4 Stan Countries tour Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,  Tajikistan and Uzbekistan 17 days

Day 1, Arrival in Almaty . Pick up and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 2, City tour in  Almaty

Sightseeing of Almaty city, including the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wood buildings and the Central State Museum.  Later drive to Medeo; a picturesque valley located 15 km above Almaty. Besides the beautiful natural setting, Medeo has the world’s largest speed skating rink and dyke. The dyke is a fine piece of engineering created to protect the city from mud floods and its reservoir has an impressive capacity of 6,000,000 m of water. Our last stop is at the end of the gorge where there is a ski resort Chimbulak, situated at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. It is one of Central Asia’s top skiing spots. Overnight in Otrar hotel or similar.

Day 3,  Almaty – Charyn Canyon -Bishkek

7:00 AM – Depart from Almaty. Start your day early to make the most of your trip. Depart from Almaty by car, heading towards Charyn Canyon. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours.

If you haven’t had breakfast, consider stopping at a roadside café or bringing snacks for the journey.

10:30 AM – Arrive at Charyn Canyon National Park. Take a moment to enjoy the stunning views and the unique rock formations. Spend about 2-3 hours exploring the canyon. You can hike along the trails, take photos, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. The most popular area is the Valley of Castles, known for its impressive rock formations.

1:00 PM – Lunch break and Have a picnic lunch at one of the designated areas in the canyon or visit a nearby café if available. Enjoy the natural surroundings while you eat.

3:30 PM – Depart from Charyn Canyon, Begin your drive towards Bishkek. The journey will take approximately 3-4 hours. 7:00 PM – Arrive in Bishkek and overnight.

Day 4, Bishkek city tour:

Morning start sightseeing in Bishkek. Today you can enjoy quite a number of typical soviet-style architecture (Philharmonic – concert hall, government building, Monument of the Great War heroes) and also modern monuments pointing out the traditional Kyrgyz culture (Monument of Manas, Monument of Independence). Evening free and overnight.

Day 5, Bishkek – Grigorevka Gorge – Cholpon Ata

In the morning depart Bishkek and drive to Issyk Kul lake (250 km, 3,5 – 4 hours). Issyk Kul is Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake and at about 180 km long by 70 km wide and 668 meters deep at the deepest point, (the average depth is about 300 meters), it is the world’s second largest mountain lake – and the fifth deepest lake in the world. The lake has been held in high regard by the Kyrgyz – it is known as the “pearl of the Tien Shan ”. Arrival to the lake, drive to Grigorevka gorge(60 km, 1,5-2 hours) full of lush green Alpine meadows and fir trees, easy hike in the gorge. Here, from the end of June until the end of September there is a collection of yurts, which offer a wide range of services. Transfer back to Cholpon Ata where you will be able to visit Petroglyphs or Open Air Museum, sometimes referred as a Stone Garden, which covers some 42 hectares and contains a number of prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs, the remains of a boundary stone wall, balbals) and stone inscriptions (dating from the II millennium BC up to the Middle Ages). Transfer to a Yurt. Overnighting in a yurt at Issyk-Kul Lake, particularly in Cholpon-Ata, is a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan. Enjoy the serene environment and the unique experience of staying in a traditional yurt! With Dinner included.

Day 6, Issyk Kul –Bishkek  – (Thursday flight at 18:10 PM)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Bishkek. On the way visit Burana Tower. It is an 11th century minaret, and one of the first buildings of such type in Central Asia. Burana tower was one of the capitals of Karakhanid khanate. In Karakhanids’ time new towns and settlements were developing and Burana tower, mausoleums and other buildings found after archaeological excavations are the witnesses of that build up. Return to Bishkek. Flight to Tashkent at 1840. Arrival in Tashkent.

Day 7, Tashkent city tour.

Tashkent was the capital of all Central Asian countries in early soviet perod and later after 1924, each republic has got their own capitals and Tashkent became the capital of Soviet Uzbekistan only. After independence it became the capital of Uzbekistan and now is the largest city in the region with a population of 3 mln population.

Full day tour in Tashkent, visit Applied Arts museum, Chorsu bazar, Hasti Imam complex with Osman Koran of 8 c, Independence square, Metro of Tashkent, Fine arts museum. Overnight.

Day 8, Tashkent to Khujand and Penjikent

8:00 AM – Depart from Tashkent. Start your day early to maximize your time. Depart from Tashkent by car or bus heading towards Khujand. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours. 10:00 AM – Arrive in Khujand, Tajikistan.

Visit the Khujand Fortress (Citadel of Khujand), Explore the Khujand Fortress, which dates back to the 6th century. Enjoy the views of the city and the Syr Darya River from the fortress.

