Duration

25 Days / 24 Nights

0

Starting

Ashgabat

Ending

Almaty

Tour code

CATS-27-TGCAJ

The Grand Central Asia Journey

(25 Days / 24 Nights)

Duration: 25 Days / 24 Nights
Countries Visited: Turkmenistan · Uzbekistan · Tajikistan · Kyrgyzstan · Kazakhstan
Arrival City: Ashgabat
Departure City: Almaty

Cities / Destinations Visited:
Ashgabat → Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench → Khiva → Bukhara → Samarkand → Penjikent → Seven Lakes → Dushanbe → Khujand → Kokand → Tashkent → Bishkek → Burana Tower → Issyk Kul → Almaty → Charyn Canyon

Tour Style: Cultural · Silk Road · History · Nature · Desert · Mountains · Cross-Border Journey

Tour Intensity: Moderate to High

 

Route / Stay: Arrival in Ashgabat · Overnight in Ashgabat

Meals: Not specified in source

Schedule

  • Arrival at Ashgabat International Airport.
  • Meet on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
  • Check in and rest after the journey.
  • Overnight in Ashgabat.

Route / Stay: Ashgabat · Overnight in Ashgabat

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Meet the guide and begin a full-day sightseeing tour of Ashgabat.
  • Discover the capital's monumental white-marble architecture, broad avenues and landscaped public spaces.
  • Explore its principal squares, mosques and national landmarks while learning about the history and development of modern Turkmenistan.
  • Return to the hotel after sightseeing.
  • Overnight in Ashgabat.

Visits

  • Monumental white-marble architecture
  • Major city squares
  • Principal mosques
  • National landmarks

Route / Stay: Ashgabat → Darvaza by road · Overnight at Desert Camp

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch en route · Dinner at the desert camp

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Ashgabat and travel north into the Karakum Desert.
  • Journey through the vast desert landscape towards Darvaza.
  • Lunch en route.
  • Arrive in the Darvaza area during the afternoon.
  • Enjoy the changing colours of the desert as the sun begins to set.
  • Dinner at the desert camp.
  • Spend the evening beneath the open desert sky.
  • Overnight at the desert camp.

Experiences

  • Karakum Desert journey
  • Darvaza desert landscape
  • Sunset in the desert
  • Overnight desert camp

Route / Stay: Darvaza → Kunya-Urgench by road · Overnight in Kunya-Urgench area

Meals: Breakfast at the camp · Lunch en route · Dinner

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the desert camp.
  • 08:00: Continue north across the Karakum Desert towards Kunya-Urgench.
  • Lunch en route.
  • Arrive in historic Kunya-Urgench and begin sightseeing.
  • Explore the surviving monuments of this once-important medieval trading and cultural centre.
  • Discover its historic mausoleums, minarets and Silk Road architecture.
  • Dinner.
  • Overnight in the Kunya-Urgench area.

Visits

  • Medieval mausoleums
  • Historic minarets
  • Silk Road monuments

Route / Stay: Kunya-Urgench → Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan Border → Khiva · Overnight in Khiva

Meals: Breakfast · Lunch en route

Schedule

  • Breakfast.
  • 08:00: Depart Kunya-Urgench and drive towards the Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan border.
  • Complete immigration and customs formalities.
  • Cross into Uzbekistan and meet the onward transport.
  • Continue through the Khorezm region to Khiva.
  • Arrive and check in to the hotel.
  • Remaining time at leisure.
  • Overnight in Khiva.

Route / Stay: Khiva · Overnight in Khiva

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Meet the guide and begin a full-day walking tour of Ichan Kala.
  • Explore Khiva's atmospheric lanes, historic madrasahs, mosques, palaces and minarets.
  • Visit Kunya Ark, once the fortified residence of Khiva's rulers.
  • Continue to Kalta Minor and Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah.
  • Visit the historic Juma Mosque with its distinctive wooden columns.
  • Continue to Tash Hauli Palace and the Islam Khoja Complex.
  • Remaining time at leisure within the Old City.
  • Overnight in Khiva.

