Capitals of Silk Road ItineraryKyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia

Arrival in Bishkek early in the morning or a day before. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to hotel for check-in.
Meet your guide and driver and driver to Ala-Archa National Park which attracts visitors with its beautiful mountain scenery and hiking trails (40 km, 50 min). Fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs through the alpine gorge surrounded by snowy peaks with steep forested slopes. Enjoy free time or a hike in the park. In the afternoon return to Bishkek for city tour. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

At 8:00, depart Bishkek and drive to Almaty (250 km, 4 h). Cross Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border point Ak Jol-Qorday. Continue travelling to Almaty via a newly built highway, see natural landscapes on the way. Arrive in Almaty in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Your guide and driver will meet you at hotel lobby to start the sightseeing tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Central State Museum. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill, visit Medeo Gorge. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

At 08:30, transfer to the airport for flight KC 131 departing at 11:10, arriving in Dushanbe at 12:00. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Start guided city tour with visit to the National Museum of Antiquities, where the famous statue of Buddha in Nirvana is preserved. Continue to Hissar Fortress (23 km from Dushanbe) where you can see Madrasa Kuhna. Return to Dushanbe and visit Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Ismail Somoni Monument and Rudaki Park.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch, dinner

In the morning, depart Dushanbe and drive to Khujand (280 km, 5-6 h). The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass (3300 m above sea level). On the way, visit an ancient settlement of Mug Tepa located in Ura-Tube, and Khazrati Shoh architectural complex comprised of Khazrati Shoh mausoleum, Khudayar Valami mausoleum, and Namozgoh mosque. Arrive in Khujand for overnight.
Meals: lunch, dinner

In the morning, start Khujand city tour featuring Timur Malik fortress located at the ancient part of the city, Museum of Archeology and History, and Panjshanbe bazaar, a place to experience the real magic of oriental bazaar with freshly baked bread, oriental spices, and juicy fruits. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon drive to Tajik/Uzbek border point Oybek. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet Uzbekistan driver and drive to Tashkent (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrive in Tashkent. Check in to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Meals: lunch

Meet your guide to start sightseeing 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 Quran of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. In Khast-Imam visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Explore Choru Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

At 07:00 transfer from your hotel to railway station. The high-speed Afrosiyob train departs from Tashkent at 08:00 and arrives in Samarkand at 10:10 (300 km). Your guide and driver will meet you at train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

In the morning, depart from Samarkand and drive to Bukhara (280 km, 4 h). Stop on the way at Rabati-Malik Caravanserai. Arrive in Bukhara, check in to the hotel.
Spend your afternoon in fascinating Old Bukhara which is listed in UNESCO World Heritage List. Explore Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque, madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, trading domes, Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Chor-Minor Madrasah. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Start the second day in Bukhara discovering Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Samani dynasty and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Then visit Sitorai-Mokhikhosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

In the morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point Alat-Farab (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross the 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Meet your Turkmenistan guide and drive to Mary through Turkmenabad (290 km, 5 h 30 min). Arrival in Mary, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Ancient Merv (40 km, 30 min.). Discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortress, and others. Return to Mary and visit Merv History Museum. Take an evening flight to Ashgabat (370 km, 50 min). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

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 National Museum of History, 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

Transfer to Ashgabat airport for early morning flight to Baku. As you arrive in Baku, you will be met by our driver and guide and transferred to the hotel. Check-in at noon.
Visit Martyrs’ Lane, called ‘Shehidler Khiyabany’ among locals. When you walk through Martyrs’ Lane, you will find a beautiful view overlooking Baku’s coastline. Continue touring new Baku and exploring architecture of 19-20th centuries: Nizami Street, Fountain Square, Nizami Ganjavi monument, Rasul-Zade Street. Pay a visit to Azerbaijan History National Museum and move to Icheri Sheher, the old part of the city. You will explore Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, and market square with numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. An excellent round-up to the city tour will be a visit to the National Carpets Museum, the richest bank of Azeri carpets. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Today you will visit the Greater Baku and Absheron Peninsula. Tour will start with the Gobustan National Park and the Petroglyphs Museum where you will explore petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. Continue to mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve that is home to almost half of world’s mud volcanoes. Later drive to Ateshgah, temple of fire worshippers located in Surakhany village. Zoroastrians from India travelled thousands of kilometers to Ateshgah to worship fire coming out of the earth. Drive to Yanardag Mountain with natural gas burning for several thousands of years. Take an evening flight to Tbilisi. On arrival, transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-8 hours

After breakfast, drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest towns and the cultural and religious centres of Georgia included in the UNESCO world heritage list. Visit Jvari Church, a true architectural masterpiece of the early Medieval Period overlooking the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers from the hilltop, and Svetitskhoveli, the main cathedral of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept.
Return to Tbilisi for sightseeing tour. Visit the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breathe in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre and cross the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. In the evening, visit a local restaurant to taste dishes of traditional Georgian cuisine and enjoy folklore show. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-8 hours
Meals: dinner

After breakfast depart towards the Kakheti region, the cradle of Georgian wine. Beautiful road lies through Gombori pass. Our first stop will be in Telavi, the administrative and historic center of the region. Have a short walk through charming streets of old Telavi and have a photo stop at the monument to Erekli II. Drive to Tsinandali, the residence of dukes of Georgia with beautiful English garden, a museum, and the wine cellar which belonged to prince Chavchavadze, 19th century public figure and poet. Continue to Sighnaghi, the city of love and the Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. Depart to Tbilisi. If time permits, stop en-route at Bodbe convent, which according to the legend is a burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. According to Tsar Alexader III of Russia decree, since 1889 Bodbe complex functions as a nunnery. Return to Tbilisi for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 8-10 hours

At 09:00, our driver will meet you at your hotel in Tbilisi and transfer to "Sadakhlo-Bagratashen" Georgian-Armenian border point. Cross the border, meet your Armenian guide and driver and start the journey to the land of ancient traditions and oldest temples.
Drive to Lori region and visit Haghpat Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This stunning example of Armenian traditional architecture erected in 10-13th centuries stands on a hillside beautifully overlooking the Debed River. Drive to Lake Sevan, "The Jewel of Armenia" and one of the largest high-mountain freshwater lakes in the world. The coastline of Lake Sevan is rich with thick woods, white bare steep rocks, mountain steppes and Alpine meadows. Stop at Sevanavank to visit the remnants of the monastery that include two temples - Surb Arakelots and Surb Karapet standing among numerous khachkars - carved cross-stones. The buildings were constructed from black tuff which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank – "the Black Monastery". The view from there is simply magnificent: the mountains surround lake from all sides and snow tops are seen almost on the entire perimeter and disappear behind the horizon. Reach the capitalof Armenia for overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours

One of the oldest cities of the world, Yerevan is famous as a pink city and calls visitors with its humble and at the same time splendid landscapes. Visit the Cascade Monument, a 500-metre high, 50-metre wide limestone staircase with no less than 572 steps. A panoramic view from the monument opens up breathtaking city view with Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, which you will also walk by during the tour. If it is a weekend, visit Vernissage, the biggest souvenir market in Yerevan. Continue to the Armenian Genocide memorial complex on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd. An excellent round-up of the tour will be a visit to the Megeryan carpet factory where you can observe a process of creating famous Armenian rugs. You will see carpets from different regions of Armenia and find out about hidden meanings of elements used in their design. In the evening, enjoy dinner and traditional folklore show. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, one of the major villages in Armenia famous for its fortress. The fortress is the only pagan sacred place from the 1st century that survived aggressive introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. Next stop is at the monastery complex Geghard (meaning a spear). The beautiful landscape of Geghard is framed with towering cliffs. Decorative art cut into rocks reflects and explains Medieval Ages development throughout the region. The complex was introduced to the history in the 4th century as a sacred spring inside a cave. Continue to Etchmiadzin, the Holy See of Armenia. Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral*, which is the residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians. Return to Yerevan for overnight.
* The site is presently under renovation works.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Yerevan International Airport. End of the tour.