Example Itinerary

Landscapes and Cityscapes of Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Architecture, Amazing Landscapes
Destinations
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan

Spend a spellbinding 14 days exploring two mesmerizing countries on this incomparable tour, which will whisk you from the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, through the historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, with their stunning ancient architecture, and on into beautiful Kyrgyzstan. In the city of Bishkek, you’ll discover traditional felt and silk fusing, and enjoy a stunning scenic journey into the Tian Shan mountains to spend time picnicking by lakes, hiking in the hills and relaxing in green, verdant valleys. Stay in a traditional Kyrgyz guesthouse and watch a nomadic horseback sport before returning to beautiful Bishkek to uncover treasures in its great bazaar.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

• Architecture: The colorful tiled mosques, minarets, and madrassas of Uzbekistan's ancient cities never fail to impress.

• Golden Spa: Altyn Arashan's alpine hot springs are the perfect place to reenergize tired muscles after a day's hiking or horseback riding.

• Nomadic Sports: Also known as Buzkashi, Ulak Tartysh is played by Kyrgyz nomads on horseback with the aim of getting a goat or calf carcass into a goal.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Tashkent

On your first day, check in to your cozy hotel and then hit the town to get familiar with your amazing new environment. Explore Tashkent’s famous Khast Imam Mosque complex, home to the world’s oldest Koran, visit the artisans at the Barak-Khan madrassah and browse the buzzing Chorsu Bazaar for local crafts and trinkets.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

History: The brand new Hyatt Regency Tashkent is exemplary of the quality for which the Hyatt name has gained its international reputation.

Location: On Navoi street, the hotel is near to numerous sites of interest in the Uzbek capital.

Service: The concierge desk and e-concierge service is on hand 24 hours a day for guests’ every need.

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Hyatt Regency Tashkent Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Samarkand

Hop aboard the express train to historic Samarkand and enjoy the stunning Uzbek countryside as it slides past your carriage. Discover this historic city’s incomparable architecture from the turquoise dome of the Bibi-Khanym mosque to the three towering madrassas which surround vast Registan Square to the Gur-Emir mausoleum where lies mighty Tamarlane himself.

Hotel Options
About

Located in the heart of the city, the Dilimah offers convenience and comfort to visitors of this historic city. The 11 guest rooms are furnished with contemporary amenities and furnishings, and premium rooms feature a balcony.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

The Hilton Samarkand Regency is a 5-star hotel and top pick in Samarkand. The property offers 233 guest rooms with dressed in contemporary furnishings and smart mod-cons including tea/coffee makers and complimentary WiFi.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Samarkand
Samarkand

Day 3

Samarkand

Continue your adventures in this city of wonders: delve into the maze of mausoleums in the Shak-i-zinda complex and stare at the sky from Ulugbek - the world’s oldest observatory. Stand in the mausoleum of Daniel the Prophet, the place where three religions intertwine and observe ancient paper-making techniques in action at Samarkand’s old paper factory.

Day 4

Bukhara

Enjoy a relaxing train journey to yet another center of cultural marvels. Bukhara is home to the Lyab-i-Hauz - a madrassah complex surrounding a shady pool, and the Po-i-Kalyan with its skyscraping minaret. Be stunned by the intricacy of the mosaic work that covers Mir-i-Arab, central Asia’s biggest mosque, and visit the jewelers of Toki Zargaron and the hatters of Toki Telpak Furushon.

Hotel Options
About

Located in the heart of Bukhara, Devon Begui hotel offers air conditioning, quick access to Bukhara's main attractions, and traditional Uzbek design with wooden furnishings. All 20 rooms are simply appointed with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and ensuite bathrooms - some accommodations also have views out to the historic architecture of the capital.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Positioned in the heart of the Old City, Lyabi Khauz Hotel provides warm Uzbek hospitality in a beautifully restored 19th-century house. All 40 rooms have been refurbished in a comfortable, modern manner with traditional Uzbek accents and mod-cons such as satellite TV, air conditioning, fridge, work desk and full bathroom.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 5

Bukhara

Stroll around the pool by the beautiful Bolo-Khauz Mosque and get a dose of royalty in the Emir’s residence at Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa. Then, just a short drive outside the city, visit the sacred memorial of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband and witness a 16th-century forge still in action to this day.

Bukhara
Bukhara

Day 6

Khiva

Take a scenic 7-hour journey across the dramatic landscape of the Kyzyl Kum desert and marvel at the red sands stretching as far as the eye can see. Stop for a traditional Uzbek picnic lunch by the waters of the Amu Darya, the ‘unrestrained river’ and meet the shepherds and their Karakul sheep before continuing on to your destination at ancient Khiva.

Hotel Options
About

This comfortable hotel, although relatively modern, is built and decorated tastefully in the authentic Uzbek style so that guests enjoy all the conveniences in an environment of intricate wood carvings, elaborate Khiva carpets and traditional design. Located within the crenellated walls of the Itchan Kala fortress, it sports stunning views of the skyscraping Islam Khoja Minaret and is a short walk from the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Since 2004, the Malika Khiva hotel has been charming and enchanting its guests with its blend of old world authenticity, modern convenience and colorful, quirky decor. Situated at the very entrance of Itchan Kala at Ata Darvaza and built to look like a madrasah, it serves as a perfect doorway into the old town of ancient Khiva and boasts the very best views in the city.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 7

Tashkent

Within the crenellated walls lies Itchan Kala, the old part of Khiva, which is home to more than fifty historic monuments including the Djuma Mosque, supported by 112 columns. See inside the vast Kunya-Ark Fortress, once home to the Khan; marvel at the stone work of Tash Khauli Palace and Kalta Minor Minaret and visit the mausoleum of poet Pakhlavan Mahmud, Khiva’s holy patron. Finally drive to Urgench for your flight to Tashkent, where you will bed down for the night.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

History: The brand new Hyatt Regency Tashkent is exemplary of the quality for which the Hyatt name has gained its international reputation.

