Email address: [email protected]
© SAIGA Tours
Start
Sep 6, 2023
Bishkek
Bishkek
2023-09-06
End
Sep 24, 2023
Bukhara
Bukhara
2023-09-24
Duration
19 days
Price
US$2830.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
We'll begin this tour in Kyrgyzstan's capital city of Bishkek. Venturing through the famously spectacular countryside of Kyrgyzstan, we'll sleep in yurts, ride in a Soviet 4x4 up a dry riverbed, wind through spectacular canyons and valleys, and explore some abandoned Soviet gems.
Crossing the border in the beautiful Karakara Valley, we'll take in the famous Charyn Canyon, and Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, before arriving in Central Asia's most cosmpolitan and developed city - Almaty.
We'll hop on a flight to Tashkent, from where we'll do a few SAIGA favourites, including the world's second largest solar furnace and a Soviet mountain resort town.
Winding our way through the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan through Khujand, Iskanderkul Lake, and Dushanbe, we'll re-enter Uzbekistan to visit the ancient cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.
This tour can be done as a 4 Stans Tour or a 5 Stans Tour. For those doing all 5, you can choose from the Whirlwind , Original or Mega Tours .
If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.
| Start | End | Days | Price | Single Sup. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 Stans Tour |
Sep 6
|
Sep 24
|
19 | $2830 | $900 |
|
Sep 6
Bishkek |
Sep 29
|
24 | $3825 | $1150 | |
|
Sep 6
Bishkek |
Oct 3
|
28 | $4325 | $1350 | |
|
Sep 6
Bishkek |
Oct 8
|
33 | $4945 | $1600 |
INCLUSIONS:
| ✓ | Letter of Invitation for Turkmenistan |
|
✓ |
Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels, breakfast included, except when other accommodation is mentioned in itinerary |
|
✓ |
Where itinerary mentions yurt or homestay accomodation, single supplement and twin share may be affected |
|
✓ |
Transport as per itinerary |
|
✓ |
Entrance fees to most sites (as per itinerary) |
|
✓ |
SAIGA guide and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1600
EXCLUSIONS:
|
⨯ |
Visa fees if necessary |
|
⨯ |
Visa support if necessary, other than Turkmenistan |
|
⨯ |
Some activities, eg. treatments at sanatorium (as per itinerary) |
|
⨯ |
Meals other than breakfast |
|
⨯ |
Transport to and from the start and end of tour |
|
⨯ |
Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
|
⨯ |
Any COVID related expenses |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Explore some little-known Soviet relics in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Navigate the moutains, valleys and lakes of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan
Go back in time in the Silk Road gems of Samarkand and Bukhara
Itinerary
Day 1Wed Sep 6
Bishkek
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We'll start the day by doing a walking tour of
Bishkek, a quintessential Soviet city with an amazing mix of Stalinist and Brezhnev era architecture. The wide boulevards and Brutalist apartment blocks, in stark contrast to the snow-capped mountain backdrop.
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We’ll start with the Frunze Museum, dedicated to Mikhail Frunze, whom the city of Bishkek used to be named after (and why the airport code is still FRU!).
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Making our way past Victory Square, the circus and Tsum, we'll visit the Lenin Statue and Ala Too Square, home to the National Museum of Kyrgyzstan and a large Kyrgyz flag. Although this flag isn't quite as famous as their world-record holding neighbours, Tajikistan and Turkmenista
n, it is still impressive and every hour, on the hour, there's a changing of the guards.
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We'll continue on to Osh Bazaar, passing the White House on the way, and we’ll finish off the day learning about some of the weird and wonderful produce and delicacies you’ll find in the market.
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In the afternoon there will be some free time so you can do some exploring yourself.
Day 2Thu Sep 7
Bishkek, Burana Tower, Kok Boru, Song Kol
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Our first stop will be in the town of Tokmok, a stereotypical Soviet town and home of the former air force training base. To honour the town’s past, there’s a MiG-23 mounted as a memorial.
- Our next stop will be at Burana Tower, which was once the minaret of a mosque in Balassagyn city, and you can climb to the top of it for some great views over the nearby landscape.
- Next up is a real local treat – a game of Kok Boru, which is played on horseback, and the aim is to get a newly decapitated goat into the other team's goal. They'll also demonstrate other horseback sports such as shirtless wrestling.
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If you're game you can even have a go yourself, whether it's just seeing if you can pick up the dead goat (not as easy as they make it look!), or getting on a horse and actually trying to play.
