Central Asia Small Group Tour 2023-2024

Upon arrival in Almaty, check into the hotel at noon. After your flight, take some time to rest and recharge before embarking on your fourteen-day Central Asia Group Tour. Spend the night at the hotel.
Optional Activity: Visit the Abay Opera and Ballet Theater. Tickets can be purchased directly from the theater or on their website, gatob.kz Ticket prices start around 10USD.
Meals: none

Start your second day on the Central Asia Small Group Tour with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Your tour guide and driver will be waiting to meet you at your hotel in Almaty. Leave Almaty and make your way to Charyn Canyon, taking in the breathtaking views of the Altai Mountains and quaint villages en route (220 km, 3-4 hours). Arrive at Charyn Canyon in time for a scenic picnic lunch. Take a hike through this stunning canyon, characterized by towering mountains reaching up to 300 meters and the picturesque "Valley of Castles" stretching over 2 kilometers. Return to Almaty in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, picnic-lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you in the lobby for a sightseeing tour of Almaty. Visit Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, where you’ll learn more about the city’s history and see one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, Zenkov Cathedral. Visit the Memorial of Glory and the Eternal Flame, dedicated to the soldiers who died for the country’s independence. Continue to Republic Square and Almaty City Museum. Shop for sweets and souvenirs at the famed Green Bazaar. Lunch.
Depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway enjoying the nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h.). Pass border control and arrive in Bishkek, then transfer to hotel. Overnight in Bishkek your Central Asia Group Tour third night.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel on the fourth day of your Central Asia Group Tour. Begin your day with a city tour of Bishkek’s impressive examples of Soviet urban planning and architecture: Oak Park, Ala Too Square, Manas Statue, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Philharmonic Hall, and Victory Monument.
Transfer to Don Aryk village for lunch with local Kyrgyz family at their home. After lunch, local women will demonstrate the construction of a yurt, and you can even take part in it! Then drive to Burana Tower, part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13th centuries) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Bishkek. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Your Central Asia small group tour continues with a scenic drive to the stunning Ala-Archa National Park. After a delicious breakfast, your guide will meet you and take you to this breathtaking alpine gorge. Hike through the park, admiring the snow-capped peaks as you make your way to Ak-Sai Waterfall and the banks of the Ala-Archa River. After an energizing picnic lunch, return to Bishkek for your late afternoon flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival in Tashkent, you'll be transferred to your hotel for a comfortable and well-earned night's rest.
Meals: breakfast, picnic-lunch

Day six of your Central Asia Small Group. Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to begin Tashkent city tour. Your private tour will include: Excursion to the Old City, including the architectural complex Hast-Imam (15th century), which holds the oldest known Quran in the world. Visit to Chorsu Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in Central Asia, where you can sample or buy sweets, fruits and souvenirs. Take a ride on the Tashkent Metro. Each station is decorated with ceramic tiles and murals depicting a unique theme. Walk through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, admiring the paintings for sale on ‘Broadway’ Drive. Drive to Sacred Heart Cathedral. Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, an informative collection of Uzbekistan's finest handicrafts housed in an ornately decorated villa. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast

On your 7th day of Central Asia Small Group Tour, your driver will transfer you to the railway station in the morning for a train journey to the stunning city of Samarkand. You will visit Gur Emir, and the impressive Registan Square, with its three Madrasahs dating back to the 15th to 17th centuries. Take in the beauty of Bibi Khanum Mosque and stroll through the multi-level complex of Siab Bazaar, where you can find souvenirs and sample local sweets, fruits, and the famous Samarkand bread. Explore the impressive Shakhi-Zinda, a 15th-century burial complex, and walk the imposing pathway to see its blue-domed tombs. End the day with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory, where you can view the remains of a 14th-15th-century sextant and tour the Ulugbek Museum. After a full day of exploration, rest and relax at your hotel. This is just one of many exciting experiences you'll have on your Central Asia Small Group Tour.

