Signature of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

Your city sightseeing starts with a stroll around the Ala-Too Square to shoot with Soviet-style architecture and the towering statue depicting folkloric hero Manas. Close to the square is the beautiful Dubovy Park, where you can cool off along the tree-lined avenue dotted with some modern art stone carvings.

In the afternoon, go shopping inside the vibrant Osh Market. Experience the lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people and look for some exotic souvenirs.

After breakfast, depart for the 11th-century Burana Tower, which is all that remains of the lost ancient city of Balasagun. Watching from the top, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the ruins and surrounding Tian Shan Mountains. Afterward, visit a local family in the nearby village of Don Aryk. Learn about the traditional Kyrgyz nomadic lifestyle, watch some displays of horsemanship, and then enjoy a tasty lunch with your hosts.

Later, drive along the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake to the town of Karakol for the night. En route, stop by the open-air museum of petroglyphs, some of which date from 2,000 BC to the 4th century AD.

Continue your journey to Jety Oguz, where bright red sandstone cliffs are embraced by green alpine forests. Immerse yourself in the stunning landscape made up of this unique geological protected area and listen to your guide share the legendry stories behind them. You will also visit the equally spectacular Skazka Canyon, nicknamed Fairytale Canyon.

After that, proceed to your homestay at the village of Bökönbaev. Here you will have a chance to see an eagle hunting show, an ancient tradition of Kyrgyz hunters.

Take a local train to Bukhara, about 4 hours away. Upon arrival, head to your hotel for refreshments.

Bukhara, an important trading city along the ancient Silk Road, is worth exploring for a couple of days. This afternoon, you will walk around the small alleys of the old town, which is considered by UNESCO as the most complete and unspoiled example of a medieval Central Asian town.

Immerse yourself in the beautiful ancient Bukhara for a full day. Start with a photo stop at the Char Minar, an unusual monument once on the cover of the Lonely Planet Central Asia. A few minutes' drive from here, you will visit the Po-i-Kalyan Complex consisting of the Kalyan Mosque, Kalyan Minaret, and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. Each building displays its beauty through various styles of ornate mosaics, colorful tile work, or decorative bands.

Continue to the Ark of Bukhara, a massive fortress that was initially built around the 5th century AD and then mostly destroyed in the 1920s. Through its courtyard and rooms that have been transformed into small museums, you can still glimpse its ancient history. Round off the day at the nearby Bolo Hauz Mosque.

Have the morning free to explore Bukhara at your own pace. Visit some other architecture that attracts you or ramble around the interesting shops in the covered trading domes that have existed since the days of the Silk Road.

In the afternoon, board a high-speed train to Samarkand. Arrive about 2 hours later and then head to your hotel for the night.

In contrast to pristine Bukhara, Samarkand is overpacked with stunning Islamic architecture of its mosques and mausoleums. Today you will visit some major attractions and get a good sense of the city's vibe.

Start from the Gur-e-Amir Complex, the mausoleum of the Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur. Inside, you will marvel at geometric panels shining with radiating stars, ornately carved headstones, and so on. Continue to the Registan surrounded by three of the world's oldest madrasas. Stroll around the square to find the best photo opportunities. The next stop is the Bibi-Khanym Mosque under renovation and reconstruction, whose courtyard allows you to take some rest. Finally, take a stroll along the Shah-i-Zinda, a quiet avenue of mausoleums rich in tile work. If time permits, get a glimpse of local life at the vibrant Siob Bazaar.