Day 1: Ashgabat

Arrival Ashgabat early morning (or late evening of previous day), check in and overnight. City tour in Ashgabat with visits of Ertogrul Gazi Mosque it honors Ertogrul, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. Independence Park, this Park is one of the city’s attractions, embodying the spirit of modern Turkmenistan. Arch of Neutrality is a viewing platform. National Museum – Opened in 1998, the museum’s 9 history halls houses the Turkmenistan’s major collection of artifacts discovered at various excavation sites in Turkmenistan. Nissa Historical Park – located on a natural high platform at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, Nissa owes its importance to the early Parthian rulers who took over control of the area in III c. BC. Turkmenbashi Spiritual Mosque and Mausoleum in Kipchak. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 2: Ashgabat – Mary – Ashgabat

Early breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ashgabat airport, first morning flight to Mary. Upon arrival excursion to Ancient Merw – Merw, located at the former banks of the Murghab River, was the most important Silk Road hub in the region, and particularly thriving as regional capital under Seljuk governor Sanjar. Merw is the collective name of five urban centers that existed under various different names in different periods from the VI c BC up to the XVIII c AD. Returning to Mary, visiting History Museum. Afterwards transfer to Mary airport, flight for Ashgabat, arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 3: Ashgabat – Almaty (flight)

Flight to Almaty (08:10-12:00 aprox). The tour starts with sightseeing in the central part of Almaty. You will know more about history and development of the southern capital of Kazakhstan and see its major attractions: Central State Museum, Palace of President, Republic Square and Monument of Independence, Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre, Astana Square, Almaty Railway Station, Central Mosque, Green Bazaar, Abai Square and Palace of Republic. After exploration of the sport, cultural and business areas of the city (Sport Palace, Central Stadium, Kazakh Circus, Wedding Palace, Auezov Drama Theatre, Almaty Towers, Nurlytau Business Center, Financial Center, Kok-Tobe Hill) the tour route will take you to one of the oldest Almaty parks – Panfilov Park, where you will know more about the history of the city and see one of the highest wooden building in the world – Zenkov Cathedral. 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. In the evening is transfer to the hotel.

Day 4: Almaty

The tour route to one of the most beautiful gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau – Issyk Gorge lies along the Kuldja tract, where hundreds of years ago the trade caravans travelled. On the way you will learn a lot about nature and history of this region and see the burial mounds of Saka period, where the famous “Golden Man” was found, which has become the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Also you will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, where you will see the expositions dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. Then the tour route will take you to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, to the beautiful mountain lake Issyk, located in the valley with the same name. Also at the lake you will have a picnic and free time for recreation at nature. In the evening is transfer to the hotel.

Day 5: Almaty – Dushanbe

Transfer to the airport to have a flight at 11:05, landing is at 12:00. Our Tajik guide will meet you in the airport and accompany to Dushanbe. The entire day is dedicated to a guided city tour. First of we will visit Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. After it we will walk in National park to make photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag in the world – 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. Afterwards is excursion in Central Museum. Night is in a hotel.

Day 6: Dushanbe

In the morning we will drive 35 km to visit Hisor fortress (VII–XVII centuries). This historical site has fortified areas and citadel. The fortress used to be the residence of the delegate of the Emir of Bukhara; it was located on a high hill and was well defended with 1 m thick walls and loopholes for guns and cannons. Inside there was a pool and a garden and across from the fortress there was a busy market square with a caravan serai and shops. Apart from the entrance gate with its two imposing towers, not much has survived of the fortress. Other interesting sites in Hisar include: the recently restored monuments of “Madrasa I Kuhna” (new school of 16th-17th centuries), mosque; the mausoleum of “Mahdumi Azam” (16th century). After coming back to Dushanbe you will visit Botanical garden and Victory Park with a panorama view on the city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 7: Dushanbe – Bishkek

