Echoes Of The Silk Road:a 5 Stans Expedition
About this tour
Uzbekistan is often the centerpiece of the trip, with UNESCO World Heritage sites like Samarkand, Bukhara , and Khiva showcasing magnificent Islamic architecture and intricate tilework. Known for its striking and often surreal architecture, the capital Ashgabat boasts an abundance of white marble buildings, golden statues and famously dubbed the "Door to Hell," Darvaza Gas Crater, a continuously burning natural gas pit in the Karakum Desert. Highlights of Kyrgyzstan include the vast alpine Lake Issyk-Kul, the dramatic rock formations of Fairytale Canyon, and opportunities to experience traditional nomadic life through yurt stays and horse riding in places like Song-Kol Lake. In Kazakhstan Zenkov Cathedral (a wooden cathedral built without nails) and Panfilov Park. Outside the city, the stunning Charyn Canyon offers a dramatic geological spectacle, often compared to the Grand Canyon. Dominated by the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan offers rugged and awe-inspiring scenery. The capital Dushanbe provides cultural insights, while natural wonders like the vivid Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Arrive in Almaty. You will be met by our guide and drive to the hotel. Check-in and free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Breakfast. City tour in Almaty. The magnificent city at the foot of the Tian-Shan Mountains is called the Garden City. Visits to the city include stops at the Republic Square with the Independence Monument, Panfilov Park, and the Zenkov Orthodox Cathedral at the Museum of Musical Instruments. In the afternoon, visit the Historical Museum. At the end walk to the Green Bazar (Zelyony). Dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Today after breakfast at the hotel, we leave Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway. En route which will take approximately 4 hours, we will enjoy beautiful landscapes. Soon we will welcome you to Kyrgyzstan. On the way, we will provide short information about Kyrgyzstan. The Republic is located in northeast Central Asia, crossed by two world great mountain systems, Tien Shan and Pamir. 93% of Kyrgyzstan is covered by mountains, with a strong continental climate the country of located 350 meters above sea level. In the afternoon we will arrive at the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek. Check in to the hotel. For the second part of the day, we will go sightseeing in Bishkek and visit Ala To Square, Central Museum, and Panfilov Park. Dinner. Overnight in Bishkek.
Day 4: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to Tashkent, Uzbekistan
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Ala Archa National Park. It is a popular place for picnics, hikes, rock climbing and alpinism. There are 20 glaciers in the territory of the park. The total area of the park is 200 km2. You can go for a walk on the paved road along the river or hike up to the mountains to get a spectacular view of the gorge. Transfer the to airport. Arrival in Tashkent: Meet and transfer to the hotel. Overnight, stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour in the old part of Tashkent: Khast Imam Complex, consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Friday Mosque and Muia Muborak Madrassah, where you will see the original Quran of Khalif Othman (VIIth century), Further we will visit the biggest market of Tashkent oriental buzzing bazaar Chor-Su (handicrafts bazaar). Sightseeing tour in the modern part of Tashkent: Visit to Tashkent subway (Soviet period Uzbek Architectural style), Mustakillik Square (Independence Square), Amir Timur Square, Theoretical Square, and Monument of Courage dedicated to the Earthquake of Tashkent which happened on 26 April 1966. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Khujand, Tajikistan
Around 9:00 AM transfer to Uzbek-Tajik border Oybek. Customs and passport control on both sides, cross the border, meet the Tacal guide and driver and drive to Khujand (70 km, 1 h.). Sightseeing in Khujand: Republican Historical-Ethnographic Museum, Timur-Malik Fortress, Archeological Museum, Mosque and Madrasah of Shaikh Muslihiddin, Payshanba Bazaar. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 7: Khujand, Tajikistan to Panjakent, Tajikistan
After breakfast transfer to 7 Lakes through Istaravshan. Seven lakes of Marguzor are located in the west of Fan Mountains; each of them has its colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Drive to Penjikent (80 km). Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Panjakent, Tajikistan to Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. You will visit the Museum of Rudaki, an outstanding poet born in. After, explore Ancient Penjikent where the ruins of old Sogdian town reached our days; it was founded in the 5th and abandoned in the 8th century by Arabs. Foundations of houses, a citadel with a couple of Zoroastrian fire temple lele and a cita y bazaar are visible in the excavated ruins. Transfer to the border. Meet at the Jartepo border and transfer to Samarkand. Arrive and accommodate donations at the hotel.
