Key information
Countries visited: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Best season: March – June, August – October
Tour type: Small group of 2-13 pax
Itinerary in brief
Day 1 – Ashgabat – City Tour – Darvaza – Ashgabat
Day 2 – Ashgabat-Kow-Ata Lake – Nokhur – Ashgabat
Day 3 – Mary – Merv – Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border – Bukhara
Day 4 – Bukhara City Tour
Day 5 – Samarkand City Tour
Day 6 – Samarkand City Tour
Day 7 – Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border – Seven Lakes – Penjikent – Samarkand
Day 8 – Samarkand – Tashkent City Tour
Day 9 – Kokand – Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border – Osh
Day 10 – Osh City Tour – Bishkek
Day 11 – Tokmok – Issyk Kul
Day 12 – Karakol City Tour
Day 13 – Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
Day 14 – Almaty City Tour
Day 15 – Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 – Ashgabat – City Tour – Darvaza – Ashgabat
After your arrival in Ashgabat airport, our company representatives will meet you and accompany you to your hotel. You will have some time for a rest and then the guide will meet you to start the sightseeing tour. First, you will visit Turkmenistan National Museum and Old Nissa ancient settlement which once was the capital of Parthia. Old Nissa is a huge fortress with various palace and temple structures. During the tour, you will also see the Independence Park and Neutrality Arch. After lunchtime, you will head to Darvaza burning gas crater (Door to Hell) which is a stunning unique natural sight. Here you will have a chance to watch fire erupting in the middle of the desert. The appearance of this site is still shrouded in secrets. It happened in 1971 when Soviet geologists found gas accumulation in this place. They started to drill at the site where they tapped into the underground cavern. However, an incident took place: all the equipment and transport fell down in the big hole. In order to prevent the release of poisonous gasses from the hole, they decided to burn it off. Geologists assumed that the fire would go out in a few days, but they were mistaken. Since 1971, the natural gas from the crater has been continuously burning day and night. Return to Ashgabat (slow driving after dark). Arrival at the hotel before or just after midnight.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Ashgabat-Kow-Ata Lake – Nokhur – Ashgabat
After breakfast, you will have a trip to Nokhur village inhabited by mountain tribes who managed to preserve their unique culture, traditional crafts and architecture. It is an amazingly picturesque place with rich flora and fauna. You will enjoy the view of original two-storied houses scattered among vineyards, almond and pomegranate trees and surrounded by mountain ranges. Here you will visit a tribal cemetery and will get acquainted with the local craftsmen, specializing in silk weaving. Before reaching Nokhur on your way, you will stop to visit Turkmenbashi mosque-mausoleum and Kow-Ata underground lake. Return to Ashgabat in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Mary – Merv – Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border – Bukhara
The day will start with a flight to Mary city located on an oasis in the Karakum Desert. Here you will have a sightseeing tour around one of the best-preserved oasis-cities of the Great Silk Road – the ancient ruins of Marv which are protected by UNESCO. The origin of Merv is shrouded in secrets; one thing is known for sure – the first written records of it appeared in the VIII-VI centuries BC. Omar Khayyam, Al-Samani,
Imamaddin-Isfahani and other great thinkers of the Middle Ages lived and worked here. After exploring the historical heritage of Merv, you will have a transfer to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border. After passing the customs, you will have a nice trip to Bukhara.
Overnight: Hotel in Bukhara Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Bukhara City Tour
This day will start with a guided sightseeing tour around Bukhara. Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia – it is more than 2000 years old. It has been standing under the scorching Asian sun witnessing ruinous wars and glorious times when it was a major commercial center of the Great Silk Road. Your city tour program will include the following sights: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret and others), Ulugbek Madrasah, Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah, Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade.
Overnight: Hotel in Bukhara Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Samarkand City Tour
Today you will have a trip to the world-famous third largest city of Uzbekistan – Samarkand. The trip will take approximately 5 hours. The history, culture and architecture of Samarkand are really worthy of attention. Being one of the most ancient cities on the earth, this «city of famous shadows» witnessed many historical events and shakes. According to some historical data, it was founded in the VII century BC. Your city tour will start with the main square of the city – Registan. Here is located the famous architectural ensemble of three madrasahs (Islamic schools) – the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, the Tilya-Kori Madrasah and the Sher-Dor Madrasah. The last place to visit is the architectural masterpiece of Central Asia – the mausoleum of Gur-e-Amir (also known as Tamerlane).
Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Samarkand City Tour
The day will be devoted to the full exploration of Samarkand’s historical heritage. Not far from the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, there is one of the most mysterious and unique architectural monuments of Samarkand – Shah-I-Zinda Necropolis. The complex consists of various temples and mausoleums of royal persons and nobles. All the mausoleums are distinguished by a common compositional style. The rich blue and green tile work of the monuments is admired with its spectacular elegance. The tour will proceed to the Observatory of Ulugbek which is an astronomical miracle and one of the most unusual sights in Uzbekistan. The observatory was founded by talented astronomer Ulugh Beg in the 1420s and became one of the important world observatories of the Middle Ages. After lunchtime, you will have a tour in the Afrasiab Museum dedicated to Samarkand history. You will also visit Saint Daniel’s tomb and Silk paper workshop. Return to the hotel, rest and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border – Seven Lakes – Penjikent – Samarkand
Today you will have a short day trip to Tajikistan. You will pass the customs and head to Seven Lakes with your Tajik guide. This cascade of 7 mountain lakes of extraordinary beauty is located at the foot of Fann Mountains. This area is really worth visiting. The lakes have different colors and stun with their natural
beauty, clean and transparent water. On the way, you can enjoy the complete silence, tranquility and breathtaking views to the surrounding mountains. It is a real paradise! At the end of Seven Lakes Khozorchashma Lake, you will have a picnic lunch. The tour will proceed to Penjikent city for a sightseeing tour including Rudaki Museum, local Bazaar and mosque and the ancient part of the city. By the evening, you will return to the land border with Uzbekistan. Border formalities and transfer to the hotel, rest and overnight. Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Figure 3 Fann Mountains Seven Lakes, Tajikestan
Day 8 – Tashkent City Tour
After breakfast, you will leave Samarkand for Tashkent. On arrival, the sightseeing tour will start. The program will include the most important attractions of the city: Minor White Mosque, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square and Tashkent Underground.
Overnight: Hotel in Tashkent Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Kokand – Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border – Osh
Early in the morning, you will be transferred to the railway station for a trip to Kokand city by train. Being an important trade center on the Silk Road, Kokand is one of the ancient cities of Uzbekistan. You will have a city tour which will start from the Palace of Khudayar Khan – nowadays it is a museum of regional studies, where exhibits tell about the past and present of Kokand. Other places of interest included in the tour program are Mausoleum of Modari Khan and Juma Mosque. After lunchtime, your trip will proceed to the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border. Get ready for another exciting adventure! You have a trip to Osh town, the second largest one in the country. Rest and overnight in Osh.
Overnight: Hotel in Osh Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DInner
Day 10 – Osh City Tour – Bishkek
After breakfast, you’ll have a city tour in Osh. It is an attractive city with a long-lasting history and friendly residents. About 2000 years ago a great Jayma-Bazaar was founded which made Osh an important trading center of the Silk Road. It welcomed merchants from all around the world for decades. You’ll visit the sacred Sulaiman-Too Mountain which in 2009 became the first UNESCO object in the country. Here at the foot of the mountain, you will visit a Sulayman-Too National Historical and Archaeological Museum, which is, without a doubt, one of the most unique museums in Kyrgyzstan. After that, walk up the hill and watch a little mosque of Babur, The Great Mongols Dynasty founder, and take a bird’s eye view of the city. After lunch, transfer to the airport and flight to Bishkek. On arrival, you will have a short sightseeing tour and transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Tokmok – Issyk Kul
Today you will have a trip to the gem of Kyrgyzstan nature – Issyk Kul Lake. The tower is 25 meters high and is the only remaining part of the medieval city Balasagun. Issyk-Kul Lake is the second largest salt lake in the world, located between ridges of Northern Tien Shan at the height of 1609 m above sea level. It is located in a unique place known for its warm sandy beaches, thermal mineral springs, alpine meadows, and park-type coniferous forests. The lake is surrounded by mountain peaks and glaciers, but despite that, Issyk Kul never freezes. Upon the arrival of accommodation at the hotel, have a rest.
Overnight: Hotel in Issyk Kul Meals: Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – Karakol City Tour
After arrival in Karakol city, you will have a sightseeing tour. Karakol is the 4th largest city of Kyrgyzstan, located on the eastern side of Issyk-Kul Lake. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and apple orchards. In the city itself, there are lots of cozy cottages, gardens with plum, cherry and apricot trees. Your tour program will include visits to Przhevalsky Museum, the Wooden Orthodox Church and the Chinese-style Dungan Mosque. Przhevalsky was a Russian scientist who explored flora and fauna and discovered about 200 new species. Walk around the central bazaar to feel the real life of the city.
Overnight: Hotel in Karakol Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DInner
Day 13 – Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
Early in the morning, you will leave Karakol and head to the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border. After passing the customs, the adventures in Kazakhstan will start. First, you will stop to admire the spectacular Charyn Canyon which is really a must-visit attraction! It is sometimes called the Grand Canyon’s little brother. The area of the canyon being the part of the Charyn National Park has varied with stunning nature: there are rock formations, waterfalls, lakes and forests. The most popular part of the canyon is the Valley of Castles which is a magnificent natural monument built of sedimentary rocks. Arrive in Almaty by the evening, accommodate and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel in Almaty Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DInner
Day 14 – Almaty City Tour
This day will be devoted to the full exploration of Almaty city. It is the former capital of Kazakhstan and one of the largest settlements in the country. Till our days, it has retained the status of cultural, financial and economic center and a millionaire city. Despite its modernization, the city managed to preserve its unique original national flavor and color and now friendly welcomes its guests. Your sightseeing program will include the main sights of the city: Panfilov Park, Zenkov Wooden Cathedral, Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, Kok-Tobe Park, Almaty’s Green Bazaar. The tour will end with a short ride by the famous Almaty Cableway. After lunch, you will head to Big Almaty Lake which is a natural alpine lake located among the Tien Shan Mountains. You will spend a pleasant time here enjoying the scenery of wooded mountains and slight hiking in the surroundings. This day you will also have a chance to visit Falcon Farm Sunkar which was originally established to protect the saker falcon. Now there are about 400 birds which are taken care of. Daily there takes place an amazing show including elements of falconry and eagle hunting, with eagle owls, golden eagles, saker falcons and even a griffon vulture all displaying their prowess.
Overnight: Hotel in Almaty Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 – Departure
Transfer to the airport, a departure from Kazakhstan.
Package Cost:
| 5* Hotels | 2 pax | 4 pax | 6 pax | 8 pax | 10 pax | 12 pax | 14 pax |
| Tour price per person | 41,730.00 | 34,494.00 | 31,194.00 | 29,886.00 | 29,424.00 | 27,504.00 | 27,192.00 |
| Single room supplement | 7,092.00 | 7,092.00 | 7,092.00 | 7,092.00 | 7,092.00 | 7,092.00 | 7,092.00 |
| City | nights | Superior hotels |
| Ashgabat | 2 | Diwan or Archabi hotel 5* |
| Tashkent | 1 | Hyatt Regency hotel 5* |
| Samarkand | 3 | Samarkand Regency 5* |
| Bukhara | 2 | Paradise Plaza 4* / Wyndham 4* |
| Osh | 1 | Jannat Resort Hotel |
| Bishkek | 1 | Orion hotel 5* |
| Karakol | 1 | Amir or Green yard hotel or 78 |
| Issyk Kul lake | 1 | Farovon hotel / Asia Khuva hotel |
| Almaty | 2 | Rixos hotel 5* |
What’s included:
- Accommodation in hotels listed on website
- 14 nights (twin/dbl shared), including early checkin at the hotel in Ashgabat on day 1,
- Meals: breakfast at the hotels, one dinner at Darvaza gas crater,
- Services for private A/C car with driver per program,
- Tashkent-Kokand train ticket (modern carriages, normal speed, seated places),
- Domestic air tickets: Ashgabat-Mary, Osh-Bishkek,
- All airport transfers,
- Entrance fees to the sites listed,
- Escort English – speaking guide for all days,
- Mineral water 1.0 L per day/per person,
- Visa support (letter of invitation Turkmenistan only needed)
What’s not included:
- International air tickets,
- Tips and gratuities,
- Visa consular fees,
- Porterage,
- Video and photo charges,
- Personal expenses,
- Services not included in the itinerary,
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
