Go to Bishkek.

• We'll start the day by doing a walking tour of Bishkek, a quintessential Soviet city with an amazing mix of Stalinist and Brezhnev era architecture. The wide boulevards and Brutalist apartment blocks, in stark contrast to the snow-capped mountain backdrop.

• We’ll start with the Frunze Museum, dedicated to Mikhail Frunze, whom the city of Bishkek used to be named after (and why the airport code is still FRU!).

• Making our way past Victory Square, the circus and Tsum, we'll visit the Lenin Statue and Ala Too Square, home to the National Museum of Kyrgyzstan and a large Kyrgyz flag. Although this flag isn't quite as famous as their world-record holding neighbours, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan , it is still impressive and every hour, on the hour, there's a changing of the guards.

• We'll continue on to Osh Bazaar, passing the White House on the way, and we’ll finish off the day learning about some of the weird and wonderful produce and delicacies you’ll find in the market.

• In the afternoon there will be some free time so you can do some exploring yourself.

Bishkek to Toktogul.

Toktogul to Osh.

• Leaving Osh this morning, we'll cross the border into Uzbekistan.
• We’ll spend the morning driving through the Fergana Valley into the mountains to visit the town of Yangiabad. Before arriving at our final destinatition though, we'll make a few stops in Angren. Not famous, and certainly not in any way a "tourist spot", Angren has some excellent Soviet stuff in it, which we love to check out. There are several murals, a couple of statues and the House of Culture.
• We'll arrive in Yangiabad in the afternoon. A closed town during the Soviet Union, not even appearing on maps, it was built as a mining town where exiles were sent.
• Once home to about 10,000 people, the population got down to just over 300, and it felt like a crumbling little Russian enclave within Uzbekistan. However, in the past couple of years the mountain air and scenic views have grabbed the attention of Tashkentians, and the area has become a popular local tourism spot.
• We'll spend the afternoon wandering the streets of the town, exploring the Soviet architecture, and soaking in the atmposphere - a difficult-to-describe mix of lively and summery, and decrepit and derelict.
• We'll spend the night at a nearby Soviet “resort”. If it's hot you can go for a swim in the river, or if you just want to relax, we might be able to find the massage lady.

• Setting off from Yangiabad in the morning, we'll drive to Parkent, where we'll visit one of our absolute favourite examples of Soviet architecture. The second largest solar furnace in the world. "What's a solar furnace?" you might be wondering. Good question! Come and find out.
• In the afternoon, we'll drive to Tashkent. Despite certain likenesses between Tashkent and Ashgabat, with their wide boulevards, artificially manicured lawns and pristine facades in front of crumbling Soviet buildings, Tashkent is a vibrant capital city with lots to do.
• Arriving in the afternoon, we'll take a stroll from Independence Square, formerly Lenin Square, along the Broadway. On the way we'll also pass the statue of Amir Timur, the Romanov Palace and the Uzbekistan Hotel (a must for any Soviet architecture lovers).
• This is a great way to take in the atmosphere that is modern Tashkent around dusk, a city which is quickly becoming hip and modern. With myriads of food and drink stands, a small market, scooters for rent, and loads of cool Tashkentians, young and old, it's a great place to start getting a vibe for the city. We can stop and browse in the small market full of old Soviet trinkets, sit under a shady pagoda for a cold drink or ice cream, check out the miriads of food trucks and market stalls, and find somewhere nice to have dinner.
• We'll have dinner in one of Tashkent's many up and coming restaurants, and if you're a bit sick of Central Asian food by now, this is a great chance to have something else. We might find something at the Broadway, or there's a great Korean restaurant that's one of our favourites for example.
• Overnight in Tashkent.

