21 days tour

The 5 Stan-S - Follow In The Footsteps Of Genghis Khan

The 5 Stan-S - Follow In The Footsteps Of Genghis Khan

This tour includes:

Meals

all meals according to the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)

Others

Invitation letter for Turkmenistan visa on arrival

Guide

local English speaking guides and Penguin tour leader (at min. 8 participants) tour leader from Penguin Travel (at min. 8 participants)

Accommodation

Accommodation according the itinerary: 16 nights in standard 2** and 3*** hotels - rooms with private facilities 1 night in a homestay in Chon Kemin Valley (shared accommodation/up to 6 people in a room) 1 night in a guesthouse in Karakol (shared bathroom facilities) 1 night in a yurt in Issyk Kul (shared accommodation/up to 4 people in a yurt) 1 night in a yurt camp in Darvaza (shared accommodation/up to 4 people in a yurt)

Transport

airport transfers on days 1 and 21 (there is an additional charge for transfers on different dates pre- or post-tour, itโ€™s not possible to arrange transfers to/from other places than airport-scheduled hotel-airport) all ground transport in local tourist buses according to the group size and train tickets Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara

Not included:

Others

international flights flight ticket Almaty-Dushanbe (ca. 130-150 EUR/to be confirmed upon request) visa fees insurance entrance fees (app. 70-90 EUR) drinks and meals not mentioned tips and personal expense

Optional

One-day tour to Seven Lakes: 70 EUR

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The 5 Stan-S - Follow In The Footsteps Of Genghis Khan

  • Day 1 Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

      Arrival in Bishkek. After leaving your bags at the hotel (check-in starts after 14:00), our local guide will take us on a city tour in the charming capital of Kyrgyzstan, the greenest city in Central Asia. Our sightseeing program in Bishkek includes stops at Oak Park, Central Square Ala โ€“ Too, The Philharmonic Hall and the Victory Square. -/-/-

  • Day 2 Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin Valley(Kyrgyzstan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin Valley(Kyrgyzstan)

      Early start from Bishkek heading East and after 80 km we arrive at our first stop - Burana Tower- one of the remains of the ancient city of Balasagun. We continue driving further into the mountains to a guesthouse in the beautiful Chon-Kemin Valley, where we will have lunch.  In the afternoon you can have a walk in the village, observe the life of the local people, or optionally go for a short horse-riding tour into the surrounding hills. Dinner and overnight in the homestay. B/L/D

  • Day 3 Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul Lake (Kyrgyzstan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul Lake (Kyrgyzstan)

      After breakfast we drive to Issyk Kul - the โ€œPearl of Kyrgyzstanโ€. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world, after Titicaca. Located at an altitude of 1600m, it is a slightly saline lake, surrounded completely by the Tien Shan Mountains. Our yurt camp will be nearby the lake (up to 4 people in a yurt, shared bathroom facilities). In the afternoon, it is possible to witness a traditional eagle hunting show. B/-/D



  • Day 4 Issyk Kul Lkae - Jety Oguz - Karakol (Kyrgyzstan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Issyk Kul Lkae - Jety Oguz - Karakol (Kyrgyzstan)

      We continue to the East along the southern shore of Issyk Kul towards the town of Karakol. On the way to Karakol, we drive into the side valley of Jety Oguz, famous for its two red rock formations called โ€œSeven Bullsโ€ and โ€œThe Broken Heartโ€. We will also stop by the famous Skazka Canyon (Fairytale Canyon) - full with fantasy-like shapes carved into the red sandstone from centuries of wind and water. In Karakol, we will have a short sightseeing tour, including the Dungan Mosque, built in 1904 with no metal nails, the wooden Russian Orthodox Church which has been standing since 1869 and some other sites. Overnight in a guest house in Karakol (shared accommodation, shared bathroom facilities). B/-/D

  • Day 5 Karakol (Kyrgyzstan) - Charyn Canyon (Kazakhstan) - Almaty
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Karakol (Kyrgyzstan) - Charyn Canyon (Kazakhstan) - Almaty

      Today we cross the mountains into Kazakhstan and drive to Almaty, former capital and the biggest city of Kazakhstan. The road is long and partly not in a very good condition, however on the half of the way, we will stop to see one of the most famous natural sights of Kazakhstan - Charyn Canyon. The canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon, although it is much smaller in size with a total length of 80-90 kilometers. Arrival of Almaty late in the afternoon. B/-/-

  • Day 6 Almaty (Kazakhstan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Almaty (Kazakhstan)

      Almaty is the largest city of Central Asiaโ€™s richest country, Kazakhstan. Until 1997 it was the countryโ€™s capital and today it still remains the countryโ€™s business and educational center. Roads are wide and tree-lined and there are good views of the Zailisky Ala-Too mountains that form a backdrop to the city. The name Almaty means โ€œthe place with applesโ€ and it is believed that this is where apples originated from.

