Central Asia Discovery Westbound - 63 Days
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Overview
Highlights
- Silk Road - follow the ancient trading route known as the Silk Road from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan to the Turkish city of Istanbul - the gateway to Europe
- Kyrgyzstan - explore hospitable Bishkek, overland through stunning Jeti Oguz, watch a demonstration from an eagle hunter and camp in yurts beside Song Kol Lake
- Uzbekistan - take in the enchanting Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, camp in the Kyzylkhum Desert and discover modern Tashkent
- Turkmenistan - marvel at the bizarre marble architecture of Ashgabat and see the incredible flaming Darvaza Gas Crater which is known by the locals as the 'Door to Hell'
- Azerbaijan - see the bubbling mud volcanoes of Gobustan, explore bustling Baku and spend the night in an old Silk Road caravanserai
- Georgia - enjoy wine tasting in Telavi, visit the breathtaking Vardzia caves, relax in the "Las Vegas of the Black Sea" - Batumi and explore Tbilisi
- Armenia - discover ancient Yerevan independently, camp beside shimmering Lake Sevan and see the beautiful Graeco-Roman Garni Temple
- Turkey - visit the magical valley of Cappadocia, see the incredible Sumela Monastery, pay your respects at Gallipoli and end your adventure in cosmopolitan Istanbul
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Trip includes
- 41 breakfasts, 19 lunches and 26 dinners
- 40 nights in hotels, hostels and guesthouses
- 18 nights camping (including 2 nights at campsites, 13 nights wild camping and 3 nights camping without facilities)
- 3 nights camping in traditional yurts
- 1 overnight ferry from Turkmenbashi - Baku
- All necessary camping equipment (excluding sleeping bags)
- Services of two crew (drivers/tour leaders) and local guides along the way
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Eagle hunter demonstration in Kyrgyzstan
- Guided tour of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in Uzbekistan
- Guided tour of Ashgabat and visit to the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan
- Visit to Gobustan to see the petroglyphs and mud volcanoes
- A stay in the ancient Sheki caravanserai in Azerbaijan
- Visits to the Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery & Khor Virap Monastery in Armenia
- Guided tour of Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus and Cappadocia in Turkey
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Itinerary
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! On arrival there’s a pre-departure Welcome Meeting at 10:00 and the rest of today is free to explore Bishkek, the hospitable and fascinating capital of Kyrgyzstan. Perhaps wander down to the vibrant Osh bazaar or head to the central Ala-Too Squa...
Bishkek - Chong Kemin. We climb aboard our overland truck for the first time today and head out of Bishkek. We may need to return to Bishkek to organise Uzbekistan visas for some of the group so the next couple of days need to be fairly flexible. We will most li...
Chong Kemin - Karakol. We drive to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kol this morning, where we can admire the ancient rock-carved petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata. After our visit here, we continue to the Russian-style town of Karakol, where the afternoon is free to explore. Perhaps pay a visit to the beautiful Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Karakol - Jeti Oguz. On day 5 we have a scenic drive into the rolling hills of the Jeti Oguz region, dominated by towering red sandstone cliffs. The next day is free to explore this picturesque corner of Kyrgyzstan, on the edge of the Tian Shan Mountains. Hike in the ...
Jeti Oguz - Kochkor. Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor, stopping en route to watch a demonstration from a local eagle hunter, whose well-trained birds are used to catch wild animals for their skins and meat. On arrival in Kochkor, we check in to our...
Kochkor - Song Kol Lake. On day 8 we drive to shimmering Song Kol Lake, where we base ourselves for the next two nights. Song Kol is a remote and peaceful lake set in stunning scenery - Kyrgyzstan in all of its glory. We’ll stay in traditional felt yurts and experienc...
Song Kol Lake - Kyrgyz Fergana Valley. The next three days will be spent overlanding through the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley, home to some of the finest scenery in the world. We’ll make frequent stops to hike amongst the rolling hills and to admire the incredible views. Alo...
Kyrgyz Fergana Valley - Arslanbob. Today we finally arrive in the picturesque village of Arslanbob. There's free time to relax after a long few days of overlanding. Perhaps take a stroll in the famous walnut forest, the largest walnut grove in the world - the walnut was Kyrgyzstan's first known export to Europe.
Arslanbob - Fergana (Uzbekistan). We say goodbye to the mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan today, crossing the border into neighbouring Uzbekistan. Our drive today takes us to the city of Fergana, where the evening is at leisure.
