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15 Day itinerary in Kyrgyzstan, Asia

The Pamir Mountains and Uzbekistan

This unique group tour combines two diverse yet complementary adventures across two Central Asian countries: an accessible trekking experience in the majestic Pamir Mountains and an immersive cultural journey through the legendary Silk Road cities of Osh, Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. The journ... Read More

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Olga

By Olga

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish, French, German, Russian

GUIDANCE

Tour Guide

starting point

Bishkek

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Adventure

Hiking

Walking tour

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Gentle trekking near Lenin Peak with yurt stays at 3600 m altitude.

2

Join a plov cooking masterclass in a scenic Pamir setting.

3

Explore Samarkand and Bukhara — Silk Road cities full of history.

4

Visit vibrant bazaars and Islamic architecture in Tashkent.

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Arrival in Bishkek. Domestic flight Bishkek – Osh.

Arrival in the international airport “Manas” (Bishkek). Domestic flight to Osh. Meeting at the airport of Osh. Transfer and check in at the hotel after 14:00. Leisure time.

Osh, known as the "southern capital", is the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at an altitude of 963 meters above sea level, on the southeastern edge of the fertile Ferghana Valley, right at the foot of the Pamir-Alay mountains.

Depending on your arrival time, we recommend taking a self-guided walk through the city center. You can visit the local bazaar or the shopping street filled with dozens of shops and street food options. If you’d like, you can also pick up a tourist SIM card with an Internet package (it works perfectly in the Pamir Mountains) or take the stairway trail up to the sacred Suleiman-Too Mountain, which takes about half an hour to reach the viewpoint at 1092 meters. From there, you'll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the entire city of Osh. At this viewpoint, you'll find a massive flag of Kyrgyzstan waving and a small mosque called Babur's house (15th-16th centuries), who was the grandson of Tamerlane. The setting of this mountain right in the city center adds to its appeal, and if you go closer to sunset, you'll catch the most breathtaking views.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Day 2

place Osh – Kyrgyz-Ata National Park – Osh.

Transfer to Kyrgyz-Ata National Park, located in the foothills of the Alay Mountains. We’ll take a scenic walk up the picturesque gorge to an altitude of about 1600 meters, reaching a viewpoint with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Along the way, we’ll see juniper forests, thickets of barberry and wild rose, a rushing river with crystal-clear water, yaks grazing, horses, and the endlessly beautiful vertical perspective in the distant haze. There, the fresh mountain breeze already whispers hints of tomorrow's ascent into the high mountains.

Lunch in a yurt will feature a tasting of national dishes and kumis, along with an acquaintance with daily life and traditions of nomads. Optional horse riding (extra charge).

Return to Osh. The slight gain and drop in altitude today is a part of acclimatization before the high mountains.

Travel time: 4 hrs; altitude difference: +640 m, -640 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

place Transfer to the Pamirs, “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp.

Transfer along the Pamir Highway, which is ranked among the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world by National Geographic. The drive promises to be incredibly scenic, so grab a window seat: we’ll see red mountains and rivers, the vastness of the Alay Valley, and the dizzying serpentine road of the Taldyk Pass (3600 m), and finally, the snowy northern face of the seven-thousander, Lenin Peak (7134 m).

Upon arrival at the yurt camp, situated in the Edelweiss Meadow (3600 m) with the best views of Lenin Peak, we’ll check-in and enjoy lunch.

Afterward, we’ll take a walk to the Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow (3800 m) – a protected meadow that was once place for climbing camps but is now inhabited only by marmots and wild green onions. During the height of the swift Pamir summer, the meadow turns into a vibrant green carpet with a riot of colors, and by the end of August, it becomes a silent realm painted in ochre hues.

We'll follow a beautiful route along the edge of the Achik-Tash Canyon, where we’ll see whimsical pillar-like rocks, a conical pyramid, the confluence of two rivers, and colorful mountains. We’ll hear the rush of water and the resonant silence of the stones. Walking time: 2 hrs; altitude difference: +250 m, -250 m.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

place Hiking to the lakes of the Achik-Tash River valley and the sacred Tulpar-Kol Lake.

Travel time: 5–6 hrs; altitude difference: -260 m, +260 m.

