More than 2,000 years ago, the great trade routes that linked Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs and religions. Join a modern-day caravan on an epic journey to five of these exotic countries – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick you up and will drive you to the hotel located in the capital. One extra night upon arrival is included*.
11:00 meet your Kyrgyz guide in the hotel lobby and start the city tour.
We will visit the heart of the city, Ala-Too Square where the State Historical Museum is located. After we can enjoy a walk in the Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people.
After lunch at the local restaurant, we visit the famous market, Osh bazar. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the real oriental atmosphere: an interminable stream of people, a big variety of goods and colors.
Dinner in the traditional restaurant where you can taste the national Kyrgyz cuisine.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Plaza Hotel)
*Note: Most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
After breakfast in the hotel we go to the National Park of Ala Archa situated 30 km from the capital. One hour later, you get a picturesque valley with a mountain river Ala Archa.
You will have the opportunity to walk in the gorge and enjoy the beautiful alpine views. The Park has everything that you might expect from an alpine zone - snow peaks, fast-flowing streams, alpine meadows and pine forest, that’s all creates a perfect place to have a rest and relax.
Return to Bishkek. Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch you will have free time for your own discoveries.
19:00 Transfer from the hotel to a local restaurant for dinner.
Overnight in the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Plaza Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
After breakfast in Bishkek, we go towards Burana Tower.
Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. It is close to the city of Tokmok. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.
Lunch in the Iskra village with a Dungan family, the ethnicity of Chinese Muslims who had to flee China. You taste their national cuisine.
Then we head to Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the rich diversity of animals and plants. We will enjoy the national horse games (approx. 1h). The locals will show you the polo-like horse game Kok Boru. It's interesting to watch this dynamic game.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast in the guesthouse. Departure towards the biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Issyk Kul. We will go to its northern shore.
As we arrive in Cholpon Ata, we will visit the petroglyph museum. The 42 hectares of the museum is dotted with stones, tombs, balbals and various petroglyphs dated from the 2nd millennium BC until the 4th century AD.
After we take the boat trip to enjoy the beauty of Issyk-Kul-Lake and the majesty of the snow-capped mountains of Tien Chan (approx. 1h).
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Then we will drive you to the hotel located on the lake shore. You can take a walk on the beach and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Dinner at the restaurant.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Resort-Hotel (Karven Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast in the hotel. Departure towards the southern shore of Issyk-Kul-Lake.
On the way, we stopped in the small village of Kyzyl Tuu. Here you will see how the Kyrgyz family makes the yurts and you try to set up with the help of local people the real Kyrgyz yurt. This family is engaged in this unique art from generation to generation. Lunch at the guesthouse.
Departure to Bokonbaevo, where we meet an eagle hunter with his bird. You can appreciate the alertness and speed of the bird during the hunting. It is one of the oldest traditions of Kyrgyz Nomads.
Arrival at the Yurt Camp. Yurt plays a huge role in the culture of nomads. Some modern Kyrgyz nomads try to keep their traditions and haven’t changed their way of life for centuries.
Dinner and overnight in yurt camp.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Yurt camp (Almaluu Yurt Camp).
Note: 2-4 people per yurt. The toilets and shower are outside.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, departure for Jeti Oguz gorge.
Lunch on arrival.
The name of Jeti Oguz is symbolic and means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz because there are seven giant red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. You can take a walk here and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
Departure to Karakol. Upon arrival, we will visit its famous sights, such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan mosque.
Dinner in a restaurant, overnight in hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Hotel 78)
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Kegen border post between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Transfer from the border post to Charyn Canyon.
Charyn canyon is located in the national park. It is considered the little brother of the Grand Canyon in the United States. The erosion made by the Charyn River has created dramatic and impressive landscapes.
When you arrive, you will admire the great panorama and you will walk down to the bottom of the canyon to walk about 2 km in the labyrinth of the Valley of the Castles. Lunch in restaurant.
After 2-3 hours in the canyon, we drive to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan.
Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kazzhol Park Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we go towards Medeo gorge where the highest mountain sports complex at an altitude of 1691 meters is located. Medeo is often a favorite place for the residents of Almaty on weekends.
Then we return to Almaty where we visit Zenkov Cathedral, one of the most beautiful, magnificent architectural monuments in the city.
After we go to Kok Tobe, the highest point in the city. It is famous for its panoramic view of the city from all directions. To reach the Kok Tobe hill, we take a cable car ride which starts near Hotel Kazakhstan and goes over some of the oldest parts of Almaty and the magnificent fruit- growing gardens. Once you reach the Kok Tobe hill, you would see the famous 372 meters high TV Tower which is visible from far and offers great views of the mountains and the city plus a few attractions at the top.
Dinner in the restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kazzhol Park Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Transfer to the airport for taking a flight from Almaty to Dushanbe (09:55-11:45*).
Arrival at the airport in Dushanbe where you will be met by Tajik guide and transferred to the hotel. Lunch in the hotel and free time.
Meeting in the dinner time with your guide. Dinner near the hotel.
Night in Dushanbe.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Rumi Hotel).
*The flight time is subject to change, and the program accordingly. The flight Almaty - Dushanbe is operated 3-4 times a week at different times depending on the day.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Today we will spend the day exploring Dushanbe and surrounding area.
Dushanbe (means Monday) is a relatively new city that was formed in 1925 on the site of a small village Dushanbe, place of the large bazaar on Mondays. During the Soviet period, the city was called Stalinabad (1929-1961) Political, Cultural, Educational and Financial Centre of the Republic of Tajikistan. Lunch.
Visits: National museum of Tajikistan, Flagpole, Kokhi Nawruz complex, Mehrgon market, Hissar fortress (30km from Dushanbe), Hissar museum and old medrese building, Ismail Somoni monument, Central market.
Night in Dushanbe.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Rumi Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
We leave Dushanbe and will continue our trip to the Penjikent.
Drive across beautiful mountain ranges and passes. Along Varzob gorge, through the Anzob pass (tunnel) and along Zeravshan valley.
On the way visit “Parandis” vine and cognac factory shop, where tourists can buy local alcohol products.
Upon arrival accommodation in Penjikent and city visits. Penjikent is an ancient city with many excavations. Apparently, people have been living here since ancient times, first excavation starting from 4 thousand years BC.
Visits: Central Market, Museum of Archaeology name of the writer Abdullo Rudaki, Ancient Penjikent excavation (12-16 century).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Panjakent Plaza Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
After breakfast we leave Tajikistan. On the way we visit Sarazm excavation (4-2 mil. BC) UNESCO Heritage and museum of Sarazm.
10:00 arrival at Jartepo border. Your Uzbek guide will meet you at the border. Transfer to Samarkand. Lunch.
Places to visit: Ulugbek observatory was center of astronomical study in central Asia. Observatory was 3 stories and built in 1420s. Mausoleum of Hodja Daniyar is the place where three world religions will come to visit Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
We continue to Afrasiab Museum – Oldest in Samarkand. Konigil village ancient paper factory is where the ancient factory of paper for writing was built at the beginning of the 8th century.
Dinner break. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Emirkhan Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel.
Starting the sightseeing at kingdom of Timurids dynasty: Guri Amir Mausoleum of Timurids Dynasty. Registan square has three madrasas all built in different time.
Lunch time break.
After we go to Bibi Khanum Mosque built in 1399 by Amir Temur. Siab Bazaar oldest and still operating bazaar. Shahi Zinda Complex is a nobel street cemetery XI to XX century.
Transfer to train station at 16:00* and take train to Tashkent at 17:00. Arrive to Tashkent at 19:25 and transfer to hotel.
Dinner time break. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Ramada Hotel).
*The train time is subject to change, and the program accordingly.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel.
We start our sightseeing tour at the capital city of Uzbekistan. Places to visit: Hazrati Imom Complex Spiritual heart of Tashkent (16-20centuary). Chorsu bazaar one of the busiest bazaars in Tashkent. Amir Temurs square statue of Amir Temur was placed on site in 1994.
Lunch break.
Then we visit Independent square, Tashkent Metro, Applied Art Museum.
Dinner time break. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Ramada Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel. Our driver will transfer you to train station at 07:00*. Take a train to Bukhara at 08:00. Arrive at 12:05.
Start sightseeing at the city of Islam and Culture: Samanid mausoleum is one of the oldest buildings (10th century). Chashmai Ayyub mausoleum also known as a Museum of water. Boloi Hauz mosque built in 1712 looks elegant and splendid.
Lunch break.
