4 Stans Tour Tashkent - Almaty 16 Days
About this tour
Tashkent - Khiva - Bukhara- Samarkand - Seven lakes - Panjakent - Khujand - Tashkent (traditional dinner&music) - Turkestan - Almaty - Charyn canyon - Kolsai&Kaindy lakes - Karakol (traditional dinner&music) - Jeti oguz - Skazka canyon - Bokonbayego (eagle hunting) - Bishkek - Chon kemin (horse trekking) - Almaty
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Day 1 24 August: Tashkent arrival Arrive in Tashkent the day before the tour begins. Your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Day 2 Tashkent Start your guided sightseeing tour of Uzbekistan's capital, which is the largest city in Central Asia. The Old City will be your first stop. Khast-Imam Complex is where you will find the Quran, a holy book that belonged to Caliph Uthman. The complex includes Barak-Khan Madrasah and Tillya Sheykh Mosque. Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari, and Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum are all part of the complex. This will be one of the most memorable moments you have from Uzbekistan.
Day 3: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Day 3 Tashkent to Khiva The morning flight to Urgench (1,060 km, 1 hour 40 min). Transfer to Khiva (30 km, 35 minutes) after arriving in Urgench. Taking a sightseeing trip to Khiva. Visit Ichan-Qala Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage). In Ichan-Qala Fortress, you can visit Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan Madrasah, Abdullakhan Madrasah, Kunya-Ark, Sayeed Alauddin Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. Evening train to Bukhara from Khiva/Urgench train station (480 km; 6 hours 18:20-00:20). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Day 4 Bukhara Begin the day by visiting Sitorai Mokhi Kosa, the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. This unique location combines Russian and Oriental architecture. Head to Chor-Bakr Necropolis and the Mausoleum Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. A walking observatory tour of Old City with a guide: Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek,... An overland transfer to Samarkand by car. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Day 5: Samarkand Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the morning. You will visit the magnificent Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum (the mausoleum for Amir Timur), Siab Bazaar, and Ulugbek Observatory. Afternoon, continue your sightseeing tour of Samarkand. Visit Shakhi Zinda Necropolis and Afrasiab Museum, as well as the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Panjakent, Tajikistan
Day 6: Samarkand to Tajikistan/Panjakent 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 Seven Lakes (80 km, 1.5-2h). The main spot of the day is HafKul meaning seven lakes in Persian. These lakes in the mountains of Tajikistan are famous for their different colours: 1.Mijgon, 2. Soya, 3. Hushyor, 4. Nophin lakes (2139 m above sea level), Khurdak, 6.Marguzor, 7.Hazorchashma lakes (2400 m above sea level). Picnic at the lake. After lunch drive to Penjikent. Sightseeing in Penjikent: Museum of Rudaki considered as the father of Persian Poetry; ancient Penjikent - ruins of old Sogdian town founded in the 5th century and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temples and city bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Panjakent, Tajikistan to Khujand, Tajikistan
Day 7 Panjakent to Khujand In the morning depart Panjakent and drive to Khujand In the morning sightseeing tour in Khujand. Visit the Museum of Archeology and Fortification, Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque, and the Panjshanbe Bazaar, the biggest bazaar in Tajikistan, Arbob Palace named after S. Urunhodlaev (20th century), “Tajik Sea” Kayraccum HPS (Hydro Power Station) - the symbol of People’s Friendship, built in 1968. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Khujand, Tajikistan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
KarakolDay 8 Khujand to Tashkent After breakfast transfer to Oybek border crossing point (70 km, 1 h ). As you cross the border, our driver will meet you on Uzbekistan side. Transfer to Tashkent (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Check in to the hotel. Free time. Today, you will enjoy a meal with Uzbek songs and national music.Overnight at the hotel. Meals: Dinner with music
Day 9: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Day 9 Tashkent to Kazakhstan border, to Shymkent, Shymkent tour After breakfast at 7:30, depart to Shymkent city, through crossing Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border point. Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet your guide and drive to Shymkent (60 min.). After 12:00 Check in to the hotel. The remainder of the day is spent in Town citadel, 19th-century mosque, 19th-century park, Soviet-architectural buildings, spring river embankment, arbat place for footpaths, animals and water from healing strings. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Shymkent, Kazakhstan to Sairam-Ugam State National Natural Park, Өгем, Kazakhstan
Day 10 Sayram Ugam reserve and park Departure at 8-00. Walking along the gorge. 7 to 14 km. Picnic with lunch boxes.13-30. We are looking at mountain rivers, juniper woods, grottoes and waterfalls. Meals: lunch
