5stan Group Trip

Arrival to Almaty gate to Central Asia. Transfer from the Almaty International airport to the hotel. Check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin for a full day of sightseeing. Begin with a scenic 25 km drive to Chimbulak Ski Resort. Enjoy a cable car ride offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Tian Shan Mountains' snow-capped peaks. After a welcome lunch, continue your exploration of Almaty's highlights, including Panfilov Park, the historic Zenkov Cathedral, and the Museum of National Musical Instruments. Conclude your tour with free time on the vibrant Arbat Street (Zhybek Zholy Street), Almaty's premier shopping destination. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Almaty to Bishkek through highway (250 km, 4 h.), enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h.). Arrival at “Korday” Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border point. Border formalities on both sides. Drive to Bishkek and check-in at the hotel. Start sightseeing tour in Bishkek: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast. Drive to to the Ala-Archa National Park. You will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs. The gorge is flanked by tall, snow-covered, peaks with steep-sided, forested, mountain slopes. You will start your walk (3,5 km) from the alpine camp (2200 m) to Ak-Sai waterfall – the height is 35 m (2700 m) - by the path which goes through conifer forest and alpine meadows. Return back to the alpine camp. Transfer to Bishkek. Transfer to Bishkek airport (110 km, ~1h 30 min) to take the evening flight to Tashkent (1h 20 min). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour in the old part of Tashkent: Khast Imam Complex, consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Friday Mosque, and Mui Muborak Madrassah, where you will see the original Quran of Khalif Othman (7th century). Further, we will visit the biggest market of Tashkent oriental buzzing bazaar Chor-Su (handicrafts bazaar), and Kukeldash Madrasa (16c). Evening flight to Urgench at 20:40 – 22:10. Transfer to the Khiva. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the sightseeing tour in Khiva: Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17c); Mohammed-Amin-Khan (19c) Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18c), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19c), Amir-Tur Madrassah, Sheikh Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum, Mazary Sharif Madrassah, Kheivak well (10c), Uch Avlioli (“three saints”) Mausoleum, Juma Mosque (18c), Kutluq-Murad Inaq (19c) Madrassah, Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, Tash Hauli (“stone yard”) Palace, Alla-Kuli-Khan (18c), Arab Mohammed Khan (18c) Madrassahs. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Turkmen/Uzbek Border (60km). Pass the border and lunch in a local restaurant in Dashoguz. Drive to Kunya Urgench 110km to North. Sightseeing tour in Kunya Urgench: visit the Portal of Caravansaray, Mamun Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. Drive back to Dashoguz. Evening flight to Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. You will begin a city tour of Ashgabat. In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city” – here you can see the biggest number of structures in the world made out of white marble. You will see the Wedding Palace, the Ferris wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, the Earthquake and Victims of WWII Monuments.
Lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch, you will drive to the Darvaza burning Gas Crater, which is a top international tourist destination. The area is rich in natural gas, and the crater has been burning for over 50 years, making it shine like a pearl in the middle of the Karakum desert. You will also see water and mud craters. The trip provides an opportunity to experience the fresh air of the desert and the nomadic life. You will have barbecue for dinner while enjoying the light of the Gas Crater in the night sky. This unique landscape will fascinate you and make you want to come back again. We will travel across the Karakum Desert in 4x4 vehicles, as the route is unpaved and can be rough in some parts. The drive may be bumpy at times, but it offers a true sense of adventure and leads us to one of Turkmenistan’s most unique and remote places. Barbeque dinner on sight. Transfer back to the Ashgabat. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Our journey continues to the historic town of Gokdepe, passing through the newly built city of Arkadag — Turkmenistan’s first "smart city," nestled at the foot of the majestic Kopetdag Mountains. Then visit Gokdepe Horse Stable to see a national pride of Turkmen people – Akhalteke horses, the nicest horses in the world. 5000 years ago, Turkmens began to breed Akhalteke horses. The World’s unique breed was never mixed with other breeds. Such illustrious Emperors like Alexander the Great and Darius I desired to own Ahalteke horses. Then visit Gokdepe fortress that was attacked in December 1880 by the Russian Empire Army and visit Geokdepe Mosque (Saparmyrat Hajy), which was built in 1995 to commemorate the defeat. You’ll then be welcomed by a local family called “Turkmen Hospitality,” offering a warm and authentic glimpse into Turkmen culture and traditions. You’ll try on traditional Turkmen clothing, watch and participate in carpet weaving and felt mat making using special wool, and learn to cook national dishes like dograma and ishlekli. You’ll also bake traditional bread and prepare the sweet treat pishme, a golden fried pastry served with tea. The experience ends with a shared lunch — a delicious meal that you helped prepare — enjoyed in true Turkmen style: with warmth, stories, and hospitality. After visiting the Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque and Mausoleum, which was the largest mosque in Central Asia when it was built. Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to visit the National Museum of History & Ethnography. The museum has a rich collection of ancient artefacts from Turkmenistan. More than 500,000 exhibits are displayed here. It has nine halls, each dedicated to a certain period or theme. The museum reveals the variety of Turkmenistan’s landscape, its flora and fauna, fossils, and rare geological finds. Then drive to visit Nissa fortress - the Sanctuary of Parthian Kings. UNESCO declared the fortress a World Heritage Site in 2007. Nissa is described as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It was founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC – 211BC) and is reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian Kings. However, it has neither been established that the fortress at Nissa was a royal residence nor a mausoleum.
