Kalpak Travel
Kalpak Travel
5
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About
Bishkek city tour managed by Kyrgyz office of Kalpak Travel. Tour takes place on every Sunday from 21 May until 24 September. Departures are guaranteed. Meeting point is at 9:00am at Ala Too Square and the tour ends at 5:00pm at the same place. Meals are not included in the price. For reservation please call us, send an email or book the tour on our website.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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5.0
101 reviews
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101
Very good
0
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Robert R
5 contributions
Mar 2020
I was part of a group of 7 well-traveled Americans who used Kalpak Travel to see Uzbekistan and we had one of our best vacations ever. Luca did a fantastic job taking our interests and suggestions and putting together a perfect itinerary for us. From getting off the plane in Tashkent at 4 am and meeting our guide Abdu, to getting taken back to the airport at 4 am in Samarkand, everything went seamlessly. Abdu was extremely knowledgeable, but also, funny, personable, and engaging. He read our group perfectly -knowing when we were hungry, tired or confused by all the new information. Luca was very responsive and flexible with our last minute adjustments. I would highly recommend using Kalpak in the future.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaNyonsaise
West Midlands, UK1,035 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I found this travel company through a search for group tours of Uzbekistan and, after careful comparison of itineraries, decided to book the two week tour. The attraction was the inclusion of the Fergana Valley and Nukus in addition to the usual cities of the Silk Road and the guarantee of a maximum group of twelve.
It’s a small company and all correspondence was with the director himself in Switzerland. Luca replied very promptly except on a couple of occasions when he was busy in Central Asia. I felt that he understood our needs and requirements. All arrangements were handled well, although we did have concerns that our final payment and definitive itinerary were somewhat later than we expected.
The tour itself was first class. We were six people from Australia and Britain who got along well. Our guide Nazim spoke impeccable English (as well as Russian and Uzbek), his knowledge was encyclopaedic, he was conscientious, helpful and had a good sense of humour even after two weeks of questions from a very inquisitive and well travelled group.
The hotels were all clean and comfortable, the meals were generous and of a high standard and all the transport arrangements were very good with safe drivers, two internal flights and three train journeys. Of special note were the visits to artisans and local people’s homes for meals, demonstrations, discussions and even entertainment. The insight into the lives of people of various ethnic groups was a true privilege. Uzbekistan is much more than the Silk Road and we can highly recommend this trip to a rarely visited country by a company that provides personal service.
It’s a small company and all correspondence was with the director himself in Switzerland. Luca replied very promptly except on a couple of occasions when he was busy in Central Asia. I felt that he understood our needs and requirements. All arrangements were handled well, although we did have concerns that our final payment and definitive itinerary were somewhat later than we expected.
The tour itself was first class. We were six people from Australia and Britain who got along well. Our guide Nazim spoke impeccable English (as well as Russian and Uzbek), his knowledge was encyclopaedic, he was conscientious, helpful and had a good sense of humour even after two weeks of questions from a very inquisitive and well travelled group.
The hotels were all clean and comfortable, the meals were generous and of a high standard and all the transport arrangements were very good with safe drivers, two internal flights and three train journeys. Of special note were the visits to artisans and local people’s homes for meals, demonstrations, discussions and even entertainment. The insight into the lives of people of various ethnic groups was a true privilege. Uzbekistan is much more than the Silk Road and we can highly recommend this trip to a rarely visited country by a company that provides personal service.
Written 29 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tourist58823
4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Uzbekistan Tour- The interaction with Kalpak prior to and post booking was easy. They were very fast in responding to questions. The itinerary covered all the highlights of this fascinating and friendly country. The guide was exceptional with great in depth knowledge which he communicated clearly with excellent English (totally fluent) The arrangements all ran smoothly and at no time did we feel rushed or missing out on anything. The standard of vehicles was high and all were in good condition. The drivers were all safe which is important on inter town roads where some of the driving can be "interesting". Overall a great tour organised efferently and at a fair price - We will certainly use Kalpak on our next Stans trip
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Franklin J. Hogue
Macon, GA2 contributions
Mar 2020
The guide you get can make or break your experience in a new place. Abdu Samadov and Kalpak Travel together made our visit to Uzbekistan a lifetime memory. I was in the group of 7 with robertrS8498GF (see his review) and concur with him that this trip was arranged to perfection, starting with an arrival in Tashkent a half-hour earlier than expected but there was Abdu to greet us and give us our first of many positive impressions of him and your company.
Uzbekistan is a beautiful country with wonderful people. If you have never been, or perhaps never even thought of Uzbekistan as a travel destination, change your ways and add it to your list. But, by all means, go with Kalpak Travel and, if at all possible, insist on experiencing the country with Abdu Samadov--intelligent, educated, interesting, personable, kind, flexible, funny, and a sorcerer with an iPhone camera.
Uzbekistan is a beautiful country with wonderful people. If you have never been, or perhaps never even thought of Uzbekistan as a travel destination, change your ways and add it to your list. But, by all means, go with Kalpak Travel and, if at all possible, insist on experiencing the country with Abdu Samadov--intelligent, educated, interesting, personable, kind, flexible, funny, and a sorcerer with an iPhone camera.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lydia D
22 contributions
Oct 2022
We booked an 8 day Best of Uzbekistan trip and added 3 nights so we could fly direct from the UK. Luca was absolutely brilliant with suggestions for places to go and sites to visit to make best use of the time, he arranged drivers, guides, meals and hotels and they were all excellent. We visited Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakrisabz and Tashkent, each very different from one another but all really interesting, welcoming and as photographers offered great shots. In Samarkand we had dinner in a local property and a plov cooking demonstration, great fun and as the lone vegetarian, I can put my hand on my heart and say I had an excellent meal!
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerToo
70 contributions
May 2023
The Best of Central Asia Tour with Kalpak Travel was the trip of a lifetime. Luca, the founder of Kalpak Travel, was engaged and responsive from the moment I inquired about this trip following the Silk Road through the 5 Stans of Central Asia. He was quick to answer emails (When does that man sleep?), offered suggestions, and provided needed information about the tour details and even general information on other travelers.
Kalpak did an excellent job of coordinating all aspects of the visit, including visas, flights, guides, and hotels. The hotels were very nice and exceeded my pre-trip expectations. The itinerary was fantastic, much more comprehensive than other tours which I considered and our trip leader and local guides were top notch. I feel fortunate to have spent the 24 days of this trip with an interesting, fun, international group of 10 other travelers.
For anyone interested in Central Asia, look no further than Kalpak Travel. What an amazing experience.
Kalpak did an excellent job of coordinating all aspects of the visit, including visas, flights, guides, and hotels. The hotels were very nice and exceeded my pre-trip expectations. The itinerary was fantastic, much more comprehensive than other tours which I considered and our trip leader and local guides were top notch. I feel fortunate to have spent the 24 days of this trip with an interesting, fun, international group of 10 other travelers.
For anyone interested in Central Asia, look no further than Kalpak Travel. What an amazing experience.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat H
Thames Ditton, UK159 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
We loved our tour of Uzbekistan! From the start of the process Luca was very helpful and provided lots of information, then when we had to reschedule twice because of the pandemic he moved the booking on and kept the price the same. As we got closer to actually going we had lots of questions which Luca answered very comprehensively. The organisation of the tour was excellent and our guide Umid was exceptional. Uzbekistan was a long time coming because of the pandemic but it fully lived up to our expectations and Kalpak was a big part of that. Would recommend highly.
Written 17 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
5fortravel
San Francisco238 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Imagine embarking on an epic journey through the “Five Stans”, crafted down to the finest detail by someone who knows the region like the back of their hand. My wife and I recently did just that—an extraordinary month-long adventure meticulously curated by Luca at Kalpak Travel. And let me tell you, his expertise and personalized approach made all the difference.
We've visited over 100 countries, most of which I’ve planned myself. But this time, facing the language barrier and needing a local operator in Turkmenistan, I handed the reins to Luca. And from a seasoned trip planner’s perspective, I can say this: Luca’s eye for logistics, his first-hand knowledge of the region, and his attention to detail simply can't be matched by larger operators. Every recommendation, from the hidden gems, cooking classes, to the hotels, reflected his personal knowledge and attempts to cater to our individual interests. Vendors along our route even remarked that Luca personally scouts each destination and meets the guides you’ll encounter along the way.
Throughout the trip, Luca was always just one text or email away, responding with lightning speed, regardless of the time zone. Unlike larger companies that offer vague assurances, Luca gives you the straight truth—either he can make something happen, or he’ll let you know why not. That level of transparency, combined with his on-the-ground insight, sets Kalpak apart from the faceless, cookie-cutter operators.
Kalpak Travel also stands out for its operations. Perhaps it’s Luca’s Swiss roots, but every aspect was precise. From seamless payment options via link and credit cards (no awkward wire transfers or carrying around wads of cash here!) to flexible, tailored itineraries, the experience felt luxurious and pampered without the premium price tag. In fact, our private, fully customized tour cost less than group tours from bigger names like MIR or Wild Frontiers.
But the real magic came from our local guides, especially Nika and Elena. Thoughtful, insightful, and perfectly in tune with our interests, they gave us a profound sense of the people and places we visited. Luca’s advice on how to avoid the usual tourist pitfalls, along with his knack for managing expectations, kept us ahead of the game. And when inevitable travel glitches arose, Luca arose to save the day, even with a visa issue with Turkmenistan.
If you're dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime journey, trust Luca and Kalpak Travel to deliver. With him, you’re not just another client—you’re a fellow explorer, embarking on a personalized adventure you won’t soon forget.
We've visited over 100 countries, most of which I’ve planned myself. But this time, facing the language barrier and needing a local operator in Turkmenistan, I handed the reins to Luca. And from a seasoned trip planner’s perspective, I can say this: Luca’s eye for logistics, his first-hand knowledge of the region, and his attention to detail simply can't be matched by larger operators. Every recommendation, from the hidden gems, cooking classes, to the hotels, reflected his personal knowledge and attempts to cater to our individual interests. Vendors along our route even remarked that Luca personally scouts each destination and meets the guides you’ll encounter along the way.
Throughout the trip, Luca was always just one text or email away, responding with lightning speed, regardless of the time zone. Unlike larger companies that offer vague assurances, Luca gives you the straight truth—either he can make something happen, or he’ll let you know why not. That level of transparency, combined with his on-the-ground insight, sets Kalpak apart from the faceless, cookie-cutter operators.
Kalpak Travel also stands out for its operations. Perhaps it’s Luca’s Swiss roots, but every aspect was precise. From seamless payment options via link and credit cards (no awkward wire transfers or carrying around wads of cash here!) to flexible, tailored itineraries, the experience felt luxurious and pampered without the premium price tag. In fact, our private, fully customized tour cost less than group tours from bigger names like MIR or Wild Frontiers.
But the real magic came from our local guides, especially Nika and Elena. Thoughtful, insightful, and perfectly in tune with our interests, they gave us a profound sense of the people and places we visited. Luca’s advice on how to avoid the usual tourist pitfalls, along with his knack for managing expectations, kept us ahead of the game. And when inevitable travel glitches arose, Luca arose to save the day, even with a visa issue with Turkmenistan.
If you're dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime journey, trust Luca and Kalpak Travel to deliver. With him, you’re not just another client—you’re a fellow explorer, embarking on a personalized adventure you won’t soon forget.
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon N
2 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
I like to travel independently, but knew that the logistics of planning a trip to all 5 Stans would end up being just too nerve-wracking. So I started researching companies that provide organized tours, found many, many choices. I liked that Kalpak limits groups to 12, guarantees departure on the date you choose (I had this trip cancel twice with the company I usually use) and that the company president, Luca, answered all my questions promptly. I fretted a bit about the long travel days, but looking at the map of Central Asia, knew that there was no way to avoid them.
I’m extremely glad I chose this company. I liked that all meals were provided and included in the cost, as were various excursions. Even though we were somewhat tightly scheduled, it was possible to take an afternoon off to do your own thing if desired. Three people in the group even decided to find their own restaurant one evening. Several internal flights eliminated even more long bus days, and were also included in the price. There was room in all buses to sit alone if desired.
We had a good mix of cultural experience plus nature hikes. The mountains in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were breathtaking.
Our trip leader was the best I’ve ever had. Veronica not only was extremely capable, she has a wonderful sense of humor and is warm and friendly.
This is a fascinating part of the world with a rich history and a population that isn’t tired of tourists yet. The people are curious and very sweet. If you can, go. With Kalpak.
I’m extremely glad I chose this company. I liked that all meals were provided and included in the cost, as were various excursions. Even though we were somewhat tightly scheduled, it was possible to take an afternoon off to do your own thing if desired. Three people in the group even decided to find their own restaurant one evening. Several internal flights eliminated even more long bus days, and were also included in the price. There was room in all buses to sit alone if desired.
We had a good mix of cultural experience plus nature hikes. The mountains in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were breathtaking.
Our trip leader was the best I’ve ever had. Veronica not only was extremely capable, she has a wonderful sense of humor and is warm and friendly.
This is a fascinating part of the world with a rich history and a population that isn’t tired of tourists yet. The people are curious and very sweet. If you can, go. With Kalpak.
Written 23 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul M
1 contribution
Sept 2021
Thank you Luca for a truly amazing trip to Uzbekistan.
The entire week was organized without a hitch thanks to our guide Mirzabek Ruzmetov. His encyclopedic knowledge of the country and delightful stories of local characters kept us entertained for many hours.
We were impressed by the choice of hotels which were very clean and comfortable. The food was a revelation as we had expected rather stodgy fare but were served tasty and healthy varieties of dishes.
Again, thank you and we will certainly recommend Kalpak Travel to all adventurous spirits we meet along the way.
The entire week was organized without a hitch thanks to our guide Mirzabek Ruzmetov. His encyclopedic knowledge of the country and delightful stories of local characters kept us entertained for many hours.
We were impressed by the choice of hotels which were very clean and comfortable. The food was a revelation as we had expected rather stodgy fare but were served tasty and healthy varieties of dishes.
Again, thank you and we will certainly recommend Kalpak Travel to all adventurous spirits we meet along the way.
Written 24 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JennieSweeney
Modesto, California
I am interested in the Silk Road tour. My husband has difficulty walking more than an hour without resting. He also uses an electric trike that is designed for travel. Would he be able to use his trike on this trip?
Written 24 July 2022
Sarfraz K
Semey, Kazakhstan
I have Indian passport
I applied evisa for Bishkek but they rejected my application
What should I do
How Can I apply for visa now
Written 6 April 2019
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