Category: Central Asia Itinerary

HIGHLIGHTS: ‘Buddha in Nirvana’ – Somoni Monument – Hissor

After finishing your in-house breakfast and check out, we will take you to explore the capital city of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. We will see the famous Museum of National Antiquities boasting the richest collection of artifacts and the colossal statue ‘Buddha in Nirvana’ 12.85 m long and 5.5 tonnes in weight; Botanical garden, Somoni monument, Building of a National Spirit, stroll Rudaki Avenue. By the evening, we will drive for an excursion to Hissor town (23 km from Dushanbe) to see an ancient fortress of Hissor.

Return to Dushanbe. Have dinner followed by overnight stay at the hotel.

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]

HIGHLIGHTS: Iskanderkul Mountain Lake famed after the name of The Great Alexander

Have breakfast followed by the sightseeing tour in Dushanbe for the first half of the day. Visit of the following
monuments: United Museum of Tadjikistan, oriental market, Ismail Samani square. After lunch we start a trip to
high Mountain lake – Iskanderkul (2 255 meter). It is situated in the famous Fann Mountains. This fabulous area is
one of the best places of Central Asia. The road to the lakes goes through Istiklol tunnel (2630m) with amazing

panorama views. After arrival to the lake you will go for a walk along it beaches. This is an amazing place to
have a rest. In addition, we will hike 40 minutes to see a waterfall. Tajikistan takes the second place among the
CIS countries for volume of water resources: it has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with
more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers.

Staying overnight at a guest house.

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]

HIGHLIGHTS: Museum of Rudaki and Ruins of the Ancient City of Penjikent (Road transfer 230 Km)

Enjoy local breakfast at the guest house. You will be driven to Penjikent. Enjoy & experience the sightseeing tour of Penjikent, sooner you arrive at Penjikent. Visit the following sites: Museum of Rudaki and ruins of ancient city of Penjikent.

This will be followed by drive towards Samarkand. Cross the border en route with all formalities on your own along with the Tour Leader of Aviana. We need to change the vehicle and guide too. Check in to the hotel upon arrival in Samarkand. Have dinner later in the hotel or in a restaurant with local cuisine. Stay overnight in Samarkand.

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]

HIGHLIGHTS: Silk Route–Gur-e Amir Mausoleum–Registan –Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

Have breakfast in the hotel. Start of the guided sightseeing tour of Samarkand on Silk Route. Samarkand is a city in Uzbekistan known for its mosques and mausoleums. It’s on the Silk Road, the ancient trade route linking China to the Mediterranean. Prominent landmarks include the Registan, a plaza bordered by 3 ornate, majolica-covered madrassas dating to the 15th and 17th centuries, and Gur-e-Amir, the towering tomb of Timur (Tamerlane), founder of the Timurid Empire.Visit the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (Tamerlane’s sepulcher), Registan Square (Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilla-Qori Madrasah).After havingyour own lunch, continuation of the city tour to Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda.

You will be served dinner with a combo of local & European cuisine. Stay overnight at the same hotel in Samarkand.

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]

HIGHLIGHTS: Samarkand – Bukhara by Super-Fast Train Dep 09.43 am / Arv. 11.14 am

After having early packed/sitting breakfast n the hotel, transfer you to the railway station to board high speed train for Bukhara. Upon arrival in Bukhara – the Historical place of thousand years, start of the guided sightseeing tour around Bukharal: visit the Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret and others), Ulugbek Madrasah.

Dinner in a local restaurant (National and European cuisine) and transfer you back to hotel for check in. The dinner will be served within a traditional ambience. Within the dinner space, the group will be visited the national house, which is also a show-room of the works of local embroidery. Dinner can be done with embroidery master class from the host of the house (upon wish).

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]

HIGHLIGHTS: Historic Bukhara

After finishing your breakfast in the hotel, we will go for the city tour of Bukhara. Visit Lyab-iHauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade.

