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Turkmenistan
Day 1-4: Meet in Ashgabat
Full guided tour of Ashgabat including a visit to the Akhal-Teke horse stud farm, Gokdepe fortress, the remains of the Bronze Age settlement Anau -Depe and the fortress of Anau and the archaeological site of Old Nisa.
An excursion to Old Merv ruins and a local museum.
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Uzbekistan
Day 5: Konye Urgench-Nukus, Karakalpakstan
Visit the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench (Old Urgench).
After passing thru the border into Uzbekistan, we drive approx 30 minutes to Nukus, capital of Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan.
We visit the State Art Museum also known as Savitskiy Museum, after its’ founder Igor Saviysky, a Russian painter, archaeologist and collector.
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Uzbekistan
Day 6-7: Khiva
We drive to Khiva, a most unique Uzbek city and major trading town on the Silk Road. One of the oldest towns in the world, Khiva, a once ruined desert town, has been magnificently restored through Soviet and UNESCO funded projects.
We visit Friday mosque and Tashauli Palace/harem.
Morning visit Ichan-Kala Medrese of Muchammad Aminchan, Minaret Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark Fortress, Mausoleum of Pakhlavan Makhmud and Said Alauddin and enjoy view of whole ancient Khiva.
Continue touring with visits to Juma Mosque, Tash Hauli Palace and Harem, Ensemble Islam Chodja (Khodja) minaret, Madrasah Alla Kuichan.
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Uzbekistan
Day 8-9: Bukhara
A short one hour flight brings us to Bukhara.
Bukhara was one of the great trading centers on the Silk Road, an independent Emirate and scene of Anglo Russian rivalry in the 19th century. Surrounded by vast expanses of the Kyzyl Kum desert, Bukhara retains the atmosphere of an ancient Silk Road city.
Visit the mausoleum of Ismail Samanid -vault of Bukhara rulers' dynasty, Chashma Ayub, Ark Fortress, Poi Kalon ensemble including Minaret, Mosque.
Start with a visit to Makhallya Khuma,” the ancient Jewish block of houses and synagogue. Then traditional covered bazaars including Toki Zargaron Trading Dome; Toki Telpak Furushon Trading Dome, Toki Sarrafon Trading Dome.
The Kosh Madrassah Ensemble, the most successful khan of Shaibanid dynasty, Ulugbek Madrassah; Magak-i Attari Mosque (16c) - one of the earliest religious buildings of Islamic era in Bukhara, Chor Minor Madrassah and Lyabi Khauz Ensemble.
Folk Show at Nadir-Divanbegi Madrassah.
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Uzbekistan
Day 10-11: Samarkand
An excursion to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara (1911). The style is an eclectic mix of European, Russian and Oriental design and there is a good exhibition of traditional Suzane embroidery as well as Chinese porcelain brought along the Silk Road from China.
Then we drive to the historic town of Samarkand, a melting pot of the world’s cultures and a World Heritage Site.
In Samarkand our small group admires the stunningly-tiled, medieval architectural wonder of the Registan Ensemble (a main highlight of Samarkand).
We visit “Stars above Samarkand ” – Ulugbek observatory, the “Ruins of Afrosiab” - the excavation and museum of the ancient town (6 BC-13 AD) and the Gur Emir Mausoleum.
One evening we attend a show at “El Merosi,” Theater of Historical Costumes.
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Uzbekistan
Day 12-13: Shakhrisabz-Termez
Shakhrisabz is one of the most ancient cities in Central Asia and the birthplace and home town of Central Asia’s foremost conqueror - the Great Amir Temur. It is also a a traditional center of folk arts, especially embroidery.
Termez is in the south of Uzbekistan, near the Afghan border. Once an important trading post at the crossroads of the Silk Routes, Termez is the most overlooked corner of Uzbekistan but is well worth a visit.
See the influences of Greek, Buddhist & Islamic civilizations in Termez architecture.
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Tajikistan
Day 14: Dusanabe
Discover Dushanbe, the Tajik capital including guided visits to the blue domed mosque and the Museum of Archaeology which exhibits the largest Buddha in Asia.
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Tajikistan
Day 15: Istarafshan (former Ura Tyube)-Khujand
A beautiful drive today to Khujand via Istarafshan (also spelled Istaravshan). We visit the well-preserved old town of Istaravshan, a maze of small alleys that wind through neighborhoods of shady, mud walled Central Asian homesteads.
Ura Tyube is also a handicrafts center, known for its woodcutting. Visit an 'ustokhana' or artisans workshop.
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Uzbekistan
Day 16-17: Tashkent
We shall visit the remains of Khujand's citadel built in the early Middle Ages and used up to the early 20th century.
Afterwards, drive to Tashkent. This wonderful city is a real embodiment of the modern elegance that is inherent in many world capitals. At the same time, it remains an oriental city.
Enjoy an immersive visit to the Old Quarter of Tashkent, the excellent Applied Sciences Museum and soak up the ambiance at one of the world's oldest markets
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Uzbekistan
Day 18: Fergana Valley
Tour the sights of Fergana and Margilan in the Fergana Valley. Visit the village of Rishtan, famous for its ceramics, where traditional designs are made with a mix of modern and traditional techniques including the use of a blue-green glaze rarely seen outside the region.
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Kyrgyzstan
Day 19: Fergana - Osh - Bishtek
Enjoy Osh, one of the oldest towns in Central Asia, located at the southeastern edge of the Fergana Valley.
This evening we will fly to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyz Republic.
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Day 20: Bishkek
Tour Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyz Republic, located where the Kazakh steppe meets the foothills of the majestic snow-capped Tien-Shan mountains.
Our tour explores the ancient city and its architectural masterpieces including Ala-Too Square, The National Museum of History, Frunze House, The Art Museum; see the Opera House and the Concert Hall (near which there is a statue of National Hero Manas).
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Kazakhstan
Day 21: Tamgaly Petroglyphs - Almaty
Our small group tour visits the Petroglyph site in the Zhetysu of Kazakhstan (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The majority of the 5000 petroglyphs are in the main canyon which are mostly from the Bronze Age, but some have been overlaid with medieval or later etchings. There are some petroglyphs from the Iron Age.
This afternoon continue the drive to Almaty.
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Day 22: Almaty-Depart
Visit Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, including the Central State Museum, Panfilov Park, and Zenkov Cathedral (second tallest wooden building in the world).
Late night transfer to airport.
