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. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Summer Tour, Kyrgyzstan Independence Day Tour, Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang Far West Tour, or if you would like to see more of Kyrgyzstan while you are here, you can add on our World Nomad Games extension.
Day 1 – Tuesday August 20th – Ashgabat
Day 2 – Wednesday August 21st – Ashgabat, Gates of Hell
Day 3 – Thursday August 22nd – Ashgabat
Day 4 – Friday August 23rd – Yangykala Canyon, Avaza, Ashgabat
Day 5 – Saturday August 24th – Turkmenabat, cross the border to Uzbekistan, Bukhara
Day 6 – Sunday August 25th – Bukhara
Day 7 – Monday August 26th – Bukhara, Samarqand
Day 8 – Tuesday August 27th – Samarqand
Day 9 – Wednesday August 28th – Samarqand, Tashkent
Day 10 – Thursday August 29th – Tashkent
Day 11 – Friday August 30th – Bishkek
Day 12 – Saturday August 31st – Bishkek, Independence Day
Day 13 – Sunday September 1st – Bishkek, Kok Boru Horse Games, Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs, Karakol
Day 14 – Monday September 2nd – Karakol, Valley of the Flowers, Jetty Ögüz Gorge, Kyzyl Suu
Day 15 – Tuesday September 3rd – Institute of Glaciers Foundation, Issik Kol
Day 16 – Wednesday September 4th – Issik Kol Lake, Son Kol Lake
Day 17 – Thursday September 5th – Son Kol Lake, Burana Tower, Bishkek
Day 18 – Friday 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.
Western YPT guide.
Accommodation according to itinerary in twin/double share, except on days 13, 14 & 15 where we will be sharing a yurt with each other.
Entrance fees to all sites outlined on the itinerary.
Breakfast every day.
Lunch and dinner on days 13, 14 & 15 and dinner on days 6 & 16.
Travel arrangements to Ashgabat at the start of the tour, and Bishkek at the end of the tour.
Visas for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Visas or LOI’s for Kyrgyzstan.
Most Western passport holders can now enter Kyrgyzstan for 60 days without a visa, but if you don’t fall into this category we can advise you separately.
Meals other than those stipulated (allow up to $10 per meal).
Drinks at meals.
Single supplement for accommodation ($305, not available in the yurts on days 4,5 & 6).
Tips for guides (not obligatory, and up to your personal discretion).
Any other personal expenses such as souvenirs.
Travel insurance.
We have expert guides ready to help answer any questions you may have.
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