The Five Stans Central Asia Budget Tour

Free day to choose independent exploration or to book an optional tour (below). Overnight in Bishkek.

Optional Ala-Archa Canyon Day Trek:
In the morning, a driver and guide will pick you up from your Bishkek hotel and drive to Ala-Archa National Park (40 km, 1 hour). Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and the banks of the Ala-Archa River, enjoy a scenic hike through Ala-Archa Canyon.

Starting from Alpine Camp (2200m), you’ll hike through Broken Heart Boulder (2380m) and Tepshi Plateau (2460m) before continuing your climb to Ak Sai Waterfall (2665m). This hike will include crossing a large mountain stream and continuing a steeper ascent through pine forests, eventually reaching another valley where you can enjoy a close-up view of the stunning 35-meter-high waterfall. Relax by the waterfall and enjoy a picnic lunch before starting the return trek. Return to Bishkek in the afternoon.

Transfer in the morning to the airport for a flight to Almaty (235 km, 1 hour). Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to bring you to the hotel. Check-in to the hotel at noon.

Your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin the Almaty city tour:

• - Walk along the pleasant pathways of Panfilov Park. Within the park is a World War II Memorial Complex, whose focal point is a massive monument of soldiers bravely advancing, with an eternal flame blazing nearby.
• - Visit Zenkov Cathedral (also known as Ascension Cathedral), located in Panfilov Park. Constructed entirely of wood, with not a single metal nail, this colorful, five-domed cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Almaty.
• - Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Green Bazaar, a traditional eastern market filled with festive colors, mouth-watering smells, and bustling crowds. It’s the perfect place to purchase dried fruits, famous Kazakhstani chocolates, and more. Don’t forget to bargain!
• - Admire the Almaty Central Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. The mosque’s golden domes and striking white marble exterior give it a regal presence, while the interior impresses with its artistic simplicity.
• - Stop by Republic Square, where the Mayor’s Office, Central State Museum, and former Presidential Palace encircle the Monument of Independence, featuring a towering statue of the Golden Man and bronze bas-reliefs that depict the country’s history.
• - Visit the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which houses nearly a quarter of a million exhibits, including the famous Golden Man replica. The exhibits cover the full range of Kazakhstan’s ethnography and history, from prehistoric times to the 21st century.
• - Ride the Almaty Metro, which offers an experience like no other. The stations are beautifully designed, with colorful murals depicting specific themes. You’ll stop at 2-3 stations to admire the intricate artwork. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Almaty.

Free day to choose independent exploration or to book an optional tour (below). Overnight in Almaty.

Optional Charyn Canyon Day Tour:
You will be met by your guide and driver at the lobby of your Almaty hotel to start the Charyn Canyon Tour.

Depart Almaty and drive to Charyn Canyon (220 km, 3-4 hours), enjoying the view of the passing Altai Mountains and villages on the way. Upon arrival, hike to the bottom of the gorge to see the roaring Charyn River. Enjoy a rest and a picnic lunch while your guide shares information about the natural surroundings. Continue hiking through Charyn Canyon, where the steep mountain slopes rise up to 300 meters, and the stunning Castles Valley stretches over 2 kilometers. Spend the afternoon wandering through this fairytale land of ridges and bypaths, taking in the surreal landscapes.

After the hike, return to your Almaty hotel.

Check out from the hotel in the morning and transfer to Almaty International Airport for a flight to Dushanbe (860 km, 1.5 hours).

Arrive in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Transfer to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel reception for a city tour of Dushanbe, beginning with a drive to the sites at Hissar Historical and Cultural Reserve (30 km, 50 minutes):

• - Hissar Fortress (17th-19th centuries), where the impressive gates of the castle, once home to a Bukharin emir, still amaze with their stateliness.
• - Kukhna Madrasah (17th century), a spacious religious school that operated until the early 20th century, now housing a small history museum.
• - Khistin Caravanserai (19th century), an unusual caravanserai constructed of burnt brick, reflecting the historical trading routes.
• Drive back to Dushanbe to continue your tour to the following:
• - National Museum of Tajikistan, which holds more than 40,000 exhibits related to Tajikistan’s history, nature, and art, including a 12-meter statue of Buddha discovered within Tajikistan's territory.
• - Haji Yaqub Mosque (19th century), Dushanbe’s landmark mosque with a capacity of up to 3,000 people.
• - Rudaki Park, a beautifully manicured park filled with fountains and flowers, centered around a tasteful monument to Rudaki, the famous poet.
• - Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, celebrating the musical heritage of the Tajiks and Pamiris, showcasing national instruments, offering music lessons, and hosting periodic concerts.
• - Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre (1940s), a stunning building with gorgeous outer décor, surrounded by pristine lawns.
• - Statue of Ismail Somoni, a tribute to the founder of the Tajik people, towering 25 meters high in the city center.
• - Mehrgon Market, Dushanbe’s newest bazaar housed in an ornately designed atrium.
• Overnight in Dushanbe.

In the morning, meet your driver at your Dushanbe hotel to drive to Seven Lakes in the Fann Mountains (280 km, 5-6 hours). Travel along the M34 Highway via the Anzob Pass, which, at 3400 meters above sea level, offers the best panoramic views of the Fann Mountains.

Arrive at Seven Lakes (Haft Kul), where each lake has a distinct color, beautifully accentuated by the cliffs surrounding them. Stop at each lake, which is about 10-15 minutes' drive apart from one another, to take photos and learn about each lake’s unique characteristics. Stretch your legs with a 30-40-minute hike along a mountain stream between the sixth and seventh lakes, the latter of which sits 2300 meters above sea level. Take a stroll around a nearby village, capturing the serene landscape with photos along the way.

