Central Asia Express

Itinerary

"CENTRAL ASIA EXPRESS"

Day 1. Almaty
Arrive Almaty in the morning. Transfer to hotel. Free time for rest. Sightseeing tour of Almaty including the most interesting sites: history museum, Zenkoff cathedral –the second tallest entire wooden building in the world. Lunch at KazAul - the ethnic restaurant. Continue sightseeing. Medeo – the highest in the world ice skating rink, Panfilov's park and many others. Accommodation in hotel. Dinner in Chinese restaurant. Meals: BLD

Day 2. Almaty - Bishkek
Breakfast. Drive (250 km) to Bishkek - The capital of Kyrgyzstan. Border formalities and continue for lunch in downtown. PM Sightseeing tour of Bishkek visiting  Ala-Too square, History museum, Museum of applied art, Osh market etc. Dinner. O/N in hotel. Meals: BLD

Day 3. Bishkek - Issyk Kul lake
Breakfast. Drive 60 km to Burana tower and ancient settlement dated to 11th century. Sightseeing. From here take a short drive to the nearby village of Don Aryk to see horse games.  Reflecting the important role horses have played in the traditional Kyrgyz nomadic life style, the country is famous for at least four types of horse games such as oodarysh or wrestling, tiyin-enish, where riders try to pick up coins at full gallop and kobber or buzkashi, a type of goat-snatching polo. We then drive to Issyk Kul lake (190 km). This lake, at 1,608 meters or 4,824 feet above sea level, is the second largest mountain lake in the world. On the way stop in Tamchy village to visit Baktygul Asanalieva.  We will have the opportunity to have a detailed demonstration on the making of shydraks, or felt carpets with sewn-in patterns, and ala kiyiz or pressed felt carpets.   Dinner. O/n in hotel.

Day 4. Issyk Kul lake - Kochkor - Song Kul
Breakfast. Drive to Kochkor (120 km) along the shoreline. Lunch in Kochkor. Free time to explore this little village and see its bazaar. Continue 120 km to Song Kul lake. Dinner with a family. Overnight in yurts - traditional kyrgyz tent-like dwellings. Meals: BLD

Day 5. Song Kul lake
Breakfast. Full day at Song Kul lake. Free time for rest. Optional walk to the lake or uphill to see the great panorama of the valley. Lunch. Optional horseback ridding. Dinner. O/N in yurts. Meals: BLD

Day 6. Song Kul lake - Chichkan
Breakfast. Drive to Chichkan valley. We cross Kara Keche - the biggest in Kyrgyzstan coal mine and Suusamyr valley. Lunch on the way. Today we stay in Ozon motel on the bank of mountain river. Dinner in road cafe. Overnight in motel. Meals: BLD

Day 7. Chichkan - Osh
Early breakfast. Full day drive to Osh. Lunch in Djalal Abad. Continue 130 km to Osh. Accommodation in guest house. Dinner with Uzbek family. O/N in guest house. Meals: BLD

Day 8. Osh - Sary Tash
Breakfast. Sightseeing of Osh including oriental bazaar - one of the biggest  bazaars  in  Central  Asia,  Suleiman Too  - the sacred hill of local Muslims also known as Solomon throne and local history museum in cave. Lunch. Drive to Sary-Tash village (190 km). Here the mountains are Pamirs - the roof of the world. Accommodation in homestay. Dinner. Overnight in homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 9. Sary Tash - Karakul
Breakfast. Drive towards Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan border enjoying the views of Lenin peak (7,134 m) which dominates over the area. End of Kyrgyz section at Kyzyl Art pass (4,280 m) which forms the border with Tajikistan. Border formalities and drive down 95 km to the shore of Karakul lake which at 3,915 m is too high to support aquatic life. Karakul is the largest of a range of about 800 ancient lakes in the Pamirs which were created by earthquake, tectonic activity and glaciers. By the lakeside, there are some mysterious stone circles. Lunchboxes.  On arrival free time to explore the environs. Accommodation in homestay. Dinner with a family. Overnight in homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 10. Karakul - Murgab - Bulunkul lake
Breakfast. Drive to Murgab (135 km) over Ak-Baital Pass (4,655 m), the highest section of road in the former USSR. Murgab is a center of the most highest mountain region in CIS bordering China. The terrain here is becoming barren and rocky. This region is inhabited by nomadic Kirgyz herders. Murgab is located in a valley at about 3,000 m above sea level and surrounded by high peaks. Also from this point you can see Muztag Ata peak – the highest mountain in Pamirs of 7546m. Lunch. Continue to Bulunkul lake thru picturesque Alichur valley. At night the clear view of the Milky Way is unparalleled. Accommodation in homestay. Dinner with a family. Overnight in homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 11. Bulunkul lake - Lyangar - Yamchun
Breakfast. Long day. Drive to Lyangar (126 km) over Khargush pass of 4,344 m. As we enter the Wakhan, there are amazing views of the Pamirs to the right and the Hindu Kush to the left. On the other side we cross thru another check point as we now drive along Afghan border. The view is stark and desolate. If time permits we make a steep climb above the village and see the petroglyphs carved into the rock, depicting mountain goats, caravans, horse riders with banners, and the Ismaili symbol of a hand. Lunch. Continue to Vrang where on a cliff-side pitted with caves, stands a Buddhist complex dating from 4th-7th centuries. In Yamchun we stop for Yamchun fort of Fire Worshippers. Further up the hillside are the hot springs at Bibi Fatima. The crystal clear water is full of minerals and very silty, it is possible to take a natural steam bath in a rocky cave. Accommodation in homestay. Dinner. Overnight in homestay. Meals: BLD

Day 12. Yamchun - Ishkashim - Khorog
Breakfast. Drive north to Ishkashim, which stands at the mouth of the Wakhan River valley. This is where the 19th century Great Game ended, when Britain and Russia signed a treaty adding a strip of the Wakhan valley to Afghanistan to create a neutral buffer zone between their two empires. We stop here for lunch and internet. Continue to Khorog (130 km) - the center of Gorny Badahshan. Optional stop to bathe at the hot, mineral filled springs at Garmchashma on the way. Accommodation in guest house. Dinner. O/N in guest house. Meals: BLD

Day 13. Khorog
Breakfast. We are not in hurry today. We spend full day in Khorog exploring the environs and visiting the most highest in the world botanical garden. If that falls to Saturday morning visit Afghan market to buy traditional Afghan hats and scarfs and make photo with Afganis. Visit small History Museum.

Day 14. Khorog - Kalaikhumb
Breakfast. Long day drive (190km) to Kalaikhumb – a small village on Pamir Highway. Follow the fascinating road along the Afghan border. On the Tajik side, the road is asphalted and buildings have metal and glass in their construction. On the Afghan side, about 100m away, everything is mud, wood and donkey tracks. Here the people are Pamiris, not Tajiks, a number of separate tribal groups with their own languages. Overnight in guest house. Meals: BLD

Day 15. Kalaikhumb - Dushanbe
Breakfast. Long day drive west from Kalaikhumb towards Dushanbe – the capital of Tajikistan. Today's drive is a sharp contrast to the first few days of the tour. This region is much more strongly Muslim and this can be seen in the conservative dress and beards. Over a mountain pass to Dushanbe and the scenery and people change again. On arrival accommodation in Dushanbe*** hotel. Meals: BLD

Day 16. Dushanbe
Breakfast. Sightseeing of Dushanbe and short drive to visit nearby Hissor Fort, former capital of Eastern Bukhara province; the site has two fine 18th/19th century madrases. After lunch, head back to Dushanbe for shopping, extra sightseeing or rest. Dushanbe*** hotel. Meals: BLD

Day 17. Dushanbe - Istaravshan - Khodjent
Breakfast. A long day as we drive over 2 passes (220 km). As soon as we leave Dushanbe we start climbing to the top of Anzob pass 3373 m and then decent to Ainy where we have lunch in a small road cafe. Continue drive to Istrafshan over Shahriston Pass 3,378 m. Istarafshan history has shaped the character of the people who live in the city. It's a fascinating place with some of the oldest and most intact Islamic buildings in Tajikistan where the traditional street layout of the old city has been preserved. Continue to Khojand. Dinner in downtown. Overnight in hotel***.

Day 18. Khodjent - Oibek - Tashkent
Breakfast. Drive to Tajik–Uzbek border crossing "Oibek". Border formalities. Meet Uzbekistan agent. Transfer to  Tashkent.  Lunch on the way. Accommodation  at  the  hotel. Free time before dinner. Meals: BLD.

