5 STAN TOUR

After breakfast, at 09:00 am depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway, enjoy nature landscapes on the way (250 km, 4 h.) . Cross the border. Arrive in Bishkek Transfer to the hotel to leave your luggage. A 3-4 hour afternoon sightseeing tour will follow, featuring Oak Park, Ala Too Square, the Statue of Manas, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Philharmonic Hall, and the Victory Monument – all impressive examples of Soviet urban design and architecture. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning transfer to airport for flight to Osh. Flight 0800-0840 (Flight time could be change) Upon arrival you will meet your local guide. This day will be city tour in Osh – local bazaar and Sulaiman Too with Cave Museum. Overnight in a hotel.

In the morning transfer to Kyzyl Bel border. Tajik guide will meet you on the border and you will drive to Khujand city. Khujand is the second largest city of Tajikistan. It is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population of the city is 149,000. It is also the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. Today you will visit a Cultural Palace of Khujant. At this place the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. Also we will go to see Central Mosque that is situated in the middle of the city. Overnight is in the hotel.

After breakfast we will drive to Penjikent via pass Shahriston (3 378 m). The city of Penjakent (“five villages”) is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Quite possibly the five villages started the history of this remarkable city which originated in the 5th–8th centuries AD. Penjikent of that time was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. It was even named “Central Asian Pompeii”. It was a superbly fortified well-organized city with a ruler’s palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The ruins of this ancient city were found only in the last century. Today the tourists can see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers’ church. After tour you will drive to Uzbek border Jartepa. Meeting at Uzbekistan side and transfer to hotel.

Breakfast at hotel Full day sightseeing tour of Samarkand: Guri Emir- Legendary mausoleum where Amir Temur and all his family buried. Registan square- World famous complex of 3 Madrasahs and golden dome mosque. Mosque Bibi Khanum – The biggest Mosque ever built in Central Asia as gift from wife of Temerlame to her husband. Siyab local bazzar-unique place where you can get acquainted with the life of Samarkand people. Lunch time Shahi - Zinda necropolises, a holy place and cemetery with graves of Temured’s dynasty and a grave of cousin of Prophet Muhamed. Observatory of Ulugbek – incredible construction of 15 century for studying astronomy. Free time at Registan square and Local bazzar Dinner time Speed train to Bukhara at 21:00, arriving Bukhara at 22:30.

Breakfast at hotel 3 hour tour in Bukhara. Visit to Ismael Samani mausoleum (9-10c)-vault of Bukhara rulers' dynasty, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14 c), Visit to Old Bukhara: Poli-Kalon ensemble including Minaret (12c) , Mosque (15c), functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16 c), Amir- Alim-Khan Madrassah (14c), Taqi (trading domes), Kukeldash Madrassah (16c), Lyab-i-Hauz (17c), Nadir Divanbegi (17c), Magoki Attari (16c), Ulug Beg (15c), Abdul Aziz (17c) Madrassahs; Visit to Registan Ensemble, Ark Fortress (16c) and Bolo-Hauz complex (18 c); Drive to Turkmenistan border. Drive to Mary Meeting at the border Farab/Alat (Turkmenistan side of the border). Border passing formalities. Drive ~300km & 5 hours direct driving to Mary via Turkmenabat and the Floating Bridge lasting ~900 meters over the Greatest River of Central Asia from where is visible nearby the Oldest Railway Bridge in this part of Central Asia built at the end of XIX century over that “mad” river which till 2009 was the only one connecting south with north. En route stop at some typical dunes of Garagum Desert to enjoy with photos. Visit exploration of Ancient Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll visit significant historical monuments, including: Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum Large and Small Gyz Kala (mausoleums) Erk Kala and Gyaur Kala (ancient fortresses). Upon arrival accommodation & rest or (if have time) short walking tour within the central part of Mary City which has The Regional Mosque of Mary Province, The Central Theater of Mary, The Convention & Conference Center “Ruhiyet Koshgi”, Central Park & Monument of Mollanepes-the National Classic Poet who lived in Mary in XVIII-XIXcc. Dinner at local restaurant. ON in Mary

After breakfast flight to Ashgabat at 08:10, arriving at 08:50. Full Day tours: “Turkmenbashynyn Ruhy Metjidi” which is the biggest mosque in Central Asia & Mausoleum Complex of the tombs of Turkmenbashy and his parents &brothers, Old Nissa-The Sanctuary of Parhian Kings which was included into UNESCO’s World Heritage Book. (Nissa is situated in 15 km to the west of Ashgabat & founded in the III century B.C. Nissa was the capital of Parthian Empire which lasted for about 600 years and was the biggest competitor for the Rome Empire). After Old Nissa proceed with short SS of Monuments of Archabil Shayoly (Berzengi: southern Ashgabat) to have a close impression of the new part of Ashgabat with its modern buildings, monuments & parks which includes: Health Path of Turkmenbashy, Arch of Neutrality: famous rocket & tripod style built building symbolizing neutral status of Turkmenistan which was re-build & opened on 12 December, 2011. Its height 95meters including 12 meters rotated statue of first President of Turkmenistan: Saparmyrat Nyyazow (Turkmenbashy) on the top, Monument of Constitution opened on 18 May, 2011 & tallest building in Turkmenistan with its 185 meters, “Alem” Culture & Recreation Center: it’s the biggest indoor Ferris Wheel included into the Guinness Book. Lunch time After lunch break proceed with SS includes: National Museum of History (closed on Tuesdays): one of the biggest & best exhibited museum in Central Asia), Park of Independency along the hundreds of fountains & statutes with stops to visit Monuments of Independency, Monument of Lenin which was erected in 1927 and survived the earthquake of 1948. Dinner at local restaurant. Night at the hotel

Breakfast is at the hotel. Carpet museum opened in 1994. It has a rich collection of Turkmen carpets from the medieval through to the 20th century, including over 1000 carpets from the 18th and 19th centuries and one of the biggest hand -made carpets in the world. Akhalteke horse stable - A variety of Akhalteke private horse farms and stables can be visited for those that want to observe these gorgeous horses from a safe distance. After lunch drive to Darwaza in the Karakum desert, with visit of Erbent desert community on the way. Darwaza - The center of a gas-rich area in the heart of the Karakum desert attracts travelers from all over the world because of its unique burning crater that offers a particularly spectacular view in the dark. Dinner Time. Return to Ashgabat after dark (slow driving). Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Kow-Ata underground lake that is located 107 km from Ashgabat. The Turkmen name Kow-Ata means Father of caves. At first glance, this underground area appears like a magnificent auditorium: the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height reaches 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. The bottom of the cave is covered with lumps of dissolved limestone (stalagmites), and its warm and gushing water is clear and emerald colored. The water has a constant temperature of 33-37°C. (You should swim in a lake). Continue with Nokhur village. The village itself fills a small depression valley in the mountains of the Kopet Dag Range, and the houses are been built with local boulders cemented with mud. Overnight in Ashgabat city at the hotel.

Transfer to the Ashgabat International Airport for flight to next destination.