Destination:Kazakhstan - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan - Tajikistan - Turkmenistan - Azerbaijan - Georgia - Armenia
Duration: 35 days/ 34 nights

Tour Price: from 10,800
Single supplement: $ 1,240

2012 Guaranteed departures:

May 09, 2012- June 12, 2012
August 8, 2012-September 13, 2012

Day 01, 2012  Almaty.
Arrival in Almaty midnight. You will be met by our guide and driver and will be accommodated at the hotel.

Day 02, 2012  Almaty
Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan. Sightseeing tour:  Almaty's Green Bazaar, the Cathedral of the Holy Ascension and Glory Memorial in Park Panfilov,   Museum of National Folk Musical Instruments and Independence Monument. A visit to Alatau park located 15 km from the city. Enjoy a spectacular view of the spectacular mountains.

Day 03, 2012   Almaty - Charyn Canyon (200 km) - Almaty
Sightseeing drive to Charyn Canyon. Enjoy the wonders of the picturesque “Valley of Castles” (Dolina Zamkov in Russian ). It is sometimes called the younger brother of the Grand Canyon in the USA. The walls of the Charyn Canyon are carved with deep fissures, forming caves, grottos and shady niches of different shapes and sizes. During many centuries the rains and winds have carved gorgeous sculptures on the Canyon’s sides.  Hiking in Charyn Canyon area.  Return to Almaty.

Day 04, 2012 Almaty – Bishkek (Kyrgyz capital)
Sightseeing morning drive to Bishkek. Border formalities.  Arrival and accommodation.  Afternoon sightseeing tour in Bishkek.   We visit Manas Monument, the main national hero of the Kyrgyz people. Then excursion to the State History Museum and walking tour around the main Ala Too Square to watch ceremony of changing of the Guard of Honor, Independence Monument, picturesque Oriental Osh bazaar. Dinner and overnight in Bishkek.

Day 05, 2012 Bishkek- Issyk Kul
Sightseeing day drive to Issyk Kul Lake stopping at Burana tower (XI c.) in ancient Balasagun City. The tower enables visitors to climb to the top.  Arrival in Issyk Kul,  one of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in the world. Issyk-Kul means “warm lake” and is a popular destination in the Ala-Tau mountains that form the northern arm of the Tien Shan range.  Enjoy the beaches and lake tour. Dinner and overnight in a hotel at the lake shore.

Day 06, 2012. Issyk Kul Lake (Horse back riding) – Karakol
Morning we explore Cholpon Ata Petroglyphs site, the temple in the open air of Scythians and Hungsuns civilizations dated back 9-8 centuries BC till 3-4 centuries AD. The area of those stone drawing lies at the foot of Kungey Alatoo Ridge with a beautiful view of the whole lake.
Forget all the hassle of urban life, dip into the time of the nomadic tribes, feel the unity with nature. This is an opportunity to experience the feeling of flying over the earth, not lifting up from it. Your helpers in the fascinating journey will be Kyrgyz horses. These amazing, noble animals, affecting their durability and ruggedness, are the best means of transportation along the mountain trails Kyrgyzstan.
Later you continue driving to Karakol town,  situated in the east of the lake area, at the foot of the most picturesque mountains of Tien Shan. Dinner and overnight in the guest house.

Day 07, 2012  Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Tamga
Enjoy visiting a cattle market in Karakol and drive to Tamga village to experience the cultures of Kyrgyz people. Continue driving to Djety Oguz Gorge. Djety Oguz in Kyrgyz means “Seven Bulls”. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces. We hike up the main gorge along the winding Djety Oguz mountain river. On the way you visit some yurts of the local nomadic families. Enjoy hiking and the night panorama. Dinner in Tamga. Home stay accommodation.

Day 08, 2012 Tamga village - Bishkek (320 km)
Morning sightseeing drive to Bishkek along the southern shore of the Issyk Kul Lake. The Southern shore of Lake Issyk Kul is a foothill of Terskei Alatau Range, the peak of which reaches 5200 m.  On the way experience the natural beauty  of  Boom Gorge where boisterous Chu River situated.  Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the airport to take  your flight to Tashkent. You will be met by our representative at the airport and will be transferred to the hotel.  Accommodation.

Day 09, 2012. Tashkent. ( Uzbekistan)
Sightseeing tour in ancient Tashkent: Khast Imom Complex and fascinating ancient  Chor-Su Bazaar, watch craftsmen at work, and bargain for souvenirs. Visit Mustakillik Square (Independence Square) and Earthquake memorial. Enjoy welcome dinner at the traditional Sim Sim Restaurant. Tashkent Palace Hotel.