Day 9: Samarkand, Uzbekistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. 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 Siab market. Shah-i-Zinda complex (14-15c), Mirzo Ulugbek’s observatory (15c). Transfer to Samarkand Railway Station. Evening bullet train (22:18-00:01) to Bukhara. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. 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. accommodation at the hotel.
Day 11: Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Khiva, Uzbekistan
Breakfast. Transfer to Khiva through the Kyzyl-Kum desert. Arrival in Khiva. Visit to A new town is located just 4 kilometers from Urgench to Khiva. Looking closely, it resembles Khiva itself in silhouettes, only in a reduced form. This is the new tourist complex "Arda Khiva". Locals have already nicknamed it the satellite city of Khiva. The complex was built on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh.M. Mirziyoyev, in the fall of 2024.city The complex got its unique name "Arda Khiva", which translates as "port city", from its location. Once there was an Amu Darya riverbed near Khiva, and there is even information that this riverbed flowed into the Caspian Sea. Today, several large lakes remain from the Amu Darya. One of them is spread over 150 hectares. According to local historians, Govik Kuli Lake was a haven of ancient artisans, it was from here that clay was taken for the construction of monuments of the Ichan-Kala fortress. To recreate the special charm of the Great Silk Road, water recreation areas and large trading platforms were created on the territory of the tourist town near Govik Kuli Lake. accommodation at the hotel.
Day 12: Khiva, Uzbekistan to Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour in Khiva: Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17c); Mohammed-Amin-Khan (19c) Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19 c), Kheivak well (10c), Mausoleum, Juma Mosque (18c), Kutluq-Murad Inaq (19c) Madrassah, Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum, Tash Hauli (“stone yard”) Palace, Alla-Kuli-Khan (18c), Arab Mohammed Khan (18 c) Madrassahs. Transfer to Uzbek-Turkmen border, Shavat. Customs and passport control on both sides. Meet the Turkmen local guide and driver. Then drive to Kunya Urgench. Sightseeing tour in Kunya Urgench: visit Portal of Caravansaray, Mamun Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Turabek Hanum Mausoleum. You will also visit Nejemeddin Kubra, Sultan Ali and Kryk Molla. Lunch at the local cafe. Then drive to Darwaza burning Gas Crater dubbed by locals as "The Door to Hell". The Darwaza area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was to burn it off. Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the as is still burning today. Dinner and overnight at yurt near the gas crater.
Day 13: Door to Hell, Derweze, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Picnic style breakfast at yurt. Then drive to Ashgabat to Gokdepe horse farm (310 km, 4-5 hours). Lunch in local café in a national style yurt. After delicious lunch explore the Gokdepe fortress and horse farm 45km from Ashgabat. Gokdepe fortress that was attacked in December 1880 by Russians under General Mikhail Skobelev. The siege of Gokdepe lasted twenty-three days, after which the city was taken by storm. Gokdepe Mosque was built to commemorate the defeat and is noted for its mint-turquoise blue colored roof and white marble structure. At the horse farm you can see proud of Turkmen national Akhalteke horses. Over the 30 beautiful horses, you can see at the horse farm. 5000 years ago, Turkmens begin breed Akhalteke horses. Unique breed on the world,that not mixed with other breeds. Different rulers as Alexander Great, Darius I wants to own these horses. Drive back & check in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Mary, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at the hotel. You will have Ashgabat city tour. Excursion to the Wedding Palace, modern “Yildyz” Hotel, Ferries Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and park of Independence. Drive to Mary. En route you visit Seyitjemaleddin Mosque and ruins of Abiverd. Overnight in Mary.
Day 15: Mary, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Merv to explore ancient Merv – “Queen of the world”, 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 drive to Mary city. Then you will visit Mary 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, is unique in size and content of the exhibits. Drive back to Ashgabat. Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 16: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Ashgabat International Airport, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Breakfast at the hotel or farewell lunch box from the hotel. Transfer to the International airport of Ashgabat city. We wish to you a pleasant flight, and hope that your Central Asia trip will be remembered for a lifetime.
What's included
-transportation throughout the tour (4x4, sedan) -letter of invitation -visa support -certified English-speaking guide (every day) -all entrance fees as per program -excursions as per program -1lt still water for per person per day -accommodation -meals (according to the program)
-cost of Turkmen Visa & Border fees -payment for video and photo -medical insurance -tips for guide and driver -personal expenses -services not shown in the program
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan