
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04/17/26 - 05/08/26 |
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05/15/26 - 06/10/26 |
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05/26/26 - 06/21/26 |
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06/09/26 - 07/05/26 |
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08/07/26 - 09/02/26 |
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08/11/26 - 09/06/26 |
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08/18/26 - 09/13/26 |
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08/21/26 - 09/16/26 |
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09/08/26 - 10/04/26 |
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09/22/26 - 09/29/26 |
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10/02/26 - 10/28/26 |
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10/09/26 - 08/20/27 |
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09/07/27 - 10/03/27 |
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09/21/27 - 10/08/27 |
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