Arrive & sightseeing Almaty

Almaty - Upon arrival at Almaty airport, meet your guide who will transfer you to your hotel.

Ascension Cathedral - The striking golden domes and vibrant color scheme of the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty, Kazakhstan, attract visitors to Panfilov Park. The building’s impressive architecture and rich history are equally captivating. Construction of the cathedral began in 1904, based on the design by architect Constantin Arkadyevich Borisoglebsky. However, regional engineer Andrei Pavlovich Zenkov, who made modifications to the plans and oversaw the construction, is often credited with its completion in 1907. Thus, it is commonly referred to as the Zenkov Cathedral.

Park Named After Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen - This historical and architectural monument, established in the late 19th century, spans 18 hectares and features numerous old oaks, maples, aspens, pines, and firs. It surrounds the renowned Ascension (Zenkov) Cathedral. Engineer P. M. Zenkov, who managed the cathedral’s construction, also contributed to the park’s organization. Initially called the Urban Garden, it was renamed several times before receiving its current name in 1942, in honor of the Panfilov Heroes who defended Moscow against the German army in 1941 during World War II. Today, it is one of Almaty’s main attractions.

The Central Mosque of Almaty - The Central Mosque of Almaty is a stunning gold-domed structure with minarets set against the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains, creating a breathtaking view. As one of the largest mosques in the country, it can accommodate up to 7,000 visitors. The mosque’s picturesque courtyard offers a serene place to relax and pray while admiring the surroundings. It includes separate halls for men and women, rooms for reading the Quran, a wedding hall, and spaces for Islamic lessons. The walls are adorned with verses from the Quran. Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the prayer hall, dress modestly, and maintain a quiet atmosphere.

Zeleny Bazar - Zeleny Bazar is a bustling shopping destination offering a variety of sights, aromas, and tastes. As you explore the aisles, you’ll find everything from nail clippers to clothing, and fresh produce to smoked horsemeat. Friendly storeowners often allow visitors to sample their goods.

Bishkek

Bishkek - Drive from Almaty to Bishkek.

Ala-Too Square - Ala-Too Square is the central square of Bishkek, home to the White House, the State History Museum, the national flagpole, the monument to the victims of the April 7 revolution, the statue of Chingiz Aitmatov, and the statue of Manas, the hero of the Kyrgyz folk epic. Named after the Ala-Too mountains, the square and the Historical Museum create a cohesive architectural ensemble. Built in 1984, the square features marble and granite facades and intersects Chui Avenue and Kievskaya Street.

State History Museum - The Kyrgyz State History Museum showcases the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people, with exhibits ranging from ancient sculptures to 20th-century artifacts. It is one of Central Asia’s most significant museums.

Victory Square - Victory Square in Bishkek commemorates the Allied forces’ victory in World War II. Established in 1985 to mark the 40th anniversary of the war’s end, it is a prominent public space in the city.

Osh Bazaar - Bishkek’s central bazaar is a lively and important city landmark. It offers traditional Kyrgyz clothing, including white imitation-felt ak kalpak hats and colorful shepherds’ chests. While Mondays are quieter, the bazaar is bustling on other days.

Fly Osh. Sightseeing, Drive over the border to Margilan

Osh - Transfer from the hotel to the airport for a morning flight to Osh. Fly from Bishkek to Osh.

Lenin Monument - The Lenin Monument in Osh is a remnant of Soviet nostalgia and the only remaining statue of Lenin in Central Asia.

Margilan - Drive across the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border to Margilan, a beautiful traditional city in the Fergana Valley.

Visit Silk Factory, Rishtan ceramics, Drive to Kokand

Yodgorlik Silk Factory - Established in 1983 to preserve traditional silk weaving techniques, the Yodgorlik Silk Factory produces high-quality handmade goods. Employing over 100 workers, the factory handles the entire production process, from feeding silkworms to dyeing and weaving silk. Guided tours are available for visitors to learn about Margilan’s silk weaving industry.

