Central Asia Guided Tours

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan – Me and my friends (group of four) wanted to visit Central Asia. Due to limited time we had to choose between the five “Stan” countries. Nargiza and her Team of… read more Central Asia Guide have been an amazing support. They accommodated all our requests and wishes, giving us also indications and advice based on local weather and season. Nargiza helped us with our itinerary creating a wonderful stay. We had a lot of guidance in preparation of the trip. Once in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Kalys, who accompanied us throughout the route in these two countries, arranged everything for us, from transport to night stays and visits. He brought us the Kyrgyz spirit with local songs, so we could feel better the place we were in. We only had to enjoy the breath-taking sceneries and his lovely company. The guesthouses were a wonderful surprise, with stunning views and people, the food was also incredible. Kalys made the difference. We also leaned on Central Asia Guide’s support for the arrangement of trains and hotels in Uzbekistan where we had only 4 days. The organization was perfect, optimizing our very limited time and the hotels were all well located and beautiful. We could not recommend this agency more! We again thank Nargiza, Kalys and team for their kind support and making our trip an unforgettable experience.

Best Trip Ever  – My husband and I, both in our 60s and Spanish speakers, contacted Central Asia and asked them to help us plan a trip for the two of us that would… read more include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. From the beginning, Nargiza was very receptive to our interests and very kindly designed a plan for us that turned out to be a complete success. After emails back and forth, it was decided that visiting these four countries would require at least 21 days and three visas, which they helped us process.
Basically, we wanted to see the most iconic sights, visit museums, and explore the best landscapes in search of some great photos. We wanted a permanent guide and driver in each country. This, in our opinion, is the smartest option if you want to maximize your time, learn about the history and culture, and make all the arrangements and shopping easy and efficient.
We traveled from Colombia to Tashkent. Upon arrival at the airport, we were greeted by our guide and driver in the early hours of the morning (almost 3:00 am).
Throughout all of Uzbekistan (Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhkara, and Samarkand), we had the same guide and several drivers who took us to the best sites in each city. There are no words to describe the kindness and professionalism of these people, who made us feel at home. They then drove us to the Tajik border, crossing it on foot. Our guide/driver was waiting for us on the other side. There, we visited Iskanderkul and Dushanbe.
From there, we flew to Almaty, where we were greeted by our Spanish-speaking guide and driver who took us through southern Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The entire beautiful tour was by road: Charyn Canyon, Kol-Say Lake, Karakol, Jyrgalan Valley, Chon-Kemin Valley, Burana, Bishkek, Ala-Archa, and Almaty. The warmth and professionalism of our driver left us speechless. A gentleman in every sense of the word, always attentive and helpful. Our Spanish-speaking guide was the best, warm, friendly, and informative in every detail. She enjoyed every activity with us, always looking for the best.
From Almaty, we flew to Astana, where we were greeted by a charming guide/driver. From there, we flew back to Tashkent to begin our return trip home.
We thought the order of this tour was brilliant: first, the star cities of Uzbekistan with their splendorous past, their beautiful mosques and madrasas, and their colorful handicrafts. Then, we passed through the imposing mountains of Tajikistan until we reached Dushanbe, which we loved. It’s a peaceful city that is being rebuilt to become a modern capital, full of parks, gardens, and fountains, and with a spectacular museum of art and history.
From there, once we were in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, we traveled through vast and beautiful steppes crowned by snow-capped mountains of indescribable beauty. We visited lakes, agricultural areas, archaeological sites, and slept in yurts, an activity not to be missed. Bishkek has terrible traffic but a central area also with parks and a bustling restaurant scene. Almaty is beautiful with the views of the snow-capped mountains and also has spectacular museums.
Astana is another world. Modern, with a high standard of living, abundant commerce, and spectacular buildings, many beautiful and gigantic parks, but the cold was already getting worse, and we couldn’t spend much time outdoors.
We loved everything; we enjoyed every second of this trip, learned a lot, enjoyed appreciating the handicrafts, relished every market we visited, and took the images of the landscapes with us.
We have no words to express our gratitude to each and every person who made this trip possible. We have traveled a lot but this is by far the trip of our lives, a dream come true. Thanks a lot!

Wonderful experience  – Myself and my wife decided to visit the 5 stans. I contacted Central Asia Guide as I required a visa to visit Turkmenistan. Nargiza was fantastic, responding very promptly and… read more giving me an itinerary for our 3 days there. Nargiza then passed me onto Aymurat in Ashgabat who very quickly took me through the requirements in order that a letter of invitation could be issued to us. Aymurat was exceptionally helpful and I received our letter of invitation very swiftly. When we arrived at Ashgabat Airport, we were met by our guide for the 3 days. Max. He was exceptional and could not have been more helpful. All in all our trip to Turkmenistan will be very fondly remembered as we were not sure what to expect. Absolutely stress free and I can only very highly recommend Central Asia Guide for the service we received. Could not have been better.

Gerry
Ireland

Turkmenistan 4 day tour  – My partner and I joined the Turkmenistan Fixed Date Group Tour (4 days) with Central Asia Guide, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.

