Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: different experiences! DE
15-day tour, in small groups, since 2019
The Wonders of Uzbekistan and the Beauty of Kyrgyzstan
The Uzbeks have, throughout history, been a settled people, the Kyrgyz have been nomadic
In Uzbekistan you will be enveloped in the hustle and bustle of the cities, in Kyrgyzstan you will be at one with nature. As peoples we share much and have similarities, but it is our differences that will fascinate you on this tour.
About tour
The Uzbeks have always been settlers, the Kyrgyz have always been nomads. Culturally we have some similarities, but we also have many differences. This tour will give you a chance to explore both sides of Central Asia.
The tour starts in Tashkent and then on to Bukhara and Samarkand. All the major sites have been included. But there is more than just historical monuments – visiting bazaars, cooking classes, folklore shows and more, including a chance to enjoy some of the natural beauty as you travel from place to place.
Your flight to Bishkek brings you to another world, a world of green mountains, alpine pastures, the world of semi-nomads living in yurts. Your tour heads to Son Kul (the Last Lake) and then around the beautiful Issyk Kul (Warm Lake).
In each country and in each place, you will get the chance to meet with locals, trying their cuisines and experiencing their daily lives and culture.
Day By Day Programme
Here you can find a detailed description of the tour with routes and locations
| Day 1 | Departure from your local airport. |
| Day 2 | Arrival, transfer to the hotel. After breakfast and some rest, a city tour around Tashkent with guide interpreter. Lunch and dinner in restaurants. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 3 | Early breakfast, by fast train to Bukhara, a half day city tour in Bukhara. Masterclass cooking national dish and folklore show. Stay in a hotel. |
| Day 4 | Half day city tour in Bukhara. Visit the mausoleum and Madrasah. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon transfer to Samarkand. Enroute visit to house-museum of ceramics. Free time. Stay in a hotel. |
| Day 5 | Sightseeing around Samarkand. Visit legendary mausoleum, Registan Square – world-famous complex of 3 madrasahs and golden dome mosque. Free time at Registan Square and Local bazzar. After dinner, light show at Registan Square (if available), night view of Tamerlane’s mausoleum. Stay in hotel. |
| Day 6 | Drive from Samarkand to Tashkent. Photo stop near second largest river of Central Asia – Sirdarya, local fish market and roadside markets. After lunch, free time for shopping. Farewell dinner and stay in the hotel. |
| Day 7 | Early flight to Bishkek. Arrival at Manas airport and transfer to the Umai hotel. After lunch sightseeing around Bishkek with guide interpreter. Stay in hotel Umai. |
| Day 8 | By car to Kyzyl-Oi in the Suusamyr valley. Ascent in many serpentines to the Tor-Ashuu tunnel at 3.100 m and descend into a beautiful valley. After 45 km reach the village of Kyzyl-Oi. Stay in a good B&B. |
| Day 9 | Driving along the Kokomeren River and soon start climbing the Kara Keche pass (3.016 m). And next you will reach Lake Son-Kul. Son-Kul is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan, 3.016 m above sea level. It will be cold here at night so bring warm clothes. Overnight stay in yurt. |
| Day 10 | Day in Son-Kul. Hiking in the area full of edelweiss and visiting local herdsmen to taste kymyz, traditional drink made from fermented mare’s milk. It is possible to ride on horseback (horse rental is not included). Stay in yurts. |
| Day 11 | Drive from Son-Kul to Bokonbaevo, you will descent the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass (3.440 m) and go down to the Tolok Valley surrounded with beautiful badland area. On the way stop in Kochkor, the centre of felt making. Lunch here and visit the bazaar. Then along the water reservoir continue to Bokonbaevo on the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul. Stay in B&B. |
| Day 12 | In Bokonbaevbo you will meet a man who hunts with golden eagles and other birds of prey. The first stop will be Skaska (fairy tale) a famous valley with different colored cliffs. Continue along the south side to Jeti Ogus, one of the most beautiful gorges in Kyrgyzstan located at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. You will see famous red rocks, the “Seven Bulls” and the “Broken Heart”. From here it is another 35 km to Karakol where you will spend the night in an hotel. |
| Day 13 | If a Sunday, visit the animal market and some sight-seeing in Karakol. You can visit the Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque. Drive along the north shore of the lake to the Semenovka Valley for a short hike. Here part of World Nomad Games took place and it was the gathering point of Kyrgyz Tribes in ancient times. Stay in a in a hotel in Cholpon Ata, a nice resort on the lake. |
| Day 14 | Drive back to Bishkek. On the way visit the Burana Tower, an architectural complex from the 10th century that has survived from the times of the Great Silk Road. In the late afternoon some time for shopping. Dinner and stay in Umai hotel. |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Manas Airport and departure. |
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it might be necessary to make small changes in the program.
We ask for your understanding.
Tour specifics
Our tours can be organized for individual travelers or groups of up to 10 people (and sometimes more) and for families with (young) children. For the majority of our tours you can specify the start date and length of the tour.
| Date | |
| June 6 | June 20 |
| August 18 | September 1 |
| Group | |
| 4 and more persons | |
| For four and more persons | |
| Price without flight from Tashkent to Bishkek | € 1.450 p.p. |
For bookings of 4, or more, persons we offer a 5% discount. In case there are less participants than required, if you pay an additional fee, the trip will go on as planned.
Terms of payment
Your booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a deposit of euros 250 per person. The outstanding balance must be paid either 8 weeks before departure or in cash upon arrival. We do not accept debit or credit cards.
• Transportation by minibus
• Transfer from and to the airport
• All meals, breakfast, lunch and supper
• Stay in hotel, B&B, guesthouse, yurt and homestay
• Programme as described
• English/German (as required) speaking guide/interpreter
• Flight
• Insurances
• Personal expenses
• Entrance charges if applicable
• Tips
• Alcoholic and other bottled beverages
• Activities not mentioned in the programme
If you have to cancel a tour you already booked, we have to charge you cancellation fee.
If Ecotour cancels the tour, of course you will get back the full amount you paid.
If you cancel your trip, depending on the time your message reaches us, you owe Ecotour the following amount:
| till 42 days before departure | one pays the deposit |
| day 42- till day 28 | 35 % |
| day 28- till day 21 | 40 % |
| day 21- till day 14 | 50 % |
| day 14- till day 5 | 75 % |
| day 5 – till day 2 | 90 % |
| on the last day before and the day of departure | 100% |
A trip with Ecotour means an unusual and unforgettable vacation.
Our trips are suitable for those who do not insist on luxury, love the mountains,
appreciate the silence and do not want to travel in large groups.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
Kyrgyzstan is a land full of beautiful experiences and wonders unique…
click the link below
Mountain passes, bad tracks, off-road, and firm climbs over 3000 m characterize this route.
Not all slopes are steep, but some are very long and on dirt roads.
But it is worth the effort.