Nomadic Treasures: Central Asian Explorer Tour

Arrive in Almaty and complete your hotel check-in by noon. Following your flight, allow yourself some moments of relaxation and rejuvenation before commencing your ten-day Central Asia Express Group Tour. Spend the night at the hotel.

Meals: None

Optional Activity: Explore the Abay Opera and Ballet Theater. Tickets are available for purchase directly at the theater or through their website, gatob.kz. Ticket prices begin at approximately 10 USD.

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

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Kick off your day with a city tour in Bishkek, exploring notable examples of Soviet urban planning and architecture, including Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, the Manas Statue, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Philharmonic Hall, and the Victory Monument.

Later, transfer to Don Aryk village for a delightful lunch hosted by a local Kyrgyz family in their home. Following the meal, local women will showcase the art of constructing a yurt, and you have the opportunity to actively participate in the process. Subsequently, drive to Burana Tower, a part of the ancient city of Balasagun (11th-13th centuries), recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Bishkek for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Following breakfast, the group tour proceeds with a picturesque journey to the enchanting Ala-Archa National Park. Your guide will meet you after a delightful breakfast and lead you to this stunning alpine gorge. Embark on a hike through the park, reveling in the sight of snow-capped peaks, and reach Ak-Sai Waterfall and the shores of the Ala-Archa River. Following a revitalizing picnic lunch, return to Bishkek for your late afternoon flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival in Tashkent, you'll be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic-Lunch

Your guide and driver will fetch you from your hotel to commence the Tashkent city tour. This exclusive tour encompasses:

Excursion to the Old City, featuring the Hast-Imam architectural complex (15th century), housing the world's oldest known Quran.

Visit to Chorsu Bazaar, one of Central Asia's oldest markets, offering opportunities to sample or purchase sweets, fruits, and souvenirs.

Tashkent Metro ride, exploring stations adorned with ceramic tiles and murals depicting unique themes.

Stroll through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, appreciating the artwork on display along 'Broadway' Drive.

Drive to Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, a rich collection of Uzbekistan's finest handicrafts housed in an elaborately decorated villa.

Conclude the day with an overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, your driver will transport you to the railway station for a scenic train journey to the captivating city of Samarkand. Upon arrival, your itinerary will include visits to Gur Emir and the impressive Registan Square, featuring three Madrasahs dating back to the 15th to 17th centuries. Admire the architectural splendor of Bibi Khanum Mosque and meander through the multi-level complex of Siab Bazaar, where you can find souvenirs and indulge in local sweets, fruits, and the renowned Samarkand bread. Explore the remarkable Shakhi-Zinda, a 15th-century burial complex, and traverse the majestic pathway to witness its blue-domed tombs. Conclude the day with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory, where you can observe the remains of a 14th-15th-century sextant and explore the Ulugbek Museum. After a day filled with exploration, unwind and rejuvenate at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Commence your day with a delectable breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a transfer to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50km). Once through customs and passport control, your local Tajik guide and driver will be ready to receive you on the Tajikistan side, leading you to the awe-inspiring Seven Lakes (90km). Nestled in the Fann Mountains, each of these lakes exhibits a unique color, ranging from turquoise to purple. Immerse yourself in the natural splendor of this extraordinary location and relish your lunch at a guest house near the fourth lake. Continue your journey to the enchanting city of Panjakent, where you will spend the night at a hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Indulge in breakfast and commence a tour to the ancient city of Penjikent, once a thriving settlement founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century and later abandoned by the Arabs in the 8th century. In the old section of Penjikent, explore the foundations of houses, a citadel featuring Zoroastrian fire temples, remnants of the city bazaar, and other excavated ruins. Transitioning to the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, a mosque, and the Rudaki Museum. Drive towards the Jartepa border crossing (30 km, 40 min) via Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site established in the 4th century BC. Following the border crossing, reunite with your driver and transfer to your hotel in Samarkand for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and then take advantage of a leisurely morning. Complete your hotel check-out by noon, followed by a transfer to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast