Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan

Arrival in Ashgabat.

Your driver will meet you holding a sign 'YOUR NAME'. Transfer to the hotel.

Meeting with a company representative who will provide a tour package, and you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of the program.

14:00 Standard check-in.

Meet with your guide & driver at the hotel's lobby and start excursion in Ashgabat:

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque,

- Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118 m column that considers the highest building in the country),

- Neutrality Arch - a unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun.

Visiting  National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique expositions from Ancient Merv and Nisa. 

A trip to ancient Nisa (18km from Ashgabat) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of the I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

Return to Ashgabat. Visit en-route Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. It's considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousand people). There're beautiful gardens and fountains near the mosque. 

Resting time.

Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Continue city tour around Ashgabat with visiting to Anau mosque ruins;

- Akhal teke horse stables, where you will have an opportunity to see the most beautiful horses on the Earth. A visit to Carpet Museum and (Sunday) bazaar. 
Transfer by car to gas crater Darwaza (260 km North from Ashgabat).
In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate to Hell, and the sight of the crater at night indeed gives a somewhat spooky feel. 

The views are most impressive in the dark, and an overnight stay in tents near the crater is a unique experience, especially when accompanied by a barbecue dinner.
Overnight in the camp. 

Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning transfer to Kunya-Urgench. 
Start sightseeing tour with visiting: the founder mausoleum of Sufi sects:

- Najmudd n-e Kubr (Persian:) or Najm al-Din Kubra, (Shaykh Ab al-Jann b Ahmad ibn 'Umar) was a 13th-century Persian Sufi from Khwarezmia, the founder of the Kubrawiyya or Kibruyeh Sufi order, influential in the Ilkhanid and Timurid. His method, exemplary of a "golden age" of sufi metaphysics, was related to the Illuminism of Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi as well as to Rumi's Shams Tabrizi;

- 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 - 67m height);

- Mausoleum Kyrkmolla (II in BC - III A.D.) - The sacred hill Kyrk Molla, “40 mullahs” in Turkic, is found in Kunya-Urgench. According to a local legend, during the Mongol invasion 40 scholars who lived in the library began to pray for the salvation of the priceless manuscripts, stored there. When the enemy approached, the library tipped over and went underground;

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

Cross the 1.5 km neutral zone.

Meet your Uzbekistan driver and drive to Khiva (60 km, 1 h).

Transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. 

Departure to Bukhara(455 km ~ 6.30 hours) by train or by car through the Kyzylkym desert. (depends on the weather condition. Trains schedule is 08:57 - 14:50, Tue, Fri, Sun)

Kyzylkum desert - Kyzylkum (from Turkic means «red sand») – is a sandy desert between the rivers Amudarya and Syrdarya in Central Asia. Its area is 300 thousand sq. km. On the north-west the desert is limited by hollow of Aral Sea, on the north-east by Syrdarya and on the south-west is limited by Amudarya. In ancient time, Great Silk Road passed through the Kyzylkum desert. Thanks to it, such famous cities as Bukhara, Samarkand and Khiva prospered. People of different professions worked here: sellers, interpreters, guarder of caravans, tax collectors. It is very strange but there was hectic life in the desert.

Arrival in Bukhara. Transfer to the hotel, check-in.

17:40 Folk-shou in madrasah Nadir Divan-Begi.

Resting time.

Overnight.

Breakfast.

09:00 Meet your guide in the hotel's lobby. Head over to the old part of Bukhara and start your walking excursion:

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):

- 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;

- Visit Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with 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 of every visitor;

- 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.

Optionally can be added by request :

- Visit to Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Samarkand (270 km ~ 4.30 hours) via Shakhrisabz town.

Meet the guide in Shahrisabz.

Excursion tour in Shakhrisabz includes visiting (2,5 hrs)

- Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”), the ruins of the summer palace of Tamerlane. The palace was constructed and decorated by deported from conquered Khorezm skillful builders, masters and artisans. Some parts of the gate tower survived to the present day.

- Mausoleum of Dorus-Saodat ("The Place of Power", XIV century) contains the tomb of Eldest and favourite Tamerlane’s son Jahongir.

- Visit Kok Gumbaz, so-called “House of Meditation.

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of XVI century where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried.

Continue to Samarkand. Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check-in.

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. 

09:00 Meet with your guide & driver at the hotel's lobby and start excursion in Samarkand:

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

– 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.

16:28 Transfer to the train station.

17:28 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob"

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent.

Meer and transfer to the hotel. 

Resting time.

Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square - is the radial-circular park, crossed by eight lanes the center of which is Amir Timur monument. In 2009 the square was reconstructed, there were planted new trees instead of old ones, as well as was built a new administrative building.

- Theater Square with the Opera House;

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present and future of the country;

- 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 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;

- Chorsu bazaar;

- 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.

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:00 Transfer to the railway station.

08:07 Departure to Kokand by train.

12:13 Arrival in Kokand.

Meet with your guide and driver at the meeting zone.

Kokand (mentioned as Khavakand or Kokan derived from a tribal name) is an ancient city that due to favorable location was one of the convenient fortified points of caravan routes in the Great Silk Road.

Nowadays, Kokand is a modern town at the crossroads of Tashkent, Fergana valley to Andijan and the other route to Khujand (Tajikistan) and is considered as one of the most important pre-border points.

