The Stans Small Group Tour: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan

Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel. The first group meeting and tour introduction will be at 6:00 pm in the hotel lobby and this will be followed by dinner.

We start our sightseeing tour of the city. Our first stop will be the Museum of History, it opened in 2003, and it is the biggest history museum in the republic, containing departments of Ancient History (with 2 exchibitions of Buddha), Middle Ages, Islam in Uzbekistan, New History (19-20 century), and Modern Uzbekistan. We will also visit Mustakillik Square (formerly “Red Square”), which is the main square of the Tashkent with a monument to victims of WWII. We will see Navoi Theatre, a building which has its own personality. Planning and construction began in 1940 and Japanese prisoners of war completed construction in 1947. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant and later continue with our tour. We visit Chorsu bazaar, the main oriental market in Tashkent, then make our way to Kukeldash Madrassah (16th century) which has a domed courtyard and now services as an Islamic school and beside it is the tiny 15th century Juma Mosque. Our next stop will be Tashkent Metro stations. Construction began in 1972 and 5 years later the first train rolled out. Some people say that Tashkent metro has some of the most beautiful metro stationsin the world. Our tour will end with a visit to Amir Temur Square, the central park with a statue of Amir Temur on horseback, also known as “Broadway.” Dinner will be at local restaurant followed by a transfer to the airport for our flight to Nukus.

We have an early breakfast for a 7:00 am start on our 500 kilometre drive to the shores of the Aral Sea, with stops at Kungrad city and across Plato Ustyurt. Kungrad was the gate town of ancient Khorezm, it was inhabited by Sako-Massaget tribes and today the city is within an independent republic of Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan. Plato Ustyurt is a stony desert plain with an elevation average of 150 metres above sea level, west of the Amu Darya delta. It is rich in archaeological sites from the Neolithic period, and contains remains from the Scythians, the Mongols, and other ancient nations. Locally there was an ancient town Sharh-i-Wazir, a caravanserai of Beleuli and the Allan fortress, and it served as a stopping place for caravans between Khiva and the Volga. Nowadays it is possible to see grave sites and a number of ancient necropolis scattered about this plain. We have a boxed lunch with a planned sea side arrival early evening. The Aral Sea is the second biggest “lake” in Asia, receiving water from 2 long rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, that originate in the mountains of eastern Central Asia. Today the Aral Sea is much smaller than what it was before the poorly-planned Soviet-initiated irrigation projects began, but this location is still considered by many the most beautiful and mysterious place in the whole of Asia. We enjoy a dinner outside and sleep overnight in tents.

Our return journey begins after breakfast, we drive for about 1.5 hours to Muynak. Muynak is the city that once supplied all Central Asia with fish products and was located on the shore of the Aral Sea. Now it is deserted with the Aral Sea shores 150 kilometres away, and we see the “Cemetery of ships,” reminding us that Muyna was one of the biggest ports in Uzbekistan and that people traveled to and from here by river. We have lunch in Muynak before continuing our drive to Nukus. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.

In the morning we visit enjoy a short visit to the State Museum of Art (named after I.V.Savitsky). We then depart by road to Khiva (180 km – 4 hours travel) via Kalas. We stop en-route to visit Toprak and Ayaz Kala and arrive in Khiva in the evening. Khiva is on the Amu-Darya, the longest of the 2 rivers that run east to west across Central Asia, and so has a long history of agriculture in an otherwise arid environment. It was also a trading post and on a minor branch of the Silk Road trading route. Following Tamerlane’s (Timur) plundering and destructive campaigns of the late 1300s, Khiva became capital of Khorezm khanate. Its inner city is packed with many religious buildings and buildings from past rulers. On arrival we check in at our hotel and have a short break before dinner.

Today we spend the exploring the Khiva, a town established over 2500 years ago, and an important stop on the Silk Road. We visit the main sights of Khiva including Kalta Minor Minaret, the Kunya ark fortress with administrative buildings, gunpowder works, law courts, Juma Mosque, Islam Khodja Minaret, Pakhlavan Makhmud complex, the most remarkable architecture memorial complex in Khiva with unique tiles, Museum of Mennoniten, and Ak-Sheikh Baba Observation platform. We will have lunch at a local home with traditional Khorezmian meal.

Today we drive to the border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and cross it via Dashoguz Border Pass. After border formalities we continue our journey and stop to visit Koneurgench, the capital of Khorezmshahs, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Our sightseeing in Old Urgench includes: visit Portal of Caravansaray, Mamun Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret and Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. We pause for lunch at local restaurant then continue our drive to Dashoguz. In the evening we take a flight from Dashoguz to Ashgabat. Upon arrival in Ashgabat transfer to the restaurant to have dinner and later to our hotel.