11:00 AM – Visit the Historical Museum of Sughd to learn about the history and culture of the region. The museum features exhibits on local history, archaeology, and art.

Lunch in Khujand. After, Visit the Panjshanbe Bazar one of the largest markets in Khujand. Experience the vibrant atmosphere, shop for local produce, handicrafts, and souvenirs.

2:30 PM – Depart for Penjikent. Begin your drive to Penjikent, which is approximately 2-3 hours away (about 120 kilometers or 75 miles).Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or guesthouse. Sample traditional Tajik cuisine and relax after a day of exploration.

After dinner, you can either return to your accommodation or take a leisurely stroll around the town to enjoy the evening atmosphere.

Day 9, Penjikent-Seven lakes.

After breakfast in the hotel. Explore the archaeological site of ancient Penjikent, which dates back to the 5th century. Visit the remains of the city, including the Zoroastrian fire temple and the ancient citadel. Visit the Rudaki Museum. Afternoon visit one or two lakes of Seven lakes around and return the hotel for overnight.

Day 10, Penjikent to Samarkand 60 km

Legendary city Samarkand can offer you visit to famous Registan sqauer with its magnificent madrasa and mosques. After breakfast in the hotel proceed to sightseeing in Samarkand. Visit Gur Emir mausoleum, the tomb of Temur and his grandchildren and his teacher. Bibi Hanum mosque, Shahi Zinda complex, the holy place of central asia where you can visit mausoleum of Kusam Ibn Abbas, Temur’s generals and women relatives. Afrosiab museum and the observatory of Ulughbek.

Day 11,  Samarkand full day tour

Today we will take you to Samarkand Silk paper workshop where you will discover how they make silk paper from Mull Berry trees. Afternoon free time in Samarkand you discover more on your own like locals. Walking the city to bazaar, shops and some galleries. You can visit also a church in Samarkand built in 19 century or Synagogue. Overnight.

Day 12,  Samarkand to Bukhara by bullet train 1,5 hrs ride.

After breakfast transfer to train station for Bukhara train at 0950-1120. Upon arrival start sightseeing in Bukhara.

Bukhara was the religious center of Central Asia as well as education center in islamic world. It is the birthplace of Avicena, Imam Al Bukhariy and other famouse islamic workd leaders.

Enjoy full day walking tour in Bukhara with Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz mosque, Ark fortress, Kalyan Minaret and mosque, Mir Arab madrasah which has been functioning since 17^th century as a Madrasah and even in Soviet times. Laby Hauz complex, Chor Minor madrasah.

Day 13,   Bukhara full day city tour

Today we will explore the outskirts of Bukhara where you will visit Summer Palace of Bukhara Emir and Bahuddin Naqshabndiy mausoleum, one of the holy sites in Islamic world. He was the leader of Sufiy , the author of Naqshbandiya. Also visit famous Gijhduvan ceramics master. PM free on your own. Overnight.

Day 14,    Bukhara-Khiva 500 km by train or by flight if available

The train is available on even days, 6 hrs train ride. 1225-1755.

Transfer to Khiva through Kyzylkum desert and upon arrival free time in Ichan Kala. Free at leisure. Overnight

Day 15,   Khiva full day city tour

Full day visit of Khiva: Ark Fortress, Ichan kala, Madrasah Muhammad Aminkhan, Madrasa Muhammad Rahimkhan, Kalta Minor, wood workshop, carpet workshop, Pahlavan Mahmud mausoleum, Shergazikhan madrasa, Juma mosque and Minaret, Tash Hauli palace, caravanserai and bazaar. Overnight

Day 16, Khiva-Urgench-Tashkent flight

Transfer to Urgench for a Tashkent flight at 0935-1050. Free time in Tashkent, overnight

Day 17, Tashkent-Departure

Transfer to airport in Tashkent, pick up in Astana and transfer to hotel. Overnight,

Tour cost:

02 people private trip: $3246 per person with breakfast in double room

Hotel List:

Almaty: East Palace 3*

Cholpan ata: Yurt *

Bishkek: Asia mountains 3*

Samarkand Minor 3* or Arba boutique *

Bukhara Volida or Fatima boutique *

Khiva Feruzkhan boutique or Zukhro

Tashkent Inspira S 3* or similar boutique

Penjikent Penjikent plaza 3*

Inclusions:

Transport: private (Sedan car or SUV) for all pick up/drop/transfers/sightseeing

Hotel accommodation in double room with breakfast

Local guide to accompany in each country separately

Entrance fee as per program

Local flight URG-TAS

Bottled water during the trip

Exclusions: Lunch and Dinner, Single room supplement

Personal charges in hotels, Photo and video fees, Visa fee, International airport, Tipping guides and drivers

Notes regarding visa:

Most Europeans and western countries do not need visa to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.