Visits

  • Ichan Kala
  • Kunya Ark
  • Kalta Minor
  • Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah
  • Juma Mosque
  • Tash Hauli Palace
  • Islam Khoja Complex

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Khiva → Bukhara by road · Overnight in Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch en route

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Khiva for Bukhara.
  • Travel through the broad desert landscapes separating the two historic Silk Road cities.
  • Lunch en route.
  • Arrive in Bukhara.
  • Check in to the hotel.
  • Enjoy an introductory walk around the historic centre.
  • Visit Lyabi Hauz and stroll through the traditional trading domes.
  • Overnight in Bukhara.

Visits

  • Lyabi Hauz
  • Historic Trading Domes
  • Old City orientation

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Bukhara · Overnight in Bukhara

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Begin the full-day sightseeing tour of Bukhara.
  • Explore the monumental Poi Kalyan Complex.
  • Visit Mir-i-Arab Madrassah.
  • Continue to the Ark Fortress, historically the fortified residence of Bukhara's rulers.
  • Visit Bolo Hauz Mosque.
  • Continue to the Samanid Mausoleum and Chashma Ayub.
  • Return to the hotel after sightseeing.
  • Overnight in Bukhara.

Visits

  • Poi Kalyan Complex
  • Mir-i-Arab Madrassah
  • Ark Fortress
  • Bolo Hauz Mosque
  • Samanid Mausoleum
  • Chashma Ayub

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Bukhara → Samarkand by train · Overnight in Samarkand

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Continue sightseeing outside Bukhara's historic centre.
  • Visit Sitorai Mokhi Khosa, the former summer residence of Bukhara's emirs.
  • Continue to Chor Bakr.
  • Visit the important Bahauddin Naqshband Complex.
  • Late afternoon transfer to Bukhara Railway Station.
  • Travel to Samarkand by train.
  • Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
  • Overnight in Samarkand.

Visits

  • Sitorai Mokhi Khosa
  • Chor Bakr
  • Bahauddin Naqshband Complex

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Samarkand · Overnight in Samarkand

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Begin a full-day exploration of Samarkand.
  • Visit magnificent Registan Square.
  • Continue to Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum.
  • Visit the monumental Bibi Khanum Mosque.
  • Explore lively Siab Bazaar.
  • Continue to the beautifully decorated Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis.
  • Complete the sightseeing program at Ulugbek Observatory.
  • Overnight in Samarkand.

Visits

  • Registan Square
  • Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
  • Bibi Khanum Mosque
  • Siab Bazaar
  • Shah-i-Zinda
  • Ulugbek Observatory

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Samarkand → Penjikent → Seven Lakes → Penjikent · Overnight in Penjikent

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Samarkand and travel towards the Uzbekistan–Tajikistan border.
  • Complete border formalities and meet the onward transport.
  • Continue to Penjikent.
  • Proceed into the spectacular Fann Mountains.
  • Lunch during the excursion.
  • Explore the Seven Lakes, a chain of mountain lakes surrounded by dramatic valleys and peaks.
  • Return to Penjikent after the excursion.
  • Overnight in Penjikent.

Visits

  • Penjikent
  • Fann Mountains
  • Seven Lakes

Route / Stay: Penjikent → Dushanbe by road · Overnight in Dushanbe

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch en route

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Penjikent for Dushanbe.
  • Travel through the dramatic mountain landscapes of western Tajikistan.
  • Lunch en route.
  • Pass through valleys, mountain corridors and rural settlements before reaching the capital.
  • Arrive in Dushanbe.
  • Transfer to the hotel and check in.
  • Overnight in Dushanbe.

Route / Stay: Dushanbe → Hissor → Dushanbe · Overnight in Dushanbe

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Begin the sightseeing tour of Dushanbe.
  • Explore the capital's principal monuments, public spaces and cultural landmarks.
  • Continue by road to Hissor.
  • Visit historic Hissor Fortress and explore the surrounding area.
  • Return to Dushanbe.
  • Overnight in Dushanbe.

