Issue link: http://gadventures.uberflip.com/i/619326
Dates and prices are subject to change. For booking, availability, and detailed itineraries, consult your travel agent or check online. Highlights of Tajikistan CLASSIC Highlights › › Explore diverse highlights in Dushanbe › › Soak in the scenic beauty in Iskanderkul › › Connect with the locals on a community village stay › › Learn about life in little-visited Central Asia What's Included Dushanbe city tour. Local home stay (Iskanderkul, 2 nts). Hikes and picnic lunch. Mug Teppe settlement visit (Ura-Tube). City tour (Khujand). Khujand market visit. Orientation walk (Tashkent). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels/ guesthouses (3 nts), community homes (2 nt) TRANSPORT Private vehicles, walking GROUP LEADER CEO throughout MEALS 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners. Allow USD25-35 for meals not included. ITINERARY Need a quick getaway to somewhere truly different? Here's a 6-day whirlwind excursion to the culturally distinct Tajikistan. Start in the capital city of Dushanbe before continuing through the most scenic and beautiful parts of the country, staying at unique homestays and roaming through the Tajik countryside. Finish up in the "Stone City" of Tashkent and start planning your return because six days is just enough time to fall in love with the region. DAY 1 DUSHANBE Arrive at any time. DAYS 2-3 ISKANDERKUL Visit sights in the capital city of Dushanbe before a drive through the valleys and mountains of the area for an overnight in local homes in the beautiful Iskanderkul area. Meet the locals and explore this gorgeous landscape in the Fann Mountains. Spend the next day exploring. Opt to hike in the mountains to an impressive waterfall. After a picnic lunch, return to Sarytag village. ( 2B, 1L, 2D ) DAY 4 KHUJAND Drive to Istaravshan and visit an ancient settlement in Ura-Tube. Enjoy an optional lunch in a local "chaikhana" (teahouse) before driving to Khujand. Explore the city in the afternoon, visiting the museum and a mausoleum. ( 1B ) DAY 5 KHUJAND/TASHKENT Visit the Khujand market (largest in Tajikistan) before continuing on to the border. Cross into Uzbekistan and drive to the capital city of Tashkent. Enjoy a short orientation walk in the evening before an optional dinner. ( 1B ) DAY 6 TASHKENT Depart at any time. ( 1B ) Guaranteed Departures Number of IF YOU'RE BOOKED, YOU'RE GOING | departures / month. 1 2 2 2 2 ■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■ J F M A M J J A S O N D NEW TOUR 6 DAYS—DUSHANBE TO TASHKENT FROM $ 799 TOUR CODE: AWDT IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? See back foldout. TYPE: SMALL GROUP – MAX 16, AVG 12 SERVICE LEVEL: STANDARD PHYSICAL DEMAND: LIGHT T A J I K I S T A N U Z B E K I S T A N Dushanbe Tashkent Khujand Iskanderkul Best of Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan CLASSIC Highlights › › Learn about the diverse cultures of Central Asia › › Soak in the breathtaking mountain scenery › › Connect with the locals during a yurt stay › › Wander the Soviet streets of Bishkek What's Included City tour (Almaty). Charyn Canyon stop. Karakol city tour (half-day). Yurt building presentation (Kizil Tuu). Felt-making workshop visit. Yurt stay (Song Kul). Community-based tourism (CBT) stay. Burana Tower visit. Half-day city tour (Bishkek). Transport to/from all included activities and between destinations. ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels/guesthouses (4 nts), yurt (2 nts), CBT houses (2 nts) TRANSPORT Private van, walking GROUP LEADER CEO throughout MEALS 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners. Allow USD115-150 for meals not included. ITINERARY Discover a part of the world that's getting noticed for its beautiful landscapes and its warm people. This 9-day tour takes you off the beaten tourist path and into the cultures of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Begin in Almaty and drive through the stunning Charyn Canyon. Spend one night in a traditional yurt and get to know the welcoming families of the nomadic Kyrgyz culture. Enjoy city time in Bishkek as well as optional activities like day hikes and horseback riding to get you closer to the stunning nature here. DAY 1 ALMATY Arrive at any time. DAY 2 ALMATY Take a city tour of Almaty including the church and central museum. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore. Opt to check out the local market. ( 1B ) DAY 3 CHARYN CANYON/KARAKOL Drive via scenic Charyn Canyon to take in more of the Kazakh landscape. Reach the border and cross into Kyrgyzstan. Enjoy an evening in Karakol. ( 1B, 1D ) DAY 4 KARAKOL/KOCHKOR Visit the Prejevalskiy Museum then drive to Kizil Tuu. Stop en route for a swim in the lake. In Kizil Tuu learn how to built a yurt before continuing on to Kochkor. ( 1B ) DAYS 5-6 SONG KUL Visit a felt making workshop to learn more about this typical Kyrgyz craft. Opt to pick up a carpet or two. Continue on to the scenic Song Kul area. On Day 6, spend a full day soaking in this beautiful area. Opt to head out for some hiking or horseback riding. Stay both nights in a traditional yurt for a true cultural experience. ( 2B, 1L, 2D ) DAY 7 CHONG-KEMIN Continue on into the scenic valley of Chong-Kemin. Stay in the local CBT (community based tourism) houses and explore the village. Soak in the stunning scenery. ( 1B ) DAY 8 BISHKEK Depart Chong-Kemin and stop at one of Kyrgyzstan's oldest sights, the Burana Tower. Learn more about the ancient structure (rare in a nomadic culture) before continuing on to the capital city of Bishkek for an afternoon city tour. ( 1B ) DAY 9 BISHKEK Depart at any time. ( 1B ) Guaranteed Departures Number of IF YOU'RE BOOKED, YOU'RE GOING | departures / month. 1 2 2 2 2 ■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■ J F M A M J J A S O N D NEW TOUR 9 DAYS—ALMATY TO BISHKEK FROM $ 999 TOUR CODE: AZKK IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? See back foldout. TYPE: SMALL GROUP – MAX 16, AVG 12 SERVICE LEVEL: STANDARD PHYSICAL DEMAND: AVERAGE K Y R G Y Z S T A N K A Z A K H S T A N Bishkek Almaty Chong–Kemin Karakol Song Kul Kochkor ASIA›› KAZAKHSTAN, KYRGYZSTAN, TAJIKISTAN, UZBEKISTAN 71