Viamigo

Heart of Central Asia (Five Stan Tours)

Incredible journey through Central Asia. Discover the divers culture and traditions of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan & Turkmenistan.

Tour Duration: 23 day(s)

Group Size: 2 - 20 people

Destination(s): Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Turkmenistan

Specialty Categories: Cultural Journey

Season: May - October

Tour Customizable: Yes

Minimum Per Person Price: 3390 US Dollar (USD)

Maximum Per Person Price: 4590 US Dollar (USD)

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Almaty Kazakhstan

On Arrival at Almaty airport you will be met by our guide later transfer to your hotel. Later sightseeing of Almaty city, visiting the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world's tallest all wood buildings and the Central State Museum. After lunch, ascend the Kok-Tube Mountain by capable railway. Return to Almaty to visit the unique national museum of Kazak Musical Instruments. Overnight at the "Otrar" Hotel. Includes: (L), (D).

Day 2: Almaty

After breakfast Breakfast. Drive to Medeo. Medeo is a picturesque valley located 15 km above Almaty. Besides beautiful nature there are some other attractions to see, one of which is the world's largest speed skating rink know as Medea. The other one is a dike, which is a fine piece of engineering, and was created to protect the city from mud floods. The dike's collector has an impressive capacity of 6.000.000 m of water. And finally, at the end of the gorge there is a ski resort Chimbulak, situated at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. It is one of Central Asia's top skiing spots. The ski season lasts from November to April. Later return to your hotel for Overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 3: Almaty - Charyn canyon Karakol (Kyrgyzstan). Drive to Karakol. On the way visit Charyn canyon. Picnic. Arrival in Karakol. Overnight in Green Yard private hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 4: Karakol. Half day sightseeing of Karakol, visit Russian Church (1885), Dungan mosque (1910), the museum and grave of Prjevalskiy - Great Russian explorer of Asia. After lunch. Drive 40km to Djety-Oguz valley. Walking and drive back to Karakol. Overnight in Green Yard private hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 5: Karakol – Komsomol village, Issyk-Kul. Drive to Issyk-Kul. Visit an open air museum of petroglyphs dated to 3rd century AD to 14th century AD. Overnight in Sinegorye Hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 6: Issyk-Kul. Full free day to enjoy the stunning view of the Lake or take an optional boat ride. Overnight in Sinegorye Hotel Hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 7: Issyk-Kul - Bishkek. Drive to Bishkek via Burana Tower, the remain of Karakhanid minaret. Nearby is a unique collection of Turkish stone grave makers. Then continue to nearby village for a special lunch prepared and served according to Kyrgyz tradition, including typical Kyrgyz national dishes. Enjoy the Kyrgyz national horse games. Later drive to Bishkek. Overnight in Goldern Dragon Hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 8: Bishkek Osh. Half day Sightseeing of Bishkek city, visiting the most interesting sights: Victory square, Main Russian Orthodox church, Kyrgyz philharmonic society, famous oriental Osh market, Ala-Too square, History museum, later in the afternoon flight to Osh. Overnight in Peking hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 9: Osh-Ferghana (Uzbekistan). Half day sightseeing of Osh city including the famous Osh Bazaar later transfer to Dostuk border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Overnight at Asia hotel or club 777. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 10: Ferghana

Full day to explore the Ferghana valley includes visit of Yodgorlik Khan Atlas Silk Factory, here you will see acquaint self with the manufacturing processes of silk, starting from unreeling cocoons till their painting. The complex Kaftarlik with a mosque and minaret, portal-dome mausoleums and original pigeon loft has been maintained. You will visit also Rishtan village situated on west from Fergana, is famous for it skillful potters and you can acquire this wonderful traditional Uzbek Pottery right at the factory and the private workshop. Overnight at Asia hotel or Club 777. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 11: Tashkent. Return to Tashkent via Kokand, visit includes: Museum in the Fort of the Last Ruler - Khudayor Khan and see a collection of exhibits related to the times of the Khan's rule. Museum Norbuta - Bia madrassa and Modarikhon mausoleum. Overnight in Uzbekistan hotel or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 12: Samarkand. Drive to Samarkand half day sightseeing of Samarkand. Overnight at Grand hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 13: Samarkand sightseeing. Full day sightseeing of Samarkand’s Guri-Emir Mausoleum, Rukhabad Necropolis (XV c), Registan Complex (XVII c), Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque (XV c), Ulugbek Observatory (XV c), Shakhi-Zinda Mausoleums Ensemble and Siyab bazaar. Overnight in Grand hotel or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 14 :Day trip to Penjikent (Tajikistan)

