Fixed Dates! Central Asia Tour 2024

Tour itinerary: Almaty – Bishkek – Issyk Kul – Bishkek – Tashkent – Khujand – Penjikent – Samarkand – Bukhara – Mary – Ashgabat

Season: Spring - Summer – Autumn

Days: 14 | Nights: 13

Fixed dates tour to Central Asia 2024-2025 includes visits to interesting places in these regions.

What is 5-stan tour? Five '-stan' is a common name of countries located in Central Asia, ending on -stan.

They are placed in a circle and you'll follow this route as well. Each country is different and offering wonderful sights to explore. Cultural, historical, and archaeological features vary too. Cuisines are going from spicy dishes (such as fried lagmon) to lightweight green tea parties with a view on Chimgan mountains or Amu-Darya riverside.

During this two weeks itinerary, you will visit the fantastic places of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. We will provide you guides in every country and meetings/transfers.

Departure dates, 2024
7 April–20 April	05 May–18 May
26 May–8 June	02 June–15 June
16 June–29 June	30 June–13 July
14 July–27 July	28 July–10 August
11 August–24 August	18 August–31 August
01 September–14 September	08 September–21 September
22 September–05 October	13 October–26 October

Day 1

Almaty

Flight to Almaty.

Arrival in Almaty in the afternoon.

Leaving the terminal and meet up our driver in the meeting zone.

Transfer to the hotel.

You will have time to discuss all the tour details with a company representative.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Almaty city tour.

- Visit Panfilov's Park with Zenkov's Orthodox Cathedral, Great Patriotic War Memorial and National Musical Instruments Museum.

- Visit Central Mosque and Green Bazaar.

- Drive to Medeo world skating rink. There will be an opportunity for a short hiking tour upstairs to the top of the dam to enjoy the beautiful view of the surroundings.

Take a cable car to Chimbulak Ski Resort.

Return to Almaty.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 3

Almaty – BP – Bishkek

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start driving to Bishkek on a car (250 km ~ 4-5hrs). Border crossing (~1h).

Please be ready to handle all your luggage across the border by yourself (~300 m).

Continue driving to Bishkek. Arrival, hotel check-in.

Afternoon city tour with visiting:

- State History Museum at Ala-Too Square,

- Lenin Statue;

- White House;

- Manas Monument.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Bishkek – Issyk-Kul lake

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

After standard check-out transfer to Issyk-Kul lake en route enjoying gorgeous nature view.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Issyk-Kul – Bishkek – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure, time to relax nearby Issyk-Kul lake.

Afternoon transfer to Bishkek airport for flight to Tashkent.

19:30 Departure by flight HY 778.

19:50 Arrival in Tashkent.

Leaving the terminal and meet up the driver in the meeting zone.

Transfer to the hotel.

You will have time to discuss tour details with the company representative.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 6

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet guide at the lobby.

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

- Amir Timur Square;

- Theatre Square with the Opera House;

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present, and future of the country. One can often see the newlyweds who start a family and independent life walking through the arch of “Good and noble aspirations”, laying flowers at the monument of Happy mother and “Eternal flame”;

- 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;

After lunch, continue city tour visiting

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah;

- Abdul Kasim Madrassah;

- Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century.

Transfer to the hotel

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Tashkent – BP – Khujand

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Drive to the Uzbek-Tajik border (BP Oybek - Fotehobod). Border crossing.

Meeting with guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.

Transfer to Khujand city.

Start Khudjand city tour visiting:

- Pushkin square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;

- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum;

- Panjshanbe bazaar (Khujand’s central market that has many stores offering different kind 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 which passes Khujand city, had always made Panjshanbe to be crowded with traders and tourists).

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Khujand – Penjikent – BP – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start driving to Penjikent through Istaravshan town (ancient name-Kiropolis). It's one of the oldest cities in Tajikistan.

Sightseeing tour in Istaravshan visiting:

- Mazar-i Sharif mausoleum;

- Kok-Gumbaz madrasa (16th century) and Kuhi Mug, the ruins of an ancient fortress.

Penjikent, a city in the Sugd province that was an ancient town in Sogdiana.

Start city tour in Penjikent visiting:

- The ruins of the old town area on the outskirts of the modern city. 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 that stood 2500-years ago - was once a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road.

Transfer to Tajik-Uzbek border post Jartepa. Border crossing (ETA 16:00).

Meeting the driver at Uzbekistan part of the border

Transfer to Samarkand. Hotel check-in.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hrs):

- 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 sights of the world;

- Continue 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 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) of the Muslim saint Abbas ibn- Kussam;

- Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world were built by the order given by Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab;

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Samarkand – Bukhara

Breakfast in the hotel.

Free time in the morning.

11:00 Transfer to Bukhara by individual car (the departure time has to be pre-agreed for later/earlier transfer by request).

On the way, near town Gijduvan visit workshop of famous Uzbek pottery master Abdulla where you can learn more about the process of making ceramics, visit museum hall and even buy some of the unique ceramic items.

By request, visit Sardoba and Rabat-i Malik Caravanserais - the remains of the most ancient portals in Central Asia with semi-column decorations on walls.

Arrival in Bukhara in the late afternoon. Check-in the hotel.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Bukhara

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet at the hotel's lobby and start the WALKING sightseeing program (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 centres of silk trade, selling jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs in a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit Ulughbek 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 of every visitor;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where anyone can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Optionally can be added by request: Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12

Bukhara – BP – Mary – Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30 Start driving to the Uzbek-Turkmen border (BP Alat - Farab).

Border formalities on both sides, meeting with a representative of Turkmenistan travel company. Transfer to Mary.

En-route visit to the Ancient Merv (UNESCO). Sightseeing in the historical park:

- Visit S ultan 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.

19:20 evening flight to Ashgabat.

20:00 arrival in Ashgabat.

Transfer to the hotel. Check in to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Ashgabat city tour:

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118m column that considers 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.

A trip to ancient Nissa (18 km from Ashgabad) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation is I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

Return to Ashgabad. Visit en-route Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. It is considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousand people).

There are beautiful gardens and fountains near the mosque.

Transfer to the hotel.

Leisure / free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for morning/midday departure flight.

End of the tour.

Price per person:

Person	Standart
1	$4410
2-3	$2895
4-5	$2415

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;

- English-speaking professional licensed local guides in Uzbekistan (3 standard excursions), escorting guides in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan;

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

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to Almaty, Bishkek – Tashkent;

- Internal flights Mary – Ashgabat (by request, price subject to change);

- 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);

- Turkmenistan: Tourist fee 2 USD per person per night (obligatory) charged in the hotels;

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

- Meals: Lunches and dinners except those specified in the included section;

- VAT 15 %, personal travel/medical 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 tour price does not include seasonal VAT 15 %, VAT can be added to the basic tour price.

- 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).

Accommodation:

Cities	Standard	Nights
Alamaty	Otrar / Voyage	2
Bishkek	De'Mar / Discovery / City Bishkek Hotel	1
Isyyk Kyl	Solemar / Green Yard	1
Tashkent	Arien Plaza / Uzbekistan / Shodlik / Grand Capital / Praga	2
Khujand	Khujand Delux / Sugd	1
Samarkand	Ideal / Jahon Palace / Caravan Serail / Malika Prime / Diyora Classic / Zilol Baxt / City	2
Bukhara	Lyabi House / Basilic / Edem Plaza / Sasha&Son / Kukeldash / Amulet / AnNur / AsSalom / Safiya	2
Ashgabat	Bagt Koshgi / Ak Altyn Plaza	2