DAY 1. Arrival Day, Tajikistan, DUSHANBE Excursion

Till 07:00 – Welcome of tourists from Dushanbe International airport, transfer to hotel

09:00 – tourists will be picked up from the staying hotel

Visiting places: Memorial complex of Ismoil Somoni – National Library - Nation Palace – Park Rudaki – State Flag square – National Museum - Tajikistan National Museum of Antiquities

Dushanbe

• The capital of Tajikistan, a city of republican significance, the largest scientific, cultural, political, economic, industrial, and administrative center of the country. The highest state authorities of Tajikistan are in Dushanbe, including the residence of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Presidential Palace. The highest flag in the world has been erected in Dushanbe, which is included in the Guinness Book of Records. The population of the city is more than a million people. The time of the origin of the ancient settlement on the territory of the modern city is not precisely established. During the research conducted on the territory of Dushanbe, various household items of ancient people who lived here at the end of the Stone Age, in the Neolithic era, in the 4-3 millennium BC were discovered, which are currently on display at the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan in the center of the country.

Ismoil Somoni complex

• Our tour begins with a visit to the Ismoil Somoni complex. In this complex, there is a monument of Ismoil Somoni and Dusti Square. The monument of Ismoil Somoni constructed in honor of the founder of the statehood of the Tajik nation Ismail Somoni. I. Somoni was the head of the Samanids State in the VIII-IX century. Monument height is 11.5 meters; arch height of 40 meters is a symbol of the Eastern state.

National Library

• The National Library - located in Dushanbe, Tajikistan is the main library of the country, specializing in preserving cultural heritage of the peoples of the Republic of Tajikistan. While the original library state library in Dushanbe was founded in 1933 and named after Persian-Tajik author Ferdowsi, the new national library building opened in March, 2012 alongside its new official name. The new nine-story building features 15 reading halls as well as over 20 departments. 

Flagpole

• Next object, which we will visit, is the Rudaki Park and Flagpole. The STATE FLAG SQUARE is located in the center of Dushanbe, to the left of the Nation Palace. This Flagpole entered in the Guinness Book of records as the Highest Flagpole in the world. The height of the flagpole is 165 meters, area 1800 m2, width 30 meters and length 60 meters.

National Museum

• NATIONAL MUSEUM — located in the center of Dushanbe. The Museum consists of 22 large and small exhibition halls — departments of nature, antiquity and the middle ages, modern history, fine and applied arts. The exposition area of the National Museum of Tajikistan is 15 thousand m2

National Museum of Antiquities

• Tajikistan National Museum of Antiquities - was established in 1934 on the basis of the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy and Expeditionary Research of the Tajik Base of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Then the museum had only 530 exhibits. The museum collection contains unique finds, such as the preserved artifact of the "Queen of Sarazm" in Sarazm, Sughd region, near the city of Penjikent[3] and a twelve-meter figure of Buddha, found by archaeologists in 1961 in the town of Ajina-Tepa in southern Tajikistan, Khatlon region, near the city Kurgan-Tyube and other items that have been awarded the status of a nominee for the World Heritage Site by the international organization UNESCO.

13:00 – Lunch

Visiting places: National Gerb Square - Navruzgoh Park - Kokhi (Palace) Navruz – Eram Park – Istiqlol (Independence) Monument and Square – observation deck Istiqlol

Kokhi (Palace) Navruz

• KOKHI (PALACE) NAVRUZ — is a new building of 12 unusual halls, each of which is made in its own special national style. It is ready to receive up to 3200 guests at the same time. All the halls of the palace are decorated by local craftsmen: there are wood carvings, Florentine mosaics made from local semi-precious stones, mosaics of colored mirrors, and painted ceilings. On the walls there are scenes from ancient legends, on the ceiling there are wood patterns made in the old style. Navruz Palace impresses with its splendor and modern luxury - it is a representative palace in which important political events of the country and international meetings take place. It was within these walls that the 14th SCO summit took place. 

