 
 
 
 
 
|
 The five Central Asian countries known as the Stans remain some of the least visited nations worldwide, despite their historical significance. This region serves as the heart of the Ancient Silk Road, where caravans transported valuable silks and commodities from China to bustling bazaars like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Beyond the exchange of goods, these interactions fostered the sharing and adoption of ideas, art, architecture, and spiritual beliefs among diverse communities. Embark on an immersive journey through this culturally rich and historically significant area of the world, accompanied by a small group of like-minded individuals.
Due to the pandemic, Turkmenistan, along with the other “Stans,” closed its borders. After two years, Turkmenistan is finally reopening, and we eagerly awaited this moment to reintroduce our 5 Stans trip.
Day 00 - Monday, April 28, 2025
Depart the USA, Canada on any regularly scheduled flight to Dushanbe (DYU), Tajikistan.
Day 0 - Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Arrive Istanbul for connecting flights to Dushanbe.
Day 1 - Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Arrive in Dushanbe approx. 1am. We will be met and transferred to the hotel where rooms have been reserved from April 29 to allow immediate check in. Rest until after lunch. In the afternoon, we will depart for a tour of Dushanbe. Dushanbe, meaning "Monday" in Tajik, originated from a village known for its Monday marketplace. After the Red Army's victory in Central Asia, it was elevated to town status in 1925. The Soviets transformed it into a hub for cotton and silk production. However, the city suffered significant damage during the Tajik Civil War (1992-1997) following the nation's independence. Despite this, Dushanbe has experienced economic growth, becoming a thriving commercial, cultural, and industrial center. Our tour will include the principal sites, the Madrassah, and the village market. Tonight, we will enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Dushanbe Hotel, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 5*,
Deluxe Room
Day 2 - Thursday, May 01, 2025
After breakfast drive to Hisar which offers a fascinating glimpse into Tajikistan's rich history and culture. The Hisar Fortress, a stunning 16th-century structure, stands as a testament to the region's architectural heritage. We will explore the ancient madrassahs and the museum, which houses artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age. The surrounding landscapes, with their picturesque hills and lush greenery, provide a serene backdrop for the historical sites.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Dushanbe Hotel, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 5*,
Deluxe Room
Day 3 - Friday, May 02, 2025
Depart after breakfast for the airport and our flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan (KC 132 5 DYU ALA 1315 1500).
Arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan seated among the majestic Tien Shan mountains. Transfer to the hotel for check in.
This evening dinner is at a local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: InterContinental Almaty Hotel, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 5*, Classic Room
Day 4 - Saturday, May 03, 2025
Depart the hotel for lunch, followed by a tour of the city built on the site of an old Silk Road oasis town. Today’s exploration includes highlights of the city such as Panfilov Park which contains Zenkov Cathedral, a wooden Orthodox church built at the turn of the 20th century, and the Central State Museum, featuring exhibits that detail the development of Kazakhstan. We will also stop at Zeelyoni Bazaar which is filled with fruits, meats, cheeses and anything else you can think of.
Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: InterContinental Almaty Hotel, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 5*, Classic Room
Day 5 - Sunday, May 04, 2025
The use of falcons and other raptors in hunting is a vital part of Kazakhstan’s heritage. While not widely practiced today, it remains a significant aspect of their ancestral legacy. After lunch, we travel south of Almaty to the Sunkar Falconry Centre to see these magnificent hunting birds up close. The centre also offers impressive demonstrations of how they train their birds for hunting. End at the airport for our flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Bishkek Hotel, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 5*, Deluxe Room
Day 6 - Monday, May 05, 2025
We will depart early this morning to Lake Issyk-kul. En route, visit the ruins of a caravan town. See the Burana Tower, dating from the 10th-12th centuries, one of the only remaining watchtowers from the Silk Road. Stop for lunch in the village of Tamchi before arriving at the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, the world’s second-highest altitude lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. Kyrgyzstan has many traditional horse games that are an important part of the country's cultural heritage. We are fortunate to have a private show of Kok-Boru: Also known as Buzkashi or Oglak Tartis. This game is played by two teams on horseback who try to score by putting a goat's carcass, or "ulak", into the other team's goal. In modern games, the carcass is often replaced with a mold. Lunch is served in a traditional yurt before arriving at Lake Issy-kul where we overnight for 2 nights.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Karven Four Seasons Resort, Issyk-kul, Kyrgyzstan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 7 - Tuesday, May 06, 2025
This morning, we take an excursion to Karakol, the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located near the border of China. See the impressive Russian Orthodox Church and the Dungan Mosque, built in traditional Chinese style for the Chinese Muslims who migrated here during the 1930s and ‘50s. Lunch is at a Dungan family home before an afternoon tour of the Historical Museum and Monument. Return to Lake Issy-kul for dinner and overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Karven Four Seasons Resort, Issyk-kul, Kyrgyzstan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 8 - Wednesday, May 07, 2025
Upon return to Bishkek, our city tour will include the Osh bazaar and lunch at a local restaurant. Then, see the President’s House and the changing of the guards, Alatoo Square, and the street painters of Oak Park. Our guide will show us the highlights of the State History Museum. Have a light snack and end at the airport for our evening flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan (HY778 – 1905/1925 hrs)
Dinner is on your own this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Tashkent Hotel, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 5*, Deluxe Room
Day 9 - Thursday, May 08, 2025
Tour Tashkent, stopping at the Tillya Sheikh Mosque to view the Uthman Koran, considered by Sunni Muslims to be the oldest Koran in the world. It is believed to have been written 19 years after the death of Mohammed. It is inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. Continue to the Old City, Hast Imam Complex and Barak Khana. Before lunch, visit the master-apprentice pottery school called Akbar House. Then, explore Mustaqlik Square, the Museum of Applied Arts, and Amir Timur Square.
Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Tashkent Hotel, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 5*, Deluxe Room
Day 10 - Friday, May 09, 2025
After an early breakfast, transfer via high-speed train (afrosiyob) to Samarkand. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in. This afternoon, visit Registan, Central Asia’s most authentic square and the centrepiece of Samarkand. This “sandy” place has always been the center of ancient Samarkand and a public square and marketplace. Visit Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the final resting place of Tamerlane. The interior has been restored and is brilliant in gold leaf and fresh tile. The heavily gilded central dome opens over the set of tomb markers resembling sarcophagi. All are marble, with the exception of Tamerlane’s, which is a slab of solid jade reportedly from Mongolia.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Movenpick Samarkand Hotel, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 11 - Saturday, May 10, 2025
Begin the day at the Uleg Nek Observatory, an astronomical advancement made by medieval scholars. Continue to Shah-I-Zinda, a stunning necropolis which showcases exquisite tilework and architectural splendor. Enjoy some time for shopping before returning to the hotel. Dinner is in a local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Movenpick Samarkand Hotel, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 12 - Sunday, May 11, 2025
After breakfast, transfer via high-speed train (afrosiyob) to Bukhara. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Enjoy lunch before setting out to explore Bukhara. Spend the next two days exploring Central Asia’s most ancient living city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is a treasure trove of beautiful, historic buildings and ancient sites. We explore on foot and by coach. Among our stops are Bolo Hauz Mosque, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashmai Ayub and Ark Citadel. In the afternoon, visit the Magokki Attori Mosque, the Trading Domes and Ulugbeg and Abdulazizkhan madrassahs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Mercure Bukhara Old Town Hotel, Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 13 - Monday, May 12, 2025
Continue our exploration of Bukhara.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Mercure Bukhara Old Town Hotel, Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 14 - Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Enjoy at full day at leisure to explore on your own and shop for souvenirs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Mercure Bukhara Old Town Hotel, Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 15 - Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Travel to Khiva today. We will fly to Urgench via Tashkent and transfer to Khiva. Alternatively, we may drive through the Kizilkum desert to Khiva (approx. 7 hours). Khiva is believed to be founded at the spot where Shem, son of Noah, discovered water in the desert. Shem’s joyful shout of “Hey va!” gave Khiva its name. Both ways to transfer to Khiva will be an all-day process.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Asia Khiva Hotel, Khiva, Uzbekistan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 16 - Thursday, May 15, 2025
This museum town is a walk-through life as it was led hundreds of years ago. Our tour includes the monuments of the UNESCO site Old Town (Ichon Qala). The Old Town still resembles that experienced by caravans on the Silk Road. Enjoy the sunset and amazing views from the city walls platform before dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Asia Khiva Hotel, Khiva, Uzbekistan, 4*, Standard Room
Day 17 - Friday, May 16, 2025
We will drive to the border of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan for crossing formalities. The process will require handling your own luggage over unpaved ground. There is no assistance. Upon entering Turkmenistan, drive to the airport and fly to Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel for check in. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Oguzkent Hotel , Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 5*, Standard Room
Day 18 - Saturday, May 17, 2025
During the 2 days we spend in Ashgabat, we will stop at several impressive buildings, including the Monument of Independence, which resembles a white-marble "Eiffel Tower" located in a beautiful park, and the rocket-like Arch of Neutrality. We'll also visit the "Palace of Happiness," an octagonal star-shaped wedding registration office, the National Memory complex with its eternal fire rising to the skies, and the Earthquake Memorial topped by a sculpture of a large bull holding the Earth on its horns. As the sun sets, we'll drive past numerous impressive monuments to enjoy the breathtaking views of the "white city" and its extraordinary buildings, shining brightly in the dark.
Additionally, we'll visit Tolkuchka Sunday Market, the biggest in the country, and then the Kipchak Mosque. We'll return to Ashgabat to explore the city's most striking structures, starting with the ruins of Old Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the earliest capital of the Parthian Empire. Erected on top of an irregular pentagon hill at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains, Old Nisa is a 14-hectare site featuring two semi-excavated complexes from the Parthian period. After sightseeing at Old Nisa, we'll proceed to Geok Depe to visit the beautiful Saparmurat Haji Mosque, built within a former Tekke stronghold, the site of the biggest battle for Russian domination in Central Asia in the late 19th century. Traveling ten minutes north from the mosque, we'll visit a private Arkadash stud farm, home to the famous Akhal-Tekke horses, known for their elegance, swiftness, and stamina. After a photo session with the horses, we'll return to Ashgabat. Lunches and dinners will be at local restaurants.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Oguzkent Hotel, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 5*, Standard Room
Day 19 - Sunday, May 18, 2025
Continue our sightseeing of Ashgabat.
Enjoy a Farewell dinner this evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Oguzkent Hotel, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 5*, Standard Room
Day 20 - Monday, May 19, 2025
Transfer to the airport for departing flights.
Meals Included: Breakfast
|
|
• Signature small group size
• Signature comprehensive sightseeing programs
• Signature inclusive meal plan
• Signature deluxe accommodations
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara, Bukhara, Khiva Old Town, Kutlug-Timur Minaret
• City Tours of Almaty, Tashkent, Bishek, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva
• Natural wonders of the Tien Shan Mountains, Lake Issyk-kul
• Nineteen (19) nights in 4-5* Luxury Accommodations
>(Note: Karven Four Seasons Resort is not air-conditioned)
• Daily breakfasts, lunches (except day 2) and dinners (except day 7)
• Private transportation and tours throughout the tour
• Sightseeing excursions and entry fees, as stated in the itinerary
• Professional, English-speaking local guides
• Tour Representative, with minimum participation
• Pre-departure assistance and Information Portfolio
• International airfare and baggage fees
• Intra-tour airfare (quoted separately)
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance (highly recommended)
• Passport and visa fees; a visa is required for American and Canadian Passport Holders to enter Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
• Gratuity for local guides, drivers, staff, and Tour Manager
• Personal meals, transfers, drinks, telephone, gifts, and expenses not outlined in the itinerary
• Any optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in the itinerary
International Airfare
You may arrive early or depart later. We will arrange your additional hotel nights and transfers, if needed. However, we prefer that all travellers arrive and depart together. Therefore, we recommend booking Turkish Airlines through (IST) to Dushanbe (DUY), Tajikistan and return from Ashgabat (ASB), Turkmenistan to Istanbul (IST).
We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to use Frequent Flyer.
Intra-Tour Air
Internal flights are additional and quoted separately. Flights are in coach class. If business class is available, we will quote this for you upon request.
Visas & Vaccines
A valid passport is required for international travel and must be valid for 6 months after the return date of travel and have two blank pages available per country visited.
For US citizens a tourist visa is required for Turkmenistan. If you are LESS than 55 years old, you will need a visa for Uzbekistan as well.
We will apply for a Letter of Invitation certified by the Government of Turkmenistan. This will allow you to apply for a visa at the Embassy in Washington D.C. There is an $80 fee for the Letter of Invitation. We will provide instructions for sending your passport to Washington D.C. We will attempt to send the entire group’s passports at the same time for group processing by our visa processing company. You must expect to be without passport for approximately 3 weeks once it is sent to Washington D.C.
Packing & Weather
Our trip is casual at all times. There is no need for a jacket or tie. Pack for a variety of weather. Bring a light jacket or sweater. Jeans, khakis and shorts are fine for daily wear. Comfortable shoes are a must. Hotels offer laundry service, but it can be expensive.
Minimums
All departures and rates are guaranteed on a minimum number of participants. Tour Manager will accompany a tour also based on a minimum number of participants. This tour can be operated as a Private Tour or customized and repriced based on a final itinerary.
Pre-Departure
A complete portfolio of pre-departure information will be mailed to you approximately three weeks prior to departure.
Hyatt Regency Dushanbe Hotel, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Located on the shore of Lake Komsomol in the centre of Dushanbe, this 5-star luxury hotel is just a 10-minute drive from the airport and is close to all embassies, government offices, and ministries. It features a gourmet restaurant and a spa area with an indoor pool.
All rooms at the Hyatt Regency Dushanbe are very spacious and elegantly furnished. They offer lake and mountain views, air conditioning, a minibar, a safe, an LCD TV with satellite channels, a tea/coffee maker, and a modern bathroom.
In the Foccacia Grill Restaurant, guests can enjoy Mediterranean and international cuisine. The Dushanbe Hyatt Regency also features a lounge, a bar, and a pastry shop.
The Sayohat Spa includes a steam bath, sauna, hot tub, cold plunge pool, relaxation area, and modern fitness centre. A wide range of spa and beauty treatments, as well as massages, is available.
InterContinental Almaty Hotel, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Opposite the Presidential Palace in Almaty’s Republic Square, this grand, 11-storey hotel offers a wide selection of excellent international cuisine, a spa area and beautiful views of the Tian Shan Mountains.
Featuring a glass exterior and spacious lobby with palm trees, the InterContinental Almaty has stylish rooms with silk fabrics and marble bathrooms. All include a flat-screen cable TV, minibar and seating area with high-quality sofas.
Guests can enjoy a delicious international buffet breakfast at the elegant Asian Café. The Sunset Efes Beer Garden serves refreshing summer cocktails and ice cream.
The Ankara Spa includes an indoor swimming pool, Turkish bath and massage treatments. Guests enjoy a fully equipped gym and tennis court.
Hyatt Regency Bishkek Hotel, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Located just 10 minutes' walk from Bishkek city centre with Ala-Too Square, Hyatt Regency Bishkek Hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool and a gym. You can also use free Wi-Fi in the rooms.
Each room at Hyatt Regency includes air conditioning and modern design, including a flat-screen TV and ironing facilities. Slippers are provided in the bathroom.
Mediterranean cuisine is served in the Crostini Restaurant, while grilled specialties are offered in the poolside Breeze Restaurant. You can also enjoy relaxing cocktails at Bar@191 and Opera Lounge.
Hyatt's Club Olympus provides diverse fitness and spa facilities including an outdoor swimming pool. A sauna can be found on site.
Karven Four Seasons Resort, Issyk-kul, Kyrgyzstan
Karven Four Seasons is a first-class year-round resort on the shores of the unique high-mountain lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.
