Five Stans – Nomadic life experiences

Arrival in Tashkent International airport and transfer to hotel, check-in.
We start our excursion with the old town, the “Eski shakhar”,  a maze of narrow streets dusty, overlooked by low houses of brick and mud, ancient mosques and madrasas (Islamic academies), which seems to have been spared by Soviet planners to show the original appearance of the buildings. It continues with the complex of Hazrat Imams, which includes the Barak Khan madrassah (XVI century), the old mosque Djami (Friday) still in the work, and the mausoleum of Kaffal Chachi - the tomb of a great philosopher, poet and teacher of Islam lived in the tenth century. It 'still a place of pilgrimage for the locals. Then we will stop at the bazaar Charsu, the city's most famous farmer's market and a great place to meet many locals coming from the surrounding countryside dressed in traditional costumes. Finally panoramic tour of the modern city: the Independence Square, the square of Amir Temur, the Theatre Square. Dinner at local restaurant.
 Overnight in Tashkent

Drive to Fergana Valley (320 km drive till Fergana city). The steep road which connects Fergana Valley with the rest of Uzbekistan runs via picturesque mountain pass Kamchik (2267 m above sea level). The first stop will be in the city of Kokand where you will visit the Khudoyar Khan Palace, Jami Mosque, Kamol-Kazy Madrasah,Norbut-biy Madrasah. Head to Rishtan town to visit a pottery workshop. Continue driving to Fergana city. Visit Akhmad Al-Fergani Park in Fergana. Check in to the hotel. 
Overnight in Fergana.

In the morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border point. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. In Kyrgyzstan meet your local guide and driver and continue to Osh. Have a short city tour in Osh founded by King Solomon 3000 years ago as legends say. Visit Suleiman-Too (Solomon’s Mountain), National Museum of History and Archaeology, and Osh bazaar located at that same place since the time when Osh was an important trading center on the Great Silk Road. In the afternoon transfer to the local airport for flight to Bishkek.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km, 50 min.) which attracts visitors with its beautiful mountain scenery and hiking trails. Fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs through the alpine gorge surrounded by snowy peaks with steep forested slopes. Enjoy free time or a hike in the park. In the afternoon return to Bishkek for city tour. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture.
Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning transfer to Issyk-Kul Lake (260 km, 4 h.). On the way stop to see Burana tower, the remnants of the ancient city Balasagun (11-13th centuries). Continue driving to Issyk-Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world (1600 m above sea level). Arrival at the lake, accommodation in a hotel at the North Coast of Issyk-Kul.

After breakfast transfer to Cholpon-Ata where you will see petroglyphs, the rock carvings under the open sky, visit Ethnographical Museum. Continue to Bishkek (280 km, 4 h.). Arrive in Bishkek, free time. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning is transfer to Almaty (250 km, 4 h.). Cross Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border. The tour starts with sightseeing in central part of Almaty. You will visit a popular place for town people - the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks - Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden building in the world - Zenkov Cathedral is located. You will also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, dedicated to the memory of the fighters who died for freedom and independence of the country. After exploration of sport, you will get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflow. Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. In the evening transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast is in the hotel. Then is transfer Charyn Canyon is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions as well as have a lunch in a local cafe. And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once - so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you.
In the evening is transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