Eram Park

• This Park located in the Northern part of Dushanbe. The garden area reaches 40 hectares; the main entrance to the garden is start from the East. The alley goes to the glass greenhouse, where the alleys and paths of the Botanical garden originate. Parker was established in Dushanbe in mid-1933

IMAM A’ZAM MOSQUE

• As an honor to the founder and leader of the tolerant Hanafi teachings of Abu Hanifa Numon ibn Sobit, and dedicated to the celebration of his 1310th anniversary on October 5, 2009, a stone was laid in the foundation for the construction of this largest mosque in the Republic of Tajikistan. The mosque was built on 12 hectares of which the building of the mosque is located on 3 hectares and has 3 large entrances. The mosque can accommodate 133,000 worshipers simultaneously, of which 43,000 worshipers – inside the mosque and the rest – around it.

Istiqlol (Independence) Monument and Square

• The Istiqlol-Independence Monument and Istiqlol Square were opened on September 8, 2022 with the participation of the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, in honor of the 31st anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan. The 121-meter height of the Istiqlol complex is symbolic, that is, the lower part of the 30–meter complex is a symbol of the 30th anniversary of State independence, and the upper part - 91 meters – represents the independence in 1991 of the last centuries. The total area of the symbolic complex "Istiqlol" is 11900 square meters, the area of the object under construction is 4761 square meters. In the upper part of the complex there is an 8-meter crown made of titanium. In the symbol of Independence, the crown embodies the symbol of statehood, independence, state property and civilization, knowledge of the history of the ancient Tajik people. The base of the complex is an octagonal pyramid and consists of 7 entrances. When drawing up a project with the symbol "Crown", the designer relied as a basis on the symbol "Tree of Life", which represents and embodies broad ideas

19:00 – End of day, dinner and accommodation to hotel

Tajikistan, ISKANDERKUL LAKE, Dushanbe-Ayni-Istaravshan

07:30 – breakfast in hotel

09:00 – departure to Iskandarkul lake, Ayni district

• We will pick up travelers from the hotel residences.  About 3-4 hours we will drive through the Varzob valley and Hisar mountains in line with the Varzob aggressive river.
• FANN MOUNTAINS. Iskanderkul, considered the heart of the Fan Mountains, is surrounded by several peaks- five thousand meters – Bodhona, Chapdara, Maria, Mirali, Zindon. The highest is Chimtarga (5,487 meters). The Fanns boast about a hundred peaks, with several rising to altitudes of more than 5,000 meters and relative elevations of up to 1,500 meters.

13:00 - arriving Iskandarkul Lake and lunch at the Iskandarkul Beach

• ISKANDERKUL - the lake located in the northern part of the country, in the Sugd region. The distance from the capital of Tajikistan is more than 180 kilometers along a high-altitude and quite decent highway. Along the way, you can see fascinating natural landscapes with snow-capped mountain tops rushing into the deep blue of the sky. This small piece of untouched land can show a lot of interesting things, including Lake Iskanderkul. There are magnificent blue lakes, fast mountain rivers and picturesque forests. Lake Iskanderkul is called a pearl in the palms of the mountains, a living legend. A lot of tourists come to this mountain reservoir. There are guest houses for their stay here, but foreign visitors prefer to rest in tents. Swedes, Englishmen, Frenchmen and Tajiks themselves come here. Moreover, they all rest in different ways. Some travel on foot, others on motorcycles, and others on rare cars.

14:00 - visit Panjchashma and Busefal canyon

• BUCEPHALUS CAVE - according to another legend, the Macedonian horse, Bucephalus, drank water from the lake during a halt after a long march and fell ill. The commander himself went further to India, leaving his faithful horse here. However, even at such a great distance, he felt the death of his master and threw himself into the lake, remaining in it forever. Since then, during the full moon, every month Bucephalus comes out of the water to graze: the waters part, and a snow-white horse comes to the surface of the lake, accompanied by grooms.
• PANJ-CHASHMA - a place called "Five Springs" for an unusual natural phenomenon, where pure spring water flows from five highlands into Lake Iskandarkul. The sight is so mesmerizing that it is impossible to take your eyes off.

