Discover the unique culture and traditions of four countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan with the Central Asia Ethno-Cultural tour. You will explore the history of the Kazakh steppe, its wealth, culture and culinary art and take part in a Kyrgyz wedding party in the Ethno Complex Supara. In Tajikistan, you will visit historical places and ancient settlements and relax in a chayhana (tea house). Create your own masterpiece at the Gijduvan pottery workshop and enjoy architectural beauties of Uzbekistan. This travel will make one of the magic corners of the world closer and bring you the best of Central Asia on tour.
We recommend arriving in Astana on TUESDAY in order to match regional flights in the itinerary.
Tour itinerary:
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
The next highlight of the day is yurt constructing workshop. Neither of stories about the Great Kazakh steppe and nomadic people do without the yurt - a traditional dwelling of the nomads. The workshop will give comprehensive insight into the construction process of erecting wooden walls – ‘kerege’, raising the dome – ‘Shanyrak’, as well as strengthening of wooden poles – ‘uyk’.
Finally, at the end of the program you will be offered to try on the Kazakh national clothes and dance the national dance "Kara zhorga". Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
In the evening, transfer to the Ethno Complex Supara for a Kyrgyz wedding party. You will be dressed in Kyrgyz national costumes and have a small, improvised Kyrgyz wedding in the yurt. During the feast an old Kyrgyz woman will tell you about culture and traditions, you will taste Kyrgyz national dishes, listen to the folk music and songs, watch national dances and take part in games. After dinner transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Late in the afternoon return to the Jartepa border crossing, customs and passport control. On Uzbekistan side meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
All villages are located far away from roads and cities in a picturesque mountain area with fresh air, green orchards, singing birds, sky full of stars, and friendly people.
Have a tour around the village and explore life of locals. Overnight in the guest house.
Meals: dinner
*The drive on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.
Stay in a village, watching birds, hiking, riding donkey, and participating in cooking traditional food gives an excellent opportunity to witness life of local peasants. In the afternoon depart to Bukhara. On the way stop in Nurata pass to see petroglyphs, Nurata town to visit a local mosque with a holy spring water. Continue to Gijduvan pottery masters workshop. Arrival in Bukhara. Overnight at the hotel.
Extras to do in the area:
Option 1. Take a guided hike to surroundings. Have look at petroglyphs on the way. (6-7 km, 2-3 h one way). Return to the guesthouse.
Cost: $30 for the service of a guide.
Option 2. Take a ride on a donkey.
Cost: $30 for the service of a guide.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Free time. At 14:40 transfer from the hotel to train station. Take the high-speed Afrosiyob
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
- All transfers: 1-2 pax on sedan type car, 3-8 pax on minivan/van;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour program in each country with local guides;
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy class tickets for flights: Astana-Almaty, Almaty-Bishkek, Bishkek-Dushanbe;
- Ticket for train Bukhara-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
- Visa support letters for Uzbekistan tourist visa;
- Visit to Supara Ethno Complex.
- Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- All costs associated with visas;
- Visa support for Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tourist visas;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Personal travel insurance.
Prices per person
Accommodation
Usman / Meros / Asia Samarkand or similar
Comfort:
Dilimah / Sultan / Grand Samarkand Superior / Grand Samarkand / Platan or similar
Minzifa / K.Komil / Bibikhanum / Amulet / As-Salom / Fatima / Kavsar or similar
Comfort:
Paradise Plaza / Omar Khayam / Minor / Asia Bukhara / Zargaron Plaza or similar
Ateca / Navruz / Praga / Grand Capital
Comfort:
Wyndham Tashkent / Courtyard by Marriot / Hampton by Hilton / Mercure