- We'll continue on to Song Kol, stopping in the town of Kochkor where we'll visit the market, take a short walk through the streets, and have lunch in a local family’s home.
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After the epic drive, we’ll arrive at
Song Kol
. Set high in the mountains, the lake itself is in the middle of a fertile plateau, dotted with horses, sheep and yurts. Tonight's yurt is a bit more authentic than at Beltam, but still very
comfortable. Even though it’s summer and we’ll have been hot down in Bishkek and Issyk Kol, we’ll now be very glad to have stoves on in each yurt for warmth.
- Depending on how early we arrive, you'll have the opportunity to go horse riding, or just take a walk around the area or if you’re really brave, a dip in the lake. Either way it’ll be a relaxing and peaceful evening under the stars.
- Dinner will be in the main yurt at our camp, cooked by the family we’re staying with.
Day 3Fri Sep 8
Song Kol, Kochkor, Issik Kol
-
Before leaving Song Kol in the morning, you'll have a chance to do any more horse riding, walking, swimming, or simple view-watching, that you might want.
- Leaving Song Kol, we'll stop in the town of Kochkor where we'll visit the market, take a short walk through the streets, and have lunch in a local family’s home.
-
Arriving at our yurt camp right on the shores of Lake Issyk Kol, we’ll get our yurts and make ourselves at home, taking in our surrounds at the edge of Issyk Kol, the second largest saline lake in the world (based on volume, actually it’s only fifth biggest based on surface area!).
- Heard of glamping? Well this is glurting, with each yurt decked out like a hotel room, with power outlets, lights, and real mattresses.
- Take a walk to the nearby abandoned Soviet campground. We’ve made friends with the local security guard, so we’ll be able to explore the dorms, industrial kitchens, shower block, theatre, and whatever else you can find. A keen urban explorer can easily spend hours here.
- We’ll have a home-cooked meal inside a huge yurt, and spend the rest of the evening relaxing.
Day 4Sat Sep 9
Issik Kol, Barskoon, Kyzyl Suu Meteorology Station
- Just 100m from our yurt camp, we'll have the opportunity to visit a fascinating old Soviet heavy water factory. Opened in 1955, needless to say, the experiment was a disaster from the beginning. Enduring almost 30 years of issues and failures though, Manufacturing Workshop Number 7 wasn't closed until 1982. Now it lies abandoned as a relic of one of the USSR's many failed projects.
- Abandoned uranium mine.
- We'll stop at the town of Barskoon to see the monument to Yuri Gagarin, carved into a huge rock.
-
After lunch we’ll switch vehicles from our minibus into a huge Soviet 4x4 bus to take us up the river to our overnight destination – a mountain hut at Kyzyl Suu. The drive in this vehicle is another SAIGA favourite, bouncing around in the huge all-terrain vehicle, winding our way up a rocky dried riverbed, and the hair-raising moment when we cross a fast-flowing river. Then we’ll arrive at our home for the night, which has literally made people cry because of the untouched beauty.
- We'll be staying in the mountain hut of the family who lives here and looks after the nearby Soviet Meteorology Station and the Institute of Glaciers Foundation. Once we’ve settled in they’ll take us for a little tour around the two setups. It’s fascinating seeing the old Soviet ways of measuring everything, compared to the high-tech modern ways of measuring the same things.
- After dinner we’ll no doubt have a bonfire and just relax, taking it all in.
Day 5Sun Sep 10
Kyzyl Suu, Valley of the Flowers, Jetty Ögüz
-
Beginning our descent back down the mountains, stop and have a dip at a small natural hot spring, right on the edge of the glacial river, before leaving the mountains and getting back to to Issyk Kol.
- After breakfast we'll head along the south shore of Issyk Kol, and you'll start realising how huge the lake is. To the north the land is much flatter and more like farmland, the mountains very close to the shore. In the south though, it's all canyons, gorges and waterfalls. It's much more rugged, yet the mountains are much further away.
- Today you’ll get to see some of Kyrgyzstan’s natural beauty, with stops at Kök-Zhaik, which means “Valley of Flowers”, and Jeti Ögüz, which translates directly into English as “Seven Bulls” Gorge.
- Next we'll head on to a SAIGA favourite – the Jeti Ögüz Health Spa, a Soviet sanitorium which is very tired and dated (as you’d expect a Soviet health spa to be!) but still functioning. You’ll have a chance to explore the grounds and buildings, get a massage, see all the weird treatments available and generally take a step back in time. Depending on who we find, we might be able to get radon baths, electric shock therapy, pulsating circulation treatment as well as mud baths, acupuncture and who knows what else!
