5 Glimpses on Central Asia 15 days

Tour Overview

Our tour "5 Glimpses on Central Asia" offers a great opportunity to visit main attractions and must-visit destinations. We will explore impressive historical, archeological and architectural heritage and enjoy nature's beauties. The Central Asian region is unified by five countries, each unique:

Turkmenistan: Inherited unique monuments of great dynasties of the glorious past. The capital city Ashgabat, rebuilt in its unique architecture, is a special pride and a symbol of Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan: A country of historical and cultural tourism. Magnificent and unique cities - Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent along the Great Silk Road will show all the greatness of the past.
Tajikistan: A beautiful country along the Pamir Mountain range. Two famous cities are Khujand and Dushanbe. Khujand was a trade and cultural center since the Middle Ages.
Kazakhstan: Modern image showing cross-culture between East and West. Almaty is a prosperous green city, surrounded by natural beauties such as Alpine lakes, gorges, and canyons.
Kyrgyzstan: Famous for incredible mountain sceneries. Bishkek is the soul and heart of this unique and mysterious country.

Useful Information

Season: May - September
Duration: 14 nights / 15 days
Type of tour: Culture tour
Altitude: up to 2500 m
Flight: TK, KC
Accommodation: hotel/GH/LH/tents
Visa: www.mfa.gov.tm; www.mfa.uz; www.mfa.tj; www.mfa.gov.kg; www.mfa.kz
Currency: Som (KGS); Tenge (KZT); Sum (UZS); Manat (TMT); Somoni (TJS)
Time zone: GMT +5; +6

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day - Ashgabat Airport

Arrival by TK flight early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel. Early check-in and short rest. City tour: visit Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, Independence Park, Neutrality Arch, National Museum, Parthian Fortresses of Nisa (UNESCO list) and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum.

Day 2: Ashgabat - Darwaza

Half-day city tour including visits to Anau mosque ruins, Ahalteke horse stables, Central bazaar. Transfer to Darwaza in Karakum Desert, visit Erbent desert community on the way. BBQ for dinner. Overnight in tents.

Day 3: Darwaza - Khiva

After camp style breakfast, direct transfer to the border checkpoint Shavat. After border formalities, entry to Uzbekistan. Drive to Khiva. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Khiva

Full day city tour in Khiva: Ichan Kala Architectural Complex (XII-XIX), Ismail Khoja Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya-Ark Castle (XVI-XVI), Kalta Minor Tower, Tash-Hovli Palace (XIX), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum(XIV-XVIII), Juma Mosque (X), Narrow streets, carved “ayvans” veranda and doors, majestic minarets and mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Khiva - Bukhara

After breakfast, transfer (6-7 hours) to Bukhara through the Red desert “Kyzyl-Kum”. Upon Arrival short city tour. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Bukhara - Samarkand

Bukhara is a homeland of Abu Ali Ibn Sino (Avicenna) and beloved city of the philosopher Nasreddin Hodja. City tour in Bukhara, then transfer to railway station to take the train to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Samarkand - Tashkent

Full day city tour in Samarkand: Registan Square - Madrassah Ulug Bek (XV), Madrassah Shir-Dor (XVII), Madrassah Tillya-Kori (XVII), Mausoleum Gur Emir - Tamerlane’s Tomb (XIV-XV), Bibi Khanum Mosque (XIVXV). Morning East Siab Bazaar visit. Transfer to the train station and depart to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Tashkent - Oybek Border Checkpoint - Khujand

After breakfast, short city tour in Tashkent: the State Museum of Applied Arts and Khast Imam Square. Transfer to Uzbek-Tajik border checkpoint Oybek. After border formalities, entry to Tajikistan. Drive to Khujand – the center of Sughd Province. City tour in Khujand: the Museum of Archeology and Fortification, Shaikh Muslihiddin Mosque, Panjshanbe Bazaar, the biggest bazaar in Tajikistan. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Khujand - Dushanbe

After breakfast, drive to Dushanbe – the capital city of Tajikistan. Start city tour with visiting the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan (closed on Mondays) that includes exhibits on history, natural history, and art (Buddha in Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of the museum). Continue to Hissar Fortress (30 km from Dushanbe) where you can see Madrasah Kukhna. Return to Dushanbe and visit Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Somoni, and the biggest library of Central Asia. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Dushanbe - Almaty (flight)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Almaty. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Leisure time. Depart Almaty and drive to the Big Almaty Lake (optional). Walk in the gorge admiring glaciers and snow peaks around the lake. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Almaty

Full day city tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park – named after the 28 heroes, Zenkov Cathedral-Russian Orthodox Church, a Memorial complex devoted to World War II, and the Museum of Kazakh National Musical Instruments. Afterward, walk to Green Bazaar. In the PM, visit Central Mosque, Republic and First President Squares. Head to Kok-Tube Hill and take a cable car for the best panoramic view of Almaty. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Almaty - Karakol

Depart Almaty and drive to Charyn Canyon for a short excursion. Upon arrival, walk along the canyon and enjoy its beautiful scenery. Afterward, depart to Kazakh-Kyrgyz border Kegen, cross the border, and drive to Karakol. Upon arrival, dinner at local café and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Karakol - Bishkek

Depart Karakol and drive to Bishkek. Optionally, stop in Cholpon-Ata and have a boat cruise on Lake Issyk-Kul. En route, have an excursion in the Archeological Complex Burana Tower (XI Century - remains of the ancient city of Balasagun). Upon arrival in Bishkek, dinner at local café, overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Bishkek – Ala-Archa

City tour of Bishkek: the History Museum, Central Square Ala-Too, Old Square, Panfilov Park, and Oak Park. Afterward, depart Bishkek and drive to Ala-Archa National Park. This alpine gorge has snow-covered peaks, rivers, and forested mountain slopes. After a walk, return to Bishkek. Dinner at local restaurant with Folk Music Performance. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15: Departure Day

After an early breakfast, transfer to the International Airport “Manas” for your home flight. See the group off.