Day 19. Tashkent - Samarkand
Breakfast. Drive to Samarqand. Sightseeing: visiting of Registan square -the "heart" of Samarkand - ensemble of 3 majestic madrassahs (XIV-XVI c.c.)  –  Sherdor,  Ulugbek  and Tillya Qory, Bibi-Khanum the gigantic congregational  mosque (XV c.), Guri-Emir mausoleum of Timur, his sons and  Ulugbek  the grandson (XV c.), Ulugbek's the well-known ruler and astronomer-scientist observatory (1420 y.) - the remains of an immense (30  m.  tall)  astrolabe for observing stars position, Shakhi-Zinda – "The  Living  King" (XI-XVIII c.c.) necropolis of Samarkand rulers and noblemen,  consisting  of  set  of superb decorated mausoleums, exotic
Siab bazaar. Meals: BLD

Day 20. Samarkand - Nurata (220 km)
Breakfast. Drive from Samarkand to Nurata. Lunch and Excursion in Nurata:  Visiting  -  Mosque  of Khasan and Khusein brothers (XVI-XVII c.), a sacred place of Muslims' pilgrimage, madrassah of Sheikh Khasan Nuri,  mosque  Namazgokha (XIV c.), ruins of an antique fortress. PM - transfer  to  yurt camp in the desert. Camel riding. Dinner. Overnight in yurts. Meals: BLD

Day 21. Nurata - Bukhara (240 km)
Breakfast.  Ride back to the village. Possible swimming in Aydarkul lake. Fresh fish for lunch. Transfer to Bukhara (240 km). One the way see the  minaret  at  Bobkent.  Arrive  in Bukhara. Overnight  in  private  B&B "Sasha & Son"2* or similar for 3 nights. Free time before dinner. Meals: BLD

Day 22. Bukhara
Breakfast. Sightseeing in Bukhara FD (6 hours). Visiting of Samanid's Mausoleum (IX-X  cc.)  – a skilful Brickwork of the mausoleum reminds a plaiting of  baskets  and  the building looks lighter and more elegant; Chashma Ayub Mazar (graveyard) (XIV-XIX cc.), Poi-Kalan complex (XII-XVI cc.), Ulugbek  madrassa (it that was built by grandson of Tamerlan – Ulugbek in  1417  –  distinguished  mathematician  and  astronomer). Afternoon visiting:  Lyabi-Hauz complex (XVI-XVII cc.) which includes: Kukeldash madrassah (1568), Nadir Divanbegi madrassah (1622); Bolo Khauz mosque, Ark – ancient fortress (VI-VII cc.). Dinner. Overnight in B&B. Meals: BLD

Day 23. Bukhara
Breakfast. Continue sightseeing in Bukhara. Visiting: Sitorai Mokhi  Khosa  –  "Palace  of Moon and Stars" – summer residence of the last  Bukhara  Emir  (XIX c), Complex Bakhoutdin Nakshbandy (so-called Central Asian Mecca). Meals: BLD

Day 24. Bukhara – Khiva (500 km)
Breakfast.  Drive through the Kyzyl-Kum desert  to Khiva - a long a 6-7 hours drive. En route we will stop on the bank of  the  Amudarya  river,  which  hugs  the  Uzbek -Turkmen border. On arrival to Khiva check in to the hotel "Malika-Khiva" 2* or similar for 2 nights. Free time before dinner. Meals: BLD

Day 25. Khiva
Breakfast. Sightseeing  in Khiva – FD (6 hours). Visiting of Ichan-Kala  –  site  of  ancient settlement, Mohammed-Amin Khan madrassah  and  minaret  (XIX c.), Kunya Ark – Old fortress (XVII c.), Pakhlavan  Mahmud  complex  (XIV-XIX  cc.),  Islam  Khodja madrassah &
Minaret  (1908), Jumma mosque (X–XVIII cc.), Tash Hauli Allakuli –Khan Palace (XVIII-XIX cc.), bazaar. Meals: BLD

Day 26. Khiva –  Dashoguz - Kuneurgench - Dashoguz - Ashgabat
Breakfast. Short drive to Uzbek-Turkmen  border  point  "Shavat".  Border formalities. Meet Turmen guide and  Driver.  Drive  to  Dashoguz.  Lunch  in  Dashoguz . Excursion to Kuneurgench  once  the  capital  of the Khorezm Empire, is a center of  World  Heritage including Gutluk Timur, the tallest minaret of Central Asia  and  the  Turabek  Khanum Mausoleum. Its twelfth century dome is probably the most spherical and perfect of the Turan, and is one of very few tiled domes of that age worldwide. Kunya Urgench strikes with its  characteristic conical domes later to be copied in Bukhara. Drive  to  Dashoguz.  Dinner at local restaurant. Transfer to Airport for late flight to Ashgabat. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel. Meals: BLD