- For anyone who loves the weird and wonderful, this creepy little adventure will be right up your alley!
- We'll then head into the town of Jeti Ögüz to spend the night with a lovely family in a yurt/homestay.
Day 6Mon Sep 11
Jetty Ögüz, Karakol, Karakara Border Crossing, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Saty
-
This morning we'll explore Karakol, at the very eastern point of Issyk Kol . A small town with a big reputation, Karakol has a couple of pretty cool things to see, includ ing the Dungan Mosque, unexpectedly shaped like a Chinese pagoda, and the Russian Orthodox
Church.
- We'll cross the border into Kyrgyzstan at the Karakara border, which is only open from May until October due to it being located on a mountain pass. Unlike the main crossings this is a little more off the beaten track.
-
After dealing with border formalities, we’ll make out way to The Kolsai Lake National Park is famous for its immense beauty
and of course its lakes. The main sight is Kaindy Lake. Kaindy Lake, despite looking prehistoric, was only created by an earthquake in 1911, thus why there are still hundreds of tree trunks sticking out of the water, where it once was a forest.
- After a long day of sightseeing we’ll head to Saty Village, where we’ll stay at a local homestay. Saty is the main town in the area that accommodates local tourists who come here to enjoy the region's pristine nature and awesome adventure tourism options.
Day 7Tue Sep 12
Charyn Canyon, Almaty
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In the morning, we’ll head to Charyn Canyon. Created by the Charyn River, this impressive natural monument has gained colorful formations of
varying shapes and sizes. The Valley of Castles is probably the most famous sight in Charyn Canyon, with rock deposits resembling towers thought to be created by giants. The Valley of Castles is over 2 km in length, and its width reaches from 20 to 80 m in some places.
- Our next stop will be at one of the Soviet Union's main radio posts. Radio Centre Number 7 is located near the village of Shelek and was only decommissioned in the 90s. These huge radio towers were designed to block incoming radio signals from China and south from India and Afghanistan, while also sending Soviet radio across the globe.
- We'll arrive in the amazingly chic and cosmopolitan city of Almaty in the evening, and go out for dinner at one of the many options there are.
Day 8Wed Sep 13
Almaty
-
We'll spend today exploring
Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, and until 1997, its capital. As is becoming increasingly common in Kazakhstan, Almaty was formerly known as Alma-Ata and before that Verny.
-
We'll start with a walking tour of such famous sites as the Green Bazaar, the Arbat and Panfilov Park, named after the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen from Almaty, who died during the Battle of Moscow in 1941, which i
s right next to Zenkov Cathedral. A Russian Othodox Church, its claim to fame is being the largest wooden structure in the world constructed with only joins, and no nails.
- If you like to have a night out of any type, whether it’s fine dining, a cosy bar, a noisy pub or even the ballet, Almaty is the city you’re going to want to do it in.
Day 9Thu Sep 14
Almaty, Tashkent
- Today we'll fly to Tashkent, on Air Astana, leaving Almaty at 12:05 and arriving in Tashkent at 12:40 (gaining an hour!).
- Arriving in Tashkent in the afternoon, we'll check into the hotel and have a chance to relax a bit before heading out for a late afternoon/evening wander and explore.
- We'll take a walk from Independence Square, formerly Lenin Square, through the park and past the statue of Amir Timur. We'll continue on through the Broadway, taking in the atmostphere that is modern Tashkent around dusk. We can stop and browse in the small market full of old Soviet trinkets, sit under a shady pagoda for a cold drink or ice cream, check out the miriads of food trucks and market stalls, and find somewhere nice to have dinner.
Day 10Fri Sep 15
Tashkent
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Today we'll spend the day exploring this hustling and bustling city.
- Our first stop in Tashkent will be the famous Chorsu Bazaar, with its iconic blue dome that's now home to meat, dairy and dried fruits. Exploring the stalls you'll learn about traditional bread-making methods, local remedies for everything including of course virility issues, and how Uzbek babies are taught to go to the toilet.
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In the afternoon we'll visit Tashkent Land, Central Asia's answer to Disneyland. With its faded welcome sign, crumbling gift shop and creaky rides, this is definitely a step back in time. Most tourists don't make it to this gem of Soviet infrastructure, but we just can't resist it. If you're really game you can try out the “Boomerang” rollercoaster, or if you'd like something a
bit more relaxing you can take a ride on the “African tour”, a boat trip through the jungle land.
