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Day 1 ASHGABAT
Day 2 ASHGABAT
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Tolkuchka bazaar (on Thu, Sat, Sun), one of the biggest and most colourful markets of Ashgabat. Excursion to Old Nisa site, which is under UNESCO protection, Ashgabat’s pride – the National Museum of History (Closed on Tue) consisting of seven galleries, keeping the history of modern culture and ethnography of the country. After lunch continue to a local horse stable and see the Turkmen Ahalteke horses (app. 1 hour drive), a very old breed of horses which is about 5,000 years. Visit Turkmenbashi mosque in Kipchak on the way back to Ashgabat.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Visit to Tolkuchka bazaar (on Thu, Sat, Sun), one of the biggest and most colourful markets of Ashgabat. Excursion to Old Nisa site, which is under UNESCO protection, Ashgabat’s pride – the National Museum of History (Closed on Tue) consisting of seven galleries, keeping the history of modern culture and ethnography of the country. After lunch continue to a local horse stable and see the Turkmen Ahalteke horses (app. 1 hour drive), a very old breed of horses which is about 5,000 years. Visit Turkmenbashi mosque in Kipchak on the way back to Ashgabat.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 ASHGABAT – DARVAZA GAS CRATERS
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue on, to the Independence Square, Rukhnama, Palace Square, the Arch of Neutrality and the biggest mosque in whole Central Asia – ErtugrulGazi Mosque, which has been constructed as a present to the Turkmen nation from the republic of Turkey; Earthquake monument; Lenin Square.
Depart for Darvaza gas crater (250 km/4 hrs, plus 7 km on sand), one of the most extraordinary sites in Turkmenistan and is one of the most apocalyptic landscapes in the world. It is about 60 meters wide and 20 meters deep and it is not of a natural origin, but actually man-made.
On our way we stop to see the so called “water” and “mud” craters.
Arrive to the tent camp site. Dinner, overnight in tents.
Breakfast at the hotel.Continue on, to the Independence Square, Rukhnama, Palace Square, the Arch of Neutrality and the biggest mosque in whole Central Asia – ErtugrulGazi Mosque, which has been constructed as a present to the Turkmen nation from the republic of Turkey; Earthquake monument; Lenin Square.
Depart for Darvaza gas crater (250 km/4 hrs, plus 7 km on sand), one of the most extraordinary sites in Turkmenistan and is one of the most apocalyptic landscapes in the world. It is about 60 meters wide and 20 meters deep and it is not of a natural origin, but actually man-made.
On our way we stop to see the so called “water” and “mud” craters.
Arrive to the tent camp site. Dinner, overnight in tents.
Day 4 DARVAZA GAS CRATER – TASHAUZ – SHAVAT BORDER POINT – KHIVA
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we head towards Tashauz (280 km/4 hrs).Visit to the architectural complex
Ismamut Ata (30 km from Tashauz), which includes the mausoleum of some Isym (a pilgrimage place) – the main sight of this complex referring to the second half of the XVIII century. "Ismamut" is a combination of the names of Isym and Mahmut (which was the name of the sultan and the ruler of Khorezm, where Isym was missioned to propagate Islam), and "Ata" is a respectful addition to the names of saints used by Turkmen people. This mausoleum has always attracted pilgrims, especially women (sick, childless and those who lost their children).
Transfer to Turkmen-Uzbek border point “Shavat”. After border formalities and border crossing, take over by Uzbek team.
Drive to Khiva (80 km/1.5 hrs). Arrival and accommodation at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.After breakfast we head towards Tashauz (280 km/4 hrs).Visit to the architectural complex
Ismamut Ata (30 km from Tashauz), which includes the mausoleum of some Isym (a pilgrimage place) – the main sight of this complex referring to the second half of the XVIII century. "Ismamut" is a combination of the names of Isym and Mahmut (which was the name of the sultan and the ruler of Khorezm, where Isym was missioned to propagate Islam), and "Ata" is a respectful addition to the names of saints used by Turkmen people. This mausoleum has always attracted pilgrims, especially women (sick, childless and those who lost their children).
Transfer to Turkmen-Uzbek border point “Shavat”. After border formalities and border crossing, take over by Uzbek team.
Drive to Khiva (80 km/1.5 hrs). Arrival and accommodation at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 KHIVA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Walking tour in IchanKala, architectural complex of the inner city, surrounded by the large fortress wall with four gates. There are more than sixty architectural monuments: palaces, mosques, madrassahs, minarets and mausoleums inside the inner town: Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah and its minaret; Kunya Ark and Juma Mosque with 218 pillars (one of the most ancient structures in Central Asia; Tash Khauli palace (the Harem of Khiva Khans); Mausoleum of PakhlavanMakhmud; Islam Khodja complex and other monuments.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Walking tour in IchanKala, architectural complex of the inner city, surrounded by the large fortress wall with four gates. There are more than sixty architectural monuments: palaces, mosques, madrassahs, minarets and mausoleums inside the inner town: Muhammed Aminkhan Madrassah and its minaret; Kunya Ark and Juma Mosque with 218 pillars (one of the most ancient structures in Central Asia; Tash Khauli palace (the Harem of Khiva Khans); Mausoleum of PakhlavanMakhmud; Islam Khodja complex and other monuments.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 KHIVA – BUKHARA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Take in the undulating landscape of Central Asia and drive to Bukhara across the Kyzylkum desert (450 km/app. 7-8 hrs). This journey presents an unprecedented opportunity to view this arid landscape, and glimpse the sheep farmers or hunters roaming across it.
