21 Days Central Asia Tour: Epic Central Asia Grand Tour
Route: Kyrgyzstan → Kazakhstan → Tajikistan → Uzbekistan → Turkmenistan | Duration: 21 Days | Price: From $3,800/person
Tour Overview
This carefully crafted Central Asia tour takes you through the region’s most spectacular sights. From ancient cities to breathtaking natural landscapes, experience the best of Central Asia with expert local guides and seamless logistics.
Route Highlights
Song-Kul Lake yurts, Almaty, Pamir Highway, Samarkand, Darvaza Crater
Day-by-Day Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive Bishkek — Airport pickup. Afternoon: Ala-Too Square, Osh Bazaar, Oak Park. Welcome dinner with Kyrgyz national dishes. |
| Day 2 | Bishkek → Ala Archa National Park — Morning hike in Ala Archa alpine valley (2,100m). Afternoon: Burana Tower (10th-century minaret), Balbals stone warriors. Evening: Kyrgyz folklore show. |
| Day 3 | Bishkek → Issyk-Kul Lake — Drive to Issyk-Kul (Pearl of the Tian Shan). Afternoon: Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs, Rukh Ordo cultural complex. Sunset swim at the lake. |
| Day 4 | Issyk-Kul → Karakol — Drive along north shore. Karakol: Dungan Mosque, Orthodox Church, Przhevalsky Museum. Afternoon: Jeti-Oguz canyon (Seven Bulls rocks). Overnight yurt camp. |
| Day 5 | Karakol → Kochkor — Eagle hunting demonstration. Drive to Kochkor via south shore of Issyk-Kul. Afternoon: felt carpet workshop, meet local Kyrgyz families. |
| Day 6 | Kochkor → Song-Kul Lake — Drive to Song-Kul (3,016m), the high-altitude summer jailoo (pasture). Arrive at yurt camp. Hike around the lake, watch shepherds with their herds. Stunning night sky at 3,000m. |
| Day 7 | Song-Kul → Tash Rabat → Naryn — Descend from Song-Kul. Visit Tash Rabat Caravanserai (15th century, perfectly preserved). Continue to Naryn for overnight. |
| Day 8 | Naryn → Torugart Pass → Kashgar — Cross the Tian Shan at Torugart Pass (3,752m) into China! Spectacular mountain scenery. Arrive Kashgar. Evening: Kashgar Old City night market. |
| Day 9 | Kashgar — Morning: legendary Sunday Bazaar (livestock market). Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Khoja Tomb. Afternoon: Old City walking tour, handicraft street. Uyghur dinner in a local home. |
| Day 10 | Kashgar → Karakul Lake → Tashkurgan — Drive the Karakoram Highway. Stop at Karakul Lake (3,600m) with Muztagh Ata (7,546m) reflected in crystal waters. Arrive Tashkurgan, visit Stone City ruins. |
| Day 11 | Tashkurgan → Kashgar — Morning Tajik village visit. Drive back over the Pamir Plateau. Afternoon free in Kashgar Old City. |
| Day 12 | Kashgar → Urumqi — Morning flight to Urumqi. Afternoon: Xinjiang Regional Museum (Tarim mummies), Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar. Uyghur laghman dinner. |
| Day 13 | Urumqi → Turpan — Morning: Heavenly Lake (Tianchi). Afternoon drive to Turpan. Visit Jiaohe Ancient City ruins at sunset. Overnight in Turpan oasis. |
| Day 14 | Turpan → Dunhuang — Morning: Flaming Mountains, Karez Well system, Grape Valley. High-speed train to Dunhuang (2.5hrs). Evening: Shazhou night market. |
| Day 15 | Dunhuang — Full day: Mogao Caves (UNESCO, 1,000+ years of Buddhist art). Afternoon: Singing Sand Dunes & Crescent Moon Spring. Camel ride at sunset. |
| Day 16 | Dunhuang → Jiayuguan → Zhangye — Morning: Yumen Pass & Han Dynasty Great Wall. Drive to Jiayuguan Fort (Ming Dynasty’s westernmost fortress). High-speed train to Zhangye. |
| Day 17 | Zhangye → Xining — Morning: Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains. High-speed train to Xining. Afternoon: Dongguan Mosque, local Qinghai snacks at Mojia Street. |
| Day 18 | Xining → Qinghai Lake → Chaka — Drive to Qinghai Lake (China’s largest salt lake). Afternoon: Chaka Salt Lake — walk on the Mirror of the Sky. Sunset photos. Return to Xining. |
| Day 19 | Xining → Xi’an — Morning: Kumbum Monastery (Tsongkhapa’s birthplace). High-speed train to Xi’an (4hrs). Evening: Muslim Quarter food tour. |
| Day 20 | Xi’an — Full day: Terracotta Warriors Museum. Afternoon: Ancient City Wall cycling, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Farewell Tang Dynasty dinner show. |
| Day 21 | Depart Xi’an — Airport transfer. 21-day Silk Road epic complete. |
Why This Tour
- Small group experience (max 12-16 travelers)
- English-speaking local guides
- Hand-picked accommodations
- All entrance fees included
- Airport/train station transfers
- 24/7 on-ground support
What’s Included
- All accommodation (3-4 star, twin-sharing)
- English-speaking guide in each country
- Air-conditioned private vehicle
- All entrance fees
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers
- Visa support letters (LOI) where needed
- Yurt camp experience (where applicable)
- Travel insurance
What’s Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees (varies by country)
- Single room supplement
- Lunch & dinner
- Tips ($7/day suggested)
- Personal expenses
- PCR tests (if required)
Important: Multi-country visa requirements vary. Uzbekistan e-visa available. Turkmenistan LOI required. Allow 4-6 weeks for all visa processing. Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C in lowlands.
Pricing
From From $3,800 USD per person. Seasonal pricing may vary. Contact us for exact dates and availability.