• We'll spend today exploring Tashkent, starting with the famous Chorsu Bazaar, with its iconic blue dome that's now home to meat, dairy and dried fruits. Exploring the stalls you'll learn about traditional bread-making methods, local remedies for everything including of course virility issues, and how Uzbek babies are taught to go to the toilet.
• From here, we'll jump on the Tashkent Metro, one of only two metro systems in Central Asia (the other one being in Almaty). As with most Soviet built metros, the stations are unnecessarily lavish, but Tashkent's are particularly ornately decorated. Until June 2018 it was illegal to take photos inside them, but fortunately now pictures of these incredibly photogenic stations are allowed.
• We'll get off at a couple of stations on the way to have a look at our favourites, but we'll use the metro to get to our next stop - the Museum of Railway Techniques.
• This outdoor museum is full of all sorts of old locomotives, and they don't mind us climbing all over them. We can even take a little train ride around the train museum. You don't have to be a train lover to enjoy this charming museum.
• You'll most likely have tried plov by now, but nothing will prepare you for the National Plov Centre, which will be our lunch stop for today. An absolutely massive operation, with an army of Uzbeks preparing multiple varieties of plov in unbelievably huge cauldrons, it is an exceptionally unique experience, and a great place to try the national dish if you haven't already. Coffee, ice-cream, salads, all sorts of juices and teas and of course super freshly baked bread are also available.
• From here we'll make our way to the Tashkent TV Tower for fabulous 360 degree views of the city. Another iconic piece of Soviet architecture, the inside of the tower itself is just as interesting as the views or the outside.
• And finally, we'll visit Tashkent Land, Central Asia's answer to Disneyland. With its faded welcome sign, crumbling gift shop and creaky rides, this is definitely a step back in time. Most tourists don't make it to this gem of Soviet infrastructure, but we just can't resist it. It's probably just as well that the exhilirating “Boomerang” rollercoaster has finally been decommisioned, but our favourite ride is still there - the “African tour”, a boat trip through the jungle land.
• Tonight is another opportunity to eat in one of Tashkent's many great restaurants, before we have limited options again for the next few days.
• Overnight in Tashkent.

• Today we'll be leaving Uzbekistan (for the first time on this tour), and heading to Tajikistan, crossing the land border into our fourth Stan.
• Arriving in Khujand around lunchtime, we'll have a sightseeing tour in the afternoon, including the Panjshanbe bazaar, Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and the Mausoleum of Khujand.
• A highlight of Khujand will be the massive Lenin statue, standing majestically on the side of a hill overlooking the city, this is now the largest statue of Lenin still standing.
• Overnight in Khujand.

Khujand to somewhere.

Somewhere to Khoja Obi Garm.

• This morning you'll have a chance to get some more treatments, take some photos in different light, or just explore the buidlings and grounds some more, before we leave the Soviet splendour of the previous night behind us.
• Arriving in the capital around lunch time, we'll take a tour of Dushanbe's city centre, including Rudaki Street, the Somoni Monument, and the Building of National Spirit (unfortunately it’s not possible to go inside, but it’s still impressive from the outside).
• We'll also walk through Ce ntral Park, where you can gawk at the huge flagpole which was the largest in the world from 2011 to 2014.
• We’ll visit the largest teahouse in the world, which is actually a series of insanely impressive funtion rooms, all adorned with incredibly ornate, but very varied, decorations. From the room that is lined in entirely mahogony, to the mirror room, or the pastel detail of traditional Tajik decor, they all share one thing - the resplendence.
• Then we'll visit the Museum of National Antiquities, where we'll see one of the biggest (literally and figuratively) objects of Tajik pride - the "Buddha in Nirvana" (Reclining Buddha), an impressive 13 metre long clay statue. ​​​​
• Overnight in Dushanbe.

• Today we'll be leaving Tajikistan and will re-enter Uzbekistan, crossing the border at Jarteppa.
• However, before farewelling Tajikistan, there are a few ancient sites in and around Penjikent that we'll make stops at.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Our first stop will be the UNESCO listed ruins of Sarazm, an archeological site dating back to the 4th Millennium BC (yes, millennium, not century!).
• In Penjikent you’ll visit the Museum of Rudaki, the local bazaar, and the ruins of Sogdian and Sarazm.
• Arriving in Samarkand in the evening, you'll have free time to start getting your bearings around this fascinating city.

