Wonders of Central Asia 5 Stans: 19 Days 18 Nights

Key information:

Countries visited: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

Duration: 19 days / 18 nights

Best season: April – June, August – October

Tour type: Small group / individual (starting from 2 persons)

Price information

4* Hotels

2 pax

4 pax

6 pax

8 pax

10 pax

12 pax

14 pax

Tour price

8943$

7143$

6785$

6729$

6585$

6543$

6434$

per person

Single room

1352$

supplement

Accommodation:

City

nights

Superior hotels

Ashgabat

Diwan or Archabi hotel 5*

Tashkent

Hyatt Regency hotel 5*

Samarkand

Samarkand Regency 5*

Bukhara

Paradise Plaza 4* / Wyndham 4*

Bishkek

Orion hotel 5*

Issyk Kul

Baitur or Karven or Raduga hotel

lake

Almaty

Rixos hotel 5*

Mary

Mary hotel

Khiva

Asia Khiva 4* / Farovon 4*

Panjakent

Hotel Panjakent Plaza

Darvaza

Tents

What’s included:

All airport and land border transfers, Accommodation in hotels (twin/dbl shared), Meals: breakfast at the hotels, lunches and dinners as per program, Services for private A/C car with driver as per program, Escort English – speaking guide for all days, Train tickets: Tashkent-Samarkand, Domestic air tickets: Khiva-Tashkent, Mary-Ashgabat, Entrance fees to the sites listed, Show program in Bukhara and show with hawks in Kazakhstan, Mineral water 0.5 L per day/per person, Visa support LOI (only to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan), 4-wheel drive vehicle for Gergeti Trinity Church, Wine tasting in Sighnaghi, 24-hour office support

What’s not included:

International flight tickets, Tips and gratuities, Visa consular fees, Video and photo charges, Porterage, Personal expenses, Travel insurance, Services not included in the itinerary

Itinerary in brief

Day 1 – Arrival – Almaty City Tour

Day 2 – Almaty – Medeo – Big Almaty Lake – Almaty

Day 3 – Almaty – Bishkek

Day 4 – Bishkek – Issyk Kul

Day 5 – Issyk Kul – Cholpon Ata – Grigorevka Gorge – Bishkek

Day 6 – Bishkek – Tashkent

Day 7 – Tashkent City Tour

Day 8 – Tashkent – Samarkand

Day 9 – Samarkand – Panjakent

Day 10 – Panjakent – Seven Lakes – Samarkand

Day 11 – Samarkand – Bukhara

Day 12 – Bukhara City Tour

Day 13 – Bukhara – Farab (121 km, 2 hrs) – Turkmenabat (32 km, 47 min) – Mary (240 km, 3 hrs)

Day 14 – Mary – Ashgabat

Day 15 – Ashgabat City Tour

Day 16 – Ashgabat – Darvaza Gas Crater

Day 17 – Darvaza – Koneurgench – Khiva

Day 18 – Khiva – Tashkent

Day 19 – Transfer to the airport – Departure

Detailed itinerary

Day 1

After your arrival at Almaty airport, our company representatives will meet you and accompany you to your hotel. Free time for rest. On this day you’ll have a full sightseeing tour around Almaty city. It is the largest metropolis of Kazakhstan, located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range. Until 1997, it was the capital of the state and still remains a commercial and cultural center. «Almaty» is translated from Kazakh as «the city of apple trees». Your sightseeing program will include the main sights of the city: Panfilov Park, Zenkov Wooden Cathedral, Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, Almaty’s Green Bazaar. The bazaar appeared here 100 hundred years ago and still remains an important trading part of the city. It is an attractive touristic place full of the colorful local atmosphere where one can buy national products, smoked fish, spices, medicinal herbs, cheeses, as well as chat with good-natured friendly sellers and get to know the everyday life of Kazakhs. The tour will proceed to the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located. In the Kok-Tobe Park, there is a great observation area for enjoying the view of Almaty. The tour will end with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway.

