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Central Asia Group Tour 2017
14 Days | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan

Central Asia is so jam-packed with historical and nature sights, it would literally take years to explore the all, even the half. We guess you are rather tight in time, but still want to see as much as possible. That is why we have put together in 14 day itinerary the best that this part of the world offers to tourists. Central Asia Group Tour 2017 with fixed dates will open up the most interesting in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. In addition, we are excited to offer to prolong your Silk Road adventures with a Small Group Tour to South Caucasus.

TRAVEL ITINERARY

Day 1

Day 1, Su: Almaty – arrival

Arrive in Almaty. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at 14:00. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Day 2, Mo: Almaty – Bishkek

Breakfast. At 09:00 your guide and driver will meet you at hotel lobby to start the sightseeing tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill, visit Medeo Gorge.

At 15:30 transfer to the Airport to get the flight KC109 to Bishkek at 18:00. Arrival at Bishkek at 18:55. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 3

Day 3, Tu: Bishkek – Burana – Bishkek

After breakfast transfer to Burana Tower dated to X-XII cc. Burana Tower is a historical complex, which marks the original site of the Karakhanid town, Balasagun.

In the afternoon return to Bishkek for city tour. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 4

Day 4, We: Bishkek – Tashkent

At 04:00 transfer to Bishkek International Airport for flight HY778 to Tashkent at 06:45 (580 km, 1 h. 20 min.). Arrival at Tashkent at 07:05. Transfer for breakfast and check in hotel. At 11:00 start sightseeing Tashkent. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex and Chorsu bazar, continue to center of Tashkent with Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 5

Day 5, Th: Tashkent – Khudjand – Tashkent

Breakfast. At 08:00 drive to Uzbekistan-Tajikistan border point Oybek (100 km, 1 h. 30 min.). After completing customs and passport control on both sides, tajik local guide and driver will meet you on the tajik side and take you to Khujand (70 km, 1 h.). Start sightseeing Khujand. You will explore the Sughd Historical Museum, Timur-Malik Fortress, Mosque and Madrasah of Shaikh Muslihiddin, Payshanba Bazaar. You will try delicious Tajik cuisine at the local restaurant. Drive back to Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border point Oybek. After passing the border Oybek, the driver will meet you on Uzbekistan side and transfer to your hotel in Tashkent. Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 6

Day 6, Fr: Tashkent – Samarkand

Early breakfast. At 07:00 transfer from your hotel to railway station. Fast-speed train “Afrosiyob” departs Tashkent at 08:00 and arrives in Samarkand at 10:10 (300 km). Your guide and driver will meet you at train station to begin the city tour in Samarkand. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khahum mosque, Ulugbek observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, central Samarkand bazaar and Gur-Emir Mausoleum, authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 7

Day 7, Sa: Samarkand

After breakfast continue sightseeing Samarkand: visit Afrosiyob Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Koni Ghil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Free time. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 8

Day 8, Su: Samarkand– Bukhara

In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Bukhara (280 km, 4-5 h.). Stop on the way at Rabati-Malik Caravanserai. Continue driving to Bukhara. Arrive in Bukhara, check in to the hotel.

Spend your afternoon in fascinating Old Bukhara which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Explore Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque, madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, trade domes, Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Chor-Minor Madrasah. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 9

Day 9, Mo: Bukhara

Start the second day in Bukhara discovering Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Samani dynasty and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Then visit Sitorai-Mokhikhosa – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to Mausoleum of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi and Chor Bakr necropolis. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. In the evening enjoy dinner and folklore show program at Nodir Divan-begi Madrasah. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 10

Day 10, Tu: Bukhara – Khiva

In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 h.). The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road does nowadays. Stop en-route to enjoy views of the desert and Amudarya River.

Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest. Overnight at the hotel.

There is the only basic local café on the way, lunch-boxes are recommended. Some parts of the road are not in a good condition

Day 11

Day 11, We: Khiva

Today you will visit Ichan-Kala Fortress which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour features visits to Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum. Try yourself at climbing Islom Khodja Minaret, the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Old Khiva in Kunya-Ark. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 12

Day 12, Th: Khiva – Kunya-Urgench – Dashoguz – Ashgabat

In the morning drive to Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.). Go through border formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km neutral zone (transportation may not be available). Meet your Turkmenistan guide and drive to Kunya Urgench (100 km, 1 h. 30 min.). Visit mausoleums of Turebek-Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan, Najmad-din-Kubra, Sultan Ali. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret and Kyrk Molla Hill.

In the afternoon drive to Dashoguz airport (120 km, 1 h. 30 min.), take an evening flight to Ashgabat (580 km, 50 min.). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours

Day 13

Day 13, Fr: Ashgabat

Breakfast. Sightseeing tour in Ashgabat – capital of Turkmenistan, which has experienced boom of “Marble Architecture” for the past 15 years. Explore archeological site of Old Nissa (included in UNESCO World Heritage list) and Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Visit the National Museum of History, and continue to Arch of Neutrality. In the afternoon drive to “Bedev” hippodrome stables to see Akhalteke horses – pride of Turkmen nation. Continue the tour with visits to Presidential Square, Ertugrul Gazy Mosque, and the newly built Independence Park. During the sightseeing you will have a chance to take a picture of the Monument of Lenin. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 6 hours

Day 14

Day 14, Sa: Ashgabat – departure

Check out from the hotel till noon. Free time till transfer to Ashgabat International Airport. End of the tour.

