Border Information: if joining in Ashgabat, you will most likely enter Turkmenistan at Ashgabat International Airport (IATA code: ASB).There will be a pre-departure meeting at 10:00am - please look out for a note from your leader at the reception of the joining hotel upon arrival with more details about this important meeting.After the meeting we will have an included tour of the city of Ashgabat using local minibuses.Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Ashgabat before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Ashgabat. If arriving at Ashgabat airport you will also need to have a confirmed arrival transfer and representative from our local supplier to meet you at the airport. Please contact your sales agent for prices and to book. *Important note - any tobacco products are practically illegal in Turkmenistan, so please do not bring them or use them in Turkmenistan. Also please do not bring any medicines containing tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine or opiates to Central Asia. These are illegal in all circumstances in most of Central Asia and you will risk arrest. If in doubt about a particular medicine, please do not bring it. See the notes at the bottom for more details.*
Today we set off north from Ashgabat and head into the Karakum Desert. We will have an included side trip to the amazing flaming Darvaza Gas Crater (also known as the 'Door to Hell'!).We will wild camp in the deserts near Darvaza Crater tonight.
Today we will continue our overland journey north across the Karakum. We will visit the Kunye Urgench ruins towards the end of the day.
Border Information: Exit Turkmenistan at Shovot, enter Uzbekistan at Nijazov.This morning we will visit the markets in the border town of Dashoguz, before driving across the border into Uzbekistan and continue to the beautiful historic town of Khiva.
After breakfast we have a guided tour of the ancient city of Khiva. In the afternoon we will have plenty of free time to further explore this wonderfully preserved Khanate town.
Today we will have a full day's drive to the fascinating city of Bukhara, where will spend the next 3 nights.
Today we will have a guided tour of Bukhara and the surrounding area, including the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Kalon Mosque, Zindon Prison and the Ark Fortress.
Spend the day exploring this incredible historic city and its surroundings further and soaking up the atmosphere.
Today we will drive into the Kyzylkhum Desert near the town of Nurata. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to head out on an optional camel ride into the desert!In the Kyzylkhum Desert we will stay in a desert yurt camp.
This morning we will spend some time exploring the Nurata Hills with the option of taking a dip in Lake Ajdar Kul. After lunch we will drive to Samarkand where we will stay for the next 3 nights.
Today we will have a guided tour of the incredible historic city of Samarkand and the surrounding area, including the Registan, Ulug Beg Observatory, Bibi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-I-Zinda.
We will have a free day today with the chance to wander the streets and delve into this beautiful city and its history further.
This morning we will have a little more free time to explore more of Samarkand. After lunch we will drive to the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.
Today we will have a free day to explore Tashkent.
Border Information: if joining in Tashkent, you will most likely enter Uzbekistan at Tashkent International Airport (IATA code: TAS).There will be a pre-departure meeting at 10:00am - please look out for a note from your leader at the reception of the joining hotel upon arrival with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will need to carefully check your visas at this initial meeting.The rest of the day is free to explore the Uzbek capital.Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Tashkent before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Tashkent.*Important note - do not bring any medicines containing tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine or opiates to Central Asia. These are illegal in all circumstances in most of Central Asia and you will risk arrest. If in doubt about a particular medicine, please do not bring it. See the notes at the bottom for more details.**Another important note - please be aware that all itineraries in Kyrgyzstan are highly weather-dependent. The itinerary described in these notes are a statement of best intention, but we must approach each trip in Kyrgyzstan with a large degree of flexibility, as our leaders and local guides will have to 'play things by ear' according to the local conditions and weather. In low season certain routes become impossible and it may become far too cold to camp - in all cases there are fantastic and well-tried alternatives in place which means we can always run an excellent and comprehensive trip here, but please do not treat the exact details of the itinerary listed here as gospel - thanks for your understanding!*
This morning we travel in local transport over the Kamchik Pass to Kokand, where we will have the opportunity to visit the Khudayar Khan's Palace and the nearby Margilan Silk Factory before completing the journey to Fergana. The truck must pass over the Kamchik Pass without passengers and will rejoin us this evening in Fergana City.
Border information: Exit Uzbekistan at Andijon, enter Kyrgyzstan at Dustlik.This morning we leave Uzbekistan behind and make our way into the magical mountain kingdom of Kyrgyzstan! Once we have crossed the border we continue our journey to Arslanbob in Kyrgyzstan's Fergana Valley - if we are delayed at the border we may choose to stay in the closer town of Jalalabad instead.
