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Highlights of Central Asia

19 days
18 nights

Rates

Dates

Rates:

USD
EUR

PER PERSON:

ECONOMY PACKAGE
$ 3,200.00 (double occupancy)
$ 3,700.00 (single occupancy)
COMFORT PACKAGE
$ 3,550.00 (double occupancy)
$ 4,200.00 (single occupancy)

Dates:

ALL YEAR ROUND

Hotels:

ECONOMY PACKAGE:
Tashkent (1 night): Navruz, Praga, Grand Capital or similar
Khiva (1 night): Muso Tura, Polvon Qori, New Star, Orient Star or similar
Bukhara (2 nights): Minzifa, K.Komil, Bibikhanum, Amulet, As-Salom, Fatima, Kavsar or similar
Samarkand (3 nights): Usman, Meros, Asia Samarkand or similar
Penjikent (1 night): Sugd, Umariyon or similar
Dushanbe (2 nights): Atlas B&B or similar
Almaty (2 nights): Novotel
Bishkek (2 nights): Plaza or Park Hotel, Ambassador 

COMFORT PACKAGE:
Tashkent (1 night): Wyndham Tashkent, Courtyard by Marriot, Hampton by Hilton, Lumiere
Khiva (1 night): Zarafshan Boutique, Asia Khiva, Erkin Palace, Bek Khiva or similar
Bukhara (2 nights): Omar Khayam, Minor, Asia Bukhara, Zargaron Plaza or similar
Samarkand (3 nights): Dilimah, Sultan, Grand Samarkand Superior, Grand Samarkand, Platan or similar
Penjikent (1 night): Sugd, Umariyon or similar
Dushanbe (2 nights): Hilton Dushanbe or similar
Almaty (2 nights): Rixos Almaty
Bishkek (2 nights): Orion

Included:

  • All transfers: 1-2 pax on sedan type car, 3-8 pax on minivan/van;
  • Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
  • Sightseeing tour program in each country with local guides (in Uzbekistan, different guides in each city);
  • Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
  • Visa support for Uzbekistan tourist visas;
  • Economy class tickets for flights Tashkent-Urgench and Dushanbe-Almaty.

Itinerary:

Let Central Asia leave an impression in your memory with this trip to the most entrancing sights of the region. Start with the best sights in Uzbekistan, with a trip from Khiva through Bukhara to Samarkand. Each of these cities has a long and storied past, tying together civilizations that crossed along the Silk Road. The large architectural monuments and historic atmospheres have made these cities excellent inclusions into the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.
Penjikent, in Tajikistan, is an excellent extension of the historical part of the tour, as the city has lots of historical and cultural significance, while Iskanderkul, as one of the most beautiful lakes in the area, is a must for Central Asia’s best tours. Continue on through Dushanbe, Almaty, and Bishkek, which are the three biggest cities in their respective countries (Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). Don’t miss this opportunity to take the best tour of Central Asia and visit all the main sights of the region.

Day 1  : Tashkent – arrival

Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia.
Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous holy book Quran of Caliph Uthman has been preserved. Explore Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to city center to walk through Amir Timur SquareIndependence Square and Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 2  : Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

Early breakfast. Transfer to the local airport for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h 40 min). Arrival in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min). Later proceed for guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan MadrasahMukhammad Rahimkhan MadrasahKalta-MinorKunya-ArkJuma MosqueTash-Khovli PalacePakhlavan Makhmud MausoleumMinaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 3  : Khiva – Bukhara

After breakfast depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h.*). Today we will have an overland transfer from Khiva to Bukhara through Kyzylkum desert**. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years.
Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.

Day 4  : Bukhara

Breakfast. Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 5  : Bukhara – Samarkand

After breakfast continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h). Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik dating back to the 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to your hotel.  Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

Day 6  : Samarkand

After breakfast meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum MosqueSiyob BazaarUlugbek ObservatoryShakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 7  : Samarkand

Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrosiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore a traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with the car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 8  : Samarkand – Penjikent

After breakfast transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). After you pass customs and passport control on both sides, Tajik guide and driver will meet you and drive to Seven Lakes (80 km, 1.5-2h). The Seven Lakes are located in the west of Fann mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Lunch at the guest house at the Lake #4. In the afternoon, drive back to Penjikent and visit Rudaki Museum and a local bazaar. Continue to ancient Penjikent archaeological site which takes you back to the times when Penjikent was a major Sogdian city before it was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. Overnight at the hotel in Penjikent.

Day 9  : Penjikent – Iskandarkul – Dushanbe

After breakfast depart Penjikent and drive to Dushanbe (270 km, 4-5 h). The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass (3300 m above sea level). On the way visit Iskanderkul Lake. According to the legend, the Iskanderkul Lake was named after Alexander the Great, known as Iskander in the East. People say that Alexander the Great's path to India passed by this lake. Lunch at traditional homestay "Dilovar". Free time to explore the surroundings of the lake: five springs, Zmeinoe Lake, 38m high “Fan Niagara“ waterfall. In the afternoon continue driving to Dushanbe. Arrive in Dushanbe, check in to the hotel.

Day 10  : Dushanbe

After breakfast meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit Hissar Fortress where you can see Madrasah Kuhna, Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Antiquities, Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 11  : Dushanbe – Almaty

Breakfast. Free time till transfer to the International Airport for flight to Almaty. Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12  : Almaty

After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Panfilov ParkZenkov CathedralCentral State Museum (closed on Tuesday) and Republic Square. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill, visit Medeo Gorge. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 13  : Almaty – Bishkek

After breakfast depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h). Cross Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border*. Arrive in Bishkek, check in to the hotel.
In the afternoon start sightseeing tour: Oak ParkAla-Too Square, Statue of Manas; National Museum of Fine Arts (closed on Mondays), Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
*Note: from January 2020 the Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan border point “Kordai” has been closed for reconstruction. Everyone will have to detour 20 kilometers east to the nearby “Ak-Tilek” border point. Another option is to get a direct flight from Almaty to Bishkek.

Day 14  : Bishkek

After breakfast transfer to see Burana Tower (85 km, 1 h 15 min), the remnants of the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13th century). Return to Bishkek, free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15  : Bishkek – departure

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Bishkek International Airport. End of the tour service.