Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Ashgabat
Ashgabat- Start point
- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (airport, 10:00)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant or hotel)
Included Activities
- City tour of Ashgabat including Presidential Palace, Wedding Palace, Yildyz Hotel, indoor Ferris Wheel, Arch of Neutrality, and Monument of Independence
- Visit Ertogrul Gazy Mosque
- Explore modern sports complexes, residential areas, parks, and memorials dedicated to 1948 earthquake and World War II
Landmarks Presidential Palace Wedding Palace Yildyz Hotel Indoor Ferris Wheel Arch of Neutrality Monument of Independence Ertogrul Gazy Mosque - Day 2
Ashgabat to Darvaza
Ashgabat to Darvaza- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch provided en route or near the crater at a local spot or camp), Dinner (Traditional dinner at the yurt camp near the crater)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Karakum Desert
- Explore Darvaza Gas Crater (Door to Hell)
- Walk around crater edge, photography, and geological/historical learning from guide
Landmarks Darvaza Gas Crater - Day 3
Darvaza to Mary
Darvaza to Mary- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the camp/hotel), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner (Dinner at the hotel or a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Mary Regional Museum of History and Local Lore
- Stroll through modern city center, parks, and local markets
- See architectural landmarks and contemporary cultural sites
Landmarks Mary Regional Museum of History and Local Lore - Day 4
Mary - Merv to Bukhara
Mary - Merv to Bukhara- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel in Mary), Lunch (Lunch in the area, sampling local Turkmen cuisine), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit ancient city of Merv (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum
- Explore Great Kyz Kala fortress
- Explore ancient citadel of Erk Kala
- Border crossing at Merv-Farap
Landmarks Merv Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum Great Kyz Kala fortress Erk Kala - Day 5
Bukhara to Samarkand
Bukhara to Samarkand- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Uzbek cuisine), Dinner (Delicious dinner at a local restaurant featuring traditional Samarkand dishes)
Included Activities
- City tour of Bukhara including Lyabi Hauz Complex
- Visit Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa
- Visit Kalon Minaret and Kalon Mosque
- Visit Mir-i-Arab Madrasa
- Tour Ark Fortress
- Stroll through Bolo Hauz Mosque
- Visit Chor Minor
Landmarks Lyabi Hauz Complex Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasa Kalon Minaret Kalon Mosque Mir-i-Arab Madrasa Ark Fortress Bolo Hauz Mosque Chor Minor - Day 6
Samarkand
Samarkand- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel in Samarkand), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Uzbek dishes), Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant featuring authentic Central Asian cuisine)
Included Activities
- Visit Registan Square with three madrasahs
- Explore Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
- Visit Shah-i-Zinda necropolis
- Explore Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Visit Ulugh Beg Observatory
- Free time to explore local bazaars or relax
Landmarks Registan Square Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum Shah-i-Zinda Bibi-Khanym Mosque Ulugh Beg Observatory - Day 7
Samarkand - Jartepa Border - Sarazm - Penjikent to 7 Lakes
Samarkand - Jartepa Border - Sarazm - Penjikent to 7 Lakes- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel in Samarkand), Lunch (Lunch at city teahouse), Dinner (Dinner at guesthouse)
Included Activities
- Cross Jartepa border checkpoint into Tajikistan
- Visit ancient city of Sarazm (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 5,500 years old)
- Penjikent sightseeing tour
- Excursion to 7 Lakes (Haftkul)
- Leisurely walks through alpine lake landscapes
Landmarks Sarazm Penjikent 7 Lakes (Haftkul) Marguzor Lakes - Day 8
7 Lakes to Dushanbe
7 Lakes to Dushanbe- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at guesthouse in Marguzor Lakes), Lunch (Lunch at road teahouse)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Anzob Pass and Tunnel
- City sightseeing tour including Dusti Square, I Samani Monument, A. Rudaki Park, Flagpole, and National Museum
- Visit Independence Park and Stella
- Ascend to 14th floor for bird's eye view of Dushanbe
Optional Activities
- Visit Navruz Palace (depending on time and availability)
Landmarks Dusti Square I Samani Monument A. Rudaki Park National Museum Independence Park and Stella Navruz Palace - Day 9
Dushanbe - Khujand to Tashkent
