Travel companions for Central Asia in July 2025

Hi there! I’m planning a trip to Central Asia in July 2025. If two people are interested in joining us, we can share a car with a driver for the first part of the trip (Almaty, Charyn Canyon, and Kaindy Lake in Kazakhstan), then the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake and Son-Kul Lake, all the way to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. After a flight from Bishkek to Tashkent in Uzbekistan, we’ll explore Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva on our own (train tickets booked through a local agency). Thanks! 😊

My plan is the same as yours but earlier in the year (April/May). Let’s hope we both have wonderful shared experiences. Martine

Hello Marie,

We’ll be there in July too, but we’re doing the trip in reverse: arriving in Bukhara and returning from Almaty.

Here’s roughly our itinerary:

Bukhara – 2 days Samarkand – 3 days Pendzhikent – 1 day The Seven Lakes + Iskanderkul – 3 days Khodjent – 2 days Ferghana Valley – 3 days Lake Son Kul – 2 days Lake Issyk – 3 days Charyn Canyon – 1 day Lake Kaindy – 1 day Altyn Emel Park – 1 day Almaty – 1 day and departure

And you? I’m curious to see how you planned your itinerary, since some legs are giving me questions about transportation (there are five of us!)

Hi Gomar, Since we’re short on time, I’ve decided to go with a chauffeur-driven car for the entire itinerary, which will be as follows: Flight to Almaty (arrival early morning) and visit Almaty: 1 day 2 nights in Saty for a walk to Charyn Canyon, then to Kolsay and Kayindy lakes 1 night in Karakol 1 night in the south of Lake Issyk Kul (Jety Oguz, Barskoon Valley, Fairy Tale Canyon...) 2 nights at Lake Song Kul 1 night in Kyzyl Oi (Kara Kech Pass...) Drive to Bishkek and evening flight to Tashkent. End of the first driver’s route; 2 nights in Tashkent. Start of the route with the Uzbek chauffeur 1 night in Samarkand 2 nights in Bukhara 2 nights in Khiva Return flight from Urgench Accommodations for the first part (mostly in yurts) are booked by a Kyrgyz guide. I’ve booked the Uzbekistan part myself.

One or two people can join us. For your group of five, you’d obviously need a larger vehicle. Unless you have enough time to use public transport.

Thanks Marie for these details.

Which agency did you go through? Could you tell me the cost for your tour and what it includes (nights, meals?)? That would give me an idea—I’ll need a driver for some legs but have no clue what that might cost... I’m discovering some of these destinations, and it’s making me want to dig deeper and look into it more closely! Thanks !

Hi Gomar, I’m replying in a private message

Hi, have you all found your travel companions yet? What are your exact dates? Thanks

Hi there! As of now, there are just two of us. No one’s available for our dates. We’re leaving from Lyon on July 7th and returning from Urgench on July 23rd. Would you like any details?

Hi there, I’d have loved to! Not available, though. Trains are easy to book online—I did it last year for a friend. Safe travels and have a great trip!

I just read that you booked the trains for Uzbekistan—that’s the ones I was talking about.

Good evening, no, in the end I opted for a car with a driver for the entire trip.

I don’t think the dates will line up. How did you manage to find a car and driver? That could interest me for Kyrgyzstan.

It’s gonna be awesome. Safe travels!

You can reach out to Dinara, a local guide, through info@indyguide.com. I fully trust her. She meets your expectations, and the rates she offers are very reasonable.