From the very beginning, Aymurat,… read more who organized the tour, did an excellent job planning everything and made the whole process smooth and easy. Once we arrived, our guide Baysahat made the trip even more special. He was kind, knowledgeable, flexible, and genuinely invested in making sure everyone had the best possible experience.

Traveling in Turkmenistan naturally comes with some unpredictability, and there were a few itinerary changes along the way due to circumstances beyond Baysahat’s control. What really stood out was how well he handled everything — he kept us informed, included us in the decision-making, and made sure we always felt comfortable with the adjustments. When traveling in Turkmenistan, it’s worth being prepared for the unexpected, but honestly, those moments became part of the adventure and added to the authenticity of the trip.

Baysahat was also incredibly accommodating when it came to spontaneous stops. If the group saw something interesting, he was always happy to adjust when possible. One of our absolute favorite moments happened because of this flexibility: during one spontaneous stop, we ended up witnessing preparations for a wedding, which turned into a unique and memorable cultural experience we never would have had otherwise.

We would strongly recommend this tour to anyone considering Turkmenistan — but our advice is also to embrace the unexpected and let yourself get carried along by the experience. Some of the best memories come from the unplanned moments.

After the tour, we stayed an extra day in Ashgabat on our own, and that was also a wonderful experience. The city felt incredibly safe, calm, and easy to explore independently. Walking around at our own pace gave us an even deeper appreciation for Turkmenistan, which we found to be a very safe, welcoming, and friendly country.

A huge thank you to Aymurat, Baysahat, and Central Asia Guide for such a memorable journey. We highly recommend both this tour and Turkmenistan itself to anyone looking for a unique, safe, and fascinating travel experience.

Kalys and Bek: Of course, THE BEST GUIDES! I am sure! STORM STORM STORM!!!  – My friends and I (group of 8) from the Philippines spent 7 days with Kalys and Bek across Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. We went from from Bishkek, to Song-Kul, to Skazka… read more Canyon, to Jeti-Oguz, to Karakol, to Altyn Arashan, and then across the border to Kolsai Lakes, Charyn Canyon, and finally Almaty. I genuinely don’t know how to write this review without getting so nostalgic, gassed, and joyful.

We went through several tour operators and guides before choosing them, and I say this without a shred of exaggeration: we could not have made a better choice. They were THE choice– nay, the only choice! By the end of Day 2, Kalys and Bek didn’t feel like our guides– they felt very much like old friends and members of our group.

The itinerary itself was incredible– the 5 hr up horseback ride to Song-Kul via the Tuz-Ashuu Pass; the yurt night at 3,200 masl next to the frozen lake and as the snow fell; the sublime views at Altyn Arashan; the surreal calm of Kolsai; Charyn Canyon and its red and brown hues! What made it truly unforgettable was the way Kalys and Bek made us feel throughout. They were warm, funny, generous, and endlessly patient. They shared stories about their families, their culture, and their country with so much pride and love that it made every stop feel deeper and more meaningful. They told stories of their lives and their country with so much wit, personality, and character– so much so that we truly felt a part of their world.

Our group did shoot a music video to commemorate the trip, and Kalys and Bek were so patient and game with us through countless retakes and moments. They actively helped, gave suggestions, hyped us up, and even jumped in a few shots. The two leaned in with wide smiles and open hearts, and we love them all the more for it!

They also handled the logistics flawlessly. Two SUVs across some genuinely rugged and stunning terrain, border crossings, altitude changes, guesthouse coordination, meals– you name it, everything ran smoothly. Not once did we feel stressed about where we were going or how we were getting there. They took care of everything so we could just be present and enjoy the moment.

Kalys and Bek they are genuinely beautiful people who treated a group of strangers from the other side of the world like family. Kalys even invited us into his personal family home and space between Song-Kul and Bokonbaevo for some of the best homemade yogurt and borsok one could ever enjoy. It was deeply touching, personal, and humbling; we are immensely grateful for all the love, care, and hospitality the two of them have shown us all throughout (and more)!

If you’re reading this and still deciding whether to book, stop deliberating. We were in the same position weeks ago, comparing operators, reading reviews, going back and forth. I’m writing this so that you don’t have to hesitate the way we did. Choose Kalys and Bek. You will come home with a lifetime of memories and two new friends.
Thank you, Kalys and Bek. From the Philippines to Kyrgyzstan– until we meet again, of course. That, I am sure ;). One way, or another!

STORM! STORM! STORM!

6days horseback riding tour in Kyrgyzstan  – I participated in a four-day horseback riding tour around Lake Son-Kul in Kyrgyzstan and a two-day tour in Bokonbayev. The driver and horseman/guide were arranged in a relay system from… read more Bishkek. Everyone I met in Kyrgyzstan was warm and welcoming, and the beautiful scenery and exciting horseback riding made for an unforgettable experience. My advice to others taking similar tours is to plan ahead and prepare well, as the horse can only carry a maximum of one backpack’s worth of luggage (suitcases can be stored at guesthouses, but you’ll need to pack a few days’ worth of personal belongings, including warm clothing). During peak seasons, men and women may share rooms in yurts. This was unexpected and confusing, but even with that, it was a wonderful experience.