14-Nights Central Asia - So Much to Discover

Almaty

The bridge between Asia and Europe is Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan with a growing population of 1.5 million. Also known as the "city of apples," Almaty grows a variety of apples used both as consumption and scientific research. At night, travelers navigate their way to its bright city lights and on a clear day, the snow-capped mountains are kissed by the sun in the background. While visiting Almaty, take advantage of the aerial tramway zipping you to the top of Kok Tobe. Practice your ice skating in Medeu, the highest Olympic sized ice stadium. Stroll through Arbat, a tree-line pedestrian street or gaze in awe at the grandeur of the Presidential Palace. 

Karakol

This quiet, picturesque town near the eastern end of Lake Issyk-Kul is a good base for exploring the lake and the central part of the Tien Shan range, or just for relaxing at one of the many nearby hot springs. Among the historical oddities in town are a Tungan (Chinese Muslim) mosque and several 19th-century wooden colonnades on some of the older buildings near the central bazaar. There are also a couple of good markets in and around Karakol, particularly on Sunday. About 40 mi/65 km west of Karakol is a range of odd red-rock formations called Dzhety-Oguz, or Seven Bulls. Local legend says the bulls were turned to stone by the gods to keep them from terrorizing nomads. Karakol is 300 mi/480 east of Bishkek.

Lake Issyk-Kul

This turquoise lake with a mountain backdrop is one of the most popular and beautiful sights in the country. It's also the world's second-largest alpine lake (after Lake Titicaca). Issyk-Kul means "warm lake," and the name fits: Hot springs abound in and around the lake, which never freezes over. Some of the shallow bays have temperatures of 77 F/25 C, even in the dead of winter. Resorts (more like concrete sanatoriums than luxurious spas) dot the shore, especially along the north-shore road that runs to Karakol from Balikchi, and in some of the lakeside towns you can rent boats and waterskiing equipment. The town of Cholpon-Ata has several medicinal-spring spas, as well as a beach. There are many campsites and hiking trails around the lake, and there's also some good fishing (carp, pike and trout). 90 mi/150 km east of Bishkek.

Bishkek

Bishkek lies in the Tien Shan mountain range in the Chui Valley in the Kyrgyz Republic. It is the largest city and capital of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek often serves as a base for trips to the Tien Shans mountains, and makes a great start to tour the silk road. It is a hospitable town with cafes and clubs, and streets flanked with irrigation channels and large trees.

Samarkand

Built around the same time as Babylon and Rome, the city of Samarkand has seen the conquests of Alexander the Great, Genghis-Khan and Tamerlane's. Centuries of development melted cultures from Arabia and Asia with poets and historians calling it "Rome of the East, The beauty of sublunary countries, The pearl of the Eastern Muslim World." Samarkand is a wealth of ancient architecture with spiritual value making it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous monuments to visit is the Registan Mosque, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and Guri Amir Mausoleum and the Shahi-Zinda Necropolis.

Bukhara

The ancient Persian city of Bukhara, located on the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, is more than 2,000 years old. Often visited for its famous tomb of Ismail Samani and a large number of 17th century madrasas, Bhukara is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to being one of the best examples of 10th century Islamic architecture in the world.

Tashkent

The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent has a growing population of 3 million people. Tashkent preserves its European architecture from old Turkestan and because of its multi-ethnic population Oriental and Arabic touches makes this city a modern and medieval wanderlust.