• Once known as the “Pearl of the Muslim World”, Samarkand is a city synonymous with the Silk Road, full of towering minarets, shimmering domes and home to a splendid technicolour bazaar, which you will have time to wander around and discover for yourself.
• We'll start with what everybody’s waiting for when they go to Samarkand –  the famous and spectacular Registan Square, which is flanked by three beautifully decorated, sparkling blue mosaic madrassas. Once the city’s commercial centre, Registan Square is modern Samarkand’s centre piece and a pride of the Silk Road.
• Having died in September 2016, Islam Karimov, the First President of Uzbekistan, now has his mausoleum on the newly renamed Islam Karimov Street. Often missed on Samarkand tours, we think this is a must-see site and an important piece of the jigsaw that is Uzbekistan's modern history.
• We'll also pay visits to Bibi Khanum Mosque, Amir Timur's Mausoleum, Siyab Bazaar, and the grave of St. Daniel which is said to grow a foot in length every ten years.
• In the afternoon we'll visit Romanenko House, a place that is difficult to describe. This small suburban house has been transformed into a completely unique textile workshop where thirty men and women redesign ancient Central Asian clothing into colourful, modern designs.
• We'll organise an optional wine tasting at one of the local wine factories for anyone who's interested - this can be a really fun way to see another side of Samarkand life.
• After dinner we'll stop at the front of the Registan for the epic sound and light show that is put on every evening after dark. Some say it's tacky, others find it spectacular - whichever camp you find yourself in, it is definitely something!

• This morning we'll head off from Samarkand and drive to Bukhara.
• Arriving in the afternoon, you will have an opportunity for some free time.
• We'll be staying very close to the centre of the old town, so anyone who wishes to start exploring, you can, or for those who need some down time to catch up on laundry, messages, sorting photos, sleep, or whatever else you might be running behind on this is a great chance for that too.
• In the evening we'll meet up with anyone who wants to have dinner together at our favourite spot in Bukhara, next to the lake in Lyabi Hauz square - a beautiful setting right in the centre of the old town.
• In the evening we'll sit by the lake, chilling out and taking it all in over a cold drink and a chat.

• We've got the whole day to explore Bukhara, starting with a walking tour , strolling through the iconic streets of Bukhara's old town.
• Of course we'll see all the famous minarets, mausoleums, mosques and madrassas, however listing these just doesn't capture Bukhara's charm.
• Aside from the impressive brick and blue tiled buildings, at every turn there are shops selling interesting things you might not have seen before. This is a great place to buy all sorts of kinds of souvenirs.
• We'll have the opportunity to learn about and watch demonstrations of various local handicrafts, such as suzany (a local type of embroidery), blacksmithery, woodwork, cooking (usually of plov), and tons of other stuff.
• We'll end our walking tour at a huge structure that looks like a giant ark. Known as the Ancient Ark Fortress, this was the Palace of Bukhara’s Emirs, and parts of it are still open for visitors. This is probably the single most iconic building in Bukhara.
• We'll spend the evening soaking in the atmosphere. Not only is the old town of Bukhara popular with tourists, but it's always absolutely buzzing with locals too, and there's a great lively vibe.

• Today we will cross the land border at Farap, into Turkmenistan, our fifth and final Stan - another great item to add to your list of quitessential Central Asian experiences. And this in itself can be quite the experience. Hopefully there won’t be many locals crossing and it’ll be relatively quick, but you need to have your wits about you for this crossing.
• Arriving in Turkmenabat in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Lebap Regional Museum. You wouldn’t expect much, but it’s actually a pretty cool little museum, with a fascinating array of taxidermy, multiple dioramas, and huge models and murals of the surrounding area, including depictions of dinosaurs making the footprints in the nearby Dinosaur Plateau. Not to mention some very informative displays about the wheat production and oil production of Turkmenistan of course.
• We'll have a quick dinner at our favourite Fitchi House - a local hotspot. And you'd never believe it, but it's not the only one. They also have a branch in Seattle!
• And then we'll head to the airport and you’ll fly on Turkmenistan Airlines! Departing from the very impractical, but equally as beatuiful star-shaped airport in Turkmenabat, we'll catch the evening flight to Ashgabat.
• And if you thought the airport in Turkmenabat was unnecessarily impressive, just wait til you land in Ashgabat!
• Arriving in the capital for the first time, we'll check into the hotel in Ashgabat and free time for the rest of the evening.