14 Nights – Four Stans Turkistan Tour
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Tashkent 1 night – Khiva 1 night – Bukhara 2 nights – Samarkand 3 nights – Penjikent 1 night – Dushanbe 2 nights – Almaty 2 nights – Bishkek 2 nights
Itinerary:
Day 1: Tashkent – arrival
Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by my driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Turkistan (Central Asia).
Begin at the Courage Monument, which commemorates the 1966 earthquake and honours the resilience of the people of Tashkent, before continuing to the historic Old City. Visit the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, walk past the Khast-Imam Complex, view the exterior of the Islamic Civilization Center, and stroll along the newly developed Zarkaynar Street. Next, explore Chorsu Bazaar and a local pottery gallery, then ride the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro to the modern city centre. Enjoy free time for lunch on Taras Shevchenko Street, known for its lively dining scene, then continue to the State Museum of Applied Arts and admire the elegant facade of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, concluding the tour at Amir Timur Square, where your captivating Tashkent City Tour comes to an end.
Overnight in Tashkent.
After the tour or later in the evening you can visit the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent on your own (optional).
Lunch break 13:00-14:00
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva
Early breakfast. Transfer to the local airport for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h 40 min). Arrival in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min). Later proceed for guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in Itchan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Khiva.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara
After breakfast depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h.*). Today we will have an overland transfer from Khiva to Bukhara through Kyzylkum desert**. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Stop along the way to enjoy the views of the surrounding desert. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest. Overnight in Bukhara.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.
Day 4: Bukhara
Breakfast. Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz 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 in Bukhara.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Day 5: Bukhara – Samarkand
After breakfast 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. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h). Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik dating back to the 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to your hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Day 6: Samarkand
After breakfast meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the mausoleum of Amir Timur. Overnight in Samarkand.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Day 7: Samarkand
Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrosiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore a traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with the car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. Overnight in Samarkand.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Day 8: Samarkand – Penjikent
After breakfast transfer to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border Jartepa (50 km, 1 h). Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Tajik guide and driver will meet you and drive to Seven Lakes (80 km, 1.5-2h). The Seven Lakes are located in the west of Fann mountains; each of them has its own colour which varies from calming turquoise to mesmerizing purple. Lunch at the guest house at the Lake #4. In the afternoon, drive back to Penjikent and visit Rudaki Museum and a local bazaar. Continue to ancient Penjikent archaeological site which takes you back to the times when Penjikent was a major Sogdian city before it was destroyed by Arab conquerors in the 8th century. Overnight in Penjikent.
Note: As we travel to the more remote and authentic region of the Fann Mountains, the tourist infrastructure is simpler. We will be staying in the best available local hotel, Soviet-era building. Please expect more basic amenities compared to the larger cities – it’s all part of the adventure!
Day 9: Penjikent – Dushanbe
After breakfast depart Penjikent and drive to Dushanbe (270 km, 4-5 h). The mountain road goes via picturesque Anzob pass (3300 m above sea level). Upon arrival in Dushanbe visiting Rudaki park and Ismoili Somoni Square. Overnight in Dushanbe.
Day 10: Dushanbe
After breakfast meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit Hissar Fortress where you can see Madrasah Kuhna, Mosque of Hoji Yakub, National Museum of Antiquities, Gurminj Musical Instruments Museum, Mehrgon Bazaar, Botanical Garden. Free time. Overnight in Dushanbe.
Day 11: Dushanbe – Almaty
Breakfast. Free time till transfer to the International Airport for flight to Almaty. Arrival in Almaty. Transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight in Almaty.
Day 12: Almaty
After breakfast your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Central State Museum (closed on Tuesday) and Republic Square. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill , visit Medeo Gorge. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Day 13: Almaty – Bishkek
After breakfast depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h). Cross Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border. Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. Arrive in Bishkek, check in to the hotel.
In the afternoon start sightseeing tour: Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas; National Museum of Fine Arts (closed on Mondays), Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight in Bishkek.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Day 14: Bishkek
After breakfast transfer to see Burana Tower (85 km, 1 h 15 min), the remnants of the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13th century). Return to Bishkek, free time. Overnight in Bishkek.
Day 15: Bishkek – departure
Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Bishkek International Airport. End of Turkestan (Central Asia) Destinations Tour.
You can contact the specified phone numbers, in case you have questions or requests.
Tel: +994-12-3100482 Mob / WP: +994-55-8824921 Social networks Addresses: 
