Central Asian Odyssey: Journey Across the Four Stans

Upon reaching Almaty, complete your hotel check-in at noon. After your flight, allow yourself some time to relax and rejuvenate before commencing your fourteen-day Group Tour. Spend the night at the hotel.

Optional Activity: Explore the Abay Opera and Ballet Theater. Tickets are available for purchase directly from the theater or on their website, gatob.kz, with prices starting at around 10 USD.

Meals: Not included

Commence your second day of the tour with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Your tour guide and driver will be ready to meet you at your Almaty hotel. Depart from Almaty and journey towards Charyn Canyon, enjoying the captivating views of the Altai Mountains and charming villages along the way (220 km, 3-4 hours). Upon reaching Charyn Canyon, indulge in a scenic picnic lunch. Embark on a hike through this breathtaking canyon, marked by towering mountains reaching heights of up to 300 meters and the picturesque "Valley of Castles" spanning over 2 kilometers. Return to Almaty in the late afternoon and spend the night at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

After having breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet up with you in the lobby to commence a sightseeing tour of Almaty. Your itinerary will include a visit to the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, where you'll delve into the city's history and witness the grandeur of Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world's largest wooden structures. Explore the Memorial of Glory and the Eternal Flame, a solemn tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence. The journey continues to Republic Square and Almaty City Museum. Don't miss the opportunity to indulge in shopping for sweets and souvenirs at the renowned Green Bazaar.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Following your exploration of Almaty, you will depart for Bishkek, traversing a newly constructed highway that offers breathtaking views of the natural landscapes along the 250-kilometer, 4-hour journey. After passing through border control, you will reach Bishkek and then transfer to your hotel. Spend the night in Bishkek

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Indulge in a delightful breakfast at the hotel and kick off your day with a captivating city tour of Bishkek, where you'll encounter impressive examples of Soviet urban planning and architecture. Explore Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, the Manas Statue, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Philharmonic Hall, and the Victory Monument.

Following the city exploration, enjoy a transfer to Don Aryk village for a unique lunch experience with a local Kyrgyz family in the comfort of their home. Post-lunch, witness a demonstration by local women showcasing the art of constructing a yurt, with the opportunity for you to actively participate. Subsequently, journey to the Burana Tower, an integral part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th-13th centuries) and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Conclude your day with a return to Bishkek and spend the night at the hotel.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Continue your immersive journey with a picturesque drive to the enchanting Ala-Archa National Park. Following a delectable breakfast, your guide will greet you, leading the way to this awe-inspiring alpine gorge. Embark on a scenic hike through the park, marveling at the snow-capped peaks as you reach the Ak-Sai Waterfall and the serene banks of the Ala-Archa River. Enjoy an invigorating picnic lunch amid nature's beauty before returning to Bishkek for your late afternoon flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival in Tashkent, rest assured as you're transferred to your hotel, ensuring a comfortable and well-deserved night's rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

Today after breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to kickstart an engaging Tashkent city tour. Your itinerary will encompass an excursion to the Old City, featuring the architectural marvel Hast-Imam (15th century), home to the oldest known Quran in the world. Explore the vibrant Chorsu Bazaar, one of Central Asia's oldest markets, where you can indulge in sampling or purchasing sweets, fruits, and unique souvenirs.

Experience the Tashkent Metro with its beautifully adorned stations, each showcasing ceramic tiles and murals depicting distinctive themes. Take a stroll through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, enjoying the artistic offerings along 'Broadway' Drive. Head to the Sacred Heart Cathedral and explore the Museum of Applied Arts, a captivating collection of Uzbekistan's finest handicrafts housed in an intricately decorated villa. Conclude your day with a comfortable overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, in the morning, your driver will escort you to the railway station for a scenic train journey to the enchanting city of Samarkand. Immerse yourself in the historical richness as you visit Gur Emir and the awe-inspiring Registan Square, adorned with three Madrasahs dating back to the 15th to 17th centuries. Marvel at the architectural splendor of Bibi Khanum Mosque and stroll through the multi-level complex of Siab Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace offering souvenirs, local sweets, fruits, and the renowned Samarkand bread.

Delve into the captivating history of Shakhi-Zinda, a 15th-century burial complex, as you walk along the imposing pathway, admiring its blue-domed tombs. Conclude the day with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory, where the remains of a 14th-15th-century sextant await exploration, and tour the Ulugbek Museum. After a day filled with exploration, retreat to your hotel for a well-deserved relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast

Today Start your tour with a delightful hotel breakfast, setting the tone for a day filled with adventure. Next, enjoy a smooth transition to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50km). Once you've passed through customs and passport control, anticipate a warm welcome from your local Tajik guide and driver on the Tajikistan side, ready to guide you to the awe-inspiring Seven Lakes (90km) nestled in the scenic Fann Mountains.

