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Central Asia Classic Group Tour

11
Days
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

Central Asia Classic Group Tour is perfect for travellers who want to see Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in a short time. On this tour you'll step back in time and experience the charm of the medieval East. Wander through ancient streets, admire stunning blue domes, madrasahs and minarets, explore bustling bazaars, meet friendly locals and savour traditional cuisine.

This tour also offers breathtaking scenery, including towering mountains, tranquil lakes, the vast Karakum Desert and the fascinating Darvaza gas crater.

You'll see architectural masterpieces in Tashkent and explore the famous monuments of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. The ancient city of Penjikent and the beautiful Seven Lakes are also on the itinerary, along with the historic sites of Kunya Urgench and Ashgabat.

The tour also includes a pottery master class, folklore show and more.

Discover more about the Central Asia Classic Group Tour itinerary and start planning your trip to these three ancient and captivating countries.

Day 1, FriTashkent (Uzbekistan)
Arrive in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Pick-up from the airport and transfer to the hotel, where check-in begins at noon. Your first city tour of Central Asia Classic Group Tour starts at hotel, guide and driver will pick you up and begin your Tashkent city tour. First visit the Museum of Applied Arts, an informative collection of Uzbekistan's finest handicrafts housed in an ornately decorated villa. Take a ride on the Tashkent Metro. Each station is decorated with ceramic tiles and murals depicting a unique theme. Walk through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square. Excursion to the Old City, including the architectural complex Hast-Imam (15th century), which holds the oldest known Quran in the world. Explore Chorsu Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in Central Asia, where you can sample or buy sweets, fruits and souvenirs. Duration of sightseeing: 6 hours. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: none
Day 2, SatTashkent – Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
In the morning the driver will transfer you to the railway station for a train journey to Samarkand city – The Silk Road jewelry. You will have Samarkand city tour with guide, visit Gur Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Temur, and the impressive Registan Square, with its three Madrasahs dating back to the 15th to 17th centuries. Take in the beauty of Bibi Khanum Mosque and stroll through the multi-level complex of Siab Bazaar, where you can find souvenirs and sample local sweets, fruits, and the famous Samarkand bread. Explore the impressive Shakhi-Zinda, a 15th-century burial complex, and walk the imposing pathway to see its blue-domed tombs. End the day with a visit to the Ulugbek Observatory, where you can view the remains of a 14th-15th-century sextant and tour the Ulugbek Museum. Duration of sightseeing: 6 hours. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Day 3, SunSamarkand – border – Seven Lakes - Penjikent (Uzbekistan/Tajikistan)
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border crossing at Jartepa (50km). After passing through customs and passport control, your local Tajik guide and driver will be waiting for you on the Tajikistan side to take you to the breathtaking Seven Lakes (90km). Located in the Fann Mountains, each of the Seven Lakes boasts its own unique color, ranging from turquoise to purple. Take in the natural beauty of this special place and enjoy lunch at a guesthouse. Continue your journey to the charming city of Penjikent (70km), where you'll spend the night at a hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4, MonPenjikent – border – Samarkand (Tajikistan/Uzbekistan)
Have breakfast and start a tour of ancient Penjikent, the ruins of a town founded by the Sogdians in the 5th century. In old Penjikent you’ll get to see the foundations of houses, a citadel with Zoroastrian fire temples, the remains of the city bazaar and other excavated ruins in the old city. In the newer part of Penjikent, visit a local bazaar, mosque, and the Rudaki Museum. Drive to the Jartepa border crossing (30 min) via Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 4th century BC. After crossing the border, you’ll continue your Central Asia Classic Group Tour in Uzbekistan, your driver meet you at the border to take you to your hotel in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 5, TueSamarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