Begin your 8th day on your Central Asia Group Tour with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50km). After passing through customs and passport control, your local Tajik guide and driver will be waiting for you on the Tajikistan side to take you to the breathtaking Seven Lakes (90km). Located in the Fann Mountains, each of the Seven Lakes boasts its own unique color, ranging from turquoise to purple. Take in the natural beauty of this special place and enjoy your lunch at a guest house near the fourth lake. Continue your journey to the charming city of Penjikent, where you'll spend the night at a hotel. Embark on an exciting and unforgettable journey through Central Asia with this group tour.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Have breakfast and start a tour to ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. In old Penjikent you’ll get to see the foundations of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples, the remains of the city bazaar and other excavated ruins. In the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, mosque, and the Rudaki Museum. Drive to the Jartepa border crossing (30 km, 40 min) via Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 4th century BC. After crossing the border, you’ll continue your group tour in Uzbekistan, with your driver meeting you at the border to take you to your hotel in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Group tour of Central Asia continues with a drive from Samarkand to Bukhara ceramic center and pottery master-class, before having lunch.
Visit the Emir's Summer Residence at Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (19th century) near Bukhara. This is a unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture (please note that no English-speaking guide provided here). Check-in to the hotel in Bukhara.
Optional Activity: Immerse yourself, literally, in centuries-old traditions at the Bozori Kord Hammam, a traditional Turkic bathhouse. Opened in the 14th century, it’s been in operation ever since. Price: 25 USD.
Meals: breakfast, lunch

Begin the morning with a city walking tour led by your local guide. Your private tour will include the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque and the Trade Domes (15-16th centuries) that serve today as a tourist bazaar. Continue your excursion to Poi Kalyan Ensemble, including the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah. Visit Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs. Discover the Ark Fortress and museum in Bukhara. Next site is Bolo-Khauz Mosque with a pond. Last site is the mausoleum of Ismail Samani. Finish your walking city tour of Central Asia Small Group Tour. Tour duration: 6-7 hours. Free time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Bukhara.
Optional Activity: The National Show at the Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah, which starts at 18:00. Price for show and dinner is 20 USD per person.
Meals: breakfast

Breakfast. In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 h*). Today we will have an overland transfer from Bukhara to Khiva through Kyzylkum desert. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Arrival in Khiva, the "museum under the open sky" late in the afternoon. After check-in, free time to discover Khiva during your Central Asia Small Group Tour. Overnight in a hotel located inside or near Ichan-Kala, the historical center of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip.
Optional Activity: In the evening, take a masterclass on cooking “tukhumbarak” (egg dumplings) a classic Khivan cuisine. Dinner is included. Price is 25 USD per person, with a minimum of 4 persons required.
Meals: breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, take a walking tour around Itchan-Kala with a local guide in your Central Asia Small Group Tour. Start with Kunya-Ark Khan's castle and the inner citadel of Ichan Kala, before continuing to the following sites: Kalta Minor Tower, the tallest minaret in Central Asia; Muhammad Amin-Khan, the biggest medieval madrasah in Khiva and Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah; Juma Mosque, with 212 wooden columns and a minaret 32.5 m high; Tash-Hauli with its high battlements, towers and fortified gates; Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud, the cultic center of Ichan Kala; residence of Islam Khodja, vizier of the last khan. Overnight at the hotel in Khiva.
Meals: breakfast

After your morning breakfast, you'll travel with your driver to the Turkmenistan border point, which is approximately an hour away. You'll have to pass through customs, and transportation may not be available in the transit zone. Once you pass border control, your Turkmenistan guide will meet you, and together you'll embark on a 100km drive to Kunya-Urgench. In Kunya-Urgench, you'll visit the Tyurabek-Khanym and Sayit Ahmed Mausoleums, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum of Khorezmshakh, and Kyrk Molla Hill. You'll enjoy a picnic lunch while exploring the area.
In the afternoon, you'll take a four-hour drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. You'll set up camp and enjoy the magnificent ring of fire by night, which is approximately 80 meters in diameter and 30 meters in depth. A delicious fire-cooked meal will be served for dinner near the burning gas crater, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, camp style BBQ Dinner

