Across the Five Stans

Charyn Canyon is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions as well as have a lunch in a local cafe. And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once - so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. Anyone who has ever been to the Charyn Canyon, falls in love with it forever! Transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Almaty

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Your guide will pick you up at the lobby of the hotel in Almaty and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek city is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is situated at about 800 meters (2,600 ft) altitude near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. This range is an extension of the Tian Shan mountains, which rises up to 4,855 meters (15,928 ft) and provides a spectacular backdrop to the city. This entire day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, the National Arts Museum, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest.

 Overnight stay in a hotel in Bishkek.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Your driver will pick you up at 8 am and you will be transferred to Issyk Kul Lake, surrounded by the celestial mountains. It’s the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m. above sea level). The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". Due to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. On route to the lake you will visit Burana Tower and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). It is a minaret dating from the 11th century. You can climb to the top if you wish to experience the same view that Silk Road travelers saw themselves. Burana Tower served as a sign along the Great Silk Road to let travelers know there was a city and place to have a rest.

 Your night is in a hotel.

Meals:Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

The day starts with ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.) which were made by shamans. Then we will drive to beautiful Grigorievskoe gorge! This area is part of the national park. Here you will be able to enjoy the magnificent mountains covered with snow tops and slopes grown by blue and green pine trees. Then we continue our way along the northern shore of the lake to the town of Karakol. You will visit the Dungan mosque. One of its highlights is the fact that it was built in a Chinese style without using a single metal nail. The mosque will be followed by a visit to an old wooden Orthodox Church.

The night is spent in a guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It’s famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. If you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge. Then we continue our trip, breaking in Bokonbaeva village, where we will meet a local eagle-hunter. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles. It is an ancient kind of hunting animals preserved from generation to generation. You will find out a lot of interesting facts about it. After this visit we will continue our way to Bishkek.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Bishkek.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

In the morning we will transfer you to the airport for a flight to the city of Osh. In Osh city you will have a walk and will get to visit a famous and special place – Suleiman Mountain. Suleiman Too (Solomon’s Mountain) is situated in the city center and it is considered a place of pilgrimage for local Muslims, because according to the legend, biblical prophet Solomon (Suleiman, in the Koran) was buried at the foot of it. In the afternoon we will drive to Tajik border. The road runs over mountains and high passes. On the way you will drive via Batken region. Tajik guide will meet you on the border and you will drive Khujand city.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Khujand

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Khujand is the second largest city of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population of the city is 149,000. It is also the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. You will visit in the afternoon a Cultural Palace of Khujant. At this place the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. Also we will go to see Central Mosque that is situated in the middle of the city.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Khujand.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

We will drive today to the Fannsky Gory (Fann Mountains). The road to the lakes goes over pass Shahriston (3 378 m). They are one of Central Asia's most popular hiking areas. You will do a day trip to the Seven Lakes (Marquzor Lakes), about 60 km south of Panjakent. At this place you will have time to go for short hiking. There road goes along a gorge where 7 lakes are located. They are situated on different altitudes and have different colors. Also you will meet local people that live at that area. It will be very interesting to see their way of life. Then we will drive to Penjakent.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Penjakent

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

The city of Penjakent ("five villages") is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Quite possibly the five villages started the history of this remarkable city which originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD. Penjikent of that time was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. It was even named "Central Asian Pompeii". It was a superbly fortified well-organized city with a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The ruins of this ancient city were found only in the last century. Today the tourists can see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers’ church. After short sightseeing is transfer to Samarkand via Jartepo border. Meet the group at Jartepo border check point at 15:00. Transfer to Samarkand. Visiting Ulughbek observatory, built in 15th century by Ulughbek, one of the most famous Samarkand rulers and scientists. Working in observatory, Ulughbek created in 1437 the “Zidji Guragoni” catalog, which had information about 1018 celestial bodies. Unfortunately, he was killed by order of his own son.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Samarkand

Meals:Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17^th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11^th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. Evening train to Bukhara (aprox 21:00-22:30).

