5-Stan Tour in Central Asia 1: 12 days

Tour itinerary: Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan – Tajikistan – Turkmenistan

Season: all the year round

Days: 12 | Nights: 11

Central Asia with its beautiful legends and world - famous historical sites of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan is a real treasure for travelers.

12-day itinerary is a great journey to explore different landscapes of flourishing valleys, mountains and desert, discover the ancient hisorical sights that attract everyone who ever heard about Great Silk Road.

Welcome to Central Asia!

Day 1

Almaty

Flight to Almaty.

Arrival at Almaty International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, the driver meets with a sign “ANUR TOUR”.

Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Almaty

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 in 1941 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 which is of the XVII century.

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Almaty – Bishkek

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Bishkek by car (250 km ~ 4-5hrs) to the border cross Kegen. Border crossing usually takes 30 min~1h.

Please note: while passing the border one needs to be ready to handle all the luggage across the border by him/herself (~300 m).

Continue to Bishkek.

Arrival at the hotel, check-in. Short time to rest.

In the afternoon start Bishkek walking tour visiting:

- Oak Park - city center. It is known also as Dubovy Park - today it is one of the favorite places among tourists in Bishkek.

- Ala-Too Square is the central square in Bishkek. It serves as a place for state events and celebrations. Philharmonic hall – situated at the top of Rose Alley.

- Statue of Manas (Manas is a legendary Kyrgyz hero and the classic centerpiece of Kyrgyz literature).

- Victory Square where one can see the Victory monument, a memorial was completed in 1984. Usually, the main festival events are held in Bishkek at the eternal flame, on Victory Square with the guard of honor, forces of Kyrgyz garrison and a military band.

- State History Museum is a perfect display of the Kyrgyz people and the history of the country of Kyrgyzstan.

- Visit the central bazaar.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Bishkek – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Bishkek countryside sightseeing tour visiting:

- Ala Archa National Park (40 km from Bishkek one way);

- Burana Tower was the vertical dominant of the ancient city Balasagun, the north capital of the Turkic lingual state of the Karakhanids and the small nearby museum with its collection of ancient bal-bals, carved stone figures used as monuments.

16:40 Transfer to the airport.

18:40 Evening flight to Tashkent by HY 780 (1,5 hrs).

19:00 Arrival in Tashkent International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, the driver meets with a sign “ANUR TOUR”.

Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport not far from the city center, the transfer will not take a long time (usually 20 – 40 minutes depending on the hotel location).

Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Tashkent – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

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

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

- Tashkent chimes, one of the major symbols of Tashkent, were brought from defeated Koenigsberg in 1945 as a sign of the great victory and eternal glory of patriots who fought in World War II.

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

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan. There are fountains, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers of World War, arch "Good and noble aspiration" crowned with birds of happiness and prosperity, road "Ok Yul" leading to Independence Monument and a monument to Happy Mother symbolizing the hope for a great future.

- 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 is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

18:00 Transfer to the railway station.

18:50 Departure for Samarkand by speed train "Afrosiab"/"Sharq".

20:58 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Samarkand – Seven Lakes – Penjikent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to border Jartepa. Border crossing (it usually takes 30 min- 1 hr).

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

Start an excursion to Marguzor lakes in Fann Mountains.

- 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 (other references Mizhgon), Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. The difference in level between the upper and lower lake is 692 meters.

Easy hike at the lakes.

Transfer to Penjikent. Check-in the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Penjikent – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent visiting:

- 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.

- The Sarazm Important Bird Area (UNESCO World Heritage) lies downstream of the city on the tugay-vegetated floodplain of the river;

- Museum of Rudaki (Penjikent is a birthplace of Abu-Abdallah Rudaki,

considered as the forefather of Persian Poetry with a hall devoted to the Rudaki, well-preserved frescoes of ancient Sarazm.

Afternoon border crossing BP Jartepa to Uzbekistan (takes about 30 min-1 hr), meet the driver at Uzbekistan side of the border.

Transfer to Samarkand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Day 8

Samarkand – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

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

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

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

- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of the Muslim 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.

18:00 Transfer to the railway station.

18:50 Departure for Samarkand by speed train "Afrosiab"/"Sharq".

20:58 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Bukhara

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

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 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.

Optionally can be added by request:

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Bukhara – Mary – Ashgabat

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Transfer to the border post "Olot – Farab". Border passing formalities (passport and visa control might take 1 to 2 hrs depending on the customs formalities). Meet the guide and driver at Turkmen side of the border.

Transfer to Ancient Merv (UNESCO) visiting:

- Historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum;

- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum,

- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries) and others.

Return to Mary.

- Visit the History Museum of Merv region.

Transfer to the airport.
Departure for Ashagbat by evening flight (40 min).

Arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Ashgabat

Breakfast.

09:00 Start Ashgabat city tour with visiting:

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque with four minarets reminding the Blu Mosque of Istanbul was built in honor Ertogrul the father of the Osman I, the founder of Ottoman Empire,

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

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

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

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

- Ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel,

Transfer to the airport.

Morning departure flight from Ashgabat.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$4185	$4415
2-3	$2685	$2825
4-5	$2095	$2235
6-12	$1895	$2035
Single supplement	$360	$480

Book it!

- Turkmenistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class/SUV transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from train stations /borders;

- Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan: local English speaking guide/s (D 2 – D 4); Uzbekistan: English-speaking local guides (3 standard excursions); Tajikistan: English-speaking escorting guide (D 6 – D 7); Turkmenistan: English-speaking escorting guide (D 10 – D11);

- Meals: breakfast at hotels;

- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums as per program;

- Train tickets Tashkent – Samarkand, Samarkand – Bukhara by tourist train “Afrosiab”/”Sharq” (economy class).

- Internal flight Mary – Ashgabat (economy class);

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to Almaty, Bishkek – Tashkent, from Ashgabat;

- Kazakhstan e/visa, Kyrgyzstan e/visa, E-visa to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan e-visa (if required); Turkmenistan tourist visa from 85+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent) and migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent);

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Uzbekistan: Transport for a walking tour in Bukhara; guide/transport service for free time after the standard city tours;

- Meals: lunches and dinners;

- Personal/travel insurance; portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.

- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;

- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;

- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;

- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions (weather conditions during the tour, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).

City	Standart	Comfort
ALMATY	Voyage Hotel or similar	Renion Park/ Kazhol Park
BISHKEK	Soluxe/ Demar	Golden Dragon / Sim
TASHKENT	Marwa/ Milan/ Gabrielle/ Uzbekistan	Inspira-S / Ichan Qala / Ateca / Mirzo Boutique
SAMARKAND	Malika Prime/ Shahdil/ Zilol Baxt/ Shaxzoda Elite	East Star/ Kosh Hovuz/ Dilimah/ Emirhan
PENJIKENT	Panjakent Plaza
BUKHARA	An-Nur/ Malika Bukhara/ Devon Begi / Devon/ Safiya
ASHGABAT	Ak Altyn	Sport