Each of the Seven Lakes exhibits a distinctive color palette, ranging from serene turquoise to vibrant purple. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this unique destination and relish a scrumptious lunch at a guest house near the fourth lake. Continue your journey to the enchanting city of Penjikent, where a comfortable hotel awaits for a restful night's stay. Embark on this thrilling and indelible journey through Central Asia with our group tour, complete with meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Indulge in a delicious breakfast and kick off your day with a fascinating tour of the ancient city of Penjikent. This historical town, founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and later abandoned by the Arabs in the 8th century, reveals its rich past through the remnants of houses, a citadel housing Zoroastrian fire temples, the remnants of a bustling city bazaar, and various excavated ruins.

Explore the older section of Penjikent, immersing yourself in its history, and then transition to the newer part. Here, visit a vibrant local bazaar, a mosque, and the Rudaki Museum. Drive to the Jartepa border crossing (30 km, 40 min) via Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in the 4th century BC. Upon crossing the border, your group tour in Uzbekistan commences, with your driver meeting you at the border to escort you to your hotel in Samarkand. Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at the hotel, rounding off another day of captivating exploration.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Continuing the tour, the journey from Samarkand to the Bukhara Ceramic Center unfolds with a pottery master class and lunch. Explore the unique Emir's Summer Residence at Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, a 19th-century site near Bukhara that harmoniously fuses Oriental and Russian architecture (please note, there is no English-speaking guide available here). Following the exploration, proceed to check into the hotel in Bukhara.

Optional Activity: For those interested in an additional experience, delve into the rich traditions of the Bozori Kord Hammam—a traditional Turkic bathhouse established in the 14th century and operational ever since. The optional activity is priced at 25 USD, offering a literal immersion into centuries-old practices.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Embark on the morning with a guided city walking tour led by your local guide. Your exclusive exploration will encompass the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, and the Trade Domes (15-16th centuries), repurposed today as a tourist bazaar. Continue the journey to the Poi Kalyan Ensemble, featuring the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrasah. Explore the Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs, followed by a visit to the Ark Fortress and museum in Bukhara. The itinerary then leads to the Bolo-Khauz Mosque with an accompanying pond, concluding with the mausoleum of Ismail Samani. Conclude your walking city tour of the Central Asia Small Group Tour, with a duration of 6-7 hours. Enjoy free time in the evening and overnight at the hotel in Bukhara.

Optional Activity: Experience the National Show at the Nadir Divan-begin Madrasah, commencing at 18:00. The cost for both the show and dinner is 20 USD per person.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast and commence your journey from Bukhara to Khiva in the morning, covering a distance of 480 km over 7-8 hours. This overland transfer will take you through the Kyzylkum desert, traversed by caravans carrying porcelain and spices on the Great Silk Road for centuries. Arrive in Khiva, often called the "museum under the open sky," in the late afternoon. After checking in, you'll have free time to explore Khiva. Stay overnight in a hotel situated inside or near Ichan-Kala, the historic center of Khiva, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Note: Considering the basic offerings and limited menus at cafes and restaurants along the way, you may want to bring a packed lunch for this trip.

As an optional activity, participate in a masterclass on cooking "tukhumbarak" (egg dumplings) in the evening, a classic Khivan cuisine. The price is 25 USD per person, with a minimum of 4 persons required, and it includes dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

Commence your day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a guided walking tour around Itchan-Kala. Explore Kunya-Ark Khan's castle and the inner citadel of Ichan Kala. Continue the journey to visit the following landmarks: Kalta Minor Tower, the tallest minaret in Central Asia; Muhammad Amin-Khan, the largest medieval madrasah in Khiva, and Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah; Juma Mosque, featuring 212 wooden columns and a 32.5 m high minaret; Tash-Hauli with its imposing battlements, towers, and fortified gates; the Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud, the revered center of Ichan Kala; and the residence of Islam Khodja, the vizier of the last khan.

In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to Urgench airport (35 km, 45 min) for a flight to Tashkent (1093 km, 1 hour 40 min). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your convenience before completing hotel check-out by noon. Your dedicated driver will then transport you to the airport for your return flight.

Meals: Breakfast