Fergana - Kokand - Tashkent. On day 15 we journey to Kokand, where we’ll visit the Khudayar Khan’s Palace and the Margilan Silk Factory. Traditional methods are still used here in the production of this famous textile. After exploring Kokand, we cross over the m...
Tashkent - Samarkand. On day 17 we head towards the jewel in Uzbekistan's crown - the incredible Silk Road city of Samarkand. On arrival, the evening is free to head out and explore. We enjoy a guided tour of Samarkand on day 18, taking in highlights including t...
Samarkand - Nurata. Today we say goodbye to Samarkand and head into the striking Nurata Hills. Opt for a refreshing dip in Lake Ajdar Kul before we drive into the Kyzylkhum Desert. There’s an optional camel ride over the rolling dunes of the desert and we spend the night in yurts near the town of Nurata.
Nurata - Bukhara. We head out of the desert on day 21, reaching the beautiful and historic Silk Road city of Bukhara, where we'll be staying for the next three nights. We make a quick stop in Nurata en route. On day 22 we enjoy a guided tour of Bukhara, taking i...
Bukhara - Khiva. On day 24 we say goodbye to Bukhara and embark on a long drive to the welcoming city of Khiva. The next day there’s a guided tour of the city, taking in highlights including the incredible city walls, the turquoise Kalta Minor Minaret and the blue pal...
Khiva - Kunye Urgench (Turkmenistan). Today we leave Uzbekistan behind and cross the border into the closed off country of Turkmenistan. Browse the markets in the border town of Dashoguz before we explore the Kunye Urgench ruins towards the end of the day. Once ...
Kunye Urgench - Darvaza Gas Crater. We continue our journey through the desert today, reaching the incredible Darvaza Gas Crater, known locally as the 'Door to Hell'. The crater was created by accident in 1971 when Soviet oil drillers released gas into the atmos...
Darvaza Gas Crater - Ashgabat. On day 28 we complete our drive to Turkmenistan's bizarre capital city of Ashgabat. The city holds the world record for the highest concentration of marble clad buildings anywhere in the world. On day 29 we embark on a minibus tour...
Ashgabat - Turkmenbashi. Today we have a long drive across Turkmenistan to Turkmenbashi, on the Caspian Sea Coast. If we have time, we'll visit the spectacular Kow Ata Underground Lake on the way. Please note: Our itinerary in Turkmenbashi and over the Caspian...
Turkmenbashi - Baku (Azerbaijan). Today we will hopefully be able to board the ferry across the Caspian Sea to Baku, Azerbaijan. The ferry is a fantastic local experience but please do not expect any luxury whatsoever. These ferries are budget vessels for the locals and cargo hauliers, and are not designed with travellers in mind. There will generally only be seats available for the crossing.
After we've disembarked in Baku, we'll arrive at our hotel. The next few days are free to explore Baku as you please. The oil-rich city is an amazing contrast of the old and new, with glistening skyscrapers contrasting against the old architecture such as the famous M...
Baku - Lahij. This morning we drive to Gobustan, the region known for its bubbling mud volcanoes and ancient petroglyphs. After exploring this site, we continue to Lahij, an ancient mountain settlement which is famous for its copper and arms production. Explore the site at leisure and camp with facilities tonight.
Lahij - Sheki. Leaving Lahij, we travel to the old city of Sheki. There's an included visit to the exquisite Khan's Palace before we arrive at our hotel for the night. The hotel has been constructed in an old Silk Road caravanserai and you'll feel like a weary merchant as you settle down to sleep tonight.
Sheki - Lagodekhi National Park (Georgia). Today we say goodbye to Azerbaijan and cross into Georgia. We'll spend the night camping in the lush scenery of Lagodekhi National Park, which is located fairly close to the border.
Lagodekhi National Park - Telavi. We head into the Alazani Valley on day 39 and visit the impressive Gremi Citadel en route to the famous wine producing town of Telavi. We'll be basing ourselves in this wine region for the next couple of days. Day 40 sees us exp...
Telavi - Stepantsminda. Leaving Telavi behind, we drive to the town of Stepantsminda, which is nestled in beautiful scenery. During our stay here we’ll enjoy a trek up to the tiny Tsminda Sameba Church, which is hidden away in the rolling hills and mountains of the Georgian Caucasus. There’s also an optional cooking class where you can learn how to make delicious Georgian kinkhalis (meatballs).
Stepantsminda - Mtskheta. This morning is free to unwind in Stepantsminda or hike up to the Tsminda Sameba Church if there wasn't time yesterday. Later, we drive to the charming town of Mtskheta. Here we can visit the beautiful 11th century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
Mtskheta - Vardzia. We head out of Mtskheta and make our way to Borjomi National Park. Enjoy a short hike in the ancient forest and opt to ride a cable car up the mountain before we continue to the incredible Vardzia cave city. First inhabited during the Bronze ...
Vardzia - Armenian Highlands (Armenia). This morning we explore Vardzia if there wasn't time yesterday. We then set off for the Armenian border, finding a suitable spot to camp in the incredible scenery of the Armenian Highlands once we have crossed.
Armenian Highlands - Yerevan. On day 45 we visit the Khor Virap Monastery, near the Turkish border. This important pilgrimage site is set in the shadow of Mt Ararat and on a clear day there will be incredible views of the snow-capped peak. After our visit we continue ...
Yerevan - Lake Sevan. Setting off from Yerevan, our first stop is the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, which has been carved out of the rock face of the Azat River Gorge. We continue to the impressive Graeco-Roman Garni Temple, a beautiful temple which wouldn't look o...
Lake Sevan - Tbilisi (Georgia). Today we cross back into Georgia and pass through the amazing scenery of Dilijan National Park to reach Tbilisi, Georgia's endearing capital city. The rest of today is free to explore the quaint Old City as you please. Consider heading up to Narikala Fortress for amazing views over Tbilisi.
Tbilisi - Gori - Kutaisi. This morning we set off from Tbilisi and head across Georgia to Gori, the Georgian city that is famous as the birthplace of former Soviet leader Josef Stalin. There's a guided tour of the city and an included visit to the Stalin Museum, where...
Kutaisi - Batumi. Today we drive to the hospitable port city of Batumi. Sitting on the Black Sea coast, Batumi is a popular summer getaway destination for Georgians and travellers alike. There’s free time to explore the city and an optional visit to the Batumi Archaeo...
Batumi - Sumela (Turkey). Today we say goodbye to Georgia and the Caucasus, as we cross into Turkey, the last of the seven amazing countries on our Central Asian adventure. We make our way to the incredible Sumela Monastery, which clings to rugged cliffs 1,200m up. ...
Sumela - Zara. Today we have a full day's drive through central Turkey towards the magical landscape of Cappadocia. We break the journey at the village of Zara, where we camp.
Zara - Goreme. On day 53 we arrive at the small town of Goreme, nestled in the heart of the magical Cappadocia Mountains. During our two days here we’ll enjoy guided sightseeing in this enchanting subterranean landscape. Explore the underground city of Kaymakli and th...
Goreme - Egirdir. Today we leave Cappadocia behind and continue south towards Egirdir, finding a suitable wild camping spot en route.
Egirdir - Termessos - Olympos. On day 56 we drive to the impressive Pisidian ruins of Termessos, which sit at an altitude of more than 1,000m. After exploring the site, we continue towards Olympos, where we'll be spending the next two nights. Olympos is a popula...
Olympos - Pamukkale. Driving inland, we reach the small village of Pamukkale, which is famous for its mineral rich hot springs and white terraced travertines. Take a walk along these beautiful terraces and opt for a dip in the thermal springs. Tonight, we will either camp near Pamukkale or stay in a local hotel.
Pamukkale - Selcuk. On day 59 we drive to our next destination, Selcuk. We'll be spending the next two nights here. The evening is free to relax in one of the many tea bars in the area. The next day sees us exploring the legendary marble ruins of Ephesus, includ...
Selcuk - Troy - Eceabat. Today we drive along the coast to the ruins of the fabled city of Troy. See the replica Trojan Horse here before we board the ferry to cross the Dardenelles, arriving in Eceabat this afternoon.
Eceabat - Gallipoli - Istanbul. This morning we drive to the Gallipoli peninsula. Here we’ll take a guided tour of the region and can pay our respects at some of the WW1 battlefields and memorials. We’ll also visit ANZAC Cove, the site of some of the fiercest fighting...
Today your adventure comes to an end. We've spent two months exploring Central Asia, the Caucasus and Turkey and made everlasting memories along the way. Speak to our Sales team if you'd like to book any extra accommodation in Istanbul in order to further explore the city.
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What's excluded
- International flights and visas
- Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
- Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
- Local payment - $2310pp, paid in USD
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