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Among the many Central Asia tours, the capitals itinerary stands out as a unique way to explore the region. Capital cities are a window into the political, cultural and social life of a country. The Capitals of Central Asia Tour is a great way to visit the capitals of each of the five countries in the region, as well as two former capital cities. Some of these cities have thousands of years of history and carry the legacies of rulers, architects, scientists, and artists, while other capitals have grown out of smaller settlements into regional centers only within the last century.
Start in Dushanbe, a city of parks and museums that grew out of a bazaar town. Almaty is the former capital of Kazakhstan, and though it still remains an important city, the new capital is in Astana, one of the coldest capitals in the world. Next, visit Tashkent, the largest city in Central Asia, with a quick visit to Samarkand, an ancient city that served as a capital for some of the largest empires the region saw. Khiva also served as a capital in the past, most famously for the Khanate of Khiva. The final capital is Ashgabat, filled with a record-breaking number of white marble buildings that give this city an ultra-modern feel. Tour the best of Central Asia on this trip to the Capitals of Central Asia.
We recommend arriving in Dushanbe on Monday in order to match regional flights in the itinerary.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Dushanbe. Transfer to the hotel to leave the luggage. Check in at noon to begin Capitals of Central Asia tour. Start guided city tour: Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Ismail Somoni Monument and Rudaki Park. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
After breakfast finalize exploring Dushanbe with a visit to the National Museum of Antiquities (closed on Mondays) that includes the exhibits on history, nature and art; Buddha in Nirvana is one of the valuable exhibits of the museum. In the afternoon transfer to Dushanbe International Airport to get the flight KC132 to Almaty. Upon arrival our driver will meet you at Almaty airport and transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Shymbulak Ski Resort, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and Museum of National Musical Instruments (closed on Mondays). Transfer to the airport for evening flight to Astana. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
After breakfast, start sightseeing in the capital of Kazakhstan. Visit Millennium Axis line named by Kisho Kurokawa, chief architect and creator of Astana general layout. Visit Opera building, the Round Square with numerous fountains. Continue to Nurzhol and Green Water boulevards with skyscrapers of exceptional architectural forms. You will go up the Bayterek monument and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view at the top of the monument and observation tower. The city tour will be rounded up with a visit to Khan-Shatyr, shopping and entertainment center.
Transfer to airport for evening flight to Almaty. Upon arrival transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Transfer to airport for evening flight to Almaty. Upon arrival transfer back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
After breakfast, depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h). Cross Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan “Korday”. Kyrgyz guide and driver will meet you at the border point. Continue driving to Bishkek. Upon arrival in Bishkek start the sightseeing tour: Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas, the Museum of Fine Arts (closed on Mondays), Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
After breakfast transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park. You will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs. The gorge is flanked by tall, snow-covered, peaks with steep-sided, forested, mountain slopes. You will start your walk (3,5 km) from the alpine camp (2200 m) to Ak-Sai waterfall–the height is 35 m (2700 m) - by the path which goes through conifer forest and alpine meadows. Return back to the alpine camp.
Transfer to Bishkek and further to airport Manas for evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Transfer to Bishkek and further to airport Manas for evening flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Breakfast. Sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia with a guide.
You begin with a visit to the Courage Monument, which commemorates the 1966 earthquake and honours the resilience of the people of Tashkent, before continuing to the historic Old City. Visit the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, walk past the Khast-Imam Complex, view the exterior of the Islamic Civilization Center, and stroll along the newly developed Zarkaynar Street. Next, explore Chorsu Bazaar and a local pottery gallery, then ride the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro to the modern city centre. Enjoy free time for lunch on Taras Shevchenko Street, known for its lively dining scene, then continue to the State Museum of Applied Arts and admire the elegant facade of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, concluding the tour at Amir Timur Square, where your captivating Tashkent City Tour comes to an end.
Transfer to the railway station to get an evening high-speed train Afrosiyob
departing to Samarkand (300 km, 2h10min). Upon arrival at Samarkand transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
You begin with a visit to the Courage Monument, which commemorates the 1966 earthquake and honours the resilience of the people of Tashkent, before continuing to the historic Old City. Visit the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, walk past the Khast-Imam Complex, view the exterior of the Islamic Civilization Center, and stroll along the newly developed Zarkaynar Street. Next, explore Chorsu Bazaar and a local pottery gallery, then ride the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro to the modern city centre. Enjoy free time for lunch on Taras Shevchenko Street, known for its lively dining scene, then continue to the State Museum of Applied Arts and admire the elegant facade of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, concluding the tour at Amir Timur Square, where your captivating Tashkent City Tour comes to an end.
Transfer to the railway station to get an evening high-speed train Afrosiyob
departing to Samarkand (300 km, 2h10min). Upon arrival at Samarkand transfer to the hotel for overnight.Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you to begin the city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum - the mausoleum of Amir Timur. Transfer to the train station, take an evening train to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
After early breakfast transfer to the local airport for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h 40 min). Arrival in Urgench, transfer to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h). Upon arrival border formalities. After the customs and passport control at both checkpoints, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Meet your Turkmenistan guide and transfer to Darvaza gas crater in the Karakum desert (270 km, 4 h). Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater.
Note: We'll travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and thrilling ride – it's the only way to get to this incredible, remote location.
At the camp, we'll enjoy an authentic stay in yurts with basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, putting us right in the heart of the desert landscape.