Located in Cholpon-Ata, Karven four seasons provides accommodation with a heated pool and garden views. The property features inner courtyard and quiet street views. There is a terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi, free private parking and an electric vehicle charging station.
The spacious apartment comes with 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a microwave, a fridge, a washing machine, a stovetop and kitchenware. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance.
We invite you to visit the Four Seasons Club restaurant where exquisite dishes from the chef will delight you not only with original taste, but also with extraordinary presentation, and a varied list of wines and cocktails will turn your evening into a real gastronomic feast!
Hyatt Regency Tashkent Hotel, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Hyatt Regency Tashkent offers accommodation in the heart of Tashkent. This luxury hotel offers restaurants, indoor swimming pool and free WiFi.
In the luxurious guest rooms, elegant furnishings and scenic views are offered. A seating area is featured in some rooms where guests can relax with a drink from the minibar while watching satellite TV.
Hyatt Regency’s spa and fitness centre has a modern gym. Spa services with a wide range of relaxing massages are also provided.
Make yourself at home in your spacious guestroom, dine in one of our four restaurants and bars, hold a board meeting or an exclusive event and don’t forget to relax in our pool and spa area. Here, you’ll find that productivity and relaxation are constants during your time in Tashkent.
Movenpick Samarkand Hotel, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Mövenpick Samarkand Hotel is located in the heart of Samarkand, close to historical and ancient cultural sights, mosques, mausoleums & the city business center. This Silk Road oasis is ideal for business trips & leisure. Registan Square, Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Bibi Khanum Mosque & El Merosi Theatre are all on the hotel doorstep. With a garden view and an outdoor veranda, our restaurant Atrium and Chatqal serves European, Uzbek & Turkish dishes.
Stylish rooms are equipped with split air conditioning, modern bathrooms, WIFI, flat-screen TVs and tea/coffee making facilities. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, hammam, sauna and gym so you can continue your exercise. Five spacious meeting rooms are ideal for any event. We also offer multimedia equipment and free on-site parking. As hotel is located close to the city center, the guests do not have to travel far.
In case you are looking for new gastronomic experiences, try unique local Uzbek meals in the Chatqal restaurant. Enjoy a comfortable stay, relax in the spa, and use our premium services.
Mercure Bukhara Old Town Hotel, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Mercure Bukhara hotel in Bukhara's Old Town is surrounded by historical sites from the UNESCO Heritage List, which inspired the hotel's architects to use natural materials: wood and ceramics. It offers a hammam in the XVI century style with a pool, a gym with the latest equipment, a conference hall for 50 people, and a restaurant with an excellent cuisine and a bar is always ready to surprise guests.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bath. At Mercure Bukhara Old Town each room includes bed linen and towels.
A buffet, continental or Full English/Irish breakfast can be enjoyed at the property.
Asia Khiva Hotel, Khiva, Uzbekistan
Asia Khiva Hotel is located just outside Ichan-Qala, hotel provides comfortable accommodation in western style. In short words, this is just one of the best available hotels in Khiva. Staff is very helpful and eager to assist; they care for any of your requests. Asia Khiva hotel is just outside the old city - a five minutes’ walk from the centre. The position is excellent with a wonderful view on the walls around Ichan-Qala. The hotel specializes in group bookings though they do care for individual travelers as well.
The location is directly opposite the South Gate and although it appears a little dark and uninviting at night it is only a 3 minutes walk past a small residential area into the old town itself. There are few street lights so coming back in the dark can be a problem however house lights and a torch help. In general hotel is very clean, the rooms are of good size, security is constant and breakfast is fine. There are no particular services, only a small shop at the entrance, near the reception.
At the hotel, rooms are fitted with a desk. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bath and free toiletries, the rooms at Hotel Asia Khiva have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms are equipped with a balcony. All rooms have bed linen.
At the accommodation you will find a restaurant serving Pizza, Sushi and Russian cuisine. Vegetarian, dairy-free and halal options can also be requested.
|
|
