G Adventures
Save 20%Epic Southeast Asia: River Cruises & Karst Mountains
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand · 40 days · Moderate
fromCAD 3,935
Next: 21 JunThe adventure
Pack your bags and a serious sense of adventure — you’re about to blaze across four of Central Asia’s wildest and most underrated countries. This 26-day epic takes you deep into ancient cities and windswept canyons across Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. One minute you’re wandering centuries-old Silk Road streets the next you’re hiking to neon-blue lakes or helping build a nomadic yurt. It’s gritty it’s gorgeous and totally unforgettable.
At a glance
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan & 2 more countries
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time. In the evening, meet your CEO and new crew that you'll be traveling with in a welcome meeting, followed by an optional dinner together. Then hit the town for your First Night Out, the chance to get to know your new travel buds!
Arrive at any time. In the evening, meet your CEO and new crew that you'll be traveling with in a welcome meeting, followed by an optional dinner together. Then hit the town for your First Night Out, the chance to get to know your new travel buds!
Day 2Start today with some breakfast and an orientation…Tashkent
TashkentStart today with some breakfast and an orientation walk of Tashkent. Check out the neighborhood alongside your CEO, then head out to explore the city how you'd like! Opt to join a Tashkent city tour or take a day trip to see the impressive Institute of Sun. This evening, climb aboard the overnight train en route to Khiva.
Day 3After a full nights sleep aboard the train
After a full nights sleep aboard the train, choose to have some breakfast in the dining car or enjoy the views as you chug along. Pull into Khiva around noon, drop your bags, then head out on an orientation walk. Spend the afternoon free to explore the city of Khiva however you want. Perhaps visit one of Khiva's most important landmarks, the Islam Khadija Minaret or take a tour of the City Wall.
Day 4Today you are free to explore this incredible…
Today you are free to explore this incredible ancient city. In the evening, head to the train station to travel to Bukhara. We'll head straight to the hotel upon arrival.
Day 5Get a feel for your adventure in Bukhara…
Get a feel for your adventure in Bukhara by starting the day with an orientation walk of the area. Then today is yours to explore the city! Visit some of the incredible Hammams (traditional public baths), or join a guided tour of Bukhara.
Day 6Bukhara
Bukhara, a historic and important stop along the Silk Road, is today a beautiful piece of living history. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Town Bukhara, with its stone alleyways and colorful tiles, will have you feeling transported to an ancient time. Enjoy another day free to explore this beautiful place before taking a train to Samarkand in the evening.
Day 7The great city of Samarkand was once…
The great city of Samarkand was once a rich trading and intellectual center of the Silk Road. Now known for its melting pot of culture and grand architecture, today is yours to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 8This morning we depart Uzbekistan and drive to Tajikistan
This morning we depart Uzbekistan and drive to Tajikistan. Shortly after crossing the border, stop at Panjakent Bazaar and wander through the stalls of food, clothes and unique finds. Head out and continue the drive to Padrud Village for the night. On the way, we'll visit four of the breathtaking Seven Lakes in the Fan Mountains. These lakes shine with different colors of blues, greens, purples and turquoises. Grab your camera and take in the incredible views.
Day 9After breakfast at the guesthouse
After breakfast at the guesthouse, hike from Lake 6 to the incredible Lake 7. This remote lake is only accessibly by hiking and is well worth the trek. After arriving, enjoy a scenic picnic next to the lake before hiking back to the village. This evening, chow down on a well deserved Tajikistani barbecue.
Day 10Travel across the border back to Uzbekistan today
Travel across the border back to Uzbekistan today. After the journey, enjoy a restful evening in Samarkand.
Day 11Take a morning train to Tashkent
TashkentTake a morning train to Tashkent, where it all began! Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the capital city of Uzbekistan. This evening, join your group for a Big Night Out in the city!
Day 12Hop in the van for a trip across…
Hop in the van for a trip across the border to Kazakhstan. Drive to Shymkent and join your CEO on an orientation walk of the city before enjoying the afternoon to explore.
