The Five Stans Tour

After breakfast meet the local guide. And start the city tour with visits Sunday bazaar, Ahalteke horse stables, Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque, Lenin monument, National Museum, Independence Park, Rukhnama monument, Neutrality Arch, Ferris Wheel and Magtymguly Monument. Transfer to the hotel, overnight. 

 breakfast

After breakfast start of the half-day sightseeing tour around the city. Visit National Museum of Turkmenistan, Nissa ancient fortress (UNESCO Heritage site), Independence Park and Neutrality Arch. After lunch transfer to the most unique site in Central Asia – Darwaza burning gas crater. Arrival in Darwaza before sunset. Enjoy barbeque dinner near the burning gas crater; watch and make photos of the crater during the nighttime. Accommodation at the yurt camp and overnight. 

 breakfast, dinner

After camp style breakfast drive to the ancient settlement of Kunya Urgench (UNESCO heritage site), sightseeing tour. Continue driving to the land border with Uzbekistan. Cross the border before lunch break. Change driver and car on the border and further transfer to Khiva. On arrival transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight in Khiva.

 breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Khiva: Ichan Kala (historical inner city), Pakhlavan Mahmud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret. After lunch: Tash Khauli Alakuli Khan Palace, Juma Mosque, Muhammad Aminkhan Minaret & Madrasah, and Avesta Museum. Return to the hotel and rest. 

Dinner at the traditional restaurant with a folkore show (national dances and music). 

 breakfast, dinner 

Transfer across the famous Kyzyl-Kum desert and along the Amudarya River to Khiva. Arrival in Bukhara. Leisure time. Visiting the souvenir shops and workshops.

Overnight at the hotel.

 breakfast

After breakfast start of the guided sightseeing tour around Bukhara: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret and others), Ulugbek Madrasah, Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah. After lunch visit Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Return to the hotel for rest and overnight.

After sightseeing – participation in a culinary master class on cooking Bukhara plov. A professional chef oshpaz, who is specializing in cooking plov, will will reveal culinary secrets and will tell and show how an authentic Bukhara plov is made. This will be a dinner entertainment for all participants. Dinner with tasting of Bukhara plov at a national house.

Overnight at the hotel.

 breakfast, dinner 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Continue exploring Bukhara. We will visit Sitorai Mohi Hosa summer palace and Bahautdin Nakshbandi complex. 

Further transfer to Samarkand. On arrival – accommodation and rest. 

In the evening we will visit Registan Square to see it in colorful lights. 

 breakfast

Start the city tour. Sightseeing in Samarkand includes the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square (madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor madrasah, Tilya-Kori madrasah), Gur-e Amir mausoleum – necropolis of the Timurids.

After lunch continuation of sightseeing in Samarkand: Bibi-Khanym mosque, architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda, Ulugbek observatory.

Dinner at a local national house, a culinary master class and tasting of manti – an authentic Uzbek dish that has the form of large dumplings filled with meat and steamed in a special pot.

Overnight at the hotel.

 breakfast, dinner

In the morning we make transfer to the land border with Tajkistan. Border formalities. Meet Tajik team of the guide and driver and further transfer in-depth of the Tajik lands. Furst we will visit the ruins of the ancient settlement of Sarazm (UNESCO heritage site), visit the local museum and make a further transfer to visit increadible Marguzor lakes – each lake has its own color, name and story. The car will be with you till the 6-th lake and then make a hike to the seventh. Rest and picnic at the shore. After that – return to Penjikent. Accommodation at the hotel and rest.    

 breakfast, lunch

After breakfast we will make a transfer to the capital of Dushanbe. The road will be amazing – via Anzob mountain pass and the “Istiklol” tunnel, which was in the stage of construction during seveal years. We may experince several seasons during this transfer. 

En route we will stop at Iskanderkul lake and spend some time walking along the  shore. 

On arrival in Dushanbe – accommodation at the hotel and rest.

 breakfast

After breakfast – start the city tour. Visit Tajikistan United Museum, including exploring the famous Buddha in Nirvana – one of the most valuable exhibits of museum; Botanical garden; Oriental Bazaar.

After lunchtime transfer 30 km from Dushanbe to visit gorgeous Hissar fortress and Madrasah Kukhna inside. Return to Dushanbe.  

Rest and overnight. 

 breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. 

After breakfast we continue the tour to Khujand, the small city in the Fergana valley. The road will lie through 2 mountain passes – Anzob pass and Shakhristan pass. On arrival start the city tour. Visit Republican Historical-Ethnographic Museum, Timur-Malik Fortress, Archaeological Museum, Mosque and Madrasah of Shaikh Muslihiddin, Payshanba Bazaar.

Transfer to the hotel and rest. 

 breakfast

After breakfast transfer to the land border with Uzbekistan. Border formalities. 

Meet Uzbek guide and driver on the Uzbek side and proceed driving to Tashkent – the capital city of Uzbekistan. 

Arrrival by the lunch time. Accommodation at the hotel and rest. In the afternoon – start the city tour in Tashkent. Today we will explore the new city, including visiting of Independence Square and Amir Temur Square and Statue. Return to the hotel for rest and overnight. 

 breakfast 

Breakfast at the hotel. Contunue the city tour. We will visit the old part of the city and the religious complex Khasti Imam, consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Muy-Mubarak Mosque – the storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of prophet Muhammad; Dzhuma-mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali, Kukeldash Madrassah and Chorsu Oriental bazaar. 

Transfer to the airport for further flight to Bishkek. On arrival – accommodation at the hotel and overnight. 

 breakfast

After breakfast, we will visit Ala-Archa Gorge located 45 km from Bishkek. The gorge lies within the national park on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is a wonderful place for hiking, enjoying fresh crystal air, fabulous scenery, and tranquility. Afterward, we willr return to Bishkek and visit the main sights of Bishkek: the central Ala-Too Square, flagstaff (and changing of the guard), statue of Lenin and Freedom Monument, Monument to Manas the Great.

Transfer to the hotel, rest. 

 breakfast 

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Naryn. 

En route we will visit to the ruins of the medieval Balasagyn city with its famous Burana tower. Once it was one of 3 capitals of Karakhanid Empire and one of the most developed cities during the golden ages of the Great Silk Road. Also watch a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient tombs. 

Proceed driving. The next stop will be in Kochkor village – the center of felt production in Kyrgyzstan.

Master class on making traditional felt rugs.

Arrival in Naryn, which is located more than 2000 meters above sea level. Accommodation at the hotel and rest. 

 breakfast, lunch 

Sightseeing in Tash-Rabat medieval caravanserai (inn) on the Great Silk Road.

Then we will return to Naryn.

Overnight at the hotel.

 breakfast, lunch 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will proceed driving along the Southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake and make several stops. 

The first one will be at Bokonbayevo village, the inhabitants of which are famous for breeding wild predator birds. Demonstration of a hunting falcon. Lunch in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt. 

Next stop for a guided tour at the “Fairytale” canyon – this gorge is formed of colorful hardened clay and resembles fairytale castles.

Arrival in Tamga village. Accommodation at the yurt camp (middle of April – middle of October) OR at the guesthouse. Dinner and overnight. 

 breakfast, lunch, dinner 

After breakfast, we will explore the surroundings with a guide and then have a transfer to Djety Oguz Gorge, which is translated from Kyrgyz language as “Seven Bulls”. and named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces.

Easy hiking in the gorge along the winding Djety Oguz mountain river and further transfer to Karakol.

On arrival – we will visit the main sights of Karakol – Dungan mosque and Orthodox Cathedral. Later visit the museum of N. M. Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent.

Accommodation at the hotel and rest. 

 breakfast, lunch 

Early breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Karakol at 08:00. Transfer to the land border with Kazakhstan. Border formalities. Further transfer to Almaty. En route visit spectacular Charyn Canyon. The Charyn Canyon is located in the Charyn National Park about 215 km east of Almaty and approximately a 3 hour drive via the A 351 and A 352. The Canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long, and, in places up to 300 meters deep. One area of particular interest is an area of 2 km called the Valley of Castles, due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing, almost man-made structures. Arrival in Almaty by the evening. Accommodation and overnight.

 breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, the sightseeing tour in Almaty (10 hours). Visit the following places: the Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. Next visit of the Kok-Tobe hill with the tallest TV tower in the world. Short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. After lunch, transfer to Medeo – the world highest rink and Shymbulak – mountain resort. Take a cable car to 3200 meters altitude to enjoy breathtaking landscapes. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

 breakfast

Transfer to the International airport of Almaty. Departure from Kazakhstan.

 breakfast