Accommodation

City Economy Hotels Number of nights
Almaty Kazzhol 1
Bishkek Asia Mountains-2 2
Tashkent City Palace 2,5
Samarkand Malika Prime, Malika Classic, Billuri Sitora, Ideal 2
Bukhara Kukeldash, Amulet, K.Komil, Chor Minor, Siyavush 2
Khiva Malika Kheivak, Orient Star, Malika Khiva, Old Khiva 2
Ashgabat Ak-Altyn, Grand Turkmen 2

Testimonials

  • Khan Family, OH

    We have been using travel discount for at least the past 6 years for our family travels. Br. Sadiq has helped us navigate our travels for Ummrah, Morocco, India, and most recently Jordan and Palestine. Having 3 children and sometimes traveling with extended family we appreciate having a personal car and driver at our disposal. He is able to coordinate sightseeing and activities keeping in mind the size of our party. Our most recent trip to Palestine and Jordan was exceptional in the tour guides. He choose partner agencies that helped in the visa process with door to door service. Most importantly we appreciate English speaking guides who can impart historical and political knowledge to our trips. On this particular trip we were able to tie in many Islamic sites with references to the Quran and historical stories.

  • Masih Farooqui

    Assalamalekum Br Sadiq, JazakAllah khair for arranging my wonderful trip by far this is the best , you have been arranging my trip every year for the last 17 years Alhumdulliah all hotels are good transportation are good and on time neat and clean. It’s always a pleasure travelling from your agency.

  • This is Zia alavi

    Assalamalekum Br Sadiq, I wanted to thank you for helping us with the Umrah package. Alhumdulillah the hotels and transportation was great and very convenient.

  • Obaid Khan

    We have used the services of Discount Travel for many trips throughout the world. Sadiq Hussain has always provided responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable service. He has been attentive to our needs and available by phone and email even when we have been abroad. Our recent trip to Spain in December 2017-January 2018 was no exception!

    We decided rather spontaneously on a trip and Mr. Sadiq assured us that he could organize it. Every aspect of our trip was well planned and he always provides honest feedback about accommodations. We were pleased and everything was as he had promised. Though we gave little time to plan, Discount Travel did a thorough job!

    We enjoyed a six-city bus tour of the Andalusia area, Barcelona, and Madrid wherein we had city tours which explored places of historical and cultural significance and also enjoyed the beauty of the Spanish countryside along the way! Many people in our family have traveled with Discount Travel and we will continue to do so!

    Obaid Khan Family South Carolina

  • Zacharea

    Alhamdulillah I received both passports yesterday. Thank you so much for all your help!! I will definitely be referring you to all my friends and family who want to go on umra inshAllah. We are so excited to be going!! Please let me know if anything else is needed. May Allah bless you and your family for your service to us.

  • Faiq Aqueel

    Assalam Allakum Last night I was back home. Thank you for the umrah arrangement. Flights were on time. Qusswa agent was waiting at Madina airport & Median Hilton. At Makkah hotel agent was not there but he contacted by phone. Ground transportation was good and on time. Thank you for your efforts and Allah Hafeez.

  • Ahsan and Shahnaz Hafeez

    Thank you very much for arranging our Scotland and Ireland vacation program. From Air Line tickets , to hotel arrangements and arranging for very interesting sight seeing tours were all just fantastic. Discount Travel crew of Ireland and UK personnel are very highly professional people. They were very friendly, courteous and in all sense very professional. The personal guided tours were very informative and they also gave us time to shop in selected places which was very helpful . In my opinion their commentary was just like listening to well informed Historians.

    From picking us up from the Airports to dropping us off was all perfectly on time and I must really complement on their punctuality and professionalism.

    The Hotels in Edinburgh and Dublin served our purpose. They were all in the City and easily accessible to all highlights. Restaurants in both hotels provided very good food and the staff was very friendly , courteous and met all our demands. People who live in USA are all spoiled by 4 star and 5 star hotel ratings. In Europe you just cannot anticipate the same equivalent grade. But we all slept well and with comfort.

    I must say in the end that people in both countries were very friendly and define courtesy very well. Again thank you for all your efforts in arranging such a fabulous vacation.
    Note: Our granddaughter Saher can’t wait for another European Vacation.

  • Baig Family

    JazakAllah. We just came back from our second Umrah. Thank you so much for all the arrangements, we truly appreciate. May Allahtaala Bless you and your family. We are okay with the Spain trip , the way it is arranged now.Thank for arranging Makkah Ziyaraths.

  • Mujeeb Qadri

    It is not us but the blessing of Allah SWT that we have such good people. Sadiq Bhai work of travel agency is very challenging and demanding, but especially the way you cater people is excellent. May Allah SWT protect you and your family and keep you in good health and Islamic spirit. Ameen. we had an excellent Umra Trip Please keep us in your dua.

  • Tauqir Ahmed

    Last Year, we performed Hajj thru Discount Travel of Lombard, IL. We have nothing but great compliments for Br. Sadiq for providing us with such a beautiful, memorable and satisfying experience. We were provided a very professional and caring support thorough out our trip. My mother-in law carries a Pakistani passport. On our way to Medina we transited thru Qatar. Br. Sadiq made sure for us to stay in a hotel at the Qatar airport. As I understand It is not easy for an older person to get a Qatari visa. All in all a great job.

  • Irfaan Ghafoor

    This is Irfaan Ghafoor and we (sis Saadia and mom Tallat) just came back from Umrah Alhamdulilah. No problems with anything and we had safe trip and my mom is in Pakistan now. Just wanted to thank you and QASSWA for everything. They were on time and very professional and it was a good experience. May Allah give you reward for helping so many people make their dreams come true for HAJJ and UMRAH. And next time, hopefully soon, we will call you to help us make travel plans for upcoming trips.