After lunch transfer to 4 km from Bukhara and visit out-of-town sites: SitoraiMokhi-Khosa Palace, memorial complex of the Islamic saint Baha-ud-Din Naqshband. Will come back to Bukhara and take rest in the hotel for sometimes. Will have dinner on time with delicious local cuisine

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]

HIGHLIGHTS: Bukhara – “Farap” land border – Merv Ancient City – (Total road transfer app 385km) – Ashgabat (evening flight) from Mary: Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan

After breakfast we will transfer you to the land border with Turkmen. We will have to cover a long distant through the spectacular desert. You need to clear the Border Formalities on your own. Meet Turkmen guide and driver on Turkmen side of the border, who will transfer to Mary. En route visit the ancient city of Merv (UNESCO heritage site). Upon arrival at the airport of Mary in the evening, we’ll board the flight to Ashgabat. Transfer to the hotel on arrival or will have Dinner beforehand. Stay overnight in Ashgabat.

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]

HIGHLIGHTS: Nisa, Darwaza Crater in Karakum Desert, BBQ Dinner near Burning Crater, Ashgabat (road transfer, 300 km in each direction)

After breakfast we will go for a city tour with see of Neutrality Arch, Independence Park etc. We will then drive to Nisa. Nisa (also Parthaunisa) was an ancient settlement of the Iranic peoples, located near (modern-day) Bagir village, 18 km southwest of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Nisa is described by some as the first seat of central government of the Parthians. It is traditionally assumed to be founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC–211 BC) and was reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nisa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum. The fortress at Nisa was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007.

In the afternoon, drive to Darvaza Gas Crater – one of its kinds in the World…

Deep within the expansive plains of Turkmenistan’s Karakum dessert is a jaw-dropping phenomenon that keeps defying expectations. Locals call it the “door to hell” and it’s not hard to see why. The giant sinkhole, known more formally as the Darvaza gas crater, is an incredible 69 metres wide, 30 metres deep, and is constantly in flames.

Records of how it came to be are imprecise, but it is understood that Soviet geologists initially came across the site in 1971 and believed it was rich in oil. But shortly after they began drilling, the crater collapsed and began emitting noxious gases.In an attempt to minimise the dangers of the gas, they set it alight with the expectation it would burn itself out in a matter of days. But the calculations appear to be way off, and the crater has been burning continuously for 45 years.

Arrival in Darwaza before sun set. Take dinner near the burning gas crater (BBQ dinner); discover the crater by day and evening time. Return to Ashgabat airport (slow driving after dark).

[BREAKFAST, BBQ DINNER NEAR THE BURNING CRATER]

Since the Emirates Flight is scheduled to leave at early in the morning, you need to be checked in and completed other formalities before boarding. The flight is scheduled to leave Ashgabadetd 04.20 am to Kolkata en route Dubai.

Arrive in Dubai at around 06:00 in the morning and your next flight for Kolkata at 13.15pm. You don’t need to check in with luggage…as you are carrying only cabin luggage. You will have enough time to shop around in the fabulous Dubai airport before boarding the final leg. Board the flight. Arrive in Kolkata at 19.15 in the evening. After immigration, take your luggage. Bid good bye to all your friends, met during the tour and also the Tour Coordinator of Aviana Holidays. Tour Ends here.

[MEAL ON BOARD]

HIGHLIGHTS: City tour of Almaty – iLi Alatau Mountain

Emirates will touch soil of Almaty ETA 03:30 am in the morning. Welcome to Kazakhstan. Arrive in Almaty International Airport andcomplete all immigration & customs formalities. You will transferred to hotel and take rest. At around 11am we will start the sightseeing tour of Almaty. Visit the following sites: Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers, the Ascension Cathedral and Museum of musical instruments.

Next, we are going to visit the city’s main attraction – the ILiAlatau Mountains. Medeo is an essential part of the ILiAlatau park and it is a historical object of Almaty’s development as a city. However, our main purpose of visit of this area is Shymbulak – a mountain resort located at the elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level. Today’s a last stop is Kok Tobe park – located at an altitude of 1100 meters on the green hill, this place is very popular among locals and tourists. Return back to hotel & stay overnight in Almaty.

[BREAKFAST, DINNER]