Central Asia 4 STAN tour - 5

Tour itinerary: Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan –Uzbekistan – Tajikistan

Season: April – October

Days: 12 | Nights: 12

Take a short 12 day tour to Central Asia and enjoy the city tours and nature sightseeing in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The capital cities, wonderful historical places and diverse culture, beautiful weather and hospitality tailor-made the kaleidoscopic journey around the Great Silk Road.

Welcome to explore Central Asia!

Day 1

Almaty

Flight to Almaty.

Early morning arrival in 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” or with your name on it.

Transfer to the hotel from Almaty airport to the city center may take about 1- 2 hr depending on the hotel location and traffic. Arrival in hotel. Early check in.

Resting time after the flight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 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 is dated of 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 hotel.

Day 2

Almaty – Charyn – Almaty

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver. Transfer to Charyn Canyon.

- Charyn Canyon ("Valley of Castles 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 unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles carefully and slowly.

Transfer to Almaty.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Almaty – Bishkek

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Bishkek passing land border Korday.

On arrival in Bishkek, start Bishkek sightseeing 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 legendary Kyrgyz hero and 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 of the country of Kyrgyzstan.

- Visit to the central bazaar.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4

Bishkek – Tashkent

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Start Bishkek countryside sightseeing tour visiting:
- Ala Archa National Park near Bishkek is one of the most popular places for active hiking. Enjoy wonderful views and take some time to retreat in the beautiful nature of Ala Archa park.

- 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.

Transfer to Bishkek Airport.

Departure for Tashkent by evening flight HY 780.

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov, first President of Uzbekistan.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.

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

Arrival at the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Tashkent – Khujand

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Transfer to border Oybek ( appr 2 hrs drive). Border crossing usually takes 30 min- 1 hr.

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

Start sightseeing in Khujand.

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).

- Pushkin square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;

- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum;

- Muslihiddin memorial complex;

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

- Arbob palace.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Day 6

Khujand – Penjikent

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Transfer to Penjikent with overview sightseeing in Istaravshan town.

Istaravshan is one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan (more than 2500 years). Ancient name Cyropolis founded by Cyrus the Great in 544 BC as a boarding fort of the Achaemenid Empire.

Overview sightseeing in Istaravshan visiting:

- Mazori Sharif mausoleum;

- Kog Gumbaz madrasa (16th century).

Arrival in Penjikent. Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent visiting:

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

- The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled inter-city (2500-years ago) that was a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel

Day 7

Penjikent – 7 lakes– Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 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, Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma. The difference in level between the upper and lower lake is 692 meters. Easy hike at the lakes.

Afternoon transfer to border post Jartepa (ETA 16:00). Border crossing usually takes 30 min-1 hr. Meet the guide and driver at Uzbek part of the border. Meet the driver and transfer to the hotel in Samarkand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at 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 – heart of Samarkand and real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, the ensemble of grandiose buildings: Ulugbek 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 medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Samarkand – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:40 Transfer to Samarkand railway station .

10:46 Departure for Bukhara by train "Afrosiyob" /" Sharq".

12:29 Arrival in Bukhara.

Meet the driver who will wait for you with a sign “ANUR TOUR”. Transfer to the hotel to drop off the bags. Meet the guide at the lobby.

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5 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 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.

Day 10

Bukhara – Tashkent

Breakfast in the hotel.

Free day in Bukhara.

12:00 Standard check out.

14:30 Transfer to Bukhara railway station.

15:50 Departure for Tashkent by train "AfrOsiyob" /" Sharq".

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent.

Meet the driver who will wait for you with a sign “ANUR TOUR”. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Tashkent

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby. Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting :

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

- Tashkent chimes, one of major symbols of Tashkent, were brought from defeated Koenisberg 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 builit in 1947 is one of the best opera theatres of the world 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 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 the pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel,

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$4415	$4795
2-3	$2765	$2965
4-5	$2095	$2295
6-12	$1865	$2075
Single supplement	$375	$545

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

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

- Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan: English-speaking local guide/s (D 2- D 4), Uzbekistan: English-speaking local guides (4 standard excursions), Tajikistan: English-speaking local guide (D 5-D 7);

- Meals: breakfast at hotels; lunch in 7 lakes ( traditional meals/ fixed menu, alcohol excluding);

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

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

- Tourist tax per person.

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

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Kazakhstan e/visa, Kyrgyzstan e/visa, E-visa to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan e-visa ( if required);

- Meals: lunches and dinners except those specified under “Tour Price Includes”.;

- Uzbekistan: Transport and guide service for free time/free days ( can be added by request) and after the standard city tours; transport for walking tour in Bukhara;

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

The tour is published on April 24, 2024 and the rates as per program and conditions specified are actual for 180 days 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.

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 increases, 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).

ACCOMMODATION

CITY	STANDARD	COMFORT
ALMATY	Voyage Hotel	Renion Park/ Kazhol Park
BISHKEK	Bugu / Discovery	Golden Dragon / Damas
TASHKENT	Milan/ Marwa/ Gabrielle	Inspira-S / Ichan Qala / Ateca / Mirzo Boutique
KHUJAND	Parliament / Sugdiyon/ Grand Hotel
PENJIKENT	Panjakent Plaza
SAMARKAND	Malika Prime/ Zilol Baxt/ Shaxzoda Elite	Dilimah / East Star/ Kosh Hovuz/ Emirhan
BUKHARA	An-Nur/ Malika Bukhara/ Devon Begi / Devon/ Safiya
Or other hotels of the same category as per room availability for the dates