Day 13Drive to the totally instagramable Ugam Chatkal National Park
Drive to the totally instagramable Ugam Chatkal National Park. Join a fun 16km hike to Sayram Su Lake for a cute lakeside picnic with the crew. Hike Back to Shymkent to relax this afternoon.
Day 14Drive to Taraz today
Drive to Taraz today. This city is not visited by many tourists now but was once a major rest stop along the Ancient Silk Road. Take an orientation walk around the town then opt to visit the Taraz Museum to see the remains of this historic place.
Day 15Cross the border into the next Stan
Cross the border into the next Stan. Into Kyrgyzstan, head to Bishkek. Spend time with your crew this evening in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, bidding farewell to those heading off and greeting the newbies!
Day 16Today is yours for adventure through Bishkek
Today is yours for adventure through Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. After an orientation walk to get your bearings, spend the rest of the day seeing the city how you'd like. Opt to join a guided tour of the city or learn to make local Kyrgyz dumplings called manti.
Day 17Visit the historic Burana Tower on the way…
Visit the historic Burana Tower on the way to Iskra Village where we will enjoy a yummy lunch with a Dungan family, a group of Muslim-Chinese heritage. After spending time with the family and digging into the yummy food, drive to Chom Kemin for the night.
Day 18Start today with an easy hike up…
Start today with an easy hike up to the Shatyly view point. Take in the view from above before hiking back down for some free time at camp. Take a dip if you wish in Issyk Kul Lake, meaning "Warm Lake" in Kyrgyz. In the afternoon, visit the famous Fairytale Canyon, Skazka. Walk through the wild rock formations that resemble castles and gnome homes. Then enjoy a relaxing evening on the shores of Issyk Kul Lake.
Day 19After breakfast at camp
After breakfast at camp, hike to the beautiful Barskoon Waterfall. I mean, who doesn't love a little waterfall adventure? Then head to Ak Orgo, a G Adventures-supported project that helps bring much-needed job opportunities to the Barskoon region. We'll dig into some lunch then learn how to build a yurt (like the one we're staying in here in Tamga!) Then head back to camp and take a dip in the lake.
Day 20Drive to Karakol this morning and join…
Drive to Karakol this morning and join your CEO on an orientation walk, the perfect way to start your time in Karakol and get to know this city a bit better. Then the day is yours for adventure! Opt to visit the colorful Dungan Mosque, Karakol Market or the impressive Russian Orthodox Church.
Day 21Fill up on breakfast before heading out…
Fill up on breakfast before heading out for a free day in Karakol. How about a tour of the city? Or maybe get back out into nature with visits to the spectacular Jety Oguz or Aksu Kench hot springs!
Day 22Cross the border into Kazakhstan
Cross the border into Kazakhstan, stopping for a scenic picnic lunch along the way. Then climb into a 4x4 vehicle to visit the stunning Kaindy Lake. Grab your camera and get ready for some jaw-dropping views. This evening, connect with local Kazakh culture at our Saty Village homestay.
Day 23Get ready to see redGrand Canyon
Grand CanyonGet ready to see red... red rocks and canyons we mean! Our first stop of the day is to Charyn Canyon. Full of different shades of reds, oranges, and browns, the beautiful Charyn Canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon. Then continue on to Altyn Emel National Park where more red and orange rocks make up this beautiful landscape.
Day 24Right on the bank of the Ili river…Almaty
AlmatyRight on the bank of the Ili river sits the beautiful golden Singing Sand Dunes. On a windy day, when the sad moves across the dunes, it produces a low-pitched humming sound, giving it its name. Get your body moving as you trek through the sand. Return to the guest house for a well-deserved lunch before driving to Almaty. Then join your crew and CEO for an orientation walk.
Day 25Almaty is on full display as you get…
AlmatyAlmaty is on full display as you get to choose your own adventure through the city. We recommend a city tour to connect with Kazakhstani culture. Then see the city come to life at night on your Big Night Out!
Day 26Departure dayDepartureDepart at any time.
Depart at any time.
Discover Kyrgyzstan
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
Upcoming departures
DatesPrice / personAvailability
Operated by G Adventures
A TripFinder-trusted operator. We compare the trip and handle your booking with a real advisor — you travel under the operator's terms.
Book my trip →
