20-day Capitals of Silk Road Tour20 days | Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia

Arrival in Ashgabat. Transfer to hotel. Check in at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, meet your guide with a driver to start the city tour of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan that has recently been noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having more white marble on its buildings than any other city in the world. You will visit Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia, the National Museum of History, Monument of Neutrality, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and newly built Independence Park. Rich and interesting excursion also includes a stopover at the Akhalteke horses stables and Lenin Monument. Depart to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakum desert with visit of Kekirdek (270 km, 4 h.). Arrive at the crater, set up the camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in tents.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 5 hours

After camp style breakfast, depart to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point Dashoguz-Shavat (370 km, 5 hrs). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet your driver and continue to Khiva (60 km, 1 h.). Check in. Meet your guide to take a guided walking tour of this ancient city. Visit the Itchan-Kala Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrassah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, and the Minaret of Islam Khoja. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

In the morning you will be transferred to Urgench airport (30 km, 35 min.) for flight to Tashkent (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel to leave the luggage. Check in to the hotel at 14:00. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imam visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Explore Chor-Su Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 5-6 hours

At 07:00 transfer from your hotel to railway station. Fast-speed train Afrosiyob departs Tashkent at 08:00 and arrives in Samarkand at 10:10 (300 km). Your guide and driver will meet you at train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). After you pass customs and passport control on both sides, Tajik guide and driver will meet you and drive to Seven Lakes (80 km, 1.5-2h). The Seven Lakes are located in the west of Fann mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Lunch at the guest house at the Lake #4. In the afternoon, drive back to Penjikent and visit Rudaki Museum and a local bazaar. Continue to ancient Penjikent archaeological site which takes you back to the times when Penjikent was a major Sogdian city before it was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. Overnight at the hotel in Penjikent.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 1,5-2 hours

After breakfast depart Penjikent and drive to Dushanbe (270 km, 4-5 h). The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass (3300 m above sea level). On the way visit Iskanderkul Lake. According to the legend, the Iskanderkul Lake was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great's path to India passed by this lake. Lunch at traditional homestay "Dilovar". Free time to explore the surroundings of the lake: five springs, Zmeinoe Lake, 38m high “Fan Niagara“ waterfall. In the afternoon continue driving to Dushanbe. Arrive in Dushanbe, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00

After breakfast meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit Hissar Fortress where you can see Madrasah Kuhna, Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Antiquities, Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 4-5 hours

Free time till transfer to the International Airport for flight to Almaty. Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast/-/-

Transfer to the airport to get morning flight to Astana. Upon arrival meet your guide and driver at the airport to start sightseeing in the capital of Kazakhstan. Visit “Old center”, town of merchants in the past. Visit Millennium Axis line named by Kisho Kurokawa, chief architect and creator of Astana general layout. Visit Opera building, the Round Square with numerous fountains. Continue to Nurzhol and Green Water boulevards with skyscrapers of exceptional architectural forms. You will go up the Bayterek monument and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view at the top of the monument and observation tower. The city tour will be rounded up with a visit to Khan-Shatyr, shopping and entertainment center.
Free time until transfer to the airport to take a flight back to Almaty. Arrival in Almaty, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 4-5 hours

After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Central State Museum (closed on Tuesday) and Republic Square. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill, visit Medeo Gorge.
In the afternoon depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h). Cross Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border. Arrive in Bishkek, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km, 50 min) which attracts visitors with its beautiful mountain scenery and hiking trails. Fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs through the alpine gorge surrounded by snowy peaks with steep forested slopes. Enjoy free time or a hike in the park. In the afternoon return to Bishkek for city tour. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast/-/-

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to International Airport to take flight to Baku via Almaty.
Arrival in Baku. On arrival, our driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Overnight at the hotel.

Today you will visit the area of the Greater Baku and Absheron peninsula. We will drive to Gobustan National Park and pay a visit to the Petroglyphs Museum and explore petroglyphs dating back to 10,000 BC. Weather permitting, drive to mud volcanoes in Gobustan Reserve (possible change of vehicle). Gobustan is home to almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes.
We will be back to Baku for sightseeing tour in the Old Town of Icheri Sheher. Visit Shirvan Shahs’ Palace, Caravanserai, Maiden Tower, and the main market square, which has numerous art studios and souvenir stalls. Continue touring new Baku by exploring Nizami Street and Fountain Square.
Transfer to the airport. Take an evening flight to Tbilisi. On arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight.

