Day 1. Arrival in Almaty.
Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Meeting at noon, before lunch we will visit the landmark of Almaty - the 28 Panfilov Park and the Ascension Cathedral. Lunch at a national restaurant. Walk through the Eastern Bazaar. Evening dinner. Hotel.
Day 2: Almaty - Taraz (500 km)
Rise early in the morning. Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will have to ride motorcycles the longest distance of the tour - 500 kilometers. We should not be surprised, since we are going through Kazakhstan - the largest country in Central Asia, ranking 9th in the world in terms of territory. You will travel along the new Western China - Western Europe highway, which was built on the site of the original Silk Way. Evening dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Taraz - Tashkent (310 km)
In the morning we will continue our journey on motorcycles through Central Asia. Today we will leave Kazakhstan, cross the border and enter Uzbekistan - a country of flower fields, juicy delicious fruits and ancient cities of the Silk Road. We will stop in Tashkent - the capital of Uzbekistan.
Day 4: Tashkent - Samarkand (330 km)
Today we will reach the city of Samarkand, which is one of the oldest cities in the world. More than two thousand years ago, Samarkand arose in the steppes of Central Asia and became the main trading center of the Great Silk Road. Overnight in a cozy hotel, which is surrounded by ancient architectural monuments.
Day 5: Samarkand
Today our motorcycles rest and we dive into the ancient city of Samarkand. Samarkand witnessed the time of Alexander the Great, the great Genghis Khan and Timur the Lame, who had a mixture of different cultures. Magic city!In 2001, Samarkand was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Our city tour will be divided into two parts and we will not need bikes for this. Before lunch, you will visit the Gur-Amir mausoleum, Registan Square and the Bib-Khanum Mosque. Lunch is national Uzbek food, the jewel of Uzbekistan. We are going to spend the hottest time of the day at the hotel, and then you can continue your excursions by visiting the Samarkand Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Samarkand – Fann Mountains (200 km)
In the morning we will continue our tour. We leave Uzbekistan with its priceless heritage and head to the country of rivers and giant mountains - Tajikistan. The country with the weakest economy in Central Asia, but with the friendliest and most hospitable people. We will ride our motorcycles through the new mountain tunnel of the Shakhriston Pass (3378m), which is a shortcut to the Fann Mountains. Some of the route follows rough mountain roads. But those remote tiny Tajik villages are definitely worth it. We are going to come to the international mountaineering camp “Vertical - Alaudin”, put up our tents there on a green field surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Night tent camp.
Day 7: Fann Mountains – Dushanbe (160 km)
In the morning, we take a short ride to Alaudin Lake to enjoy the stunning views of the Fann Mountains before continuing our journey. Descending from the mountains, we reach the road leading to Dushanbe through the 5 km-long Anzob Tunnel, built within the Gissar Range in 1980. This dark and cold tunnel is sure to get your blood pumping. We arrive in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. We will visit the National Museum to learn about the country's culture and history, as well as the city square featuring the world’s tallest flagpole (a Guinness World Record holder in 2011). Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Dushanbe - Kalai-Khumb (360 km)
We continue our motorcycle adventure and head towards the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). Today, we will get very close to Afghanistan and follow its border, where the Panj River separates us from Afghan villages, where people still live as they did a hundred years ago. We will visit the Ali Waterfall, cascading 40 meters down a rock face. By the end of the day, we will arrive at the village of Kalaikhumb, where cozy guesthouse rooms await us. Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 9: Kalai-Khumb – Khorog (240 km)
Today, we will ride along the legendary Pamir Highway (M41), built in the 1930s during the Soviet era to develop the Pamir region. This is one of the most unique mountain roads in the world, passing through incredibly rugged terrain. Along the way, we will pass many Tajik villages, where locals, especially children, will warmly greet you with handshakes and fresh fruits. We will stop in Khorog. Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 10: Khorog - Murghab (440 km)
We ascend to the high-altitude Pamir Plateau to reach the village of Murghab – the heart of the high Pamirs. We will ride at an altitude of around 4,000 meters above sea level, passing through the Khargush (4,344m) and Nazayitash (4,137m) mountain passes, as well as the endless Alichur Valley. By the end of the day, we will reach Murghab, the highest settlement in the Pamirs. Overnight at a hotel.
