3 Stan Tour: Wonders of Central Asia

Flight to Ashgabat.

Early morning arrival in Ashgabat International Airport (ETA 02:00 a.m).

Migration formalities usually take 30 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, the driver meets with signboard with your name.

Transfer to the hotel.  Extra night. Resting time after the flight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start Ashgabat city tour with visiting

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118m column that consider the highest building in the country);

- Neutrality Arch - unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun;

- National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique exposition from Ancient Merv and Nissa;

- A trip to ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city;

- Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum is considered as the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousands of people). There are beautiful garden and fountains. 

- In the afternoon transfer to Darwaza crater and change from the asphalt road to the Karakum desert track, continue 10 km deep inside. In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate - Darwaza. The views are impressive, especially in sunset and night when the mild sunlight and burning crater evoke incredible feelings. 

BBQ dinner and overnight stay in yurt.

Breakfast at the yurt camp.

Transfer to Kunya – Urgench. Start sightseeing tour with visiting

-the mausoleum of Sufi sects "Kubra" Nadzhimetdin Kubra (XII-XIII centuries);

-the mausoleum of Mongolian princess Torebeg-Hanym (XII-XIV centuries);

- minaret Mamun (X-XI centuries);

-minaret Kutlug-Timur (XII-XIV c, the highest minaret in Central Asia);

-Mausoleum Kyrkmolla (II in BC - III A.D.);

-mausoleum Arslan II (the oldest building in the city - date of its bookmark is roughly estimated by XI century).

Transfer to Turkmen- Uzbek border post Hojeily. Border passing formalities (passport, visa control might take from 1 hr up to 2-2,5 hrs). 

Meet the guide and driver at Uzbekistan side of the border. Transfer to Nukus.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver at the hotel in Nukus.

Start driving from Nukus to Aral Sea yurt camp.

The road will take ~7 hours one way (~400 km) en route visiting:

- Mizdakhan complex: an antique necropolis 

-  Ships Cemetery near Muynak. 

- Ustyurt Plateau - a huge platform of ancient rocks slowly floating down to the Aral Sea. Some part of it was covered by sea. The parts of the ancient bottom still appear near the old coast. 

Arrival in yurt camp near Aral Sea.

BBQ on the open air and observing the night sky with bright stars on.

Overnight in a comfortable yurt camp. 

Camp – style breakfast.

Return transfer to Nukus.

Davlitgirey (Kurgancha qala) and abandoned caravan sarai (XIII);

Ustyurt Plateau is a great source of oil and gas; besides it is a gorgeous place full of Karakalpak legends.

Enjoy the views of Sudochie lake rich of fauna and fish abundance. The lake is key stop on the ways for migrating birds like pink flamingo and white swans.

Lunch in Kungrad. Continue to Nukus.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the driver in the lobby.

- Visit Savitsky Museum exhibiting a unique collection of antiques of Khorezm and Karakalpak, Uzbek fine arts, and second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde works after the Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg.

The founder of the museum, Igor Savitsky devoted his life to piece-by-piece collecting of the finest works of modern artists of Uzbekistan and Russian avant-gardists. In the 70s it was quite risky to become an anti-Soviet propagandist. During perestroika and first years since Uzbekistan independence, the museum earned world recognition and deserved rightfully the must-see site status in Central Asia.

Transfer to Khiva  (180 km, ~ 3,5 hours) en-route photo stops at the ruins of fortresses of ancient Khorezm.

- Ayaz-kala and Toprak-kala, the fortresses of Kushan period of Ancient Khorezm that used to be mighty border forts protecting the residents from raids of nomadic tribes.  The forts were built in ~4-7th century BCE, during the ages when Khorezm achieved its independence. The fortresses are located on the hills quite close to each other and visitors are welcome to have a short overview tour in the monumental forts that currently are drowning in sands.

Arrival in Khiva.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-kala – the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia:

- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya- Ark;

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;

- Kalta Minor, the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;

- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;

- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;

- Islam-Khoja Madrassah - was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara:

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so-called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with the distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

11:00 Transfer to Samarkand, en- route visiting the famous Gijduvan pottery workshop where visitors are welcome for a tour around the workshop and observe the process of ceramic making and painting.

The owners demonstrate the stages of making ceramics from turning the potter’s wheel to making paints from natural ingredients, decorating the ceramics in a distinctive style, drying, and firing.  Take a tour around the museum hall of ceramic masterpieces with a unique collection of the ceramic items of Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan. 

