Fascination Central Asia – Four Countries - 17 Days

Arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel we visit modern Side of Ashgabat, the historical places Anew (5-3^th BC) and historical Museum in Ashgabat. Dinner at the 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. Lunch and Dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel Transfer to the Airport and we will fly to Ashgabat. Check-in to the hotel, we visit the historical monuments in Ashgabat, Ahal-Tekin horse farm and ruined city of Nisa. In the afternoon we drive to the Darvaza – Gate to Hell, a Wonder of Nature. Dinner and Overnight stay in the Tent at Darvaza.

After breakfast we will drive to Kunya Urgench. In Kunya Urgench we 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 the border checkpoint Uzbekistan → Turkmenistan. After the border formalities we drive to Khiva, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Khiva, with about 89 500 inhabitants (as of 2017), is located in the northwest of Uzbekistan west of the Amudarya river on the old Silk Road. Since 1967 Khiva is Museum City and in 1997 Uzbekistan celebrated the 2500th anniversary of the city. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. 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 we will drive to Bukhara (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 Bukhara. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After Breakfast 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. Dinner at a local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After breakfast we drive to Samarkand and check in to the hotel. 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. About 16.00 o’clock Transfer to the Railway Station and we drive with the express train “Afrosiyob” to Tashkent (departure at 17:00; arrival at 19:40). Dinner in a traditional 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.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the Airport and Flight to 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.Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we drive to Cholpon-Ata. On the way to Cholpon-Ata we visit the Burana Tower (11th century) and the Stone Warrior Museum in the open air. On arrival in Cholpon-Ata check into the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After breakfast hiking at the Issyk Kul lake (3 hours). Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we continue to Bishkek (280 km). In Bishkek we have free time. Dinner at a local restaurant in Bishkek. Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel.

After breakfast we drive to Almaty (250 km). 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. Lunchbox in Charyn Canyon. Back transfer to Almaty. Dinner at local Restaurant. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel.