- Clear sustainable travel policy
- Social / Environmental Impact
- Tourism Dispersal
- Behavioral Awareness Education
- Small Group Travel
- Listen to Community Feedback
When most people land in this region, they have absolutely no idea what to expect. By the end of their stay, they don’t want to leave. This is the ultimate tour of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Everywhere you look in this region there seems to be the most beautiful alpine or the most mesmerizing snow-covered mountains; the most dramatic gorges and beckoning deserts. You’ll find yourself in the heart of the Silk Road, surrounded by the kindest people welcoming you into their homes, feeding you, teaching you about their culture. It’s a region where you will stay in traditional yurts, warm guesthouses and even with local families and you will partake in local activities everywhere you go.
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are mysterious lands that few travelers reach. But for those who do travel to these countries, they quickly become two of their favorite destinations on the planet.
Highlights:
- Mountains, desert, incredible nature
- Nomads, meeting people
- Local activities, workshops, markets
- Traditional villages, cities, the Silk Road, history
- Off-the-beaten path, unique food and drink
Seasonal Notes: This trip takes place in the shoulder season for Kyrgyzstan (the high season is July and August) and during the high season for Uzbekistan. Temperatures are likely to be mild to warm.
📋 Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change slightly as we go based on the interests of the group. It also includes free time for you to explore. Download detailed itinerary to read more.
Day 1: Bishkek [Kyrgyzstan] (arrival day)
Day 2: Bishkek
Day 3 - 4: Tamga / Issy-kul Lake
Day 5: Jety Oguz
Day 6 - 7: Karakol
Day 8: Karakol / Bishkek
Day 9: Tashkent [Uzbekistan]
Day 10 - 11: Samarkand
Day 12: Nurata yurt camp
Day 13 - 14: Bukhara
Day 15: Tashkent
Day 16: Tashkent (departure day)
🌱 Sustainability
Our Approach to Sustainable Travel
This tour visits locally-run, highly vetted organizations and businesses. Guests have a unique opportunity to learn from and interact with local people who are not involved with mass tourism. We use only sustainable products on our tours, and our company provides donations, both financial and material, to the organizations we visit around the world.
Transportation
The vast majority of our transportation will be via car, driving beautifully scenic routes. Some of our longer drives will be around 4, 7, and 9 hours (including stops along the way). However, we are taking one short (~70 min) flight from Bishkek (in the northeastern part of Kyrgyzstan) across the country and over the border into Tashkent (in the western part of Uzbekistan). We could drive this, but it would mean another 8 hours in a car. You can help offset this carbon impact by visiting the Climate Impact page.
Food
This trip focuses on eating local. Sometimes there are vegetarian options available. Vegan options can be challenging to find.
Accommodations
Please note that it can be challenging to find accommodations that adhere to strict sustainability guidelines in these destinations, but we do our best to seek such accommodations out.
- Use Environmentally Friendly Products
- Focused on Minimizing Waste
- Responsible Waste Management
- Support Suppliers Managing Waste Properly
- Provide Local Employment
- Fair Wages / Fair Trade
- Ensures Good Working Conditions
- Supports Local Businesses
- Tours Benefit Local Community
📌 Location
Use the Google map to orient yourself about where in the world this trip is. The location indicates the starting point for this trip.
A specific route map is included in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
🏷️ Pricing
- Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
- See the full list of price inclusions and exclusions in the downloadable detailed itinerary.
ℹ️ Other Info
If you're ready to book this trip, or if you still have some questions, contact us to let us know!
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 100% refundable until 3 months prior to the trip start date.
You must be fully vaccinated and boosted. You may need a negative test result prior to arriving. You should also have both a mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times.
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
Q: What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?
A: While the tour itself is not very strenuous, please note that it can involve the following: somewhat long days, a good amount of walking, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, long journeys, early morning wake-ups and other similar scenarios.
Q: What will the accommodations be like?
A: On this trip, accommodation ranges from high-quality guesthouses and mid-range hotels to traditional nomadic yurts! Prices are based on twin-share. There is a limited number of single rooms available for an extra charge. For twin share, solo travelers of the same sex will be placed together in a room with two beds. If you book as a couple, you'll be put in a shared room together in a double bed wherever possible. *In the nomadic yurt tents, there can be up to 4 people per tent.
Duration: 16 days
Meals: See full list of price inclusions & exclusions.