We arrive in Bukhara in the early evening. Perhaps, take a stroll in the old town to stretch your legs.
Arrival and accommodation at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Take in the undulating landscape of Central Asia and drive to Bukhara across the Kyzylkum desert (450 km/app. 7-8 hrs). This journey presents an unprecedented opportunity to view this arid landscape, and glimpse the sheep farmers or hunters roaming across it.
We arrive in Bukhara in the early evening. Perhaps, take a stroll in the old town to stretch your legs.
Arrival and accommodation at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 BUKHARA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Architectural heritage of Bukhara is very rich – caravan-sarais and trading domes, public baths and big pools, defensive walls and city gates, khanakas and mausoleums, mosques and madrassahs, individual structures and big complexes. Decorative methods, splendor designs and original ideas of architects strike imagination of anyone.
Start our visiting program today: visit to the central complex Lyabi Khauz built around the pool with a fountain dated 16th - 17th centuries, surrounded by several madrassahs. We take a walk under the three ancient trading domes, full of various traditional articles and souvenirs.
After lunch continue city tour with a visit to Poi Kalyan Ensemble, one of the highlights of Bukhara. Visit to the Samanids Mausoleum, which is considered to be a treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia.
This evening enjoy folklore and fashion performance at Nodir Divan Begi Madrassah
(weather permitting).
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Architectural heritage of Bukhara is very rich – caravan-sarais and trading domes, public baths and big pools, defensive walls and city gates, khanakas and mausoleums, mosques and madrassahs, individual structures and big complexes. Decorative methods, splendor designs and original ideas of architects strike imagination of anyone.
Start our visiting program today: visit to the central complex Lyabi Khauz built around the pool with a fountain dated 16th - 17th centuries, surrounded by several madrassahs. We take a walk under the three ancient trading domes, full of various traditional articles and souvenirs.
After lunch continue city tour with a visit to Poi Kalyan Ensemble, one of the highlights of Bukhara. Visit to the Samanids Mausoleum, which is considered to be a treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia.
This evening enjoy folklore and fashion performance at Nodir Divan Begi Madrassah
(weather permitting).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 BUKHARA – SAMARKAND
Breakfast at the hotel.
A.M.: we continue on - Fortress Ark (citadel), a fortified residence of Emirs of Bukhara; Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah(1807) with four peculiar looking towers, which was as a library for students.
P.M.: Drive to Samarkand (300 km/4-5 hrs). Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.A.M.: we continue on - Fortress Ark (citadel), a fortified residence of Emirs of Bukhara; Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah(1807) with four peculiar looking towers, which was as a library for students.
P.M.: Drive to Samarkand (300 km/4-5 hrs). Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 SAMARKAND
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Samarkand has witnessed a lot of upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great (Macedonian), the Arabic Conquest, Ghengis-Khan Conquest and lastly Tamerlane’s. Hence, Samarkand’s culture was developed and mixed together with the Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and a bit of the Western and Eastern cultures. Explore Samarkand: Registan Square (meaning “sandy place”) surrounded by the Ulugbek’s madrassah, the Sher-Dor madrassah and Tilla-Kori madrassah; Mosque Bibi-Khanum; Siab bazaar (closed on Mon); Necropolis Shakhi-Zinda and ensemble of mausoleums (XI - XIX cc.).
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Samarkand has witnessed a lot of upheavals during the times of Alexander the Great (Macedonian), the Arabic Conquest, Ghengis-Khan Conquest and lastly Tamerlane’s. Hence, Samarkand’s culture was developed and mixed together with the Iranian, Indian, Mongolian and a bit of the Western and Eastern cultures. Explore Samarkand: Registan Square (meaning “sandy place”) surrounded by the Ulugbek’s madrassah, the Sher-Dor madrassah and Tilla-Kori madrassah; Mosque Bibi-Khanum; Siab bazaar (closed on Mon); Necropolis Shakhi-Zinda and ensemble of mausoleums (XI - XIX cc.).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 SAMARKAND – TASHKENT
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue city tour, Gur Emir mausoleum (graves of Tamerlane and his descendants, 15c), Afrosiab museum of city foundation with the unique wall painting from 7th c.; Observatory of Ulugbek; Silk paper center to watch ancient tradition of paper production.
PM: Transfer to Tashkent by high-speed train “Afrosiab”. Arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Continue city tour, Gur Emir mausoleum (graves of Tamerlane and his descendants, 15c), Afrosiab museum of city foundation with the unique wall painting from 7th c.; Observatory of Ulugbek; Silk paper center to watch ancient tradition of paper production.
PM: Transfer to Tashkent by high-speed train “Afrosiab”. Arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 TASHKENT
Breakfast at the hotel.
The history of Tashkent is almost 2000 years old, and for this period the city passed a long way from small settlement to the metropolitan center. Nowadays, Tashkent is one of the most important industrial, financial and cultural centers not only in Uzbekistan but also all over Central Asia.
Spend the day exploring Tashkent through the Independence square, Timur and Opera square. Take ride through the most beautiful stations of the Tashkent metro. Visit to Khast Imam complex including Barak-khan Madrassah, the only world-known original version of Khalif Osman’s Koran dated from 7th century is kept here in the library of Mui-Muborak Madrasah, visit to Chorsu bazaar (closed on Mon) in the old city and to Kukeldash madrassah (XVI c.). Visit to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the ancient palace of tsarist diplomat.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.The history of Tashkent is almost 2000 years old, and for this period the city passed a long way from small settlement to the metropolitan center. Nowadays, Tashkent is one of the most important industrial, financial and cultural centers not only in Uzbekistan but also all over Central Asia.
Spend the day exploring Tashkent through the Independence square, Timur and Opera square. Take ride through the most beautiful stations of the Tashkent metro. Visit to Khast Imam complex including Barak-khan Madrassah, the only world-known original version of Khalif Osman’s Koran dated from 7th century is kept here in the library of Mui-Muborak Madrasah, visit to Chorsu bazaar (closed on Mon) in the old city and to Kukeldash madrassah (XVI c.). Visit to the Museum of Applied Arts, housed in the ancient palace of tsarist diplomat.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 TASHKENT – OIBEK BORDER – KHUJAND
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Tajik-Uzbek border point “Oibek” (120 km/2hrs). Border crossing, passport and customs clearance. Meet by local Tadjik team.
Drive to Khujand (80km/1,5 hrs). Lunch at restaurant.
After lunch city tour of Khujand: visit to Oriental Bazaar, one of the most interesting places in Khujand that attracts people with various sounds and tastes; visit to Museum of archeology and fortification; Mosque and mausoleum of Shaikh Muslihiddin; Arbob Palace (XX c).
Transfer to hotel, check in. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Transfer to Tajik-Uzbek border point “Oibek” (120 km/2hrs). Border crossing, passport and customs clearance. Meet by local Tadjik team.
Drive to Khujand (80km/1,5 hrs). Lunch at restaurant.
After lunch city tour of Khujand: visit to Oriental Bazaar, one of the most interesting places in Khujand that attracts people with various sounds and tastes; visit to Museum of archeology and fortification; Mosque and mausoleum of Shaikh Muslihiddin; Arbob Palace (XX c).
Transfer to hotel, check in. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 KHUJAND – ISKANDERKUL LAKE
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast depart for Iskanderkul Lake (230 km, 5-6 hrs), situated in the famous Fann Mountains. This fabulous area is one of the best places of Central Asia. The road to the lake goes through Istiklol tunnel (2630m) with amazing panorama views. After arrival to the lake you will go for a walk along its banks. In addition, you will hike 40-50 minutes to see “Fann Niagara” – meter high waterfall, running out from the lake. Tajikistan takes the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources: it has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Lunch is en route.
You also have a walk in picturesque Sary tag village, enjoy nice views and meet local people.
Dinner. Overnight in cottages.
Breakfast at the hotel.After breakfast depart for Iskanderkul Lake (230 km, 5-6 hrs), situated in the famous Fann Mountains. This fabulous area is one of the best places of Central Asia. The road to the lake goes through Istiklol tunnel (2630m) with amazing panorama views. After arrival to the lake you will go for a walk along its banks. In addition, you will hike 40-50 minutes to see “Fann Niagara” – meter high waterfall, running out from the lake. Tajikistan takes the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources: it has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Lunch is en route.
You also have a walk in picturesque Sary tag village, enjoy nice views and meet local people.
Dinner. Overnight in cottages.
Day 14 ISKANDERKUL LAKE – DUSHANBE
Depart for Dushanbe (250 km, 5-6 hrs). Arrival, after lunch visit to Tajikistan United Museum that includes the exhibits on history, natural history and art, with Buddha in Nirvana being one of the museum’s valuable exhibits (closed on Mon).
Transfer to hotel, check in. Overnight at hotel.
Depart for Dushanbe (250 km, 5-6 hrs). Arrival, after lunch visit to Tajikistan United Museum that includes the exhibits on history, natural history and art, with Buddha in Nirvana being one of the museum’s valuable exhibits (closed on Mon).Transfer to hotel, check in. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 DUSHANBE
Breakfast at the hotel.
City tour of Dushanbe: Monument of Ismail Somoni, Rudaki Park, Independence Square where one can see the second highest in the world flagpole (165 cm), National Library; local bazaar; Navrouz Complex; remains of Hissar fortress of the 18th century, which was occupied until 1924, located 30 km west of Dushanbe.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.City tour of Dushanbe: Monument of Ismail Somoni, Rudaki Park, Independence Square where one can see the second highest in the world flagpole (165 cm), National Library; local bazaar; Navrouz Complex; remains of Hissar fortress of the 18th century, which was occupied until 1924, located 30 km west of Dushanbe.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 DUSHANBE – DEPARTURE
