25 days tour around Central Asia starting from Almaty as the most convenient connecting point is fascinating voyage to enjoy epic natural views, historical sights and cultures of Central Asian countries- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Explore the vast areas of steppes and deserts, mountain ranges and mirror lakes in your almost 1 month adventurous tour!
Take the Central Asian tour with most attractive prices!
Arrival at Almaty International Airport.
Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.
Transfer to the hotel from Almaty airport to the city center may take about 30 min- 1 hr depending on the hotel location and traffic. Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Altyn Emel National Park famous for its rich flora and fauna but also for singing dunes (barchans).
- Altyn Emel National Park. Nature phenomenon, that many scientists still try to get the reasonable explanation, is crescent-like barchan of about 120 m high that produces distinctive melodically rumbling sounds when the wind blows,
A visit to Kyzylauyz petroglyphs located in the gorge Taigak. Sightseeing tour at Besshatyr burial mounds is the main sight of the national park. Burial mounds are concentrated at the territory of 2 sq.km and could have a height from 2 to 20 m.
Picnic lunch and exploration of the area.
Resting time in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Baschi village.
09:00 Transfer to Charyn Canyon that is often called "Valley of Castles". The length of the valley is more than 2 km, the width is 20-80 meters.
- Charyn Canyon is a natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in North America, although inferior to it in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon is up to 150-300 meters. Extraordinary dissection of the terrain is striking: the numerous ravines form a dense, chaotic network. Wind and water have created the beautiful "Valley of Castles", where you are always surrounded by the fancy towers composed of sedimentary rocks. The length of the valley - more than 2 km, width - 20-80 meters. For millions of years nature has been creating a unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles carefully and slowly.
Transfer to Saty village, en- route exploring Kolsai Lakes (1800 m above sea level) enjoying gorgeous views and photo stops en-route.
Free time hiking in the area.
Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
09:00 Transfer to Kaindy lake. Exploring most beautiful places of Kazakhstan, Kaindy Gorge.
- Kaindy lake (Birch Lake) is situated among magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley.
The water of the lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well-preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water, and dry stems of fir trees overlook the water surface, like the masts of the submarine squadron. It is impossible to describe in words all this mystical splendor of the lake.
Transfer to Kegen - Karkyra border, border passing formalities usually take 30 min- 1 hrs.
Continue transfer to Karakol.
Arrival in the evening.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Jeti Oguz gorge for light sightseeing:
- Jeti Oguz gorge is famous for its red rocks formations that have the name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. One can see there the Broken Heart Mountain, one of the most popular places among locals and visitors. By request, light hiking tour to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Start sightseeing in Karakol visiting:
- The wooden Russian-orthodox church.
- Dungan mosque is one of the most famous places in Karakol town. The most interesting thing is that it is built without a single metal nail. More than 100 years ago there was a Chinese master who lived in this town. Dungans are people from China who had Muslim religion. The construction was made of bricks and wood and decorated with various ornaments.
- Museum of N.M. Przewalski (Russian explorer of Asian continent).
Transfer to Issyk Kul.
- Grigorievskoe gorge, easy hiking around beautiful mountains.
- Issyk-Kyl lake is one of the most wonderful lakes in the world, located in the north-eastern part of the Kyrgyz Republic. Issyk Kul is translated as “Hot Lake” and is considered as one of "the pearls of Central Asia". Due to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. There are many activities that entertain people on the beach: windsurfing, scooters, aqua parks, parachutes and rides on boats and ships. In winter there are also spots of alpinism where people enjoy incredible landscapes.
After traditional lunch, leisure time and light walking at the lakeshore.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Son Kul Lake via Kochkor village.
Kochkor village in northern Naryn Region of central Kyrgyzstan at 1,800 m above sea level. The small market town is the capital of Kochkor District of the Naryn Oblast, and while the population was measured at 9,863 in 2009, it has since grown to an estimated 14,000 people today. Kochkor is very popular for breading cattle and most dominated kind of jobs for ladies – handicraft.
Kochkor village is famous as a felt making center. The local people make felt carpets, embroidering, and various beautiful handicraft items.
It's a unique chance to take part in felt making master - class or so-called "shyrdak' show where the visitors are welcome to observe the process of felt carpets weaving and make their own felt rugs, learn more about the felt making traditions.
Lunch at the local family.
Transfer to Son Kul.
- Son Kul is a high alpine lake in the Tian Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan that lies at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. It is an important migration point for birds, which flock here for the lake’s rich marshlands. The lake itself is an exquisite gem-colored turquoise blue, reaching a depth of 14 meters. In the summer. Son Kul lake is surrounded by lush verdant grass, making it a hotspot for nomadic cattle and horse breeders. The locals are very skillful yurt builders, the yurt setting traditions are passed from generation to generation.
