The Five Central Asian Republics

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Programma del soggiorno

• giorno 1

  Achgabat, arrival

  

  Arrival in Ashgabat early in the morning, welcome at the airport, then transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest. After breakfast, meet your local guide and set off to discover the dazzling capital of Turkmenistan. Stroll through the lively Sunday bazaar, admire the graceful Akhal-Teke horses, and gaze at the impressive Ertogrul Ghazi Mosque. Continue the tour of Ashgabat's iconic sites: from the Lenin Monument and Independence Park to the monumental Rukhnama and the bold Arch of Neutrality. Don't miss the gigantic Ferris wheel or the Magtymguly Monument, symbols of the fusion between tradition and modernity in the city. Return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight in Ashgabat. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 2

  Achgabat, excursion to the Darvaza gas crater by road (600 km)

  

  After breakfast, continue exploring Ashgabat with a visit to the earthquake monument and the Soviet war memorial complex. After lunch, set off on an exciting drive through the Karakum Desert to one of Central Asia’s most extraordinary sites: the Darvaza gas crater, famously known as the “Door to Hell.” Arrive before sunset to admire the flaming crater as it lights up at nightfall. Enjoy a traditional barbecue dinner under the desert sky, with unforgettable views and excellent opportunities to photograph the glowing flames. Then, return to Ashgabat with a peaceful night drive, arriving at your hotel around midnight. Meals: breakfast, dinner Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 3

  Achgabat - Mary by morning flight

  

  Mary - ancient city of Merv - "Farap" land border - Bukhara by road, 385 km After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Mary. Upon arrival, drive to the ancient oasis city of Merv, once one of the great centers of the Silk Road and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore its impressive ruins and discover the fascinating past of the city. Then, continue by road to the Farap land border with Uzbekistan. After border formalities, meet your Uzbek guide and driver, then transfer to the legendary city of Bukhara. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival. Free time and overnight in Bukhara. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 4

  Bukhara

  

  After breakfast, start your guided tour of Bukhara, one of the most iconic cities on the Silk Road. Morning highlights include the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, the unique Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, the elegant Bolo-Khauz Mosque, and the mighty Ark Citadel, once the residence of the rulers of Bukhara. Continue to the emblematic Po-i-Kalyan complex with its imposing minaret, and visit the magnificent Ulugbek and Abdulaziz-Khan madrasas. After lunch, stroll through the historic Lyabi-Khauz complex, the Koukeldash and Nadir Divan-Begi madrasas, as well as the lively covered bazaars where, for centuries, silk, spices, and handicrafts have been traded. In the evening, enjoy a dinner with a local family and taste Uzbekistan’s most iconic dish — plov (pilaf). Return to the hotel for the night. Meals: breakfast, dinner Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 5

  Bukhara - Samarkand by road, 280 km

  

  After breakfast, continue your exploration of Bukhara with visits outside the city: the sumptuous Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa Palace, the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, and the spiritual complex Bahautdin Naqshbandi, dedicated to the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order. After lunch, depart by car to Samarkand, the dazzling capital of Tamerlane's empire. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel, then enjoy an evening stroll on the splendid Registan Square, where you can attend the magical sound and light show. Overnight in Samarkand. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 6

  Samarkand

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. This day is dedicated to discovering the legendary city of Samarkand, one of the jewels of the Silk Road. Start with the magnificent Registan Square, framed by three splendid madrasas: Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Qori. Visit the impressive Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of Tamerlane, and admire from the outside the Rukhabad Mausoleum. After lunch, continue to the majestic Bibi-Khanym Mosque, stroll through the mystical atmosphere of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and end the day with a visit to the fascinating Ulugh Beg Observatory, once one of the most advanced in the medieval world. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Samarkand. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 7

  Samarkand, one-day excursion to Tajikistan by road (120 km)

  

  After an early breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion to Tajikistan, once the heart of ancient Sogdiana. Cross the border and meet your Tajik guide and driver before continuing to Pendjikent. There, you will discover the ruins of Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back more than 5,500 years. Visit the Rudaki Museum and stroll through the lively local bazaar. Then, head to the Fann Mountains to discover the famous Seven Lakes, a chain of beautiful alpine lakes whose colors change with the light—from deep blue to sparkling turquoise. Today, you will visit six of them, with a break for a traditional lunch at a local family's home near the fourth lake. In the afternoon, return to the border with Uzbekistan, then travel to your hotel in Samarkand. Overnight in Samarkand. Meals: breakfast, lunch Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 8