Today we have a free day to explore the local area. There will be options to do an all day hike to a big waterfall or alternatively do an optional horseride through the Walnut Forest
We will spend the next 2 days overlanding through the stunning and remote Kyrgyz Fergana Valley, stopping often to admire the views and perhaps take some impromptu hikes in the hills and countryside. Tonight we will find a wild camp close to Toktugal Lake.
Please note that trips running in low season (May to mid-June and October to November), we may not be able to camp if temperatures are too low, in which case we will stay in local guesthouses along the route instead.
We will have another day of scenic driving as we make our way to our second wild camp at Karakuchi Gorge
Today we complete the drive to the incredible Song Köl Lake, where we will spend the next two nights.We will have free time here to explore the area, and to enjoy some optional activities including hiking and horse-riding.Please note that trips during the low season will not be able to visit Song Köl Lake, as temperatures will be below freezing, the road will be snowed over, and there will be no yurts to stay in! Instead we will likely stay in yurts on the southern shore of Lake Issyk Köl.
We will have free time in Song Kul Lake today to explore the area, and to enjoy some optional activities including hiking and horse-riding.
Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor, where we stay in local family-run guesthouses and enjoy traditional Kyrgyz hospitality!Whilst here we will visit a small museum and women's felt making cooperative that produces 'shyrdaks', the felt carpets for which Kyrgyzstan is renowned. We may also have the opportunity here to see some excellent local musicians playing traditional Kyrgyz folk music and to see how a yurt is put up!
Today we drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk Köl and up into the mountains to the alpine trekking region of Jeti Oguz. En route we will have an included demonstation from a local 'eagle hunter'.The next day we will have a free day to hike in the incredible scenery here, or take an optional horse ride with some of the local nomads!Please note that on trips in the low season we may not be able to camp in Jeti Oguz due to low temperatures. If this is the case, we will stay for 1 night in a local hotel at the base of Jeti Oguz Valley (allowing time for some day walks) and then move via a stunning and incredible drive up a mountain in a Russian 4x4 truck to Altyn Arashan, a hot spring development in a stunning alpine setting, staying in dormitory accommodation.
Today is a free day where we will have the chance to hike in the incredible scenery around Jeti Oguz, or take an optional horse ride with some of the local nomads!
Today we will move on from Jeti Oguz or Altyn Arashan to the Russian-style town of Karakol, where we will have a free afternoon to explore and relax!
Today we will drive to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Köl and visit the ancient petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata. We will then continue to the beautiful area of Chong Kemin where we will spend 2 nights.In Chong Kemin we will wild camp. If it is too cold or simply preferred by the group, we may choose to camp in the grounds of a guesthouse in Ashu, a village in the Chong Kemin valley, where there could be the possibility to upgrade to rooms.
We will spend another night in Chong Kemin today and will have free time to explore and hike in this stunning area, or to get involved in an optional white water rafting excursion!
Today we have a short drive to the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, with the opportunity to visit the Burana Tower en route. We will have free time to relax and explore the city upon arrival.
Border Information: if joining in Bishkek, you will most likely enter Kyrgyzstan at Bishkek Manas International Airport (IATA code: FRU).There will be a pre-departure meeting at 10:00am - please look out for a note from your leader at the reception of the joining hotel upon arrival with more details about this important meeting. Your leader will need to carefully check your visas and GBAO permits at this initial meeting.The rest of the day is free for you to explore this relaxed and atmospheric city.Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Bishkek before the start of your trip with us - please contact your sales agent if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Bishkek.In Bishkek we will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities.*Important note - do not bring any medicines containing tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine or opiates to Central Asia. These are illegal in all circumstances in most of Central Asia and you will risk arrest. If in doubt about a particular medicine, please do not bring it. See the notes at the bottom for more details.*
This morning we will depart Bishkek early and travel through beautiful mountain scenery towards Toktugal Lake. We will have the opportunity to stop often and admire the views before reaching our destination later this afternoon.Tonight we plan to wild camp near Toktugal.
Today we will have a full day's drive to Osh, Kyrgyzstan's capital of the south where we will spend the next two nights.On our second day we have an included visit to Suleiman's Mountain in the morning, we will then have free time in the afternoon to explore one of the oldest cities in the country.
We have an included visit to Suleiman's Mountain this morning after breakfast, we will then have free time in the afternoon to explore one of the oldest cities in the country.