Breakfast. You will have some free time until transfer to the airport to fly to Tashkent (672 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Oybek-Fotekhobod (100 km, 1 h. 30 min.). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet Tajik local guide and driver and drive to Khujand (70 km, 1 h.). Sightseeing in Khujand: Republican Historical-Ethnographic Museum, Timur Malik Fortress, Archeological Museum, Mosque and Madrasah of Sheikh Muslehiddin, Panjshanbe Bazaar.
Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning depart Khujand and drive to Dushanbe (270 km, 5 h.). The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass (3300 m above sea level). Arrive in Dushanbe and start a city tour: Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Tajikistan, Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Samani, and Rudaki Park.
Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border Bratstvo-Sariosiyo (70 km, 1 h.), on the way visit Hissar Fortress where you will see Madrasah Kuhna. Continue driving to the border. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. On Uzbekistan side meet your local guide and driver. Transfer to Termez (180 km, 2 h. and 30 min.). In the afternoon have a short sightseeing tour in Termez: visit Archeology Museum and Mausoleum of Al-Hakim at-Termezi.
Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Half day excursion: Nunnery Kirk Kiz (9-10th c.), Fayaztepa (a site of ancient settlement 2-3rd cc.), Kara- Tepa, Buddhist Stupa Zurmala. Lunch time. After lunch transfer to Shahrisabz (290 km, 5h). Arrive in Shahrisabz.
Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Visit Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Siodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak-Saray Palace,Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand (90 km, 2 h.). Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast. Full day sightseeing of Samarkand includes the visits to Gur Emir Mausoleum (where conqueror Amir Temur (Temurlane), famous Registan Square (with Madrassa Sherdor XVII century, Tilla Kori and Ulugbek XV century), remains of grandiose Bibi Khanum Mosque, Samarkand oriental bazaar, Shokhi Zinda Nekropole (important pilgrimage place in Samarkand).
Night in Samarkand.

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Koni Ghil village to learn how Samarkand paper from mulberry is made in a traditional way. In the afternoon depart Samarkand and drive to Bukhara. On the way stop at Caravanserai Rabat Malik dating back to the 11th century. Continue driving to Bukhara. Arrive in Bukhara, check in to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast. We start our tour from the Mausoleum of the Samanids and architectural jewel of the ninth century, the Mausoleum of Tchashma Ayoub "Source of Job", Mosque Bolo Khouz "mosque over the bath," the Citadel Ark the heart of the old town, was the official residence of the rulers of Bukhara. Lunch time. Then we continue our tour from the Kalon Complex occupies a central part of the city of Bukhara with its impressive Kalon Minaret of the twelfth century, Poi-Kalyan Complex including: Minaret of Kalyan (XII), Medrese of Mir-Arab (XVI), Kalyan Mosque (XV).
Overnight in Bukhara.

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 h.). The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, today you will pass the same route**. Stop en-route to enjoy views of the desert and Amudarya River. Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest.
Overnight at the hotel.

Full day for sightseeing of Khiva – AM sightseeing including visits to the inner town of Ichan Kala (XIV-XX CC) with Muhamad Amin khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhamad Rahim khan Madrassah, Djuma Mosque and Minaret, Tash Hauli Palace. PM sightseeing for 2 hrs: Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrassah, Shirgazi khan Madrassah Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum.
Night in Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan border point. Border formalities on both sides. Sightseeing tour of the historical places of "Kunya Urgench" as Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh,The monument of Sultan Tekesh is located in south eastern part of Kyrk Molla fortress. The sultan reigned here in XII‐XIII centuries. Arslan is a monument located between Dashgala fortress and mausoleum of Tekesh. Lunch. Then driving to Derwaza (300 km). The Derwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 metres. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas is still burning today. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell". Sighseeting famous Gas crater.
Dinner. Rest & night in camp near crater.

Breakfast and drive to Ashgabat (360 km). Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan, it becomes more beautiful and pleases to the eye with its modern achievements of the national architecture. Here you will see that the natural oasis between sands and foot hills are improved by man, urban environment harmoniously interact with the natural land scape. Combination of unique architectural buildings, numerous museums, exhibition halls and theaters attracts attention of guests of the capital. Five star hotels are at the service of the guests, service of these hotels meets world standards. Hotel accommodation and having lunch at the restaurant. “Nurana”. One of the major historical and cultural sites inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List is Ancient Nisa. The ruins of the ancient cities of Old and New Nisa lie in the picturesque valley near Baghir settlement located 18 kilometres from Ashgabat. These ruins are a reminder of the Parthian Empire that competed with Great Rome for supremacy in the ancient world by military strength and cultural development. City tour: Old and new Nissa; Ancient capital of Parthian kings; National museum of Ethnography & history; Visiting National Carpet Museum.
>Route excursion “Ashgabat at night”. Overnight at hotel.

Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.