Tour in Central Asia Five Stan’s

Day 1 : Almaty (Kazakhstan) Arrival in Almaty At the international airport of Almaty you will be met by our driver, with the sign Minzifa Travel. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, accommodation, rest Overnight in Almaty Hotel

Day 2 : Almaty Breakfast at hotel 10:00 Sightseeing tour in Almaty. The city of Almaty was the capital of independent Kazakhstan from 1991 to 1997. In 1997, the capital was moved to Nur-Sultan, and since then Almaty has been called the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Almaty remains the main commercial center of the country. The city is located in the mountainous region of southern Kazakhstan. Almaty is the largest and the most developed city, with ethnic and cultural diversity of Kazakhstan. You will visit Historical Museum. In the evening we will go to Kok-Tobe mountains to look at the panorama of the city. The tour ends with a trip from the top of the hill to the city center on the famous cable car. Overnight in Almaty

Day 3 : Almaty - The Huns Ethno village - Charyn Canyon - Saty village (by car) Breakfast at the hotel 09:00 Today we will go to the Charyn Canyon via Huns Ethno village. In the Ethno-village you will be introduced to the traditional lifestyle, customs and culture of the Kazakh people. The tour to Huns ethno village includes the following activities:watching a performance that showcases traditional customs; attending a professional horse-riding tricks show; learning about yurts; watching a show with archers; participating in amateur horseback riding; learning how to make local crafts; cooking basic national dishes and drinking kumis (horse milk); and tasting a delicious authentic meal. Lunch break Further we go to one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan - Charyn canyon . Then transfer to the village of Saty. Overnight at the guest house in Saty.

Day 4 : Saty village - Lake Kaindy - Lake Kolsai - Saty village (by car) Breakfast at the guest house In the morning we will drive 15 km to Kaindy lake. It is located among a magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is famous for its origin. The lake was formed in 1911 as a result of a powerful earthquake, which caused a landslide that blocked the valley with a natural dam. Thus, the water flooded this valley. The water in the lake is very cold, so the needle tops of the flooded trees are well preserved and visible through the transparent surface of the water, and the dry stalks of fir trees come to the surface, like the masts of an underwater squadron. Then you will return to Saty village for lunch. Afterwards you will go 15 km to Kolsai Lake. This is a very beautiful lake with an abundance of mushrooms and located far from civilization. After the walk we are returning to Saty village. Overnight is at the guest house.

Day 5 : Saty village - Almaty (by car) Almaty - Bishkek (by plane) Breakfast at the hotel Check out from guesthouse After breakfast you will go to Almaty airport. The journey takes about 4-5 hours. Transfer to Almaty international airport BORDER CROSSING (by air ✈ ) !!! KAZAKHSTAN - KYRGYZSTAN!!! Evening flight Almaty - Bishkek. 16:35 Departure from Almaty 18:25 Arrival in Bishkek (subject to change) Meeting with our driver at the exit from Bishkek airport Transfer to hotel, Check-in, accommodation, rest Overnight in Bishkek

Day 6 : Bishkek - Burana Tower - Issyk Kul Lake Northern shore - Kakarol (by car) Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast a short city tour of Bishkek. It includes: visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square. After the excursion, we are continuing to drive to Karakol town. On route you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open-air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). Today you will be transferred to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m above sea level). The lake is called “the pearl of Central Asia”. Also we will visit today a place with ancient stone patterns – petroglyphs. After a short excursion further drive to Karakol town. In Karakol we will visit the Dungan mosque. It was built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a hotel in Karakol.

Day 7 : Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul Lake Southern Shore - Kochkor village (by car) Breakfast in hotel In Karakol we will visit the Dungan mosque. It was built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It’s famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. If you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge. Further drive along the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake to Kochkor village. On the way visit Skazka canyon, then drive to Bokonbaevo, Eagle hunting demonstration in Bokonbaevo. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles (a traditional way of nomadic hunting). Evening arrive in Kochkor. Dinner and overnight at local guesthouse. Overnight in Kochkor

Day 8 : Kochkor village - Moldo Ashuu pass - Son Kul Lake (by car) Breakfast in hotel 09:00 In Kochkor village you will spend some time with a family that will show you the way our national felt carpets are produced. Also, you will visit a small handicraft museum there. Drive to Son Kul Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3016 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. After our arrival, you will have lunch and then drive to Moldo Ashuu Pass (3201 m). It is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Kyrgyzstan. From the top of Moldo Ashu Pass, you can see almost the entire road winding up to the pass. It also affords spectacular views of the Naryn Valley and some stunning mountain ranges to the south. Overnight in Yurt camp at Son Kul

Day 9 : Son Kul Lake - 33 Parrots pass - Bishkek (by car) Bishkek - Osh (by plane) Breakfast at Yurt Camp After meeting with locals, we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. The road to the city goes through 33 parrots pass (3 133 m). Transfer to Bishkek airport. Evening flight Bishkek - Osh. 17:30 - 18:10 (subject to change) Upon arrival in Osh, check-in, accommodation in a hotel, rest. Overnight in hotel in Osh

