The Five Stans of Central Asia

Day 1 Almaty – Arrival (Kazakhstan)

Upon arrival in Almaty, transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Almaty 

Today we will explore the vibrant city of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest metropolis nestled in the foothills of the Tian-Shan mountains. Discover its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes.

City tour includes Panfilov Park, a peaceful oasis in the heart of Almaty,

, Zenkov Cathedral also known as the Ascension Cathedral, is a stunning religious landmark of Almaty, Museum of Musical Instruments, Central State Museum, Republic Square. Lunch at local restaurant, Afternoon, drive to Medeu Sktaing Rink and lift by cable cat to Shymbulak.

Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 3 Almaty – Bishkek (capital city of Kyrgyzstan)

After breakfast, drive to Bishkek via Korday pass, enjoy nature landscapes on the way. After border formalities, drive to Burana tower, a 24-meter-tall minaret that stands as a testament to the rich history and culture of the ancient Silk Road. It is a symbol of the country’s past, and a popular tourist attraction that draws visitors from all over the world. Lunch at kyrgyz family in the village near Burana tower. 

Lunch at the family home is a special occasion where delicious food, warm hospitality, and lively conversations come together to create a memorable experience. The countryside house surrounded by lush greenery and a beautiful garden.

Afterwards, enjoy watching the Kyrgyz National Horse game “Ulak-Tartysh”, also known as Kok Boru or Buzkashi, is a traditional horseback game played in Central Asia, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.

 

Further drive to Bishkek. Upon arrival, walking sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Central square Ala Too, History State Museum, Manas on Horse Statue, Lenin Statue, Oak Tree Park and Panfilov park. Ending the city tour visiting to the WW 2 Victory Monument and the newly built Mosque. 

Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 4 Bishkek – Ala-Archa National Park – Tashkent (a capital city of Uzbekistan)

After breakfast, excursion to Ala-Archa National Park.

Ala Archa National Park is a breathtaking natural reserve located in the Tian Shan mountains, just 40 kilometers outside of Bishkek.

The park’s landscape is characterized by towering peaks, deep valleys, and picturesque glaciers. The highest point in the park is the Semenov-Tien-Shanskii peak, which stands at an impressive 4,895 meters. The scenery is truly breathtaking, with snow-capped mountains and crystal clear streams that flow through the valleys. The park is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species such as the snow leopard and the Marco Polo sheep.

 

After exploration, drive back to Bishkek. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon transfer to airport to catch flight to Tashkent. 

Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 5 Tashkent city tour – Samarkand 

Breakfast. 

City tour of Tashkent. Visit the Old City of Tashkent. This area encompasses the Khast-Imam Complex (famous for displaying one of the earliest copies of the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam), and Chorsu Bazaar, where you can haggle for spices, dried fruit, and nuts. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Lunch at local restaurant. Late afternoon, transfer to the railway station. Travel on the bullet high-speed train Afrosiyob. Arrive in Samarkand. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 6 Samarkand

Samarkand city tour. 

Day 7 Samarkand – Seven Lakes – Penjikent (Tajikistan)

Breakfast. At 09:00, transfer to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border point, Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Meet your local Tajik guide and driver to drive to the Seven Lakes (80 km, ~2 h). These lakes are located in the western part of the Fann Mountains. Each lake has its own color, varying from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Have lunch at the guest house next to the 4th lake. Those who would like to enjoy the view from the 7th lake there is an opportunity to have a hiking tour from the 6th lake up to the 7th lake. Transfer to Penjikent. Check in and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Penjikent – Samarkand – Bukhara (Tajikistan/Uzbekistan)

Breakfast. Drive to ancient Penjikent (80 km, ~1 h 30 min), the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. In the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, a mosque, and the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). After a 3-hour sightseeing tour, drive to the Jartepa border crossing (30 km, 40 min) in the late-afternoon and complete the border formalities. On the Uzbek side, your driver will meet you and transfer to Samarkand. Free time in the the city. At 20:00 transfer to the railway station. Take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 21:00 and arriving in Bukhara at 22:35 (270 km, 1 h 35 min). Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 9 Bukhara

Breakfast. At 10:00, start exploring the Old City of Bukhara. Highlights of the walking tour will include: the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasa, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Miri-Arab Madrasa, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasas, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums, and various trading domes. Overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 10, We: Bukhara – Mary – Merv – Ashgabat Turkmenistan

Early breakfast. Depart at 06:30 for the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point, Farap-Alat (100 km, 1 h 30 min). After completing the border formalities at both checkpoints, cross the 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Continue to Merv (300 km, 5 h 30 min), an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts on the Silk Road. Merv is also home to a historical park for you to discover, with sights including: the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Major and Minor Kyz-Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Keshk Fortress, and others. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Mary Airport (40 km, 30 min) to take the evening flight to Ashgabat at 18:10. Upon arrival in Ashgabat at 18:50, transfer to the hotel for overnight.

 

Day 11 Th: Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater (Turkmenistan)

Day 12 Darvaza Gas Crater – Khiva (Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan)

Day 13 Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

Breakfast and hotel check out (the hotel will store your luggage safely for the day). Spend the morning at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ichan-Kala Fortress.  Transfer to Urgench Airport at 20:30 (30 km, 35 min). Your flight to Tashkent departs at 22:55 and arrives at 00:15+1

Transfer to the hotel in Tashkent for overnight.

Day 14 Tashkent – departure (UZB)