15:00 - hiking to the Lake Moron and Iskandarkul Waterfall

• SNAKE LAKE. Not far from Iskanderkul there is another lake called Snake Lake. According to the stories of old-timers, many snakes live in it. Locals claim that reptiles will not bite in two cases: when they are in the water and when people drink water. The water in it is warmer than in Iskanderkul, so it is quite possible to swim here.
• FANN NIAGARA WATERFALL. Nearest of the Lake Iskanderkul there is an old juniper (juniper bush), the branches of which are decorated with colorful ribbons. Everyone who comes to admire the local amazing waterfall leaves something of their own on this tree to return here again in the future. The nearby 43-meter waterfall is called "Fan Niagara". It is located on the river flowing out of the lake. There is also a rock with an inscription dating back to 1870, it was left by the participants of the expedition led by the famous Russian traveler and scientist A. Fedchenko.

17:00 - End of tour, leave Iskandarkul, way to Istaravshan

19:00 - Arriving Istaravshan, dinner and accommodation to hotel

Tajikistan, ISTARAVSHAN, Istaravshan-Khujand

07:30 – breakfast in hotel

09:00 – welcome tourists from the hotel

Visiting places: Istaravshan city – Hazrati Shoh mausoleum – Kok-Gumbaz – Handicraft Avenue

Istaravshan

• Istaravshan is located at an altitude of about 1178 meters above sea level. Istaravshan is a museum city, an ancient center of trade and crafts, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. In 2002 Istaravshan turned 2,500 years old. According to written sources and some archaeological data, it is known that in the VI—IV centuries BC, in connection with the development of crafts and trade in the settled Central Asian regions, along with small rural settlements, large urban-type settlements arose. In addition to Samarkand, there were other cities in Central Asia of that period. One of them was the present Istaravshan, and in the past, Kyropolis (Kurushkada), named after the founder of the Persian empire, Kira-Kurush (529-559 BC). Kiropol owes its origin to the growth of handicraft production and trade. By the time Alexander the Great conquered Central Asia (IV BC), Kurushkada was already large. a well-fortified city. The city of Kurushkada, Kiropol was founded in the VI century BC in honor of the Achaemenid king Cyrus, who fortified the settlement with three rows of walls and a citadel. In the II—VII centuries BC. on the territory of Istaravshan there was a settlement of Mugteppa — the place of residence of the local aristocracy, who built numerous castles with a peculiar, expressive architecture here.

Hazrati Shoh mausoleum

• The Hazrati Shoh mausoleum is the grave of the holy Hazratishoh, the brother of Qusam ibn Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, buried in the 11th century in the Samarkand Shahi Zinda ensemble. This object is one of the ancient sights of Tajikistan, part of the historical and architectural complex "Hazratishoh", located in the old part of the city of Istaravshan.

Kok-Gumbaz

• Madrasah "Kok Gumbaz" located in the western part of the city. This building of the XVI century was built on the initiative of Abdulatif Sultan, the son of the famous astronomer and philosopher Ulugbek, grandson of Tamerlane. The folk legend about the construction of Kok-Gumbaz says that Abdulatif, having quarreled with his father, left his parents' house and took a job with an old Dehkan to dig a ditch for irrigation of his land. He was supposed to receive 100 tenge for this work. The father found out about this and took the money honestly earned by his son from the peasant, added his own to them and built a madrasah with these funds. Even three centuries later, at the end of the XIX century, students studied at the madrasah

Handicraft Street

• One of the most important and real attractions of the city of Istaravshan is the handicraft of the inhabitants. A street of pavilions stretches through the city from the bazaar (the main market), with open doors, folk crafts of various kinds, made by hand. In this street, you can admire handmade creativity like knives, spoons, earrings, bags, belts, etc., at the same time buy important accessories for yourself. In Handicraft Street we have time for shopping.

