Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan Tour
Tour duration: 19 days / 18 nights
Best time to travel: March – June; September- November
Itinerary: Almaty – Bishkek – Burana Tower- Bishkek – Tashkent – Samarkand – Penjikent – Bukhara –Khiva – Kunya – Urgench – Darwaza– Ashgabat – Mary – Merv – Mary – Ashgabat
The Five Stans of Central Asia in 19 days: amazing travel itinerary through the five former USSR republics of Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan, also known as the Stans, includes the main tourist attractions and must-visit destinations at the centre of the Silk Road.
It is the best itinerary to visit Central Asia and its impressive historical monuments and nature's beauties, taste traditional food and enjoy the unique local culture of hospitality!
Explore the Best of Central Asia in one tour !
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
KAZAKISTAN
Day 01: Arrival at Almaty International Airport
Arrival to Almaty International Airport .After passing border control and collecting luggage, you will be met by a local guide holding your name plate.You are going to the hotel for check-in.
Sightseeing tour 12.00 – 18.00. This day you will visit the city’s old center and cover one of the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history. The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers – named after the division during WWII, formed of men from the Almaty region under command of General Ivan Panfilov. The park itself is popular among locals and guests of the city. Inside the park visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, the Ascension Cathedral – Russian Orthodox wooden church that magically withstood a strong earthquake in XX century, and Museum of musical instruments, where you can admire the collection over 1000 exhibits including rare exhibits dating back to XVII century.
Just in a walking distance, you can enjoy another touristic attraction of Almaty – “Green Bazaar” or Green market. This is a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market, where you could find main delicacies of different nations living in Kazakhstan. Here you might taste the food, bargain and, obviously, buy local tasty goods for a very nice price.
Then we stop for lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, you stop by Republic Square – main square of Almaty, an open space place to enjoy the culture of the city. Just next to the square, you can walk to City Hall, the Monument of Independence, Presidential Palace, and, Central State Museum, where over 300,000 exhibits reflect the history of Kazakhstan from dinosaurs to Bronze Age, from first nomadic tribes to the Soviet Union and modern independent Kazakhstan. Tour includes excursion at the museum.
Transfer to the hotel. Free time.
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 02 : CHARYN CANYON
After breakfast, we drive Charyn canyon – one of the popular and magnificent natural attractions of Kazakhstan, located 220km to the east of Almaty. Charyn is also called a “small brother” of Grand Canyon in the US, as, comparably, the length of Kazakhstan canyon is only 154km, but the beauty of Charyn is unique and cannot be compared to elsewhere in the world.
After leaving Almaty, within 3 hours of driving, we turn from the main road to the off-road that leads to “Valley of castles” – the main touristic point of Charyn. There we park the vehicle and start our 40 minutes’ walk inside the canyon until we reach Charyn river, where you can also find the “Eco Park” village – a complex of yurts, bungalows, summerhouses and open space café to enjoy the nature in the comfort.
After lunch, we head back to the parking and drive to explore the right bank of Charyn or Lunar canyon. While the left bank of the canyon has more or less infrastructure and some facilities, the right bank is absolutely pure and untouched by human beings. There is just you and nature. Enjoy the Flok dance show during the Dinner, your driver will drop you at Navat Resturant.
After exploring the area, we head back to the parking and drive back to Almaty.
- Overnight at HOTEL
KYRGYZSTAN
Day 03 : BISHKEK
Almaty – “Korday” border point – Bishkek (road transfer, 250 km): from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast transfer to Bishkek via “Korday” land border. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel of Bishkek (check-in after 14:00). City tour of Bishkek: Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, the National Museum of History, National Philharmonic and Osh Bazaar.
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 04 : BISHKEK
Bishkek –Burana tower – Bishkek (road transfer, 85 km one way).
After breakfast morning, ·Catholic Mass before we start the day.· transfer to Dong-Aryk village & Burana Tower in the hills surrounding Bishkek..
Return to Bishkek.
- Overnight at HOTEL
UZBEKISTAN
Day 05 : TASHKENT
Bishkek – Tashkent (local flight): from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for some more sight seeing of Bishkek. After that
transfer to the airport for flight to Tashkent (19:40-20:00).
Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to hotel and check in.
leisure time
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 06 : TASHKENT
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the guided sightseeing tour around Tashkent: Khast-Imam Complex: Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Muyi Muborak madrasah and Uthman Koran; Kukeldash Madrasah and Chorsu Bazaar; after lunch visit Museum of Applied Arts, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square, some metro stations.
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 07 : SAMARKAND
Tashkent – Samarkand (morning railway transfer).
Drive to the railway station for transfer to Samarkand by a high-speed “Afrosiab” train (2-hours ride).
On arrival transfer to hotel. Free day.
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 08 : SAMARKAND
Breakfast at hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Samarkand on arrival: Registan Square (Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilla-Qori Madrasah), Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (Tamerlane’s sepulcher), Rukhabad Mausoleum (from the outside); after lunch: Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory.
