Itinerary
- Day 1
Astana
You'll be picked up from the airport and driven to your hotel in Astana. The rest of the day is open for you to settle in and rest after your travel.
- Accommodation
- (Ibis Astana Hotel oder ähnlich), (Jumbaktas Hotel oder ähnlich)
- Day 2
Astana
After breakfast, meet your guide at 10:00 am to explore Astana's modern architecture. You'll check out the Atameken open-air museum with its miniature models of Kazakhstan, then head to the Bayterek Tower. From there, you'll walk through the Khan Shatyr complex with its artificial river and palm trees. Dinner follows in the evening at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Ibis Astana Hotel oder ähnlich), (Jumbaktas Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Atameken open-air museum
- Visit Bayterek Tower
- Visit Khan Shatyr
Landmarks Atameken Bayterek Tower Khan Shatyr - Day 3
Astana - Kolgalzhyn Lakes - Astana
Early morning drive 150 km southwest to Kolgalzhyn Lakes, a UNESCO site with over 14,000 flamingos and 300 bird species. You'll have a picnic lunch and time to explore the area. Back in Astana for dinner, then you'll head to the train station around 9 pm to board the night train to Almaty.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch in the park), Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Kolgalzhyn Lakes nature reserve
Landmarks Kolgalzhyn Lakes - Day 4
Almaty
You'll arrive in Almaty around 11 am and check in early. After freshening up, take a guided city tour starting with Panfilov Park and its Holy Ascension Cathedral. The route continues to the Medeo ice rink, set against mountain peaks, then up to Koktujbe Mountain for views on the way back. Dinner at a restaurant closes out the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Kazzhol Almaty oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Almaty
- Visit Panfilov Park
- Visit Holy Ascension Cathedral
- Visit Medeo ice rink
- Visit Koktujbe Mountain
Landmarks Panfilov Park Holy Ascension Cathedral Medeo Koktujbe Mountain - Day 5
Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Almaty
Head 200 km east to Charyn Canyon near the Chinese border. This massive gorge stretches 154 km with rock formations up to 300 m tall, and it's over 12 million years old. You'll explore the Valley of Castles and other scenic valleys with a packed lunch. Return to Almaty for dinner, then transfer to the train station around 8 pm for the night train to Tashkent.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Charyn Canyon nature park
- Visit Valley of Castles
- Visit Turangovaya Valley
- Visit Valley of the Asian Poplar
Landmarks Charyn Canyon 
- Day 6
Tashkent
You'll arrive in Tashkent around noon and check in at 2 pm. Later, explore the city on a guided tour through the oriental bazaar with its melons, pomegranates, nuts, and dried fruits. Visit Islamic monuments including Barak Khan Medrese and Kaffali Shash Mausoleum, then the Timur Museum. Dinner happens at a restaurant or your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel or in a restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Stay Inn City Hotel oder ähnlich), (Oscar Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Tashkent
- Visit oriental bazaar
- Visit Barak Khan Medrese
- Visit Kaffali Shash Mausoleum
- Visit Timur Museum
Landmarks Barak Khan Medrese Kaffali Shash Mausoleum Timur Museum - Day 7
Tashkent to Samarkand
Take the express train from Tashkent to Samarkand. After meeting your guide at the station, explore the legendary City of a Thousand and One Nights. You'll see the Registan Square with its three madrasahs (Ulugh-Beg, Shir-Dar, and Tella-Kari), tour the 15th-century Ulugh Beg Observatory, and visit the ancient ruins of Afrosiab. Dinner at a restaurant wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Orient Star Samarkand oder ähnlich), (Grand Samarkand Superior Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Train journey Tashkent to Samarkand
- Visit Registan Square
- Visit Ulugh-Beg madrasah
- Visit Shir-Dar madrasah
- Visit Tella-Kari madrasah
- Visit Ulugh Beg Observatory
- Visit ruins of Afrosiab
Landmarks Registan Square Ulugh-Beg Madrasah Shir-Dar Madrasah Tella-Kari Madrasah Ulugh Beg Observatory Afrosiab 
- Day 8
Samarkand
Spend the day in Samarkand starting with the reconstructed Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Timur for his mother-in-law. Browse the colorful bazaar across the street for traditional dress and flatbread from clay ovens. Next, visit the Gur Emir Mausoleum of Timur and the tomb city of Shahi-Sinda with its turquoise decorative tiles and faience mosaics. In the afternoon, head to a local winery for tasting. Dinner at a restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Orient Star Samarkand oder ähnlich), (Grand Samarkand Superior Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Bibi Khanum Mosque
- Visit bazaar opposite Bibi Khanum Mosque
- Visit Gur Emir Mausoleum
- Visit Shahi-Sinda tomb city
- Wine tasting at local winery
Landmarks Bibi Khanum Mosque Gur Emir Mausoleum Shahi-Sinda - Day 9
Samarkand to Bukhara
Travel by express train to Bukhara. After meeting your guide at Kagan station, explore this ancient trading center starting with the Lyabi-Hauz complex and its surrounding madrasahs. You'll see the Magokki Attori Mosque, the 12th-century Kalan Minaret and Mosque, and the Mir-e-Arab Madrasah. Visit the Ark citadel with its local history museum, then Bala-Chaus Mosque, Samanid Mausoleum, and Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. Dinner in a restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Emir B&B oder ähnlich), Hotel (Safiya Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Train journey Samarkand to Bukhara
- Visit Lyabi-Hauz complex
- Visit Nadir Davon Beghi Madrasah
- Visit Chanaka Nodir Divan Beghi Madrasah
- Visit Kukeldash Madrasah
- Visit Magokki Attori Mosque
- Visit Kalan Minaret
- Visit Kalan Mosque
- Visit Mir-e-Arab Madrasah
- Visit Ark citadel
- Visit Bala-Chaus Mosque
- Visit Samanid Mausoleum
- Visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum
Landmarks Lyabi-Hauz Nadir Davon Beghi Madrasah Magokki Attori Mosque Kalan Minaret Kalan Mosque Mir-e-Arab Madrasah Ark Bala-Chaus Mosque Samanid Mausoleum Chashma Ayub Mausoleum 
- Day 10
Bukhara
After breakfast, take a guided trip to the Naqshbandi monastery complex, Chor Bakr necropolis, and Chor Minor mausoleum outside Bukhara. Return to the city for your own exploration, photo opportunities, and shopping. The afternoon is free to relax with green tea at Lyabi-Hauz or wander through the bazaar. Dinner at a restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Emir B&B oder ähnlich), Hotel (Safiya Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Naqshbandi monastery complex
- Visit Chor Bakr necropolis
- Visit Chor Minor mausoleum
Optional Activities
- Green tea break at Lyabi-Hauz
- Bazaar exploration
Landmarks Naqshbandi Monastery Chor Bakr Necropolis Chor Minor Mausoleum - Day 11
Bukhara to Tashkent
The morning is yours for additional sightseeing in Bukhara before checking out at noon. Transfer to the train station and board the Afriosiyob express train to Tashkent. When you arrive, you'll head to a restaurant for dinner, then transfer to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at restaurant)
- Accommodation
- (Stay Inn City Hotel oder ähnlich), (Oscar Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Optional Activities
- Additional sightseeing in Bukhara in the morning
- Day 12
Tashkent
Your final day is free until your airport transfer. You can relax, explore more of Tashkent if you'd like, or take time to prepare for your departure flight home.
