Border Information: Welcome to Bishkek: If joining in Bishkek, enter Kyrgyzstan at Bishkek Airport. Trip meeting at 10:00hrs in our hotel in Bishkek. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this relaxed and atmospheric city. Overnight in comfortable Bishkek hotel with good facilities. Hotel for the night: Hotel Asia Mountains ALTITUDE SICKNESS: Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude - regardless of your age, gender and fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary! Before your trip: Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitude and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing ...

The next 2 days will need to be fairly flexible. Most of the group will apply for Uzbekistan visas in Bishkek. However, the Uzbek Embassy opening times will often vary and therefore our itinerary will need to remain flexible over the next 2 days to accommodate this. As a guide we will most likely spend our first night camping in Ala Archa National Park (or the surrounding area). We will then return to Bishkek in order to submit our visa applications. Once this is process is complete we will continue to Chong Kemin National Park where activities such as white water rafting will be available if time allows. We will be camping for 2 nights. Please note that trips running in May to mid-June, October and November will not camp in the Chong Kemin Valley if temperatures are too low. Instead we will stay in a small village called Se...

Early start as you set off for your drive around the Northen shore of Lake Issyk-Kul to the Russian-style town of Karakol. You will visit the Petroglyphs near Cholpon-Ata en route. Overnight in a local hotel.

Today you'll drive to the alpine trekking region of Jeti-Oghuz. You spend 2 nights here to give you time for valley and canyon hikes. You will camp overnight. Please note that trips running in May to mid-June, October and November will not camp if temperatures are too low. Instead we will stay for 1 night in Jeti-Oghuz in a local hotel and then spend the second night in Altyn Arashan, a hot spring development enroute to Karakol again in a local hotel. We will need to remain flexible with these itineraries as temperatures can vary.

Today we drive to the small village of Kochkor where we stay in local homes and enjoy traditional Kyrgyz hospitality. Whilst here we will visit a small museum and women's felt making cooperative that produces 'shyrdaks', the felt carpets for which Kyrgyzstan is renowned. Accommodation is in home stays, accommodating up to 8 guests in each home.

Morning drive to Song-Kul Lake where you spend the next two nights. The afternoon and tomorrow is free to explore the area; Options include hiking, riding on horses or watching a game of goat polo! Tonight we stay in felt yurts. Please note that trips running in May to mid-June, October and November will not visit Song-Kul Lake as temperatures will be below freezing. Instead we will stay in yurts on the Southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. We will need to remain flexible with these itineraries as temperatures can vary.

You'll spend the next 3 days overlanding through the stunning Kyrgyz Fergana Valley camping en route. Please note that trips running in May to mid-June, October and November will not camp if temperatures are too low. Instead we will stay in local guesthouses along the route. We will need to remain flexible with these itineraries as temperatures can vary.

Today we drive to Arslanbob in Kyrgyzstan's Ferghana valley. There are many opportunities for hiking in this area. We stay overnight in a local guesthouse.

Border information: Exit Kyrgyzstan at Dustlik, Enter Uzbekistan at Andijon. This morning youn will cross the border and enter Uzbekistan. Site-seeing this afternoon in Kokand and visit Kokand's Khan's Palace and Mosque. Overnight in a hotel.

Today we travel in cars to Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent. Overnight in a hotel Free time in Tashkent. Hotel for the night: Grand Orzu Hotel

This morning we drive to Samarkand where we will be staying for the next 3 nights. Whilst in Samarkand we stay in a small friendly hotel. Today we will explore Samarkand in the truck, exploring the majestic buildings, monuments and bazaars of this romantic silk route city. Second night in small friendly hotel. Second full day in Samarkand. Free time for you to explore the great sultanate of Timur as you please. Third night in small friendly hotel.

Morning drive to Nurata in the Kyzylkhum Desert. After lunch there is the option of taking a swim in Lake Ajdar Kul or going for a local camel ride. Overnight homestay with local Uzbek families in their desert yurt camp amongst the dunes.

Morning free to explore more of Nurata. In the afternoon we drive on to the fascinating city of Bukhara. We spend the next 3 nights here, staying in a comfortable local hotel. Today we will explore Bukhara and the surrounding area, including the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Kalon Mosque, Zindon Prison and Ark Fortress. Second night in a comfortable local hotel. Today is free for you to explore more of Bukhara and the surrounding area, or to just kick-back and take it easy for the day. Third night in comfortable local hotel.

Most of today will be spent travelling as we drive from Bukhara to Khiva. We stay in Khiva for 2 nights in a friendly, rustic hotel. This morning we have a guided tour of this ancient city. The afternoon is free to explore this wonderfully preserved Khanate town. Second night in friendly, rustic hotel.

Border Information: Exit Uzbekistan at Nijazov, enter Turkmenistan at Shovot. Morning drive from Khiva to the border, crossing into Turkmenistan around lunchtime. Afternoon visit to Kunye Urgench ruins. Wildcamping overnight.

We drive across the Karakum Desert. If tme allows we will make a side trip to see the amazing Darwasa Gas Crater. Second night wildcamping.

Morning drive to Ashgabat, normally arriving mid-afternoon. Whilst in Ashgabat we stay in a comfortable local hotel. Morning visit to Ashgabat's famous Sunday market. Afternoon free to explore Ashgabat as you choose. Second night in comfortable hotel. Border Information: If finishing in Ashgabat, exit Turkmenistan at Ashgabat Airport. Free time in Ashgabat. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.