Drive to visit the Carpet Museum, one of the best in Central Asia, featuring designs from the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik, and Chodor tribes. The Turkmen Carpet Museum is one of the cultural centres of Turkmenistan, where about 2000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones, are exhibited. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet to wear keys and the world’s largest hand carpet with a total area of 301 m², which was woven in 2001, and in 2003, it was added to the Guinness Book of Records.
Last stop will be Gulistan Bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets and a must-visit for any traveller to Ashgabat. The ground floor of the bazaar is dedicated to fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products. Stalls also sell spices, nuts, dried fruits, and other food items. The second floor of the bazaar is home to a variety of shops selling clothing and souvenirs.
Overnight at the hotel in Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel. After drive to Mary (360km, 4hr). After arriving in Mary drive to explore ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, which was one of the most important capitals of Islam, along with Baghdad, Cairo, and Damascus. Sightseeing of ancient Merv includes Greater Kyz Gala & Lesser Kyz Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV), Erk Gala (VI BC), Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Hoja Yusup Hamadani complex, Sultan Sanjar mausoleum, Muhamed Ibn Zeid mausoleum. After sightseeing, drive to Mary and visit Mary's History Museum is a history museum of Mary, located in the center of the city. The exposition of the museum reflects the history and culture of Mary from ancient times to the present day and is unique in the size and content of the exhibits, Russian Orthodox church, which was build on 1900 (one of the oldest in Turkmenistan), and Green Bazaar.
Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. After drive to Turkmenabat (250km, 5h, as the route is unpaved and can be rough in some parts and drive may be bumpy at times). Lunch at the local restaurant. Drive to Farap-Alat border (40km, 40min). Border formalities n both sides. Transfer from Alat border to the Bukhara (80km, 1h). Arrival and check in to the hotel. Short walking tour near Lyabi hovuz. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour in Bukhara: Mausoleum of Ismail Samani (9-10c)-vault of Bukhara rulers’ dynasty, Chashma-i-Ayub Mausoleum (14c, St. Job’s well), Bolo-Hauz complex (18 c) consisting of Mosque (where Bukhara emirs used to pray) minaret and khauz (pond), royal fortress Ark (6-16 c) with its high fortification walls. Poi-Kalyan Ensemble consisting of Minaret Kalon (12c), Djuma Mosque (15c), and functioning Madrassah of Miri-Arab (16c), Emir-Alim-Khan Madrassah (20c), Ulugbek’s madrassah (15c), Abdul-Aziz’s (17c) Madrassahs. Medieval trading domes: Toqi Zargaron (jewellers), Toqi Telpak-furushon (cap sellers) and Toqi Sarrafon (money exchangers), Lyab-i-Hauz place (16-17c) consisting of Kukeldash and Nadir Devonbegi Madrassahs (16c, 17c) including Khanaqa (ancient hospice for pilgrims) and khauz (pond) of Nadir Divanbegi, ancient Mosque Magok-i-Attari (16c).

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Samarkand (280km, 4h). Transfer to Samarkand via Gijduvan. En route to the center of ceramists, visit the famous Uzbek ceramist Abdullo Narzullaev’s workshop. Visit Rabati-Malik Caravan Serai and the Sardoba medieval water reservoir. Arrival in Samarkand and accommodation at the hotel. Short walking tour near the hotel. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Gur-Emir Mausoleum (15c), Registan Ensemble (including Ulugbek (15c), Shir Dor (17c), Tillya –Kari Madrassahs (17c), Bibi Khanum Mosque, and one of the biggest oriental bazaars of Siab. Sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Shah-i-Zinda complex (14-15c), Mirzo Ulugbek’s observatory (15c) Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Customs and passport control on both sides, cross the border, meet Tajik local guide and driver to Penjikent. Sightseeing in Penjikent: Rudaki Museum, local Bazaar and mosque. Visit ancient Penjikent located within 5 minutes drive from modern Penjikent. Penjikent was a major Sogdian city dating back to the 5th century and was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. In the afternoon transfer to Khujand. Drive onward through Istaravshan, admiring its mountain beauty, and arrive in Khujand for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a half-day city tour of Khujand, visit the Khujand Fortress, the Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum, and the vibrant Panjshanbe Bazaar, where the colors and sounds of local life fill the air. Lunch at the local restaurant. After the tour, drive toward the Uzbekistan border, complete the customs formalities, and continue your journey to Tashkent for flight to home. Gala dinner at Tashkent before departure to the home. End of the tour