Check in to the guesthouse. Overnight at Seven Lakes.

After breakfast at the guesthouse, a driver will pick you up for a transfer to Penjikent (70 km, 2 hours). Upon arrival in Penjikent, you'll explore the ancient city and the Sarazm archaeological site:

• - Republican Museum of History (Rudaki Museum): This museum has eight exhibition halls covering a range of topics, including archaeology, nature, history, culture, Tajik customs, and the life of Rudaki, the founder of Tajik-Persian classical literature.
• - Central Mosque and Olim Dodkhoh Madrasah: A medieval complex that now serves as the city’s main mosque and is a popular gathering place for locals.
• - Penjikent Bazaar: A lively market located at the junction of the city’s main roads, selling traditional goods and Tajik souvenirs.
• - Ancient Penjikent (5th century BC): Explore a labyrinth of walls and passages adorned with amazing murals. The site includes the foundations of houses, Zoroastrian fire temples, a cemetery, and reconstructed living spaces.

Drive to the settlement of Sarazm (15 km, 15 minutes). This UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 2010, testifies to the development of human settlements in Central Asia. The expansive ancient city is divided into three sections, and still holds intact structures of palaces, temples, altars, homes, city walls, and paved roads.

Transfer to the Tajikistan – Uzbekistan land border. Go through border formalities at both checkpoints. Meet your driver and transfer to Samarkand (45 km, 1 hour). Arrive in Samarkand, the capital of Tamerlane's Empire. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel before beginning your private tour of Samarkand, including the following sites:

• - Gur Emir: The imposing burial site of Tamerlane and Mirzo Ulugbek.
• - Registan Square: The commercial center of Samarkand for centuries and Samarkand’s most famous site today. The square includes three madrasahs: Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century), Sher-Dor Madrasah (17th century), and Tilla-Kori Madrasah (17th century).
• - Walk along a boulevard lined with workshops and souvenir stores.
• - Bibi Khanum Mosque: Built by Tamerlane for his favorite wife.
• - Siab Bazaar: A multi-level complex where you can shop for souvenirs and sample Samarkand’s famous bread.
• - Shakhi-Zinda: A burial complex built between the 9th-14th centuries. Climb the blue-domed path and explore more than 20 small mausoleums that line the broad alleyway.
• - Ulugbek Observatory: See the remains of a 14th-15th century sextant and tour the Ulugbek Museum.

Overnight in Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel before taking the morning train to Bukhara (280 km, 1.5 hours). Arrive in Bukhara and transfer to your hotel in the Old City, which resembles a scene from Arabian Nights.

With your private local guide, enjoy a walking tour of the most impressive sights of Bukhara’s Old City:

• - Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble: Home to the largest artificial reservoir of medieval Bukhara (14th-17th centuries). This ensemble includes some of the largest madrassahs in the city: Khanaka Madrassah, Kukeldash Madrassah, and Nadir Divan Beghi Madrassah (all 16th century).
• - Magoki-Attori Mosque: The oldest mosque in Bukhara (12th century).
• - Four Trade Domes (15th-16th centuries), which still house local handicrafts for sale.
• - Poi Kalyan Ensemble (12th-16th centuries), consisting of the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque, Amir-Alimkhan Madrasah, and Miri-Arab Madrasah.
• - Ulugbek Madrasah (15th century) and Abdulazizkhan Madrasah (17th century), impressive religious schools that have remained largely intact.
• - Ark Fortress (4th century): The ancient center of Bukharan statehood, now home to a small museum.
• - Bolo-Khauz Complex: Includes an artfully decorated 18th-century mosque, a minaret, and reservoirs that once provided water for the entire city.
• - Mausoleum of the Samanids (9th-10th centuries): Believed to be the most ancient brick building in Central Asia. Overnight in Bukhara.

Enjoy free time after breakfast before an afternoon departure for the Alat-Farap border crossing from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan (100 km, 1.5 hours). Your Turkmen guide will meet you at the border after you’ve passed through customs and drive you to Turkmenabat (30 km, 1 hour).

Check-in at your hotel and enjoy free time in the evening. Overnight in Turkmenabat.

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight from Turkmenabat to Ashgabat (470 km, 50 minutes). Upon arrival in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, a driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Meet your guide and driver at the hotel for a half-day sightseeing tour of the capital, starting with the following:

• - Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former capital of the Parthian Empire, founded in the 3rd century BC and remaining in power for nearly 500 years.
• - Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, the largest mosque in Central Asia. Also referred to as the Spiritual Mosque and the Gypjak Mosque, it includes the tombs of former president Turkmenbashy and his immediate family members.
• - Arch of Neutrality, a 95-meter-high tower topped with a gold statue of former president Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashy), which rotates to face the sun. Ride to the top in a funicular to visit a small museum and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
• - Independence Park, including the yurt-shaped Independence Monument, which houses the Museum of National Values. The museum is surrounded by lavish fountains, 27 statues of Turkmenistan’s key historical figures, and a golden sculpture of Niyazov.
• - Statue of Lenin, which is unique in that it stands on a large base ornately decorated in traditional Turkmen ornamentation.
• - National Museum of History, displaying over half a million items from every region of the country, including rare artifacts from ancient times through the Middle Ages.
• - Gulistan Bazaar (also known as the Russian Bazaar), one of the oldest markets in the city. It’s a clean yet lively place to buy snacks and mingle with local shoppers.

After the tour, transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Ashgabat.

Check out of the hotel by noon and transfer to the airport for departure to your next destination.

End of the Five Stans Central Asia Budget Tour.

Note: Most international flights depart from Ashgabat in the early morning, such as flights to Istanbul and Dubai at 04:20 am.