Begin your day by witnessing the stunning desert sunrise before indulging in a camp-style breakfast. Afterward, you'll visit the mud crater before embarking on a scenic drive to Ashgabat, which spans 280 kilometers and takes approximately four hours to complete. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to take photos of the majestic sand dunes and graceful camels.
Upon arrival in Ashgabat, check-in to hotel and start a sightseeing tour of the capital city, which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. You'll visit the Old Nissa archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Spiritual Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Other notable stops include the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Presidential Square, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the recently built Independence Park. A delicious dinner will be served, overnight in Ashgabat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your Central Asia Small Group Tour comes to a close with check-out from the hotel at noon. Enjoy some free time before your transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure. We hope you had an unforgettable journey and look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure in the future.
Meals: Breakfast

Planning to travel to Central Asia is an exciting adventure and it's important to be well-informed before you go. Here are some key things to keep in mind for your Central Asia Small Group Tour:

1. Passport and visa requirements: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your trip and check the visa requirements for the countries you'll be visiting.
2. Health and safety: Consult with your doctor about any recommended vaccinations and carry a basic first aid kit. It's also important to familiarize yourself with the local customs and laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
3. Climate: Central Asia has a diverse range of climates, from the hot and arid deserts to the cold and snowy mountain regions. Pack appropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions you'll be facing.
4. Currency: Research the currency of each country you'll be visiting and consider exchanging some cash or carrying a credit card for added convenience.
5. Local culture: Central Asia is home to a rich and diverse cultural heritage, and it's important to be respectful of local customs and traditions. Familiarize yourself with basic etiquette and cultural norms to ensure a smooth and culturally immersive experience.

By keeping these key points in mind, you'll be well prepared for an unforgettable trip to Central Asia. So pack your bags and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

Joining the Central Asia Small Group Tour requires every participant to have a valid travel insurance policy. To ensure a safe and worry-free experience, it's important to choose a reputable insurance provider that offers comprehensive coverage for the entire duration of the tour. This should include coverage for personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation costs, lost luggage, and expenses related to cancellations or trip interruption. We strongly recommend using an insurance company based in your home country to make the claims process easier in case of an emergency.

The fastest and easiest way to arrange your tour to Central Asia, by booking a tour package Central Asia Small Group Tour with OREXCA. Going for a vacation to Central Asia countries means an opportunity to discover incredible UNESCO sights and come closer to the Silk Road history. Book your Central Asia Group Tour with us and do not waste your time on researching, organizing, and planning. The tour includes trips to top travel destinations, you’ll also be able to visit some of the best attractions.

Your tour package to Central Asia includes everything you need for a fun and hassle-free time. Tour packages normally include reservations at recommended hotels in a central location, a travel plan including visits to top attractions with local guides, and the opportunity to add short tours, tickets, and activities to your daily itinerary.

Russian is commonly spoken as a second language throughout Central Asia. People in the service and tourism industries often speak English and other European languages.
The official languages in the region are Uzbek in Uzbekistan, Kazakh in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan, and Tajik in Tajikistan. All of these languages belong to the Turkish language group except Tajik that belongs to Farsi.

The voltage in the region is 220-250V. Most hotels have European-style sockets with two round pins. It may be useful to bring an adapter if your devices have a different plug type.

As a general rule, you can dress as you would in your home country. However, when visiting open mosques during sightseeing, it is advisable for women to cover their heads with a light scarf and to wear shorts that extend below the knee.

Wi-Fi is usually available at hotels. You can also use the internet at a local café. Ask your guide to get a local SIM card and use mobile internet anywhere.