OVERVIEW

5 Stans are Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kirghizstan, and Kazakhstan, which are valuable visit countries of Central Asia. You will be guided by an English speaking local guide who will share you a lot of culture and history about the beautiful Central Asia.

ITINERARY

Day 1Arrival Almaty

Welcome to Almaty. You'll be met by local representative at the meeting point, then transfer to hotel.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Almaty

Day 2Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Almaty

3-hour car riding to the Charyn Canyon. 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 Colorado River in North America. You will walk among the strange towers and columns, being surprised by the wild imagination of the nature. After visiting, you'll be back to Almaty for overnight.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Almaty
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3Almaty - Bishkek by car/van

Today you will visit Almaty Museum, Panfilov Park and Green Bazaar in the city Almaty. Then you'll head to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyz. After go across the border, you will be transferred to hotel in Bishkek.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Bishkek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4Bishkek - North Shore of Issyk-kul Lake

Morning you'll visit Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and many other places of interest. After lunch, you'll be transfered to Issyk-kul Lake for a visit, on the way will visit Burana Tower 

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Issyk-kul Lake
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5North Shore of Issyk-kul Lake - Karakol

Morning, you'll visit the beautiful Grigorievskoe Canyon, then you'll be transfered to Karakol , the forth biggest city in Kyrgyzstan.  To visit the most famous Dungan Mosque, which was built by the Chinses Artist, from 1907 to 1910.  

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Karakol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6Karakol - Bishkek

You'll be transfered to Jeti Oguz Canyon to visit. Those strange red rocks seem to be the most recognizable scenic spot in Kyrgyzstan. Then your next stop will be Bokonbaeva village, in which you will see the falconer hunting with help from falcons. Finish, then back to Bishkek.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Bishkek
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7Bishkek - Tashkent by air

You'll take a morning flight to the next stop Tashkent. Then visit the old town to see Barak Khana Seminary, Tila Shaikh mosque and archives known for the exhibit of a rare copy of Koran written by the third Caliph Othman. Then you go to Chorsu bazaar, Kukeldash Madrassah. Later visit the Museum of Applied Arts, excursion to Mustakillik (Independence) Square, famous Tashkent Metro (underground), Amir Temur square.

Transport: Private vehicle, flight
Accommodation: Overnight in Tashkent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8Tashkent - Khujand

In the morning, you'll be transfered to the Tajikistan border, on the way will pass Bartken area. The guide of Tajikistan will wait for you at the border, leading you to Khujand, the second largest city of Tajikistan. 

Then you will visit Cultural Palace of Khujant. Also we will go to see Central Mosque situated in the middle of the city.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Khujand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9Khujand - Seven Lakes

Driving to Fannsky Gory. Then a walking tour in Seven Lakes, to learn the way of living of the locals.

Overnight in local guesthouse

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Seven Lakes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10Seven Lakes - Penjikent

Start the tour to Penjikent, which used to be one of the most international cities. Nowadays, dwellings and office buildings, castle in the Palace, craftsman's house and the site of zoroastrian church still can be seen. 

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Penjikent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11Penjikent - Samarkand

Morning start the tour to the border of Uzbekistan. Local guide will meet you there, then to the Samarkand. Sightseeing: Registan Square, Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, Gur Emir Mausoleum, Bibi Khanym Mosque.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Samarkand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12Samarkand

Today you'll continue exploring in this charming city. To visit Ulughbek Observatory, and stroll down the Broadway Street, on which souvenir shops, tea houses, dessert shops and workshops are around it.  Then go to Eastern bazaar, Siab Market, to see the traditional handicrafts of Uzbekistan, and taste different kinds of nuts.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Samarkand
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13Samarkand - Bukhara

Driving to the city "living fossil of silk road" — Bukhara. On the way you'll visit Gijduvan Village, which is famous for the hand-made porcelains in Uzbek . It's so valuable to keep hand-made in such mechanization era. Not only the western characteristic of the porcelains, but also the inherited of the skills.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14Bukhara

Continue exploring Bukhara. To visit Ark Fortress,  Mosque,  Samanids Mausoleum, Nadir Divan-Begi School, and Poi Kalon architectural complex.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15Bukhara - Khiva

Driving to Khiva, on the way you'll pass Kyzylkum Desert, and Amu Darya  (Amu River), the longest river in central asia. Nice river view and vast golden desert are in front of you.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Khiva
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16Khiva

Today you'll have a city tour in Ichan Kala old city, the essential part of ancient Khiva. Khiva is a fairy tale central asia old city. It is a unique memorial monument, keeping well the ancient architectural complex, including beautiful palace, military facility and dwellings with distinctive national feature. 

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Khiva
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17Khiva - Derweze

Today we're first driving to the border of Turkmenistan — Dashoguz,to visit the Architectural remains of Kunya-Urgench, which was the ancient capital of Khorezm. Then to visit Tyurabek-Khanum, Najmal-Din al-Kubra Mausoleum,  mausoleums of Il Arslan and Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Derweze
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18Derweze - Ashgabat

Driving to the next stop Ashgabat. You'll visit the Nissa fortress ruins. UNESCO declared fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. On the way you'll also see the Ruhy Mosque. After that, you'll be transfered to a horse farm, to see the famous :Akhal-teke horses, which is the proud of Turkoman people. Then you'll be back to Ashgabat.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19Ashgabat

Continue the city exploring in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. To visit the National Museum, Vladimir Lenin Monument. Then walk to the Russian Market, in which you can see Turkman carpet, beautiful silver ornaments and other souvenirs. After lunch, continue the capital visit: Park, buildings, fountain, museum, mosque, ect.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Ashgabat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20Ashgabat departure

Today the happy central asia trip ends. You'll be transfered to airport, and back to your sweet home.

Transport: Private vehicle
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDED

Accommodation (mainly 4-star hotels and inn or homestay in remote area)

Private vehicle

English speaking guide

Meals: listed

Entrance Fees

Flight from Bishkek to Tashkent(Economy)

Invitation Letter for visa

EXCLUDED

Gratuity

Personal expense

TRIP NOTES

Passport information required.

Difficulty: Easy

Tour duration: 20 days

Tour size: 4-20 travelers

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