13:00 – Lunch in the Istaravshan restaurant

14:00 – Continue our trip, departure to Khujand

16:00 – Arriving Khujand and sightseeing Central square of Khujand – Khujand Fortress – Jomi Mosque – Panjshanbe Bazar

Khujand

• One of the oldest cities in Central Asia is Khujand. The second largest city in Tajikistan, an important transport hub, political, economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. Khujand is located on the banks of the Syr Darya, below the Kayrakkum reservoir, in the Fergana Valley. Khujand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, according to some sources, the foundation of the city falls on the VII-VI centuries BC. It was conquered by Alexander the Great, who rebuilt and strengthened it, calling Alexandria Eshata (Extreme).

Khujand Fortress

• The Khujand Fortress was founded in the VI—V centuries BC. According to the archaeological dates, the Khujand fortress was first surrounded by a bulk rampart, later by a wall of considerable thickness made of raw material. The city and the citadel — components of ancient Khujand, had separate fortress walls surrounded by a wide and deep moat filled with water. The remains of these fortifications were found under the central part of the left-bank Khujand and surround the territory of the ancient city with an area of 20 hectares. With the development of the economy, trade, government system and population, the city is growing. In the VI—VII centuries, a new fortress was built. Medieval Khujand consisted of three main parts: Citadel, Shahristan and Rabad. The citadel was located on the bank of the Syr Darya at the Rabad gate. The medieval Khujand fortress was considered one of the most fortified in Central Asia. During the invasion of Chinggis khan (1219-1220), a 25,000-strong army with 50,000 Central Asian solders was sent to besiege the city. The heroic defense of the Khujand fortress under the leadership of Temurmalik is one of the brightest pages in the history of the liberation struggle of the Tajik people. As a result of the Mongol invasion, the Khujand fortress was destroyed.

Jami Mosque

• The Jami Mosque is a complex of Sheikh Muslihiddin, a monument of folk architecture of the XVI century. The object is located on the western side of Panjshanbeh Square. The facade of the building faces Shark Street. The mosque was built in 1512-1513. The multi-column (30 columns) aivan adjoins the eastern wall of the winter hall, also multi-column (20 columns), and enters the courtyard of the mosque.

Panjshanbe Bazar

• Panjshanbe Bazar is one of the attractions of Khujand, is located in the center of Khujand, and opposite it stands the mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin. The bazar consists of the main pavilion and many shops, tents, and shops adjacent to it. It is always very noisy here, as not only residents of the city come to shop, but also guests from nearby villages. The main feature of the Panjshanbe Bazar is its unique architecture and decor. The bazaar building combines elements of classicism and Stalinist Empire style, and the decoration is harmoniously executed using Soviet and Oriental styles. A hemispherical portal decorated with bright paintings rises above the central entrance, and sculptures of a man and a woman are installed on the sides. If you go inside, you can see a long-vaulted hall with slender rows of columns. In Panjshanbe Bazar we have time for shopping.

20:00 – dinner including and accommodation to hotel

Tajikistan, TAJIK SEA, Khujand-Qayroqqum

07:00 – Breakfast in hotel

09:00 – Welcome tourists from the hotel.

Visiting places: Arbob Cultural Palace - City of Qayroqqum – Bahoriston resort – Tajik Sea, Qayroqqum reservoir - Cruise on yacht

Arbob Cultural Palace 

• The Arbob Cultural Palace is a building in Khujand, Tajikistan, the former headquarters of a Soviet collective farm, built in the 1950s and modelled on the winter gardens of Peterhof, St Petersburg. The main building consists of three wings - with an ornate theatre seating 800 people in the main wing. The South wing currently houses a museum which tells the history of Arbob and of collectivization and the soviet empire in Tajikistan. The building had particular significance in 1992, when it was the site for the meeting of the Tajik Soviet which officially declared independence from the Soviet Union. It was the site where the Tajik flag was chosen. More recently, in the late 1990s it was also the site where peace conferences following the Tajik civil war were held. In particular, Tajik President Emomalii Rahmon first came to prominence speaking at the Palace, and it was the site for a "plov of peace" which celebrated successful negotiations towards an agreed end to the Tajik civil war.