After breakfast continue your Central Asia Classic Group Tour with a drive from Samarkand to Bukhara via Gijduvan (280km). Stop on the way at the Rabati Malik Caravanserai (11th century) and Sardoba. Visit Gijduvan, a small town whose traditional crafts and ceramics have been sought after in Central Asia for centuries due to their quality and colorful, decorative style. Visit the ceramic center and pottery master-class, before having lunch. Visit the Emir's Summer Residence at Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (19th century) near Bukhara. This is a unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. (No English-speaking guide provided here). Check-in to the hotel in Bukhara. Free time in UNESCO World Heritage sites. In the evening, there is a national show with dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6, WedBukhara (Uzbekistan)
Begin the morning with a city walking tour led by your local guide. Your private tour will include the Lyabi-Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque and the Trade Domes (15-16th centuries) with workshop of masters. Continue your excursion to Poi Kalyan Ensemble, including the Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah. Visit Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrasahs. Discover the Ark Fortress and museum in Bukhara. Next site is the Bolo-Khauz Mosque with a pond. Last site is the mausoleum of Ismail Samanid. Duration of sightseeing: 6 hours. Overnight in the Bukhara hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Day 7, ThuBukhara – Khiva (Uzbekistan)
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7 h). Today we will have an overland transfer from Bukhara to Khiva through the Kyzylkum desert. Caravans on the Great Silk Road carrying porcelain and spices used the same route for hundreds of years. Arrival in Khiva, the "museum under the open sky" late in the afternoon. After check-in, free time to discover Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in a hotel.
Meals: breakfast
Day 8, FriKhiva (Uzbekistan)
After breakfast at the hotel, take a walking tour around Itchan-Kala with a local guide in your Central Asia Classic Group Tour. Start with Kunya-Ark Khan's castle and the inner citadel of Ichan Kala, before continuing to the following sites, Kalta Minor Tower, the tallest minaret in Central Asia. Muhammad Amin-Khan, the biggest medieval madrasah in Khiva and Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah. Juma Mosque, with 212 wooden columns and a minaret 32.5 m high, next Tash-Hauli with its high battlements, towers and fortified gates. Necropolis of Pahlavan Mahmud, the cultic center of Ichan Kala, residence of Islam Khodja, vizier of the last khan. Duration of sightseeing: 6 hours. Overnight at the hotel in Khiva.
Meals: breakfast
Day 9, SatKhiva – border – Kunya Urgench - Darvaza (Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan)
After your morning breakfast, you'll travel with your driver to the Turkmenistan border point (60km). You'll have to pass through customs, and transportation may not be available in the transit zone. Once you pass border control, your Turkmenistan guide will meet you, and together you'll embark on a 100km drive to Kunya-Urgench. Short sightseeing in Kunya-Urgench, you'll visit the Tyurabek-Khanym and Sayit Ahmed Mausoleums, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum of Khorezmshakh, and Kyrk Molla Hill. You'll enjoy a picnic lunch while exploring the area.
In the afternoon, you'll take drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater (4-5h), located in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Enjoy the magnificent ring of fire by night. A delicious fire-cooked meal will be served for dinner near the burning gas crater, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Meals: breakfast, picnic-lunch, camp style BBQ dinner
Day 10, SunDarvaza – Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
Begin your day by witnessing the stunning desert sunrise before indulging in a camp-style breakfast. Afterward, you'll visit the mud crater before embarking on a scenic drive to Ashgabat, which spans 280 kilometers and takes approximately four hours to complete. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to take photos of the majestic sand dunes and graceful camels.
Upon arrival in Ashgabat, check-in to hotel and start a sightseeing tour of the capital city, which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having more white marble buildings than any other city in the world. You'll visit the Old Nisa archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Spiritual Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Other notable stops include the National Museum of History, the Monument of Neutrality, Presidential Square, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, and the recently built Independence Park. A delicious dinner will be served, overnight in Ashgabat, your last night of Central Asia Classic Group Tour.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11, MonAshgabat – departure (Turkmenistan)
Free morning before check-out by noon. Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport for your departure flight. End of the Central Asia Classic Group Tour.
Meals: breakfast

Download Central Asia Classic Group Tour in PDF brochure.