      We will visit Panfilov Park to see the most famous sight of Almaty, Zenkov Cathedral. It was built in 1904 without a single metal nail and is one of the worldโ€™s tallest wooden buildings. In the same Park is the impressive Soviet Glory Memorial. Adjacent to the park is the Museum of Musical Instruments, which you can later visit in your free time. In the afternoon, we drive half an hour up to Medeo ice skating rink and optionally take a cable car to enjoy a nice view at the top of Shymbulak skiing area. B/-/-

  • Day 7 Almaty (Kazakhstan) - Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Almaty (Kazakhstan) - Dushanbe (Tajikistan)

      After breakfast transfer to Almaty Airport to catch Air Astana flight to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Originally, Dushanbe was a small village around a market that took place every Monday - even the โ€œDushanbeโ€ translated from Persian means Monday. It was during the Soviet Union that it became the industrial center of Tajikistan. We will meet our Tajik guide, transfer to the hotel for check-in and then we will do a short sightseeing tour, including the Ismail Samani Statue and the Rudaki park, dedicated to the great Persian poet Rudaki, who lived during Samanid time in the 9th century. B/-/-

  • Day 8 Dushanbe - Iskander Kul - Penjikent (Tajikistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Dushanbe - Iskander Kul - Penjikent (Tajikistan)

      Today after an early breakfast we drive to Iskanderkul Lake, named after Alexander the Great. Triangular in shape, it is considered one of the most exquisite lakes in all of the former Soviet Union nations, nestled in the Fann Mountains at 2,200m altitude. On the delightful route we will get to enjoy the rugged mountain scenery. We then take a short hike to a nearby waterfall, also called the Niagara Falls of the Fan Mountains. We then continue driving for another four hours to reach the town of Penjikent. B/-/-


  • Day 9 Seven Lakes (Optional Tour)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Seven Lakes (Optional Tour)

      Today we take a bumpy ride into the Fan mountains, to explore the area of the โ€œSeven Lakesโ€. The mountain valley is not far from Penjikent, but due to the poor road condition this trip takes a full day. From the sixth lake there is a short and easy hike of about two hours (both ways) to the seventh and highest lake Hazorchashma. Back to Penjikent for overnight. B/L/-

  • Day 10 Penjikent - Istarafshan - Khujand (Tajikistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Penjikent - Istarafshan - Khujand (Tajikistan)

      From Penjikent we drive up north to Istarafshan first and then to Khujand. The road to Istaravshan is very scenic, crossing Shahriston Pass. Istarafshan was founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC and recently celebrated its 2500th anniversary. The Timurids of the 14th century called the city Ura-Tube. Today, Istarafshan is well known in Tajikistan for its blacksmiths, who produce hand-crafting knives of high quality. We will visit the workshops of the blacksmiths near the entrance of the market. From Istarafshan it is another one-and-a-half-hour drive to Khujand - the second largest city of Tajikistan. B/-/-

  • Day 11 Khujand (Tajikistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Khujand (Tajikistan)

      Khujand is situated in the Fergana Valley on the Syr Darya river. It is another ancient city with history dating back to Cyrus the Great of Persia and Alexander the Great. Today it is the second largest city in Tajikistan with Tajikistanโ€™s biggest market โ€“ Panjshanbe Bazaar. The city tour of Khujand includes the bazaar and the adjacent Maslihaddin Mosque, the historical Museum of Khujand, and Arbob palace. B/-/-

  • Day 12 Khujand (Tajikistan) - Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Khujand (Tajikistan) - Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

      Drive to Oybek border point between Khujand (Tajikistan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). Here we meet our Uzbek driver and take a bus for a 2-hour drive to reach Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia. The city tour includes a visit to the Old City area of Tashkent. Here we will find the Khast Imะฐm Complex which contains the ancient holy Quran of Caliph Osman. Experience the bustling crowds of traders at Chor-Su Bazaar before taking a ride on the cityโ€™s famous Soviet-era metro system which like Moscowโ€™s features some of the most ornately decorated stations in the world. Exit at Amir Temur Square Station to view the statue of the great conqueror and next to it, the grand Independence Square. We complete the city tour of Tashkent with a visit to the Applied Arts Museum. B/-/-

  • Day 13 Tashkent - Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Tashkent - Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

      After early breakfast we have a transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train to Samarkand. The trip takes about two hours. Upon arriving in Samarkand, we begin our exploration of this fascinating city and former capital of the Timurid Empire. We start the city tour with a visit of Siyob Bazaar and the impressive Bibi Khanum Mosque right next to it. Then you get to see Samarkandโ€™s and Uzbekistanโ€™s most famous landmark, the spectacular Registan Square. The focal point of ancient Samarkand is framed by three beautiful madrassas โ€“ Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tillya Kori. We finish the sightseeing today with a visit of Gur-Emir mausoleum, where Timur is buried. B/-/-