Qayroqqum Reservoir,

• Kayrakum also spelled variously as Qayroqqum, Qayraqqum, Kayrakum or Kairakum, is a large artificial lake in Ghafurov District of Sughd Province, in northwestern Tajikistan. In 2016, the reservoir was renamed Tajik Sea (Tajik: Баҳри Тоҷик) by the country's parliament. The reservoir lies in the western part of the Fergana Valley on the Syr Darya river. The provincial capital of Khujand lies about 15 km west of the dam. A 1150 km² tract of land encompassing the reservoir and its surrounds has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant numbers of the populations of various bird species, either as residents, or as overwintering, breeding or passage migrants

Bahoriston Sanatorium

• In a vivid oasis of Sogd valley of Tajikistan, on a shore of a purest Kairakkum reservoir, which is also called the Tajik sea, is located a new sanatorium “Bahoriston”. “Bahoriston” became famous with its rich infrastructure, modern medical diagnostics and highquality of service. “Bahoriston” from Tajik/Persian means “Kingdom of Spring”. The naming is not just a coincidence. The founder of sanatorium National Bank of Tajikistan created on the shore really ideal environment for recreation and treatment. The green area of this health resort makes 22 hectares. Lovely land planning, various infrastructures, neat sidewalks with antique designed street lamps, lawns with bright-green grass and flowers, a lot of beautiful and lovely fountains during summer, cozy wooden arbors carved in traditional Tajik style, various statues, children’s playgrounds and areas, outdoor pools with areas for rest, picnic areas, everything is done to deliver maximum comfort and pleasure for the guests. Sanatorium has its own comfortable beach. The beach season in Tajikistan is from June to September inclusively. But already May has many warm days. Wonderful natural healing factors, modern medical diagnostics, experienced resort doctors and nurses will allow you to get a full treatment of the following profiles. Results always impress everyone who took complete course of spa treatment of sanatorium “Bahoriston”: 98% discharged with improvements; average length of remission after the treatment is 9 – 12 months; morbidity will decrease 2-3 times. In Bahoriston sanatorium we have time for relaxing, swimming and boating (at the request and expense of traveler).

13:00 – lunch in the Bahoriston restaurant

14:00 – Cruise on yacht (at the request and expense of traveler, except of winter time)

17:00 – Back way to Khujand

18:00 – Arriving Khujand, dinner and accommodation to the hotel

Khujand-Tashkent-Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), (flight to Bishkek) 

08:00 – Breakfast  at the hotel.

09:00 – Departure to border Fotehabad/Oybek (Tashkent) (distance 70 km, 1.30 h)

10:30 – Cross the border Fotehabad/Oybek and transfer to Tashkent airport (distance 110 km, 2 h)

12:30 – Arriving Tashkent International airport and check in, flight # HY-777

15:35 – Flight to Bishkek (flight time 2.10 h)

18:00 – Arriving Bishkek, accommodation to hotel.

Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek – Burana Tower – Issyk-Kul

07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – Departure to the Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way visit the ruins of the ancient city Balasagyn and Burana tower.

• Issyk-Kul is a large lake located in the northeastern part of Kyrgyzstan. It is the second-largest alpine lake in the world and is known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning mountain scenery. The lake is also home to several important historical and cultural landmarks.
• Balasagyn is an ancient city located in the Chuy Valley of Kyrgyzstan. It was an important center of the Karakhanid Empire in the 11th and 12th centuries and features several important historical sites and monuments.
• The Burana Tower is a historic minaret located in the Chuy Valley of Kyrgyzstan. It was built in the 11th century and is one of the few remaining structures from the ancient city of Balasagyn. The tower features unique carvings and inscriptions from the era of the Karakhanids.