Day 10 : Osh - BP Dustlik - Margilan - Rishtan - Kokand (by car) Breakfast at the hotel. 08:30 Check out from Osh hotel (Kyrgyz time) Transfer to the Kyrgyz-uzbek border Dustlik. BORDER CROSSING (by land) !!! KYRGYZSTAN - UZBEKISTAN ! Border pass (you will go through border passing procedures, be aware, that you will be crossing the border on your own, you and your luggage might be searched - standart borders procedure) 09:00 am (UZBEK TIME) Meeting on the Uzbek side of the border with the Uzbek driver So we go from the Dustlik border via Ferghana to the city of Margilan (Drive is about 2 hours with no guide unless accompanying ) Diner in Kokand Transfer to hotel, check-in, accommodation, rest Overnight at the hotel in Kokand.

Day 11 : Kokand - BP Patar - Khudjand - Dushanbe (by car) Breakfast in hotel 08:00 Check out from Kokand hotel 08:00 Transfer to Patar Border post (1 h 10 min , 57 km) BORDER CROSSING (by land) !!! UZBEKISTAN - TAJIKISTAN ! Border crossing formalities. Make sure you have all the proper documents. You might be searched. After you pass the uzbek - tajik border, meeting with our Tajik guide. Transfer to the Khujand city, and visit: Bazar Panjshanbe; Mosque / Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin. The archive of documents is currently stored in the Institute of Oriental manuscripts of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and material finds - in the Hermitage. Transfer to Dushanbe city. After arrival check in to Dushanbe hotel. accommodation and free time. Overnight in Dushanbe hotel

Day 12 : Dushanbe - Hissar Fortress - Dushanbe (by car) Breakfast at hotel Staying in the same hotel Start day with the history and culture. Will visit Hissar. Which is 35 km and 40 min far from Dushanbe. Have a tour of Hissar fortress. Lunch. Continue city tour – Kokhi Navruz Palace, Botanical Garden, Market Mehrgon. For the first time the word " Hissar "("Hisor"), as the name of a settlement, city or administrative center is mentioned in the 11th century. Then this word denoted the settlement, where the state troops were located, and the craft developed. In ancient times, the city was the center of the most independent part of the Samanid state. Overnight in Dushanbe hotel

Day 13 : Dushanbe - Iskanderkul - Sarytag village (by car) Breakfast at hotel Check out from Dushanbe hotel Today we have a day tour to Iskanderkul lake, known as Alexander the Great lake. We will drive 140 km in 3 – 3,5 hours. On the way I will go through Pass and Tunnel Anzob. Upon arrival we will walk to the lake to take pictures and enjoy the breathtaking views. Later we have a short hike to the grand Fann Niagara waterfall (1.5 km, 20 min), and Snake lake. After that, I will drive to another side of the lake to see the cave and springs. After finishing, we will drive to the Sarytag village and accommodate. Iskanderkul is a mountain lake in Tajikistan on the Northern slopes of the Hissar range in the fann mountains. The name of the lake Iskanderkul comes from "Iskander" - so in the East called Alexander the great, and "Kul" - which in Turkic languages means lake. That is, it is the lake of Alexander the great. Check in to guest house Overnight in village

Day 14 : Sarytag village - Panjakent - Sarazm - Samarkand (by car) Breakfast in Guest House Check out from guest house In the morning we have a short walk around the village and drive to Panjakent city. Today we will visit: Panjakent Local Bazar Ancient town SARAZM - UNESCO World Heritage Site - 5500 years The name "Sarazm" comes from the Tajik word "sarzamin" (beginning of the earth). Transfer to the border Tajikistan - Uzbekistan border BORDER CROSSING (by land) !!! TAJIKISTAN - UZBEKISTAN ! Border formalities. 14:00 - 15:00 On the Uzbek side you will be met by uzbek driver Transfer to Samarkand (40 km, 1 hour) Transfer to hotel, check-in to Samarkand hotel, accommodation, rest Overnight in Samarkand

Day 15 : Samarkand City Tour Breakfast at hotel 10:00 A full day guided sightseeing tour around Samarkand. Gur-Emir Mausoleum (“the grave of Emir”). Registan square, which was the center of Samarkand during centuries. Registan Square is a complex of three monuments: Ulugbek Madrassah (15 th century), Sher-Dor Madrassah (17 century) and Tilla-Kari Madrassah (17 century). 13:00 Break for lunch Bibi Khanym mosque (the 15th century) it was the biggest mosque in CA Siyob Bazaar (shopping time) Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, where you will find a complex consisting of more than twenty buildings, unique in Central Asia. Duration of tour: 5-6 hours Free time in Samarkand Overnight in Samarkand hotel

