Wendy Wu Journey Through Central Asia

– Travel the Silk Road
– Cruise on Lake Iskander Kul
– Witness Karakol’s animal market
– Browse colourful bazaars
– Explore exotic Khiva
– Discover ancient Samarkand
– Witness the famous horse games of Kyrgyzstan

Days 1-2: Fly to Bishkek
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the morning is yours to relax.
(Dinner)

Day 3: Ala Archa National Park
Travel to Ala Archa National Park to take a leisurely hike. Return to the city for a tour, visiting the Manas Monument before watching the changing of the Guard of Honor ceremony at Ala Too Square. You’ll also visit the Independence Monument, Old Square and more.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 4: Bishkek – Chon Kemin National Park
This morning, depart for the peaceful village of Chon-Kemin, enjoying breathtaking views along the way. Upon arrival you can take in the daily life as you walk through the foothills.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 5: Chon Kemin – Bokonbayevo
Today we drive to Kochkor village, the centre of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts. Continue driving to Bokonbayevo village, passing the shore of Issyk Kul Lake.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 6: Golden Eagle Hunting – Karakol
Visit Skazka Canyon before meeting a ‘Berkutchi’, a Golden Eagle hunter to watch a hunting demonstration. Continue to the Barskoon Gorge to the ‘Tears of Leopard’ waterfall. Head to Karakol.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 7: Jety-Orguz Gorge
Visit the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral and tour a Chinese mosque. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike. Visit a local Dungan family to learn their history and enjoy a home-cooked meal.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 8: Karakol – Almaty
Rise early and travel to the outskirts of town for the unforgettable Karakol Sunday Animal Market. Drive through breath-taking scenery to, visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, named due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing structures. Travel on to Almaty where you will overnight.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 9: Almaty Lake
This morning, visit the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and the Ascension Cathedral. In the afternoon, explore the Ili Alatua mountains and Medeu, an outdoor skating rink. Then, visit Shymbulak before continuing to Kok Tobe, before taking a cable car for views of the city. Return to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 10: Almaty – Dushanbe
This morning in Almaty is yours to enjoy at your leisure. This afternoon we will transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan arriving in the early afternoon
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 11: Dushanbe
Visit the famous Museum of National Antiquities. Then, walks through the botanical gardens, Rudaki Park and see the Ismoili Somoni Monument. Following lunch, visit the Fortresses of Hissor, the Medrassah Kuhna and the Museum of Tajik Way of Life.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 12: Lake Iskander Kul
Visit the breathtaking Lake Iskander Kul on the way to Khujand.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 13: Khujand – Tashkent
Enjoy a tour of Khujand, visiting Pushkin Square, Timur Malik’s Fortress and the atmospheric Panjshanbe Bazaar. Travel to Tashkent this afternoon.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 14: Tashkent
See the highlights of Tashkent today, including Barak Khan and Kukeidash Madrassahs, Chorsu Bazaar and the opulently-decorated stations of Tashkent’s metro system.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 15: Tashkent – Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand, where after checking into your hotel you will visit the iconic Registan Square, the heartbeat of Samarkand. Admire the three beautiful madrassahs on the square’s perimeter.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 16: Samarkand
Enjoy a full day’s tour of Samarkand, starting with Gur Emir, the mausoleum to Tamerlane. Next, continue to Bibi Khanum Mosque before visiting Ulugbek’s observatory and the ancient settlement of Afrosiab.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 17: Samarkand – Bukhara
Head out of Samarkand to the town of Shakhrisabz where you will explore the remains of Ak-Sarai Palace, Dorus Tilavat Cemetery and KokGumbas Mosque. Continue your journey this afternoon as you make your way to Bukhara.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 18-19: Bukhara sightseeing
You have a city tour of one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara. The next day, Head out of Bukhara to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Bahauddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy some downtime this afternoon.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 20: Bukhara – Khiva
Travel across the famous Kyzyl Kum Desert today. Watch in awe as the scenery changes from saksaul trees to the Amudarya riverbank.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 21: Khiva
Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Khiva’s most famous sights, finishing at the Friday Mosque and the 19th century Tash Hauli Palace.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 22 – Khiva – Ashgabat
Transfer overland to Kunya-Urgench, the once-glorious capital of the Khorezmshah Empire and a now UNESCO World Heritage Site. After, transfer to Dashoguz for your evening flight to Ashgabat.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 23: Ashgabat
Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Ashgabat in your own time. Afterwards, head to Arkadash stud farm and learn about the “winged” Akhal Tekkes horses. En route back to Ashgabat, stop at the Kipchak Complex.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 24: The ancient city of Merv
Rise early for your flight to Mary. From the airport you will transfer overland to the ancient city of Merv; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous archaeological sites in Central Asia. Return to Mary after to visit the local History Museum.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 25: Darvaza Flaming Crater
Fly back to Ashgabat and enjoy a morning tour of the city. In the afternoon you will head to Darvaza to witness its famous Flaming Crater. Enjoy a walk around the perimeter and tuck into a delicious nomadic-style camp-side dinner under the starts. Following dinner, you will return to Ashgabat.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 26: Ashgabat
Visit the Old Nisa Fortress; the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch you will continue the fun at the colourful Russian Bazaar. Later, continue to the National Carpet Museum that exhibits an interesting collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets and various carpet objects
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 27: Fly Ashgabat to UK
Fly to the UK, arriving home later the same day.
(Breakfast)

Watch Golden Eagle Hunting
Witness some golden eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan’s highlands

Ceramics Workshop
Visit the Rikhimov family, known for their ceramics. Learn about the history of ceramics and see their unique and exclusive works.

Visit a Akhal Tekes Farm
Visit a stud farm to learn about this native horse breed that has played a key role in Turkmenistan’s history.

• International flights
• 25nts in 3/4* accommodation
• All meals: 25 breakfasts, 24 lunches and 25 dinners.
• Touring with guides and entrance fees
• Visa fees for UK passport holders

Go Beyond

Go Beyond are characterised by engaging cultural experiences, active adventures and getting off the beaten track. They aim to include as much variety as possible so that no two days on your holiday will be alike. You’ll gain a deep understanding of your destination and experience more, whilst still getting to see all the major sights

The maximum number of people per group for this tour is 18

This tour has a Level 4 fitness rating. This means that a good level of fitness is required as you can expect to be walking, or taking part in a physical activity like cycling, for longer periods of time on several days throughout the tour, and may be required to tackle some more challenging terrain.