This morning we will have free time to explore Osh before we drive over the Taldyk Pass (3615m) and onto the small remote village of Sary Tash.
Border Information: Exit Kyrgyszstan at Kyzylart, enter Tajikstan at Bor Dobo.Today we will continue to the border and cross into Tajikistan and onto Karakul Lake. With the border post situated at 4336m between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan you will be able to enjoy some spectacular scenery along the way.
Today we will travel over the Ak-Baital Pass which is the highest pass on the Pamir Highway before arriving in Murghab. There will be free time this afternoon to stretch your legs and explore this small town.
We will have an early start this morning as we have a full day drive ahead of us. Enjoy the amazing views of the Pamirs as we make our way over high passes to the Wakhan Corridor before eventually passing through another checkpoint where you will get your first glimpses of the Panj River. For the next 4 days we will be following the river which borders between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
This morning before we set off we will have a chance to hike up to see the Petroglyphs on the rocks above Langar. It is a steep climb but well worth it for the views over the village and the surrounding mountains.If time permits we will also stop off at Yamchun Fort and the hot springs on our way to Ishkashim.
Today we will continue our drive on to the capital of the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Region ( Khorog ) where we will be spending 2 nights.On the second day you will have free time to explore the town. Take a stroll through the local bazaar or simply relax in the parks and people watch.
We have a full day's drive today stopping for lunch en route. We will continue to follow the Afghanistan border and onto the town of Khalaykhum.
Today will be an early start as we have a full drive day planned to reach our next destination. We will eventually peel away from the Tajikistan/Afghanistan border and begin to make our way inland to Kulob.
This morning we will head north passing the Nurek Reservoir on the Vakhsh River before arriving at the stunning Iskanderkul Lake where we will make a bush camp for the night.
Over the next 3 days we will be trekking in the beautiful Fann Mountains. For those not wishing to hike there is an alternative option to visit Penjikent and the 7 Lakes.Option 1. - This morning we will begin our 3 day hike to visit some of the beautiful lakes of the Fann Mountains. We will leave the truck behind and take jeeps up to a small village called Artuch which will be the starting point of our trek. On arrival we will have some time to explore the village and get familiar with the countryside and local lifestyle. You can also do a short trek to Chukurak lake which is located approximately 2 hours away. Tonight we will stay in a local guesthouse. Option 2. - Early this morning after saying good bye to our trekkers we will drive towards Penjikent in the truck. After lunch we will have a city tour and explore the ruins of ancient Penjikent.Tonight we will stay in a local guesthouse. PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST ADVISE AT TIME OF BOOKING IF YOU WISH TO BOOK THE NON TREKKING OPTION, OTHERWISE YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE PUT ON OUR LAKES & MOUNTAINS TREK.
Option 1. - This morning our donkeys will arrive to carry our luggage. We will have a briefing with our mountain guide after breakfast and then begin our trek towards Bibijanat Lake. Trekking Distance - 7 kmMeals Included - Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerTonight we will be camping on the shore of Bibijant Lake. Option 2. - After Breakfast, we will head into the Shing Valley via Jeep to see the Seven Lakes. The mountains here seep a natural mineral called Shilajit which is used in Ayurvedic Medicine. Meals Included - Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerTonight we will stay in a traditional local guesthouse.
Option 1. - This morning we will start our ascent to Alaudin pass ( 3860 metres ). The beautiful panorama of the surrounding peaks and lakes will be seen from the top of the pass. We will then descend down to Alaudin Lake where we will camp tonight. Trekking Distance - 10kmMeals Included - Breakast, Lunch & DinnerTonight we will be camping by Alaudin Lake. Option 2. - After Breakfast we continue to explore the Seven Lakes. We will eventually need to leave the vehicle behind as the roads are no longer passable and we will hike for the last hour to reach the 7th and final lake. After lunch we will then make our way back to Penjikent. Tonight we will stay in a local guesthouse.
Option 1. - Today after packing up camp we will have a little free time before making our way back to Dushanbe. On the way we will meet up with our overland truck and non trekkers again to exchange stories over a farewell meal! Option 2. - This morning after breakfast we will rejoin with our overland truck and our trekkers and make our way back to the capital Dushanbe for a final farewell meal.
Border Information: if finishing in Dushanbe, you will most likely exit Tajikistan at Dushanbe International Airport (IATA code: DYU).Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Tajikistan. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
