If you’re looking to take full advantage of your time abroad and would like to experience the full range of all that Central Asia has to offer, why not consider visiting multiple countries at once? Our Central Asia Immersion Group Tour will help you make the most of your time in the region by providing an expansive introduction to the best of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Join us for 22 days as we explore the major historical, scenic, and cultural highlights of Central Asia, taking advantage of excellent weather in May and September in order to experience places at their best.
Participants should be in good health, comfortable walking 4-6 hours daily at a moderate pace, managing stairs and short ascents. Rest assured, we'll ensure plenty of breaks to enjoy the journey together.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Astana. Transfer to the hotel and check-in at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast. At 09:00 meet your guide and other group members in the hotel lobby to start a sightseeing tour of Kazakhstan’s capital. Visit the “Old Centre”, previously the home of merchants. Walk along the Millennium Axis line named by Kisho Kurokawa, the chief architect and designer of Astana’s general layout. Visit the Opera building and the Round Square with its numerous fountains. Touring on Independence Square with 91 meter high snow-white stele Kazakh Eli, Khazret Sultan Mosque, and Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. Continue to Nurzhol and Green Water boulevards to see stunning skyscrapers with their unique architecture. Take the lift up the Bayterek monument and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view from the observation deck. Conclude the morning city tour with a visit to Khan-Shatyr, a major shopping and entertainment center. Go for a tasty welcome lunch. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Almaty. Upon arrival, start a sightseeing tour of Almaty. Highlights of this morning will include Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square, and the Central State Museum. A a short drive (25 km) will take you to Chimbulak. Here, visit the ski resort and ride the cable car to enjoy the amazing views of the snowy peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains. Our last stop of the day will be the Sunkar Falcon Farm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), where you’ll enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks – hunting with these magnificent birds is a distinguishing feature of the Kazakh way of life. Return to the hotel by 18:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Breakfast. At 08:00 meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby. Leave Almaty and drive to Charyn Canyon (220 km, 3-4 h). This 154m-long canyon is in eastern Kazakhstan, part of the Charyn National Park. In addition to unforgettable views of the enormous canyon with its multi-coloured tower formations, the National Park offers the opportunity to see an old ash-tree grove, the Castle Valley. The canyon’s beauty makes you forget the long drive from Almaty, and you will remember this highlight of Kazakh nature for a long time. After arriving at the canyon, take some time for a picnic and a rest. After that, walk along the canyon and enjoy the views. Then transfer to the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border post at Kegen (116 km). Meet your Kyrgyz driver and guide and transfer to Karakol via the Karkara Valley (110 km). Enjoy dinner with an Uigur family, including a Kyrgyz folkloric show, national music and songs. Overnight at the hotel in Karakol.
Meals: picnic lunch, dinner
Meals: picnic lunch, dinner
After breakfast, visit the Wooden Orthodox Church and the intriguing Dungan Mosque (which was built in Chinese style). Then transfer to the Jety-Oguz Gorge. Take a short hike in the gorge and then drive along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. On the way, stop in Bokonbaevo to see an eagle hunting show. Continue driving to Kochkor. This drive guarantees you one of the best views of Lake Issyk-Kul. Have dinner and spend the overnight with a Kyrgyz family.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Meals: lunch, dinner
Drive to Son-Kul (120km), a remote mountain lake that is one of the highest in Kyrgyzstan (3,016m above sea level) via Kalmak Ashu pass (3,400 m above sea level). The lake is situated on a treeless, high-mountain plateau to which shepherds bring their livestock in summer and establish yurt camps where they’ll live. In this magnificent place you can expect to see hundreds of herds of livestock and numerous yurts, as well as edelweiss flowers and camels. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll learn about the traditional life of Kyrgyz nomads, watching local women make the Kyrgyz national drink, kymyz (mare’s milk) You’ll surely be invited to try kymyz, as well as traditional bread, dairy products, and home-made jam. You’ll also have the chance to ride a horse (optional, at extra cost). Dinner and overnight at a yurt camp.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Meals: lunch, dinner
Breakfast. At 09:00 transfer to Bishkek (400 km). On the way, join a workshop in Kochkor to see how traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets are made. After lunch continue driving to Bishkek, via Burana Tower. This tower was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries). Arrive in Bishkek. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: lunch, dinner
Meals: lunch, dinner
Breakfast. At 09:00 begin a sightseeing tour of Bishkek. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, the Philharmonic Hall, the Statue of Manas, Victory Square, and the Oriental market (Osh Bazaar) and new mosque named after Mahmud Kashgari. After lunch, enjoy some free time in the city. Transfer to Bishkek Airport for the evening flight HY780 to Tashkent. Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours
Breakfast. At 09:00 start a tour of Tashkent by visiting the Old City, which includes the Khast-Imam Complex and Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Transfer to the domestic airport to get the morning flight HY051 to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrival in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min) to leave the luggage.
Start guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Kala Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islom Khodja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Start guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Kala Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islom Khodja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Breakfast. At 09:30 am drive to the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border crossing at Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h). Complete the border formalities on both sides. Meet your Turkmen guide and drive to the Darvaza gas crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert (270 km, 4 h). Set up camp for the night and enjoy a delicious fire-cooked dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Meals: camp style dinner
Note: At Darvaza camp you will be accommodated at a yurt or there is an option to have 1- or 2-person tents. In both cases, toilets and basic washing facilities are outside.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Meals: camp style dinner
Note: At Darvaza camp you will be accommodated at a yurt or there is an option to have 1- or 2-person tents. In both cases, toilets and basic washing facilities are outside.
After a camp-style breakfast, drive to Ashgabat (280 km, 3 h 30 min). On the way, stop at water and mud craters. Arrive in Ashgabat and visit the National Museum of History. Check in the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of this fascinating city, the capital of Turkmenistan. Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record as the city with the highest density of white marble buildings in the world. During the city tour, explore the archeological site of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Visit the Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, the recently-built Independence Park, and Ahalteke horse stables. Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Mary (370 km, 40 min). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Free time.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6 hours
Meals: lunch, dinner
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6 hours
Meals: lunch, dinner
Breakfast, drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min), an ancient city that was a major centre of international trade and crafts on the Silk Road. Discover the Historical and Cultural Park of “Ancient Merv” (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), including the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortress, and other sights. In the afternoon, drive to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point, Farap-Alat (290 km, 5 h 30 min). Complete the border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet your driver on the Uzbekistan side and continue to Bukhara (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrive in Bukhara and check-in to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: lunch
After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of Bukhara’s Old City. Visit the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trading domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrassah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrassahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, and Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Attend a national folklore show at Nadir Divan-Begi Madrassah. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast. Continue the guided sightseeing tour around Bukhara. Drive out of the city to visit Chor-Minor Madrassah and Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Visit the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. At 15:00, transfer to the railway station to take the train to Samarkand at 15:50. Arrive in Samarkand and transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Breakfast. At 09:00 start a city tour of Samarkand. Visit the spectacular Registan Square, the Gur Emir (Tamerlane’s mausoleum), the remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, and the Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis. Then drive to Koni Ghil village to explore the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from the bark of the mulberry tree. Free evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
In the morning, transfer to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing point at Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Complete the border formalities at both checkpoints, meet your Tajik local guide and driver, and start sightseeing tour of Penjikent, including the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). Visit ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and abandoned by Arabs in the 8th century. The foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples, and the remains of the city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Stop at Sarazm, which is one of the oldest settlements in Central Asia and has 5,500 years of history. In 2010, Sarazm was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
After breakfast, drive to the Seven Lakes (80 km). Haf Kul, seven different-coloured lakes situated in the mountains of Tajikistan. You will visit: 1. Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin (2,139m above sea level). 5. Khurdak, 6. Marguzor, and 7. Hazorchashma (2,400m above sea level). Lunch. Transfer back to Panjikent hotel for overnight.
Meals: lunch
Meals: lunch
In the morning depart Penjikent and drive to Isaknderkul (270 km, 4-5 h) via the picturesque Anzob Pass (3,300m above sea level). Explore the surroundings of Iskanderkul Lake. According to legend, this lake was named after Alexander the Great (who was known as Iskander in the East). People say that Alexander the Great travelled via this lake from India to Central Asia. Visit Zmeinoe (Snake) Lake and walk to a 38m-high waterfall called “Fan Niagara”. After lunch, drive to Dushanbe (130 km, 2-3 h). Check in to your hotel.
Meals: lunch
Meals: lunch
Breakfast. Meet your guide and driver in the hotel lobby to start a city tour of Dushanbe. Visit the Hissar Fortress, Madrassah Kuhna, Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Tajikistan, Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park. Free time. Farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: dinner
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: dinner
Price includes:
- All transfers: 1-2 on Sedan type car, 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-16 pax by 30 seat bus;
- Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
- Sightseeing tour program with English speaking local guides in each country;
- Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
- Economy-class tickets for flights: Astana – Almaty, Bishkek-Tashkent-Urgench, Ashgabat-Mary;
- Economy-class tickets for trains: Bukhara-Samarkand;
- E-visa to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan;
- Visa support letter for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
- Meals as per itinerary;
- In addition to local tour guides, service of a tour leader to escort groups of 6 and more travelers.
Price doesn't include:
- Surcharge for staying in a single room;
- Full board (lunches and dinners);
- Hotel charges for additional services;
- Personal travel insurance;
- Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visa (80 USD) and Turkmenistan migration tax (12 USD);
- Visa support for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tourist visas (60 USD);
- International flight tickets before and after the tour.
Dates & Prices, per person
From:
To:
Deadline:
Status:
Price:
Single supplement: US$ 790
100% guaranteed departures – even if there is only 1 traveler.
Group size: 1-16 persons
Please note that itinerary and prices are subject to change due to airline and train schedule changes, currency fluctuations and other unforeseeable events.
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Central Asia Immersion Group Tour Reviews
Author: Sivano | Rating: 510 July 2024
All I can say it's been the trip of my dreams! I had many years dreaming about Samarcanda, it seemed to me impossible that one day I could be in that wonderful city. All the trip was perfectly organized, fancies hotels much more than I was expecting. Most guides were incredible! This is a trip without waste! Thank you very much for make my dream come true!
Of course I will choose advantour again! I have in sight several of your tours, like pamir, China, Rusia and Caucasus! Thank you very much for everything!
Visited July 2024
Of course I will choose advantour again! I have in sight several of your tours, like pamir, China, Rusia and Caucasus! Thank you very much for everything!
Visited July 2024
Author: Natasha | Rating: 517 June 2023
I had a fantastic trip to Central Asia and thought it was an excellent itinerary with as much highlights as the time would allow. The guides were very knowledgeable, kind and attentive to any special requests that I may have needed.
I also thought the hotels were quite good choices, clean, modern and comfortable even in Karakol. The yurt stay was also very comfortable with modern conveniences. These are all things very important to me when travelling. Even though there were many long travel days the large suv vehicle provided was comfortable and clean.
I am quite happy with the experience and would definitely book another trip to Central Asia with your company as you have found excellent local tour companies to work with in the respective countries.
I also thought the hotels were quite good choices, clean, modern and comfortable even in Karakol. The yurt stay was also very comfortable with modern conveniences. These are all things very important to me when travelling. Even though there were many long travel days the large suv vehicle provided was comfortable and clean.
I am quite happy with the experience and would definitely book another trip to Central Asia with your company as you have found excellent local tour companies to work with in the respective countries.
Author: Michael | Rating: 517 October 2022
The tour was overall excellent, and I will certainly be recommending it to all that would have any interest in Central Asia. Thank you for all of your behind the scenes efforts in coordinating all of the pieces that go into such a tour!
Author: Sanjay G. | Rating: 523 October 2019
From: India
Date of experience: 05 September, 2019
Our tour overall was excellent in terms of planning and coordination. We enjoyed and liked most of locations and time allocated was just appropriate.
Travel vehicle was comfortable.
Stay was comfortable in almost all locations.
Guides were very good and did justice to their job by taking care of logistics and were knowledgeable.
Overall tour was great and we both enjoyed. Thank you so much to you and your team and we will be happy to refer your company for Central Asia tours.
Date of experience: 05 September, 2019
Our tour overall was excellent in terms of planning and coordination. We enjoyed and liked most of locations and time allocated was just appropriate.
Travel vehicle was comfortable.
Stay was comfortable in almost all locations.
Guides were very good and did justice to their job by taking care of logistics and were knowledgeable.
Overall tour was great and we both enjoyed. Thank you so much to you and your team and we will be happy to refer your company for Central Asia tours.
Author: David H. | Rating: 503 July 2019
From New Zeland
Date of experience: 30 May, 2019
When looking at an itinerary you wonder what it really entails. Recently I returned from a 21 day Advantour company tour of the 5 Stans. Where is that you may ask? Simply, the 5 ex Soviet Republics in Central Asia between Afghanistan/Iran and Russia. And the tour? Exceeded the itinerary bigtime and would recommend before the tourists wakeup. Accommodation ranged from 5*, to homestays in remote alpine villages, to Yurts in the desert and amongst the steppe nomad herders with their flocks of sheep, goats, horses, cattle and Yaks.
Diversity – whow. This is where East meets West and so history plays an important role. From visiting a live 5000 year old archaeological site, to seeing the aftermath of Alexander the Great, Mongol, Arab (who brought Islam), Amir Timur etc invasions to the recent Silk Road historical cities to the Soviet era. Post Soviet has seen enormous change no more so than two capitals where in the last 15-20 years Astana (recently renamed Nur-Sultan) and Ashgabat have been totally transformed into modern cities of 1.2m, the former with the 3km Millennium Axis of parks, fountains etc incorporating and flanked by stunning international architecture, the latter with all buildings (mainly high risers) being clad in stunning white marble that when lit with multiple colours at night is a sight to behold.
Then there was the desert visit to the “red gas crater” (seen from space), a laser show with a C15 backing, goat track of roads to reach those remote areas, local food and friendly people who generally only speak their own dialect, very knowledgeable English speaking guides etc. Add to this the amazing topography, photographic and tramping opportunities from visiting the sand deserts, high alpine grazing areas and glacial lakes to the snow alps, remote rural villages and Soviet towns. One of my most memorable tours, thanks to Advantour.
Date of experience: 30 May, 2019
When looking at an itinerary you wonder what it really entails. Recently I returned from a 21 day Advantour company tour of the 5 Stans. Where is that you may ask? Simply, the 5 ex Soviet Republics in Central Asia between Afghanistan/Iran and Russia. And the tour? Exceeded the itinerary bigtime and would recommend before the tourists wakeup. Accommodation ranged from 5*, to homestays in remote alpine villages, to Yurts in the desert and amongst the steppe nomad herders with their flocks of sheep, goats, horses, cattle and Yaks.
Diversity – whow. This is where East meets West and so history plays an important role. From visiting a live 5000 year old archaeological site, to seeing the aftermath of Alexander the Great, Mongol, Arab (who brought Islam), Amir Timur etc invasions to the recent Silk Road historical cities to the Soviet era. Post Soviet has seen enormous change no more so than two capitals where in the last 15-20 years Astana (recently renamed Nur-Sultan) and Ashgabat have been totally transformed into modern cities of 1.2m, the former with the 3km Millennium Axis of parks, fountains etc incorporating and flanked by stunning international architecture, the latter with all buildings (mainly high risers) being clad in stunning white marble that when lit with multiple colours at night is a sight to behold.
Then there was the desert visit to the “red gas crater” (seen from space), a laser show with a C15 backing, goat track of roads to reach those remote areas, local food and friendly people who generally only speak their own dialect, very knowledgeable English speaking guides etc. Add to this the amazing topography, photographic and tramping opportunities from visiting the sand deserts, high alpine grazing areas and glacial lakes to the snow alps, remote rural villages and Soviet towns. One of my most memorable tours, thanks to Advantour.
