Central Asia

Your guide will meet you at the airport and accompany to Almaty city. You will have early check-in at the hotel. After rest start of city tour. You will know more about history and development of the southern capital of Kazakhstan and see its major attractions (without visiting): Central State Museum, Republic Square and Monument of Independence, Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre, Astana Square, Almaty Railway Station, Central Mosque, Abai Square and Palace of Republic. In Kok-Tobe Park, you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck, throw a coin in the “apple” fountain and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Transfer to the hotel.

Today you will have a day trip to Charyn Canyons. It is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions and as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once – so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. Night is at the hotel.

Your guide will pick you up at border and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek city is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is situated at about 800 meters (2,600 ft) altitude near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. This range is an extension of the Tian Shan Mountains, which rises up to 4,855 meters (15,928 ft) and provides a spectacular backdrop to the city. This entire day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. Night is at the hotel.

Today we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan Mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Return to Bishkek. But no tour of Bishkek is complete without visiting our Asian Bazaar! We will show it to you today and you will be able to take a lot of dynamic photos of bustling local life. This bazaar is a noisy and colorful tapestry of fabrics, produce, and people selling and buying goods. Night is at the hotel.

In the morning, we will transfer you to the airport for a flight to the city of Osh. In Osh city, you will have a walk and will get to visit a famous and special place – Suleiman Mountain. Suleiman Too (Solomon’s Mountain) is situated in the city center and it is considered a place of pilgrimage for local Muslims, because according to the legend, biblical prophet Solomon (Suleiman, in the Koran) was buried at the foot of it. It is not a real city tour without visiting our Asian Bazaar. We will show it to you today and you will be able to take many photos there. Night is at the hotel.

Transfer to border Batken and then to border. Cross the border and meet with Tajik guide. Meet the group at the bprder and transfer to Khujand.. Khujand is the second largest city of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population of the city is 149,000. It is also the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. You will visit the Cultural Palace of Arbob. At this place the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. Also, we will go to see Central Mosque and Panjshanbe bazar that is situated in the middle of the city.

In the morning is drive to Dushanbe via Shahriston and Anzob passes. The road will go over a mountain passes and you will have many photo stops. On the way you will have a detour to high Mountain lake – Iskanderkul (2 255 m. a. s. l.). It is situated in the famous Fann Mountains. This fabulous area is one of the best places of Central Asia. After arrival to the lake you will walk for 20 min to see the Snake Lake. Then you follow a path that leads along the left bank of the river that flows out of Iskanderkul. Follow the path for about 1 km to get to a 50m-high waterfall known as the Niagara of Fann Mountains. Iskanderkul is a scenic lake that takes its name from Alexander the Great’s time in Tajikistan.

The entire day is dedicated to a guided city tour. First of we will visit Rudaki Park, National library, White House, National state seal, House of parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other administrative buildings. You will also see the largest flagpole in the world until recently – 165 m high, 30 m wide and 60 m long. After excursion in Central Museum, you will have lunch. Then you will visit the Kokhi Navruz billed as the world’s largest teahouse and the Independent Tower. To feel the real life, you should visit Asian bazar. It has colorful goods, fruits and vegetables. We will see today the main highlights of Dushanbe and you will find out many interesting facts about Tajik people.

In the morning is transfer to the airport. Flight is to Tashkent and city tour. Today you will visit Independence Square, which is the main square of the country and was erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between Independence Square and Amir Timur Square. Furthermore, you can take a ride on the famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. The first line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city, which includes Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah, and the Hast Imam complex, which consists of several madrasahs, mosques, and mausoleums. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran, which is the world’s oldest Quran copy, dating back to the 8th century. The Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Night is in a hotel.

After breakfast you will be transferred to railway station of Tashkent for your train to Samarkand. Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and local bazaar. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After it you can walk along the local Broadway surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets and workshops. Then you can visit National bazaar Siab, oriental bazaar, where it is easy to find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets. The tour will end with visiting Samarkand paper workshop where they produce silk papers. Night is in a hotel.

You will have a morning train to Bukhara. Today you will have a full day city tour in this fascinating city. At first, you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4th century named Citadel Ark, which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9th -10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job’s well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th – 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel.

Morning is the transfer to Uzbek – Turkmen border, cross the border and meet with Turkmen guide. Drive to Mary province about 4 hrs. (270km). Lunch in Turkmenabad. In the afternoon visit, Ancient Merv- Merv was located at the road crossing of the Great Silk Road, quickly became one of the largest and biggest cities of the ancient world, and was one of the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Guided tour: Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. Drive to Mary city accommodate at the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

After early breakfast, hotel check out, transfer to airport for a local flight to Ashgabat. Then a city tour – the Monument of Independence standing in a beautiful park, a fountain-monument devoted to the 10th anniversary of independence (sculptural depiction of ten Akhal-Teke horses placed on the top of a beautiful fountain) and impressive Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque. Accommodate at the hotel in Ashgabat city.

Early morning is the transfer to airport and flight home.