Start sightseeing tour around Kokand visiting :

- Khudoyar-Khan Palace of 19th century is listed in the world heritage of UNESCO, at present days houses Kokand Regional History Museum that exhibit a unique collection of more than 3000 artefacts from ancient, khanate and tsarist periods of the region. The large palace was built in several stages from 1822 to 1867 and the facade was decorated with exquisite ceramic patterns by Rishtan and Kashgar masters. 

- Norbut-Biy Madrassah, the largest madrassa in Kokand. The madrassa was built in XVIII century by captured architects as well as the famous Bukharian architect Usto Muhammed Salih Kasim, so the design and construction  is quite typical to some monuments of XVIII Century in  Bukhara.

- Modari Khan Mausoleum ( Modari-khan means Mother of Khan”)  was built in 1825 by order of the widow of Umarkhan,  famous poetess Nodira to honor the tomb of her mother-in-law. Since then the mausoleum became the family mausoleum where most of the female members of khan family were buried.

-  Rishton (50 km west of Fergana) famous all over the world for its pottery that is decorated according to ancient tradition that is more than 800 years. Masters hand down their trade secrets from father to son. The unique red clay ceramic masterpieces are decorated with naturally made ultramarine, turquoise and azure ornaments known as blue glaze "ishkor",

- Workshop of the famous potter Rustam Umarov where visitors are welcome to observe the finest Rishtan ceramics in wonderful handmade and painted tea sets and lagans and beautifully decorated jugs and vases.

Transfer to Fergana.

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00   Meet the guide at the lobby.
Continue sightseeing in Fergana valley:
Ahmad Al-Fargoni monumental complex and Margilan visiting Said-Ahmad Hodji Madrassah where craftsmen produce original silk carpets, silk factory Yodgorlik where visitors are welcome to observe the process of silk manufacture with traditional decoration “ikat”.

Transfer to Andijan, one of the most important part of The Great Silk Road. A tour around the town includes visiting
- The Central Bazaar -  Andijon’s Jahon Bazaar is the biggest bazaar on the Uzbek side of the Fergana Valley. There are silk stalls here, in case you miss Kumtepa Bazaar in Margilon. Sunday and Thursday are its busiest days;
- The Craftsmen street Hunarmandchilik;
- Art and Literature Museum, craft center, Bog-I Shamol garden known as The Garden of Winds, Bobur Museum. 

Resting time in the evening.

Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast. 

Transfer to Uzbek – Kyrgyz boarder pass. Crossing Uzbek-Kyrgyz border.
Transfer to Osh city (15 km).

Short sightseeing in city visiting:

- Suleiman mountain and Museum;

- Osh Bazaar;

- Main square with Lenin statue.

Transfer to airport for evening flight to Bishkek.

Meeting, transfer to the hotel, check-in.

Overnight at the hotel. 

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Karakol with sightseeing en-route:

- Cholpon Ata History and Ethnology Museum, visit Petroglyphs site at Issyk Kul Lake. Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs are located between the northern, western and northwestern outskirts of Cholpon-Ata. The drawings theme is varied but the main pictures are the images of animals: deer, bulls, horses, wild rams, goats, wolves and many others. 

 On arrival in Karakol  start sightseeing tour visiting:

- The wooden Russian-orthodox church.

- Dungan mosque is one of the most famous places in Karakol town. The most interesting thing is that it is built without a single metal nail. More than 100 years ago there was a Chinese master who lived in this town. Dungans are people from China who had Muslim religion. The construction was made of bricks and wood and decorated with various ornaments.

- Museum of N.M. Przhevalski (Russian explorer of Asian continent).

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

08:00 Transfer to Kegen-Karjyra border, border passing formalities.

Transfer to one of the most beautiful places of Kazakhstan, Kaindy Gorge. 

Kaindy Lake (Birch Lake) is situated among magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley.

The water of the lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well-preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water, and dry stems of fir trees overlook the water surface, like the masts of the submarine squadron. It is impossible to describe in words all this mystical splendor of the lake.

Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Saty village.

Overnight.

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Exploration of Altyn Emel National Park famous for its rich flora and fauna but also for singing dunes (barchans).

Nature phenomenon, that many  scientists still try to get the reasonable explanation,  is crescent like barchan of about 120 m high that produces distinctive melodically rumbling sounds when the wind blows,

Transfer to Almaty (261 km), passing the bridge through the river Ili in vicinities Kapshagay of a water basin.

Resting time in the evening.

 Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Sightseeing around Almaty includes visiting

- Panfilov Park. The name of the Panfilov Park comes after the heroes of Panfilov. There is a big monument in commemoration of the heroic actions made by 28 Almaty Soldiers who died back in 1941 fighting in World War II near Moscow.

- Zenkov Cathedral. Zenkov Wooden constructed Cathedral is one of the eight unique wooden buildings in the world. It is one of the few buildings to survive the 1911 earthquake, despite the fact it is built entirely of wood and constructed without nails;

- National Musical Instruments Museum. In the Museum of Musical Instruments, one can find various national musical instruments, the oldest of is dated of XVII century.

- Medeu, the World's largest speed skating rink known as Medeo. At the end of the gorge there is a ski resortShymbulak, situated at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. It is one of Central Asia's top skiing spots where visitors may take a cable car funicular to Shymbulak Ski resort and enjoy the panoramic views to the surroundings.

Leisure time in the evening. 

Overnight in hotel.