Rishtan - Drive 60 km (1 hour) to Rishtan and visit a traditional ceramic workshop.

Kokand - Drive through endless fruit orchards to Kokand.

Drive to Khujand Tajikistan, sightseeing

Khujand - Drive to Khujand, crossing the Uzbek-Tajik border.

Khujand Fortress - Visit Khujand Fortress to learn about Tajikistan’s history. Now a history museum, the fort features exhibits that narrate the country’s development from ancient times to the present. Ancient archaeological findings are preserved in their original place, protected by a glass floor.

Historical Local Lore Museum of Archeology and Fortification - This museum in Khujand showcases relics from various historical periods, offering a glimpse into both local and national history.

Drive Penjikent

Penjikent - Drive over the Shakristan pass, 3300 meters above sea level, to Penjikent.

Republican Museum of History and Local Lore of Rudaki - This museum features artifacts from Sarazm and Ancient Penjikent, including eight rooms dedicated to the history of Penjikent, ancient sites, the life and work of poet Rudaki, local customs and traditions, and aspects of the national economy.

Proto-urban site of Sarazm - Sarazm, meaning “where the land begins,” is an archaeological site that illustrates the development of human settlements in Central Asia from the 4th to the 3rd millennium BCE. The ruins demonstrate early proto-urbanization and the existence of trade relations with various regions, including Central Asia, Turkmenistan, the Iranian plateau, the Indus valley, and the Indian Ocean.

Drive Penjikent-Samarkand, 1/2 day sightseeing Samarkand

Samarkand - Drive over the Jar-tepa border crossing from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan (70 km).

Registan - Registan became the city square when life in Afrosiab ceased. It has been reconstructed several times and is now surrounded by the three madrasas: Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillokori.

Gur Emir Mausoleum - The Gur Emir Mausoleum is the tomb of Tamerlane, one of history’s greatest conquerors. Visitors can reflect on his life while viewing the world’s largest piece of jade (greenstone) at the beautifully reconstructed mausoleum.

1/2 day sightseeing Samarkand, Free time

Shah-i-Zinda - The Shakhi-Zinda Ensemble, located on the southeastern mound of Afrosiab, consists of 44 tombs in over 20 mausoleums. Shah E Zinda, the first cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, is buried here.

Ulugh Beg Observatory - Built in the 14th century by Ulugbek, the grandson of Amir Timur, this ancient observatory is located on Afrosiyob hill overlooking Samarkand.

Bibi Khanym Mosque - Named after the wife of Temur, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque was built between 1399 and 1404. It is one of Central Asia’s most famous architectural landmarks, erected on Timur’s orders after his conquest of Delhi. The mosque’s minaret was intended to be the tallest.

Siab Bazaar - The Siab Bazaar in Samarkand remains as impressive as it was years ago, showcasing the natural wealth of Uzbekistan and the talents and diligence of its people through its abundant produce and handicrafts.

Train Samarkand-Bukhara, 1/2 Day sightseeing Bukhara

Bukhara - Transfer to the Samarkand train station for a morning train to Bukhara.

Lyab-i-Hauz - Built in the 16th-17th centuries, the Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble is one of Bukhara’s major squares. It is a popular tourist attraction, known for its grandeur, tranquility, and historical significance. Located in the southeast shakhristan near the main Bukhara trade street, it serves as a rest stop for many visitors.

Maghak-i ‘Attari Mosque - The Maghak-i ‘Attari Mosque is the oldest surviving mosque in Central Asia. It once served as a Buddhist and Zoroastrian temple and features marvelous brickwork architecture.

1/2 day Sightseeing Bukhara, Free time

Trading Domes - The medieval oriental bazaar is filled with artisan workshops.

Ark of Bukhara - The Ark, a royal mini-town within Bukhara, is the city’s oldest structure and served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers for over a millennium. The original fortress’s founding is shrouded in antiquity, but it was the focal point around which the medieval town developed.

