Our long awaited “5 Golden Stans” tour now has 2 places available due to cancellations.
If ‘The Silk Road’ is on your wishlist and you would love to visit the historic and enchanting countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan then don’t delay, contact Judy on info@girlsontour.com.au today for this amazing itinerary and for details on how to book.
Price includes economy class flights with Emirates ex Brisbane. Other capital city departures available on request and subject to availability.
Itinerary
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Depart from Australia for Almaty, Kazakhstan flying Emirates.
On arrival, transfer to our hotel in the first of our historic cities on this incredible itinerary. We will meet for a briefing in the afternoon before starting our touring of “The 5 Golden Stans”.
Our city tour features Republic Square, Abai Opera and Ballet Theatre, President’s residence, Independence monument in Republic Square, Zenkov Cathedral, 28 Panfilov Park and Museum of Instruments. An excursion today to Kok-Tobe, time permitting.
We leave Almaty today for Karakol via Charyn Canyon and later cross the Kegen border into Kyrgyzstan.
An excursion to Djety Oguz Gorge where we will enjoy lunch in the yurt camp. We will visit the Mosque and Church with our local guide before returning to Karakol.
On route to Ashu Village today we will visit the Museum of Nikolai Przhevalskii, the great Russian explorer and Cholpan Ata petroglyps (rock art) as well as taking a boat ride at Cholpan Ata.
On our way to Bishkek today we will visit Burana Tower a large minaret in The Chuy Valley. On arrival we will enjoy a city tour of Bishkek featuring Manas Monument, Ala Too Square, Independence Monument, Old Square and Victory Square.
Today we take an excursion to Ala Archa National Park with our local guide exploring the natural beauty of the region. Overnight Bishkek.
We leave Bishkek today and travel the silk road region towards Osh passing through the spectacular Chychkan Gorge filled with its diverse range of flora and fauna.
On our way to our final destination for today Osh, we will visit the ancient town of Uzgen on the banks of the Kara Daria River. A number of references in Greek and Chinese text date this city back to the 4th century BC. In Osh we’ll take a city tour including the Osh Bazaar and the Sulaiman Mountains with an optional walk in the mountains.
Today we transfer from Osh, Kyrgyzstan to the Uzbek Border and on to Fergana, Uzbekistan. In the afternoon we will enjoy a visit to the Margilan Silk Factory.
A day of excursions today including a pottery demonstration. A half day city tour will feature Kamoli Khujandi Square, Timur Malik’s Fortress and Sugd Museum.
We leave Khujand today and travel to Dushanbe visiting the town of Istaravshan on the way with its ancient Mugtepa Fortress which was stormed by Alexander The Great in 329BC and the beautiful Kok Gumbaz Mosque. The Friday mosque is crowned by a huge dome covered with blue ceramic tiles.
A city tour today of Dushanbe including the Museum of National Antiquities and The National Museum. We will also take an excursion to the hilltop Hisor Fortress in the Hisor Valley 30kms from Dushanbe.
This morning we travel firstly to Iskanderkul Lake, a mountain lake 2,195m above sea level before continuing on to Penjikent where we will enjoy sightseeing including Rudaki Ethnographic Museum, the Ancient Penjikent settlement on the outskirts of the town and the local bazaar. Dinner with a family.
Leaving Penjikent today we travel firstly to Seven Lakes where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. The Seven Lakes are also known as ‘The Seven Diamonds of The Fan Mountains”. We will continue on to cross the border into Uzbekistan.
A full day of history and beauty today as we visit The Registan, once the heart of Samarkand and still magnificent today. The square was also where people gathered to attend royal proclamations and other public events. Also on our travels today we will visit Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis with its grand palatial tombs and Ulugbek Observatory. Tonight, a cooking master-class and dinner.
Today we travel to Bukhara on our way passing an ancient caravanserai and the sardoba or ancient reservoir region.
So much to see today. Our first stop is the historical water source of Lyabi-Khauz. During the day we will visit Mogaki Attari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and see Madrassahs Aziz Khan and Ulugbek as well as the imposing Ark Fortress and so much more. Another highlight today is our cultural performance and dinner tonight at a local house.
A travelling day today leaving Uzbekistan and crossing the border into Turkmenistan.
Enroute to Ashgabat today as we travel the Silk Road we will visit ancient Merv, the ruins of Abiverd Fortress and the Seyit Jemaleddin Mosque.
A city tour today taking in the National Museum, Monument and Park of Independence, fountain monument, Ertoghrul Ghazi mosque and a visit to the Russian Bazaar.
Another highlight today as we camp in the Darvaza Crater.
We transfer to Uzbek border today visiting Kunya-Urgench, once a major trade centre on the silk road and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dinner with a local Uzbek family tonight.
A walking tour of Khiva featuring Ichan Kala, the citadel, Kalta Minor minaret, Kunya Ark, the Mausoleum, the Friday mosque and Tashauli Palace.
We fly today from Khiva to Tashkent and on arrival enjoy a city tour including Barak Khana Seminary, Tila Shaikh mosque and the Chorsu bazaar, the oldest market in Tashkent and more.