Afternoon enjoy the nomadic life around Son Kul. Optional horse ride around the area.
Resting time in the evening.
Traditional dinner and overnight in the yurt.
Breakfast at the yurt camp.
Transfer to Bishkek with sightseeing en-route visiting:
- Burana Tower was the vertical dominant of the ancient city Balasagun, the north capital of the Turkic lingual state of the Karakhanids and the small nearby museum with its collection of ancient bal-bals, carved stone figures used as monuments.
Arrival in Bishkek in the afternoon.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Start walking city tour around Bishkek visiting:
- Oak Park, the city center. It is known also as Dubovy Park - today it is one of the favorite places among locals and tourists in Bishkek.
- Ala-Too Square is the central square in Bishkek. It serves as a place for state events and celebrations. Philharmonic hall – situated at the top of Rose Alley.
- Statue of Manas (Manas is a legendary Kyrgyz hero and the classic centerpiece of Kyrgyz literature).
- Victory Square where one can see the Victory monument, a memorial was completed in 1984. Usually, the main festival events are held in Bishkek at the eternal flame, on Victory Square with the guard of honor, forces of Kyrgyz garrison and a military band.
- State History Museum is a perfect display of the Kyrgyz people and the history of the country of Kyrgyzstan.
- Visit the colorful central bazaar and TSUM (Department Store).
Afternoon transfer to Chychken gorge through the Susamyr Valley, Teo-Ashu, Ala-Bel passes.
Arrival in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Breakfast in the guesthouse.
Arrival in Uzgen, start the sightseeing tour.
- Uzgen Archaeological - Architectural Museum complex consisting of Minaret of the 11-12 century, and the Museum with an exhibition hall.
Due to earthquake Uzgen Minaret was partially destroyed and was reconstructed in 1823. One can raise the highest point of the Minaret, there is a nice view of Uzgen town. it is interesting that the ornamental works of Uzgen Minaret are more precise and complex than those of Burana Tower near Bishkek.
Take some time to explore the area and take photos.
- Ancient bathhouse where one can see the remains of the eastern bathhouse of 11-12 century.
Most people of Uzgen are ethnical Uzbeks, therefore no wonder that traditional Uzbek plov is one of the most favorite dishes here. Uzgen is famous for its special kind of the finest reddish-brown rice called devzira of excellent nutrition quality and taste, many locals from Osh come to Uzgen bazaar just for Uzgen brown rice.
Visit the authentic rice mill and colorful Uzgen bazaar with more than a century history.
Have lunch and taste delicious traditional meal at the local café.
Transfer to Osh (1,5 hrs).
Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Start the sightseeing in Osh, the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan, visiting;
- Suleiman Mountain. Suleiman Too (Suleiman is the prophet Solomon - Suleyman in Quran, “Too “is “mountain”). The museum is the only UNESCO sight of the whole mountain with many sacred places in caves and paths.
- Osh Bazaar, a colorful bazaar with more than 2000 years history, plays an important role in the Great Silk Road as a major landmark.
- Main Square with Lenin statue, Kyrgyz people are very respectful to the history of Soviet period.
Transfer to the Uzbek- Kyrgyz border Dostyk. Border crossing.
Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control. Meet the guide and driver holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.
Transfer to Andijan (40 km).
Check-in the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.
Start sightseeing in Andijan visiting:
- Bobur Literary museum with unique collection of literary works of Zahiriddin Muhammad Bobur, an outstanding ruler and the founder of Mogol Empire;
- Art and Literature Museum;
- Memorial park complex on the Bog-I Shamol named after Zahiriddin Muhammad Bobur is one of the most beautiful places in Andijan, popular among the locals and the visitors of the city.
Transfer to Fergana, continue sightseeing in Fergana valley:
- Fergana is a relatively young city that was founded as a strategic fortified point in Turkestan in 1876 during tsarist period of the region. The town was initially called as New Margilan, further in soviet period renamed as Fergona in 1924. Nowadays, Fergana is a flourishing beautiful town and despite its young history became the central point of Fergana valley.
- Visit Ahmad Al-Fargoni monumental complex ;
- Continue to Margilan. Margilan (“Marg” from Persian green grass, “lon”- “place“) was inhabited settlement in Fergana valley since IV-III Centuries BC, the town was well known for its crafts and finest silk fabrics from the Great Silk Road period up to now.
