Legends and Empires

Fly via Istanbul to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Transfer to the Ritz Carlton for an overnight stay (Sep 2024 - 5-star Intercontinental Hotel). In the late afternoon, transfer to the local Eagle centre in the city suburbs and learn about the falcon hunting secrets. Then enjoy a welcome dinner on site, with a true Kazakh yurt ambience and local artists playing national instruments.
(D)

Drive to Charyn Canyon (3 hrs), a unique natural wonder formed 12 million years ago. Discover unspoiled nature and breathtaking views. Picnic lunch before continuing to the Kolsai Lakes, check-in at the Saty Village guesthouse for an overnight stay.
(B, L, D)

Drive to the stunningly beautiful Kaindy Lake. Explore and enjoy lunch before our return to Almaty (5 hrs) for overnight.
(B, L, D)

Explore the leafy city of Almaty with its backdrop of the snowcapped Zailiysky Alatau. Visits include Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Monument of Independence, Republic Square and the museum of musical instruments. Evening flight to Bishkek, overnight at the Hyatt Regency.
(B, L, D)

Drive to Kajissay on the south of Issyk-Kul Lake (4hrs). Afternoon visit to the Skazka Canyon. Overnight Al-Khayat Hotel in Kajissay.
(B, L, D)

Visit Djeti-Oguz gorge to enjoy a waterfall walk and lunch at the yurt camp. Continue to Karakol and stay at the Hotel Karagat for two nights.
(B, L, D)

 Explore Karakol on foot, a shady grid of tree-lined streets with a backdrop of snowy peaks. Later drive to Altyn-Arashan gorge to visit the thermal wells.
(B, L, D)

Drive along the northern bank of Issyk-Kul to Bishkek (4hrs), visiting Ruh-Ordo historic centre in Cholpon-Ata en route. Overnight at the Hyatt Regency, Bishkek.
(B, L, D)

Morning flight to Osh for a short visit. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to Fergana Valley, overnight at the Asia Fergana.
(B, L, D)

Full day tour of Fergana, the garden city, known for its exceptional crafts and artisans and its kaleidoscopic bazaars. Visit General Skobelev House, the Russian Army Assembly Hall and History Museum with a stop at the silk weaver’s workshops in Margilan.
(B, L, D)

Drive to Tashkent across the Kamchik Pass, stopping at Rishtan, famous for its brilliant blue glazed pottery. Continue to Kokand, one of Uzbekistan’s most ancient towns, once an important trade centre on the Silk Road and enjoy a city tour. Continue to Tashkent (3.5hrs) and stay overnight at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
(B, L, D)

Drive to the Uzbek-Tajik border and to Khujand. Visit the museum and the city’s 7th-century fortification, explore Payshanba oriental bazaar, the biggest in Central Asia. Overnight at the Khujand Deluxe.
(B, L, D)

Drive to Istaravshan. Visit Mug Tepa, in Ura-Tube, one of the ancient settlements of Tajikistan. Explore the Khazrati Shoh complex. Continue to Penjikent the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, the father of Persian Poetry and enjoy lunch at a restaurant-style tea-house in Shakhristan. Overnight at the 3-star Panjakent Plaza Hotel.
(B, L, D)

Visit the Marguzor Seven Lakes with lunch at a guesthouse near the 4th Lake.  Afternoon visit to the Museum of Rudak and the excavated remains at Penjikent. Proceed to Samarkand. Two nights at the Zaravshan Parkside (or similar).
(B, L, D)

Explore the glorious city of Samarkand; Ulug Beg Observatory, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis and Bibi Khanym Mosque, one of the largest in Central Asia built by Tamerlane. After a traditional Pilov lunch, visit the famous mausoleum of Tamerlane and Registan Square, the most spectacular architectural ensemble in Central Asia. (B, L, D)

Day at leisure to explore the city of Samarkand, or take an optional excursion to the fabled city of Shakhrisabz. Timur’s home, across the Aman-Kutan mountain that once rivalled Samarkand (pre-bookable). Evening high-speed train to Bukhara, transfer to the Zargaron Plaza for two nights.
(B, L, D)

The magical city of Bukhara is over 2,000 years old and is the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia. Explore the city, enjoy lunch at Lyabi-Haus square and later visit the Minaret Kalan Complex and the Summer Palace.
(B, L, D)

Drive to the border at Farab and continue to Mary in Turkmenistan (3.5hrs), an oasis city in the Karakum Desert. Overnight at the Mary Hotel.
(B, L, D)

Transfer to Merv, one of the main cities of the ancient Silk Road and, reputedly, once the largest city in the world. At this World Heritage site, the beautiful monuments bear witness to the city’s glorious days passed. Return to Mary, visit the museum before an evening flight to Ashgabat and two nights at the Oguzkent Hotel.
(B, L, D)

Visit the beautiful, World Heritage fortress of Old Nisa, at the foot of the Kopet Dag Mountains, the earliest of the Parthian Empire capitals. Visit Arkadash stud farm, home of the famous Akhal-Tekke horses, one of the oldest breeds in existence. Return to Ashgabat, visit the Russian market and see the rare collection of hand-made Turkmen carpets at the National History Museum.
(B, L, D)

 Morning flight to Dashoguz. Drive to Kunya Urgench, the ancient capital of Khorezm, which was part of the Achaemenid Empire. Visit the mosque, the gates of the caravanserai, the fortress, mausoleum and minaret. Lunch in Dashoguz before we cross the Uzbek border for Khiva and two nights at the Asia Khiva Hotel.
(B, L, D)

Full day exploration of the beautifully preserved, medieval town of Khiva. As you enter the city gates and wander the fabled Ichon-Qala (inner walled city) it’s hard not to feel transported to another era. Explore Kunya Ark (old citadel), the Emir’s Palace, the magnificent Juma Mosque with its 200 individually carved wooden pillars, and the Caravanserai. Enjoy the sunset from the old city walls, when the moonlit silhouettes of tilting minarets and madrasahs are quite magical.
(B, L, D)

Travel to the ancient fortress of Ayaz-Kala, one of the largest surviving castle fortresses of the Khorezm region. Visit Toprak-Kala before travelling to Nukus. Visit the Igor Savitsky Museum, with the world’s second largest collection of Russian avant-garde art. Overnight at the hotel Jipek Joli in Nukus.
(B, L, D)

Morning flight to Tashkent. Explore Uzbekistan’s 2,000-year-old capital. A city of fascinating contradictions, with Soviet-style architecture and traditional mud-walled houses, and rich in museums, mosques and impressive monuments. Visit the Khast-Imam Islamic complex, the History Museum and Amir Timur Square. Later explore the Tashkent metro, where each station is uniquely decorated. Check in at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This evening visit the famous Navoi Theatre to enjoy a performance followed by a farewell dinner in the city.
(B, D)

Transfer to the airport for the return flight, via Istanbul to London or Manchester. Alternately stop for a few nights in Istanbul.
(B)