Overnight stay in a hotel in Bukhara

Meals:Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today you will have a full day of sightseeing tour in the fascinating city of Bukhara. At first you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4^th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9^th -10^th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah.

 Overnight stay in a hotel in Bukhara

Meals:Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

In the morning we start our drive to Khiva, the most ancient city in Uzbekistan full of history and fascinating sites.  Its history is inextricably connected with the history of the legendary Khorezmshah’s State with its capital in Urgench before. In the 10th century Khiva is mentioned as a major trading center on the Silk Road. All the caravans had a stop here on their way to China and back. From dawn to dusk, until the gates were opened, an endless stream of moving string of camels with baggage passed them. Now we have most of this unique city preserved and cherished to pass to our next generation. The road from Bukhara to Khiva goes through famous Kizilkum desert. On the way we will enjoy the view to Amu Darya river, the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan) and flowing into Aral See. Upon arrival in Khiva you will have free time.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Khiva

Meals:Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today you will have a wonderful sightseeing tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. It will be inside of Ichan-Qala, the inner city in Khiva rounded with strong walls. Centuries old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses transformed Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. Ichan-Qala consists of over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. In 1969 Ichan-Qala was designated a historical and architectural conservation area. The most remarkable sites in it are the Kunya-Ark fortress dating back to 17^th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, an incredible sample of Khorezm architectural mastership of 1830s.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Khiva

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner 

07:00-08:00 Breakfast at your Hotel's Restaurant 08:30 Check out from hotel and transfer to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km neutral zone. Meet with your English speaking local guide at Turkmen side. Drive to Kunya Urgench 110 km (UNESCO 2005) ancient capital of Khorezm. Lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch drive to Darvaza .En route stop at some typical dunes of Karakum desert enjoy with photos. In the evening enjoy the spectacular and fascinating view of the gas crater. Barbeque style dinner.

Overnight stay in a traditional yurt (2 pax each yurt) 

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/BBQ style dinner

07:00-08:00 Breakfast picnic style. After breakfast drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 5-6 h). 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. “Alem” Ferris wheel, panoramic tour to the “Bagt Koshgi” (wedding palace) Independence Monument. Independence Park, this Park is one of the city’s attractions, embodying the spirit of modern Turkmenistan. Arch of Neutrality is a viewing platform.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: BBQ Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner 

07:00-08:00 Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Kow-Ata underground lake that is located 107 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means Father of caves. At first glance, this underground area appears like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should swim in a lake). Continue with Nokhur village. The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, and the houses are been built with local boulders cemented with mud. Return to Ashgabat city

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner 

07:00-08:00 Breakfast at the hotel. Nissa Historical Park - located on a natural high platform at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. Nissa owes its importance to the early Parthian rulers who took over control of the area in III c. BC. Turkmenbashi Spiritual Mosque and Mausoleum in Kipchak. Then visit Gokdepe Mosque is a significant religious and historical landmark located in Gokdepe. Built in the 1990s, it is sometimes referred to as the Saparmyrat Haji Mosque in honour of his pilgrimage to Mecca.The mosque is an impressive architectural work, combining elements of modern Islamic design with traditional Central Asian styles. Its white marble facade reflects Turkmenistan’s national preference for this material, which can be seen in many of the country’s modern structures. The mosque is adorned with four minarets, tall and slender, framing a central dome that rises prominently above the building. The dome itself is striking, often described as sparkling turquoise or blue, which is a testament to the mosque’s name ‘Gokdepe’, which means ‘blue hill’ in Turkmen. Akhalteke Horse Farm the horse farm is located in the countryside area, behind the Geokdepe town, 55km. Excursion at the farm to see the AkhalTeke horse and Turkmen dog Alabay. Akhal-Teke horse farm – home to the world-famous Turkmen horses. Learn about the breeding traditions and history of Akhal-Teke horses. Here, experts will tell you about Akhal-Teke horses. Next to the farm, you can take a horseback ride through the gardens. 

Overnight stay in a hotel in Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/ Farewell dinner 

Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for flight to next destination.

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