Silk Road Odyssey: A Five

Upon reaching Almaty, please proceed to the hotel for check-in around noon.

Following your flight, allocate some time for relaxation and rejuvenation before commencing your fourteen-day Group Tour. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Not Included

Optional activity: Consider visiting the Abay Opera and Ballet Theater. Tickets are available for purchase either directly at the theater or through their website, gatob.kz, with prices starting at approximately 10 USD. 

Commence your second day on the Tour with a satisfying breakfast at the hotel.

Your tour guide and driver will be ready to meet you at your Almaty hotel. Depart from Almaty and travel to Charyn Canyon, reveling in the captivating scenery of the Altai Mountains and charming villages along the way (220 km, 3-4 hours).

Upon reaching Charyn Canyon, partake in a picturesque picnic lunch.

Embark on a hike through this breathtaking canyon, characterized by towering mountains that soar up to 300 meters and the scenic "Valley of Castles" extending over 2 kilometers.

Return to Almaty in the late afternoon and spend the night at the hotel.

Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch

Following breakfast at the hotel, your guide will rendezvous with you in the lobby for a sightseeing tour of Almaty. Explore the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, where you'll delve into the city's history and marvel at Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Pay a visit to the Memorial of Glory and the Eternal Flame, honoring soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence. Proceed to Republic Square and Almaty City Museum. Indulge in shopping for sweets and souvenirs at the renowned Green Bazaar, followed by lunch.

Afterward, depart from Almaty and embark on a drive to Bishkek via a recently constructed highway, enjoying the scenic landscapes along the way (250 km, 4 hours). Navigate through border control, reach Bishkek, and then transfer to your hotel. Spend the third night of your Central Asia Group Tour in Bishkek.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Indulge in breakfast at the hotel. Kickstart your day with a city tour of Bishkek, exploring its impressive examples of Soviet urban planning and architecture: Oak Park, Ala Too Square, Manas Statue, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Philharmonic Hall, and Victory Monument.

Proceed to Don Aryk village for lunch, where you'll dine with a local Kyrgyz family at their home. Post-lunch, witness a demonstration by local women on the construction of a yurt, with the opportunity for you to actively participate! Following this, head to Burana Tower, a part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13th centuries) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Bishkek and spend the night at the hotel.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Embark on the next leg of your tour with a picturesque drive to the stunning Ala-Archa National Park.

After a pleasant breakfast, your guide will meet you and guide you to this stunning alpine gorge.

Explore the park on a hike, taking in the majestic snow-capped peaks and reaching Ak-Sai Waterfall and the banks of the Ala-Archa River.

Following a revitalizing picnic lunch, return to Bishkek for your late afternoon flight to Tashkent.

Upon arriving in Tashkent, you'll be transferred to your hotel for a comfortable and well-deserved night's rest.

Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch

On the sixth day of your tour, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to commence the Tashkent city tour.

Your private tour will encompass an excursion to the Old City, featuring the Hast-Imam architectural complex (15th century), home to the oldest known Quran in the world.

Explore Chorsu Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in Central Asia, where you can sample or purchase sweets, fruits, and souvenirs.

Take a ride on the Tashkent Metro, adorned with ceramic tiles and murals depicting unique themes at each station.

Stroll through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, enjoying the art displayed on 'Broadway' Drive.

Drive to Sacred Heart Cathedral and visit the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in an intricately decorated villa, showcasing an informative collection of Uzbekistan's finest handicrafts.

Spend the night at the hotel.

Meals: breakfast

During the seventh day of your Tour, your designated driver will take you to the railway station in the morning, initiating a scenic train journey to the captivating city of Samarkand.

The day's itinerary includes visits to Gur Emir and the awe-inspiring Registan Square, featuring three Madrasahs dating back to the 15th to 17th centuries.

Immerse yourself in the splendor of Bibi Khanum Mosque and leisurely stroll through the multi-tiered complex of Siab Bazaar, where you can explore and purchase souvenirs, as well as savor local sweets, fruits, and the renowned Samarkand bread.

Discover the historic Shakhi-Zinda, a burial complex from the 15th century, and traverse the grand pathway to admire its blue-domed tombs. Conclude the day with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory, where you can witness the remnants of a 14th-15th-century sextant and take a guided tour of the Ulugbek Museum.

After a day filled with exploration, return to your hotel to unwind and recharge. This remarkable experience is just one of the many exciting highlights awaiting you on your tour.

Commence your eighth day on the Central Asia Group Tour with a delightful breakfast at the hotel before heading to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50km). Upon clearing customs and passport control, your local Tajik guide and driver will be ready on the Tajikistan side to accompany you to the mesmerizing Seven Lakes (90km). Nestled in the Fann Mountains, each of the Seven Lakes showcases its own distinct color palette, ranging from turquoise to purple. Immerse yourself in the natural splendor of this unique location and relish a lunch at a guest house near the fourth lake.

Continue your expedition to the enchanting city of Penjikent, where you'll spend the night at a hotel. Embark on a thrilling and unforgettable journey through Central Asia with this group tour that promises an exploration of diverse landscapes and cultural wonders.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Indulge in a hearty breakfast and embark on a tour to the ancient city of Penjikent, renowned for its ruins dating back to the 5th century when it was established by the Sogdians and subsequently abandoned by the Arabs in the 8th century. Explore the remnants of old Penjikent, including the foundations of houses, a citadel featuring Zoroastrian fire temples, and the excavated ruins of the city bazaar, among other fascinating sites.

In the more contemporary part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, mosque, and the Rudaki Museum. Proceed to the Jartepa border crossing (30 km, 40 min) via Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 4th century BC. Upon crossing the border, your group tour in Uzbekistan will resume, with your driver meeting you at the border to escort you to your hotel in Samarkand. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch.

The Central Asia group tour progresses with a journey from Samarkand to the Bukhara ceramic center, where you'll engage in a pottery master-class before enjoying a leisurely lunch. Explore the Emir's Summer Residence at Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (19th century) near Bukhara, a distinctive site that harmoniously blends Oriental and Russian architectural influences (please note that no English-speaking guide is provided at this location). Afterward, check in to your hotel in Bukhara.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch.

Optional Activity: Consider immersing yourself, quite literally, in centuries-old traditions at the Bozori Kord Hammam, a traditional Turkic bathhouse that has been operational since the 14th century. The cost for this experience is approximate: 25 USD.

Commence your morning with a guided city walking tour led by your local guide. This exclusive tour will take you through the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, and the Trade Domes (15-16th centuries), repurposed today as a vibrant tourist bazaar. Continue your exploration to the Poi Kalyan Ensemble, encompassing the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, and Miri-Arab Madrasah. Visit the Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs, and uncover the history within the Ark Fortress and museum in Bukhara. The next site on the itinerary is the Bolo-Khauz Mosque, featuring a picturesque pond, followed by a visit to the mausoleum of Ismail Samani. Conclude your walking city tour of the tour, with a total duration of 6-7 hours, leaving you with free time in the evening. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel in Bukhara.

Meals included: breakfast.

Optional Activity: Consider attending the National Show at the Nadir Divan-begi Madrasah, beginning at 18:00. The cost for the show and dinner is approximately 20 USD per person.

Enjoy your breakfast. Depart from Bukhara in the morning and embark on a scenic drive to Khiva, covering a distance of 480 km that takes approximately 7-8 hours*. Today's journey involves an overland transfer from Bukhara to Khiva, traversing the Kyzylkum desert—a route historically used by caravans on the Great Silk Road for transporting porcelain and spices over centuries. Arrive in Khiva, often referred to as the "museum under the open sky," in the late afternoon. Following check-in, you'll have free time to explore Khiva during your tour. Spend the night at a hotel located inside or near Ichan-Kala, the historical center of Khiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

*Note: As the cafes and restaurants along the way offer basic menus, you might consider bringing a packed lunch for this trip.

Meals included: breakfast.

Optional Activity: As an optional activity, in the evening, partake in a masterclass on cooking "tukhumbarak" (egg dumplings), a classic dish from Khivan cuisine. The price, which includes dinner, is approximately 25 USD per person, with a minimum requirement of 4 persons.

Following breakfast at the hotel, embark on a guided walking tour around Itchan-Kala with a local guide as part of your tour. Commence your exploration at Kunya-Ark Khan's castle, delving into the inner citadel of Ichan Kala. Continue your journey through the following key sites: the towering Kalta Minor Tower, the tallest minaret in Central Asia; the grand Muhammad Amin-Khan, the largest medieval madrasah in Khiva, and the Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah. Explore the Juma Mosque, distinguished by its 212 wooden columns and a 32.5-meter-high minaret. Visit Tash-Hauli, characterized by its lofty battlements, towers, and fortified gates, followed by the Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud, the spiritual center of Ichan Kala. Conclude your tour at the residence of Islam Khodja, the vizier of the last khan. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel in Khiva.

Meals included: breakfast.

After your morning breakfast, you'll journey with your driver to the Turkmenistan border point, situated about an hour away. As you navigate customs, be aware that transportation may not be available in the transit zone. Once you successfully pass border control, your Turkmenistan guide will be there to greet you, and together you'll embark on a 100km drive to Kunya-Urgench. While in Kunya-Urgench, you'll explore the Tyurabek-Khanym and Sayit Ahmed Mausoleums, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum of Khorezmshakh, and Kyrk Molla Hill. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed as you immerse yourself in the area's historical richness.

In the afternoon, a four-hour drive will take you to the Darvaza Gas Crater, situated in the heart of the Karakum Desert. Upon setting up camp, you'll marvel at the spectacular ring of fire by night, measuring approximately 80 meters in diameter and 30 meters in depth. A delectable fire-cooked meal near the burning gas crater will be served for dinner, creating a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, camp-style BBQ Dinner.

After your morning breakfast, you'll journey with your driver to the Turkmenistan border point, situated about an hour away. As you navigate customs, be aware that transportation may not be available in the transit zone. Once you successfully pass border control, your Turkmenistan guide will be there to greet you, and together you'll embark on a 100km drive to Kunya-Urgench. While in Kunya-Urgench, you'll explore the Tyurabek-Khanym and Sayit Ahmed Mausoleums, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum of Khorezmshakh, and Kyrk Molla Hill. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed as you immerse yourself in the area's historical richness.

In the afternoon, a four-hour drive will take you to the Darvaza Gas Crater, situated in the heart of the Karakum Desert. Upon setting up camp, you'll marvel at the spectacular ring of fire by night, measuring approximately 80 meters in diameter and 30 meters in depth. A delectable fire-cooked meal near the burning gas crater will be served for dinner, creating a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, camp-style BBQ Dinner.