Dushanbe - Khujand to Tashkent- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel in Dushanbe), Lunch (Lunch stop at the Shahristan teahouse with delicious mountain meal), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Anzob and Shahristan Passes and tunnels
- Visit Panjshanbe Bazaar in Khujand
- Visit Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiiddin
- Cross Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border
Landmarks Panjshanbe Bazaar Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiiddin - Day 10
Tashkent
Tashkent- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel in Tashkent), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Uzbek cuisine), Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Full-day city tour including historic Old Town
- Visit Khast Imam Complex
- Visit Amir Timur Square
- Visit Independence Square
- Explore Chorsu Bazaar
- Visit State Museum of History of Uzbekistan
Landmarks Khast Imam Complex Amir Timur Square Independence Square Chorsu Bazaar State Museum of History of Uzbekistan - Day 11
Tashkent to Fergana
Tashkent to Fergana- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant featuring national cuisine), Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour including Central City Park
- Visit Fergana Regional Museum
- Visit traditional craft workshops (ceramics, textiles)
Landmarks Central City Park Fergana Regional Museum - Day 12
Fergana - Border to Osh to Bishkek
Fergana - Border to Osh to Bishkek- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch with traditional dishes (kese samsy)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to border and border crossing formalities
- City tour of Osh
- Walk Sacred Suleiman Mountain with panoramic views
- Visit Osh Bazaar
- Visit Rabat Abdullo Mosque and historical sites
Landmarks Sacred Suleiman Mountain Osh Bazaar Rabat Abdullo Mosque - Day 13
Bishkek to Moldo Ashu Pass to Son Kul Lake
Bishkek to Moldo Ashu Pass to Son Kul Lake- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch en route or picnic), Dinner (Dinner at the camp)
Included Activities
- Drive to Moldo Ashu Pass with mountain views
- Visit Son Kul Lake
- Experience nomadic culture and alpine scenery
Landmarks Moldo Ashu Pass Son Kul Lake - Day 14
Son Kul Lake - Kalmak Ashu Pass - Kochkor - Kizil Tuu Yurt Show - Bokonbaevo Eagle Hunting Show to Kaji Say
Son Kul Lake - Kalmak Ashu Pass - Kochkor - Kizil Tuu Yurt Show - Bokonbaevo Eagle Hunting Show to Kaji Say- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the yurt camp), Lunch (Lunch with local family at Kizil Tuu Yurt Show), Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning drive over Kalmak Ashu Pass
- Pass through Kochkor
- Experience Kizil Tuu Yurt Show with traditional nomadic lifestyle
- Lunch with local family
- Witness Bokonbaevo Eagle Hunting Show
Landmarks Kalmak Ashu Pass Kochkor Kizil Tuu Yurt Show Bokonbaevo Eagle Hunting Show - Day 15
Skazka Canyon - Barskoon Waterfall to Jeti Oguz Valley
Skazka Canyon - Barskoon Waterfall to Jeti Oguz Valley- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the guesthouse), Lunch (Lunch en route or picnic), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon with rock formations
- Visit Barskoon Waterfall
- Nature walks and photography
Landmarks Skazka Canyon Barskoon Waterfall Jeti Oguz Valley - Day 16
Altyn Arashan Canyon to Karakol
Altyn Arashan Canyon to Karakol- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the yurt camp), Lunch (Lunch in Altyn Arashan yurt camp), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek or transfer by UAZ Track to Altyn Arashan Canyon
- Explore hot springs and mountain scenery
- Lunch in Altyn Arashan yurt camp
Landmarks Altyn Arashan Canyon - Day 17
Karakol - Kegen Border Post - Saty to Kolsai Lakes
Karakol - Kegen Border Post - Saty to Kolsai Lakes- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch in Saty), Dinner
Included Activities
- Cross Kegen border post into Kazakhstan
- Stop in village of Saty
- Visit Kolsai Lakes
Landmarks Kolsai Lakes Saty - Day 18
Kaindy Lake - Charyn Canyon to Almaty
Kaindy Lake - Charyn Canyon to Almaty- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the guesthouse or hotel), Lunch (Lunch at guesthouse in Saty), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kaindy Lake by UAZ track with submerged forest
- Explore Charyn Canyon
Landmarks Kaindy Lake Charyn Canyon - Day 19
Almaty
Almaty- End point
- Almaty, Kazakhstan (Airport, 19:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at the hotel), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- City tour including Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, and Green Bazaar
- Visit Kok-Tobe Hill (if time permits)
Landmarks Panfilov Park Zenkov Cathedral Green Bazaar Kok-Tobe Hill