We’ll start this morning with an easy hiking along the picturesque "fjords" of the Achik-Tash Valley, dotted with a variety of beautiful, colorful lakes. Some of them even join together, changing shapes every year. Their sparkling turquoise surface reflects the impressive peaks of the Pamirs, and herds of yaks often graze along the shores.

Next, we’ll head to the large, pristine Tulpar-Kol Lake. We’ll descend to the river and cross a bridge to the other side, where the sacred lake lies. The locals believe one shouldn't take water, bathe, and feed cattle or fish. According to shepherds, it's best to come to the lake with a clear mind. You can pray on the shore, dip sick parts of your body or sprinkle them with water, and you'll definitely receive healing. We’ll walk around the lake, taking in its winding shapes from different view points, and learn about the daily life and traditions of the nomadic Kyrgyz whose yurts are nearby. Along the way, we may encounter donkeys, horses, and untouched meadows filled with delicate blooming edelweiss, vibrant buttercups, and alpine forget-me-nots.

Return to the yurt camp. Culinary master class on cooking Uzgen plov.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

place Hiking along the other side of Achik-Tash canyon.

Travel time: 6 hrs; altitude difference: +500 m, -500 m.

Today, we'll experience unique panoramas that almost no one visiting Lenin Peak gets to see, as the main routes follow the Base Camps' side, and very few travelers cross to the other side of the river.

We’ll cross the familiar bridge over the Achik-Tash River and head upward, parallel to the steep canyon toward the massive glacier of Lenin Peak. Upon reaching the confluence of the rivers, we’ll find ourselves at a stunning panoramic view point offering vistas of ancient ice, snow and moraines, rainbow-colored mountains, the green plateau of Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow, the rugged ridge of Petrovsky Peak (4700 m), the entire picturesque Achik-Tash Canyon, and our yurt camp from an unusual point, along with alpine meadows and herds of yaks.

In the distance, we’ll spot the climbing route and the summit of Lenin Peak, the famous snow-ice plateau "Skovoroda," Peak of the 19th Party Congress (5920 m), Spartak Peak (6183 m), Krylenko Pass (5820 m), and Puteshestvennikov (Traveller’s) Pass (4150 m).

Return to the yurt camp.


Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

place Trekking to Puteshestvennikov (Traveller’s) Pass (4150 m).

Travel time: 6–7 hrs; altitude difference: +550 m, - 550 m.

The route of ascent to the Puteshestvennikov (Traveller’s) Pass (4150 m) runs through the Lukovaya (Leek) Meadow, a beautiful canyon of the left tributary of the Achik-Tash River, and further goes through a small picturesque waterfall. On this trail, you might meet groups of climbers either ascending or descending from the upper camps or the summit of Lenin Peak. As you ascend the pass, remember to look back occasionally to admire the green valley unfolding below, akin to a helicopter view.

At the pass, we’ll enjoy a break and one of the best views of the magnificent Lenin Peak (7134 m) and its glacier, as well as the nearby six-thousanders and five-thousanders. This is the highest point of our route and the emotional culmination of the entire tour. Those who wish can ascend a bit higher along the ridge to 4200 m for an even better panoramic view of the valley.

Descent from the pass and return to the camp.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Overnight at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (3600 m).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

place Transfer Edelweiss meadow – Daroot-Korgon village – Sary-Mogol village – Osh.

Travel time: 8-9 hrs.

Early breakfast. Transfer to the famous Alay Valley. We’ll visit villages and houses of locals, immersing ourselves in the atmosphere of real Asia.

Our first stop is the small town of Daroot-Korgon, the regional center of Chon-Alay and the southernmost settlement in Kyrgyzstan, once crossed by the Great Silk Road. Excursion program with a visit the ruins of an ancient fortress (19th century) known as ‘Kuldatka Wall’, named after one of the military leaders. In the times of the Kokand Khanate, the fortress served as the residence for the Kokand governors, as well as for traders travelling along the caravan route.  

The locals have carefully preserved not only their lifestyle and national cuisine, but also their handicrafts. We will visit a traditional local family, experience their way of life and watch the traditional process of hand-making felt carpets.  In Kyrgyz culture, carpets are used not only to decorate the home, but also to reflect folk traditions and customs. For example, the ornamentation is the language through which folk legends are passed down from generation to generation.