Day 10, 2012. Tashkent-Khodjand (Tajikistan)-Istaravshan
Sightseeing morning drive to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border "Oybek". You leave for Tajikistan at 8:30 AM. After border formalities drive to Khodjent,one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan. (90 minutes). Arrival  and accommodation at Sogd Hotel in Khodjand.  Afternoon visit fascinating Istaravshan.  Istaravshan, located at the northern foot of the Turkistan Mountain Range, is one of the oldest and beautiful cities in Tajikistan with a history dating back more than 2500 years. Visit Kok Gumbaz complex and Mugtepa bazaar. Drive back to Khodjand. Dinner.

Day 11, 2012 Khodjand-Tashkent
Discover Khodjand. The second-largest city in Tajikistan, it (also called Khojand or Xojand), lays along the Sir-Darya river and is the cultural center of the northern region of the country. Sightseeing tour: Visit Temurmalik fortress, Ancient Silk Road Bazaar and spectacular lakes and parks. Return to the Tajikistan and Uzbekistan border at 4PM. Border formalities. Our English speaking driver will meet you at the border and drive you to Tashkent . Overnight.   

Day 12, 2012. Tashkent-Samarkand
Drive to Samarkand (300 km), the city is more than 2500 years old, Stopping near the "gate" of Amur Temur where two mountain ranges meet. Arrival in ancient Samarkand city.  Accommodation at Malika Prime hotel located next to the ancient historical site.  Sightseeing tour to Registan Square, the main attraction of Samarkand and an impressive place for holding the world’s finest old and modern music festivals and holidays, Ulugbek’s Observatory. “Khovrenko" Samarkand winery and dinner at the family of Uzbeks.

Day 13, 2012. Samarkand
Breakfast.  Visit  Shahi Zinda Ensemble – ancient necropolis, the Silk  factory and enjoy your time at the handicraft center and ancient bazaar of Samarkand. See the process of cooking Uzbek popular food Pilaf at the traditional Uzbek house. Dinner.  Folklore show in Registan Square.

Day 14, 2012   Samarkand-Bukhara Drive to Bukhara through Malikchul desert and Zerafshan river (300km). Stop in ancient Karavan Serai Gate  (XI century) and Gijduvan Ceramic center. Lunch in the National house of Narzullayev.   Arrival in Bukhara.  Accommodation at hotel. Walk to the ancient part of Bukhara. Sightseeing tour of the Labi Khaus Complex, heart of legendary Bukhara city. Explore the serene desert architecture of Bukhara –Labi Khaus Complex and Poi Kalon Ensemble. Wine tasting at 18th century charming  Nughay Caravanserai next to the ancient trade domes.

Day 15, 2012  Bukhara. Explore winter and summer palaces of the Local rulers. Stop by Uzbek family to experience Uzbek hospitality.  Visit the state farm where you can see more than 13 different kinds of grapes to make wines and raisons.  Dinner with folk-show in Medreseh Nodir Divan Begi.
                                                                                
 Day 16, 2012. Bukhara-Mary ( Turkmenistan).
Drive to Farab (Turkmenistan).  After customs and border formalities continue sightseeing day drive to Mary through the Kara Kum desert. Drive 300km & 5 hours direct driving to Mary via Turkmenabat and the Floating Bridge lasting 900 meters over the Greatest River of Central Asia. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 17, 2012.  Mary-Merv
Morning drive to Bayramaly 30km to explore  Old Merv.  Visit Gyz Gala & Oglan Gala (VI-VII), Complex of Askhabs (VIII-XIV),  Gyaur Gala (IV BC), Buddist Complex (IV-VI), Beni Makhan Mosque-first Mosque build in Central Asia .  Enjoy your free time. Flight to Ashgabad.  Evening/night short walking tour along the popular newly opened Park of Inspiration “Ylham Seyilgahi” where there are statues of famous Turkmen Scientists, Poets from different periods.    
Day 18, 2012  Ashgabad
Sightseeing tour in Ashgabad:  Gulistan Bazar, Monument of Lenin which was erected in 1927, visit  Old Nissa-The Sanctuary of Parhian Kings. Nissa  was inscribed at the World Heritages Book by the UNESCO.  After dinner enjoy the night panorama of spectacular Ashgabad.  

