Magics of Central Asia

 

Day 01                       ARRIVAL TASHKENT

Welcome reception on arrival at Tashkent Airport, meet, assist & transfer to hotel. (check-in time after 13:00, Early check-in is not include). PM. Visit Old City: Chorsu bazaar, Khastimom complex (Barak Khan madrassah, Tillya Sheikh mosque, Kaffal Shashiy Mausoleum and Holy Koran), Kukeldash madrassah and Applied Arts Museum, Independence Square, Amir Temur Square. Visit the famous ceramist Akbar Rahimov’s workshop and enjoy the Uzbek hospitality with traditional sweets and have a chance to communicate a family member as well.

Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast at hotel.

 

Day 02                        TASHKENT-URGENCH (by air) – KHIVA (30 km)

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Urgench, arrive airport and drive to ancient city of Khiva. Check-in at hotel, fresh up and proceed for city tour of historical town of Khiva. Visit Madrassah Muhammad Amin Khan, Kelte Minar, Kunya Ark, Madrassah Muhammad Rahimkhan, Juma Masjid, Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Islam Khoja Minaret and Madrassah, Tash Hovli Palace Madrassah Allakuli Khan.

Overnight at hotel. Breakfast at hotel.

 

Day 03                        KHIVA–UZBEK-TURKMEN TASHAUZ BORDER (70 km) – KUNYA URGENCH (115 km, 2 hrs) – DASHOGUZ (100 km, 2 hrs)

After breakfast drive to Uzbek-Turkmen Tashauz border. After border formalities change guide and transport, meeting at border post and transfer to Kunya Urgench (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the former capital of the medieval Khorezmshah Empire. We will visit the 14 century mausoleum of Turabek Hanum, one of the best living examples of the architecture of its period; minaret of Kutlug Timur, a former highest minaret of Central Asia that used to form a part of the main cathedral mosque of the city; mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, a beautiful 12 century mausoleum with one of the earliest portals of the east and a unique cone of a dome; Kyrk-Mollah mound, the fabled al-Mamun’s Academy of Sciences; and mausoleum of Il-Arslan, a tiny precursor of unique Khorezmian mausoleums with a pyramidal cone of a dome. Having finished sightseeing, we return to Dashoguz for overnight. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 04                        DASHOGUZ-DARWAZA (240 km, 4 hrs)

Today drive to the south of Dashoguz, to visit mysterious Izmukshir, an ancient stronghold and the mausoleum of Abulkasim az-Zamakhshari – a distinguished medieval philosopher, theologian and linguist. Sightseeing over, we drive along the main north-south highway, following the traditional travel route across the Karakum desert. Arriving at the border between the northern and southern regions of Turkmenistan, we turn off the main road for an exciting eight-kilometer off-road adventure. The drive over, we find ourselves a couple of hundred meters away from the flaming crater. We finish the day tasting delicious fire-cooked food. Overnight in Tents. Breakfast in hotel & dinner at camp.

 

Day 05                        DARWAZA-ASHGABAT (300 km, 5 hrs)

In the morning, we pack up our camp and drive to Ashgabat. Arrive the capital city Ashgabat and short city tour, including visit to Earthquake Memorial, Independence Park, and Neutrality Arch. Check in to hotel. Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast at camp.

 

Day 06                        ASHGABAT –MARY (by air)

Morning visit to the National Museum of History and Ethnography – closed on TUE (displaying more than 327,000 exhibits), Old Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the earliest of Parthian Empire capitals. Also visit Turkmenbashy Mosque-mausoleum in Gypjak. Take evening flight to Mary. Overnight at Hotel.  Breakfast at Hotel.

 

 

 

Day 07                        MARY-TURKMEN – UZBEK FARAB BORDER (270 km)

                                 BORDER – BUKHARA (115 km)

In the morning visit to Merv (UNESCO) and History Museum of Mary region. Then drive to Farab border. On arrival at the border, complete formalities and take part in transfer procedure to leave Turkmenistan territory. Arrive at Uzbek part, complete official formalities like immigration & custom. Our guide will meet the clients and drive to Bukhara for overnight. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 08                        BUKHARA

After breakfast full day city tour of Bukhara. Visit Ark fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosqu6e, Ismail Samani mausoleum, Chashmai Ayub, Poi Kalyan complex with Kalyan mosque and Miri Arab madrassah, Ulugbeg and Abdulazizkhan madrassahs, Trade Domes, ancient Silk Market, Magokki Attori mosque and Labi Hauz complex. In the evening participate in plov cooking (national dish made of rice & meat) & suzane creation with local family.

Overnight at hotel. Breakfast at Hotel.

Day 09                        BUKHARA

Today we continue city tour of Bukhara. Visit Chor Minor mosque, Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Chor Bakr and Naqshbandi complex. In the evening enjoy traditional Folk Show at Nodir Devonbegi Madrassah (Optional and if available). Overnight at Hotel.  Breakfast at hotel.

