Five Stans Discovery

Welcome to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. The driver-guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel for rest.
Accommodation: Renion Park

Basshi village is 300km (187mi) away, we will take the car for 3.5 hours to get there. After checking in the hotel and having lunch, start our Central Asia tours at Altyn Emel National Park. With excellent natural environment, rare animals often hunt in the park. We will also visit Aktau Mountains, Katutau Mountains and a willow with a history of 700 years.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Basshi Hotel

Today, we will climb up to the top of Singing Dunes to hear the sound made by sands. Then leave for Zharkent with a stopover at Tiger Mountain. After arrival, we will pay a visit to Zharkent Mosque renowned as the museum of art. Afterwards, continue to drive for 2 hours to Hot Springs where we will live overnight. You may enjoy a bathing in the hot spring pool.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Karadala Hot Springs Hotel

We are going to Charyn Canyon National Park today to see the various spectacular canyons like Charyn Canyon, Temerlik Canyon, Bestamak Canyon, Moon Canyon and Valley of Castles. Finally, drive to Saty Village and check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner
Accommodation: Saty Village guest house

A round-trip hiking tour between the Third Kolsai Lake and the Second Kolsai Lake will be arranged for you today. In midway, we will take a rest and have boxed lunch by the lake. The whole itinerary covers 16km (10mi) and will take about 6 hours. During April and October, riding a horse is also a nice choice. The cost of USD30 per person is not included in the quotation. After, return to the hotel for dinner and enjoy sauna and bonfire party.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch-box, Dinner

Today we will explore Kaindy Lake. The water is so clear that you can even see the submerged silver birches. Then you will be transferred to the border. Kyrgyzstan guide and the driver will wait for you there and escort you to Karakol hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Hotel Karakol

If the tour is in Sunday, the guide will show you around Animal Market. Then visit the famous Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque.

After leaving Karakol, we will drive to Jeti-Oguz Canyon & Canyon Fairy Tale to explore the natural wonders of large-scale red rocks, the "Seven Bulls Rocks" and the "Broken Heart", and the colorful karst landforms. In the evening, we will spend overnight in the unique yurt.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Nomad Lodge Tamga

After breakfast, drive to Bokonbayevo to see the golden eagles and bazaar. Then head to Kyzyl-Tuu to see how the Mongolian yurt is built. The third stop is the famous archaeological site Burana Tower. After, reach Bishkek and check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Orion Hotel Bishkek

Today we will experience a hiking tour in Ala Archa National Park. After enjoying the picnic, return to Bishkek. The guide and the driver will escort you to the 1.5 hours' flight to Tashkent. The local driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent

After breakfast, you will be led to Uzbek-Tajik border. The Tajik guide and the driver will meet you there and lead you to the ancient city Khujand. Here, we will go sightseeing the Historical Local Lore Museum of Archeology and Fortification, Mausoleum of Sheik Muslekheddin, Panjshanbe Market, and Arbob Cultural Palace. Transfer you to the hotel at the end of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Firuz

Drive from Khujand to Penjikent. In midway, we will pass Shahriston at an altitude of 3,378m (11,083ft) and Istaravshan city. In the historical Istaravshan we will visit Fortress Mug Teppe and Kuk Gumbaz Mosque, and meet a master craftsman in the bazaar. Then continue to drive 4 hours to Penjikent. Then the guide will lead you to visit Rudaki Mausoleum, Republican Museum of History and Local Lore of Rudaki and bazaar. Check in the hotel at the end of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Umariyon Hotel

Today we will explore Seven Lakes, a famous natural landscape in Fann Mountains. We are going to hike and drive for 2 hours respectively to explore the seven lakes in different styles and learn about the life and traditional culture of local Tajik people living nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, you will be led to another holiday resort in Fann Mountains – Iskanderkul Lake via Anzob pass 3,372m (11,063ft) above sea level. Upon arrival, we will hike to the Iskanderkul Waterfall nearby first. Then return to the lake for lunch. Afterwards, you can enjoy the free time. If you would like to explore the scenery around, the guide will be glad to accompany you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Iskanderkul Guesthouse

After breakfast, take the car for 3 hours to Dushanbe. After arrival, follow the guide to visit Rudaki Park, National Museum, Navruz Palace, and local bazaar. Besides, we will see National Library, White House, National state seal, House of parliament, Statue of Ismoil Somoni, Ministry of Inner Affairs, and Dushanbe Flagpole. In the evening, the tasty Tajik food will be arranged for you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hilton Dushanbe Hotel

