Central Asia and Iran Tour – six Countries - 27 Days

Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. We will visit the Green Bazaar (does not work on Monday), where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks – Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden building in the world – Zenkov Cathedral is located. After exploration of sport, cultural and business areas of the city you will get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and Shymbulak resort. Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Today you will have a day trip to Charyn Canyons. It 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. 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. Hiking in the Canyon (3 hours). Picnic lunch on the Charyn River (flowing crystal clear water). After Picnic our Hiking in the Canyon (2 hours). In the late afternoon we drive back to Almaty (220 km). Dinner at a local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

After Breakfast Transfer to the Capital of the Kyrgyz Republic – Bishkek. 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. The distance from Almaty city to Bishkek is 230 km. It will take about 4 hours for the transfer. On the way you will pass a border control. 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. Dinner at local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Your guide will pick you up at 8 a.m 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 you will visit Burana Tower. It is a minaret from the 11th century. Burana Tower was used during the Great Silk Road as a sign for travelers that there was a city to have a rest. Nearby you will see an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). These grave stones that look like warriors – they were made in honor of brave soldiers that died for their Motherland. In Cholpon-Ata check in to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning we will visit a place where you will see ancient pictures on stones! They are called Petroglyphs. These petroglyphs were made more than 2000 years ago by Shamans. All these stones are still at the same place as they were at that time. You can see a panorama view of the Issyk Kul Lake from this place – People were thinking that it was the middle of the World. After an excursion you will visit a museum in Cholpon-Ata. There are many attractive things from the Kyrgyz history, handicraft, music instruments and a lot of other interesting artifacts. Afterwards we will drive to Bishkek city. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the Airport for Flight to Osh city. According to legend, the city of Osh was founded by the King Solomon. We visit the oriental bazaar in Osh and the Sulayman-Too (Mount of Solomon). The Sulayman-Too is considered a holy Mountain in Kyrgyzstan and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In some caves and on rock walls on the Mountain, especially on the eastern slope, more than 100 Petroglyphs with representations of humans, animals, dragons, sun and moon as well as geometrical shapes were found, which date back to the time of the first settlement in the middle Bronze Age. Solomon, known to Christians in the Bible as the King of Israel, is considered a Prophet in the Koran and is said to have been buried at the foot of the Mountain. Lunch at a local Restaurant in Osh. In the afternoon we drive to the border crossing Osh – Andijan (Andijon). After the border formalities we change the means of transport and we do city tour in Andijan. We continue our journey to Fergana, sightseeing and we drive to Margilan. On arrival check into the hotel. Dinner in a local Teahouse. Overnight stay in a 2-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will visit the Silk Factory “Yodgorlik”, the Orient-Bazaar and then we will drive to Rishtan. In Rishtan we visit the Family who produces ceramics. We drive to Kokand, Lunch at the restaurant in Kokand and we visit historical city Kokand. Your Tajik guide will meet you at the other side at 15:00. You will continue your drive to Khujand city. Dinner at the local restaurant in Khujand. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will visit the historical city of Khujand, which was founded in 329 B.C. by Alexander the Great. We visit the Museum of Archaeology, the Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and the Payshanba Bazaar, the largest bazaar in Tajikistan. In the afternoon we drive to Tashkent. Dinner at a local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

After breakfast city tour in Tashkent. Tashkent , the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan, lies in the northeast of Uzbekistan and is with over two million people the largest metropolis in Central Asia . While visiting historical sights of the Capital, you can also enjoy the modern side of the city. The city offers modern Hotels, Restaurants, Theatres, Cinemas, Operas, Disco, Oriental Bazaars, of course also a thousand years old History to look back on. During the city tour we will visit Barak Khan Medrasah (building ensemble from the 15-17 c.), the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (built in the 16 c. and rebuilt in the 19 c.), the mosque Khojah Akhror (1404-1490, Khojah Akhror was a Sheikh of the Naqshbandi Order). Afterwards we will visit the Medrese Kukaldosh (16th century), the traditional Chorsu-Bazaar . Dinner at a local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will drive with the express Train “Afrosiyob” to Samarkand (departure at 7.30 am, arrival at 09.40 am). Samarkand (540 000 inhabitants, 2019) has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The history of the city goes back over 2500 years. Visitors are fascinated by the walls of the legendary Afrasiyab, the capital of the ancient empire Sogd (9th century B.C.), which can still be found in the north of Samarkand today. Not for nothing Samarkand is called a jewel of the earth. Our journey in Samarkand begins at the famous Registan (sand place), whose construction was already started during the Timurid period and completed in the following three hundred years. Sightseeing of three Medressen of the Registan – the Ulugbek-Medresse (built 1417-1420), the Sher-Dor-Medresse (1619 – 1636) and the Tillo-Kori-Medresse (1646 – 1660). For lunch you will be offered traditional Uzbek dish Pilav. Depending on your wishes you can also order something else (our recommendation: try at least once the traditional dish Pilav in Samarkand, it is only prepared for lunch). In the afternoon we visit the legendary Timurid mausoleum Guri Amir (XIV-XV century). Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in 3-star hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Bibi Hanum Mosque and Medresse (14th century) and we will be told the legends connected with the buildings. Afterwards we will visit the traditional oriental “Siyab bazaar”. Near the Siyab bazaar there is an ensemble of Shohi-Zinda (the living king, “IX.-XIV century), one of the world’s most famous group of mausoleums, which fasinate you with its beautiful architecture. Next we will visit the famous Ulugbek Observatory (1428-1429 which was built on one of the hills of Chupanata). The observatory was a unique design in his time. Dinner in a traditional Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will drive to Bukhara. In Bukhara we will visit Poyi Kalon Ensemble consisting of Kalon Minaret (12^th c.), Kalon Mosque (12^th c.), Miri Arab Madrasah (16^th c.), domed bazaars Toqi Zargaron (15^th c.), Toqi Telpak-Furushon (16^th c.) and Toqi Zaroffon (16^th c.). Continue we will visit Lyabi-Khauz Complex (14-17^th c.) and Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah. Dinner at Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah along with traditional folklore Program. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will visit Citadel Ark (4^th c. BC), Bolo-Khauz Mosque (beginning of the 20^th c.), Samanides Mausoleum (9-10^th c.), Chashmai Ayub (14^th c.), Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Complex, summer residence of the last Emir (ruler) of Bukhara, Bakhouddin Naqshbandiy Memorial Complex, Chor Bakr (19^th c.) and Chor Minor. Afterwards we will have Dinner for you. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will drive to Khiva (480 km). While driving through the Desert Kysyl-Kum (Red Sand) you experience the unique expanse of desert landscape in Central Asia. The Kysyl-Kum Desert is about 200 000 square kilometres and it partly lies in the territories of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It is covered with red sand from which the Name of the Desert derives. On the way to Bukhara we make a short stop at the teahouse “Bukhoro-i-Sharif”, where you can have lunch or just relax and drink tea. Dinner at a local Restaurant in Khiva. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast we will visit the historical city “Ichan Qala”. Dinner with live folklore Music in the old city Ichan Kala. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast Transfer to Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan border. After the border Formality we will drive to Kunya Urgench. In Kunya Urgench we will visit the historical monuments Ak Kala (15-17^th c.), Gurganj, Komplex ibn Khadjib (14-16^th c.), Lunch at the local Restaurant. In the afternoon we drive to Darvaza. Dinner and overnight stay in the Tent.

After breakfast we will drive to Ashgabat. We visit the historical monuments in Ashgabat, Anew (5-3^th BC) and ruined city of Nisa. Dinner at a local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to the Airport and we fly to Mary. In Mary we visit the ruins of Alexandria (Antiochia) and region Margush: Sultan Kala (10-11^th c.), Erk Kala (7^th bc.), Gyaur Kala (III^th bc.), Karavansaray Dandanakan (MA.), Kyz Kala (8-12^th c.), Mausoleum Askhabov (15^th c.), Mausoleum Sultan Sanjar (12^th c.) and Muhammad ibn Said (12^th c.) mosque-mausoleum. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Zerakhs. Transfer to the Turkmenistan-Iran border. After the border formality we will drive to Mashhad. Check-in to the hotel, dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel we will drive by Train to Tehran. Check-in to the hotel, dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel we will visit Tehran: Nationalmuseum, Golestan Palace and National Jewelry Museum. Afternoon we will visit Orient Bazar. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Isfahan. Check-in to the hotel, dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel we will visit Isfahan: Imam square, Masjed-e Shah, Kakh-e Chehel Sotun, orient Bazar in Isfahan. Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Shiraz. Along the way we will visit world famous ancient cities Necropolis and Persepolis. Dinner at the local restaurant in Shiraz. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast at the hotel we will visit Shiraz: Masjed-e Nasir Al Molk, Bagh-e Naranjestan, Bazar-e Vakil, Masjed-e Vakil and orient Bazar. Dinner at the local restaurant in Shiraz. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.