Dates & prices

Departure End Deadline Status Price Book
Apr 11, Fri Apr 21, Mon Mar 11 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Apr 18, Fri Apr 28, Mon Mar 18 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Apr 25, Fri May 5, Mon Mar 25 Available US$ 2,300 Book
May 2, Fri May 12, Mon Apr 1 Available US$ 2,300 Book
May 9, Fri May 19, Mon Apr 8 Available US$ 2,300 Book
May 16, Fri May 26, Mon Apr 15 Available US$ 2,300 Book
May 23, Fri Jun 2, Mon Apr 22 Available US$ 2,300 Book
May 30, Fri Jun 9, Mon Apr 29 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jun 6, Fri Jun 16, Mon May 6 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jun 13, Fri Jun 23, Mon May 13 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jun 20, Fri Jun 30, Mon May 20 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jun 27, Fri Jul 7, Mon May 27 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jul 4, Fri Jul 14, Mon Jun 3 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jul 11, Fri Jul 21, Mon Jun 10 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jul 18, Fri Jul 28, Mon Jun 17 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Jul 25, Fri Aug 4, Mon Jun 24 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Aug 1, Fri Aug 11, Mon Jul 1 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Aug 8, Fri Aug 18, Mon Jul 8 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Aug 15, Fri Aug 25, Mon Jul 15 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Aug 22, Fri Sep 1, Mon Jul 22 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Aug 29, Fri Sep 8, Mon Jul 29 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Sep 5, Fri Sep 15, Mon Aug 5 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Sep 12, Fri Sep 22, Mon Aug 12 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Sep 19, Fri Sep 29, Mon Aug 19 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Sep 26, Fri Oct 6, Mon Aug 26 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Oct 3, Fri Oct 13, Mon Sep 2 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Oct 10, Fri Oct 20, Mon Sep 9 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Oct 17, Fri Oct 27, Mon Sep 16 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Oct 24, Fri Nov 3, Mon Sep 23 Available US$ 2,300 Book
Oct 31, Fri Nov 10, Mon Sep 30 Available US$ 2,300 Book
  • Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, with breakfast, 9 nights;
  • Trekking tent or shared Yurt in Darvaza crater, 1 night;
  • All road transfers including airport and train station (2 persons in sedan, 3-8 persons in minivan);
  • Local English-speaking escort guide on days 3-4 and 9-10;
  • Local English-speaking guide for the city tours in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva;
  • Entrance fees to sights as per itinerary;
  • Gijduvan pottery master class and lunch;
  • National folk-show and dinner in Bukhara;
  • Economy-class tickets for Tashkent-Samarkand train;
  • Meals as designated in the program;
  • 1L bottle of water per person per day;
  • Transfers SUV/4WD in Darvaza;
  • Visa support letter for Turkmenistan tourist visa;
  • Tour leader to accompany the group for the whole duration of the tour;
  • Meals not indicated in the program;
  • Hotel charges for additional services;
  • Personal travel insurance;
  • International flight tickets before and after the tour;
  • All visas, e-visas and visa support letters to Central Asia countries;
  • Tips are not included (driver, guide, porter);
  • All other charges and services not mentioned under “Inclusions”.

Accommodation:

Tashkent - 1 night
ATECA, Baden-Baden, Al Anvar, Elements, The Tower
Samarkand - 2 nights
Shahjahon Palace, Welfort, Samaria, East Star
Penjikent - 1 night
Panjakent Plaza, Rudaki
Bukhara - 2 nights
Minzifa, Amiran, Mehrob, Marhaba, K.Komil
Khiva - 2 nights
Malika Kheivak, ANNEX, Erkin Palace, Arslan, New Minor
Darvaza - 1 night
Tent / shared yurt
Ashgabat - 1 night
Sport, Ak Altyn or similar

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