- overnight at HOTEL
TAJIKISTAN
Day 09 : PANJAKENT
Samarkand–“Jartepa” border – Penjikent–Seven Lakes – Penjikent (220 km totally) from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan
Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Customs and passportcontrol on both sides, cross the border, meet Tajik local guide and driver and drive to Seven Lakes(80 km, 1.5-2h.). The Seven Lakes are located in the west of Fann mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. At the last lake of Khoazorchashma you will enjoy a picnic. After lunch drive to Penjikent. Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, local Bazaar and mosque. Visit ancient Penjikent located within 5 minutes’ drive from modern Penjikent. Penjikent was a major Sogdian city dating back to the 5th century and was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. Ruins of old Sogdian town founded in 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins Sarazm ruins – one of the ancient settlement in Central Asia with 5500 years’ civilization. In 2010 the Sarazm was added to the list of the Human heritage by UNESCO.
Overnight at HOTEL
Day 10 : PENJIKENT
Penjikent – Istaravshan – Penjikent (road transfer, 440 km)
Breakfast, drive to Istaravshan..
Mug Tepa-situeted in Ura-Tube is one of the ancient settlements in Tajikistan. It is said the city was found by Kir in the north-east boundary of the empire.
Khazrati Shoh architectural complex- consists of Khazrati Shoh mausoleum-the grave of brother of Kusam ibn Abbas, Khudayar Valami mausoleum and mosque Namozgoh. There were city cemetery and Medresse too. All these buildings belong to 19th c.
Bazaar- an oriental market where you can find everything.
Back to Penjikent.
- overnight at HOTEL
Day 11 : 03/11/19 (Sun) : BUKHARA
Penjikent – Samarkand – Bukhara (road transfer, 340 km).
After breakfast ·Catholic Mass before we start the day.transfer drive to border, pass border formalities. Meet your driver in Uzbekistan then drive to Bukhara.
On arrival start of the sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit the following sites: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Accommodation at the hotel.
- overnight at HOTEL
Day 12 : BUKHARA
Bukhara.
Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of the guided sightseeing tour in Bukhara.
Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret and others), Ulugbek Madrasah.
After lunch transfer 4 km from Bukhara and visit the out-of-town sites: Sitora-i Mokh-i Khosa Palace, Baha-ud-Din Naqshbandi Complex.
Return to Bukhara.
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 13 : KHIVA
Bukhara – Khiva (road transfer, 440 km).
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer across Kyzyl-Kum Desert along Amu-Darya River to Khiva. Lunch en route. Arrival in Khiva. Leisure time: souvenir shops recommended.
Overnight at HOTEL
Day 14 : KHIVA
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Khiva. Visit the following sites of Ichan-Kala ‘inner city’ historic old city: Pakhlavan Mahmoud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Khoja Minaret and Madrasah, Tash Khauli-Khan Palace, Juma Mosque, Mohammad Amin-Khan Madrasah, Avesta Museum.
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 15 : DARWAZA
Khiva – “Shavat” border – Kunya Urgench – Darwaza crater (road transfer, 400 km).
Morning arrival at border post Shavat. Entry formalities. Meet with guide and drive to historical site Kunya Urgench (UNESCO), explore historical park with Kutlug Timur minaret, Mausoleum Turabek Khanum, Mausoleum Tekesh, Mausoleum Il Arslan Caravan-saray gateway and etc.
Continue drive to Darwaza. Make camp. Discover the burning gas crater by day and nighttime.
- Overnight at PRIVATE TENT
TURKMENISTAN
Day 16 : ASHGABAT
Darwaza – Ashgabat (280 km).
After camp style breakfast drive to Ashgabat, via visits Mud and water craters on the way. Upon arrival city tour with visits Nissa (UNESCO), Turkmenbashi mosque-mausoleum, Neutrality Arch, Independence Park and Wedding Palace panoramic viewpoint. Transfer to hotel
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 17 : MERV
Ashgabat – Mary – Gonur Depe – Mary (200 km).
Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Mary. Upon arrival drive to historical site Gonur depe (capital of Margush) (UNESCO), sightseeing tour. Return to Mary. City tour with visits History museum of Mary region and Russian orthodox church. Transfer to hotel.
- Overnight at HOTEL
Day 18 : ASHGABAT
Mary – Merv – Mary – Ashgabat (road transfer, 400 km)
Drive to Ancient city of Merv (UNESCO), discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortresses, Muhammed ibn Zaid mausoleum and others. Return to Mary. Lunch at local restaurant and drive to Ashgabat via visit of Ahalteke horse stables on the way. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
· Overnight at HOTEL
Day 19 : DEPATURE TRANSFER TO ASHGABAT AIRPORT
Breakfast at the hotel· Free day at Ashgabat for shopping with vehicle & guide · After Dinner departure transfer to Airport to board the flight back to Home
END OF SERVICE