13:00 – Lunch

18:00 – Arriving Issyk-Kul, accommodation to hotel

Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul – Karakol

07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – Departure to Karakol.

• On the route visit the museum of Petroglyph’s in Cholpon-Ata and museum of the famous Russian explorer of Central Asia N.M. Prjevalsky. Upon arrival city tour in Karakol. Visit a Dungan mosque(19century), a unique construction built in Chinese style with no nails used. Also, see the wooden Russian Orthodox Cathedral of The Holy Trinity built at the end of the 19th century. Walk around the central bazaar to feel the real life of the city.
• Karakol is a city located on the eastern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. It is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage and is home to several important landmarks, including the Dungan mosque and the museum of Prjevalsky.
• Cholpon-Ata is a resort town located on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. It is known for its white sandy beaches and natural hot springs and is a popular destination for tourists.
• The museum of Prjevalsky is a museum located in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. It is dedicated to the life and expeditions of the renowned Russian explorer Nikolay Prjevalsky, who extensively traveled the region in the 19th century.
• The Dungan mosque is a historic mosque located in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. It was built by the Dungan people in the 19th century and features a unique blend of Islamic and Chinese architecture.

13:00 – Lunch

17:00 – Accommodation at the hote

Karakol - Charyn canyon – Almaty (Kazakhstan)

• 07:00 – Breakfast at the hotel.
• 08:00 – Departure from Karakol. Transfer to the land border with Kazakhstan. Border formalities.
• 11:30 – Change transport and transfer to Almaty. In route visit spectacular Charyn Canyon.

The Charyn Canyon is located in the Charyn National Park about 215 km east of Almaty. The Canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long, and, in places up to 300 meters deep. One area of particular interest is an area of 2 km called the Valley of Castles, due to the pillars and rock formations forming imposing, almost man-made structures.

• 13:00 – Lunch
• 17:00 – Arriving Almaty, accommodation at the hotel

Kazakhstan, Almaty

07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – Sightseeing tour in Almaty.

Visiting places: The Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. Next visit of the Kok-Tobe hill with the tallest TV tower in the world. Short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway

• Almaty is the largest city and former capital of Kazakhstan. It is an important cultural, economic, and historical center of the country, known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings.
• The Almaty Green Bazaar is one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Almaty. It is known for its wide variety of fresh produce, spices, and traditional Kazakh goods.
• Panfilov Park is a public park located in the heart of Almaty. It is home to several important historical landmarks, including the Zenkov Cathedral and the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame.
• The Zenkov Cathedral is a historic Russian Orthodox cathedral located in Panfilov Park. It was built in the early 20th century and is known for its unique wooden construction.
• The Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame is a monument located in Panfilov Park, dedicated to the fallen soldiers of Kazakhstan during World War II.
• Kok-Tobe is a hill and recreation area located on the outskirts of Almaty. It features stunning views of the city and is home to several diverse attractions, including an amusement park, restaurants, and the Kok-Tobe Tower.

13:00 – Lunch

14:00 – transfer to Medeo and Shymbulak, mountain resort

• The Almaty Medeo is a high-altitude sports complex located in the mountains above Almaty. It is known for its ice-skating rink, which is one of the highest in the world.
• Shymbulak is a mountain resort located in the Tian Shan mountains above Almaty. It is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, with skiing and snowboarding being the most popular activities. The resort is also known for its stunning mountain views and scenic hiking trails.

20:00 – Accommodation at the hotel

Kazakhstan, Almaty (Departure day)

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 or other suitable time during the day transfer to the International airport of Almaty. Departure from Kazakhstan