Day 27. Ashgabat
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Ashgabat including: Arch of Neutrality, Lenin Square, Ertogrulgazi Mosque, Local Russian Bazaar and etc. Lunch at local restaurant.  Excursion to Museum of History. Excursion to Ancient Nisa the capital of the Parthian Empire (25 km from Ashgabat),  mentioned in the Zend-Avesta - holy book of Zoroastrianism. In the 4th century B.C., Parthia was a part of Alexander the Great's Empire. Then it became an independent state. It was a large city and the family residence  of  kings.  The peak of Parthia's military success and political might was achieved in the second and first centuries B.C. Its territory  stretched  from  Syria  to  India.  The  Parthian army defeated  the  army led by the Roman commander Crassus, famous for his defeat  of  a  slaves' revolt headed by Spartacus. Now you can see the remains of the royal fortress. Dinner. Overnight in Nissa hotel. Meals: BLD

Day 28. Ashgabat
Breakfast.  Drive  to Tolkuchka bazaar. Continue to Kipchak village to visit the Mosque of Saparmurat Haji and the Mausoleum of the first president of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Turkmenbashi. Overnight in Nissa hotel. Meals: BLD

Day 29. Ashgabat – Mary
Breakfast. Drive to Mary (4 hrs). On the road visit Meane-Baba Mausoleum (Abu Said Meikene Mausoleum), a monument to an eleventh  century Sufi teacher, is unique because of its extraordinary tile-work  on  the  outer walls and the beauty of its simple interior. Arrival  in  Mary.  Stop at Hanhowuz on the way and lunch . Arrival in Mary.  Accommodation  at  Yrsgal  Hotel. Dinner in Hotel's restaurant. Meals: BLD

Day 30. Mary - Margoush - Mary
Breakfast.  Drive to Margoush  -  Gonur Depe,  the main site of Zoroastrian Margush,  is located some 70 km north of Mary and is the  center of  a great four thousand year fire-worshipping civilization  famous  for  its  seals  and  unusual  burial  practices.  The capital  city-site  is  the  only  entirely  excavated site of this size in the country  and  visitors  can explore the ancient alleyways and shrines.  Merv  and  extremely well set-up Mary Museum require at least a day to visit and can be reached overland from Ashgabat or Bukhara in one day. Margush  is  a  four-hour  off-road  ride to the north. Picnic lunch Excursion  to  Ancient  Merv  is by far Turkmenistan's most recognized heritage site. It impresses in its vastness of 2,000 ha including five different  city-sites from three millennia and with numerous monuments  and  shrines  remaining from the Muslim period. Merv has recently been included  into  the UN List of World Heritage Monuments. The important   architectural  monuments  include Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum and Gyz Gala Fortress. Drive to Mary. Dinner in local restaurant.  Meals: BLD

Day 31. Mary – Ashgabat
Breakfast.  Visit to Mary regional  museum, with a display of archaeological finds from sites excavated in the Merv oasis, including those  from Bronze Age. There is an informative and attractive display of  the  world-famous  Turkmen carpets, of national dress and domestic equipment.  Magnificent  Turkmen jewelry of silver, sometimes chased with  gold and inlaid with carnelian, is on display, as well as a fine range  of  the  superb  embroidered  silk garments worn by the various Turkmen  tribes.  One  can  see displays of the local flora and fauna, silk  weaving,  the nomads "yurt and the style of life brought to the oasis  by Russians in the latter half of the 19th century. After lunch drive  to  Ashgabat.  Arrival. Accommodation in Nissa Hotel. Meals: BLD

Day 32. Ashgabat - Bakharden underground lake - Ashgabat
Breakfast. Drive to Bakharden underground lake (100 km westwards Ashgabat). En route stop for a visit the stud farm for the famous Ackhal Tekke houses. Return to Ashgabat. Meals: BLD

Day 33. Ashgabat
Breakfast. Onward travel - Transfer to the airport for your return or onward journey. Meals: B