Moschea Bolo-khauz - The Bolo Hauz stands opposite the Ark Fortress in a Kosh arrangement. Its name means “above the pool,” referring to the octagonal hauz (artificial pond) in front of it. Built in 1712 during the reign of Abu’l-Faiz Khan, it is one of Bukhara’s last major pre-modern buildings.

Train to Urgench, Sightseeing Khiva

Kokand - Early transfer to the train station in Kokand.

Urgench - Early train from Kokand to Urgench.

Khiva - Transfer from Urgench to Khiva.

Kalta Minor Minaret - The Kalta Minor Minaret is renowned for its unique decor and incompleteness. Commissioned in 1851 by Mohammed Amin Khan, it was intended to rise over 70 meters but construction stopped at 29 meters, earning it the name Kalta Minor (Short Minaret).

Citadel Kunya-ark - The Kunya Ark is a fortified citadel at the heart of Khiva, adjacent to the western ramparts of the Ichan Kala. Originally built in the 12th century, its current layout was established by Arang Khan in the late 17th century. It is the largest of Khiva’s buildings.

Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum - The mausoleum honors Pahlavan Mahmud, a local poet and philosopher known for his strength and healing abilities. Initially modest, the mausoleum was later expanded into a magnificent structure with the largest dome in the city, covered in blue tiles.

Juma Mosque - Located near the center of the Ichan Kala, Khiva’s Juma Mosque is where the ruling Khan’s name was read aloud during Friday prayers.

Stone Palace (Tash Khauli) - Built between 1830 and 1838, the Tash Khauli Palace in the eastern part of Ichan-Kala exemplifies the architectural grandeur of Khorezm during that period. It was constructed by order of Allakuli-Khan.

Islam Khodja Complex - The Islam-Khodja complex, located in the southeast of Ichan-Kala, includes a madrasa and minaret. Named after Islam Khodja, the grand vizier and first cousin of Muhammad Rahmi Bahadur II.

Fly Urgench-Tashkent, Sightseeing Tashkent

Urgench - Transfer from Khiva to Urgench airport.

Tashkent - Fly from Urgench to Tashkent.

Navoi Opera Theater - Designed by Alexey Shchusev, the Navoi Opera Theater was built between 1942 and 1947 and opened to the public in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Alisher Navoi’s birth. Tours are conducted outside the building.

Ensemble Hazrati Imam - The Khazrati-Imam ensemble, also known as Khast-Imam, is a spiritual monument in Tashkent’s old city. The complex includes the Tillya Sheikh mosque, Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan madrasah, and Imam al-Bukhari Islamic Institute.

Amir Temur Square - Amir Timur Square is a central green space in modern Tashkent, featuring flowers, fountains, and a statue of Tamerlane on horseback.

Metro Taschkent - The Tashkent metro, the first underground system in Central Asia, opened in 1977. Each station has a unique architectural design, featuring marble, granite, columns, bas-reliefs, and handcrafted gypsum.

Independence Square (Mustakillik Square) - Formerly known as Red Square, this area features beautiful gardens and fountains and is popular with local families.

Palace of the Romanovs - Built in 1891, the Prince Romanov residence is an unusual monument in Tashkent. Designed by architects A.L. Benoit and V.S. Geyntseltsman, it now serves as the Reception House of the MFA of Uzbekistan. Tours are only conducted outside the building.

Departure

Tashkent - Transfer to Tashkent Airport

• Licensed experienced local guide in each city
• Visa support letter if needed (check visa rules before travel)
• Accommodation in high-rated 3-star hotels
• 24/7 customer service
• All entrance tickets to Museums included
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Breakfast included
• All fees and taxes covered
• Single room supplement for odd-numbered groups

• Visa fees
• Tips for guides & drivers
• Photo/Video charge to be paid cash to Museum at entrance
• Flight Bishkek-Osh pls book online with international flight