In the morning start a sightseeing tour in Tbilisi. Visit the monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi. Take the cable car to Narikala Fortress to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Walk down to the district of Sulphur bath houses passing by the only mosque in Tbilisi. Stroll through the Sharden area full of narrow streets with cozy cafés, wine-tasting bars, souvenir shops, and breath in the living past. Visit Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the clock tower of the famous Rezo Gabriadze Theatre and cross the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park. In the evening, visit a local restaurant to taste dishes of traditional Georgian cuisine and enjoy a folklore show. Overnight in Tbilisi.

After breakfast depart towards the Kakheti region of Georgia, the cradle of Georgian wine. A beautiful road lies through Gombori pass. Our first stop will be in Telavi, the administrative and historic center of the region. Have a short walk through the charming streets of old Telavi and have a photo stop at the monument to Erekli II. Drive to Tsinandali, the residence of the dukes of Georgia with a beautiful English garden, a museum, and the wine cellar which belonged to prince Chavchavadze, 19th century public figure and poet. Continue to Sighnaghi, the city of love, and the Royal Town, one of the crossroads of the Great Silk Road surrounded by defensive walls with 23 towers. Depart to Tbilisi. If time permits, stop en-route at Bodbe convent, which according to the legend is a burial place of St. Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century. According to Tsar Alexander III of Russia decree, since 1889 Bodbe complex functions as a nunnery. Return to Tbilisi for overnight.

Our day trip to Kazbegi starts at 09:00. The route will take over the Georgian Military Highway up North towards the border with Russia. Your first stop will be at Ananuri complex, a former residence of Argveti Dukes. The complex features churches and towers dating back to the 16-17th centuries, beautifully overlooking the Jinvali reservoir. Continue our drive to see the conjunction of two small mountain rivers famous for the fact that being different in color they keep their own colors even after merging. We will then drive over the Cross Pass and make a short stop at the Soviet-era “People’s Friendship” mountain viewpoint overlooking a deep gorge of Caucasus mountain range. Arrive in Kazbegi and drive up to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church located at an altitude of 2170 m. Enjoy breathtaking views of Mt Kazbegi. Drive back to Tbilisi.

At 09:00, our driver will meet you at your hotel in Tbilisi and transfer to “Sadakhlo-Bagratashen” Georgian-Armenian border point. Cross the border, meet your Armenian guide and driver, and start the journey to the land of ancient traditions and the oldest temples. Drive to Lori region and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Haghpat monastery. A stunning example of Armenian traditional architecture was erected in the 10-13th centuries. Standing on a hillside, Haghpat beautifully overlooks Debed River. The location of the monastery was chosen to protect the peace and seclusion of its monks. Drive through Dilijan and to Lake Sevan, “The Jewel of Armenia” and one of the largest high-mountainous freshwater lakes in the world. The coastline of Lake Sevan is rich with thick woods, white bare steep rocks, mountain steppes and Alpine meadows. Stop at Sevanavank to visit the remnants of the monastery that include two temples – Surb Arakelots and Surb Karapet standing among numerous khachkars. The buildings were constructed from black tuff which probably gave the monastery its name Sevanavank – “the Black Monastery”. The view from there is simply magnificent: the mountains surround the lake from all sides and snow tops are seen almost on the entire perimeter and disappear behind the horizon. Continue to Yerevan for overnight.

Depart Yerevan and drive to Garni, one of the major villages in Armenia famous for its fortress. The fortress is the only pagan sacred place from the 1st century that survived the aggressive introduction of Christianity in the 4th century. The next stop is at the monastery complex Geghard (“spear”). The beautiful landscape of Geghard is framed by towering cliffs. Decorative art cut into rocks reflects and explains Medieval Ages development throughout the region. The complex was introduced to history in the 4th century as a sacred spring inside a cave. Return to Yerevan for a sightseeing tour. One of the oldest cities of the world, Yerevan is famous as a pink city and calls visitors with its humble and at the same time splendid landscapes. Start the city tour by visiting the Cascade Monument, one of the main symbols of the city. The mega-scale staircase is 118 meters high and has 572 steps. A panoramic view from the monument opens a breathtaking city view with Opera House, Mount Ararat, Swan Lake, Republic Square, and Abovyan Avenue, which you will also walk by during the tour. If it is a weekend, visit Vernisage, the biggest souvenir market in Yerevan. In the evening, enjoy dinner and a traditional folklore show. Overnight in the hotel.

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Yerevan International Airport. Departure. End of Capitals of Silk Road Tour.