5 STAN Family tour is a journey of historical and nature sightseeing at gentle pace that will be suitable for families with little kids and elderly people.
Enjoy the genuine hospitality visiting colorful bazaars and magnificent complexes, observing the deliberate work of ceramic masters in Gijduvan and participating in a master-class, staying in cozy yurts near Issyk Kul lake and discovering the traditions of local households.
Explore Central Asia gems in a budget-saving family tour!
Flight to Ashgabat.
Evening arrival in Ashgabat International Airport.
Migration formalities usually take 60 min to 2 hrs: PCR/ visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the driver holding a sign with your name on it.
Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
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.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
08:00 Departure flight Ashgabat - Mary by morning flight.
08:40 Arrival in Mary.
Transfer to Mary and to Ancient Merv (UNESCO) for sightseeing in the historical park visiting:
- Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum - the best remaining testimony to Seljuk power at Merv is the 38 m-high Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, located in the center of Sultan Kala. The building was restored with Turkish aid and rises dramatically in the open plain. Sanjar, the grandson of Alp-Arslan, died in 1157, reputedly of a broken heart when, after escaping from captivity in Khiva, he came home to find that his beloved Merv had been pillaged by Turkic nomads.
- Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum;
- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries);
- History museum of Merv region.
16:00 Meeting the driver at Uzbekistan side of the border.
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.
09:00 Sightseeing program in Bukhara countryside visiting:
- Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.
- Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order) Located near Bukhara the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Nakshbandi is considered as one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attracts many visitors as well as pilgrims. The memorial was rebuilt several times in XIV - each Emir of Bukhara wanted to build something new near the mausoleum. This complex impresses with its incomparable style of oriental architecture, which reflects the spirit of the Sufi Order.
- Sitora-I – Mohi Khosa – last Emir summer residence visit by request.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Free time in Bukhara, morning at leisure.
10:00 Transfer to Samarkand (270 km), en-route visiting 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.
A master-class of painting ceramics that is particularly interesting for kids.
*After drying and firing the ceramics, the master sends the unique hand-made souvenirs to Samarkand within next 2 days.
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.
08:00 Transfer to border Jartepa. Border crossing ( visa/ passport/ luggage control usually takes 30 min- 1 hr).
Meet the guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.
Start off-road trip to Marguzor, the famous seven pristine lakes in Fann mountains, 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, beside the lake Hazorchashma. Lakes are called Marguzor, but each of the lakes has its own name: Nezhigon (other references Mizhgon), Soybean; Gushor; Nofin; Hurdak; Marguzor; Hazorchashma.
The difference in level between the upper and lower lake - 692 meters.
Photo stops and easy hiking stops ( lake 1-6).
Please note lake 6 - lake 7 will be quite active hiking up the mountains from lake 6 about 1 hr - 1,5 to lake 7, photo stop and descending back to lake 6. This hiking part might be a bit intense for elderly people and small kids and by request, you can skip it.
Lunch in a guesthouse.
Transfer to Penjikent hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
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, 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.
15:00 Afternoon border crossing BP Jartepa to Uzbekistan (takes about 30 min-1 hr), meet the driver at Uzbekistan side of the border.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 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, 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.
- Carpet factory “Hudjum” to observe the process of the finest carpets weaving.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 Meet the guide. Start sightseeing program in Samarkand visiting (5-6 hrs):
– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of 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;
– Mausoleum of Hoji Doniyor also known as Saint Daniel.
– Paper factory "Meros” in Konigil village that produces unique paper that can be preserved for more than and is used in craftworks.
16:30 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.
17:28 Departure for Tashkent by speed train Afrosiab or Sharq.
19:44 Arrival in Tashkent.
Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide. 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 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 theaters in the world that 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 the 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.
- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four water”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city in the bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in postcards and international magazines and became one of the major sights of interest both for locals and guests – one can see oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delirious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.
- 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.
10:00 Meet with our driver in the lobby and start the journey.
Transfer to Chimgan Mountains area, 120 km from Tashkent, en-route enjoying the picturesque views of beautiful mountains and the life of local people. Chimgan Mounts offer many seasonal outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, climbing, hiking, and mountaineering.
- Amirsoy cable way ( please note the entrance fees in Amirsoy and to cable way are not included, the visitors can buy the entrance tickets/ cable way ride tickets or ski passes in the ticket offices of Amirsoy)
- take a photo stop with panoramic view to Charvak Lake enjoying fresh air beautiful nature and stunning scenery of Chimgan Mountains.
- Petroglyphs. Not far from the Ugam River, during archaeological excavations, stone tools and traces of ancient hearths were discovered, on one of the rocks you can see ancient rock paintings.
It's possible to have a lunch in mountain restaurants in the place named "Bochka" by local people.
After lunch, transfer back to Tashkent. The total journey is 200 km one-way long.
Arrival in Tashkent (ETA by 17:00). Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.
12:55 Departure flight Tashkent – Almaty by KC 128.
14:35 Morning arrival in Manas International Airport
Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, driver meets with “ANUR TOUR” sign.
Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in hotel.
Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Charyn Canyon. Sightseeing in the "Valley of Castles".
Charyn Canyon is a natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America, although inferior to it in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon is up to 150-300 meters. Extraordinary dissection of the terrain is striking: the numerous ravines form a dense, chaotic network. Wind and water have created the beautiful "Valley of Castles", where you are always surrounded by the fancy towers composed of sedimentary rocks. The length of the valley - more than 2 km, width - 20-80 meters. For millions of years the nature has been creating a unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles carefully and slowly.
Transfer to Almaty.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
10:00 Transfer to Bishkek passing the border post "Korday". Border passing formalities usually take 30 min - 1 hour. Please note: while passing the land borders one needs to be ready to handle all the luggage across the border by him/herself.
Arrival in Bishkek in the afternoon.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Bishkek with nature sightseeing en-route:
- 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.
- Skazka (Fairy tale) Canyon and enjoy an easy hike among the impressive red rocks;
- Issyk-Kyl lake is one of the most wonderful lakes in the world, located in the north-eastern part of the Kyrgyz Republic. Issyk Kul is translated as “Hot Lake” and is considered as one of "the pearls of Central Asia". Due to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul has curative qualities.
Arrival in yurt camp, where Kyrgyz people still live in traditional simplicity in unity with nature. Enjoy your stay in and real experience of nomadic life in the yurt camp.
Dinner and overnight in national yurt.
Breakfast at the yurt camp.
Morning at leisure for photo-taking ( in summer, it is possible to enjoy swimming in Issyk Kul lake).
Transfer to Bishkek with sightseeing en-route.
- Eagle show in Bokonbayevo (traditional eagle hunting).
Afternoon arrival in Bishkek.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Start sightseeing in Bishkek visiting:
- Ala Archa Natural park (~35 km from Bishkek, ~ 40min)
Take an easy walk high up to observe the view of mountains and rich Kyrgyz nature, spectate birds and animals living their lives, watch how cold water of Kyrgyz rivers falling down the mountains and continue its way among ancient trees and gorge.Time to explore the area, take photos and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful nature.
- Oak Park in the city center.
- 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 - legendary Kyrgyz hero, the classic centerpiece of Kyrgyz literature.
- Victory Square, where in the centre you can see the Victory monument, a memorial which was completed in 1984. Usually the main festival events are held in Bishkek at eternal flame, on Victory Square, where is posted 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.
- Visit to the central bazaar for shopping.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Transfer to Manas International Airport.
Tour Price (PER PERSON):
| Person in group | Standart | Comfort hotels |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6625 | $7155 |
| 2-3 | $4185 | $4455 |
| 4-5 | $3485 | $3765 |
| 6-12 | $3075 | $3365 |
| Single supplement | $560 | $785 |
- Turkmenistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);
- Accommodation based on 2- 6 pax shared yurts in Beltam;
- 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;
- Turkmenistan: English-speaking local guide/s (D 1 – D 2); Uzbekistan: English-speaking local guides (5 standard excursions); Tajikistan: English-speaking escorting guide (D 7– D 8); Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan: local English speaking guide/s (D 14 – D 19);
- Meals: breakfast at hotels; lunch in a guesthouse in 7 lakes trip ( traditional meals, fixed menu, alcohol excluding), home-made breakfast and dinner in Beltam yurt camp (camp-style fixed menu, alcohol excluding);
- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums as per program;
- Ceramic painting master-class and tea break in Gijduvan;
- Train tickets Samarkand – Tashkent by speed train "Afrosiab"/ "Sharq" (economy class);
- Internal flight Ashgabat – Mary (economy class);
- Touristic tax.
- 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); PCR test in Ashgabat Airport ( about 33 USD per person) and migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent);
- Photo/video fees (professional camera);
- Transport and guide service for free days and free time after the standard city tours; transport for walking tour in Bukhara, guides for guideless trips;
- Entrance fees in Amirsoy;
- Meals: lunches and dinners except those specified in the included section;
- Personal/travel insurance; portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.
The tour is published on December 12, 2024 and the rates as per program and conditions specified are actual for 180 days ( 6 month) from the date of publication.
All the rates will be subject to change if the request is after 180 days from date of publication because any changes in the seasonal tariffs for hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may cause the increase of rates.
- Any changes in the basic itinerary and service content may cause the change of the tour prices.
- If the hotels, noted in the program are fully booked or not available for the dates or in case of late / last-minute booking, the tour company reserves the right to book the other hotels of the same category and similar service as per room availability.
- Please note that during the national holidays, during the big summits, fairs, festivals, major sport and cultural events, some parts of the roads can be temporarily blocked for delegations and events as per government decrees.
ACCOMMODATION
|
CITY |
STANDARD |
COMFORT |
|
ASHGABAT |
Ak Altyn |
Sport |
|
BUKHARA |
An-Nur/ Malika Bukhara/ Devon Begi / Devon/ Safiya |
|
|
SAMARKAND |
Shaxzoda Elite/ Shahdil/ Zilol Baxt |
East Star/ Kosh Hovuz/ Dilimah |
|
PENJIKENT |
Panjakent Plaza |
|
|
TASHKENT |
Milan/ Marwa/ Gabrielle |
Inspira-S / Ichan Qala / Ateca / Mirzo Boutique |
|
ALMATY |
Voyage Hotel or similar |
Renion Park/ Kazhol Park or similar |
|
BISHKEK |
Soluxe/ Bugu |
Golden Dragon / Smart hotel |
|
ISSYK KUL |
Beltam yurt camp |
|
|
Or other hotels of the same category |
||
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