Day trip to Penjikent (Tajikistan) half day sightseeing Visit Republican historical-ethnographic museum of Abuabdullo Rudaky, Continue driving to lake located in Fan Mountains (2 hours). Picnic and free time on a beautiful bank of Mountain Lake, with crystal-turbulent water. Return to Penjikent, on the way visit ruins of ancient Panjikent located within 5 minutes drive of modern Penjikent. Penjikent a major Sogdian city is dating back to 5th century and was destroyed with Arab conquerors in 8th century. Presently the ruins are excavated and you can see different teams of archeologists working on sites. Return to Samarkand for overnight at Grand hotel or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 15: Bukhara via Shakhrisabz. Travel to Bukhara via Shakrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. We visit Tamerlane’s palace Ak Sarai, the Kok Gumbaz mosque, Mausoleum of Jehangir (Tamerlane’s grandson) and Tamerlane’s Mausoleum. Bukhara is one of the centres of the Russian/British spies in the 19th Century. The bazaar is famous for its embroidery. Overnight at hotel Omar Khayam or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 16: Bukhara. City tour including Samanid Mausoleum, Chor Minor, Poli-Kalon Ensemble, Kaylon Minaret: at 47m the 2nd tallest in Central Asia; the Ark Fortress, Bolo-Hauz Complex and Labi-Hauz Ensemble. Overnight at hotel Omar Khayam or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 17: Bukhara. Full free day to enjoy the old city or time for shopping Overnight in hotel Omar Khayam or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 18: Khiva drive. Drive to Khiva half day sightseeing of the city overnight at hotel Mailka or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 19: Khiva. This city is a living museum with mosques, madrassas and caravanserai crowded within its walls. Khiva’s highlights include the Kunya Ark – former residence of the Khan, the beautiful Kalta Minar Minaret and the extraordinary Tash Khauli or ‘stone palace’. Overnight in Malika hotel or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 20: Kunya Urgench. Drive to Kunya Urgench through the Kara Kum Desert and the ruins of ancient capital- Meeting at the border check point Dashoguz. Formalities. Continue drive to Kunya Urgench. Visit Kunya Urgench historical site (Mausoleums of Turebek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmad-din-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur minaret & Kyrk Molla. Drive to Dashoguz. Visit Izmukshir. Overnight in Uzboy hotel or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 21: Ashgabad flight. Flight to Ashgabat (Boeing 717, 50 min flt subject to change). Arrival & check in the hotel. Sightseeing in Ashgabat with visiting the National Museum of History & Ethnography of Turkmenistan. Overnight in Ak Altyn hotel or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 22: Ashgabad Sightseeing. Visit Tolkuchka bazaar. Continue to Old Nisa - ancient Parthian settlement and the Spiritual Mosque of Turkmenbashi. Overnight in the hotel Ak Altyn or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 23: Onward flight. Drive to Bakharden underground lake. En-route visit Private Akhal Teke stud farm. Transfer to the airport for onward flight. Includes: (B), (L).

Accommodation in Hotels:

- Almaty: Otrar" Hotel

- Karakol: Green Yard

- Issyk Kul: Sinegorye Hotel

- Bishkek: Goldern Dragon

- Osh: Peking hotel

- Ferghana: Asia hotel or Club 777

- Tashkent: Bek hotel or Poytaht

- Samarkand: Malika prime or Grand hotel

- Bukhara: Malika or Omar Khayam

- Khiva: Malika hotel

- Dashoguz: Uzboy hotel

- Ashgabad: Ak Altyn.

Notes:

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:

- All domestic transportation and transfers

- Domestic flight mentioned above in the itinerary

- Twin sharing accommodation at hotel plus with en-suite private facilities

- Meals mentioned above

- All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees

- Fully escorted guides in each country

- Visa support letter for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan if needed.

Price Excludes:

- All above visa Fees

- Expenses in hotels such as laundry, telephone and room service, etc.

- Optional activities

- Meals not mention above

- Personal expanses

- Single supplements

- Photo and video fees

- Tips for Guides and drivers

- International flights to and out of Central Asia.