Today we will drive to Norak city. You will see Norak water reservoir that is called Tajik Sea. We will drive over Chormahzak and Shar – Shar passes including the tunnels. Nurek is a city in the Khatlon province of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Vakhsh River, 885m above sea level, and is 70km southeast of Dushanbe, the capital. It has a population of 19,000. The city was founded on the site of the former village of Nurek, whose name means   «pomegranate» in tajik language the modern city was established in 1960 to support the construction of nearby Nurek Dam, which was completed in 1980. The Nurek Dam is the world highest dam, 300m (984ft) on Vakhsh River in Tajikistan. The Dam is located in a deep gorge along the Vakhsh River in western Tajikistan. You will have stop for the photos. You can make a lot of pictures. After sightseeing in Nurek you will drive back to Dushanbe. In the evening is a flight to Bishkek. Your Kyrgyz guide will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, just a 30-minute drive from the airport. Night is in a hotel.

Day 8: Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul lake northern shore – Bishkek

Today you will be transferred to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m above sea level). On route to the lake you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). Issyk Kul is called “the pearl of Central Asia”. Thanks to the salty water, the lake possesses curative qualities. You can come up to the lake and to see mountains all around it! The water of the lake is very clean. Here you will visit ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.). These petroglyphs were made more than 2000 years ago by shamans. Also you will visit local ethnography museum. In Cholpon Ata town you will visit Rukh Ordo, a unique cultural and spiritual complex of culture and tolerance of religious diversity. Located right on the shore of the lake it perfectly demonstrates its beauty and magnificence. Then is drive back to Bishkek. Night is in the hotel.

Day 9: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek – Tashkent

Today we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Afterwards we return to Bishkek and you can go shopping to big malls of Bishkek. In the evening is transfer to the airport, flight to Tashkent. Arrival and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Tashkent – Bukhara (train)

You will have a morning train to Bukhara. Today you will have a full day city tour in this fascinating city. At first you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4^th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9^th -10^th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job’s well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th – 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel.

Day 11: Bukhara

Today you will have a sightseeing tour in the surrounding area of Bukhara. First you will visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, located few kilometers from Bukhara. It is a memorial complex of famous Sufi Leader and Philosopher, one of the Muslim pilgrimage places for all people of Islamic world. Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the spiritual masters of Amir Timur.  Today complex consists of mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, courtyard with pool, madrasah, and burial vault of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. Then you will drive to see the countryside residence of Bukhara Emirs named Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. The palace is the sample of combination of various architectural styles. Emir named the palace on behalf of his wife who died young “Star – like and moon- like Palace”. At last you will drive to Sumiton village to find Chor Bakr memorial complex, the town of the dead. Complex symbolizes the four sides of the earth and interprets that all people are equal. Construction of the complex began during the Samanids reign until the 16^th century. After excursions you will return to city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 12: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand

After breakfast we will start our way to Samarkand. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop. Gijduvan ceramics school has its deep roots. The skills have been passed from father to son from generation to generation. Today Gizhduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. Gijduvan School of ceramics is distinguished by a geometric pattern. Green and blue colors prevail in decoration of products. Afterwards we continue driving to Samarkand. Night is in a hotel.

Day 13: Samarkand – Tashkent (train)

Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17^th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11^th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 14: Tashkent

Today you will visit Independence square which is the main square of the country, erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Further you can take a ride in famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. First line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8^th c. Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Othman was killed by non-muslims in 8^th century. His blood spred over the Quran that you still can see on its pages. Night is in a hotel.

Day 15: Tashkent – Flight

Transfer to airport, flight for next destination.

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you’d like to book this trip, please contact us.

Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

Please check the Resources page for more information on Travel Insurance, Visa Service and other useful links.

SPECIAL AIRFARES: Kutrubes Travel can assist you with your flight reservations to your destination with all major carriers. We offer special rates through our various airline contracts. Please call us or email us with your proposed travel plans and we will be sure to accommodate you and respond quickly.

Kutrubes Travel also offers a variety of other tours throughout this region. Contact us for detailed itineraries and descriptions.