- Said-Ahmad Hodji Madrassah where craftsmen produce original silk carpets,
- Silk factory Yodgorlik where visitors are welcome to observe the process of silk manufacture with traditional decoration “ikat”.
Check-in the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
09:00 Continue sightseeing in Fergana valley visiting:
- Rishton (50 km west of Fergana) famous all over the world for its pottery that is decorated according to ancient tradition that is more than 800 years. Masters hand down their trade secrets from father to son. The unique red clay ceramic masterpieces are decorated with naturally made ultramarine, turquoise and azure ornaments known as blue glaze "ishkor",
- Workshop of the famous potter Rustam Umarov where visitors are welcome to observe the finest Rishtan ceramics in wonderful hand made and painted tea sets and lagans and beautifully decorated jugs and vases.
- Kokand (mentioned as Khavakand or Kokan derived from a tribal name) is an ancient city that due to favorable location was one of the convenient fortified points of caravan routes in the Great Silk Road.
Start sightseeing tour around Kokand visiting:
- Khudoyar - Khan Palace of 19th century is listed in the world heritage of UNESCO, at present days houses Kokand Regional History Museum that exhibits a unique collection of more than 3000 artifacts from ancient, khanate and tsarist periods of the region.
- Norbut-Biy Madrassah, the largest madrassa in Kokand. The madrassa was built in XVIII century by captured architects as well as the famous Bukharian architect Usto Muhammed Salih Kasim, so the design and construction is quite typical to some monuments of XVIII Century in Bukhara.
- Modari Khan Mausoleum (Modari - khan means “Mother of Khan”) was built in 1825 by order of the widow of Umarkhan, famous poetess Nodira to honor the tomb of her mother-in-law. Since then the mausoleum became the family mausoleum where most of the female members of khan family were buried.
Transfer to Tashkent (260 km), the biggest city in Central Asia with 2.5 million population via picturesque mountain pass Kamchik (2267 m. above the sea level).
Arrival in Tashkent in the evening.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide at the hotel lobby.
Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5-6 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:
- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994 after of the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.
Around the Square there are the Museum of History of Timurids, Uzbekistan hotel, Forum Palace and famous chimes.
- Tashkent striking clock, one of major symbols of Tashkent.
- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theater of the world performs both classical and national repertoires.
- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present and future of the country. There are fountains standing for life energy of Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War.
- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;
- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts the pilgrims and visitors all over the world.
- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four waters”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of old city in bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in post cards and international magazines and became one of the major sights of interest both for locals and guests – one can see oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delirious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.
- Tashkent Metro (the first line was launched in 1977) with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.
Transfer back to the hotel. End of the tour.
Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
06:00 Transfer to local airport.
07:25 Flight to Urgench by HY51.
08:55 Arrival in Urgench Airport.
Come out of the terminal and meet with our driver.
Transfer to Khiva (30 км) hotel to drop off the bags. Standard hotel check-in at 14:00.
Meet the guide at the lobby.
Start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-kala (translated as “Inner town”). Ichan-kala - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia consisting of :
- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya- Ark;
- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;
- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;
- Kalta Minor, the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;
- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;
- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;
- Pahlavan Mahmud Gates, Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,
- Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum;
- Minaret and Islam-Khoja Madrassah;
- Mosque and Jami Minaret.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
07:15 Transfer to the train station.
08:23 Train Khiva - Bukhara (as per train schedule) OR transfer by car (475 km, 7 hrs).
13:35 Arrival in Bukhara.
Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.
Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.
Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):
- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);
- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;
- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;
- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);
- There are three trading domes or so called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;
- Visit Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with the distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;
- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;
- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.
Optionally can be added by request:
Visit Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
09:00 Transfer to Nurata town that was founded by Alexander the Great and was known as fortified settlement Nur. The fortress played an important role in the region as one of the strategic points to visit :
- The ruins of the fort and kariz (the underground water pipeline from the spring) that was built to provide enough water supplies to the fort residents after Alexander the Great conquest. The ancient ruins and restored parts of now witness glory days of Nur.
- Chashma (translated as “spring”) complex consisting of Juma Mosque, over the holy spring became one of the significant pilgrimage site.
Warm welcome by local family and taste delicious lunch.
After lunch, short rest and then 1500-1900 warm-up walk around the valley enjoying the views of local life, old villages, and domestic cattle.
By request: culinary master- class in the guesthouse cooking traditional Uzbek meals.
Resting time in the evening. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
Leisure time in the morning.
Transfer to Samarkand, en-route enjoying beautiful views and local life scenery.
Arrival in the afternoon.
Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.
Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):
- Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants is decorated with gold ornaments and is considered as one of the most significant sights of the world;
- Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, the ensemble of grandiose buildings: Ulugbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori;
- Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in 15th Century;
- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of the Muslim saint Abbas ibn- Kussam;
- Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;
Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day in Samarkand for leisure sightseeing.
Resting time in the evening.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:00 Transfer to border Jartepa. Border crossing usually takes 30 min- 1 hr.
Meet the guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.
Transfer to Penjikent - an ancient town in Sogdiana and now it is a city in the Sugd province of Tajikistan on Zeravshan River.
- The Sarazm Important Bird Area (UNESCO World Heritage) lies downstream of the city on the tugay - vegetated floodplain of the river.
- The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled inter-city (2500-years ago) - was once a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road. Today, only ruins are left owing to the fact that the main construction material was clay-bricks.
Transfer to Iskanderkul lake, sightseeing en-route:
- Iskandarkul, enjoy the view of the pearl of Fan Mountains – Iskanderkul Lake (Alexander Lake, 2195 m).
Arrive at the Iskandarkul, have a picnic at the most beautiful lake in the Fan Mountains. Learn more about legends about Alexander the Great.
- Later visit the "Niagara fall" of Tajikistan. On a vibrating viewing platform watch the waterfall 40 meters deep. Excursion and hike to the waterfall and Snake Lake.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the cottage.
Breakfast at the guesthouse.
Morning at leisure, easy hiking at the lakeshore, enjoying the nature.
Transfer to Dushanbe (140 km, 2 hrs.), north to the "Land of Mountains" en- route enjoying gorgeous views of green, sometimes barren rocks, rushing mountain streams and steep rocks.
Arrival in Dushanbe, light sightseeing in the afternoon.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Start Dushanbe sightseeing tour visiting:
- Tajik National Museum of Antiquities with the biggest Buddha in Nirvana.
- The State flag square in the center of Dushanbe and Tajik flagpole that entered the Guinness Book of Records as the Highest Flagpole. It is still considered one of the highest in the world. The height of the flagpole is 165 meters, area 1800 m², width 30 meters, and length 60 meters.
- The main square of Dushanbe. The Monument of Ismoili Somoni-the forefather of Tajik Nation located in the main square. A 40-meter-high monument was built in honor of Ismaili Saman-Khuda, founder of the Samanid dynasty in the VIII-IX century.
- Mehrgon Bazaar - one of the biggest markets of Dushanbe.
17:30 Transfer to Dushanbe International Airport.
20:30 Departure to Almaty by evening flight KC 132 (1 hr 35 min).
23:05 Arrival in Almaty.
Meet the driver at the airport meeting zone. Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.
Start sightseeing around Almaty includes visiting:
- Panfilov Park. The name of the Panfilov Park comes after the heroes of Panfilov. There is a big monument in commemoration of the heroic actions of 28 Almaty Soldiers who died in 1941 near Moscow.
- Zenkov Cathedral. Zenkov Wooden constructed Cathedral is one of the eight unique wooden buildings in the world. It is one of the few buildings to survive the 1911 earthquake, despite the fact it is built entirely of wood and constructed without nails;
- National Musical Instruments Museum. In the Museum of Musical Instruments, one can find various national musical instruments, the oldest of which is of the XVII century.
- Medeu, the World's largest speed skating rink known as Medeo.
At the end of the gorge there is a ski resort Shymbulak, situated at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. It is one of Central Asia's top skiing spots where one can take a cable car funicular to Shymbulak Ski resort.
Transfer to Almaty International Airport.
Evening departure flight.
End of the tour.
- Accommodation in shared yurts in Son Kul;
- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from airports /borders;
- English-speaking professional licensed local guides in Uzbekistan (4 standard excursions), escorting guides in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan;
- Meals: breakfast at hotels; homemade breakfasts and dinners in guesthouses, camp-style/picnic lunches (fixed menu, alcohol excluding) as per program;
- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums and natural fees as per program;
- Train tickets Khiva – Bukhara (economy class) by standard day train OR transfer by car;
- Tourist tax per person.
- International flights to-from Almaty, Dushanbe – Almaty;
- Internal flights Tashkent – Urgench (by request, price subject to change).
- Kazakhstan e/visa, Kyrgyzstan e/visa, E-visa to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan e-visa (if required);
- Photo/video fees (professional camera);
- Uzbekistan: transport for walking tours in Bukhara and Khiva; guide/transport service for free time after the standard city tours;
- Meals: lunches and dinners except those specified in the included section;
- Personal/travel insurance; portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.
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