Introduction
Exploring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan offers a rich tapestry of Central Asian culture and history. In Kazakhstan, visit Almaty’s vibrant cityscape and the stunning Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon.
Kyrgyzstan, known for its breathtaking landscapes, invites adventurers to its alpine meadows and serene Issyk-Kul Lake. The city of Bishkek offers a blend of Soviet and modern influences, while the yurt camps in the countryside provide an authentic taste of nomadic life.
Uzbekistan is a historical jewel with its majestic Silk Road cities. In Samarkand, marvel at the Registan’s stunning madrasahs, while Bukhara’s ancient architecture and vibrant bazaars showcase a rich Islamic heritage. Tashkent, the capital, blends modernity with historic charm.
Together, these nations present a journey through diverse landscapes, from Kazakhstan’s vast steppes to Kyrgyzstan’s mountain ranges and Uzbekistan’s architectural splendors, making for an unforgettable Central Asian adventure.
Central Asia Discovery Trip
Central Asia is a vast place. This discovery trip hopes to explore the famous places, people and culture of each of these three countries. In order to explore these places, we are not travelling by camels which would take months if not years to complete, but by buses, flights and train rides. The logistics of this trip is demanding in order for make this discovery trip as smooth as possible.
Major Places that we will be visiting
- Almaty
Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, blends modernity with natural beauty. Nestled near the Tien Shan mountains, it offers stunning landscapes, vibrant markets, and lively cultural scenes. Key attractions include the picturesque Medeu skating rink and the colorful Zenkov Cathedral, reflecting the city’s dynamic spirit and rich heritage.
- Turkistan
Turkistan, Kazakhstan, is a historic city renowned for the grand Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient Silk Road hub is a center of Islamic culture and architecture, showcasing exquisite Timur-era structures amidst a backdrop of rich cultural heritage.
- Skymkent
Shymkent, Kazakhstan’s third-largest city, is known for its vibrant markets and rich cultural heritage. It serves as a gateway to southern Kazakhstan’s scenic landscapes and historic sites, with lively bazaars, lush parks, and a growing array of modern attractions blending with traditional charm.
- Tashkent
Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, blends Soviet and Islamic architecture with modern vibrancy. Highlights include the ornate Khast Imam Complex and bustling Chorsu Bazaar. Its wide boulevards and lush parks reflect a dynamic cultural scene, making Tashkent a lively hub of history and contemporary life.
- Khiva
Khiva, Uzbekistan, is a well-preserved ancient city famed for its stunning Islamic architecture. The UNESCO-listed Itchan Kala, with its intricately tiled minarets and grand mosques, offers a glimpse into the Silk Road era. The city’s historic charm and maze-like streets make it a captivating destination.
- Bukhara
Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is a historic city renowned for its rich Islamic heritage. The ancient center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features stunning architecture like the Ark Fortress and the Bolo Haouz Mosque. Its vibrant bazaars and historic madrasahs reflect centuries of cultural and architectural splendor.
- Samarkand
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is a Silk Road gem known for its awe-inspiring architecture. The Registan Square, with its majestic madrasahs, and the grand Bibi-Khanym Mosque highlight its historical grandeur. Rich in culture and history, Samarkand offers a breathtaking glimpse into ancient Islamic civilization.
- Bishkek
Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is a vibrant city known for its Soviet-era architecture, bustling bazaars, and stunning views of the Tian Shan mountains. It’s a cultural hub with a mix of modernity and tradition, offering visitors a glimpse into Central Asian life.
- Karakol
Karakol, a city in eastern Kyrgyzstan, is a gateway to the Tian Shan mountains. Renowned for its wooden Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque, it serves as a base for trekking and exploring the scenic Issyk-Kul Lake and surrounding valleys, making it a popular spot for adventurers.
- Issyk-kul Lake
Issyk-Kul Lake, located in Kyrgyzstan, is a stunning alpine lake nestled in the Tien Shan mountains. It’s one of the world’s largest saline lakes and never freezes, even in winter. Renowned for its beauty, the lake is a major tourist attraction, surrounded by beaches, resorts, and mountains.
How to get there?
AirAsia flies directly from KLIA to Almaty in Kazakhstan. Next year’s schedules are not out at this moment. This is this year’s flight schedule.
Food
The main religion of these three Central Asian countries is Islam. The food here are Muslim food Central Asian style. Chicken, Beef, and mutton are the main meats. They serve lots of vegetables and fruits that are grown locally. October is the time for sweet melons. Only breakfast is provided. Lunch and dinner are on your own. This is to give you the flexibility to eat what you want. Meals in Central Asia countries are very reasonably priced.
Mode of travelling.
In addition to bus trips, we have 4 short flights and 2 train rides. Central Asia is a vast place.
Difficulty of the trip
This trip is easy to moderate. Our buses will bring you to the various places of interests
Visa Requirements
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysians enjoy Visa free entry for 90 days
- Singaporeans enjoy Visa free entry for 60 days
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malaysians enjoy Visa free entry for 90 days
- Singaporeans enjoy Visa free entry for 30 days
- Uzbekistan
- Malaysians enjoy Visa free entry for 30 days
- Singaporeans enjoy Visa free entry for 30 days.
Itinerary
Day 1 – 15th Oct 2025 – Arrive at Almaty
- Pick-up on arrival at Almaty
- Check-in hotel
- Dinner
- Early rest.
Day 2 – 16th Oct 2025 – Stay at Almaty
- Breakfast
- Almaty Museum
- Park of 28 Panilov Guardsmen
- Museum of Musical Intruments
- Green Bazaar
- Medeu Gorge
- Take a cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort
- Kok-Tobe Hill
Day 3 – 17th Oct 2025 – Hunns Ethno Village
- Breakfast
- Hunns Ethno Village near Talgar Town
- Novokamennoe Gorge” about 40km from Almaty
- Rough itinerary
- 11:00 – Arrival in Ethno auyl. “Shashu” traditional meeting.
- 11:10 – Master-class Baursak cooking (national pastry), tea-break.
- 11:20 – You will know a story about the life of the nomads, the traditional rite «Syrga Salu» (literally from the Kazakh language “syrga salu” translates to “put on earrings”. That is, it is the same matchmaking as in other nations).
- 12:00 – Demonstration of games «Atpen audaryspak» or «Kyz kuu». Horse show “Dzhigitovka” and flash mob of National dance “Kara Zhorga”, horseback riding.
- 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch (pilaf, “Easy” salad, bread baskets, tea)
- 14.20 – Master class on archery.
- 15.00 – Free time.
- 16:00 – Departure to Almaty.
Day 4 – 18th Oct 2025 – Flight from Almaty to Turkistan
- Morning flight from Almaty to Turkistan
- Azret-Sultan historical and architectural complex
- Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
- Multifunctional complex “karavan Saray”
Day 5 – 19th Oct 2025 – Shymkent
- Breakfast
- Depart for Otrar Settlement (200km) which was founded in IV century BC.
- This center is along the main caravan trade route between Eastern Europe and China
- Arystan-Bab Mausoleum
- Shymkent – third largest city of Kazakhstan.
- It’s the largest industrial and trade centers close to the borders of Uzbekistan.
- Check-in hotel
Day 6 – 20th Oct 2025 – Shymkent to Tashkent
- Breakfast
- Meet at border and transfer to Tashkent
- Tashkent City Tour
- Khast Iman Complex
- Tilla Shaykh Mosque where the world’s oldest Koran is kept.
- Chorsu Bazaar.
- Amir Temur Square
- Overnight at Tashkent
Day 7 – 21st Oct 2025 – Flight from Tashkent to Urgench
- Morning flight from Tashkent to Urgench.
- Transfer to Khiva
- Khiva was one of the major towns along the Old Silk Road
- Tour of Ichan Kala Fortress
- Mukhamad Aminkhan Madrasah
- Tash-Khovli Palace.
- Overnight at Khiva
Day 8 – 22nd Oct 2025 Flight from Urgench to Bukhara
- City Tour Bukhara
- Ismail Samonid Mausoleum
- Kalon Minaret and Poi Kalon Mosque
- Airi Arab Madrasa
- Ulugbek Madrasa
- Abdilazizkhan Madrasa
- Overnight stay at Bukhara
Day 9 – 23rd Oct 2025 – Bukhara
- Breakfast
- Chor Minor Ark Fortress
- Bolo Haouz Mosque
- Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum
- Summer Palace
Day 10 – 24th Oct 2025 – Bukhara to Samarkand by morning train
- Breakfast
- Morning train from Bukhara to Samarkand
- Registan Square
- Grandiose Bibi Khanim Mosque
- Gur Emir Mausoleum
Day 11 – 25th Oct 2025 – Samarkand to Tashkent by evening train
- Breakfast
- Samarkand City tour
- Shokhi Zinda Nekropole (important pilgrimage centre)
- Ulugbek Observatory
- Bazaar
- Paper mill
- Evening train to Tashkent
- Overnight in hotel
Day 12 – 26th Oct 2025 – Tashkent to Uzbek-Krygyz Border to Osh
- In the morning transfer to Train Station from Tashkent to Andijan
- Then by minivan to Kyrgyz border
- Transfer to Osh for overnight stay
Day 13 – 27th Oct 2025 – Flight from Osh to Bishkek
- Morning flight from Osh to Bishkek
- City tour of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan
- Afternoon drive to Ala-Archa Gorge
- Overnight stay at Bishkek
Day 14 – 28th Oct 2025 – Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata
- Breakfast
- Drive to Cholpon-Ata.
- Enjoy to view of Issyk Kul Lake – the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan
- Burana Tower, an 11th century building built during the Old Silk Road period
- Overnight at Cholpon-Ata
Day 15 – 29th Oct 2025 Cholpon-Ata to Karakol
- Breakfast
- Explore Karakol, the administrative centre of Issyk-Kul Province
- Karakol is the base if you want to trek
- Unique Moslem Mosque built in the style of a Buddhist Pagoda
- Russian Orthodox Church
- Djeti Oghuz Gorge
- Overnight in Karakol
Day 16 – 30th Oct – Karakol to Almaty
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Kyrgyz, Kazakh border
- Meet our Kazakh guide
- Drive to Charyn Canyon
- Overnight at Almaty
Day 17 – 31st Oct – leave for home
- Breakfast
- Free and easy
- Last minute shopping
- Transfer to Airport for journey home
Photo Gallery
Almaty