Location: On Navoi street, the hotel is near to numerous sites of interest in the Uzbek capital.

Service: The concierge desk and e-concierge service is on hand 24 hours a day for guests’ every need.

Read More
Hyatt Regency Tashkent Preferred Hotel
Tashkent
Tashkent

Day 8

Bishkek

From Tashkent, it’s a short flight to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, where you can check in and relax at your hotel. After a leisurely lunch, hit the town to visit the monument to Manas, a Kyrgyz national hero and get to grips with the local culture at Central Square and the city’s museums. Visit the workshop of Aidai Asangulova, an artisan whose felt and silk fusing techniques are famous throughout the country.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel is ideally situated in the center of Bishkek yet within a short driving distance from the international airport.

Services: The only five-star hotel in the country, the Hyatt Regency prides itself on world-class service, catering to guests’ every need, around the clock.

History: Since its opening, the Hyatt Regency has enjoyed a history of acclaim for its excellent quality including being twice named Kyrgyzstan's Best Hotel in the World Travel Awards.

Read More
Hyatt Regency Bishkek Preferred Hotel
About

With excellent views of the capital and the Tien Shan mountains, the Sheraton Bishkek is comprised of deluxe rooms, plus junior, king and executive suites, some of which include club access. Rooms are furnished in a warm and homely classic style, with air-conditioning, writing desks, WiFi and terraces.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 9

Kochkor

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a 5-hour drive into the Tian Shan mountains. Stop off to climb Burana tower, one of the only remnants of the ruined city of Balasagun. Higher up, surrounded by snowy peaks, is one of the world’s largest mountain lakes, Issyk Kul. From here, it’s on to Kochkor to meet the craftswomen who make shyrdaks - brightly colored and beautifully embellished felt carpets.

Hotel Options
About

In remote areas of Kyrgyzstan, travelers rely on basic guest houses where the accommodation may not be luxurious, but the welcome is warm. Typically located in the center of town, the guesthouse provides clean and comfortable rooms with double or single beds.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 10

Karakol

Explore the ‘stone garden’ at Cholpon Ata, a mesmerizing gallery of prehistoric stone circles and tombs in the mountains, overlooking glassy lake waters. From here, you will drive through more beautiful scenery to Karakol (around 2.5 hours) with its wooden mosque and wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral. Visit the museum of Nikolai Przhevalsky and learn about this remarkable Russian and his geographic discoveries. In the evening, relax with dinner and traditional Kyrgyz music and poetry.

Hotel Options
About

In the northern Kyrgyzstan town of Karakol, it’s hard to find any better place to stay than the award-winning, family-run Green Yard Guest House. Take its location for starters.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Karakol
Karakol

Day 11

Karakol

After breakfast, climb into a Russian military truck to access the beautiful and remote Altyn Arashan alpine valley. Enjoy the views of green and verdant plains with horses and yurts overlooked by Palatka Mountain. Bathe in the natural hot sulphur springs and benefit from their healing properties before a picnic lunch on the grass. Back in Karakol, join a Dungan family for dinner in their home.

Day 12

Kalmak Ashu Village

After a restful night, take a 2.5-hour drive out to the green gorge of Jety Oguz - named ‘Seven Bulls’ for its dramatic red rocks. After a leisurely hike in the hills, relax for a picnic lunch in a pretty meadow and then continue the scenic journey through the Chon Kemin valley to the Kalmak Ashu village. Enjoy a traditional meal before bedding down in the quaint and cozy guesthouse.

Hotel Options
About

In remote areas of Kyrgyzstan, travelers rely on basic guest houses where the accommodation may not be luxurious, but the welcome is warm. Typically located in the center of town, the guesthouse provides clean and comfortable rooms with double or single beds.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Kalmak Ashu Village
Kalmak Ashu Village

Day 13

Bishkek

In the morning, there’s a delicious breakfast at the guesthouse before the chance to see a traditional match of Ulak Tartysh, a high energy game played on horseback by nomads. Head back to the guesthouse for lunch and then begin the beautiful 2.5-hour drive back to Bishkek. On your return, check in to your hotel and browse the treasures of Osh Bazaar before your farewell meal in the evening.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This hotel is ideally situated in the center of Bishkek yet within a short driving distance from the international airport.

Services: The only five-star hotel in the country, the Hyatt Regency prides itself on world-class service, catering to guests’ every need, around the clock.

History: Since its opening, the Hyatt Regency has enjoyed a history of acclaim for its excellent quality including being twice named Kyrgyzstan's Best Hotel in the World Travel Awards.

Read More
Hyatt Regency Bishkek Preferred Hotel
About

With excellent views of the capital and the Tien Shan mountains, the Sheraton Bishkek is comprised of deluxe rooms, plus junior, king and executive suites, some of which include club access. Rooms are furnished in a warm and homely classic style, with air-conditioning, writing desks, WiFi and terraces.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 14

Departure

After a refreshing night’s sleep, you’ll enjoy your final breakfast in Uzbekistan, before checking out of your hotel. You’ll be driven to the international airport, where you’ll be assisted with check-in for your onwards journey, either home, or to your next exciting destination.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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