17-day Classic Central Asia Relaxed Small Group Tour17 days | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

Day 1, Th: Almaty – Arrival (Kazakhstan)

 

Arrive in Almaty. Our driver will meet you and transfer to the hotel. Standard check in at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2, Fr: Almaty (Kazakhstan)

 

Breakfast. At 09:00, your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to start a sightseeing tour of Almaty. Highlights of this morning will include Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square, and the Central State Museum. After a welcome lunch, 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, 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

Day 3, Sa: Almaty – Bishkek (Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan)

 

After breakfast, at 9 am depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h.). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Start sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

Day 4, Su: Bishkek – Burana – Don Aryk – Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

 

Breakfast. Depart Bishkek at 09:00. The first stop will be Burana Tower, which was part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th to 13th centuries). Next on the agenda will be experiencing a Kyrgyz national horse game called “Ulak Tartysh” (goat pulling). Ulak Tartysh (also known as Kok Boru) is a fight between two teams of horse riders for a goat carcass. Transfer to Don Aryk village and have lunch at the home of a local Kyrgyz family. After lunch, watch a demonstration of yurt construction and even take part if you wish. Local Kyrgyz women will explain the meaning and use of each part of the yurt. Transfer to Bishkek hotel, overnight.
Duration of tour: 6-7 hours

Day 5, Mo: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek - Tashkent (Kyrgyzstan/Uzbekistan)

 

Breakfast. Transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km). You will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs. The gorge is flanked by tall, snow-covered, peaks with steep-sided, forested, mountain slopes. You will start your walk (3,5 km) from the alpine camp (2200 m) to Ak-Sai waterfall – the height is 35 m (2700 m) - by the path which goes through conifer forest and alpine meadows. Return back to the alpine camp. Transfer to Bishkek. Free time. Transfer to Bishkek airport (110 km, ~1h 30 min) to take the evening flight to Tashkent (1h 20 min). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.
Duration of the tour: 5-6 hours

Day 6, Tu: Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

 

Breakfast. Start the Tashkent city tour at 10:00 by visiting the Old City of Tashkent. This area encompasses the Khast-Imam Complex (famous for displaying one of the earliest copies of the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam), and Chorsu Bazaar, where you can haggle for spices, dried fruit, and nuts. 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 in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 7, We: Tashkent - Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

 

Early in the morning get “a take-away breakfast” from the hotel and transfer to the railway station. The high-speed train Afrosiyob departs Tashkent and arrives in Samarkand (300 km, 2h 10 min). Upon arrival in Samarkand meet your driver with the guide. Your city tour will begin with a visit to Gur Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Turco-Mongol emperor, Timur. Continue to the spectacular Registan Square, explore the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Siyob bazaar. After lunch break continue to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, then take a short drive to Konigil village to find out about the traditional techniques used to make the famous Samarkand paper from mulberry bark. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 8, Th: Samarkand - Seven Lakes - Penjikent (Uzbekistan/Tajikistan)

 

Breakfast. At 9 am transfer to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border point, Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you. Meet your local Tajik guide and driver to drive to the Seven Lakes (80 km, ~2 h). These lakes are located in the western part of the Fann Mountains. Each lake has its own color, varying from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Have lunch at the guest house next to the 4th lake. Those who would like to enjoy the view from the 7th lake there is an opportunity to have a hiking tour from the 6th lake up to the 7th lake. In the evening transfer to the hotel in Penjikent. Check in and overnight.
Duration of the tour: 7-8 hours

Day 9, Fr: Penjikent – Samarkand (Tajikistan/Uzbekistan)

 

Breakfast. Drive to 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. In the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, a mosque, and the Rudaki Museum (Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu Abdallah Rudaki, considered by many to be the father of Persian poetry). After sightseeing tour drive to the Jartepa border crossing. Complete the border formalities. On the Uzbek side, your driver will meet you. Transfer to Samarkand hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3 hours

Day 10, Sa: Samarkand - Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

 

Breakfast. At 08:45 transfer to the Railway station to get a fast-going train departing to Bukhara (260 km, 1h.45 min.). Upon arrival in Bukhara transfer to the hotel to leave the luggage. After lunch, start exploring the Old City of Bukhara. Highlights of the walking tour will include: the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Chor-Minor Madrasa, Kalyan Minaret, and Ark Fortress. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 11, Su: Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

 

In the first half of the day continue sightseeing Bukhara. Visit to Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums, continue to trading domes. Free time until the National Show at Nadir Divan-begi Madrasa, which starts at 18:00. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 12, Mo: Bukhara – Khiva (Uzbekistan)

 

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 h*). Today we will have an overland transfer from Bukhara to Khiva through Kyzylkum desert**. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon. Check-in to the hotel. Free evening in Khiva. Overnight at the hotel.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, we should arrange you packed lunch on this trip.
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.

Day 13, Tu: Khiva (Uzbekistan)

 

After breakfast, you will start your city tour by visiting Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour features visits to Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum and Islam-Khoja minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 14, We: Khiva – Darvaza Gas Crater (Uzbekistan/ Turkmenistan)

 

After breakfast at 09:30 am drive to Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide will be waiting for you with the sign. Transfer to have lunch before driving to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakum desert (270 km, 4 h.). Upon arrival enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in the yurt.

Day 15, Th: Darvaza Gas Crater – Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

 

After camp style breakfast depart to Ashgabat (280 km, 4 h.). Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Start 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. During the city tour you will visit Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. You will visit the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Presidential Square, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and newly built Independence Park. Free time in the evning. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16, Fr: Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

 

After breakfast, continue sightseeing tour: explore an archaeological site of Old Nisa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list), visit the Akhalteke horse stables and Lenin Monument, continue to the Carpet Museum and local bazaar. Free time. Farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17, Sa: Ashgabat – departure (Turkmenistan)

 

Transfer to the International Airport. Departure. End of Classic Central Asia Relaxed Small Group Tour.

Price includes:

• All transfers: 1-2 pax by Sedan type car, 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-16 pax by 20 seat bus;
• Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
• English-speaking local guides in each country;
• Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
• Economy class ticket for flight: Bishkek-Tashkent;
• Tickets for trains: Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara;
• Visa support for Uzbekistan visa;
• Visa support for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
• National folklore show in Bukhara on Day 11, tea/coffee breaks on Day 7, 11, 13.
• Meals: welcome lunch in Almaty on Day 2, lunch at home of a local family in Don-Aryk on Day 4, lunch at Seven Lakes on Day 8, lunch-box on Day 12, lunch and camp style dinner at Darvaza on Day 14, farewell dinner in Ashgabat on Day 16.

Price doesn't include:

• Surcharge for staying in a single room;
• Full board (lunches and dinners);
• Hotel charges for additional services;
• A tax of 2 USD per night in Turkmenistan, paid to the hotel upon check out;
• Consular fees for Turkmenistan tourist visas (80 USD) and migration tax (14 USD), express PCR test (33 USD);
• Visa support for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan tourist visas;
• Personal travel insurance;
• Tips to local guides and drivers;
• International flight tickets before and after the tour.

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.