Overnight: Hotel in Almaty

https://www.pexels.com/photo/clouds-over-big-almaty-lake-18516807/

Day 2

This day you will visit the picturesque area near Almaty known for its natural gems. First, you will stop in Medeo and Shymbulak Mountain resorts and will take a ski lift to reach the height of 3200 meters to enjoy the fresh mountain air and nice views. The tour will proceed to Big Almaty Lake, which is a reservoir providing the whole city with fresh water. The lake itself with the milky blue color and the surrounding area with mountain ranges covered with Tian-Shan fir-tree, aspen and juniper are unbelievably stunning. On your way back to the city you will stop at the Falcon Farm to enjoy the show of trained hawks.

Overnight: Hotel in Almaty

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

First, you will be transferred to the Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan border and after passing the customs your exciting journey will begin. Kyrgyzstan is a mysterious, less discovered country of picturesque lakes and rivers, mountain peaks covered with eternal snows, friendly nomads and the unique flavor of Asian food. After check-in at the hotel, you will have some time for a rest. А little bit later you will have a sightseeing tour including such sights as the local bazaar, Panfilov Park, Ala-Too Square and monuments to national heroes.

Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

On this day you will leave Bishkek to visit the gem of Kyrgyz nature – Issyk Kul Lake. It is the seventh deepest lake in the world and the second-largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea. Before reaching Issyk Kul you will make a stop to visit Burana Tower. On the lake shores, you will admire the inspiring views of mountain peaks, unspoilt nature, and surrounding woods.

Overnight: Hotel in Issyk Kul

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

In the morning you will head to Grigorevka Gorge – the largest and most famous one on the northern coast of Issyk-Kul, located on the Kungey Ala-Too mountain range. It is located about 30 km from Cholpon-Ata city, on the road from Bishkek. It is a land of gently sloping valleys and dense fir forests. You will spend several hours in this area enjoying the beauty and tranquility of surrounding nature. In the afternoon, you will return to Bishkek to have a rest.

Overnight: Hotel in Bishkek

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

Today you’re going to visit Ala Archa gorge located at a distance of 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, the fabulous scenery and tranquility. Afterwards, you will return to Bishkek and will have free time for shopping. After lunch time, prepare to have a flight to Tashkent – the capital of Uzbekistan. The country is attractive due to the long-lasting history connected with the Great Silk Road, distinctive architectural style, exotic national cuisine and unique cultural traditions.

Overnight: Hotel in Tashkent

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

Prepare to learn lots of curious secrets this day. You will have a full sightseeing tour around Tashkent covering all the important monuments: Khast Imam Complex (where is kept the world’s oldest Koran), Chorsu bazaar and Madrasah Kukeldash the largest madrasa (educational institution) of the 16 century. After lunch time, your tour will proceed to the modern part of the city. You will explore the Independent Square and A. Navoi theater square. Independence Square is located at the center of the city and is considered the favorite place of the locals. Here you will see the well-known beautiful fountains as well as many important government buildings and administrative institutions such as the Uzbek Parliament Supreme Chamber, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and others. In the Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan, you will have a chance to admire over 7,000 samples of applied arts: handmade embroidery, skull-caps, jewelry, carpets and other Uzbek art exhibits.

Overnight: Hotel in Tashkent

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8

The day will start with a trip to the important historical city Samarkand occupying a central position on the Silk Road. The city is protected by UNESCO and is considered one of the most ancient cities on the earth. The tour will start with an exploration of Registan Square famous for its architectural ensemble of three madrasahs (Islamic schools) – the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, the Tilya-Kori Madrasah and the Sher-Dor Madrasah. The tour will proceed to the mausoleum of Gur-e-Amir where the tomb of Tamerlane the Conqueror was founded. The last historical sights to visit will be Shakhi Zinda Necropolis and Bibi-Khanym Mosque. To plunge into the local culture and try many exotic national products we recommend visiting Samarkand central bazaar. Be sure to try the famous local national bread – non.

Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9

In the morning you will leave Samarkand for one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia – Panjakent. It is located in the picturesque valley of the Zeravshan River and is about 5500 years old. There were times when

Penjikent was one of the most important cultural and craft centers of the country. It was even called the “Central Asian Pompeii.” It was a splendidly fortified, well-maintained city with the ruler’s palace, two temples, markets, rich dwellings of citizens, decorated with numerous paintings. Then the city was destroyed by Arabs and only in the last century its ruins were found by archaeologists. You will have a chance to explore the ruins, see the remains of different constructions, admire the masterpieces of the early Middle Age eastern painting etc.

Overnight: Hotel in Panjakent

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10

This day you will have a trip to the natural gems of Tajikistan – Seven Lakes located at the distance of 60 km south of Panjakent. You will have short hiking in this fantastic area along the gorge surrounded by impressive landscapes. The trail will lead you to the lakes that are situated on different altitudes and have different colors. After a pleasant time in such a paradise, you will return to Samarkand (90 km) through Jartepo border. Enjoy some free time in Samarkand, have a rest and get ready for the further exploration of this unique city. In the rest of the day, you will continue with the sightseeing tour and will visit Paper Mills Factory, Afrasiyob Museum and Ulugbek’s observatory, which is the biggest one in the East

Overnight: Hotel in Samarkand

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11

Your day will start with a trip to Bukhara – the town of the unprecedented number of mosques, the tombs of many Islamic saints, the significant religious places and architectural masterpieces. During the way, you will make several stops to visit important historical places such as the ruins of medieval monument Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik and Gijduvan town. In Bukhara, you will visit Chor Minor memorial and have a rest at the local cozy hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12

The day will be devoted to the exploration of Bukhara historical heritage. The town was founded about 2000 years ago and became the major center of the Great Silk Road and the capital of the great state of the Samanids. Persian rulers ennobled the appearance of Bukhara, erecting beautiful palaces, tombs, caravanserais, madrassas, and mosques. Your city tour program will include the following sights: Samanid’s dynasty mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Haouz Mosque, the Ark Fortress, Kalon Complex, Magoki Attori Mosque, Ulugbek and Abdulazizi Khan Madrasahs and Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble. The day will end with a pleasant dinner and folk show – program in old Nodir Devon Begi Madrassah. Dinner will be organized in Nodir Devon Begi Madrassah.

Overnight: Hotel in Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13

The day will start with the second part of your sightseeing tour around Bukhara. You will visit the summer palace of Emir Said Mir Mohammed Alim Khan and the museum of Decorative Applied Art. After lunch time, you will be transferred to the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border for passing the customs and tour continuation. You will head to Mary city through Turkmenabat (4-5 hours driving). On the way, you will cross the world-known Karakum Desert, considered the hottest one in Central Asia. Its name is translated as «the black sand» which is explained by the dark soil lying beneath the sand.

Overnight: Hotel in Mary

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14

After breakfast, you will travel to explore the ancient Marv city (40 km from Mary) preserved in ruins. It has a long 4000-year-old history during which it was the capital of different kingdoms and empires. Nowadays it is included in the UNESCO Heritage list. With the help of our professional guides, you will have a deep immersion into the historical heritage of Marv and will visit the following sights: Gyz Gala and Oglan Gala, Complex of Askhabs, Gyaur Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. After lunch time, you will return to Mary and will have a walking tour in the central part of the city. The tour will include visits to the local United Museum of History, Ethnography, Flora and Fauna of Mary and Orthodox Church built by Russians at the end of XIX century, the Regional Mosque, the Central Theater, the Convention and Conference Center “Ruhiyet Koshgi”, the Central Park and the Monument of Mollanepes. After the end of the tour, you’ll have a flight to Ashgabat city.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast

Day 15

This day you will have a full exploration of Ashgabat city. Ashgabat is «the city of white marble», the largest administrative, political, industrial, scientific and cultural center of the state. Due to the abundance of pure white marble buildings, the city was included into the Guinness World Records book. First, you will see the beautiful fountain complex of Oguz Han & Sons and then the main Turkmenian Mosque. After a while, you will have a short trip to the Nissa historical complex. It consists of two archaeological monuments – Old and New Nissa. Next, you’ll return to Ashgabat and see the famous monument of the capital, the Monument to the Turkmenistan Constitution founded to mark the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence. After the lunch break and some time for a rest, you will get acquainted with the cultural peculiarities of the country. In the National Carpet Museum explore the local unique handiwork and in Gulistan Bazaar try local products and communicate with locals.

Overnight: Hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast

Day 16

The tour will start early in the morning. You will travel to the stunning mysterious natural sight Darvaza Gas crater. Just in the middle of the desert, you will see the unique scene of a circular large crater with burning gas that never goes out. The sight of a flame burning among the yellow sands of the desert fascinates and intrigues even experienced travelers. The crater has been burning since 1971. You will learn the interesting version of the crater appearance from your guide. Dinner will be arranged in a camp style.

Overnight: Tents

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 17

After the picnic in the camps, you will head to Koneurgench city (260 km, 4 hours). It is an architectural reserve which once was the capital of Khorezm ancient region and state. In 2005 all the historical monuments of the city were included into the UNESCO World Heritage list. You will explore such sights as Turabek Hanum Mausoleum, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Il Arslan

Mausoleum, Mamun Minaret, Mausoleums of Najm Ed Din & Soltan Ali. At the end of the tour, you will be

transferred to the Uzbekistan border and proceed to Khiva (165 km, 2 hours 30 min) historical city.

Overnight: Hotel in Khiva

Meals: Breakfast

Day 18

This day you will explore Khiva town – one of the most ancient and special ones in the country. It was mentioned even in the X century. as the trading center of the Great Silk Road. Here you will visit the main sight Itchan Kala town which once served as the resting-place for caravans. You will stroll around its unique streets and feel like in ancient times. Itchan Kala was included into UNESCO World Heritage list in 1990. Your city tour program will also include the madrasah of Muhammad Amin-khan, Kelta Minar, Kunya Ark, madrasah of Muhammad Rakhimkhan, Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasah, Djuma Mosque and Minaret, and Tash Hovli Palace. The day will end with a flight to Tashkent.

Overnight: Hotel in Tashkent

Meals: Breakfast

https://www.pexels.com/photo/view-of-kalta-minor-minaret-in-khiva-uzbekistan-19473633/

Day 19

In the morning you will head to the airport for a departure.

Meals: Breakfast

KAZ-KGZ

Hotel list 5 star in Almaty and Bishkek

Almaty – Rixos hotel 5* or similar

Bishkek – Orion hotel 5* or similar

Issyk Kul lake – Baitur or Karven or Raduga hotel

Prices in USD

per person

2 pax	3 pax	4-5 pax	6-7 pax	8-9 pax	10-12 pax	13-15 pax
2529 USD	2022 USD	1787USD	1607 USD	1590 USD	1536 USD	1462 USD

Supplements:

Supplement for single room is 490 USD per person
Supplement for Lunches is 115 USD per person per tour in tourist-class restaurants
Supplement for Dinners is 120 USD per person per tour in tourist-class restaurants
Supplement for Lunches is 180 USD per person per tour in higher-class restaurants where available
Supplement for Dinners is 190 USD per person per tour in higher-class restaurants where available

Supplement for flight ticket Bishkek-Tashkent around 190-260 USD per person (on subject to change without any notice)
Masterclass in the workshop where produced scarfs from mixture of silk and felt is 30 USD per person

Service is included:

Transport for transfers and excursions (good condition car with A/C) for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Double room accommodation in hotel
Meal based on breakfast only
Mineral water during the tour (one litter a day per person)
English speaking tour guides in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
Entry fees to museums
Entry fees to Medeo
Entry fee to Shimbulak
Entry fees to Kok Tobe
Entry fees to Sunkar eagle hunting show in Almaty
Visa support
Early arrival night in Almaty

Service is not included:

Alcohol and soft drinks
Lunches and Dinners
International and domestic flight tickets Bishkek -Tashkent
Camera and video fee where applicable
Trip cancellation, medical and accident insurance
Single room supplement
Tips for guides & drivers & porters at hotels

Uzbekistan :

Supplement for 7 lunches and 7 dinners is 310 USD per person

Included:

Accommodation at the hotels in twin/double rooms with breakfasts: Huvaydo 3* / Panarams 4* / Hyatts Regency 5* in Tashkent, Arba 3* / Hilton Garden Inn 4* / Samarkand Regency 5* in Samarkand, Rangrez 3* / Paradise Plaza 4* / Wyndham 4*+ in Bukhara, Khiva Residence 3* / Asia Khiva 4* / Farovon 4*+ in Khiva;
Meals – only breakfasts at the hotels + 1 dinner with show in Bukhara;
Entrance fees;
English-speaking local guides in cities (local guides in cities for 2-7 pax; accompanying guide for the whole tour for 8-13 pax);
Train ticket from Tashkent to Samarkand (economy class);
Flight ticket from Urgench to Tashkent (economy class);
Transportation services for the whole tour;
Train ticket from Tashkent to Kokand (economy class, classic train).

