The Central Asia Express Tour is the way to make the most out of a short trip. From the most ancient to the modern day, this is the best tour of Central Asia for those with a little less time. Start with Tashkent, the biggest city in Central Asia, before heading to Samarkand, one of the most ancient. A day trip to Penjikent is a good introduction to the ancient history of Tajikistan. Bishkek is a modern capital with a unique spirit. Finish up the Central Asia Express Tour in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital and a busy city next to stunning mountains. For those with busy schedules, the Central Asia Express Tour is the best tour for getting to know the region and all its best places.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start a sightseeing tour in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous holy book Quran of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. Explore Chor-Su Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to explore Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Morning transfer to the railway station for the high-speed Afrosiyob
train ride to Samarkand (journey time 2 h 10 min). Your guide and driver will meet you at the train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, old oriental Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum (the resting place of Timur). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
train ride to Samarkand (journey time 2 h 10 min). Your guide and driver will meet you at the train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, old oriental Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum (the resting place of Timur). Overnight at the hotel.Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Customs and passport control on both sides, cross the border, meet Tajik local guide and driver and drive to Penjikent (30 km, 40 min).
Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, a local Bazaar and mosque. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch drive to the ruins of ancient Penjikent a major Sogdian city destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century.
Late in the afternoon return to the Jartepa border crossing, customs and passport control, continue to Uzbekistan. Meet your driver and transfer to Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand, transfer to the hotel.
Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, a local Bazaar and mosque. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch drive to the ruins of ancient Penjikent a major Sogdian city destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century.
Late in the afternoon return to the Jartepa border crossing, customs and passport control, continue to Uzbekistan. Meet your driver and transfer to Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand, transfer to the hotel.
Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue a sightseeing tour: visit Afrosiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. After, enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal. In the afternoon transfer to the railway station. Take the high-speed train, Afrosiyob, departing to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Morning flight to Bishkek. Arrive in Bishkek, drive to Burana Tower, which was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the tower and the small museum nearby return to Bishkek. In the afternoon sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km, 50 min) which attracts visitors with its beautiful mountain scenery and hiking trails. The fast-flowing Ala-Archa River runs through this alpine gorge, surrounded by snowy peaks with steep forested slopes. Enjoy free time or have a hike/trek in the park. After Ala-Archa visit drive to Almaty via Bishkek (270 km, 5 h). Cross Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border. Enjoy nature landscapes on the way. Arrive in Almaty, check in to the hotel.
Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start the sightseeing tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Almaty City Museum, and Republic Square. In the afternoon a short drive (25 km) will take you to Chimbulak. Here, visit the ski resort and ride the cable car to enjoy the amazing views of the snowy peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains. Our last stop of the day will be the Sunkar Falcon Farm, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks – hunting with these magnificent birds is a distinguishing feature of the Kazakh way of life. Return to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
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 with English speaking guides in each country (NB: in Uzbekistan there will be different guides in each city);
- Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy/Business class tickets on trains Tashkent-Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
- Economy class tickets for flight Tashkent-Bishkek.
- 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;
- International flight tickets before and after the tour;
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Personal travel insurance.
Accommodation:
| Tashkent - 2 nights | |
| Navruz, Praga, Sharq, Grand Capital, Bek | Wyndham Tashkent, Miran, Grand Mir, City Palace |
| Samarkand - 2 nights | |
| Platan, Meros, Orient Star, Malika Prime, Rabat, City | Dilimah, Sultan, Grand Samarkand Superior A, Grand Samarkand Superior B, Platan, Alexander, Minor, Malika Prime, Asia Samarkand |
| Bishkek - 1 night | |
| Plaza, Park Hotel, Ambassador or similar | Orion |
| Almaty - 2 nights | |
| Novotel | Rixos Almaty |
