Overnight International Flight to the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat.

Upon arrival to Ashgabat, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, start your sightseeing of Ashgabat, visiting independence-period parks and monuments, including the Neutrality Square, and Independence Park. Then visit the National Museum of Turkmenistan, whose halls are dedicated to various themes and historical periods. Demonstrating a rich collection of artifacts from all over Turkmenistan, including ivory rhytons from Old Nisa, the museum will also offer us reconstruction models of most of the sites that we are going to visit. The rest of the time is free at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Ashgabat. ...read less

After breakfast at your hotel, drive to Mary by following traditional route of the ancient Silk Road between Nissa and Merv. En-route visit ruins of 15c mosque and holy shrine in Annau (15 km from ASB) and the medieval Abiverd fortress (ca100km from ASB). Once you arrive to Mary, check in at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Mary. (driving distance & time: 360 km one way/5-6 hrs. by car/minivan; 6-7 hrs. by bus).

After breakfast at your hotel, drive to Ancient Merv. Consisting of a series of cities succeeding one another as capitals of the famous oasis, Ancient Merv is the only site of its kind in Central Asia.

Being an architectural site as well as archaeological, Merv offers numerous standing monuments, such as the oldest of still standing corrugated mud-brick "keshks" - Great and Little Kiz Kalas, the magnificent Seljuk mausoleums of Sultan Sanjar and Muhammad ibn Zaid, the palace and keshk in the royal Seljuk citadel of Shahriar Ark, Arab tombs of the Prophet's companions, and others.

After sightseeing, drive back to Mary for lunch at a local restaurant before a visit to the Mary Museum. In the evening, take a return flight to Ashgabat.

Upon arrival to Ashgabat, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Lunch & Dinner Included today.
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Today, drive to Geokdepe (ca 50 km/1 hour) to see the beautiful mosque built in the former Tekke stronghold. This is where the battle between Russians and Turkmens took place in 1881. Move on to a local stud farm in Geokdepe where you can see famous Akhalteke horses. From the horse-farm we drive back to Ashgabat and transfer to the hotel (check-in from 13:00 hrs).

Later in the afternoon, drive to Darvaza flaming gas crater for an astounding picnic dinner while basking in the crater's glow. Then drive back to Ashgabat for the evening. (driving distance & time: 50km/1 hr. one way). Dinner Included. ...read less

This morning, drive to the Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan border. After completing border crossing formalities, you will be met and transferred to the Khiva hotel. Dinner in the old city. Overnight in the hotel.

Khiva is part of the fairytale "Thousand and One nights" where visitors can spend days exploring the iconic palaces and majestic homes, mosques, mausoleums, shops, arches, domes and minarets.

Khiva was an important stop on the historic Silk Road, and as you stroll through the streets you quickly get a feeling of what it must have been like living in the city all of those centuries ago. Dating back more than 2,500 years, Khiva was added to the UN ESCO World Heritage list in 1990.

Learn about Amin Khan Madrasah and Kalta Minor, the first buildings of the city. Built in the 1850's, these buildings have served since Soviet times as the main hotel of the region. Witness Djuma mosque (X-XVII c) a cathedral mosque whose roof lies on 212 wooden columns with unique acoustics and original technical ideas of natural lighting. See Kunya ark (XVII c), an inner fortress with administrative buildings, gunpowder works, law courts, and a mosque.

Next is Pakhlavan Makhmud Maosoleum (XIV - XIX c), the most remarkable architectural and memorial complex in Khiva with ornate tile work. From here, visit Islam Khodja minaret and madrassah (1908) - at 45 m high, this is the highest minaret in Khiva with the observation area high above the city. Follow your guide to Tosh Havli, known simply as Harem. This is a very particular place of the city where khans had lived with their four official wives and forty concubines. Enjoy dinner and overnight in the hotel. All Meals are included today.
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We will enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing to Bukhara by coach through the Kyzyl-Kum desert. For centuries it has marked the northern limits of Transoxiana and the edge of the boundless nomadic steppe. You will see Amu Darya one of the two second rivers of Central Asia separating the Kyzyl Kum from the Kara Kum of Turkmenistan. Typical steppe astrakhans sheep are seen a lot.

After approximately 6 hours traveling overland, we will arrive at Bukhara in the afternoon. Bukhara is the pearl of the East and one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia. The fate of many famous architects, scientists and poets of the previous centuries relate to the name of this city. This is a city where the numerous masterpieces of Islamic architecture were built.

