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Kazakhstan history & culture

Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars

From $5,830 USD
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Overview

Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars

Continent

Asia

Days

15 days

Nights

14 nights

Group Size

12 people

Activity

Moderate

Interest

History & Culture

Highlights

  • Spend a night under the stars in a yurt next to a pristine alpine lake surrounded by mountains.
  • Explore the colorful and fragrant stalls of Central Asia's most famous bazaars.
  • Discover Samarkand’s spectacular ancient history, from mosques to mausoleums.
  • Learn how to prepare some of the best Uzbek delicacies during a hands-on cooking class.
  • Explore the ancient ruins, fortresses, cathedrals, mausoleums, memorials & mosaics that dot the Silk Road.
Kazakhstan 15 days 14 nights

A 2-Week, 4-Country Odyssey.

Day 1

Almaty Arrival and Welcome Dinner

A view of Almaty.
A view of Almaty.

Day 2

Almaty, City of Apple Trees

Zankov's Cathedral in central Almaty.
Zankov's Cathedral in central Almaty.

Day 3

Kyrgyzstan by the Backdoor

Charyn Canyon.
Charyn Canyon.

Day 4

Cosmonaut Rocks and Roadside Ruins

Lake Issyk-Kul.
Lake Issyk-Kul.

Day 5

Lakes, Highlands and Yurts

At the bazaar.
At the bazaar.
  • Special note

Day 6

Flaming Mountains and Lost Hamlets

The Moldo Ashuu pass.
The Moldo Ashuu pass.

Day 7

Legendary Giants and a Flyover

Two local workers.
Two local workers., Gianluca Pardelli

Day 8

Tajikistan

Khujand, Tajikistan.
Khujand, Tajikistan.

Day 9

Khujand

A ceiling in Khujand.
A ceiling in Khujand.

Day 10

Ancient Frescoes & Lingering Lenins

Lenin statue in Khujand.
Lenin statue in Khujand.

Day 11

Lakes of Many Hues

In the Fann Mountains.
In the Fann Mountains.

Day 12

Uzbekistan / Samarkand

A street view in Samarkand.
A street view in Samarkand.

Day 13

Citadels and Iron Towers

One of the central squares in Bukhara.
One of the central squares in Bukhara.

Day 14

Jewish Heritage and Uzbek Delicacies

Freshly baked samsas.
Freshly baked samsas.

Day 15

Uzbekistan Departure

A mosque in Bukhara.
A mosque in Bukhara.

What is included?


What is not included?


Upcoming departures

4 available dates
  • May 18–Jun 1, 2025
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  • Jun 22–Jul 6, 2025
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  • Aug 17–Aug 31, 2025
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  • Sep 14–Sep 28, 2025
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Additional info

Pricing & Trip Deposit

Deposit to book your trip: $250 USD.

Balance due 90 days prior to departure.

The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.

Traveling solo?

You’re in good company.

Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost:

2024 departures: $750 USD per person

2025 departures: $725 USD per person

Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. 

If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.

Please note that a single supplement is subject to availability and not guaranteed on Day 5 when staying in the Yurt Camp at Song Kol Lake.

Activity Level

Travelers should be comfortable staying on their feet for long stretches at a time and walking up to several miles over the course of a day. This is a road trip so be prepared to be in the car for long stretches each day ranging from a few hours to 8 hours (with plenty of breaks along the way).

Accommodations

In smaller towns we’ll be in traditional guest houses. In Song Kol, we'll spend one night in comfortable, clean yurts close to the lake.

Arrival & Departure

You should plan to arrive by 12 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 14. Almaty International Airport (ALA) connects to a range of flight hubs in Asia and Europe. The best flight connections to Almaty are offered by Turkish Airlines and KLM Airlines.

*Airport transfers are only provided if arriving & departing on the trip dates, or if pre/post arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura. 

Visa Information

For visa information, please refer to the Essential Trip Information. If you do require a visa for Uzbekistan, please obtain a double entry visa.

Have more questions?

Check out the Essential Trip Information for this trip or our general FAQs.

Any questions about this trip? Don't hesitate to reach out

  • "Fascinating countries & cultures with the best tour leader ever! I don't like doing group trips much but I figured yours would be special, and it was! You are far and away the best I've been on!"

    Efsa - Istanbul

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