14-Days UNESCO Sites in Central Asia Tour

In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Tashkent, which will include the following attractions:

• - Old City, including the Khazret-Imam Architectural Complex, which holds the world’s oldest known Quran.
• - Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent’s most famous market, where you can buy a wide variety of handmade souvenirs.
• - Tashkent Metro, where each station is decorated with bright mosaics reflecting a specific theme.
• - Amir Timur Square, where you’ll find a giant statue of Tamerlane himself.
• - Independence Square, including the Mourning Mother Monument and Eternal Flame memorial.
• - Sacred Heart Cathedral, famous for its stained-glass windows and Gothic architecture.
• - Applied Arts Museum, an informative collection of Uzbek handicrafts located in a luxurious villa.

Overnight in Tashkent.

Transfer in the morning to the airport for a flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1hr 40min). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (35 km, 45min).
Your guide will meet you for a walking tour of Ichan Kala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as the “Museum Under the Open Sky.” The tour includes:

• - Kunya-Ark: The inner citadel of Ichan Kala.
• - Kalta-Minor: Once planned to be the tallest minaret in Central Asia.
• - Muhammad Amin-khan Madrasah: The largest medieval madrasah and educational institution in Khiva.
• - Muhammad Rahim-khan Madrasah: A sprawling complex, once one of the largest in Central Asia.
• - Juma Mosque: Built with 212 wooden columns and a minaret 32.5 meters high.
• - Tash-Hauli Palace: Resembling a fortress with high battlements, towers, and fortified gates.
• - Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud: The ancient religious center of Ichan Kala.
• - Minaret and madrasah of Islam Khodja: The vizier of the last khan. Overnight in Khiva.

In the morning, travel with your driver to the Turkmenistan border to pass through customs (transportation may not be available when crossing the border). Your Turkmenistan guide will meet you on the other side and drive to Kunya Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit:

• - Tyurabek-Khanym Mausoleum
• - Sayid Ahmed Mausoleum
• - Kutlug Timur Minaret
• - Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum (Khorezmshakh)
• - Kyrk Molla Hill

After the tour, drive to Dashoguz Airport for a late afternoon flight to Ashgabat (390 km, 1 hour 50 minutes). Upon arrival in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, a driver will transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight in Ashgabat.

After breakfast, take a city tour of the capital, recognized by the Guinness World Records for having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. Visit the archaeological site of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Spiritual Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Next, visit:

• - National Museum of History
• - Monument of Neutrality
• - Presidential Square
• - Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
• - The recently built Independence Park

Overnight in Ashgabat.

Morning flight from Ashgabat to Mary (370 km, 40 minutes). Upon arrival, transfer to Merv (40 km, 40 minutes), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour of Merv includes:

• - Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum (12th century) — One of Merv’s most majestic monuments showcasing incredible architectural craftsmanship of its time.
• - Greater Kyz Kala and Lesser Kyz Kala (8th-9th centuries) — Unique homes with no archaeological equivalents.
• - Askhab Mausoleums (9th-12th centuries) — One of Turkmenistan’s most important pilgrimage sites.
• - Erk Kala (6th century BC) — The seat of ancient Merv and its oldest settlement. Climb its walls for a magnificent view!
• - Gyaur Kala (3rd century BC) — Merv’s second-oldest settlement, famous for its thick, 2-kilometer-long walls.
• - Muhammad Ibn Zeid Mausoleum (12th century) — A popular Sufi shrine with symmetrical architecture.

After the tour of Old Merv, transfer to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border. Complete border formalities and meet your driver in Uzbekistan to continue your journey to Bukhara (100 km, 1 hour 30 minutes).

Overnight in Bukhara.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your walking tour of the most impressive sights of Old Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

• - Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, including the Lyabi-Hauz Pool and the Khanaka, Kukeldash, and Nadir Divan Beghi Madrasahs (all 16th century).
• - Magoki-Attori Mosque, the oldest mosque in Bukhara (12th century).
• - Trade Domes (15th-16th centuries), where you can purchase handmade souvenirs.
• - Poi Kalyan Ensemble (12th-16th centuries), including Kalyan Minaret and Mosque, as well as Amir-Alimkhan and Miri-Arab Madrasahs.
• - Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century) and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah (17th century).
• - Ark Fortress (4th century), the ancient center of Bukharan statehood, now housing a small museum.
• - Bolo-Khauz Complex, including an artfully decorated 18th-century mosque, a minaret, and reservoirs.
• - Samanid Mausoleum (9th-10th centuries), the oldest brick building in Central Asia.
• - Chashma Ayub Mausoleum (dates vary), also known as Job’s well.

