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HomeTurkmenistan Tours

Five Stans Tour

CA06: 21 Days Bishkek - Burana Tower - Cholpon Ata - Karakol - Canyon Fairy Tale - Bishkek - Almaty - Dushanbe - Kalai-Khumb - Dushanbe - Penjikent - Samarkand - Shahrisabz - Bukhara - Mary - Ashgabat - Darvaza - Kunya Urgench - Khiva - Tashkent

Tour Type: Private Tour, flexible and customized
Guide & Driver: Experienced English-speaking driver guide & air-conditioned car
Hotel: 3 to 4-star well-selected hotels, also be open to your own choice

Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek, Airport pick-up
Thanks for choosing our five stans tour and welcome to Kyrgyzstan. The guide and the driver will meet you at Bishkek International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. After lunch you can have a rest at the hotel or start the Bishkek sightseeing tour under the guidance of the guide. We'll visit the Old Square, Oak Park and Ala-Too Square. Finally, pass by Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Abdylas Maldybayev and take photos from the outside.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Orion Hotel Bishkek (5 stars)

Day 2: Visit Burana Tower, Drive 4h to Cholpon Ata
After breakfast, drive to Burana Tower, the landmark building of Ancient Silk Road built in the 9th century. A small museum near the tower displays the excavated antiques here and from nearby areas. Next, head to the famous tourism resort in Central Asia, Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way the guide will lead you to visit the New Nomad Museum to learn the Kyrgyzstan nomadic culture. After arriving at Cholpon Ata and checking in the hotel, enjoy some free time. You can admire the sandy beach, green lake and snowy mountains in the distance.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Light House Hotel

Day 3: Drive 3h to Karakol, Canyon Fairy Tale discovery
In the morning, the guide will escort you to visit the open-air Museum of Petroglyphs to explore ancient civilization several thousand years ago. Then drive along the north bank of Issyk-Kul Lake to the biggest city in Issyk Kul area, Karakol, to visit Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque. Next, drive to Tamga on the south bank of Issyk-Kul Lake and check in the comfortable yurt. Then go to visit Canyon Fairy Tale. The amazing color and rock formations make up the spectacular Danxia landform. Here you can take many attractive photos.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Nomad Lodge Tamga

Day 4: Transfer to Bokonbayevo, Drive 5h back to Bishkek, Drive to Almaty
In the morning, head to Bokonbayevo. There, the guide will accompany you to see the gold eagle and explore local bazaar. Then, return to Bishkek by car, taking about 5 hours. Upon arrival, the guide and the driver will transfer you to Kazakhstan border. After border crossing, the driver-guide of Almaty will send you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars)

Day 5: Almaty trip with Big Almaty Lake
The driver-guide will lead you to Big Almaty Lake known as the pearl of Almaty. Then visit Medeu Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort. After lunch, visit the local Green Market and then head to Zenkov Cathedral which is world's second highest wooden architecture. Finally visit the Central Mosque of Almaty and admire the sunset at Kok-Tobe Hill. At the end of the day, return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars)

Day 6: Almaty airport see-off, A half-day visit in Dushanbe
After breakfast, you will be sent to Almaty airport for flight to Dushanbe. After 2-hour flight time, the local guide and the driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. After the traditional Tajik lunch, we are going to National Museum of Antiquities famous for Sleeping Buddha, and then Botanical Garden. Finally we'll have a panoramic view of Dushanbe in Victory Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Dushanbe Hotel (5 stars)

Day 7: Drive 8h to Kalai-Khumb
Today, we will head along the Panj River and Road M41 to Kalai-Khumb to enjoy the charm of Pamir Mountains, "the Roof of the World". We'll also pass by the Nurek water reservoir and Shuraba pass with an altitude of 2,267m (7,438 ft.).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Karon Palace Hotel (4 stars)

Day 8: Drive 7h back to Dushanbe
Today we'll say goodbye to Pamir and go back to Dushanbe. On the way, we'll pass through Khaburabot Pass of which the altitude is 3,252m (10,669 ft.) and see the fantastic scenery and Tajik people in the snowy mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Dushanbe Hotel (5 stars)

Day 9: Drive 5h to Penjikent, Transfer to Samarkand
Today we are going to Penjikent. The guide will accompnay you to visit Republican Museum of History and Local Lore of Rudaki, bazaar, the famous ancient Penjikent ruins and world cultural heritage site, the ancient city of Sarazm. Next, drive to Uzbek border and meet your Uzbek driver, who will then transfer you to the hotel in Samarkand.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior (4 stars)

Day 10: Samarkand highlights
First the guide and the driver will accompany you to explore the Registan Square and then visit Bibi Khanym Mosque. The mosque was named after Timur's wife to show respect to her. Later, come to the nearby Siyob Bazzar to have a taste of local snacks. Then, head to Ulugbek Observatory representing the advanced Central Asia technology in Middle Ages. Finally we'll visit the mausoleum of Samarkand rulers and their family members, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and the tomb of Timur, Gur-Emir Mausoleum.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior (4 stars)

Day 11: Drive to Bukhara, Stop at Shahrisabz
The driver will transfer you to Bukhara. After 140 km (87 mi) and 2.5 hours' drive, we'll arrive at Shahrisabz to visit Ak-Saray Palace, the summer palace of Timur. Then go to Kok-Gumbaz Mosque. The diameter of the blue dome is 46 meters, which is the biggest dome in Uzbekistan. Afternoon, drive for 290 km (180 mi) to Bukhara, taking 4.5 hours and check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amulet Hotel (3 stars)

Day 12: Bukhara walking tour

Today the guide will pick you up at the hotel and lead you to visit Old Bukhara on foot. Connecting Asia and Europe, Old Bukhara was the strategic place of Central Asia Islamic civilization and is called the living fossil of the Silk Road. First we'll visit Samanid Mausoleum of which every brick has different patterns. Then go to Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. It is said that it is the Jewish prophet Job's mausoleum. After visiting Bolo Khauz Mosque and Ark Fortress, we'll explore Kalyan Minaret and Kalyan Mosque. Then come to Magoki-Attori Mosque. The mosque was submerged by sand and then was excavated in 16th century. Finally we'll visit Ulugbek, Abdulaziz Khan madrasahs and Lyabi Khauz complex in the city center.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amulet Hotel (3 stars)

Day 13: Visit Summer Palace, Gijduvan half day trip from Bukhara
The guide and the driver will take you to Chor-Minor Madrasah. The four minarets in the madrasah represent Islam, Judaism, Christianism, and Buddhism. Then go to Summer Palace, also named Sitorai Mohi Hosa, which blends European and Central Asia architectural style. Afternoon we'll drive to visit Abdulla's pottery house and have a cup of tea. At last, return to Bukhara.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amulet Hotel (3 stars)

Day 14: Cross the Turkmenistan border, Drive to Mary
Today the driver will transfer you to Turkmenistan border. After the custom formality, you will be picked up by the Turkmenistan driver and the guide and sent to the hotel in Mary.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mary Hotel (4 stars)

Day 15: Explore Ancient Merv, Take a flight to Ashgabat
The driver and the guide will take you to the oldest and best preserved city on Silk Road, Ancient Merv. Here, we'll visit Great Kyz Kala, Little Kyz Kala and the Two Askhars. After climbing Alexander the Great's Erk Kala, visit Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum. Then drive back to Mary to visit History museum of Merv region. After the visit, the guide and the driver will transfer you to the airport for flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the airport and sent to a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel (4 stars)

Day 16: Ashgabat city discovery
Today we'll visit Ertogrul Gazy Mosque. The Turkish style mosque is the local biggest mosque. Then go to Independence Park to visit the Monument of Independence, the landmark of Turkmenistan. Then visit Neutrality Arch. After visiting Ahalteke horse stables, come to visit Ancient Nisa which has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Last, we'll visit the National Museum.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sport Hotel (4 stars)

Day 17: Transfer to Darvaza to visit Darvaza Gas Crater
The guide will accompany you to Darvaza Gas Crater in Karakum Desert. On the way, stop to visit Erbent desert community. Upon arrival, explore Darvaza Gas Crater and put up a tent to stay over the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Tent

Day 18: Kunya-Urgench discovery, Drive to Khiva
The driver and the guide will transfer you to Kunya Urgench. Kunya Urgench was the trade center of Silk Road and preserves many tombs, mosques and minarests. After, drive to Uzbekistan border. After going through the border formality, the driver in Uzbekistan will pick you up and send you to Khiva and check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva (4 stars)

Day 19: Khiva city exploration, Khiva airport see-off
Today the guide will escort you to visit Khiva inner city, Ichan Kala on foot. First, visit Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah and the unfinished Kalta Minor. After admiring the beautifully carved wooden pillar in Juma Mosque, we'll visit Toshkhovli Palace known as stone palace. The inner decoration is elegant. Then visit the local sacred place, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. Finally, climb Islom Khodja Minaret, and have a bird's eye view of Khiva at Kunya-Ark.

Afternoon is free for you. In the evening the driver will transfer you to Urgench Airport for flight to Tashkent. After 1 hour and 40 minutes, the driver in Tashkent will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva (4 stars)

Day 20: Tashkent city highlights
The guide will accompany you to Khast-Imom Complex to visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Later, visit the Chorsu Bazaar where you can buy various fruits and souvenirs. Next, take the subway to the city center. Every subway station there is unique and characteristic and you cannot miss them. Your driver will meet you in the city center later. Visit Independence Square and Amir Timur Park. After exploring the State Museum of Applied Art, send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars)

Day 21: Departure from Tashkent, Airport see-off
Today is the final day of this tour. The drive will transfer you to the airport and see you off.
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This trip can be tailored to match your dates and interests!
What's Included
  • Pick-up and drop-off service at airport.
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels.
  • Services of English-speaking driver-guides.
  • Transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Entrance fees for mentioned sights visited.
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
What's Excluded
  • International flight into Kyrgyzstan and out of Uzbekistan.
  • Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.).
  • Tips and personal travel insurance.
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan visa fees.
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Bishkek
Ashgabat
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