Kyrgyzstan to Caucasus - 49 Days
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Overview
Highlights
- Bishkek - begin your overland journey in the emerging and hospitable capital of Kyrgyzstan
- Ashgabat - explore Turkmenistan's off the beaten track capital city on a guided minibus tour taking in the plethora of white marble buildings
- Vardzia - discover this amazing cave monastery which was mostly abandoned centuries ago but is still inhabited by a handful of monks
- Samarkand - spend three days exploring the jewel in Uzbekistan's crown and see the stunning architecture of the Registan plaza
- Darvaza - admire the flaming Darvaza Gas Crater which was created accidentally in 1971 and is known by the locals as the "Door to Hell"
- Kyrgyz Fergana Valley - overland through the lush valley and stop often to hike in the breathtaking landscape
- Tashkent - relax in Uzbekistan's clean and modern Soviet-style capital and explore the city at leisure
- Baku - take in the sights of the emerging city independently and marvel at the modern skyscrapers which contrast against the ancient Maiden Tower
- Bukhara - learn about the gruesome history of this beautiful Silk Road city on a guided tour which takes in the Kalyan minaret and Zindon Prison
- Sheki - stay in a converted ancient caravanserai where weary Silk Road travellers used to rest and resupply their caravans
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- 35 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 21 dinners
- 30 nights in hotels / guesthouses
- 14 nights camping (including 1 night on a campsite, 10 nights wild camping & 3 nights camping without facilities)
- 3 nights camping in traditional yurts
- 1 overnight ferry from Baku - Turkmenbashi
- Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle
- 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 Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand 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
- Visit to the Vardzia Caves in Georgia
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Welcome to Bishkek! Make your way to our hotel and join a pre-departure Welcome Meeting at 10:00 so you can meet your tour group and crew. The rest of the day is then free to explore Kyrgyzstan's hospitable capital as you please. Perhaps browse the Osh bazaar or head ...
Bishkek - Chong Kemin. We climb aboard our overland truck for the first time on day 2 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...
Chong Kemin - Karakol. We drive to the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kol this morning, where we can admire the ancient 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 up into the mountains of the Jeti Oguz region, dominated by towering red sandstone cliffs. The next day is free to explore this picturesque corner of Kyrgyzstan. Hike in the hills and mountains or opt for a horse-riding excursion with some local nomads. We’ll camp in the area for these two nights (weather permitting).
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 peace\ul 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. We spend the next three days overlanding through the Kyrgyz Fergana Valley towards Arslanbob. We’ll make frequent stops to hike in the stunning mountain region and will camp in suitable spots on the route. Please note: If...
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.
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. Today 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 mount...
Today is free to explore Tashkent as you please. You may wish to head to the religious centre of the city at Hast Imam Square, where you'll find the world's oldest surviving copy of the Koran. We may be joined by new travellers today for the next leg of our journey.
Tashkent - Samarkand. On day 17 we drive to 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 the central Registan Square, the...
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. On day 21 we head out of the desert to the beautiful Silk Road city of Bukhara, where we'll be staying for the next three nights. We make a quick stop in Nurata en route. The next day we enjoy a guided tour of Bukhara, taking in highlights incl...
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 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 board our overland truck for the final time. 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.
Today our Caucasus adventure comes to an end. If you wish to extend your stay in Tbilisi, then speak to our sales team. For optional activities available in Tbilisi, please refer to the Trip Notes.
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Logistics
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 - $1880pp, paid in USD
Accommodation
18 and over. No upper age limit but anyone over 70 needs to complete a tour suitability form.
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