11 Day. Murghab – Osh 420 km
We continue our motorcycle journey along the Pamir Highway! Be ready to cross the highest mountain pass in the former USSR and Central Asia – Ak-Baital Pass (4,655m) – and Kyzyl-Art Pass (4,280m). Weather permitting, we will catch a glimpse of the famous Lenin Peak (7,134m). We bid farewell to the Pamirs and Tajikistan and descend into the warm and bright Kyrgyzstan. We will stop in Osh, a city located in the heart of the Fergana Valley. Osh, an ancient Silk Road city, is the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan after Bishkek. Overnight in a tent camp.
12 Day. Osh – Kazarman Pass – Kazarman Village (250 km)
Today, our exciting motorcycle journey takes us deep into the Tian Shan mountains. The route includes breathtaking mountain gorges and panoramic views. We will cross the gravel road over Kazarman Pass (3,000m) and descend to the village of Kazarman, where we will spend the night in a guesthouse.
13 Day. Kazarman Village – Moldo Ashu Pass – Song-Kul Lake (170 km)
Continuing our ride through Kyrgyzstan, we take the winding mountain road over Moldo Ashu Pass (3,201m). This road, with its challenging sections, leads us to the high-altitude Song-Kul Lake at 3,500m. Here, we will experience traditional Kyrgyz hospitality, taste local dishes prepared by nomadic shepherds, and spend the night in yurts under warm blankets and the songs of the mountain wind.
14 Day. Song-Kul Lake – MELS Pass – Tash Rabat (160 km)
After a hearty breakfast, we ride around the stunning Song-Kul Lake before crossing MELS Pass (3,420m). The landscape changes dramatically – from red clay formations to towering mountain peaks. Our journey continues to Tash Rabat, an ancient caravanserai and one of the most unique historical landmarks in Kyrgyzstan. Overnight stay at a hotel.
15 Day. Tash Rabat – Kel-Suu Lake (240 km)
Leaving Tash Rabat, we head to one of the most beautiful and remote high-altitude lakes in Kyrgyzstan – Kel-Suu Lake, located at 3,526m near the Chinese border. Formed by a landslide, this stunning lake is nestled in a winding canyon. We will spend the night in yurts, enjoying traditional Eastern cuisine.
16 Day. Kel-Suu Lake – Naryn (270 km)
In the morning, we ride towards Naryn, a small Kyrgyz town situated at 2,000m above sea level. The route offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Naryn is the administrative center of Naryn Province and is often called the gateway to China. Overnight stay at a hotel.
17 Day. Naryn – Tosor Pass – Tamga Village (220 km)
Today, we ride to Tamga Village, crossing Tosor Pass (4,000m), which offers a spectacular view of Issyk-Kul Lake. Issyk-Kul, one of the world's largest high-altitude saltwater lakes, is often called the "Pearl of Central Asia" and is Kyrgyzstan’s main tourist attraction. Here, we will have the opportunity to swim in the cool waters and even enjoy therapeutic mud baths. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.
18 Day. Tamga Village – Karakol (100 km)
We head to Karakol, one of the oldest settlements on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. This scenic town is a popular tourist destination known for its historical sites, including an old Chinese-style mosque and a 19th-century wooden Orthodox church built without nails. Overnight stay in a hotel.
19 Day. Karakol – Border – Kolsai Lake (210 km)
After crossing the border, we reach Kolsai Lake, known as the "Pearl of the Tien Shan." Surrounded by dense spruce forests, this stunning alpine lake is a perfect place for relaxation. Overnight stay in a guesthouse with a lake view.
20 Day. Kolsai Lake – Kyzylauz Pass – Assy Plateau (100 km)
We cross Kyzylauz Pass (2,900m), offering breathtaking views of the Assy Plateau, a paradise-like destination with blue skies and lush green meadows. Here, we will visit an observatory featuring the largest telescope in the former Soviet Union. Overnight stay in traditional Kazakh yurts under the starry sky.
21 Day. Assy Plateau - Almaty - Departure (150 km)
Descending from the Assy Plateau, we will ride through the beautiful Turgen Gorge. Upon returning to Almaty, you will enjoy a farewell dinner and receive memorable souvenirs. Transfer to the airport. Your journey through Kazakhstan ends here. Wishing you a safe flight and a smooth landing back home. These days spent in Kazakhstan with the professional team of Silk Off Road will remain in your memory for decades!