Ever wanted to travel to one of the least travelled parts of the world? Sick of the queues to see all the major attractions? Want to get bragging rights over your friends? Then join us for our Central Asian Summer Combo Tour through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
We will start in one of the most surreal cities on earth – Ashgabat, where we’ll take in the sites of what can only be called a real-life Sim City. From there we head to Avaza, the completely unused and almost deserted five-star beach resort, which also happens to be near one of the most amazing canyons in the world – Yangykala. We then journey to the mesmerising ‘Gates of Hell’ where we camp for the night next to the fiery crater.
Crossing the land border into Uzbekistan we’ll find ourselves in the centre of the Silk Road. After exploring the beautiful old cities of Khiva and Bukhara, we’ll go to Samarqand and see the famous Registan, before venturing to Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital city, the highlight of which will surely be Tashkentland, Central Asia’s answer to Disneyland.
The next section of the tour takes us to Bishkek for Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day, beginning with the Buzkashi Horse Games (or “dead goat polo”) in the National Hippodrome in Bishkek. After experiencing some amazing national music, dance and food during the celebrations, we’ll leave Bishkek, and make our way into the phenomenal countryside of Kyrgyzstan, experiencing mountains and lakes and having the unique opportunity to spend a couple of nights sleeping in traditional yurts.
Despite Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty and nomadic culture though, we can’t forget that like the rest of Central Asia, this amazing country was part of the Soviet Union and there are still some fascinating relics of this to be explored. On the shore of Lake Issyk Kol, we’ll have the chance to visit an old Soviet heavy water factory, a Soviet brewery that is now responsible for Kyrgyzstan’s best-selling beer and a YPT exclusive outing to the Soviet Meteorology Station.
The LOI application process for Turkmenistan is quite complicated and time-consuming. For the best chance of approval, please get in at least 3 months in advance. Late applications are accepted but the approval rate goes down, in most cases you will get a full refund if the application is rejected.
If you’d like to join us on this tour but can’t get enough time off work, the itinerary can also be split into sections. such as Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Summer Tour, Kyrgyzstan Independence Day Tour .
Friday August 20th – Ashgabat
Saturday August 21st – Ashgabat, Gates of Hell
Sunday August 22nd – Ashgabat
Monday August 23rd – Yangykala Canyon, Avaza, Ashgabat
Tuesday August 24th – Turkmenabat, cross the border to Uzbekistan, Bukhara
Wednesday August 25th – Bukhara
Thursday August 26th – Bukhara, Samarqand
Friday August 27th – Samarqand
Saturday August 28th – Samarqand, Tashkent
Sunday August 29th – Tashkent
Monday August 30th – Bishkek
Tuesday August 31st – Bishkek, Independence Day
Wednesday September 1st – Bishkek, Kok Boru Horse Games, Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs, Karakol
Thursday September 2nd – Karakol, Valley of the Flowers, Jetty Ögüz Gorge, Kyzyl Suu
Friday September 3rd – Institute of Glaciers Foundation, Issik Kol
Saturday September 4th – Issik Kol Lake, Son Kol Lake
Sunday September 5th – Son Kol Lake, Burana Tower, Bishkek
Monday September 6th – End of Tour
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
-LOI and registration in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
-All transport according to the itinerary.
-Local English speaking guide and YPT tour leader.
-Accommodation according to itinerary in twin/double share, except when sharing a yurt
-Entrance fees as per itinerary
-Flights to Ashgabat and out of Bishkek
-Visas for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
-Meals
-Tips for the local guides and drivers
We have expert guides ready to help answer any questions you may have.
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