Kyrgyzstan – Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan – Tajikistan – Turkmenistan

Day1: Manas international Airport (FRU) – Bishkek

Meeting with your guide and driver at Manas international airport. Transfer to your

hotel, rest till lunch, after lunch starting our city tour, we visit Osh Bazaar, Ala Too

square, President white house, opera balet theatre. In the evening dinner in the

Kyrgyz restaurant. Overnight in a hotel

Day2: Bishkek – Burana tower – Song Kol lake

Drive to Son-Kul (320 km, 6 hours), a remote mountain lake that is one of the

highest in Kyrgyzstan (3,016 m above sea level). The lake is situated on a treeless,

high-mountain plateau to which shepherds bring their livestock in summer and

establish yurt camps where they’ll live. In this magnificent place you can expect to

see hundreds of herds of livestock and numerous yurts, as well as edelweiss flowers

and camels. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll learn about the traditional life of

Kyrgyz nomads, including watching local women make the Kyrgyz national drink,

kymyz (mare’s milk). You’ll surely be invited to try kymyz, as well as traditional

bread, dairy products, and home-made jam. You’ll also have the chance to ride a

horse 1 hour.

Dinner and overnight at a yurt camp.

Day3: Song Kol lake – Kochkor – Bokonbaevo

Transfer to Kochkor and participate in a workshop to learn how traditional Kyrgyz

felt carpets are made. You may even want to buy a carpet as a souvenir. After

lunch at the home of a Kyrgyz family, continue to Kizil Too village a centre of yurt

production, to help build a yurt or watch how it is done. Then drive to Bokonbaevo

Located between the Terskey Ala-Too Mountains and the shore of the famous

Issyk-Kul Lake, this town attracts visitors with its combination of natural beauty and

traditional Kyrgyz character. Free time to walk around the village and enjoy the

scenery. Dinner and overnight at guesthouse.

Day4: Bokonbayevo – Skazka canyon – Zheti Oguz – Karakol

In the morning we have Eagle show and Archery near the lake. Drive to Skazka

(“Fairy Tale”) Canyon, which has many interesting geological features and unusual

rock formations. After a short hike (up to 1 hour), continue to the picturesque Jeti-

Oguz (“Seven Bulls”) Gorge. Explore the gorge on a 1.5-hour hike and then transfer

to Karakol for a sightseeing tour. Highlights include the Russian-Orthodox Church

and the intriguing Dungan mosque (designed by a Chinese architect). Have dinner

with a local Dungan/Uighur family. Overnight at the hotel.

Day5: Kyrgyzstan: Karakol – Kazkahstan: – Kolsai lake – Saty villageTransfer to the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border post at Kegen, via the museum of the Russian

explorer, Nikolai Przhevalsky. Cross the border, then drive to village. Arrival to Saty

village Lunch. After Lunch walking around villang Dinner overnight in a guesthouse.

Day6: Kolsai lake – Kaiyndy lake – Saty village

After breakfast, we drive to Kolsai Lake which is one of the most visited places. And

have very nice views on the background there is Tien-Shan Mountain range. After

lunch, we will explore Kaindy Lake. Kaindy lake has a very specific view coz of a sunk

forest. Overnight at same guest house.

Day7: Saty village – Charyn canyon – Almaty

Transfer to Almaty, on the way visit to Charyn canyon. This 154m-long canyon

within the Charyn National Park is sometimes called Kazakhstan’s “Grand Canyon”.

In addition to unforgettable views of the enormous canyon with its multi-coloured

tower formations (Castle Valley), the National Park offers the opportunity to see an

ancient ash tree grove. After arriving at the canyon, take some time for a picnic

lunch and a rest. After that, walk along the canyon for about 2 hours to enjoy the

views and take photos. Then drive to Almaty. Overnight at the hotel.

Day8: Almaty city tour

Take a sightseeing tour of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital. Start at Panfilov

Park, which was dedicated to and named after the 28 soldiers who died protecting

the country’s freedom. Then visit Zenkov Cathedral and the World War II memorial

complex. Zenkov Cathedral is the oldest building in the city and was built entirely

out of wood, without any metal nails. Continue sightseeing at Green Bazaar (where

you can also buy souvenirs), the Central Mosque, and Independence Square. After

the city tour, drive to Medeo Gorge. Stop at the enormous Medeo Dam, which

protects the city from destructive mudflows formed on the top of the western Tian

Shan mountains. From the top of the dam, which is situated at an altitude of 1,733

m, enjoy the views of the largest high-mountain skating rink in the world – Medeo.

Then drive to the top of Kok-Tobe Hill, where you can enjoy an unforgettable

panorama of Almaty from the observation desk. At the foot of Kazakhstan’s tallest

TV tower, take a walk along the park’s winding paths and see various sights –

including a statue of The Beatles. Return to the city centre via the cable car, and

then transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel

Day9: Kazakhstan: Almaty – Tajikistan: Dushanbe (Flight)

Free time until your transfer to Almaty International Airport. Then fly to Dushanbe,

the capital of Tajikistan. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and then take a

sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the Hissar Fortress, Madrassah Kuhna, Mosque of

Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Tajikistan (closed on Mondays), Gurminj MusicalInstruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park. Free time.