Day 19,  2012. Ashgabad
Today you will visit  “Altyn Asyr” Oriental Bazar- Jygyldyk located in 20km to the north of Ashgabat.   It is one of the largest open bazaars in the world filled with colourful rugs, jewellery, carpets, silk and national Turkmen costumes and animals in other part. Complimentary afternoon tour at Kow Ata Underground Lake located 140km. Stopping by  Geokdere & Julge valleys of Kopetdag Mountains. Enjoy the beauty of  “Kow Ata Underground Lake.Drive back to Ashgabad. Dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 20, 2012.  Ashgabad - Dashoguz - Kalas (Uzbekistan)
Fly to Dashoguz and drive to Kunya Urgench to explore this Silk Road city and the Mausoleum of Turabeg Khanum and the Shrines of Soltan Tekesh and Il-Arslan. Travel to the border crossing point at Dashoguz between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. After completing border formalities, continue sightseeing drive to Ayaz kala to experience nomadic life at the yurta. Karakalpak republic of Uzbekistan.  Accommodation in yurta.

Day 21, 2012. Kalas- Khiva
Early morning camel riding, hiking and enjoying the time around yurta. Late morning drive to to  Khiva, ancient Silk Road City.  Khiva, Uzbekistan’s “Living Museum” was the former capital of the Khanate. Excursion to Ichan Kala (Inner City), surrounded by high walls of air-dried bricks and decorated with delicate majolica tile: delight in the Ata –Darvaza,  Tash Hauli Palace and Harem (XIX c.), Karavan  Saray (XIX c.) and Juma Mosque (XI-XII c.) with its 200 wooden pillars.

Day 22, 2012. Khiva-Urgench-Tashkent
Morning flight to Tashkent. Arrival. Accommodation at the hotel. Visit the Uzbek family outside of Tashkent city. Afternoon is your to explore the Tashkent villages with your driver.

Day 23, 2012. Tashkent-Baku
Arrival in Baku in Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport. Transfer to hotel. Check-in. Welcome Dinner.

Day 24, 2012: Baku – Gobustan – Baku
Breakfast at a hotel. Drive to Gobustan, 65 km. Visit Gobustan rock paintings museum in the open air UNESCO Heritage Site and onsite archaeological museum. En-route photo-stop of old oil rigs.
Baku city tour: panorama view of Baku; Old City: Shemakha gate, Shirvanshakhs’ Palace, Maiden Tower, caravanserai, old market square. Free time in Old City. Dinner and overnight in Baku.

Day 25, 2012  Baku – Shemakha – Sheki
Breakfast at a hotel. Leaving Baku, depart for the Caucasus Mountains in the northwest of Azerbaijan. The dry landscape gives way to a densely forested mountain area. En-route visit to mud volcanoes by the main highway, Diri Baba shrine in Maraza; Yeddi Gumbez tomb and Juma mosque in Shemakha. Continue to Sheki. Dinner and overnight in Sheki.

Day 26,  2012 Sheki – Azerbaijan-Georgia border (Lagodekhi) – Telavi
Breakfast at a hotel. Visit local bazaar,  the Royal Summer Palace of the Sheki Khans with its magnificent frescoes and stained glass as well as Sheki Museum and Fortress. Departure for border with Georgia. Meet with Georgian guide and driver and continue tour to Georgia. First we visit a local family for lunch and see how locals live in the villages.  Here we can also see how Georgian bread ‘Shoti’ is baked in ‘Tone’ and of course taste fresh baked ‘Shoti’ bread.  Later we continue to see beautiful Gremi church, a local factory of wine where we take a tour around the factory and taste Georgian wines. Before driving to our hotel we’ll see magnificent Alaverdi Cathedral.  Overnight at a hotel in Telavi. (B/L/D)

Day 27, 2012 Telavi – Tbilisi
In the morning we visit two local wine-cellars to taste home-made wines and get acquainted with local way of wine-making. In one of the wine-cellars we’ll also see how Georgian sweet ‘Churchkhela’ is made. Then we continue to Tbilisi. Upon arrival enjoy the Old Tbilisi tour. During the tour we take you to the places that will show you old city. You can take a glance to the history of the city from early centuries to nowadays by walking in narrow streets of the city and exploring the religious and secular architecture. Here you find different religious buildings – churches, synagogues, mosques, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi-colored balconies. You visit the sulfur bath which made an unforgettable impression on Pushkin, Lermontov, Dumas. During the tour you enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old city. Dinner.

