14D13N Wonders of Central Asia

Arrival to Tashkent international airport is at 17:00, meet by your escort guide. Transfer to your hotel, check in and overnight.

After breakfast, proceed visit to Independence Square, which is the main square of the country and was erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between Independence Square and Amir Timur Square. After this ride on the famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. The first line was opened in 1977. Visit the old part of the city, which includes Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah, and the Hast Imam complex, which consists of several madrasahs, mosques, and mausoleums. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran, which is the world’s oldest Quran copy, dating back to the 8th century. The Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Othman was killed by non-Muslims in the 8th century. His blood spread over the Quran that you can still see on its pages. Evening flight is to Bishkek. Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Over-night at hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. But no tour of Bishkek is complete without visiting our Asian Bazaar! We will show it to you today and you will be able to take a lot of dynamic photos of bustling local life. This bazaar is a noisy and colorful tapestry of fabrics, produce, and people selling and buying goods. Over-night at hotel.

After breakfast, we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Return back to Bishkek & visit state Museum of Fine Arts. Collections of Kyrgyz embroidery and felt rugs, a splendid variety of paintings, and rotating exhibitions of local and international touring works all make a visit here worthwhile. Shopping for souvenirs. Over-night at hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to Almaty city. The distance from Bishkek city to Almaty is 230 km. (4 Hours) Upon arrival Today you will have a city tour. You will visit the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks - Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden building in the world - Zenkov Cathedral is located. Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck and visit the shop for local souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cable-way. Over-night at the hotel.

After breakfast ,proceed for a day trip to Charyn Canyons. It is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. The journey takes 3 hours to reach the canyon. Along the way, you will hear the interesting stories about the history and nature of the region and about Kazakh people, their life and traditions. Once you reach Charyn Canyon you will be amazed by the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. Over-night at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Dushanbe. Our guide will meet you in the airport and accompany to Dushanbe. Upon arrival, proceed for city tour. Firstly visit Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. Then walk in National park to make photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag in the world – 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. After excursion in Central Museum, you will have lunch (own expense). Then you will visit to Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. To feel real life you should visit Asian bazaar. It has colorful goods, fruits and vegetables. We will see today the main highlights of Dushanbe and you will find out many interesting facts about Tajik people. Dinner will be in a traditional restaurant where you try Tajik food (won expense). Over-night at the hotel.

After breafast , proceed to high Mountain lake – Iskanderkul (2 255 m. a. s. l.). It is situated in the famous Fann Mountains. This fabulous area is one of the best places of Central Asia. The road to the lakes goes over Anzob pass (3 372 m) with amazing panorama views. After arrival to the lake you will go for a walk along it beaches. We will hike 40 minutes to see a waterfall. Tajikistan takes the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources: it has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Over-night is in a guesthouse.

After breakfast, proceed for drive to Penjakent. The city of Penjakent ("five villages") is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Quite possibly the five villages started the history of this remarkable city which originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD. Penjikent of that time was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. It was even named "Central Asian Pompeii". It was a superbly fortified well-organized city with a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The ruins of this ancient city were found only in the last century. Today the tourists can see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church. Over-night at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to the Tajik-Uzbek border Jartepa. Cross the border and transfer to Samarkand. Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. Over-night is at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will continue exploring Samarkand city. You will visit Ulughbek observatory, built in 15th century by Ulughbek, one of the most famous Samarkand rulers and scientists. Working in observatory, Ulughbek created in 1437 the “Zidji Guragoni” catalog, which had information about 1018 celestial bodies. Tehn proceed to walk along the local Broadway surrounded by souvenir shops, tea-houses, sweets and workshops. Then you can visit national bazaar Siab, oriental bazaar, where it is easy to find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets. Then proceed to a carpet factory, a unique handmade carpet factory where over 400 women sew carpets without using traditional techniques. Afternoon transfer to Bukhara is by train. Over-night at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for a full day of sightseeing tour in the fascinating city of Bukhara. Firstly you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9th -10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Over-night at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour in the surrounding area of Bukhara. Firstly, visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, located few kilometers from Bukhara. It is a memorial complex of famous Sufi Leader and Philosopher, one of the Muslim pilgrimage places for all people of Islamic world. Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the spiritual masters of Amir Timur. Then you will drive to see the countryside residence of Bukhara Emirs named Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. The palace is the sample of combination of various architectural styles. Emir named the palace on behalf of his wife who died young “Star - like and moon- like Palace”. After excursions you will have a train ride to Tashkent. Over-night at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for half day sightseeing tour in Tashkent. Firstly you will visit Courage Monument which is a memorial complex, erected in honor of the elimination of the consequences of the Tashkent earthquake. Then the tour continues to Zangi Ota memorial complex. According to legend, Zangi-Oota was a shepherd and distinguished for his wisdom and good deeds. The city tour will be completed by visiting the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan, consisting of fine examples of glasses and national clothing, hand and machine embroidery, skullcaps and national fabrics, carpets and woodcarving. Lastly proceed for last minute shopping stop at Tashkent Malls and national bazaar. Transfer to airport and flight home.