  Samarkand - Tashkent by morning train

  

  This morning, transfer to the station for your picturesque train journey from Samarkand to Tashkent (08:05–11:54). Upon your arrival in Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, enjoy a guided walk in the city center. Tashkent is a fascinating combination of wide modern boulevards, Soviet-era monuments, and a charming old town with winding alleys and lively bazaars. It is a city where ancient traditions meet a forward-looking spirit. In the afternoon, free time to relax or explore the city at your own pace. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 9

  Tashkent - Bishkek by afternoon flight

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with a guided tour of Tashkent, a city that combines the energy of modern Central Asia and the charm of its historical past. Visit the elegant white Minor Mosque, the majestic Independence Square, and the dynamic Amir Timur Square. Don't miss a ride on the Tashkent metro, famous for its beautifully decorated stations, often compared to underground art galleries. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Bishkek, the peaceful capital of Kyrgyzstan. Surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Tian Shan, Bishkek is renowned for its green parks, wide boulevards inherited from the Soviet era, and its welcoming atmosphere. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Bishkek. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 10

  Bishkek

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, meet your local guide and head out of the city towards Ala-Archa National Park, a superb alpine canyon nestled in the Tian Shan mountains. Enjoy the fresh mountain air, magnificent panoramas, and a pleasant hike surrounded by pine forests and rocky peaks. Return to Bishkek in the afternoon for a city tour. Discover Ala-Too Square, watch the changing of the guard at the foot of the flagpole, and admire the statue of Lenin, the Freedom Monument, and the imposing monument to Manas the Great, the legendary hero of Kyrgyzstan. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 11

  Bishkek – Burana Tower – Issyk-Kul Lake by road (280 km)

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Bishkek with your guide and driver towards the magnificent Issyk-Kul Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. On the way, stop to explore the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagyn and climb the Burana Tower, a remnant from the Silk Road era. Continue the journey through mountainous landscapes to the shores of Issyk-Kul. Check in at your hotel by the lake and enjoy some free time to rest and take in the view. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 12

  Issyk-Koul – Djeti-Oguz Gorge – Karakol by road, 150 km

  

  After breakfast, drive along the eastern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul towards Karakol. On the way, stop at Cholpon-Ata to visit the open-air museum of ancient petroglyphs, then the museum dedicated to Nikolay Przhevalsky, the famous Russian explorer of Central Asia. Upon arrival in Karakol, enjoy a city tour: discover the picturesque Dungan Mosque (19th century), a wooden structure built without nails in the Chinese style, and the impressive Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral, also made of wood and dating from the 19th century. Then stroll through the lively central bazaar to experience the local atmosphere. In the afternoon, excursion to the spectacular Djeti-Oguz Gorge, where striking red cliffs form the famous “Broken Heart” and “Seven Bulls” rocks. The lush forests contrasting with the red sandstone mountains offer an unforgettable panorama. Return to Karakol for hotel check-in and overnight. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 13

  Karakol – land border "Kegen" – Charyn Canyon – Almaty by road (380 km)

  

  After breakfast, departure from Karakol at 09:00 towards the Kazakhstan border. After border formalities, continue the journey to Almaty. On the way, stop to visit the spectacular Charyn Canyon, often described as the “little brother” of the Grand Canyon. Stretching for 150 km in length and reaching up to 300 meters in depth, it offers breathtaking panoramas. The most famous section is the Valley of Castles, where the impressive rock formations resemble ancient fortresses sculpted by nature. Lunch en route, then continue to Almaty. Arrival in the evening. Check-in at the hotel and overnight in Almaty. Meals: breakfast, lunch Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 14

  Almaty

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Almaty, the largest and most dynamic city in Kazakhstan. Start at the colorful Green Bazaar, then stroll through Panfilov Park to admire the superb wooden Zenkov Cathedral and the moving Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. Next, go up to Kok-Tobe Hill, dominated by the tallest television tower in the world. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city before descending by Almaty's famous cable car. After lunch, head to the mountains: visit Medeo, the highest skating rink in the world, then continue to the Shymbulak ski resort. Take the cable car up to 3,200 meters in altitude for unforgettable alpine views. Return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight in Almaty. Meals: breakfast Overnight at the hotel

• giorno 15

  Almaty, departure

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time, transfer to Almaty International Airport for your departure flight. Meals: breakfast