Day 28, 2012  Telavi – Sighnaghi – Tbilisi
In the morning we visit magnificent Alaverdi Cathedral, a local 19th century Duke Chavchavadze’s family estate with beautiful garden and house-museum. After excursion we try a glass of Tsinandali wine.  Later we travel to fortified town of Sighnaghi with beautiful cobbled streets and great views down to the Alazani Valley. If time permits we visit local ethnographical-historical museum. Drive to Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 29,  2012  Tbilisi
In the morning we have Tbilisi walking tour: visit  churches, synagogues, mosques, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi-colored balconies. You will also  visit the sulfur bath which made an unforgettable impression on Pushkin, Lermontov, Dumas. During the tour you enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old city. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 30, 2012, 2012 : Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Tbilisi
We drive to visit the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia – Mtskheta (3000 years old) and see its historical places: Jvari church (6th century) and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) where the Robe of Christ is buried. Both Jvari and Svetitskhoveli are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also visit Bagineti pagan archaeological site. Later we shall explore  Gori – the heart of Kartli region and its historical places: Uplistsikhe Cave Town (1st millennium BC) and Stalin’s museum. Uplistsikhe is the place where the Great Silk Road used to pass. This is an old and interesting complex with dwelling quarters, wine-cellars, bakeries, a three-nave basilica church hewn out in rock and even an antic theatre. In the late afternoon drive back to Tbilisi. Dinner . Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 31, 2012  Tbilisi – Kazbegi – Tbilisi
Today we travel up the famous Georgian Military Highway (leading to the Georgian-Russian border). On the way visit Ananuri architectural complex (17th century), the two churches and the fortress overlooking Zhinvali water reservoir. The drive is very scenic through high Caucasus Mountains. A stunning drive along the Tergi River will bring us to Kazbegi – the main town in the region. From Kazbegi we get on 4WD to drive up through beautiful valleys and woodland leads us to Gergeti Trinity Church located at 2170m. Weather permitting you may catch a glimpse of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus – Mt Kazbegi (5047m). We return to Kazbegi and drive back to Tbilisi.Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 32, 2012: Tbilisi – Dmanisi – Georgia-Armenia border (Guguti) – Pushkino
In the morning we visit an archaeological site of Dmanisi the house of the skulls of Zezva and Mzia – the first Europeans. Drive to the Georgia-Armenia border (Guguti) where we change guide and vehicle and continue tour to Armenia. Drive to Lori-Berd fortress (10-11 cc). Visit Early Bronze Age chamber tombs nearby.
Dinner and overnight at B&B in Pushkino.

Day 33, 2012: Pushkino – Amberd – Saghmosavank – Metsamor – Echmiatsin – Yerevan
Breakfast at the B&B. Drive to Aragatsotn region. Visit the medieval fortress of Amberd, built on the slopes of Mount Aragats, at the confluence of the Arkashen and Amberd rivers. Then visit its church (1026 AD) known for its splendid dome. Visit Saghmosavank monastic complex (XIII cent.) situated on the picturesque canyon of the river Kasakh.  Drive to Armavir region. Visit the Metsamor Historical-Archeological site and the Museum. Near the site is a Neolithic stone circles dated to ca. 5000 BC. Drive to Echmiadzin town, the centre of Armenian Christianity. Echmiatzin is the spiritual center of Armenia and all Armenians, the seat of the Catholicos of all Armenians. Visit the Cathedral (303), included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Drive to Yerevan. Check in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 34,  2012  Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Yerevan
Breakfast at the hotel. Short city tour. Visit Matenadaran – institute and museum of medieval manuscripts (closed on Sundays and Mondays). Visit State History Museum of Armenia. Drive to Kotayk region. To see  Geghard monastery (4-13th cc.), carved in rocks. This spectacular place, included in UNESCO World Heritage List, has its special history. Then continue to Garni pagan temple (77AD) with the rampart and other monuments nearby such as the ruins of the palace complex, bathhouse and a V century round church, having a distinguished place in the architectural heritage. The Temple, called "the Temple of Sun" is dedicated to the heathen god “Mithra”. Drive back to Yerevan.  Farewell dinner. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 35, 2012: Departure
Yerevan. Transfer to the airport. Departure.

The tour program includes:

• Accommodation at the hotels and exotic camps
• Visa support/invitations (for all the Central Asia and Caucasus countries)
• Meals: Breakfast and Dinners and 3 lunches
• Experienced guides and escort guides
• Transport service throughout tour with luxury air conditioned car
• Domestic flights (Bishkek-Tashkent, Mary-Ashgabat,  Ashgabat-Dashovuz, Urgench-Tashkent, Tashkent-Baku)
• Horseback riding and camel safari
• Wine discovery, meetings with professors and wine specialists, visit the grape farms
• Picnics, coffee and tea stops
• 1 Bottle of water every day
• Entrance fees to all museums, archaeological sites, parks and mountains (based on the itinerary)
• Folklore shows in Bukhara, Samarkand, Bishkek, Yerevan
• All airport Transfers
• Pre departure Travel Package

The tour program doesn’t include:

• International Flights
• Charges in hotels for additional services
• Consular fees for the embassies