Overnight in Bukhara.

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After breakfast, travel to Gijduvan (50 km, 1 hour), famous for its traditional ceramics, known for their high quality and vibrant decorative style.
Continue your journey to Samarkand (240 km, 3.5 hours). On the way, stop at the ruins of the Rabat-i-Malik Caravanserai and Sardoba, an ancient reservoir.
Arrive in Samarkand, the capital of Tamerlane’s Empire. Check into the hotel and have free time in the evening. Overnight in Samarkand.

In the morning, your driver will pick you up from the hotel for a transfer to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border (50 km, 1 hour). Your Tajik guide and driver will be waiting for you on the other side of the border.
Travel to Penjikent (30 km, 40 minutes), stopping on the way at the ancient settlement of Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded around 3500 BC. Here, structures of palaces, temples, altars, homes, and roads remain intact.
Next, continue to Penjikent to visit the following sites:

• - Republican Museum of History (Rudaki Museum)
• - Central Mosque and Olim Dodkho Madrasah (dates vary)
• - Penjikent Bazaar, a lively market with traditional goods and Tajik souvenirs
• - Ancient Penjikent (5th century BC), a labyrinth of walls and passages adorned with amazing frescoes
  Return to the border in the late afternoon, go through customs, and re-enter Uzbekistan. Return to Samarkand and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out before your Samarkand tour, including the following sites:

• - Registan Square, the most famous site in Samarkand, including Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilla-Kori Madrasah (15th-17th centuries)
• - A stroll along the boulevard lined with workshops and souvenir stores
• - Bibi Khanum Mosque, built by Tamerlane in honor of his favorite wife
• - Siab Bazaar, where you can buy souvenirs, fruits, sweets, and the famous Samarkand bread
• - Shahi-Zinda, an exquisite burial complex built between the 9th-14th centuries
• - Gur-Emir, the imposing burial site of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek
• - Ulugbek Observatory, including the Ulugbek Museum and the remains of a 14th-15th century sextant
  After your tour of Samarkand, take a train to Tashkent (330 km, 2-3 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.

In the morning, transfer to the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border (30 km, 40 minutes). After passing through customs, meet your driver and guide on the Kazakhstan side, and travel to Otrar to visit:

• - Ancient Otrar (10th-12th centuries), with excavations of a bathhouse, mosque, homes, and a fortress;
• - Arslanbob Mausoleum, the burial site of Ahmed Yasawi’s spiritual teacher;
• - A small museum displaying artifacts from the region.
  Then, transfer to Turkestan (100 km, 1.5 hours). Visit the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Complex (dates may vary), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including:
• - The Mausoleum of Ahmed Yasawi,
• - The Hazrat Sultan Archaeological Center,
• - The Fortress Wall,
• - The Khilavat Underground Mosque,
• - Traditional Turkish baths and other attractions. Overnight in Turkestan.

In the morning, transfer to Shymkent for a flight to Almaty (680 km, 1 hour 10 minutes). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Your guide and driver will meet you for a city tour of Almaty, including:

• - Panfilov Park, including the World War II Memorial Complex of the same name;
• - Zenkov Cathedral (Ascension Cathedral), one of the oldest and most colorful buildings in Almaty;
• - Republic Square, including the former Presidential Palace and Monument of Independence;
• - Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including a replica of the Golden Man;
• - A trip from Almaty to Medeo (18 km, 30 minutes) to see the world’s highest Olympic-sized ice rink;
• - Kok-Tobe Hill, which offers a panoramic view of Almaty and various entertainment options;
• - A short ride from Kok-Tobe to the city center on the famous Almaty Cable Cars.
  Overnight in Almaty.

Meet your guide and driver for a scenic trip to the Tamgaly Petroglyphs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamgaly Gorge (170 km, 3 hours). Upon arrival, explore the valley and marvel at more than 5,000 petroglyphs as your guide provides insights into these ancient drawings.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Almaty. Overnight in Almaty.

Check out of the hotel by noon. Free time until transfer to Almaty International Airport for your departure flight. End of the "UNESCO Sites in Central Asia" Tour.