Information on vehicles:

Group of 2 pax Standard sedan (Chevrolet Cobalt or similar)

Group of 3-4 pax Minivan for 6 seats (Hyundai Starex van)

Group of 5-9 pax Minivan for 10 seats (King long van)

Group of 10-13 pax Van for 18 seats (Eurise van)

Tajikistan Part 2 days tour (Days 9-10):

Price information – 2025 season:

3+* Hotels | Best hotel in area is Hotel Panjakent Plaza

Single room supplement: 35US$

Lunch – 18 usd set menu,

Dinner – 21 usd set menu

**3* Hotel Umariyon or similar**

Single room supplement: 30US$

Includes:

*Meet and see off at border check point Sarazm *Transfer according itinerary – by van with A/C *TWN/DBL accommodation

*Breakfast,

*English speaking guide

Sightseeing and entrance fees. *Water 1L bottle per/per per/day

Not includes:

TJK visa

Full board supplement – (L – 2 / D – 1 ) – 50 USD p/p

Tips for guide and driver

Alcohol drinks.

Bank remittance commission – 35$

Points which not mentioned above

Turkmenistan :

Prices in US $ (per person):

Proposed Hotels:

Booking terms:

Booking process

Once you have chosen the tour and travel date, push the Book now button at your chosen date, fill necessary fields and send us an inquiry. Alternatively use contact from contact us page in About us menu tab. Once we have received your inquiry, confirmed all tour details with you, we send a deposit invoice. After the deposit is received (500 GBP per person), we start your hotel, train, air tickets reservations and send your Tour Voucher with all the trip details.

Payment process

Tour payment is divided into 2 parts: 1. Deposit, 2. Final payment.

Deposit amount is 500 GBP per person. Once you prepaid the deposit, it is fully refundable for a month. After a month the deposit becomes nonrefundable. Deposit is paid via bank transfer, your tour manager provides a deposit payment invoice with full bank details. We need a deposit to start your hotel, guide, vehicle, domestic flights and train ticket booking.
Final payment is done via bank transfer (15 working days prior to tour start) or cash (upon arrival before tour start). Both cases your tour manager provides you with an electronic or paper invoice. We reserve the right to cancel your tour and apply the relevant cancellation charges (detailed below) if we do not receive all payments at the due time.

Tour Cancellation

If you or your group member cancels the tour, please make sure to let us know in a month after the deposit is paid. Note, the deposit is non-refundable, however, you can use it throughout the year and book another tour. In this case, train and domestic flight ticket fees only will be charged a cancellation fee.

Rights and obligations

Tours provided by our company are planned for many months before its inception and are not the subject of change or cancellation. Under the obligation of forced circumstances (weather, holidays) we can make some changes to the itinerary, however, all that relates to services and attractions will remain unchanged. Please note that our tours require a minimum number of participants – 2 persons. We reserve the right to cancel the trip with full refund or deposit paid, if the tour booked by you does not have the minimum number of participants. We inform you about the cancellation of the tour no later than 30 days before the start. We also request immediately and promptly report all complaints and any claims during the tour. If possible, all problems will be solved. If the tourist does not report any complaint, the compensation will not be implemented.

Note AraraTour Central Asia is not liable for services not included in the tour price. Our responsibility is limited only to the extent provided by our tour. Force majeure or any other event which is beyond our control and which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part frees both parties from liability or obligation. In case of Force majeure, we don’t issue any refund.

Insolvency or bankruptcy insurance

AraraTour Central Asia guarantees the refund of clients’ money for unfulfilled services even in the case of the company’s own insolvency or bankruptcy.