Day 1: Auckland to Dubai – Sun 8 September, 2024
And they’re off!!! Our group are on their way to Dubai for a quick stop before carrying onto Bishkek…..
Day 2: Dubai to Bishkek – Mon 9 September, 2024
A stopover in Dubai, where group members found an amazing range of ways to enjoy their day stopover, including some great bargain taxi tours! Of course no stop in Dubai is complete without a meander through the Gold & Spice Souks.
Day 3: Bishkek – Tue 10 September, 2024
First day in Bishkek and we had a fascinating visit to a local market, then home in time to wander in the park beside our lovely hotel, where magnificent horses roamed (?) A splendidly formal welcome dinner rounded off the day.
Day 4: Bishkek – Wed 11 September, 2024
Wednesday morning was a magically clear day for a trip to the mountains. A superb lunch at a very upmarket restaurant, where (women!) group members lined up for the loo along with a bride in a huge white crinoline confection (how did she manage)?
In the afternoon our guide gave us an excellent introduction to Kyrgyz culture at the historical museum, followed by a walk through some of Bishkek’s beautiful parks and public spaces. A great day was rounded off with dinner in a modern yurt, serenaded by a Kyrgyz group and finishing with delicious ice cream served in a yurt basket!
Day 5: Bishkek to Lake Issyk-Kul – Thu 12 September, 2024
Day 6: Lake Issyk-Kul – Fri 13 September, 2024
Day 7: Lake Issyk-Kul to Almaty – Sat 14 September, 2024
Day 8: Almaty – Sun 15 September, 2024
Day 9: Almaty – Mon 16 September, 2024
Day 10: Almaty to Tashkent – Tue 17 September, 2024
Day 11: Tashkent – Wed 18 September, 2024
Day 12: Tashkent to Khujand – Thu 19 September, 2024
Day 13: Khujand – Fri 20 September, 2024
Day 14: Khujand to Iskanderkul – Sat 21 September, 2024
Day 15: Iskanderkul to Dushanbe – Sun 22 September, 2024
Day 16: Dushanbe – Mon 23 September, 2024
Day 17: Dushanbe to Penjikent – Tue 24 September, 2024
Day 18: Penjikent to Samarkand – Wed 25 September, 2024
Day 19: Samarkand – Thu 26 September, 2024
Day 20: Samarkand to Bukhara – Fri 27 September, 2024
Day 21: Bukhara – Sat 28 September, 2024
Day 22: Bukhara – Sun 29 September, 2024
Day 23: Bukhara to Khiva – Mon 30 September, 2024
Day 24: Khiva – Tue 1 October, 2024
Day 25: Khiva to Nukus – Wed 2 October, 2024
Day 26: Nukus to Ashgabat – Thu 3 October, 2024
Day 27: Ashgabat – Fri 4 October, 2024
Day 28: Ashgabat to Dubai- Sat 5 October, 2024
Day 29: Inflight – Sun 6 October, 2024
Day 30: Home… – Mon 7 October, 2024