Continue to Ark fortress citadel of Kings and Khans. Poi Kalon complex has madrasah, minaret and old mosque. Miri Arab Madrasa one on of the oldest madrasa. Ulugbek Madrasa one of the first madrasa built in 1417. Abdullazizkhan Madrasa is a medieval madrasah built in 1651.
Dinner break. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Sahid Zarafshon Hotel).
*The train time is subject to change, and the program accordingly.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel.
Places to visit: Labi Hauz Complex where locals like to visit much often. Chor Minor has a unique look (four minarets).
Lunch break.
Then we visit Kukaldash madrasah. Magoki Atoori mosque oldest in Bukhara. Tim Abdulla Khan Trading Dome.
Dinner break. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Sahid Zarafshon Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Farap border at 08:00.
Turkmen representative will meet you at the Turkmen/Uzbek border.
Transfer to Mary. Lunch on the way.
Overnight in Mary.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Mary Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel.
We drive to Merv, one of the most important historical capitals of the Islamic and pre-Islamic eras along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Sightseeing of ancient Merv includes Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum.
After sightseeing transfer to Mary Airport for the evening flight* to Ashgabat.
Overnight at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Sport Hotel).
*The flight time is subject to change, and the program accordingly.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, you will see the Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium and Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex.
Then, drive to visit Nissa fortress – the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared the fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Nissa is described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC) and is reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings. However, it has been established that the fortress at Nissa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum. The ruins of the ancient settlement Nissa are located 18 km from Ashgabat at Bagyr village.
Overnight in Ashgabat.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Sport Hotel).
Meal: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Transfer to airport. Departure.
• Group transfers in comfortable and air conditioned vehicle.
• English speaking local guide.
• Accommodation described in the program in twin/double room/yurt.
• Full board (set menu*).
• Visits described in the program.
• Flight tickets Almaty-Dushanbe (economy class).
• Domestic train tickets in Uzbekistan (economy class).
• Domestic flight tickets Mary-Ashgabat in Turkmenistan (economy class).
• Letter of Invitation (State Registration, Travel Pass) for Turkmenistan.
• International flights
• Personal expenses
• Airport transfer:
• Single room supplement
• Insurance
• Cost of Turkmen visa w/border fees – 161-230 AUD per person
• PCR test in Turkmenistan upon arrival.
• Early check-in & late check-out**
• Visa (if required).
• Photo/video fees at historical sites and in museums
• Optional activities
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Porters for baggage in hotels and airport
• Alcohol
• Other services not mentioned as included.
Hotels Used OR Similar
Bishkek – Hotel 4* - Plaza Hotel
Chon Kemin – Guesthouse - Kemin Guesthouse
Cholpon Ata – Hotel 4* - Karven Hotel
Bokonbaevo – Yurt Camp - Almaluu Yurt Camp
Karakol – Hotel 3* - Hotel 78
Almaty – Hotel 4*- Kazzhol Park Hotel
Dushanbe – Hotel 4* - Rumi Hotel
Penjikent – Hotel 3* - Panjakent Plaza Hotel
Samarkand – Hotel 4*- Emirkhan Hotel
Tashkent – Hotel 4*- Ramada Encore Hotel
Bukhara – Hotel 4*- Sahid Zarashfon Hotel
Mary – Hotel 3* - Mary Hotel
Ashgabat – Hotel 4*- Sport Hotel
*Set menu includes salad, soup, main course, bread, tea & water.
**Check-in after 15:00, check-out before 12:00.
Notes:
-The offered accommodation options are subject to availability. Reservations are made only after confirmation and payment.
-Schedule and price for flights and train rides are subject to changed, and the program accordingly.
-Due to the changing conditions of some roads & traffic, it might take slightly more or less time to drive than the mentioned driving time in the program.
-The sequence of visits may vary depends on the situation. Some sights can be closed during official summits and government meetings or other reason.
Highlights of the trip
• Bishkek – the greenest city in Central Asia
• Issyk Kol – «hot lake» that never freezes
• Сharyn – American Grand Canyon of Central Asia
• Almaty – the largest city and southern capital of Kazakhstan
• Dushanbe – the capital and largest city of Tajikistan
• Penjikent – the «Central Asian Pompeii»
• Samarkand – pearl of the East
• Tashkent – the largest city in Central Asia
• Holy Bukhara – city of minarets, mosques and madrassas
• Merv – the oldest and best-preserved of the oasis cities along the Silk Route in Central Asia
• Ashgabat – city of love