Central Asia Tour

Tour: Central Asia, Request

Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan

Duration: 18 days

Tour Summary:

Day 1: Arrival to Almaty
Arrival to Almaty, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty
S ightseeing in Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park , Zenkov Wooden constructed Cathedral, St.Nicholas Cathedral, N ati onal Musical Instruments Museum , Central State Museum , Almaty's Green Bazaar, Panoramic view at observatory. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Almaty-Bishkek
After breakfast depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway, see the natural landscapes on the way, afternoon arrive to Bishkek, check in to the hotel. Lunch at the local restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing Bishkek, visit the Central Museum, the Panfilov park, the bazaar, dinner at local restaurant, Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Bishkek-Issyk Kul - Karakol
Morning drive to lake Issyk Kul (the world's second biggest mountain lake), visit the Rock carvings or Petroglyphs at CholponAta, then drive ahead to Karakol, Overnight in Karakol located on the shores of IssyK Kul.

Day 5: Karakul - Tamga
In the morning visit wooden Russian-orthodox church, the Dungan mosque and the Przhevalsky-Museum, then drive to Jety Ogyz, the gorge of Seven Red bulls as it appears from a distance and the Broken heart, so many legends existed here with the gorge, easy hike in the gorge, then drive to Tamga after lunch, Overnight in Tamga.

Day 6: Tamga - Bishkek
In the morning drive back to Bishkek, en route visit the Burana Tower , XII BC , once was the capital of Karakhanid dynasty, on arrival to Bishkek transfer to hotel for Check in, dinner at local restaurant, Overnight in Bishkek.

Day 7: Bishkek-Tashkent
Flight to Tashkent . Arrival to Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing Tashkent. Visit center of Tashkent, Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imom Complex and Chor-Su bazaar, Applied Arts Museum.

Day 8 Tashkent-Samarkand
In the morning depart Tashkent and drive to Samarkand . Arrival to Samarkand , check in at the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing Samarkand : Registan Square , Gur Emir Mausoleum, Ulugbek's Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Nekropolis, Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Overnight at the hotel.  

Day 9 – Samarkand -Penjikent- Samarkand
In the morning trip to Penjikent located on Tajikistan territory (1 hour drive from Samarkand ). Customs procedures of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan sides. Arrival to Penjikent and continue driving to the ruins of ancient Panjikent located within 5 minutes drive of modern Penjikent. Penjikent a major Sogdian city is d ati ng back to 5 th century and was destroyed with Arab conquerors in 8 th century. Presently the ruins are excavated and you can see different teams of archeologists working on sites. Continue driving to the lake in Fan mountains. Free time in the mountains. Return to the border, crossing the border, return to Samarkand . Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Samarkand-Shakhrisabz-Bukhara
In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Bukhara via Shakhrisabz. Arrival to Shakhrisabz visit remains of Ak-Saray Palace , Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, Khazr ati Imom Ensemble. After sightseeing Shakhrisabz continue driving to Bukhara . Arrival to Bukhara , check in to the hotel.

Day 11: Bukhara
Sightseeing tour in Bukhara . Visit Samani dynasty mausoleum, Arc Fortress, Kalon ensemble, medrese Miri-Arab, Magoki-Attori mosque, Chashma-Ayub, medrese Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, trade domes, Lyabi Hauz complex, medrese Chor-Minor. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Bukhara
Continue sightseeing Bukhara . Trip to summer palace of Bukhara emirs Sitorai-Mokhikhosa, Chor Bakr and Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi Mausoleum. In the afternoon free time in Bukhara .

Day 13 – Bukhara-Mary
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point Farap. Border formalities on both sides, crossing the border. Meeting with represent ati ve of Turkmenistan travel company. Transfer to Mary via Turkmenabat. Upon arrival to Mary accommod ati on at the hotel.

Day 14 –Mary-Merv-Ashgabat
Drive to Ancient Merv (32 km from Mary). Sightseeing Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Kala, Gyaur Gala, medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses, others. Return to Mary. In the afternoon depart Mary and drive to Ashgabat. On the way visit Abiverd. Arrival to Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 –Ashgabat
After breakfast sightseeing Ashgabat. Visit N ati onal Museum of History & Ethnography Excursion to Nisa (Visit Old Nisa ruins), discover Kopet Dag mountains, Carpet Museum , Arch of Neutrality, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque & Turkmenbashy Spiritual Mosque.

Day 16 – Ashgabat-Dashoguz-Kunya-Urgench-Khiva
In the morning transfer to the airport and flight to Dashoguz. Arrival to Dashoguz, transfer to Kunya-Urgench. Sightseeing tour in Kunya Urgench, visit Sultan's historic ruins, highest Minaret in Central-Asia, Moslem school. After sightseeing return to Dashoguz. Transfer to border check point Dashoguz. Border formalities on both sides. Continue to Khiva. Arrival to Khiva, check in to the hotel.

Day 17: Khiva-Tashkent
Full day sightseeing of Khiva: Ichan Qala fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where monuments Allakulikhan Madrassah, Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Islom Khoja Minaret, Juma Mosque, Toshhovli and other monuments are located. In the evening transfer to the airport in Urgench, flight to Tashkent . Arrival to Tashkent , transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 18: Tashkent-departure
Transfer to the airport, end of the tour.

Accommodation:

Standard Uzbekistan tour price includes:
1. All transfers by comfortable air conditioned sedan car up to 3 persons; 4 persons and more minivan
2. Accommodation based on double room sharing, breakfasts included;
3. Sightseeing tour program in each city with English speaking local guides;
4. Entrance tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums;
5. Visa support for Uzbekistan visa (triple entry);
6. Airplane ticket Urgench-Tashkent

Standard Uzbekistan tour price does not include:
1. Charges in hotels for additional services;
2. English speaking tour coordinator from Advantour to accompany the travellers;
3. Lunches and dinners;
4. Consular fees for Uzbekistan visa;
5. Photography and video making fees;
6. Personal insurance.

Standard Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tour price includes:
1. All transfers by comfortable cars;
2. Accommodation based on double room sharing;
3. Sightseeing tour programs in each city;
4. Entrance tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums;
5. Visa support for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan visas;
6. Full board
7. English speaking tour coordinator to accompany the travellers;
8. Airplane tickets for Bishkek-Tashkent flight;

Standard Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tour price does not include:
1. Charges in hotels for additional services;
2. Consular fees for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan visas;
3. Alcoholic drinks during meals;
4. Photography and video making fees.
5. Tips and gratuities
6. Personal insurance.

Standard Turkmenistan tour price includes:
1. All transfers by car;
2. Accommodation based on double room sharing;
3. Sightseeing tour programs in each city;
4. Entrance tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums;
5. Visa support for Turkmenistan visa;
6. English speaking tour coordinator to accompany the travellers;
7. Full board;
8. Airplane ticket Ashgabat-Dashoguz;

Standard Turkmenistan tour price does not include:
1. Charges in hotels for additional services;
2. Consular fees for Turkmenistan visa;
3. Immigration tax at the border US$ 10 per person;
4. Alcoholic drinks during meals;
5. Photography and video making fees; Personal insurance.

Standard Tajikistan tour price includes:
1. Transportation
2. Sightseeing tour in Penjikent
3. Tajikistan visa support
4. Lunch
5. Consular fees for Tajikistan visa