Next, we will visit the village of Sary-Mogol to see a traditional Kyrgyz dress demonstration. Spend time with a local family, enjoy lunch in the village. Excursion to the Ethnographic Museum, founded in 1962. The museum features over 100 unique exhibits, each telling its own story about the life and traditions of the people.

After the tour, we will transfer to Osh through the high-altitude Taldyk Pass (3615 m) and Chiirchik Pass (2408 m)

Arrival in Osh. Check-in at the hotel and rest.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

place Osh – Tashkent (415 km, 7 h).

Transfer to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, border formalities.

Transfer to Tashkent via the scenic Kamchik Pass (2,285 m).

Tashkent, the multifaceted capital of modern Uzbekistan, showcases a striking blend of architectural styles. The city boasts Zoroastrian-era archaeological sites over 2,200 years old, magnificent medieval monuments, grand 19th-century buildings, and one of the most beautiful metro systems in the world. Alongside its rich historical heritage, Tashkent continues to evolve with modern urban developments, making it a fascinating crossroads of past and present.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9

place Tashkent (sightseeing). Tashkent – Samarkand (330 km, 5 h).

Sightseeing in Tashkent (Old City): visit to Hast-Imam Square, the spiritual center of the city, where the original manuscript of the Uthman Quran and a strand of the Prophet Muhammad’s hair are preserved; the Barak-Khan Madrasa and Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, among the oldest architectural monuments in the Uzbek capital.

Visit to Chorsu Bazaar, the most famous and historic market in Tashkent. Under its massive domed structure, you can find local products, fragrant spices, handmade crafts, and souvenirs. In the Old City, beyond its traditional oriental architecture, you will see authentic mahallas—historic residential quarters with adobe houses, narrow streets, and a timeless atmosphere.

Lunch at the famous Central Asian Plov Center "Besh Qozon", where 10 tons of delicious plov are cooked daily in giant cauldrons.

Transfer to Samarkand, the ancient capital of Sogdiana, once known as Marakanda. One of the oldest cities in the world and the former capital of Tamerlane's vast empire, Samarkand is a living museum and a historic hub of the Silk Road. To this day, it retains the unique aura of medieval Asia.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10

place Samarkand (sightseeing).

Sightseeing in Samarkand: the most famous and impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square, surrounded by three monumental madrasahs – Madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah; Gur-e Amir Mausoleum – the grand dynastic tomb of Tamerlane and necropolis of the Timurids, which served as a prototype for the Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra; the largest cathedral mosque in Central Asia, embodying majesty and beauty – Bibi-Khanym; the largest market in Samarkand – Siab Bazaar; an architectural ensemble of 11 medieval mausoleums – Shah-i-Zinda; and the Ulugbek Observatory Museum - one of the most important observatories of the Middle Ages, where a giant angelometer (sextant) is preserved underground.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11

place Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara (280 km; 4.5 hrs). Bukhara (sightseeing).

08:00 – transfer to Gijduvan, a town renowned for its centuries-old ceramic traditions. Visit the Narzullaev family, a dynasty of master potters, to learn about the Gijduvan school of ceramics, from shaping and firing to intricate hand-painting.

Enjoy a traditional lunch at the potters' home, featuring a tasting of the famous Gijduvan kebabs.

Continue to Bukhara, one of Uzbekistan’s most ancient cities and a key stop along the Great Silk Road. In the Middle Ages, Bukhara was a major political, cultural, and religious hub of the Islamic world. Today, more than 140 architectural monuments remain, including grand madrasahs, mosques, and the iconic Kalon Minaret, as well as the Ark Fortress, medieval bathhouses, and domed shopping arcade. The historical center of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Out-of-town guided sightseeing tour (4 km from Bukhara): visit the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, the opulent summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, blending Oriental and European architectural styles.

Upon arrival in Bukhara, check-in at the hotel. Sightseeing in Bukhara: starting with Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, the city’s most famous square with an artificial pond, surrounded by the Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, and Khanqah. Nearby is the beloved statue of Nasreddin Hodja, a legendary folk character. Explore the domed shopping arcade of the 16th century, where local artisans continue the traditions of silk weaving, embroidery, metalwork, and ceramics.

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12

place Bukhara (sightseeing).

Continuation of the Bukhara Sightseeing Tour:

Visit to the Samanid Mausoleum, a dynastic tomb blending Sogdian and Islamic architectural traditions, considered one of the finest examples of early Islamic architecture in Central Asia.

