Feedback Requested: Almaty - Karakol - Khiva itinerary

[H_K]

Hi all,

I wanted to ask for some feedback on the following itinerary, specifically on how feasible it is regarding travel time, whether we have planned enough time in various stops etc. We're 2 people with a hard limit of 23 days total for all of the following:

1. Arrive in Almaty on a Friday, pick up Uzbek visa in the afternoon at 1500 (we have a LOI)
2. Head to Jyrgalan through Karkara Valley
3-6. Hike in Jyrgalan
7-12 Make our way to Tashkent, either via Bishkek or via Osh. Aim to hang out on either north or south shore at Issyk Kul for 2 days during this time.
13-15 take nighttrain to Khiva, stay in Khiva and around for 2 full days
16-18 Head to Bokhara in the afternoon, spend a full day and continue to Samarkand next evening
19-20 Full day in Samarkand and head to Tashkent evening of day 22
21-22 Full day Tashkent, head to Almaty on the evening of day 22 (either overnight bus or evening flight)
23 Full day in Almaty.

Anything we should add / remove? Or is this feasible in a semi relaxed way over 3 weeks?

Thanks!

[steven]

I would suggest to shave a day off in Khiva and add it to Bukhara. Otherwise looks like it will be a great trip!

[H_K]

Thanks Steven! That actually leaves space for a different style trip from Bokhara to Samarkand.

Now to make it fit with this so that we're in the desert: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2018-july-27

[steven]

Yeah that's going to be cool. Enjoy!