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Journey through Central Asia

Journey through Central Asia | 27 days | Go Beyond Group Tour | from $14,200pp

X A good level of fitness is required as you can expect to be walking, or taking part in a physical activity like cycling, for longer periods of time on several days throughout the tour, and may be required to tackle some more challenging terrain. Learn More

Travel from Bishkek to Ashgabat on this 27 day 'Five Stan' cultural experience. This in depth tour will see you visiting the Silk Road gems of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, the quirky Turkmenistan, colourful markets, fascinating villages and Swiss Alps type scenery. Retrace the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great on this unforgettable Central Asian journey.

Group Tour includes:

24 breakfasts, 23 lunches, 24 dinners
International flights and current taxes
Domestic transportation
3 – 4 star accommodation, plus yurts
Touring with guides and entrance fees
Visa fees for Australian passport holders

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For advice on where to go, what to do and how to choose your perfect tour, talk to our Travel Experts.

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Tour Highlights

Darvaza Gas Crater

Bukhara

Samarkand

Khiva

Darvaza Gas Crater

See the fiery glow from the stunning Darvaza Gas Crater

Bukhara

Discover the ancient and pre-Soviet styles of this intriguing city

Samarkand

Witness the fabulous architecture here on one of the most illustrious cities on the Silk Road

Khiva

Explore the ancient city of Khiva

Dates & Prices

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

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Additional Price Information

Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as at 12 August 2020, subject to change.

Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.

Customary tipping amount of approximately US$125pp (AU$180pp) is paid locally in Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan.

Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth

Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request

Land only (Ashgabat - Bishkek) 25 days from $14,200 per person, twin share

Single supplement from $2,240

Price listed is based on new bookings only

Itinerary

Journey through Central Asia - Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO KYRGYZSTAN

Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the morning is free to relax before a visit to the Manas Monument, Ala Too Square, before finishing at the Old Square and Parliament house.

DAY 3: ALA ARCHA NATIONAL PARK

Drive to Ala Archa National Park for a leisurely hike through the picturesque scenery before returning to Bishkek for an afternoon at leisure.

DAY 4: CHONG KEMIN NATIONAL PARK

Travel to Chong Kemin National Park, where you will have the chance to walk through the foothills as well as experience local village life.

DAY 5: EAGLE HUNTING

Journey to Kochkor, a local centre of felt handicrafts, before stopping at the village of Bokonbayevo to watch an eagle hunting demonstration, a millennia-old Kyrgyz tradition. Spend the night with local shepherds in their camp, sleeping in a traditional yurt, for a true taste of the life of the Kyrgyz nomads.

DAY 6: BARSKOON GORGE

Today travel to Karakol, on the way stopping at Barskoon Gorge to see the 'Tears of the Leopard' waterfall. Stop at Skazka Canyon, also known as Fairy Tale Canyon before continuing on to Karakol.

DAY 7: KARAKOL

Visit the Przhevalsky Museum and see the striking Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. In the afternoon, travel to the Valley of the Flowers and Jety-Orguz where you can enjoy a light hike through the magnificent canyon of red sandstone.

DAY 8: SUNDAY MARKET

Rise early for the bustling Karakol Sunday Animal Market. In the afternoon, drive through breathtaking scenery to visit magnificent Charyn Canyon and its Valley of the Castles, before crossing the border into Kazahkstan, finishing the day in the countries largest city of Almaty.

DAY 9: ALMATY

Enjoy an orientation walk visiting Republic Square, Abai Opera Theatre, the Central Mosque, the Green Market and Zenkov Cathedral. Spend the afternoon exploring the panoramas of Big Almaty Lake.

DAY 10: FLY TO DUSHANBE

You have the day at leisure before flying late this afternoon to Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital.

DAY 11: DUSHANBE

Take a full day tour of the capital, walking through the botanical gardens, the Ismoili Somoni monument and Kohi Navruz, a cultural palace and showcase of traditional Tajik architecture. After lunch visit the historical Fortress of Hissor.

DAY 12: ISKANDERKUL LAKE

Today you will travel to mountain lake of Iskanderkul, before continuing on to Khujand.

DAY 13: KHUJAND

Stroll through the vibrant Panchshanbe Bazaar, admire the 10th century citadel and relax at Pushkin Square. Cross the border into Uzbekistan, arriving in the city of Tashkent.

DAY 14: TASHKENT

Take a step back in time in the old town and explore the Tila Shaikh mosque, home to rare copies of the Koran. Stop at Chorsu Bazaar and admire the opulently decorated Tashkent Metro. Visit the ceramic workshop of Akbar and Alisher Rakhimov, and explore the history of ceramics.

DAY 15: ARRIVE IN SAMARKAND

Arrive in legendary Samarkand. Wander into the heart of the city for a first glimpse at some of the city's most significant sights in the spectacular Registan Square.

DAY 16: SAMARKAND

This morning, see Gur-e-Amir, the mausoleum of conqueror Tamerlane. Later, wander through a local market, visit Shah-I-Zinda and Bibi-Khanum Friday Mosque. visit the Ulugh Beg Observatory, founded in the 15th century and considered one of the finest observatories in the Islamic world.

DAY 17: SHAKHRISABZ

Visit Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, and visit the Ak-Sarai Palace, the Dorus Tilayat Cemetery and Kok-Gumbas Mosque. Journey on to Bukhara.

DAY 18: BUKHARA

Explore one of the most famous spots on the Silk Road. Visit sites including Madrassah Nadirkhon Devanbegi, Poi Kalon Minaret and Mosque and the Ark of Bukhara.

