Heart of Asia(Trip #59898)

Tour Overview

The definitive tour of Central Asia, visiting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Iran. These lands were the setting of the strategic rivalry between the British Empire and Tsarist Russia in the 19th century that became known as the Great Game. As we progress through the seven countries we also get to experience the wide range of cultures here and enjoy the architecture, food and customs of each - all of them linked by a loose and indefinable bond that permeates the region.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1, ALMATY
Arrival day.

Day 2, ALMATY - SHYMKENT
A full day tour of the city including the Medeo and History Museum of Kazakhstan. Later, overnight sleeper train to Shymkent. (BD)

Day 3, SHYMKENT (OTRAR & TURKESTAN)
Today we take an excursion to Otrar, the ruins of the city that dared insult Genghis Khan and so started his campaign of conquest. Then on to Turkestan. (BD)

Day 4, TASHKENT
A short morning drive to the Kazakh/Uzbek border and transfer to Tashkent. (BD)

Day 5, TASHKENT
A full day city tour. (BL)

Day 6, SAMARKAND
Morning train to Samarkand. We take a tour in the cool of the evening. (BD)

Day 7, SAMARKAND
Full day city tour including Ulugh Beg's Observatory, the Maracanda archaeological site (the ancient Sogdian capital), and the glorious Registan. In the evening we have dinner with a local family. (BD)

Day 8, SHAKHRISABZ - BUKHARA
A morning drive to Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Amir Timur (Tamerlane) where we will find his summer residence and the vault where he intended to be buried. On to Bukhara in the evening. (BD)

Day 9, BUKHARA
A full day city tour of the 'holy and noble' city of Bukhara. This title dates back to the Samanid period, when the city had a reputation as a great centre of Islamic learning. We visit important tombs and madrassas, with an atmospheric dinner and folklore show in the evening. (BD)

Day 10, BUKHARA - KHIVA
A free morning in Bukhara before an afternoon drive to Khiva.

Day 11, KHIVA - Full day tour of the
Ichon Qala, heart of this ancient city. (B)

Day 12, KONYA URGENCH - DASHOVUZ
We drive to the Turkmenistan border and complete formalities before continuing to Konya Urgench, the city flattened by Tamerlane. We finish the day in Dashovuz. (BD)

Day 13, ASHGABAT
We fly to Ashgabat. Later we have a chance to discover the remarkable memorials and monuments of the modern period. (B)

Day 14, ASHGABAT
A free day.

Day 15, MASHAD
We drive to the Iranian border. Our drive from there to Mashhad takes us through the picturesque Hazar Masjed Mountains. Later we can visit the Koran Museum. (B)

Day 16, MASHAD
A full day tour of the city and to nearby summer resorts. (BL)

Day 17, MASHAD
A free day to relax or explore further. (B)

Day 18, MASHAD - LAHORE
We transfer to the airport and fly to Lahore. (B)

Day 19, LAHORE
A full day tour of Lahore. We will visit the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, the Old City and Lahore Museum. (BD)

Day 20, TAXILA - ISLAMABAD
We leave early to drive to Taxila, centre of the Gandharan culture and target of Alexander the Great's conquering army. Later we continue to Islamabad. (BL)

Day 21, ISLAMABAD - URUMQI
We fly over the Karakorum range to Urumqi in the far west of China. (BD)

Day 22, URUMQI - TURPAN
We drive to Turpan. In the afternoon we visit the nearby Grape Valley, explore a 'karez' (underground irrigation tunnel) and enjoy the ruined city of Jiaohe at sunset. (BD)

Day 23, TURPAN - KASHGAR
This morning we visit an interesting local village with Koranic connections. Later we board the overnight train for Kashgar. (BL)

Day 24, KASHGAR
Arrive in Kashgar. Free time in the afternoon. (D)

Day 25, KASHGAR
We have a full day to enjoy the wonderful Sunday Market. Watch the horse traders race their animals, and shepherds buy and sell countless sheep. (BD)

Day 26, KASHGAR
A free day to explore. Perhaps take a bike ride to enjoy the surrounding scenery. (B)

Day 27, KASHGAR - KUQA
A free morning. We take an afternoon train, arriving in Kuqa in the evening. (B)

Day 28, KUQA
A full day excursion to visit Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and the ancient city of Subashi with its backdrop of colourful mountains. (BL)

Day 29, URUMQI
We fly back to Urumqi. In the afternoon we have an excursion to the history museum. The highlight will undoubtedly be the collection of mummies found in the Taklamakan Desert. (BL)

Day 30, BISHKEK
We fly to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, the only truly developed part of the whole country. We have a short sightseeing tour of the Victory Square sites and Osh market. (BD)

Day 31, CHOLPON ATA
We stop at the Burana Tower and learn of its significance on the way to Issyk Kul, the huge alpine lake that dominates the east of the country. (BD)

Day 32, KARAKOL (HOMESTAY)
We have a morning excursion to the nearby petroglyphs where a local guide will bring the rock pictures to life. Not only are they fascinating in themselves, the location of this immense collection is of special importance. We continue on to Karakol, making a short stop at the Przewalsky Museum en route. We stay with local families. (BD)

Day 33, KARAKOL (HOMESTAY)
We have a morning tour of the mosque and orthodox church before free time to explore. A feast of local delicacies for dinner. (BD)

Day 34, ALMATY
After breakfast we set off on our last drive back to Almaty where we enjoy a farewell dinner. (BD)

Day 35, ALMATY
Tour ends. (B)