Visits

  • Principal landmarks of Dushanbe
  • Hissor Fortress
  • Historic Hissor area

Route / Stay: Dushanbe → Khujand → Tajikistan–Uzbekistan Border → Kokand · Overnight in Kokand

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch in Khujand

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Dushanbe and travel north through the mountain landscapes of Tajikistan towards Khujand.
  • Arrive in Khujand and begin a short sightseeing tour of the city.
  • Visit the historic Khujand Fortress and the Historical-Ethnographic Museum, introducing the long history of one of Tajikistan's oldest cities.
  • Continue to the Sheikh Muslihiddin Complex, an important religious and architectural ensemble.
  • Explore colourful Panjshanbe Bazaar, one of the city's liveliest traditional markets.
  • Lunch at a local restaurant in Khujand.
  • After lunch, continue towards the Tajikistan–Uzbekistan border.
  • Complete border formalities and meet the onward transport on the Uzbek side.
  • Continue through the Fergana Valley to Kokand.
  • Arrive and check in to the hotel.
  • Overnight in Kokand.

Visits

  • Khujand Fortress
  • Historical-Ethnographic Museum
  • Sheikh Muslihiddin Complex
  • Panjshanbe Bazaar

Route / Stay: Kokand → Tashkent by road · Overnight in Tashkent

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Begin sightseeing in Kokand.
  • Visit the impressive Khudayar Khan Palace.
  • Continue to Jami Mosque.
  • Explore the historic centre of the former Kokand Khanate.
  • Depart for Tashkent.
  • Travel across the scenic Kamchik Pass.
  • Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to the hotel.
  • Overnight in Tashkent.

Visits

  • Khudayar Khan Palace
  • Jami Mosque
  • Historic centre of Kokand
  • Kamchik Pass

Route / Stay: Tashkent · Overnight in Tashkent

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Begin the full-day Tashkent sightseeing program.
  • Visit the historic Khast Imam Complex.
  • Continue to bustling Chorsu Bazaar.
  • Explore the modern centre of the capital.
  • Visit Independence Square and Amir Timur Square.
  • Experience selected stations of the architecturally distinctive Tashkent Metro.
  • Return to the hotel.
  • Overnight in Tashkent.

Visits

  • Khast Imam Complex
  • Chorsu Bazaar
  • Independence Square
  • Amir Timur Square
  • Tashkent Metro

Route / Stay: Tashkent → Bishkek by air · Overnight in Bishkek

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Check out from the hotel.
  • Transfer to Tashkent International Airport according to the confirmed flight schedule.
  • Fly from Tashkent to Bishkek.
  • On arrival at Bishkek International Airport, meet the local transport.
  • Transfer to the hotel and check in.
  • Remaining time at leisure.
  • Overnight in Bishkek.

Route / Stay: Bishkek · Overnight in Bishkek

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Begin a full-day sightseeing tour of Bishkek.
  • Explore the city's principal squares, cultural landmarks and public spaces.
  • Visit Ala-Too Square and Victory Square.
  • Continue to colourful Osh Bazaar for an introduction to everyday local life.
  • Complete the sightseeing program with the city's principal cultural landmarks.
  • Overnight in Bishkek.

Visits

  • Ala-Too Square
  • Victory Square
  • Osh Bazaar
  • Principal cultural landmarks

Marketable tour names


 

Route / Stay: Bishkek → Burana Tower → Issyk Kul by road · Overnight at Issyk Kul

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch en route

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Bishkek towards Issyk Kul.
  • Stop at the historic Burana Tower, an important 11th-century monument connected with the ancient Silk Road.
  • Continue through the scenic Boom Gorge.
  • Lunch en route.
  • Proceed towards Issyk Kul, one of Central Asia's great mountain lakes.
  • Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
  • Overnight at Issyk Kul.

Visits

  • Burana Tower
  • Boom Gorge
  • Issyk Kul

Route / Stay: Issyk Kul Region · Overnight at Issyk Kul

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Begin a full day exploring the Issyk Kul region.
  • Enjoy the scenery of the lake and the surrounding mountain landscapes.
  • Visit the fascinating Cholpon Ata petroglyphs.
  • Continue with cultural experiences introducing traditional Kyrgyz heritage.
  • Return to the hotel.
  • Second overnight at Issyk Kul.

