23 Days Five Stans Discovery Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent & City Tour

Transfer from the airport to the Tashkent hotel. Check in at noon. Explore Old City part of Tashkent. There you will visit chaste-Imam Complex, famous for keeping the holy book Quran of Caliph Uthman. Explore Chorsu Bazaar, then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theatre to Amir Timur Square, where you will end Tashkent city tour. Enjoy free time in late afternoon and evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Day 2: Fergana Valley via Kamchik, Kokand & Rishtan Town Pottery Workshop

After breakfast drive to Fergana Valley, via picturesque mountain pass Kamchik. The first stop will be the city of Kokand to visit the Khudayar Khan palace. Head to Rishtan town to visit a pottery workshop. Continue driving to Fergana city. Check in to the hotel in Fergana for overnight stay.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 3: Kyrgyzstan Border Crossing, Osh Transfer, City Tour & Bishkek Flight

After breakfast transfer to Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border point Dustlik-Dostuk. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. In Kyrgyzstan meet your local guide and driver and continue to Osh. A short city tour in Osh to visit Suleiman-Too (King Solomon’s Mountain 3000 years ago), National Museum of History and Archeology, and Osh Bazaar of the past Great Silk Road. Late afternoon transfer to the local airport for flight to Bishkek. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for free time in the evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 4: Ala-Archa National Parks Tour & Bishkek City Tour

After breakfast transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park, with its beautiful mountain scenery, hiking trails, alpine gorge surrounding by snowy peaks, and the Ala-Arhca River. Free time to enjoy the park. In the afternoon return to Bishkek for city tour. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas, and philharmonic Hall. Free time in the evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 5: Issyk-Kul Lake Transfer via Burana Tower & Lakeside Hotel

After breakfast transfer to Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way stop to see Burana Tower and the ancient city site of Balasagun. Continue driving to Issyk-Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world. Arrival at the lake and check into your lakeside hotel. Free evening to enjoy the tranquillity of this natural marvel.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 6: Karakol Transfer & Karakol City Tour

After breakfast transfer to Karakol. On the way, a visit to an open-air museum of petroglyphs. On arrival at Karakol visit an Russian Orthodox Church, the mosque, which is built without using a single metal nail, and the Museum of M.V. Prejvalsky.
Kyrgyzstan is multi-ethnic country, you will have a chance to taste Uigur food and get acquainted with their culture and traditions with a stay at a dinner at a local house. Free time in the evening.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 7: Jett-Oguz Gorge Tour, Bokobaevo Village and Overnight in Homestay

Breakfast then transfer to Jety-Oguz Gorge, the picturesque gorge famous for its coniferous forest, flower clearings and interesting gorges for hiking, but mainly for the rock formations which are called ‘Seven Bulls’ and ‘Broken Heart’. Lunch picnic provided. Transfer to Bokobaevo Village. Dinner and overnight at a home stay.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 8: Transfer to Bishkek Airport for Flight to Almaty

Breakfast. In the morning, transfer to Bishkek airport. Check in for evening flight to Almaty. On arrival, you will transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 9: Almaty City Tour, Cimbulak Ski Resort &  Sunkar Falcon Farm

After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you for a sightseeing tour in Almaty to visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Central State Museum, and Republic Square. Afterwards a short drive will take you to Chimbulak. Here, visit the ski resort and ride the cable car to enjoy the amazing views of the Tian Shan Mountains. The last stop will be the Sunkar Falcon Farm, where you’ll enjoy seeing these spectacular hunting hawks that are a distinguishing feature of the Kazak way of life. Return to the hotel for free time in Almaty.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 10: Charyn Canyon & National Park Tour

After breakfast drive to Charyn Canyon. Charyn National Park has unforgettable views of the enormous canyon with its multi-coloured tower formations, the National Park offers the opportunity to see an old ash-tree grove, the Castle Valley. Take some time for a picnic and a rest. After that, walk along the canyon and enjoy the views. Late in the afternoon return to Almaty for free time in the evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 11: Flight to Dushanbe & Dushanbe City Tour