Today, we will drive pass Nurek water reservoir and Shuraba pass at an altitude of 2,267m (7,438ft), to explore Panj River which separates Afghanistan and Tajikistan, precipitous M41 Road and other magnificent alpine landforms of Pamirs. At night, we will check in the hotel in Kalai-Khumb.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Karon Palace Hotel

In the morning, we will drive for 7 hours to return to Dushanbe via Khaburabot Pass at an altitude of 3,252m (10,700ft). We may encounter the simple villagers on the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hilton Dushanbe Hotel

The guide and the driver will escort you to Uzbekistan border with a stopover at Hisor Fortress. The Uzbek driver will wait for you at the border and lead you to Termez. On the way, visit Jarkurgan Minaret.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Meridian Hotel

The local guide and the driver will lead you to visit Kokildor Ota Khanaka monastery and the local largest and most exquisite mausoleum Sultan Saodat Ensemble. Then we are going to Fortress Kyrk-Kyz. According to the legend, forty girls used to live here and defend the enemy's invasion successfully. Followed by are the site of a Buddhist temple Fayaz Tepe and Al-Hakim at-Termezi Mausoleum. Finally, tour Archaeology Museum of Termez and return to hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

The driver will escort you to Samarkand. When reaching Shakhrisabz midway, we will stop for a visit. Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Siodat Memorial Complex will be visited first. All the mausoleums here are built extraordinary and lofty to symbolize the majesty of the royals. Then move forward Ak Saray Palace, the summer palace of Timur, Dor-ut Tilovat and Kok-Gumbaz Mosque. Finally, continue to drive 90km (56mi) to get to Samarkand in 2 hours.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior

Today we will start from Registan Square and then experience the local daily life in Siyob Bazaar. Afterwards, appreciate the delicate mosaic decorations in the nearby Bibi Khanym Mosque. After the visit to Ulugbek Observatory, we will go to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis. This mausoleum complex is composed of more than 20 tombs and all these ancient architectures are not renovated and remain intact. The final stop is Timur's mausoleum Gur-Emir Mausoleum.

Meals: Breakfast

We will drive to Bukhara 278km (173mi) away with a stopover at Gijduvan to see the production of ceramics in a local workshop.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Amulet Hotel

Accompanied by the guide, the first stop is Lyabi Hauz Ensemble architectural complex. Then head to Magoki-Attori Mosque to appreciate the Islamic architectural style in early period. After touring Chor-Minor Madrasah, we will go to trade dome where you will see both various handiworks & souvenirs and the architectures in unique style. Followed by are madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, Kalyan Minaret and Kalyan Mosque. The next stop is the local most spectacular theological school – Miri-Arab Madrasah. Then follow the guide to Ark Fortress, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Samanid Mausoleum and the tomb of the prophet Ayub in Bible Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.

Meal: Breakfast

You will be transferred to Turkmenistan border where the local guide and the driver will meet you and escort you to Mary. In midway, we will have an excursion to Ancient Merv, the oldest and best-preserved oasis city on ancient Silk Road. There we will explore Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum, Kesk Fortresses and History museum of Merv region. Then continue to drive to Mary airport for you to fly to Ashgabat. Upon landing, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sport Hotel

Ertogrul Gazy Mosque is our first stop today, which is a gift given by Turkey. Afterwards, move forward to Independence Park and National Museum of Turkmenistan. Besides, the largest Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum in Central Asia and the ancient architectural complex Ancient Nissa will be visited. Then drive to Darvaza Gas Crater. In the evening, enjoy barbecue and spend overnight in tents.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Yurt Camp

Today we will drive to Kunya - Urgench, an important trade city on ancient Silk Road. Here, the guide will lead you to go sightseeing Nedjmeddin Kubra Mausoleum, Tyurabek-Khanum Mausoleum, Mamun Minaret, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Kyrkmolla Mausoleum and Il Arslan Mausoleum. Then escort you to Uzbekistan border. You will be picked by Uzbek driver and escorted to Khiva.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva

First, the guide will escort you to Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah and Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah to see the beautiful patterns built with delicate carved bricks. The short minaret outside the mosque, Kalta Minor will also be visited. Then follow the guide to Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace and Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. Finally, climb to Islom Khodja Minaret and overlook the city in Kunya-Ark. Afterwards, the driver will send you to the flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival 1 hour and 40 minutes later, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel by the local driver.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent

Khast-Imom Complex will be explored in the morning first, including Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Then pay a visit to Chorsu Bazaar and experience local metro ride. Next, we will go sightseeing Independence Square, Amir Timur Park and State Museum of Applied Art. In the end, the driver will escort you to the departure flight and see you off. Wish you have spent a pleasant tour of five stans countries with us!

Meal: Breakfast