Visits & Experiences

  • Issyk Kul lakeside landscapes
  • Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs
  • Kyrgyz cultural experiences

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Issyk Kul → Bishkek by road · Overnight in Bishkek

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch en route

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Issyk Kul and begin the return journey to Bishkek.
  • Enjoy additional scenic and cultural stops along the route.
  • Lunch en route.
  • Continue to Bishkek.
  • Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
  • Overnight in Bishkek.

Route / Stay: Bishkek → Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan Border → Almaty by road · Overnight in Almaty

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch en route

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Bishkek for Kazakhstan.
  • Travel towards the Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan border.
  • Complete border formalities.
  • Lunch en route.
  • Continue to Almaty.
  • Arrive during the afternoon.
  • Enjoy an introductory orientation of Kazakhstan's cultural capital.
  • Transfer to the hotel.
  • Overnight in Almaty.

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Almaty · Overnight in Almaty

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 09:00: Begin the full-day Almaty sightseeing program.
  • Visit leafy Panfilov Park.
  • See colourful Zenkov Cathedral, one of the city's best-known architectural landmarks.
  • Continue to vibrant Green Bazaar.
  • Visit the Independence Monument.
  • Explore the city's principal cultural and architectural landmarks.
  • Return to the hotel.
  • Overnight in Almaty.

Visits

  • Panfilov Park
  • Zenkov Cathedral
  • Green Bazaar
  • Independence Monument
  • Principal landmarks of Almaty

Route / Stay: Almaty → Charyn Canyon → Almaty by road · Overnight in Almaty

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel · Lunch

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • 08:00: Depart Almaty for a full-day excursion to Charyn Canyon.
  • Travel through the landscapes of southeastern Kazakhstan.
  • Arrive at the canyon and explore its dramatic red sandstone formations.
  • Walk through selected parts of the canyon and enjoy panoramic viewpoints.
  • Lunch during the excursion.
  • Later in the afternoon, begin the return journey to Almaty.
  • Arrive in the evening.
  • Overnight in Almaty.

Visits

  • Charyn Canyon
  • Red sandstone formations
  • Canyon viewpoints

Marketable tour names

Route / Stay: Almaty → Departure

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Schedule

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Check out according to hotel policy.
  • Free time depending on the international flight schedule.
  • Transfer to Almaty International Airport 3.5 hours before the international flight departure.
  • Departure.

 

:

Unique Experiences
  • Five Countries in One Journey: Travel through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
  • Darvaza & the Karakum Desert: Experience sunset and an overnight stay in the desert.
  • Ancient Kunya-Urgench: Discover medieval mausoleums, minarets and Silk Road monuments.
  • Uzbekistan's Great Silk Road Cities: Explore Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.
  • Seven Lakes of Tajikistan: Journey into the Fann Mountains to discover one of Tajikistan's most scenic regions.
  • Hissor Fortress: Visit one of Tajikistan's best-known historical landmarks.
  • Cross the Kamchik Pass: Travel from the Fergana Valley towards Tashkent through dramatic mountain scenery.
  • Burana Tower: Discover an 11th-century Silk Road monument in Kyrgyzstan.
  • Issyk Kul Experience: Spend two nights exploring the landscapes and cultural heritage surrounding the great mountain lake.
  • Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs: Discover ancient rock carvings near Issyk Kul.
  • Almaty: Explore Kazakhstan's cultural capital beneath the Tian Shan Mountains.
  • Charyn Canyon: Walk among the dramatic red sandstone formations of one of Kazakhstan's most impressive natural landscapes.

  • Accommodation for 24 nights as per the itinerary, including the Darvaza desert camp.
  • English-speaking guide / local guide services as required by the sightseeing program.
  • Entrance fees as per itinerary.
  • Transportation and transfers as per itinerary.
  • Train ticket: Bukhara – Samarkand.
  • Flight ticket: Tashkent – Bishkek.
  • Border transfers as required by the itinerary.
  • Excursions and cultural experiences specifically mentioned in the program.

Not included

  • International airfares.
  • Visa fees and any required visa support fees.
  • Meals and beverages unless specifically confirmed as included.
  • Tips and gratuities.
  • Video and photography fees where charged separately.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Optional activities and services not specifically mentioned as included.
  • Any services not mentioned under Services Included.

StartingEnding