Silk Road: 5 Stans And China
About this tour
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Arrival in Ashgabat. Check in to the hotel at noon. Free time.
Day 2: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Half day city tour with visits of Anau Ruins mosque, Akhalteke horse stables, National Museum of History and Sunday Bazaar. Afternoon drive to Karakum Desert and the Darvaza gas crater, located in the middle of the Karakum desert Empire. Visit Erbent desert community on the way. Arrive at the crater, set up camp. Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Return to Ashgabat after dark (slow driving). Overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Day 3: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan
Take a morning flight to Mary (370 km, 40 min). Upon arrival drive to Merv (40 km, 30 min.), an ancient city that was a major center of international trade and crafts located on the Silk Road. Discover a historical park with the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Large and Small Kyz-Kala, Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Kharam-Keshk Fortress, and others. In the afternoon depart to Turkmenabat (200 km, 4 h 30 min). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
In the morning transfer to Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border point Farab-Alat (45 km, 1 h). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross the 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Meet your driver and continue to Bukhara (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrival in Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Free time in Old City.
Day 5: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h.). Stop on the way at Rabat Malik Caravanserai, which dates back to 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby and start sightseeing. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur. At 16:30 transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent at 17:30 (300 km). Scheduled arrival time is 19:40. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Day 8: Tashkent, Uzbekistan to Khujand, Tajikistan
Early morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Oybek-Fotekhobod (100 km, 1 h 30 min). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Meet Tajik local guide and driver and drive to Khujand (70 km, 1 h). Sightseeing in Khujand: Republican Historical-Ethnographic Museum, Khujand Fortress, Archaeological Museum, Mosque and Madrasah of Shaikh Muslihiddin, Panjshanbe Bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Khujand, Tajikistan to Dushanbe, Tajikistan
In the morning depart Khujand and drive to Dushanbe (270 km, 5 h). The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass (3300 m above sea level). Arrive in Dushanbe and start a city tour: Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Statue of Ismail Somoni, and Rudaki Park. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Dushanbe, Tajikistan to Almaty, Kazakhstan
After breakfast transfer to the airport. Flight to Almaty. Meeting at the airport by the driver and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Central State Museum of Kazakhstan and Republic Square. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill, visit Medeo Gorge. Check in to the hotel. Free time.
Day 12: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby early in the morning (at 06:30AM). Depart Almaty and drive to Charyn canyon (220 km, 3-4 h). Charyn Canyon is located in the east of Kazakhstan, with an unforgettable view of a huge gorge with cliffs of various colours and shades. The canyon is a part of the Charyn National Park territory, where you can see old ash-tree groves, and Castle Valley, one part of a 154 m canyon with cliffs resembling towers. After some time for picnic and rest, walk along the canyon and enjoy its beautiful views. Continue transfer to the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border Kegen (116 km). Meet with Kyrgyz driver and guide at the border and transfer to Karakol via Karkara valley (110 km). Dinner in Uigur family with a Kyrgyz folklore show, national music and songs. Overnight at the hotel in Karakol. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 13: Karakol, Kyrgyzstan to Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan
In the morning you will visit Wooden Orthodox Church and Dungan mosque in Chinese style. Transfer to Jety-Oguz gorge. There you will hear a legend about Jety-Oguz (seven bulls) and Broken Heart rock, have short hiking in the gorge. After short hiking, transfer to Kochkor along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way stop in Bokonbaevo, where you will see an eagle hunting show. Continue driving to Kochkor. One of the best views of Lake Issyk-Kul is guaranteed. Dinner and overnight in Kyrgyz family. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 14: Kochkor, Kyrgyzstan to Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan
After breakfast transfer to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai on the Great Silk Road (Stone Castle from the 14th century). Tash Rabat is a unique stone caravanserai built into the side of a mountain, 3200 m above sea level. Tash Rabat used to be a place for travelers and merchants to stop as they traversed the Great Silk Road. In total there are 31 rooms in the mountain and the walls are 1 m thick. There are also underground prison cells for ancient thieves. Dinner and overnight in yurts nearby the Tash Rabat caravanserai. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 15: Tash-Rabat, Kyrgyzstan to Kashgar, Kazakhstan
Start at 7 a.m. in order to be at the Kyrgyz-Chinese border by 12 o’clock. The road will go along mountain gorges in the most remote areas of Kyrgyzstan. This region is the most famous among shepherds. It has the best grass for cattle and the cleanest air. During the whole way you will enjoy views of Kyrgyzstan’s unbelievable nature. At the border the Chinese guide will meet you and then you will continue your way to discover the country of amazing China! You will drive along a mountain road and by night you will arrive in Kashgar.