 

Day 10                        BUKHARA – SAMARKAND (by train)

Breakfast and hotel and transfer to railway station to experience the local train Sharq Express depart 08:40 and arrive Samarkand at 11:48). Arrive the famous and fairy tale city of Samarkand, transfer to hotel and then proceed for city tour. Visit Guri Emir Mausoleum & Registan Square. Check-in time at 14:00 but will allocate some room for fresh up. Return to hotel for overnight. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 11                        SAMARKAND

After breakfast visit Bibi Khanym mosque, Siyab bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi Zinda necropolis, Afrosiab Museum & ruins. Overnight at hotel.  Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 12                     SAMARKAND – TASHKENT (by train)

Today proceed for city tour and remain sites St. Daniel’s Mausoleum & Hazrati Hizr mosque. Then visit Koni Ghil Silk Paper Center. Take evening Afrosiyob speedy train (17:00-19:10) to Tashkent. Transfer to hotel for hotel. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 13                   TASHKENT- OYBEK BORDER (115 km) – KHOJAND (95 km)

After early breakfast drive to the Tadjik-Uzbek border “Oybek”. After border formalities drive to Khojand. City tour of Khojand (formerly called as “Leninobod”). Visit Citadel (Fortress), Khojand Ethnographic Museum, Masoleum and Madrassah of Sheikh Muslihiddin, Panchshanba Bazaar (means “Thursday market”).

Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast at hotel.

 

Day 14                  KHOJAND – UZBEK-TAJIK ANDARKHAN BORDER (110 km)

                             KOKAND (35 km) – RISHTAN (60 km) – FERGHANA (40 km)

After breakfast drive to Uzbek-Tajik Andarkhan border via Konibodom. After border formalities change guide and transport and drive to Kokand. In Kokand visit famous Khudoyar Khan’s Palace, Juma Mosque, Norbutabiy Medressah, Dahmai Shahon (Grave of Kings). Then drive to Rishtan: visit ceramist’s family in Rishtan. Then drive to Ferghana.

Arrival Ferghana and transfer to hotel for overnight. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 15            FERGANA – MARGILAN (15 km) – ANDIJAN (60 km) – UZBEK

                       KYRGYZ DUSTLIK BORDER (45 km) -OSH (20 km)

1. Visit Silk Factory in Margilan and drive to Andijan and visit local bazaar, Juma Mosque and Babur’s Mausoleum & Garden. PM. Drive to Uzbek-Kyrgyz border Dustlik. After border formalities change transport, guide and drive to Osh.

Overnight at Guesthouse/Hotel. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 16                        OSH – BISHKEK (by air)

Visit of local Historical Museum, Suleiman Mountain (1106 m), and mosque of Suleiman. Also visit the priest settlement of the late bronze age (end II – beginning I m b.c.), study the religious places of the fire-worshippers (late bronze age end II – Beginning I m. b.c.), Museum of Spiritual Culture, gallery of petrogliphs. Then transfer to airport to take evening flight (16:20-17:20) to Bishkek. Arrive and transfer to hotel for overnight. Breakfast at Guesthouse/Hotel.

 

Day 17                        BISHKEK – CHON KEMIN (135 km, 2.5 hrs)

After breakfast sightseeing tour around Bishkek covering Osh Bazaar, Central Square; Central History Museum that displays the life history of the Kyrgyz people from their nomadic days; Victory Square consists of three curved spires of granite outlining a yurt. Using this symbol of Kyrgyz culture, the artist recalls the losses of the Soviet Union to Nazi Germany; Panfilov park. PM. Drive to Chin Kemin. On the way pay a visit to Burana Historical complex. Upon arrival accommodation & rest at Guest House.

Breakfast at Hotel. Dinner at Guest House.

 

Day 18                        CHON- KEMIN –CHOLPON-ATA (130 km, 2 hrs)

Enjoy beautiful landscapes, fresh air, nature and experience bread baking. -optional is horseback riding in Chon-Kemin valley (with supplement). After lunch depart to Cholpon-Ata. Upon arrival you will have time at the shore of the beautiful lake and boating trip. Afterwards, you will go to excursions covering Regional Museum and also the Open Air Museum (Stone Garden) that contains a number of prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs and remains of a boundary stone wall) and petroglyphs (dating from the II millennium BC up to the VI century AD).  Free evening for enjoying the lakeshore scenery. Overnight at hotel. Breakfast at Guest House.

 

Day 19                        CHOLPON-ATA –KYRGYZ-KAZAKH KORDAI BORDER (260 km, 4.5 hrs)

                                 ALMATY (240 km, 4 hrs) Kyrgyz-Kazakh Kegen.

After breakfast drive to Kyrgyz-Kazakh Kordai border. After border crossing procedure drive to Alma-Ata. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 20                        ALMATY

Today proceed for a full day city tour of Almaty. Visit Museum of Musical Instruments, Historical State museum, Zenkoff Cathedral, square of 28 Panfilov Heroes, the Glory Memorial dedicated to the victims of the Civil War and the Second World War. Afternoon drive to Medeo gorge, observe the TV tower, the tallest in Kazakhstan.

Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast at Hotel.

 

Day 21                 ALMATY DEPARTURE

Transfer to the Airport for the departure flight to home country.

Light breakfast with tea & Coffee at Hotel (if available).