We spend our day exploring the city of Ashgabat, including a visit to the memorial complex “Halk Hakydasy”. We also take a drive to visit Nisa fortress - the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Nisa is described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians, founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC), and is reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings, although it has neither been established that the fortress at Nisa was a royal residence or a mausoleum. We then continue visit Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque in Kipchak (the largest mosque in Central Asia), followed by lunch at local restaurant. Later, we transfer to the state hippodrome to view with Turkmen Akhalteke horses and enjoy a horse show. In the evening, we have dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, we will enjoy a drive around the city’s main avenues, including a stop near Palace of Happiness to have a look around its colorful views in night lights.

After breakfast we continue with our visits of the city, including the Museum of Turkmen Carpets (Note: closed on Sundays & during National Holidays. Open on Saturdays until 1:00PM), which houses the largest collection of Turkmen carpets and has a rich collection, from medieval through to the 20th century. Here we will also see one of the biggest handmade carpets in the world with the Guinness Book Certificate. Later we transfer to our hotel with some time to freshen up before lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we visit the Cable Way lifted Mountain Observing Center known as “Asma Ýoly,” located close to Ashgabat on Kopetdag Mountains. We will also see the Monument of Constitution. Opened in May 2011, it is the tallest building in Turkmenistan. We will visit “Alem” Culture & Recreation Center, which has the biggest indoor Ferris Wheel in the Guinness Book, as well as the Arch of Neutrality, a famous rocket and tripod-style built building symbolizing neutral status of Turkmenistan, which was rebuilt and opened late in 2011. We will also see Monuments of Independency located in the Park of Independency along the hundreds of fountains and statues. Late afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to Mary, upon arrival we transfer to the hotel for check-in followed by dinner at local restaurant.

After breakfast we start our full day touring, starting at the World Heritage listed site of Old Mary (Merv), followed by time back in Mary where we will spend the night. Merv was a most significant ancient capital in the Persian Empire, but the population was decimated by Mongol forces in 1221. It has seen many changes in its dominant population over time, and we can thank the Russian, Turkish, and British archaeologists for the excavations we see today. Merv, which has an honour title of Mary Shahu Jahan (King of the World), was for about 300 years the biggest city in Central Asia. For 8 years it was capital of the World Islamic Khalifat. The listed sites of monuments we see include Gyz Gala & Oglan Gala from the 6th and 7th century, the Complex of Askhabs 8th to 14th century, Gyaur Gala 4th century BC, Buddist Stupa & Monastery 4th to 6th century, Beni Makhan Mosque- first Mosque build in Central Asia during the 7th century, Erk Gala 6th century BC, Soltan Gala 11th century, and Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum and Ibn Zeid Mausoleum, both from 12th century. We then drive back to Mary and check in to our hotel, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we visit the Local United Museum of History and Ethnography, and see the Flora & Fauna of Mary and the Regional Orthodox Church built by Russians at the end of 9th century. We will take a walking tour within the central part of Mary City, which has The Regional Mosque of Mary Providence, The Central Theater of Mary, The Convention & Conference Center “Ruhiyet Koshgi,” Central Park, and the Monument of Mollanepes, the National Classic Poet who lived in Mary in the 18th century. We conclude our day's activities with a dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

Today we drive from Mary to the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and cross it via Farab Border Pass. We'll travel 247 km. En route we’ll have a lunch at local restaurant. We'll also stop at the Turkmenabat city on our way to Farab border, located about 60 km / 40min drive. Upon arrival at the border, we'll be assisted by our local guide and complete the border crossing formalities. We then cross into Uzbekistan and continue our drive to Bukhara, arriving at our hotel in time for dinner.

Today we have a full morning sightseeing, with visits including the Poikalon ensemble in the center of old Bukhara, which includes the central mosque Masjidi Kalon, Miri Arab madrassah, and the most impressive Kalyan minaret. We then visit the Trading Domes, Magoki Attori, and the Nodir Devon Begi madrassah. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, and the afternoon is at leisure to rest or explore the city on your own. The group meets again for dinner at local restaurant.

In the morning, we continue our sightseeing, most of which is in the inner city of Bukhara, a declared World Heritage Site. We'll visit Samanid’s mausoleum, a 9th-10th century building – the first in Central Asia to be built from baked bricks. We will also visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum and the Bolo Khauz Mosque, set up in 1712. We will explore the Ark Fortress (6th–19th centuries) which is like a town completed with the emirs house, mosques, mint, government institutes, store rooms, and more. After lunch we depart Bukhara and journey to Samarkand (300km – 5 hours travel). On arrival we will check in to our hotel and then make our way to a local restaurant for dinner.  

Samarkand, home of World Heritage listed monuments and archaeological sites offers plenty to explore. We begin our touring of these with the excavated quadrant of Ulugbek Observatory, then visit Afrasiab Hill, a hill-fort named after legendary king of Turan. In Afrasiab Museum we will see each hall of the museum containing exhibits of certain periods in the history of the location. After lunch at a local restaurant we continue to see 4 other sites, including Bibi Khanum mosque (9th century), where architects, craftsmen, and painters were involved in a 5 year build. We travel on to Shahi Zinda mausoleum, a most interesting set of 20 buildings from the 9th century to the 15th century, followed by a visit to Siab Bazaar, the main bazaar of Samarkand on the crossroad of ancient trading routes. Dinner tonight will be at national house with Plov preparation master class.

After breakfast, we continue our sightseeing of Samarkand visiting Gur Amir mausoleum, a Timurids dynastic burial vault, culminating with the Grand Registan visit, a square which is lined on 3 sides by the Madrassah of Ulugbek, Sher Dor, and Tillya Kari. We'll pause at a local restaurant for lunch. Later we visit “Konigil Meros” Water Mill and Paper Factory, which still produces handmade Samarkand Paper using the ancient recipe from mulberry tree bark. We can watch the process of production and have a hands-on trial. We will also visit a silk carpet factory “Hudjum.” Later we will transfer to the station to board the high-speed train “Afrosiab” to Tashkent. Upon arrival we'll be met and transferred to our hotel. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant.

In the morning we enjoy more sightseeing in Tashkent followed by lunch at a local restaurant. We'll transfer to to the airport in the afternon for our flight to Bishkek – capital of Kyrgyzstan. On arrival we'll meet with our Kyrgyz guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. We'll have some time to freshen up before dinner.

In morning we drive to Issyk-Kul Lake, which is called pearl of Kyrgyzstan. On the way we will visit the Burana tower-museum, which is located in what was the centre of the ancient town of Balasagun. Near the tower is a museum with artefacts inside and out covering an area of 36 hectares. There are stone statue gravestones of nomadic Turkic people of the 6th to 10th centuries, petroglyphs from the 2nd century B.C. to the 10th century A.D., stone agricultural implements, and other monuments to be found outside. Lunch will be with a Kyrgyz family living near Burana Tower. In the afternoon we continue by road toward Issyk-Kul lake via Boom Pass (250 km). Boom canyon is a very beautiful place, full of high mountains, green pines, and a sparkling river. Issyk-Kul lake occupies the central part of the valley created by a circle of the Terskey and Kungey Ala-Too mountain ranges. Issyk-Kul lake is the largest in the Tien-Shan mountains and is unique in that dozens of rivers and streams flow into it, yet none flow out. Accommodation and dinner will be in comfortable Issyk-Kul resort.

On our journey around the northern and eastern sides of the lake to Karakol we stop to see an open-air museum, the Petroglyphs Gallery of Cholpon-Ata, with rock figures created by ancient artists in the 4th century BC. The scenes vary with images of animals, especially of mountain goats with curved spiraling horns. All the figures were engraved in profile and there are grounds for thinking that these images are some kind of an open cult temple, a place where ancient nomadic people worshiped. Lunch will be in a local café in Karakol town with time after lunch allocated for a sightseeing tour in Karakol to see a Chinese built mosque that looks like a Buddhist temple, but was built in 1907 for the Dungan (Muslim people of Chinese origin). We also visit the local Cathedral for Orthodox worshippers, a church showing the past presence of Russians in the community, and finally a memorial complex of grave, museum, and apple garden for Nikolai Przewalski, a mid-1800s Russian explorer/geographer and the first westerner to observe the Przewalski horse. We then return to Cholpon-Ata. Accommodation and dinner will be in comfortable Issyk-Kul resort.