- You'll most likely have tried plov by now, but nothing will prepare you for the Plov Centre. This gigantic hall, decorated as if for a wedding in the 1980's, is set up for large numbers of people to eat plov in. Mixed and cooked just outside by an army of Uzbek women, it is some pretty good plov, but more than that, it is an exceptionally unique experience.
- Visit the Tashkent TV Tower for fabulous views of the city, and if it’s open, a coffee or a beer in a Soviet-built revolving restaurant.
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We'll take several rides on the Tashkent Metro while we're there, one of only two metro systems in Central Asia (the other one being in Almaty). As with most Soviet built metros, the stations are unnecessarily lavish, but Tashkent's are particularly ornately decorated. Until June 2018 it was illegal to take photos inside them, but fortunately now pictures of these incredibly photogenic stations are allowed.
- Next we'll visit the Museum of Railway Techniques’. This outdoor museum is full of all sorts of old locomotives, and they don't mind us climbing all over them. We can even take a little train ride around the train museum. You don't have to be a train lover to enjoy this charming muse
- Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 11Sat Sep 16
Parkent, Yangiabad
- Heading out of Tashkent, we'll drive to Parkent, where we've been granted permission to visit a spectacular example of Soviet technology and architecture – the solar furnace. Still functioning, though never really having managed to fulfil its purpose, it's not open to the public.
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From here we'll continue into the mountains to visit the town of Yangiabad. A closed town during the Soviet Union, not even appearing on maps, it was built as a mining town where exiles were s
ent. Once home to about 10,000 people, the population got down to just over 300, and it felt like a crumbling little Russian enclave within Uzbekistan. However, in the past couple of years the mountain air and scenic views have grabbed the attention of Tashkentians, and the area has become a popular local tourism spot.
- We'll spend the afternoon wandering the streets of the town, exploring the Soviet architecture, and soaking in the atmposphere - a difficult-to-describe mix of lively and summery, and decrepit and derelict.
- We'll spend the night at a nearby Soviet “resort”. If it's hot you can go for a swim in the river, or if you just want to relax, we might be able to find the massage lady.
Day 12Sun Sep 17
Yangiabad, Cross the border to Tajikistan, Khujand
- This morning we'll head to Tajikistan and cross the border into our third Stan.
- Arriving in Khujand around lunchtime, we'll have a sightseeing tour in that afternoon, including the Orient bazaar Panjshanbe – the famous Panjshanbe city market and one of the most interesting sights of Khujand, Sheikh Muslihiddin Mosque and the Mausoleum of Khujand.
- A highlight of Khujand will be the massive Lenin statue, standing majestically on the side of a hill overlooking the city, this is now the largest statue of Lenin still standing.
Day 13Mon Sep 18
Khujand, Fann Mountains, Khoja Obi Garm
- Today we will be doing a full day drive south through the famous Fann Mountains towards Dushanbe.
- We'll be driving via Istiklol Tunnel, sometimes known as the “Death Tunnel”, 2,630m above sea level.
- There will be plenty of stops on the way though for photos, toilets and of course lunch.
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The best stop though will be at Iskanderkul Lake (2,255m above the sea level), where there will be an opportunity to go for a 40 minute hike to the local waterfall after arriving at the lake, or if you’d prefer, you can just relax by the lake or go on a shorter walk around it.
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Arriving at today's destination, we’re going to spend the afternoon and evening at an amazing building which really encapsulates what we're all about. Khoja Obi Garm is a Brutalist behemoth Soviet-era sanatorium that is still in operation. The drive there is like the opening scene from the film The Shining. It's run by the
Tajikistan Trade Union organisation to provide workers with rest and relaxation. The treatments are a little unorthodox as they include radon baths, electric shock therapy, pulsating circulation treatment as well as mud baths and acupuncture (treatments not included in tour price). It’s an absolute dream for any lovers of weird Soviet stuff.
Day 14Tue Sep 19
Khoja Obi Garm, Dushanbe
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This morning you'll have a chance to get some more treatments, take some photos in different light, or just explore the buidlings and grounds some more, before we head off towards Dushanbe.
- Arriving around lunchtime, we’ll take a tour of Dushanbe's city centre, including Rudaki Street, the Somoni Monument and Central Park, where you can gawk at the huge flagpole which was the largest in the world from 2011 to 2014.
- We’ll visit the largest teahouse in the world, where you can either just enjoy a locally made tea, or have something to eat in this iconic building.
