Central Asia: Five ‘Stans [Private Tour]

Itinerary

1. Day One

   Arrive in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, early in the morning and transfer to the hotel. Check straight into the hotel (AK Altyn Hotel) for rest (check-in will be available from 14:00 on 3rd August in case anyone wishes to arrive a day early).

   At 9:30am, pick up from the hotel and spend the morning sightseeing in Ashgabat, seeing sights such as The Tower of Neutrality, Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque and Independence Monument,

   After lunch, transfer to 4×4’s and start the journey to the Darvaza Gas Crater, stopping at two lesser-known craters along the way.

   Upon arrival, our local team will prepare dinner while you take time to relax and enjoy the campfire-like aura of “The Gates of Hell”.

   Overnight at yurt camp.

2. Day Two

   This morning, you will have the opportunity to witness the sunrise over the crater while the local team prepares breakfast. After breakfast, you will return to Ashgabat. You will have the afternoon to explore independently.

   This evening, you will take a flight to Turkmenabat, near the Farap Border.

   Overnight in Yupek Yoly Hotel or similar.

3. Day Three

   After breakfast, you will bid farewell to Turkmenistan and cross the Farap border into Uzbekistan. Upon crossing the border, you will meet your guide, who will drive you to the hotel in Bukhara, where you will meet Judith.

   Judith will be collected from the airport following her flight and transferred to the hotel.

   This afternoon you will have the afternoon to spend at leisure in Bukhara.

   Overnight at Minorai Kalon Hotel or similar.

4. Day Four

   Today you will have a day tour of Bukhara, visiting the Samanids Mausoleum, the Poi Kalon complex, the trading domes, the Lyabi-Hauz complex, and Chor Minor.

   Lunch is included today.

   The rest of the evening is yours to spend at leisure.

   Overnight at Minorai Kalon Hotel or similar.

5. Day Five

   This morning we’ll start the 5-hour journey to Samarkand. If it is of interest to you, there will be the opportunity to stop at the Gijduvan Craft Centre and learn a new skill in either suzani sewing or pottery making (extra cost).

   You will have lunch (included) upon arrival in Samarkand, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.

   Overnight in Asia Hotel or Similar.

6. Day Six

   Today you will have a day tour of Samarkand, starting with the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the Ulugbek Observatory, and the Afrasiab Museum.

   After lunch (included), visit Gur Emir Mausoleum and Registan Square.

   This evening is to be spent at leisure, but we recommend re-visiting Registan Square to experience the spectacular light show.

   Overnight at Asia Hotel or similar.

7. Day Seven

   After breakfast, you will cross the Jartepa border from Uzbekistan into Tajikistan. After meeting your guide, you will drive 20 minutes to ancient Penjikent to explore the ruins of an old Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs.

   After lunch (included), you will travel to Iskanderkul Lake, where you will spend the evening in a local guesthouse near the lake.

   Overnight in a local guesthouse or similar.

8. Day Eight

   This morning, you will spend the morning at Iskanderkul Lake, where you will have the opportunity to swim, hike to the waterfall or go on a boat ride around the lake (not included). You will have lunch at the lake (included).

   You will then continue to Dushanbe, where you will have the rest of the afternoon to spend at leisure.

   Overnight at The Rumi Hotel or similar.

9. Day Nine

   This morning, you will transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Almaty.

   Upon arrival in Almaty, you will be taken to your hotel to check in.

   This afternoon, you will take a tour of Almaty and have the evening to spend at leisure.

   Overnight at Hotel Uyut or similar.

10. Day Ten

    This morning, we will visit Charyn Canyon and Lake Kolsay. You’ll have the day to explore the area.

    Overnight in a local guesthouse.

11. Day Eleven

    After breakfast, you will cross into Kyrgyzstan and make your way to Karakol, where you will take a short tour of the city’s Chinese-style mosque and Orthodox hotel before checking into your hotel.

    Overnight at Amir Hotel or similar.

12. Day Twelve

    This morning, you will transfer to Jeti-Oguz to spend the day at leisure, horse riding or taking part in other activities. If you are interested, there is the option to then visit the Barskaon Gorge and take a hike to the waterfall and the Skazka Canyon.

    Overnight in yurt camp.

13. Day Thirteen

    This morning, you will begin the journey to Bishkek via Issyk-Kul Lake. You will have the opportunity to swim.

    Upon arrival in Bishkek, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

    Overnight at B Hotel or similar.

14. Day Fourteen

    Today is free to explore Bishkek. If you would prefer to be accompanied by a guide, we can arrange this for a small cost. There are lots of things to do in Bishkek.

    Overnight at B Hotel or similar.

15. Day Fifteen

    This morning, you will have further time to explore Bishkek.

    After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Astana.

    Overnight at Kazzhol Hotel or similar.

16. Day Sixteen

    After breakfast, you will take a day tour of Astana, after which you will have the rest of the evening to spend at leisure.

    Overnight at Kazzhol Hotel or similar.

17. Day Seventeen

    Your tour ends today and you can depart Astana at any time.