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  • Day 14 Samarkand - Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Samarkand - Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

      On our second day we start the tour just outside the city - in the village Koni Ghil to explore the traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. When we come back to the city, we will visit Ulugbekโ€™s observatory - once the biggest research center of Central Asia. Ulugbek was decades ahead of the West with its observations of the solar system and the earth and we will learn more about his story in this prestigious setting. Our next stop is Shah-i-Zinda, the necropolis where family members of Timur are buried. In the afternoon we will visit Afrasiyab Museum. Evening high-speed train to Bukhara and after 1,5 hours we arrive Bukhara for overnight. B/-/-

  • Day 15 Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

      Even the very name Bukhara conjures up images of the exotic Orient. For centuries, it was an important trading point and academic center. The Old Town has been well preserved and is crammed full of minarets, mosques, and madrassas. Its once notorious canals and pools, the source of many epidemics, have now been drained but the most famous, Lyabi-Hauz, is still there, an oasis shaded by mulberry trees in the heart of the city. Among the highlights of the walking tour in the Old Town of Bukhara are Kalon Complex, Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chiobs Mausoleum with the spring, local market, Museum of the Samanids ะฐnd the Synagogue. B/-/-

  • Day 16 Bukhara - Khiva (Uzbekistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Bukhara - Khiva (Uzbekistan)

      A long day driving through the Kyzylkum desert- the 15th largest desert in the world. Its name means Red Sand in Turkic languages.  At the end of this arduous drive, the reward will be Khiva, where we will arrive in the evening. B/-/-

  • Day 17 Khiva
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Khiva

      After breakfast we will have a walking tour of the city. Khiva is bursting with historical sites โ€“ and today we will get a chance to see the walled inner-city section of Khiva called Ichan Kala. This old section of town preserves more than fifty historic monuments and hundreds of old houses dating back hundreds of years. The entire citadel is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we walk through the enormous city gates, we will be confronted by the glistening Islamic beacon, the Kalta-minor Minaret. Delve deep into the town on a guided tour that embraces all of the city sites, and includes an ascent of the Islam Khodja Minaret, the highest minaret in Khiva. B/-/-

  • Day 18 Khiva (Uzbekistan) - Darvaza Gas Crater (Turkmenistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Khiva (Uzbekistan) - Darvaza Gas Crater (Turkmenistan)

      We head to the Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.). We need to be at the border at 9:00 AM when it opens and go through formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km neutral zone (minibus available for a small fee). With our invitation letter we will be able to get our Turkmenistan visa against visa fee (depending on nationality, it varies from 80 to 140 USD and it is paid in cash upon arrival. The banknotes should be in a good condition, not wrinkled or torn, in order to be accepted). On the Turkmenistan side of the border, we meet our Turkmen guide and driver. Drive to Darvaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakum desert (270 km, 4-5 h.). Enjoy a delicious fire-cooked meal for dinner near the burning gas crater. Overnight in a yurt camp (shared accommodation up to 4 people, shared bathroom facilities) B/-/D

  • Day 19 Darvaza - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Darvaza - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

      Today we are heading to Ashgabat. After check-in at the hotel and some rest we go for a short sightseeing tour (3-4 hrs) in Ashgabat โ€“ the capital of Turkmenistan which has experienced a boom of โ€œMarble Architectureโ€ for the past 25 years. The tour includes a visit of the National Museum of History, the Arch of Neutrality, and the newly built Independence Park. End of the tour with an optional dinner at Terrace restaurant with nice views of the Independence Park and surroundings. B/-/-

  • Day 20 Ashgabat - Goekdepe - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Ashgabat - Goekdepe - Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

      Today we have another busy day. After breakfast, we will drive to the beautiful Old Nisa fortress (UNESCO World Heritage site) โ€“ the earliest of Parthian Empire capitals. It is located on the top of an irregular pentagon hill, at the foot of the Kopet-Dag Mountains. Fourteen hectares in size, the fort accommodates two semi-excavated complexes of Parthian period (III c. BC โ€“ III c. AD) - structures, designated as royal residence and temple complex. From Nisa fortress, we will continue to the Spiritual Mosque, one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. Then drive back to Ashgabat, stopping en-route at National Memorial Complex โ€œHalk Hakydasyโ€ with Second World War (WWII) and the 1948 earthquake victimsโ€™ memorials. Before returning to Ashgabat, we visit a farm, where the famous Turkmen Akhal Teke horses are bred. B/-/-

  • Day 21 Departure
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Departure

      Transfer to Ashgabat International Airport and departure.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 18 / Max: 80

Age range allowed for this experience.

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