There is a famous proverb of Bukhara which says: "The light descends from the sky in all the world but in Bukhara it comes out from the ground." For this reason, the local people say that Bukhara is a homeland of thousands Muslim saints and protectors. During the centuries, noble Bukhara has become one of the most important Islamic centers of Central Asia and the governors of the city called themselves "the faithful Emirs".
All meals are included today.
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a morning city tour. Begin at the Samanid's mausoleum (IX-X c), the first building in Central Asia constructed from backed bricks in the shape of a cube covered by a dome with unrepeatable geometrical brickwork design - a masterpiece of world architecture. Next, stop at Bolo Havuz mosque, a highlight of the morning with its fantastic columns located by a gorgeous reflecting pool. Next, move on to The Fortress Ark, the official residence of Emirs of Bukhara for the past centuries.

Moving on to Poi kalon (XII-XVI c), this architectural ensemble in the center of old Bukhara includes the cathedral mosque "Masjidi Kalon", "Miri Arab" madrasah and the highest minaret (46m) of its time. Next, visit Ulugbek Madrassah (1417). It was the earliest of three commissioned by the enlightened Timurid ruler. His secular influence dominates the exterior design of the religious college.

In the afternoon, continue the city tour to Tim Abdullakhan. Built in 1577, it was one of the most elegant trade halls in Bukhara where silk and wool was sold by Afghan trades. The Trading Domes consists of three trading centers: Tok-i-Zargaron (1570) - Jeweler's Bazaar, Tok-i- Tilpak Furushon - Cap Maker's Bazaar, Tok-i-Sarrafon - Moneychanger's Bazaar. Before dinner we will watch the National Music and Dance Show in a beautiful madrasah. Dinner and overnight.

All meals are included today.
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Samarkand (driving time and distance: 280 km / 4 hours). Along the way, we stop by Gijduvan to pay a visit to the Ceramics Boutique where a local family explains the process of the ceramic production. You will then reach Samarkand - the Eden of the ancient East, the most precious pearl in the Islamic world. During the centuries the city has been invaded by troops of Alexander the Great, Arabian invaders, Chingiz Khan and Tamerlane. Today the romance of Samarkand still works its magic, alluring the traveler with a dreamlike quality.

Today you will be seeing the Registan Square (XV-XVIIc) the official center of the Timur Empire which consists of 3 grandiose madrasahs of Ulugbek, Sher Dor & Tillya Kari. Next will be The Gur Amir mausoleum (XV c.) a Timurids dynastic burial vault and a unique monument of architecture with a blue ribbed tessellated dome. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.Dinner is included today. ...read less

Today, visit the Silk Paper Factory which is an extraordinary spot of the city where the antique method of paper production is used. Shakhi Zinda is a complex of unique mausoleums related to different ages. To finish the program, we visit the Ulugbek's Observatory (XV c) the first observatory in the orient to make exact astronomical catalogue.

Next, visit the museum of Afrosiab to view the past history of Samarkand with its impressive wall paintings. In the afternoon we visit the Bibi Khanym mosque, the biggest construction of Timur the Great. Finally, visit the famous Oriental Bazar "Siab". Dinner & overnight in the hotel. ...read less

In the morning we drive to the mountains to see one of the famous "Seven Lakes", the beautiful Marguzor Lake. After some light walking in the surrounding area, you will transfer to the border. After crossing formalities, you will meet your local guide on the other side.

After breakfast, we will do short visits to Penjikent (excavation old Penjikent, Bazar), after our transfer to Dushanbe, we will visit the Museum of Antique, market "Mehrgon" and the Main Square Somoni. Check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your regional flight to Almaty.

Upon arrival to Almaty, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the city (20-30 min.) Enjoy an afternoon visit to Kok Tobe hill. You will use the cable car both ways to enjoy the panoramic view of Almaty city. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at your hotel.

Almaty Architectural Museum Tour
Today, you will visit the Independence Monument in the Republic Square and the State Historical Museum before enjoying lunch in a local cafe. Then, visit the Panfilov Park dedicated to the warriors of WWII. A large number of people from Kazakhstan went to the war and never came back. You will see The Holy Ascension Cathedral in the park before an excursion to the National Musical Instrument Museum (closed on Monday) After your excursion you will cross the street and walk down to the Green Bazaar and Central Mosque. Transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Nur Sultan.