Day 11: Turkistan, Kazakhstan to Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Day 11 Turkestan Transfer to Turkestan. Visit Azret-Sultan Historical - Architectural Complex - Khoja Ahmad Yasawi Mausoleum, Turkestan Town Necropolis, Oriental Baths, and Underground Mosque. Drive back to Shymkent, luxury Talgo overnight train ( 4 beds in each cabin) to Almaty
Day 12: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Charyn Canyon Viewpoint, Tamerlik, Kazakhstan
Day 12 Almaty to Charyn Canyon to Kolsai lake Our day begins at 10:00 with a journey into the history and development of the southern capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty. The colors, smells, and bustling atmosphere of the Green Bazaar, an Eastern market popular with local townspeople, will draw us in and make it impossible to refrain from shopping. You will find beautiful fabrics as well as Oriental sweets for sale, but do not forget to haggle! From there, we will continue to one of Almaty’s oldest parks, Panfilov Park, with its tree-lined paths and famous monuments dedicated to Panifilov’s brave guardsmen. Zenkov Cathedral, also located in the park, will be our next destination. The cathedral’s five domes – erected without so much as a nail – tower over the surrounding greenery and house dozens of Khludov’s works. We will also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, dedicated to the memory of the fighters who died for the freedom and independence of the country. Then drive to Charyn canyon. As you arrive at this destination, you will have some free time for a rest. Located in the Eastern Kazakhstan, Charyn Canyon’s cliff walls, which gleam in various colors and shades, are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon in the US. The canyon is a part of the Charyn National Park territory where you can see the old ash-tree grove, the tower-like Castle Valley, and have a walk along the canyon to enjoy the beautiful views. Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse near Kolsai lake.
Day 13: Kolsai Lake, Kazakhstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Day 13 Kolsai lake Kaindy Lake - Karakol In the morning, drive to Kolsay lakes. Arrival and sightseeing. Transfer to Kaindy Lake. Sightseeing Lake Kaindy («birchen» in Kazakh) is lost in a coniferous forest at the height of 2000m above sea level among the Kungei Alatau Mountains. Transfer to the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border at Kegen and meet with your Kyrgyz driver and guide at the border for the drive to Karakol. This tour will allow you to meet people from different cultures and nations in Kyrgyzstan. Today, you will enjoy a meal in the Uigur family or Dungan family and Kyrgyz songs and national music. Overnight at the hotel in Karakol. Meals: Meals: Dinner with music
Day 14: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan
Day 14 Karakol City tour, drive to Bokonbayevo Karakol city tour: Prjevalsky museum and Wooden Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque. This tour will allow you to meet people from different cultures and nations in Kyrgyzstan. After lunch, transfer to to Kochkor by following the Issyk–Kul Lake. Jetty-Oguz, the Seven Bulls Gorge, is visited on the way. Learn why it's called Seven Bulls, and visit Broken Heart rock. Drive to Skazka Canyon ("Fairy Tale") Canyon. It has many interesting geological features and strange rock formations. The Issyk -Kul Lake offers spectacular views. Overnight in the yurt.
Day 15: Bokonbayevo, Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Day 15 Bokonbaevo to Bishkek In the morning, you will enjoy an eagle hunting display. Afternoon, Transfer to Bishkek. Begin your sightseeing tour. Visit the White Mosque of Bishkek (Oak Park), Ala-Too Square, or Statue of Manas. The Victory Monument and Philharmonic Hall are shining examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 16: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Chon-Kemin, Kyrgyzstan
Day 16 Bıshkek to Chong kemin to Almaty, In the morning, departure to Chong kemin. It will be time to trek by horse and explore the Chong Kemin Mountains, a rare nature reserve where the natural scenery has been preserved almost entirely in its pristine nature. Afternoon, transfer to the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border and meet with your Kazakh driver and guide at the border for the drive to Almaty. Arrival to Almaty. Have a free time till flight to home. End of the tour
What's included
Included Transportation by car/crossover Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing and single room (breakfasts included). Economy class ticket for the flight Tashkent - Urgench, and 1 or 2 class train tickets during the tour. English speaking Tour Guide to accompany during the tour (except Uzbekistan) Activity shows which are mentioned in the itinerary: Dinner with music, eagle hunting, horse riding.. Entrance tickets to the sightseeings are not included (except Uzbekistan
Excluded Additional charges for any services, not included in the itinerary, purchased during the tour are not covered. International Flight tickets to the arrival and departure cities of the tour are not covered. Lunches and dinners are not included unless specified in the itinerary. Entrance tickets to the sightseeings in Uzbekistan are not included Consular fees for tourist visas; International flight tickets before and after the tour; Tips/gratuities for drivers and guides (although they would be appreciated); Personal travel insurance.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Tashkent, Uzbekistan