Day 16: Kashgar, Kazakhstan
Visit Id Kah Mosque, the largest mosque in China and most famous in Xinjiang. The mosque was built starting in the fifteenth century, and has gradually developed to its present size. Id Kah Mosque, with about 16800 square meters in area, consists of Prayer Hall, the Koran teaching Hall, a Corridor, the Arches and other buildings attaching to it. The Prayer Hall of the mosque can hold 4000 worshippers and is supported by 140 carved wooden pillars. The buildings of Id Kah Mosque look magnificent and solemn, and show the artistic styles of Islamic mosque architecture. After this place we will continue to Aba Khoja. Aba Khoja Tomb is a mazar, or holy burial site. It is the holiest place in Xinjiang and an architectural treasure. Built in 1640, it is reminiscent of the Central Asian artistic style of Samarkand or Isfahan. A handsome blue-and-white tiled gate leads into the compound, which includes a small religious school and the Aba Khoja family tomb. The latter is domed and faced with multi - colored tiles. It is said that it is the most complete Islamic tomb of the Qing Dynasty up-to-now in the whole China. Afterwards, drive to the Old town. Kashgar is an ancient city, and while walking along the streets of its Old Town, you will get a sense of what this legendary Central Asian hub was like in the days when the Silk Road was at its height. 500-year old remnants of the city wall, narrow lanes and colorful multi-ethnic crowds combine to make Kashgar's historic district a highlight of any visit to the city. After these very interesting and unusual excursions you will go back to the hotel for rest.
Day 17: Kashgar, Kazakhstan
On the second day in Kashgar, visit the famous Yakshambe Bazaar - the Sunday market. In the morning we will first visit the famous animal market. Here we will spend the morning watching the locals trade everything from woodwork and iron wear to sheep, donkeys, cattle, horses and camels before progressing onto the covered bazaar, believed to be the biggest in Central Asia. The afternoon & evening will be free for you to spend at your leisure. You may want to hire bicycles and head off into nearby fields to explore.
Day 18: Kashgar, Kazakhstan to Urumqi Jettai Technology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Urumqi. On arrival sightseeing tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19: Urumqi Jettai Technology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Free time until transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
What's included
Twin room accommodation; Meals – as stated as program; Transportation throughout the whole trip; English speaking guide (except for day 19 – transfer to the airport); Sightseeing tour program in all cities according to the program, including entrance fees to sights, museums. Camera/video fees are not included and must be paid separately; Mineral water; Felt carpet workshop in Kochkor; Eagle hunting show in Bokonbaevo; Economy class air ticket Kashgar-Urumqi; Economy class air ticket Dushanbe-Almaty; Business/Economy-class ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent as per option (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train); Economy class air ticket Ashgabat-Mary; Visa support letter for Uzbekistan visa; Visa support for Turkmenistan visa. A tax of 2 USD per night in Turkmenistan, paid to the hotel upon check out;
Hotel charges for additional services; Single supplement; Visa fees to all countries; Visa support for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and China; Registration (if required); Payment for early check in and late check out (check in time is at 13-14.00, check out time is at 12.00); International flight tickets before and after the tour; Horse riding; Turkmenistan visa 85+2 USD per person, when obtained at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change); Turkmenistan migration tax 10+2 USD per person, to be paid at Ashgabat Airport (subject to change); Full board, alcohol and soft drinks; Tips are not included, but would be appreciated; Personal insurance and items not mentioned above.
What to know
Bishkek - 1 night Plaza, Park Hotel, Ambassador or similar Son-Kul - 1 night Yurt (5-6 people in one yurt) Bokonbaevo - 1 night Home stay (B&B), family run accommodation Karakol - 1 night Home stay (B&B) Almaty - 3 nights Novotel or similar Dushanbe - 1 night Atlas B&B or similar Seven Lakes - 1 night Home stay (B&B) Samarkand - 3 nights Platan, Meros, Orient Star, Malika Prime, or similar Bukhara - 2 nights Amulet, Minzifa, As-Salom, Shohrud, or similar Khiva - 2 nights Malika Kheivak, Orient Star, or similar Darvaza - 1 night Tents (optional alternative: yurt shared with other group members) Ashgabat - 2 nights Sport, Ak-Altyn, or similar
Route & locations
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan