5 Stan Group Tour -1

Flight to Ashgabat.

Evening arrival in Ashgabat International Airport

Migration formalities (  PCR/ visa/passport control usually takes 1,5 - 4 hr).

Please come out of the terminal, the driver is meeting with the sighboard ANUR TOUR at the meeting zone. 

Transfer to the hotel. 

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Ashgabat city tour, visiting

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

- Independence Park with the 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 (tens of thousands of people). There are beautiful gardens 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 is 1 millennium BC–1 millennium BC). 

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to the Darvaza crater and change from the asphalt road to the Karakum desert track ( off-road).

In 1971, geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists hoped the fire would go out in a few days, but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate - Darvaza. The views are impressive, especially at sunset and night, when the mild sunlight and burning crater evoke incredible and ambiguous feelings. 

Camp-style dinner and overnight stay in yurts.

Camp-style breakfast.

Transfer from the Darvaza gas crater to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border post Dashoguz/Shavat by car (5 hours). Please note that some parts of the road are off-road desert tracks. 

Border formalities on both sides of the land border, visa/ passport control usually take 1.5-3 hr.

The driver will meet at the Uzbekistan side of the land border.

Transfer to Khiva.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

Start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-kala (translated as “Inner town”) - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia:

- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya- Ark;

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;

- Kalta Minor, the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;

- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;

- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;

- Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,

- Islam-Khoja Madrassah - was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, is an early example of the architecture of the XIV century.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara by car (475 km, 7 hrs) via the Kyzylkum Desert, OR transfer by train (depending on train schedule).

Arrival in Bukhara. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start walking sightseeing program in Bukhara (5 hrs):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa, and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques to survive 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);

- Trading domes, or so-called covered bazaars, Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron, preserved from the 16th century, and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry, and money exchange. Nowadays, visitors can purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets.

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas, or so-called Kosh (pair) 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 that impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel, dating back to the 1st 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

Morning at leisure.

11:00 Meet the driver at the lobby of your hotel in Bukhara.

Transfer to the famous Gijduvan pottery workshop ( about 50 min drive from Bukhara), 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 ceramic items from Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan. 

Master class of painting ceramics, and lunch at the master's house.

After drying and burning the painted ceramics, the master will send the handmade ceramics to your hotel in Samarkand within the next two days.

Continue to the hotel in Samarkand. 

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver. Start Samarkand sightseeing: 

– 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—which 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 the 15th century;

– Samarkand bazaar Siyab.

Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide. Continue sightseeing in Samarkand (5-6 hrs):

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – a unique complex of mausoleums on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of Abbas ibn-Kussam;

– Ulugbek’s Observatory – one of the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world—was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

– Khoja Doniyor Mausoleum - the mausoleum over the grave of one of the saints. According to legend, back in the 18th century, the ashes of the Old Testament biblical prophet Daniyar (Daniel) were buried in the mausoleum, the remains of which were brought to Samarkand and buried by order of Amir Timur.

– Paper factory "Meros”  in Konigil village that produces unique paper that can be preserved for more than and is used in craftworks.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to the border Jartepa. Border crossing ( visa/ passport control usually takes 30 min- 1,5 hr).

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

- Visit the Sarazm (UNESCO World Heritage) museum.

Take an off-road trip to pristine lakes located in the Fann Mountains; locals call the lakes Haftkul ( Seven lakes) or Marguzor , after the name of the largest and most beautiful lake. 

 Every lake has its own name:  Nezhigon  (or Mizhgon),  Soybean, Gushor,  Nofin,  Hurdak,  Marguzor,  Hazorchashma. Six of the lakes are of dammed origin, besides Lake Hazorchashma.

The difference in level between the upper and lower lakes is 692 meters

Please note there are some shaky/ bumpy parts of the road, and there is a mountainous, narrow track with photo stops.

Lunch at the guesthouse ( traditional meals).

Transfer to Penjikent.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Transfer to Khujand via Istaravshan town, 78 km southwest of Khujand.

 Istaravshan is one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan (more than 2500 years old). The ancient city of Cyropolis was founded by Cyrus the Great in 544 BC as a boarding fort of the Achaemenid Empire. Overview of sightseeing in Istaravshan visiting:

- Mazori Sharif mausoleum;

- Kog Gumbaz Madrasa (16th century).

Arrival in Khujand, check-in at the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing in Khujand, the second-largest city and one of the oldest cities in Tajikistan, the furthest point  Alexander the Great reached in Central  Asia, so the city was named  Alexandria  Eschate (Alexandria the Furthest).  Sightseeing tour on arrival:

- Pushkin Square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;

- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum;

- Muslihiddin memorial complex;

- Panjshanbe bazaar (the name Panjshanbe comes from the Persian language meaning “Thursday”).  Panjshanbe is one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan.

- Arbob Palace. 

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

Transfer to Tashkent (appr. 2 hrs drive).  

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby. Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (3-4 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.

- 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.

12:30 Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

15:20 Morning flight Tashkent- Bishkek by HY 777

17:30 Arrival in Manas International Airport.

The driver meets with a signboard ANUR TOUR at the exit of the terminal/ meeting zone.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

09:00 Start Bishkek sightseeing tour visiting:

- Oak Park in the city center. It is also known as Dubovy Park - today it is one of the favorite places among locals and 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: in the centre, one can see the Victory monument, a memorial that was completed in 1984. Usually, the main festival events are held in Bishkek at the eternal flame on Victory Square, where a guard of honor, forces of the Kyrgyz garrison, and a military band are posted.

Transfer to the yurt camp near Issyk Kul with nature sightseeing en route.

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

-  Eagle show in Bokonbayevo;

-  Issyk-Kul,  translated as “Hot Lake,” is one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Asia. Due to the salty water, Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. 

Enjoy your stay and the real experience of nomadic life in the yurt camp. Dinner and overnight in a yurt.

Breakfast at the yurt camp

Transfer to Karakol, en route nature sightseeing:
-  Skazka (Fairytale) canyon;
- Jety Oguz gorge photo stop and easy hiking.

On arrival in Karakol, start an overview sightseeing visit:

- 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 practice the Muslim religion. The construction was made of bricks and wood and decorated with various ornaments.

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

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Kegen-Karjyra border, border passing formalities ( luggage/ visa/ passport control usually take 40 min - 2 hrs).

Transfer to one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan, Kaindy Gorge ( off-road part of the trip)

-Kaindy Lake (Birch Lake) is situated among magnificent pine forests 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 that blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water flooded the valley.

The water of the mountain lake is very cold, and the stems of fir trees overlook the crystal lake surface like a flooded forest. Take photo stops in Kayindy Gorge and at the observation platform of the lake. The green slopes, fresh air, and stunning azure lake create the enchanting atmosphere of Kayindy National Park. 
Please note that Kayindy Gorge is located in the pre-border area, at the posts, visitors will need to have their passports/IDs.

Transfer to Saty village.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Sightseeing around Almaty includes visiting:

- Panfilov Park. The name of Panfilov Park comes from 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. The Zenkov Wooden 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 that 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 from the 17th century.

- Medeu, the world's largest speed skating rink, is 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 the Shymbulak Ski Resort.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Almaty International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Almaty.

End of the tour.