Page 31 - CENTRAL ASIA

Day 1 ASHGABAT
Our representative meets you at the airport, transfers you to your hotel and settles you in.
Ashgaba whit gr “Yildyz hot the
Constitution monument, the Independence monument and park...
Day 2 ASHGABAT
Morning visit to the fortress of Nisa, one of the oldest cities of the Parthian Empire, a
great power from the middle of the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. Continue to
Turkmenbashy Ruhy mosque (the largest mosque in Central Asia).
Day 3 ASHGABAT - GOKDEPE - ASHGABAT
Visit the “Altyn Asyr” oriental bazaar (one of the largest open-air bazaars in the world). Then
visit the Gokdepe fortress, attacked in December 1880 by the army of the Russian Empire.
Depart to visit a stable of Akhalteke horses, the finest in the world.
Day 4 ASHGABAT - DARVAZA
Visit the Carpet Museum, featuring creations by the Tekke, Yamud, Sarik and Chodor tribes. Drive
to “the gateway to hell” in the Darvaza region. Accommodation in a yurt not far from the crater.
Day 5 DARVAZA - UZBEK BORDER - KHIVA
Drive to Kounia-Ourguentch to explore the historic park with the Kutlug Timur minaret,
mausoleums and the Caravansaray gate. Transfer to the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border
point, then on to Khiva, one of the precious pearls of the Orient.
Day 6 KHIVA
Explore the inner city, Khiva is the most authentic of all Central Asia’s oases. Visit the medersa of
Muhammad Amin Khan and discover the first residence of the Khans of Khiva, Kounia Ark (Old
Citadel). The tour continues with a medersa, mausoleum and the Tach-Khaouli Palace (Stone
Palace).
Day 7 KHIVA - BUKHARA
Last visits to the city depending on the flight times and departure to the airport for a short
flight to Bukhara. First visits to Bukhara.
Day 8 BUKHARA
Day devoted to an in-depth tour of the city. Visit to mausoleums, mosques and the Ark
citadel (the residence of all Bukhara’s emirs). Tasting of various herbal teas and folk concert
in the medersa of Nadir Devan Beghi.
Day 9 BUKHARA - SAMARKAND
Visit the Bakhaouddin Naqshbandi complex, one of the major pilgrimage sites. Continue to
Sitorai-Mokhi-Khossa (“Palace of the Moon and Stars”), the summer residence of the last
emirs of Bukhara, and on to the village of Soumitan to visit the tombs of the descendants of
the Prophet Muhammad. Depart by speed train to Samarkand.
Day 10 SAMARKAND
A day entirely devoted to exploring the city. Discover Registan Square, the heart of old
Samarkand with its three breathtaking medersas, and the Bibi-Khanym mosque. Visit the
architectural complex of Shakhi-Zinda (“Living King”, 14th-19th centuries).

Day 11 SAMARKAND - SHAHRISABZ - SAMARKAND
Road to Shahrisabz, birthplace of Temur (Tamerlane) the Great. Here he built the immense Ak-
Saray palace. Return to Samarkand.
Day12 SAMARKAND - PANJAKENT - DUSHANBE
Depart to the Jartepo border crossing, formalities and on to the small town of Panjakent (“five
villages”) in the Khujand region. Visit the Zoroastrian archaeological site of Sarazm. Arrive in
Dushanbe in the early evening.
Day 13 DUSHANBE
Guided tour of Tajikistan’s capital, including Rudake Park, the National Library, the White
House... Visit to the National Museum, then the city’s Grand Bazaar.
Day 14 DUSHANBE - TASHKENT
Continue the sightseeing in Dushanbe, then depart to the airport for a short flight to Tashkent.
Start of the city tours.
Day 15 TASHKENT
Discover the capital of Uzbekistan, the largest city in Central Asia.
Day 16 TASHKENT - DEPART