Escorted Tours 2024 - 2025

  Bishkek Karakol Almaty Kaji-Say Dushanbe Panjakent Samarkand Bukhara Khiva Darvaza Ashgabat < < Kazakhstan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Turkmenistan    Coach Air Rail Nights 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 Day 1: UK to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Depart the UK on your overnight flight. Day 2: Bishkek D On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner. Day 3: Bishkek B/L/D Set off this morning for Osh Bazaar before driving to Ala Archa National Park. After a lunch by the river, take a walk through the fresh alpine scenery. Day 4: Bishkek to Kaji-Say B/L/D Drive to Burana Tower; a piece of Silk Road history. The 11th century tower is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun. Continue to Kajisay, a village on the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, on the way stop at Kyzyl and a woman’s cooperative that weaves Shiyrdak, a colourful felt carpet, ubiquitous throughout Central Asia. Day 5: Kaji-Say to Karakol B/L/D Learn how to make Boorsok. The doughy mixture is deep-fried before being spread across the ‘dastorkan’, doubling as a table decoration. Wind your way to iconic Lake Issyk Kul, dubbed ‘The Pearl of Kyrgyzstan’. Trace your way along its southern shores to the village of Kyzyl Tuu, one of the centres for yurt production. Our final stop of today’s journey is in Bokonbeavo where we meet an Eagle Hunter. Day 6: Karakol B/L/D Tour Karakol including the Dungan Mosque and the Russian Orthodox Church. In the afternoon visit the mountain valley of Jety-Oguz. The rock formations are a deep-red sandstone rising out of the green valley below. Day 7: Karakol to Almaty, Kazakhstan B/L/D Head into the Tien Shen mountains and cross the border at Kegen, entering Kazakhstan. Stop at Charyn Canyon visiting a part known as the ‘Valley of Castles’ due to its unusual rock formations. Later, continue onwards to Almaty. Day 8: Almaty B/L/D Spend the day touring Almaty including the Park of 27 Guards, Ascension Cathedral and Green Market. Day 9: Almaty to Dushanbe, Tajikistan B/L/D Fly to Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s enigmatic capital that rose to prominence under the Soviets. Explore the city including the Archaeological Museum and Rudaki Park. End the day with a traditional Tajijk meal. Day 10: Dushanbe B/L/D Visit beautiful Navruz Palace. Initially planned as a tea house it was deemed too impressive and turned into a palace! Also, visit the Museum of Musical Instruments, which, in stark contrast, is hosted in the front room of a local house! Five Stans of the Silk Road An epic journey through vast deserts and rugged mountains, past turquoise glacial lakes, ancient cities, giant burning gas pits and nomadic yurt camps. Trace the footsteps of Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great and the adventurers, traders, philosophers, and kings that plied the Silk Road for a thousand years. Uzbekistan What you’ll see ⚫ Take in the natural beauty of Ala Archa National Park ⚫ Marvel at the 11th-century Burana Tower, one of the oldest architectural constructions of Central Asia ⚫ Witness the spectacular might of Charyn Canyon, exploring a part known as the ‘Valley of Castles’ ⚫ Journey to the beautiful Seven Lakes in Tajikistan and be amazed by the ever-changing, vibrant colours ⚫ Experience the unusual wonder of Darvaza Gas Crater, known as “The Door of Hell”, in the Karakum desert ⚫ Explore the majestic Old Citadel, Khiva ⚫ Discover centuries of rich history and breathtaking architecture with visits to Samarkand and Bukhara 36 Central Asia Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk