Travels along the Silk Road in Central Asia: The Heritage of Civilizations. A Relaxed Journey through 4 Countries | Almaty-Tashkent

Exciting journey to a unique natural heritage site: Aktau Mountains; Singing Dune; historical sites dating back to the 1st millennium BC — Saka burial mounds Bes-Shatyr and Tamgaly-Tas petroglyphs, relief mountains of Katutau.

Accommodation in a guesthouse in the village of Basshi.

Before dinner, a master class in Kazakh cuisine.

In the morning, a trip to Charyn Canyon — a natural heritage site of southern Kazakhstan.

After lunch, depart for the famous Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.

Crossing the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border, entering the natural heritage of the Tien Shan Mountains — lakes, forests, alpine meadows, and glaciers.

Transfer to the small town of Karakol.

Dinner in a Karakol home: Dungan lagman and the signature Karakol ashlyan-fu. An expert will tell the history of Dungan dishes in Karakol.

Accommodation in a hotel with a home-style breakfast.

On the way — resort town Cholpon-Ata: visit the Center of Nomadic Civilization. Then the market in Balykchy, where you can buy mountain honey, homemade cheeses, and jams.

Lunch en route at a local restaurant.

Visit the Burana Historical and Architectural Complex (9th–11th centuries).

Accommodation in Bishkek. Evening stroll before dinner at an ethnic teahouse-restaurant serving national cuisine.

Welcome to the southern colors of Kyrgyzstan!

Meet at the airport in Osh. Accommodation at a 4* hotel.

Excursion to the ancient Suleiman-Too Mountain — a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visit popular local spots to try tandyr-baked flatbreads and samsa.

Lunch at a teahouse.

Dinner at an ethnic hotel after a dumpling (dymlyama) master class. Lecture on the history of Kyrgyz cuisine.

Performance by a folk ensemble.

Overnight in Osh.

Drive through scenic valleys to the homeland of dried apricots.

Stops along the way at orchards: apricots, mulberries, and grapes.

Lunch at an authentic café en route.

Excursion to Madygen Geopark — encounter world-significant geological phenomena.

Dinner with a local family featuring southern Kyrgyz dishes. Master class in pilaf made from Batken rice. Introduction to local products: dried apricots, fruit candies, honey, and more.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning border crossing.

Lunch at the teahouse "Naberezhnaya" on the banks of the Syr Darya River.

Excursion around Khujand — the ancient city of Alexander the Great.

Visit Khujand Citadel — fortress and artisan quarters, Panjshanbe Bazaar — one of the most colorful markets in Central Asia.

Tasting Tajik flatbreads, samsa, sweets, and dried fruits.

Dinner at the Pilaf Palace with an unforgettable master class by top Tajik chefs. Preparation of 14 types of pilaf with lectures and practical guidance. Stories about traditions and culture. Evening master class on Florentine mosaic. Overnight in a hotel in Khujand.

Journey through mountain passes and authentic kishlaks (villages). Excursion to the authentic kishlak Madm, where life has remained as it was in the 19th century.

Long-awaited tasting of famous samsa on a mountain pass. Breathtaking landscapes and panoramas.

The road to Penjikent is like an exhibition of mountain landscapes.

In Penjikent, visit the ancient ruins of Sarazm (5500 years old) and the Rudaki Museum.

Evening — dinner with Tajik dishes: kurtoba, oshtoba, and sweet tea.

Master class with the top chef, storytelling about Tajik cuisine, accompanied by traditional Tajik music and dance.

Overnight in Penjikent.

Crossing the Tajik-Uzbek border.

Lunch stop at a village known for Samarkand-style flatbreads.

Evening walk in Samarkand: Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Gur-Emir Mausoleum.

Dinner and tasting of Uzbek pilaf and Samarkand-style dishes at an authentic teahouse with a master class. Eastern sweets. Lecture by the chef.

Accommodation at a luxury 5* hotel within the Silk Road Samarkand tourist center.

After breakfast, city tour of Samarkand.

Visit Ulugh Beg Observatory, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, and artisan workshops: Konigil Family Paper Factory, Khujum Carpet Factory. Wine tasting at Khorezm Winery.

Lunch at the cozy "Platan" restaurant with piano music and Eastern hospitality.

Evening high-speed train to Tashkent (~2 hours).

Accommodation at a 4* hotel.

City sightseeing tour.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Visit HUMAN HOUSE Cultural Center:

• Uzbek tea ceremony with Eastern sweets
• Master class on cooking pilaf with flaxseed oil (“Zigir Osh”)
• Art-relaxation: painting in non-traditional techniques, eco-bag painting
• Master class in Ebru: the art of painting on water

Farewell dinner with wine tasting of local vintages.

Musical accompaniment: Uzbek folk songs and music.

Overnight at a 5* hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent airport.

Until next time — with the colors of the East!