By request, a master class in painting ceramics, suzani embroidery, and traditional bread baking.

Continue to Samarkand.

Arrive in Samarkand in the afternoon, check in the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide. Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hrs):

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants decorated with gold ornaments and considered as one of the world- significant places;

– Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori.

– Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in 15th Century.

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums  formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named Saint Abbas ibn-Kussam;

– Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to border post Jartepa. Border crossing usually takes 30 min-1 hr.

Meet the guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.

Transfer to Marguzor, the famous seven lakes - seven wonderful water mirrors full of mountain riverside drops. Each lake looks different whenever the sun changes its position. Colors may vary from deep blue to indie color ripple. Most of them are cold to swim even in summer. These lakes belong to Fann Mountains system.

On the western edge of the Fan Mountains in the valley of the river Shing there are seven lakes, six of them are dammed origin, besides the lake Hazorchashma. Lakes are called Marguzor, but each lake has its own name: Nezhigon, Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. The difference in level between the upper and lower lake is 692 meters. Easy hike at the lakes. Lunch at the guesthouse.

Transfer to Penjikent.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start Penjikent sightseeing:

- Ancient Penjikent - the ruins of the old Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs.  The ruins were once a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, the foundation of the houses.

- Sarazm (UNESCO World Heritage) lies downstream of the city on the tugay-vegetated floodplain of the river.

Transfer to Dushanbe with short photo stop near Iskanderkul.

- Iskanderkul lake known as a lake of Alexander the Great The area of the lake is 30000 ha. According to the legend, the Iskanderkul Lake was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great’s path to Central Asia from India passed through this lake.  

Continue to Dushanbe passing Anzob tunnel and Anzob pass with amazing panoramic views.

Evening arrival in Dushanbe. Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start Dushanbe sightseeing tour visiting:

- Tajik National Museum of Antiquities with the biggest Buddha in Nirvana.

The Museum consists of 22 exhibition halls with departments of nature, antiquity and the Middle Ages, modern history, fine and applied arts.

- Tajik flagpole-one of  the World tallest flagpoles (165-meter flagpole);

- Main square of Dushanbe. The Monument of Ismoili Somoni - the forefather of Tajik Nation located on the main square. A 40-meter-high monument built to the memory of Ismaili Saman-Khuda, founder of the Samanid dynasty;

- Mehrgon Bazaar - one of the biggest markets of Dushanbe;

- Gissar Fortress- the remains of the Bukhara Emirate Beck’s palace. Its thick walls once guarded a pool, garden, and palace, while the fortress itself opposed a noisy market and caravanserai. The place was famous for its center of commerce during the Silk Road. You will also be able to visit the Old Madrassa (Madrasai Kuhna) of the 16-17th century with a museum inside, the new Madrassa of the 17-18th  century as well as Caravan Saray.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Khujand (300 km, 5 hrs). 

On arrival in Khujand start sightseeing tour in Khujand:

- Kairakkum water resersoir photo stop.

- Arbob palace. Arbob palace had its particular significance in 1992, when it was the place for the meeting of the Tajik Soviet ministers which officially declared independence from the Soviet Union. Also, it was the site where the Tajik flag was chosen.

- Anora National house- museum. Visitors are welcome to take a house tour of a traditional Tajiki house with distinctive interior and unique collection of Soviet -period items. 

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Khudjand was the furthest point Alexander the Great reached in Central Asia, the city was named Alexandria Eschate (Alexandria the Farthest), the city became one of the important entrepots on  the great Silk Road.

Start of the excursion program: 

 Pushkin square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;

- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum or archeology and fortification; 

- Muslihiddin memorial complex;

- Panjshanbe bazaar (The name Panjshanbe comes from Persian language meaning “Thursday”) is one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan. The Silk Road routes passed Khujand and Panjshanbe is considered as one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan. 

Transfer to the border post Oybek, crossing the border

15:00 Meet the driver at the Uzbek side of the border.

Transfer from the border post to the hotel in Tashkent.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide and driver. Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs):

- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994 after of the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theater of the world performs both classical and national repertoires. 

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present and future of the country. There are fountains standing for the life energy of Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War.
- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of the earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam, one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia, attracts visitors all over the world.

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four waters”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city in the bazaar where people come for trades.

- Tashkent Metro (the first line was launched in 1977) with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to the Tashkent International Airport