Note: We'll travel in 4x4 vehicles across the rugged Karakum Desert. The route is unpaved, so expect a bumpy and thrilling ride – it's the only way to get to this incredible, remote location.
At the camp, we'll enjoy an authentic stay in yurts with basic, shared outdoor washing and toilet facilities, putting us right in the heart of the desert landscape.
After a camp-style breakfast, drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 3 h 30 min). On the way, stop at water and mud craters. Arrive in Ashgabat and visit the National Museum of History. Check in the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast start sightseeing tour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan that has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. During the city tour you will explore an archaeological site of Old Nisa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. You will visit the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and newly built Independence Park. Intense and interesting excursion also includes a stopover at the Akhalteke horse stables and Lenin Monument. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6 hours
Price includes:
- All transfers: 1-2 pax on sedan standard type car, 3-8 pax on minivan/van;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Tourist fee, charged in the hotel in Turkmenistan at departure 2 USD per night per person;
- Sightseeing tour program in each country with local guides (in Uzbekistan, different guides in each city);
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class tickets for Standard and Comfort options and business for Premium option for flights Dushanbe-Almaty, Almaty-Astana-Almaty, Bishkek-Tashkent-Urgench;
- Tickets for trains: Tashkent-Samarkand-Tashkent;
- Visa support letter for Turkmenistan tourist visas.
Price doesn't include:
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Comfort car supplement in Uzbekistan total – 200USD;
- Visa support for Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tourist visas;
- Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (approx. 80 USD), migration tax (14 USD) and express PCR test (33 USD);
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Personal travel insurance;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2026 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
Accommodation
Standard:
Atlas B&B or similar
Comfort:
Dushanbe Serena / Rumi
Premium:
Crowne Plaza Dushanbe by IHG / Hilton / Hyatt Regency
Atlas B&B or similar
Comfort:
Dushanbe Serena / Rumi
Premium:
Crowne Plaza Dushanbe by IHG / Hilton / Hyatt Regency
Standard:
Grand Sapphire / Plaza / Kazzhol
Comfort:
Kazzhol Park / Garden Park / Resident City / Renion City
Premium:
Rixos / Intercontinental
Grand Sapphire / Plaza / Kazzhol
Comfort:
Kazzhol Park / Garden Park / Resident City / Renion City
Premium:
Rixos / Intercontinental
Standard:
Damas / Ambassador / Sofia
Comfort:
Orion hotel Bishkek / Novotel Bishkek City Center
Premium:
Sheraton / Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Damas / Ambassador / Sofia
Comfort:
Orion hotel Bishkek / Novotel Bishkek City Center
Premium:
Sheraton / Hyatt Regency Bishkek
Standard:
ATECA Hotel Suites / Inspira-S / Milan / Aster Hotel Group / Europe / Praga / Navruz
Comfort:
Swissôtel / Hampton by Hilton / Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace / Crowne Plaza Tashkent / Holiday Inn Tashkent City / Courtyard by Marriot / Wyndham Tashkent
Premium:
Hilton Tashkent City / Hyatt Regency
ATECA Hotel Suites / Inspira-S / Milan / Aster Hotel Group / Europe / Praga / Navruz
Comfort:
Swissôtel / Hampton by Hilton / Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace / Crowne Plaza Tashkent / Holiday Inn Tashkent City / Courtyard by Marriot / Wyndham Tashkent
Premium:
Hilton Tashkent City / Hyatt Regency
Standard:
Wellfort / Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa / Bibikhanum / Ko’k Saroy Plaza / Silk Road Empire / Golden Samarkand / Samaria Hotel and Spa
Comfort:
Royal / Sangzor Boutique / Bogishamol / Ametist Hotel Complex / DiliMah Premium Luxury / Golden Samarkand / Emirhan
Premium:
Hilton Samarkand Regency / Mövenpick / Zarafshon Parkside / Kohinur Plaza / Kosh Havuz Boutique / Hilton Garden Inn
Wellfort / Shohjahon Palace Hotel & Spa / Bibikhanum / Ko’k Saroy Plaza / Silk Road Empire / Golden Samarkand / Samaria Hotel and Spa
Comfort:
Royal / Sangzor Boutique / Bogishamol / Ametist Hotel Complex / DiliMah Premium Luxury / Golden Samarkand / Emirhan
Premium:
Hilton Samarkand Regency / Mövenpick / Zarafshon Parkside / Kohinur Plaza / Kosh Havuz Boutique / Hilton Garden Inn
Shared yurts
Tour Enquiry
Important notes:
- If you need to obtain an Uzbekistan visa, it should be a multiple-entry e-visa.
Capitals of Central Asia Tour Reviews
Author: Philip | Rating: 5Visited: May 2024
Thank you very much for organizing our tour to Central Asia. It was an incredible experience. We visited beautiful countries full of culture and tradition.
The transportation during the tour, the pickup and delivery to different places was very well organized and very punctual.
The hotel selection was also great, we loved the hotels in Ashgabat, Tashkent, and Bishkek.
The tour guides were also excellent, high marks for the tour guides in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Bishkek.
In general, the organization was excellent and our experience 100% positive.
The transportation during the tour, the pickup and delivery to different places was very well organized and very punctual.
The hotel selection was also great, we loved the hotels in Ashgabat, Tashkent, and Bishkek.
The tour guides were also excellent, high marks for the tour guides in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Bishkek.
In general, the organization was excellent and our experience 100% positive.
