Central Asia 5 Stans 20-Day Tour

Day 1. Almaty arrival, city tour

Welcome to Almaty. You'll be picked up by the local English speaking guide at the meeting point, then transfer to Medeo Gorge, taking cable car to the well known highest mountain skating rink in the world. Then back to the city, visit Almaty Museum, Panfilov Park and Green Bazaar.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Almaty

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2. Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Almaty

3-hour car riding to the Charyn Canyon. Charyn Canyon is a natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America. You will walk among the strange towers and columns, being surprised by the wild imagination of the nature. After visiting, you'll be back to Almaty for overnight.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Almaty

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3. Almaty - Bishkek

After breakfast, you'll be transfered to Issyk Canyon, one of the most beautiful canyon of Ili-Alatau Mountains. On the way you'll also visit National Museum. And you'll see the beautiful alpine lake Issyk-kul Lake. Then you'll be back to Almaty, taking a flight to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyz.

Transport: Private vehicle, flight

Accommodation: Overnight in Bishkek

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4. Bishkek - North Shore of Issyk-kul Lake

Morning you'll visit Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and many other places of interest. After lunch, you'll be transfered to Issyk-kul Lake for a visit, on the way will visit Burana Tower 

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Issyk-kul Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5. North Shore of Issyk-kul Lake - Kochkor

Morning, you'll visit the beautiful Grigorievskoe Canyon, then you'll be transfered to Karakol , the forth biggest city in Kyrgyzstan. To visit the most famous Dungan Mosque, which was built by the Chinses Artist, from 1907 to 1910.  

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Karakol

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6. Karakol - Bishkek

You'll be transfered to Jeti Oguz Canyon to visit. Those strange red rocks seem to be the most recognizable scenic spot in Kyrgyzstan. Then your next stop will be Bokonbaeva village, in which you will see the falconer hunting with help from falcons. Finish, then back to Bishkek.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Bishkek

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7. Bishkek - Osh

You'll take a morning flight to the next stop Osh. Then to visit Suleiman Mountain, and the biggest and most popular central asian market. Traditional handicrafts and imported goods can be easily found in the market.

Transport: Private vehicle, flight

Accommodation: Overnight in Osh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8. Osh - Khujand

In the morning, you'll be transfered to the Tajikistan border, on the way will pass Bartken area. The guide of Tajikistan will wait for you at the border, leading you to Khujand, the second largest city of Tajikistan. 

Then you will visit Cultural Palace of Khujant. Also we will go to see Central Mosque situated in the middle of the city.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Khujand

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9. Khujand - Seven Lakes

Driving to Fannsky Gory. Then a walking tour in Seven Lakes, to learn the way of living of the locals. 

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in local guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10. Seven Lakes - Penjikent

Start the tour to Penjikent, which used to be one of the most international cities.Nowadays, dwellings and office buildings, castle in the Palace, craftsman's house and the site of zoroastrian church still can be seen. 

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Penjikent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11. Penjikent - Samarkand

Morning start the tour to the border of Uzbekistan. Local guide will meet you there, then to the Samarkand. Sightseeing: Registan Square, Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, Gur Emir Mausoleum, Bibi Khanym Mosque.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Samarkand

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12. Samarkand

Today you'll continue exploring in this charming city. To visit Ulughbek Observatory, and stroll down the Broadway Street, on which souvenir shops, tea houses, dessert shops and workshops are around it. Then go to Eastern bazaar, Siab Market, to see the traditional handicrafts of Uzbekistan, and taste different kinds of nuts.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Samarkand

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13. Samarkand - Bukhara

Driving to the city "living fossil of silk road" — Bukhara. On the way you'll visit Gijduvan Village, which is famous for the hand-made porcelains in Uzbek . It's so valuable to keep hand-made in such mechanization era. Not only the western characteristic of the porcelains, but also the inherited of the skills.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14. Bukhara

Continue exploring Bukhara. To visit Ark Fortress, Mosque, Samanids Mausoleum, Nadir Divan-Begi School, and Poi Kalon architectural complex.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15. Bukhara - Khiva

Driving to Khiva, on the way you'll pass Kyzylkum Desert, and Amu Darya (Amu River), the longest river in central asia. Nice river view and vast golden desert are in front of you.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Khiva

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16. Khiva

Today you'll have a city tour in Ichan Kala old city, the essential part of ancient Khiva. Khiva is a fairy tale central asia old city. It is a unique memorial monument, keeping well the ancient architectural complex, including beautiful palace, military facility and dwellings with distinctive national feature. 

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Khiva

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17. Khiva - Derweze

Today we're first driving to the border of Turkmenistan — Dashoguz，to visit the Architectural remains of Kunya-Urgench, which was the ancient capital of Khorezm. Then to visit Tyurabek-Khanum, Najmal-Din al-Kubra Mausoleum, mausoleums of Il Arslan and Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Derweze

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18. Derweze - Ashgabat

Driving to the next stop Ashgabat. You'll visit the Nissa fortress ruins. UNESCO declared fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. On the way you'll also see the Ruhy Mosque. After that, you'll be transfered to a horse farm, to see the famous :Akhal-teke horses, which is the proud of Turkoman people. Then you'll be back to Ashgabat.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19. Ashgabat

Continue the city exploring in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. To visit the National Museum, Vladimir Lenin Monument. Then walk to the Russian Market, in which you can see Turkman carpet, beautiful silver ornaments and other souvenirs. After lunch, continue the capital visit: Park, buildings, fountain, museum, mosque, ect.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20. Ashgabat departure

Today the happy central asia trip ends. You'll be transfered to airport, and back to your sweet home.

Transport: Private vehicle

Accommodation:

Meals: Breakfast