DAY 19: BUKHARA

Head out of Bukhara to Sitora-i-Mokhikhosa, the summer residence of the former Emir of Bukhara. Visit Bahauddin Naqshband Mausoleum, a famous Sufi spiritual leader of this region in the 14th century. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

DAY 20: JOURNEY TO KHIVA

Journey across the Kyzyl Kum Desert, to the fabulous Silk Road city of Khiva, unrivalled by its 10th century city walls. You will stop at Amudarya river bank before continuing to Khiva.

DAY 21: WALLED CITY OF KHIVA

Explore ancient Khiva, discovering the sights of the UNESCO World Heritage inner-walled city of Itchan Kala including the mighty Kuhna Ark and the turquoise-tiled Islom-Khodja.

DAY 22: EXPLORE KONYE-URGENCH

Cross into Turkmenistan and drive to Konye-Urgench, capital of the Khorezm Empire in the 12th - 13th centuries. Explore its magnificent mausoleums, the Kutlug Timur minaret and the fabled Mamun's Academy of Sciences. Fly to Ashgabat this evening, the nation's capital.

DAY 23: EXPLORE ASHGABAT

This morning is free to relax before a visit to a local stud farm to learn about beautiful Akhal Tekes horses. Visit the Kipchak complex, the largest mosque in Turkmenistan then learn about the country's unique history at the National Museum of History and Ethnography.

DAY 24: ANCIENT CITY OF MERV

Rise early and fly to the city of Mary to tour the UNESCO-listed oasis-city of Merv, a major archaeological site of Central Asia.

DAY 25: DARVAZA GAS CRATER

Fly back to Ashgabat to explore both ancient and modern sides of the city visiting Independence Square and the Turkmenistan Independence Monument to see the Ertoghrul Ghazi mosque. Drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater to walk around the crater as dusk approaches. Enjoy a nomad-inspired dinner under the stars, with a spectacular view of the crater and its glowing flames. Return to Ashgabat.

DAY 26: ASHGABAT

Learn about the Turkmenistan's important cotton and gas industries before a visit to the Old Nisa Fortress, the former residence of the Parthian Empire. After lunch continue to the colourful Russian Bazaar and the National Carpet Museum.

DAYS 27-28: FLY ASHGABAT TO AUSTRALIA

Fly to Australia, arriving home the following day.

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Useful Information

Visas

Australian passport holders do not require a visa to travel to this destination. Other passport holders should arrange visas well in advance of departure, if required.

Communication

While travelling overseas, the Wendy Wu Tours contact number during business hours is +61 2 9224 8888. Emergency Assistance (24-hours) is 0044 1888 288 288. You will find mobile phone coverage to be quite high throughout South & Central America. We recommend contacting your mobile carrier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated call and data costs before you leave Australia. Some hotels may have Wi-Fi, which usually comes at a cost.

Tipping

Tipping is not commonplace in Australia. In this destination however, it is anticipated that a tip be given to reward good service. With that in mind, we have a tipping system for our group tours. Each passenger ‘tips’ a set amount to the National Escort at the start of the tour or on arrival in each country. They then distribute this as appropriate. Tipping is appreciated for Private and Tailor-Made travel. In your final documents, we include guidelines for tipping when travelling independently.

Food

We aim to cater to the tastes of the majority of people and so the food is not too spicy or too unusual. Breakfast at your hotel includes local and western dishes. In remote areas, we suggest embracing local specialities. Drinks such as beer, soft drinks or bottled water are at your own expense locally.

Shopping

Shopping is a fun and entertaining component to any travel adventure. In keeping with most people’s interests while on holiday, your tour includes a reasonable number of opportunities to shop for local goods and souvenirs. Included are visits to establishments that provide locally produced goods, unique to your destination. Witness the creation of these products, and see first-hand how their production supports the local economy. As most travellers like to take home souvenirs, we ensure the shops you visit have a reputation for quality, honesty, and authenticity.

Accommodation

Wendy Wu Tours inspects all hotels to ensure they meet the high levels of service, which we require for our guests. We pick the right hotel for the specific destination, meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family-run guesthouse in a smaller town. Chosen hotels are also chosen for ease of navigation around tourist sights.

Journey through Central Asia

Tour Highlights

Darvaza Gas Crater

Bukhara

Samarkand

Khiva

Tour Dates & Prices

Additional Price Information

Journey through Central Asia - Tour Itinerary

DAYS 1-2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO KYRGYZSTAN

DAY 3: ALA ARCHA NATIONAL PARK

DAY 4: CHONG KEMIN NATIONAL PARK

DAY 5: EAGLE HUNTING

DAY 6: BARSKOON GORGE

DAY 7: KARAKOL

DAY 8: SUNDAY MARKET

DAY 9: ALMATY

DAY 10: FLY TO DUSHANBE

DAY 11: DUSHANBE

DAY 12: ISKANDERKUL LAKE

DAY 13: KHUJAND

DAY 14: TASHKENT

DAY 15: ARRIVE IN SAMARKAND

DAY 16: SAMARKAND

DAY 17: SHAKHRISABZ

DAY 18: BUKHARA

DAY 19: BUKHARA

DAY 20: JOURNEY TO KHIVA

DAY 21: WALLED CITY OF KHIVA

DAY 22: EXPLORE KONYE-URGENCH

DAY 23: EXPLORE ASHGABAT

DAY 24: ANCIENT CITY OF MERV

DAY 25: DARVAZA GAS CRATER

DAY 26: ASHGABAT

DAYS 27-28: FLY ASHGABAT TO AUSTRALIA

Useful Information

Visas

Communication

Tipping

Food

Shopping

Accommodation

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