Today we transfer to the beautiful valley of Son-Kul lake and have lunch in Kochkor village, a hub for the surrounding Kochkor valley. The local Kyrgyz are hospitable and affable people working in agriculture and traditional Kyrgyz crafts. Here we will visit a felt carpet making display and handicrafts shop along with an excursion to see local needlewoman. We then continue to Son-Kul (also spelled Song Kol) lake. The scene that greets you in Son-Kul is surprising. The wide, brilliant, steel- coloured expanse of the water appears majestic, quiet, and transparent. We have a traditional nomad dinner and tonight we are accommodated in yurts at the bank of the lake. A yurt is more sophisticated than a tent, but still relatively basic accommodation. The yurt camps do not have shower facilities, but will have access to water and a private area for washing. The toilets are “outhouse” style, at a distance from the yurts – please ensure you bring a torch for night-time visits (head-torches are particularly useful!). Single and twin share travelers will need to share for the following 2 nights as yurts are limited and take 3 to 4 people each. (Note: no single room option available, the group will be accommodated in a sharing bases for 2 nights)

We will be greeted by the beautiful lake with its majestic and peaceful surrounds. We'll enjoy a visit to the shepherds’ yurts before ascending to one of nearby hills to see a stunning panoramic view of the lake, described as being one of the loveliest spots in central Kyrgyzstan. We will also have the opportunity for some horse riding.

After breakfast we transfer to Bishkek via Kalmak-Ashuu Pass. Lunch will be on the way or in Bishkek upon arrival. After lunch we will enjoy some free time and the group meets again for dinner at the hotel.

Bishkek is a relatively young city with quite a checkered history that started as a garrison town and was only given its Kyrgyz name in 1991. It has quite beautiful gardens and tree plantings, including 2 century-old oak trees near the National Museum, one of the places visited in our morning schedule. We also visit the White House, a palace made of white marble housing the Kyrgyz government, the president’s office and the republic parliament. Behind the White House is Panfilov Park with nice walkways and water features. We then visit Freedom Avenue before lunch in a local cafe. After lunch we visit a traditional Asian Bazaar with some free time to enjoy the markets and shop for local crafts if you wish. Later in the afternoon we transfer to the airport for our evening flight to Almaty – capital of Kazakhstan. On arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel, followed by dinner.

Today we have a full day of visits in Almaty, including the 28 Panfilov’s guardsmen park, the Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas, the Museum of National Musical Instruments, and the National Museum and Republic Square. Lunch will be in Almaty before we drive up and out of the city to Medeo skating rink. This is the largest rink in the world and is set in a picturesque gorge some 15 kilometres from Almaty. We will enjoy dinner in a restaurant with a traditional Kazakh menu before returning to our hotel.

After breakfast we transfer over to Altyn-Emel National Park via Kapchagay and Chengeldy village. The park is on the north bank of the Ili River and was created in 1996. The name “Altyn Emel” has a Mongolian origin, meaning “a gold saddle.” The park is a unique desert-mountain complex located on a branch of the ancient Silk Road. In the park we will see Bronze Age petroglyphs representing hunting, wild animals and pets, rituals, and deities with sun faces. After lunch we visit the stone column “Oshaktas” that are situated nearby the Kalkan Mountains. We also visit Singing Barchans, crescent-shaped sand dunes that “sing” with the wind. En route we stop near the sacred place of The Spring of Chokmor Valihanov. In the evening we will head to our guest house. Depending on the size of our group we’ll be split between 2 places near each other. Dinner will be at our guestouse this evening.

After breakfast we transfer to Charyn Canyon and on the way visit the 700-year-old tree Aulie-Agash, a magic tree in settlement of Kieli-Agash. Charyn Canyon, often referred to as the little brother of the Grand Canyon, is being carved by the rapidly flowing Charyn River into a flat and barren steppe. Through the passage of time it has weathered all sorts of wonderful and colourful rock formations. After the canyon we continue our way to Kolsai Lakes (150 km) for dinner and accommodation in cottages.

Following breakfast we have a half day walking excursion along part of the Kolsai Lake system. The Kolsai lakes are located among amazing mountain ridges with naturally blue water and fir trees that are growing in the water. These lakes are named the pearls of the North Tian-Shan and the lowest lake, at 1,818 metres, stretches for 1 kilometre. The middle Kolsai Lake (2,252 m), the largest and the most beautiful, is 5 kilometres from the first lake. The highest lake, Kolsai (inaccessible for our tour), is 4 kilometres further and 600 metres higher up. After lunch we will enjoy some free time and the group meets again for dinner at the accommodation.

Today we have some free time before our transfer back to Almaty. Dinner this evening is at our hotel.

The tour ends today after breakfast. Travellers taking the extension into Tajikistan will have a free day today, until meeting the rest of the group for a welcome dinner in the evening and a flight out to Dushanbe on the following day.