Tour itinerary:
Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan – Tajikistan– Turkmenistan
Season:
April - October
Days:
14 |
Nights:
13
5-Stan tour around Central Asia includes sightseeing in major cities and places of significant interest in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The tour is ideal for mini groups and families for a tailor-made fortnight journey.
Sightseeing of the marvellous nature, discovering the majestic Silk Road cities will be a life-memorable trip with your family and friends.
Welcome to explore Central Asia wonders!
Flight to Almaty.
Morning arrival in Almaty International Airport (ETA 05:00).
Migration formalities usually take 30 min to 60 min: passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the driver with a sign “ANUR TOUR”.
Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in the hotel. Early check-in.
Resting time after the flight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
12:00 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.
- 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.
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.
08:00 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.
On arrival in Bishkek start afternoon sightseeing in Bishkek visiting:
- Oak Park in the city center. It is known also 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 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.
- Visit to the central bazaar for shopping.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Start Bishkek countryside sightseeing tour 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 itself.
Time to explore the area, take photos and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful nature views.
- 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 and meet the driver holding a sign “ANUR TOUR”.
Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.
Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:
- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994 after of the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.
- Tashkent striking clock, one of major symbols of Tashkent.
- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theater of the world 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 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 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 visitors all over the world.
- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four waters”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of old city in bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in post cards 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.
Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 Meet the driver in the lobby. Transfer to Uzbek - Tajik border post "Oybek" (~100 km). Border crossing to Tajikistan takes about 30 min-1 hr.
Meet the guide and driver at the Tajikistan side of the border and transfer to Khujand (70 km, 1h.) – the center of Sugd region of Northern Tajikistan.
Start sightseeing tour 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, Khujand’s central market that has many stores offering different kinds of goods and services. The name Panjshanbe comes from Persian language meaning “Thursday”. Panjshanbe is considered as one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan. The Silk Road routes passed through Khujand and had always made Panjshanbe crowded with merchants and travelers.
- Arbob palace.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:30 Transfer to Penjikent ( about 5,5 hrs drive) via Istaravshan town located 78 km southwest from Khujand.
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);
On arrival in Penjikent, visit
- 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.
-The Sarazm Important Bird Area (UNESCO World Heritage) lies downstream of the city on the tugay-vegetated floodplain of the river.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
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.
Transfer to the land border Jartepa.
Afternoon transfer to border post Jartepa (ETA 16:00). Border crossing usually takes 30 min-1 hr. Please note: while passing the land borders one needs to be ready to handle all the luggage across the border by him/herself.
Meet the guide and driver at Uzbek part of the border. Transfer to the hotel in Samarkand.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 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 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 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.
– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named 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.
20:00 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.
21:00 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".
22:41 Arrival in Bukhara.
Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide in 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 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 afternoon. Overnight.
Breakfast in the hotel.
08:00 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.
- 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 afternoon. Overnight.
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).
- In the afternoon transfer to Darwaza crater and change from the asphalt road to the Karakum desert track, continue 10 km deep inside.
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 in sunset and night when the mild sunlight and burning crater evoke incredible and ambiguous feelings.
BBQ dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.
Camp- style breakfast
09:00 Transfer to Ashgabat with short stops en-route:
- mud and water craters.
Arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time before the return flight.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel,
Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport.
Morning departure flight from Ashgabat.
End of the tour.
- Turkmenistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);
- Accommodation based on shared yurt (incl. sleeping mat, sleeping bag and pillow);
- 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 1 – D 4); Uzbekistan: English-speaking local guides (3 standard excursions); Tajikistan: English-speaking escorting guide (D 6 – D 8); Turkmenistan: English-speaking escorting guide (D 11 – D13);
- Meals: breakfast at hotels; lunch in a guesthouse in 7 lakes trip ( traditional meals, fixed menu, alcohol excluding), camp-style breakfast and BBQ dinner in Darwaza yurt camp (camp-style fixed menu, alcohol excluding);
- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums as per program;
- Train tickets Samarkand – Bukhara by speed train "Afrosiab"/ "Sharq" (economy class);
- Internal flight Mary –Ashgabat (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 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;
- 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 November 01, 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.
- 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;
- Please note yurt camps, guesthouses, and homestays offer homemade/camp-style traditional meals; there are quite basic toilet and shower conditions.
- 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).
ACCOMMODATION
CITY
|
STANDARD
|
COMFORT
|
ALMATY
|
Voyage Hotel or similar
|
Renion Park/ Kazhol Park or similar
|
BISHKEK
|
Soluxe/ Bugu
|
Golden Dragon / Smart hotel
|
TASHKENT
|
Milan/ Marwa/ Gabrielle / Uzbekistan
|
Inspira-S / Ichan Qala / Ateca / Mirzo Boutique
|
KHUJAND
|
Parliament / Sugdiyon
|
PENJIKENT
|
Panjakent Plaza
|
SAMARKAND
|
Shaxzoda Elite/ Shahdil/ Zilol Baxt
|
East Star/ Kosh Hovuz/ Dilimah
|
BUKHARA
|
An-Nur/ Malika Bukhara/ Devon Begi / Devon/ Safiya
|
ASHGABAT
|
Ak Altyn
|
Sport
|
DARWAZA
|
Yurt camp
|