Explore the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, an unusual structure shaped like an elongated prism, associated with biblical legends of Job (Ayub), who is said to have struck the ground here, bringing forth a sacred spring.

The tour continues at the Bolo-Hauz Complex, a historic landmark of Bukhara’s Registan Square. This ensemble consists of a picturesque water reservoir, a minaret, and a mosque, adorned with 20 intricately carved wooden columns.

Step inside the Ark Fortress, an ancient citadel known as a "city within a city." This massive stronghold once housed Bukhara’s rulers and remains one of the most significant monuments of the city's past.

Discover the Poi-Kalyan Complex, the central architectural ensemble and the most iconic symbol of Bukhara, featuring the Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque, and Mir-i-Arab Madrasah.

Admire the Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, a masterpiece of Islamic artistry, richly decorated with intricate patterns and vibrant ornamental details.

Finally, visit the Ulugbek Madrasah, a striking example of Timurid-era educational architecture, with its balanced and refined design reflecting the ruler's passion for science and learning.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13

place Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 8 hrs).

Transfer to Khiva via the famous Kyzylkum Desert, following the ancient route once traveled by Silk Road caravans. The name "Kyzylkum" translates from Turkic as "Red Sands", and indeed, the desert’s sand has a distinctive reddish hue. Along the way, we will make several stops to walk along picturesque dunes and admire one of the two largest rivers in the region – the Amu Darya.

Arrival in Khiva. Evening walking through the historic district of Ichan-Kala (18th century) – the walled inner city of Old Khiva, a state museum-reserve surrounded by imposing fortress walls.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14

place Khiva (sightseeing).

With a history spanning over 2,500 years, Khiva is a stunning, well-preserved example of a medieval Eastern city, seemingly untouched by time. Ichan-Kala, the inner city, appears like a scene from an Oriental fairy tale, where every building is a unique architectural masterpiece and an important historical landmark.

Sightseeing in Khiva(Ichan-Kala): Pahlavan Mahmud Complex, a revered pilgrimage site; Kunya Ark Fortress, the heart of Ichan-Kala, once the citadel of Khiva’s rulers – a "city within a city"; Islam Khoja Madrasah and Minaret, the tallest minaret in Khiva (56.6 m), offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city; Tash Hauli Palace, the main residence of Khivan rulers, known for its elaborate courtyards and intricate tilework; Allakuli Khan Madrasah, home to the Ibn Sina Museum of Medical History, dedicated to Avicenna’s contributions to medicine; Juma Mosque, the city’s central and most unusual mosque, featuring 213 intricately carved wooden columns; Muhammad Amin Khan Minaret and Madrasah, the largest madrasah in Khiva and one of the most impressive in Central Asia.

Meals: breakfast.

Overnight at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15

place Khiva – Urgench. Departure.

Transfer to the airport of Urgench city. The end of the tour program. Departure from Urgench.

Meals: breakfast.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (14)
  • Lunch (8)
  • Dinner (5)

Transport expand_less

  • "Mitsubishi Delica"
  • "Chevrolet Lacetti"
  • "Hyundai Grand Starex"
  • "Toyota Hiace" / "King Long"
  • "Eurise"
  • "Golden Dragon"

Activities expand_less

  • Meeting and seeing off at the airport, group transfer airport – hotel – airport.
  • Comfortable transport for transfers according to the program.
  • Domestic flight Bishkek – Osh (Economy class, weight limit for luggage is 15 kg).
  • All needed documents arrangement for visiting the region, ecological fee.
  • Accommodation in hotels on twin/double sharing basis with breakfast.
  • Meals: full board at “Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp (days 3–6), with hot meals 3x/day, incl. vegetaria
  • Services of an English-speaking mountain guide during the trekking.
  • First-aid kit (group) during the trekking.
  • Guided group sightseeing tours according to the program.
  • Lunch at the Central Asian Plov Center "Besh Kozon"
  • Lunch at the ceramists' house in Gijduvan.
  • Mineral water for each day of the tour.
  • Memorable souvenirs.

Not Included expand_less

  • International flights.
  • Entrance fees at museums and monuments.
  • Cost of meals in cities (other than specified in the program).
  • Medical costs and insurance.

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