Overnight at the hotel. Duration: 4-5 hours

Day10: Dushanbe – Seven lakes

Leave the hotel by 8:00 to drive to Iskanderkul Lake via the picturesque Anzob Pass

(3,300 m above sea level). According to legend, this lake was named after

Alexander the Great (who was known as “Iskander” in the East). People say that

Alexander the Great travelled via this lake. On the way, stop to enjoy a packed

lunch. Continue to the Seven Lakes, located in the western Fann Mountains.

Overnight at a home stay near the Seven Lakes.

Day11: Seven lakes – Panjakent

Explore the Seven Lakes of Marguzor (also called “Haf Kul”). These are seven

different-coloured mountain lakes: Mijgon, Soya, Hushyor, Nophin (2,139 m above

sea level), Khurdak, Marguzor, and Hazorchashma (2,400 m above sea level). After

a picnic at Hazorchashma Lake, drive to Penjikent). Take a guided sightseeing tour

of the city, including the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu

Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). Visit

ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century

and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The foundations of houses, a citadel

with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar are

visible in the excavated ruins. Drive to Sarazm, which is one of the oldest

settlements in Central Asia and has 5,500 years of history. In 2010, Sarazm was

added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Then transfer to the Tajik-Uzbek

border post at Jartepa. After crossing the border, meet your Uzbek driver and drive

to Samarkand. Free time to explore the city. Overnight at the hotel.

Day12: Tajikistan: Panjakent – Uzbekistan: Samarkand

After breakfast, check out the hotel and transfer to the border of Panjikent –

Samarkand, (Jar tepa), cross land border to Samarkand region of Uzbekistan.

Samarkand city, which sounds like a fairy tale to you, who heard fairy tale stories

about it from childhood. Arrive to the famous Samarkand city, the Pearle of the East.

Lunch in Uzbek restaurant in Samarkand. After lunch we continue our journey

through the ancient and eternally old Samarkand city, which is almost three

thousand years old. Dinner at the national Uzbek restaurant and transfer to the

hotel for staying overnight.

Day13: Samarkand – Bukhara

Drive to Bukhara (280 km, 4 hours) and check in to the hotel. Then visit Sitorai

Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir and a unique

combination of Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the MemorialComplex of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. Free time. Overnight

at the hotel

Day14: Bukhara

Enjoy a guided walking sightseeing tour of Bukhara’s Old City, also a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. Visit the Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trading

domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek, Chor-

Minor, and Abdulazizkhan madrassahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, and Ismail

Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel

Day15: Bukhara – Khiva

Drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 hours), taking the route that traders once used when

travelling along the Great Silk Road, across the Kyzylkum Desert between Bukhara

and Khiva. The road is generally in good condition, except for some short stretches.

On the way, stop to enjoy views of the desert and the Amudarya River. Arrive in

Khiva in the late afternoon and check in to the hotel. Free time to rest. Overnight at

the hotel. As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited

menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can

help you arrange this the day before)

Day16: Khiva

Take a guided walking tour of this ancient city. Visit the Itchan-Kala Fortress (a

UNESCO World Heritage site), Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrassah, Mukhammad

Rahimkhan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan

Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islam Khoja. Climb the Islam Khoja

Minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of

Old Khiva from the Kunya-Ark Citadel, followed by free time. Overnight at the hotel

Day17: Uzbekistan: Khiva – Turkmenistan: Köneürgench – Darvaza Gas Crater

Drive to the Turkmenistan border crossing at Shavat-Dashoguz. Complete the

border formalities on both sides, crossing the 1.5 km neutral zone (please note that

transportation may not be available). Meet your Turkmen guide and transfer to

Kunya-Urgench (100 km, 1 hour 30 min). Visit the mausoleums of Turabek Khanum,

SSultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmuddin-Kubra, Sultan Ali, followed by the

Kutlug-Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla hill. In the afternoon, drive to the Darvaza Gas

Crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Free time to set up camp for

the night, explore and photograph the area, and watch the sunset. Then enjoy a

delicious fire-cooked dinner near the burning crater. Overnight in yurt.

Day18: Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat

Leave the camp site and drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 4 hours). Check in to the hotel

and enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Overnight at the hotel.Day19: Ashgabat city tour

Take a sightseeing tour of the fascinating city of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital.

Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record as the city with the highest density of

white marble buildings in the world. During the city tour, explore the archeological

site of Old Nissa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Spiritual Mosque, one of the

biggest mosques in Central Asia. Visit the National Museum of History, the

Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the recently-built Independence

Park. The tour also includes a stop at the Akhalteke horses stables and the Lenin

Monument. Free time in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel

Day20: Ashgabat – International Airport

Hotel check-out (by 12:00), free time until your transfer to Ashgabat International

Airport. Departure. End of the tour.