Upon arrival to Nur-Sultan, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant.
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Today, we will begin touring Nur Sultan (once known as Astana). you will start the visit to the National Museum, the largest museum in the country, located in the main Independence Square. It includes the monument "Kazakh Eli", the Palace of Independence, the Palace of Peace and harmony, the Mosque of the cathedral "Khazret Sultan" and the National University of Arts of Kazakhstan.

Next, visit Ata Meken Museum and Cathedral. The 80-metre-high tower, Baiterek, a symbol of Kazakhstan and a monument of philosophical, political and historical importance of independence. At the end of the day, visit the new symbol of the capital city, Khan Shatyr, which is the first and only center of life in Nur Sultan. Overnight at your hotel.
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At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Bishkek.

Upon arrival to Bishkek, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Then, you will start your full day Bishkek city tour, which is a unique demonstration of the historical influence of the USSR mixed with the local lifestyle. The tour starts in the morning with a visit to the famous Osh bazaar. This is the brightest example of trading and everyday life. Here you can buy handmade souvenirs, dried fruits, sweets or exotic spices.

Next step is the city center and walking tour around the main Ala Too square to see the legacy of the Soviet Union. There are several points of interest on our way including the main national hero of Kyrgyz people; the State Flag and the Manas Monument ceremony of changing Guards of Honor; the monument of the Revolution of 2010 and the White House, Lenin statue and the old Ala Too Square with number of interesting buildings of the past; Oak park and museum of sculptures under the clear sky; a unique fine art gallery and Kurmanjan Datka monument. The city tour comes to an end at the Victory Square dedicated to the WWII. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.
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This morning, you will depart to the Pearl of Kyrgyzstan - Issyk Kul Lake (driving time and distance: 280 km / 5 hours). On the way, you will make a stop at Burana Tower Historical Complex. The complex is located 72 km from Bishkek and consists of ruins of the temple, mausoleums, minaret, Turkic gravestones, and museum. After your excursion, you will have a transfer to a local family’s house for lunch.

After lunch, you will continue your way to Issyk Kul Lake. Issyk Kul Lake translates from Kyrgyz as "Hot Lake", because it never freezes during the winter. This is due to Issyk Kul being a saltwater lake which does not allow the water to be frozen. This is the second highest lake in the world after Titicaca, located in Bolivia. Moreover, it is second transparent lake in the world after Baykal (Baykal is a freshwater lake) The lake is located at 1609 m above sea level. Check in at a hotel on the shore of Issyk Kul lake. Enjoy time at leisure to walk down to the lake. Dinner at the hotel. ...read less

Today, you depart to the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake towards Karakol town (160 km/ 3 hours). On the way in Cholpon Ata town you will visit an open-air museum of petroglyphs, ancient carvings on stones. Later on, enjoy an excursion in the Cholpon Ata Ethnographical Museum. Karakol is a small but very interesting town with traditional Russian architecture. It was established in the middle of 19th century and became an important garrison settlement in the territory of Issyk Kul region.

Before touring Karakol, you head to Memorial Museum of N.M. Przhevalsky, a great Russian explorer and researcher of the Asian continent. Afterwards, you will visit Dungan mosque, a unique building in a style of the Chinese pagoda which is a functioning mosque still today. Also, you will visit the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church, built of wood without using a single nail. In the miraculous iconostasis of the church there is the famous Tikhvinian icon of Divine Mother, painted in 1897. After all excursion drive to the hotel. Dinner in local cafe. Overnight at the hotel. ...read less

This morning, you will depart to Kochkor (260 km / 5 hours). On the way, visit the Skazka canyon. The canyon was named due to its bizarre rocky landscape, which for many years has been transformed by wind into fabulous sculptures and formations. Some formations in "Skazka" have been named for their similarity to well-known objects. For example, one set of ridges in the canyon is named "The Chinese Wall" due to its similarity to the Great Wall of China. The canyon looks scenic with the dark blue Issyk Kul Lake on the background. Enjoy some easy hiking in the gorge before having lunch with a local family in Bokonbaevo. Continue drive to Kochkor. Dinner and overnight at the guest house. ...read less

Transfer to Bishkek with Scenic View of Ort o Tokoi Water Reservoir.

Today, you will depart to Bishkek (230 km / 4hours). On the way, we will visit a local women cooperation and see the products that they sell. Drive back to Bishkek city via Kuvaky pass with spectacular views of the Ort o Tokoi water reservoir. Lunch en route to Bishkek where we visit the ZUM Department store for the last bit of shopping. This evening, enjoy your final meal in Kyrgyzstan.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.