- Then we'll visit the Museum of National Antiquities with the reclining Buddha in Nirvana, before c ontinuing on to the Botanical Gardens, the Somoni Monument, and the Building of National Spirit (unfortunately it’s not possible to go inside, but it’s still impressive from the outside).
- Overnight in Dushanbe.
Day 15Wed Sep 20
Dushanbe, Cross the border to Uzbekistan, Samarkand
- Leave Dushanbe first thing in the morning, we'll cross the border back into Uzbekistan, and head to Samarkand.
- Once known as the “Pearl of the Muslim World”, Samarkand is a city synonymous with the Silk Road, full of towering minarets, shimmering domes and home to a splendid technicolour bazaar, which you will have time to wander around and discover for yourself.
- We’ll start our time in Samarkand with a visit to the famous and spectacular Registan Square which is flanked by three beautifully decorated, sparkling blue mosaic madrassas. Once the city's commercial centre, Registan Square is modern Samarkand's centre piece and a pride of the Silk Road. We’ll have our tour and then you’ll have a chance to continue exploring the Registan by yourself.
- Optional wine tasting at the Khovrenko Winery, a small local wine factory with adjoining museum.
- Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 16Thu Sep 21
Samarkand
- Today we will explore the main sites of Samarkand. Having already visited the Registan the day before, we’ll start today’s tour with a walk through the centre of town.
-
Having died in September 2016, Islam Karimov, the First President of Uzbekistan,
now has his mausoleum on the newly renamed Islam Karimov Street.
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Winding through the narrow streets of the old city, we'll stop at a particularly unique synagogue. Totally unrecognisable from the outside, it looks like any of the typical houses on either side, but inside is a bizarre and unique mixture of Uzbek and Jewish décor.
- We'll also pay visits to Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siyab Bazaar, and the grave of St. Daniel which is said to grow a foot in length every ten years.
- Visit Romanenko House, a place that is difficult to describe. This small suburban house has been transformed into a completely unique textile workshop where thirty men and women redesign ancient Central Asian clothing into colourful, modern designs.
Day 17Fri Sep 22
Samarkand, Bukhara
-
This morning you'll have some free time to explore Samarkand yourself, before we head to Bukhara in the afternoon.
- Arriving after lunch, you'll have some free time to start exploring the old town before we have dinner next to the lake in Lyabi Hauz square, a beautiful setting right in the centre of the old town.
- In the evening we'll sit by the lake, chilling out and taking it all in over a cold drink and a chat.
Day 18Sat Sep 23
Bukhara
-
Today we will have a full day to explore this astounding ancient city.
- We'll take a walking tour of the old town in the morningincluding Lyabi Hauz Square, Bolo-Hauz Mosque, and the elegant blue-tiled Ulughbek Madrassa.
- On your way in and out of town you won't be able to miss a huge structure that looks like a giant ark. Known as the Ancient Ark Fortress, this was the Palace of Bukhara's Emirs, and parts of it are still open for us to visit.
Day 19Sun Sep 24
Bukhara, End of Tour
- Today is the final day of the 4 Stans Tour. Anyone continuing to Turkmenistan on our 5 Stans Tour will be crossing the land border today, and we'll farewell those finishing here.
- You might like to spend longer in Bukhara, visit more of Uzbekistan, or head back to Tashkent to fly home or to your next destination, and of course if you'd like help with any of these plans please let us know .
Extensions
5 Stans Autumn Whirlwind Tour
A great snapshot into 5 amazing countries.
5 Stans Autumn Original Tour
Taking the scenic route from Bishkek to Ashgabat, this tour covers everything that makes Central Asia so special.
5 Stans Autumn Mega Tour
Bishkek to Bukhara, Almaty to Ashgabat, and everything in between. This epic tour will take you right across Central Asia through canyons and gorges, cosmopolitan cities, across land borders, and even to a fiery crater.
Turkmenistan Independence Day Whirlwind Tour
For those who want to see the coolest Independence Day in the world, but only have a couple of days to do it in.
The Original Turkmenistan Independence Day Tour
We were the very first to ever have foreigners attend the Independence Day events in Ashgabat, and we're still super excited by it every year!
Turkmenistan Independence Day Mega Tour
Exclusive access to the epic Independence Day events, plus all the must-sees such as the Gates of Hell and Yangykala Canyon. But that's not all! This mega version of the tour also ventures into the far east to some of the least visited parts of the world.
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