Breakfast. Check out from the hotel and fly to Dushanbe. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Afternoon city tour of Dushanbe: Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum. Free time in the evening to enjoy your new surroundings.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 12: Further Dushanbe Citry Tour & Penjikent Transfer

After breakfast you’ll see more of Dushanbe in the form of Ismail Somoni Monument, Rudaki Park, and Hissar Fortress, where you will see Madrasah Khan. In the afternoon drive to Penjikent. The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass. Arrive in Penjikent, check in to the hotel and free evening to explore.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 13: Seven Lakes Tour, Penjikent City Tour, Uzbek Border Crossing & Samarkand Transfer

After breakfast transfer to Seven Lakes and the Fann Mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies depending on the time of year. At the last lake of Khoazorchashma you will have a picnic lunch then drive to Penjikent. A local guide will show you Rudaki Museum, local Bazaar, mosque, and the ancient Penjikent archaeological site.
Late in the afternoon return to the Jartepa border crossing, customs and passport control. On Uzbekistan entry meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Samarkand for the evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 14: Samarkand City Tour

After breakfast a guide will start a city tour. Visit Registan Square, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shah-Zinda Necropolis and Our Emir Mausoleum. Free time in the evening to enjoy at your leisure.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 15: Morning Samarkand Tour & Konigil Paper Making Village Tour

After breakfast continue to visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil Village to learn how Samarkand paper from mulberry is made traditionally. Free time in the afternoon and evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 16: Train Transfer to Bukhara & City Tour

After breakfast check out and transfer to the train station. Take the morning train to Bukhara and transfer to the hotel on arrival. Enjoy a walking tour in the Old City to visit Lyabi-Khuaz Ensemble, mosques, Choir-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, madrasah’s, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums, Kalyan Minaret, and Ark Fortress. Free evening in the city.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 17: Deeper Bukhara City Tour

After breakfast your second day in this holy city kicks off with a visit to Sitoria Mokhi-Khosa, summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Continue to the Chor-Bakr Necropolis and Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Nashbandi. Enjoy free time in the afternoon and evening in the city.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 18: Transfer to Khiva Via Kyzylkum Desert

After breakfast depart to Khiva. The Great Silk Road once ran through the Kyzylkum desert, today you will pass the same route. Stop on route to enjoy views of the desert and the Amudarya River. We recommend a packed lunch as restaurants on the way have limited menu availability. Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for some rest in your new location.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 19: Khiva City Tour

Breakfast. Today you will visit Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other sites include Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Djuma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Makhmud Pakhlavan Mausoleum and Islom Khodja Complex, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Free time in the afternoon and evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 20: Turkmen Border Crossing, Darvaza Gas Crater & Overnight Camp

Breakfast. Free time in the morning and check out from the hotel at noon. Drive to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross the 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Meet your Turkmenistan guide and drive to Darvasa Gas Crater located in the Karakul Desert. Set up the camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 21: Ashgabat Transfer & City Tour

After breakfast depart the camp site and drive to Ashgabat. Check in to the hotel on arrival. In the afternoon city tour you will explore an archaeological site of Old Missa (UNESCO World Heritage) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest in Central Asia. You will visit the National Museum of History, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, the Monument of Neutrality, and the newly built Independence Park. Free time in the evening.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 22: Mary Flight, Ancient Merv Tour & Ashgabat Flight

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for flight to Mary. Upon arrival drive to Merv, an ancient city that was a major centre of international trade hub on the Silk Road. The historical park includes Sultan Sunjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Kya-Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, and kharam-Keshk Castle. Return to Mary Airport to get the flight back to Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Accommodation at a 4 star hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 23: Departure Flight

After breakfast you’ll have some free time till noon check out and transfer to the airport for departure flight home.