Day 16 : Samarkand - Bukhara (by train) Breakfast at the hotel. 12:00 Country excursion 30 km from Samarkand: The paper factory of Cunha Meros (a re-created manual production of ancient paper from the mulberry tree, here you will see the entire process of paper production) The Ulugbek Observatory is a unique structure of the 15th century, at the moment there is a fragment of the measuring instrument "Sulce Fakhri" The Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel is a holy place of worship for the three religions of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish Museum Afrosiyeb - Ancient city of Samarkand. Lunch in Chayhana The duration of the excursion program is 3-4 hours. 20:00 Transfer to railway station 21:03 Departure from Samarkand to Bukhara 22:36 Arrival in Bukhara Transfer to hotel Overnight in Bukhara

Day 17 : Bukhara Breakfast in the hotel 10:00 Start of the excursion program in Bukhara. Visit to the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani The mausoleum of Chashma Ayub (the well of Job), is located near the Samanid Mausoleum. Visit the Bolo House mosque of the 18-20th century. Fortress Ark-Citadel of Emir of Bukhara. Lunch in the local teahouse Continuation of the sightseeing tour: The Poi Kalyan complex includes the Kalon Mosque and the Kalyan Minaret, the Mir-Arab Madrassah, Madrasah of Ulugbek and Abdulazizhan, Ancient trading domes, The Magoki-Attori Mosque of the 12th century Lyabi Hauz Complex, consisting of three architectural monuments: Kukeldash Madrasah, Nodir Divan-Begi and Khanaka Madrasah of the 17th century. Duration of the excursion program: 5 - 6 hours Night in the hotel of Bukhara

Day 18 : Bukhara - BP Farap - Mary (by car) Mary - Ashgabat (by plane) Breakfast at the hotel 07:30 Meeting with the driver at the lobby of your hotel Transfer to Uzbekistan - Turkmenistan border post (121 km, 2 h) 09:30 Arrival at border post Farap. BORDER CROSSING !!! UZBEKISTAN - TURKMENISTAN ! Border crossing formalities. Make sure you have all the proper documents. You and your luggage might be searched. Meet with guide and drive to Ancient city of Merv (UNESCO), discover historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Gyaur Gala, Keshk Fortresses, Muhammed ibn Zaid mausoleum and others. Continue drive to Mary for flight to Ashgabat (ETD 1940h. ETA 2020h.). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel, check in, rest. Overnight in Ashgabat

Day 19 : Ashgabat - Darwaza (by car) After breakfast, we visit Independence Park, Neutrality Arch and Turkmenbashi mosque-mausoleum. As well Afternoon drive to Darwaza gas crater via visits to mud and water craters on the way. Arrival in Darwaza before sunset (~1800h). BBQ dinner, discover the burning gas crater by day and nighttime. Overnight in tents near the crater or shared yurts (3 or 4 pax in each yurt). Overnight in Yurt camp near Darwaza crater

Day 20 : Darwaza - BP Shavat - Khiva (by car) After camp style breakfast drive to the Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan border post Shavat (Khiva). BORDER CROSSING !!! TURKMENISTAN - UZBEKISTAN ! Border crossing formalities. Make sure you have all the proper documents. You and your luggage might be searched. Meeting with Uzbek Driver on Uzbek side of uzbek-turkmen border Drive to Khiva , transfer to hotel, accommodation in hotel, rest Free time in Khiva Overnight in Khiva hotel

Day 21 : Khiva Breakfast at hotel 10:00 Guided sightseeing program in Khiva and its surroundings. Khiva city tour in Ichan Kala inner city. 10:00 Guided sightseeing program in Khiva: Khiva’s old city, known as Ichan Kala, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the carpet workshop. Guided sightseeing program in Khiva Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit woodcarving and carpet workshops. Juma Mosque and Minaret, Karavan-Saray, Minaret and Mosque of Khodja-Islam, Tim of Ala-Kuli Khan, Madrassah of Abdulla-Khan, Madrassah of Muhamad Amin-Khan , Madrassah of Muhamad Rakhim-Khan, Walls and gates. Duration of tour: 5 - 6 hours Free time in Khiva Overnight in Khiva

Day 22 : Khiva Urgench✈Tashkent Breakfast at hotel Meet your driver at hotel and Transfer to Urgench airport Departure from Urgench to Tashkent by plane Arrival in Tashkent Transfer to hotel, to leave your luggage Tashkent Sightseeing program around the center of Tashkent. Hasti Imam complex Including: Tashkent Islamic Institute under name of Imam Bukhori Kaffal Shashi Madrasah, Barak Khan Madrasah, Tillys-Sheik Mosque, “Muyi Muborak” Madrasah and Library, where the holy Al-Qur'an, the world's oldest one, stained with the blood of Caliph Usman who was reading it at the time of his assassination in Medina in ad656. “Muyi Muborak” means 'the sacred hair', a reference to a holy relic held here: a hair said to have belonged to the Prophet Muhammad The Biggest Juma Mosque in Tashkent Chor-Su Bazaar (market) (the one of the biggest bazaars in Tashkent). The Museum of Applied Arts Amir Timur Square Overnight in Tashkent hotel

Day 23 : Tashkent✈ Transfer to Tashkent International Airport Departure from Tashkent Flight: End of Tour!