Asia Discovery Tours Suite 1302, Level 13, 370 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia A.B.N. 57115 794888 License No. 2TA005740 Tel: (02) 9267 7699 Fax: (02) 9267 7866 Reservation Hotline: 1300 789 252 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.asiadiscoverytours.com.au

19 Day Central Asia of Five Stan Tour (Tour Code: CAS) Almaty – Bishkek – Ala-Archa National Park – Bishkek – Osh – Khujand – Dushanbe – Penjikent – – – Merv ancient city – Mary – – Dasoguz – – Urgench – Tashkent

The Five Stans of Central Asia in 19 days: an amazing travel itinerary through the five former Republics of the Soviet Union: Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Tajikistan – – , also known as the Stans, includes the main tourist attractions and must-visit destinations at the centre of the . This is the best itinerary to visit Central Asia and its impressive historical monuments and nature's beauties, taste traditional food and enjoy the unique local culture of hospitality. Explore the best of Central Asia in one tour!

Day 01, 12 OCT: SYDNEY or MELBOURNE – GUANGZHOU CZ326, 12 Oct. Sydney – Guangzhou 10:05/17:50 CZ344, 12 Oct. Melbourne – Guangzhou 10:20/17:50 Depart Sydney or Melbourne to Guangzhou on China Southern Airlines and arrive in the afternoon. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to hotel. Stay overnight in Guangzhou. Accommodation: TBA

Day 02, 13 OCT: GUANGZHOU – URUMQI – ALMATY CZ6023, 13 Oct. Guangzhou – Urumqi 12:40/17:50 CZ6011, 13 Oct. Urumqi – Almaty 20:40/20:30 After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan via Urumqi for an evening arrival. Upon arrival, you are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Check in the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Almaty. Accommodation: Kazzhol Hotel 4* or similar

Day 03, 14 OCT: ALMATY (B.D) Breakfast at hotel followed by a full-day sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, Ascension Cathedral, Almaty which is constructed entirely from wood, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments, Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, Almaty's Zelyoniy Green Bazaar followed by a panoramic view at an observatory. Next visit is Kok-Tobe hill with its TV tower. This is followed by a short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Almaty. Accommodation: Kazzhol Hotel 4* or similar

Day 04, 15 OCT: ALMATY – BISHKEK (B.D) Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast depart Almaty and drive to Bishkek via a newly built highway (270km- 4h). En-route watch the natural landscapes. You will arrive in Bishkek in the afternoon. Check in to the hotel. Lunch will be at your own expense. After lunch enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour in Bishkek. Visit the Central Museum, Panfilov Park, Bishkek, Osh Bazaar. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Bishkek. Accommodation: Plaza Hotel 4* or similar

Day 05, 16 OCT: BISHKEK – ALA-ARCHA GORGE – BISHKEK – OSH (B.L) After breakfast morning transfer to Ala-Archa National Park. The Ala Archa Gorge is on a spur of the mountain range, it is located 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the Gorge. You can also hike towards the small waterfall. Transfer to the airport near Bishkek for a evening flight to Osh. Upon arrival you are transferred to hotel. Accommodation: Classic Hotel 4* or similar

Day 06, 17 OCT: OSH – KYZYL-BEL – KHUJAND (B.D) Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning enjoy a short city tour in Osh. Visit the Jayma Bazaar and Central Square. In the afternoon, visit Sulayman Mountain, one of the main shrines of the Islamic world in Central Asia. Further transfer to the border with Tajikistan. At 16:00 (Kyrgyz time = 15:00 Tajik time) - Border formalities. Meet the Tajik guide and driver for a further transfer to Khujand. Accommodation at the hotel upon arrival. Accommodation: Parliament Hotel 4* or similar

Day 07, 18 OCT: KHUJAND – DUSHANBE (B.D) In Khujand visit the following monuments: Museum of Archeology and Fortification and Payshanba Bazaar, one of the interesting places here, which attracts people with various sounds and tastes. In the afternoon, transfer to Dushanbe. Accommodation at the hotel. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight in Dushanbe. Accommodation: Atlas Hotel 4* or similar

Day 08, 19 OCT: DUSHANBE (B.D) After breakfast transfer to visit the following sites: Tajikistan National Museum, which includes the famous exhibit Buddha in Nirvana; Botanical Garden; Oriental Bazaar. In the afternoon, transfer 30 km out of the city to visit the ruins of the 18th century Hissar Fortress; which contains two madrasahs dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries and as well as a mausoleum dating back to the 16th century. Return to the hotel and stay overnight in Dushanbe. Accommodation: Atlas Hotel 4* or similar

Day 09, 20 OCT: DUSHANBE – PENJIKENT – JARTEPPA – SAMARKAND (B.D) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Samarkand via Penjikent. On arrival in Penjikent visit the ancient settlement of Sarazm (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Further transfer to the border. After border formalities meet the Uzbek team and proceed by road to Samarkand. Accommodation at the hotel. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Samarkand. Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Hotel 4* or similar

Day 10, 21 OCT: SAMARKAND (B.D) After breakfast, start the guided sightseeing tour around Samarkand: visit Square (which is framed by three madrasahs: Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilla-Qori Madrasah), Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (Tamerlane’s sepulcher), Rukhabad Mausoleum (from the outside); In the afternoon: Bibi- Khanym , Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugh Beg Observatory. Overnight at the hotel in Samarkand. Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Hotel 4* or similar

Day 11, 22 OCT: SAMARKAND – BUKHARA (B.L) After breakfast transfer to Bukhara. On arrival, have your lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, start a sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit the following sites: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Accommodation at the hotel in Bukhara. Accommodation: Devon Begi Hotel 4* or similar

Day 12, 23 OCT: BUKHARA (B.D) Breakfast at the hotel. Continuation of the guided sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Haouz Mosque, , Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan and others), Ulugh Beg Madrasah. In the afternoon, transfer 4 km from Bukhara and visit the out-of-town sites: Sitora-i Mokh-i Khosa Palace and Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Complex. Return to Bukhara and stay overnight at the hotel in Bukhara. Accommodation: Devon Begi Hotel 4* or similar

Day 13, 24 OCT: BUKHARA – FARAP – MERV – MARY (B.D) Early breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Uzbek-Turkmen border crossing “Farap” (2-hour drive from Bukhara). Border formalities. Meet Turkmen guide and driver on the border. Visit the ancient city of Merv (UNESCO heritage site). Transfer to the hotel and stay overnight in Mary. Accommodation: Mary Hotel 4* or similar

Day 14, 25 OCT: MARY – ASHGABAT (B.D) Breakfast at the hotel and further transfer to the airport for flight to Ashgabat. Upon arrival, start your sightseeing program in Ashgabat. Visit Ertogrul Gazy Mosque, Independence Park, Neutrality Monument, Ahal-Teke Horse Riding Centre, Ashgabat National Museum of History, Parthian Fortresses of Nisa (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque. Accommodation: 4* or similar

Day 15, 26 OCT: ASHGABAT – DASOGUZ – SHAVAT – KHIVA (B.D) Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning transfer to the airport and fly to Dasoguz. Arrive at Dasoguz and transfer to Konye-Urgench (120km, 1.5h driving). Sightseeing tour in Konye-Urgench, visit: the gates of a caravanserai, Mamur Minaret, II Arslan Mausoleum, Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum, Academy of Horezm, Kutlug Timur Minaret, Mausoleum of Turabek-Khanym. After sightseeing, return to Dasoguz. Transfer at border check point of Dasoguz. Border formalities on both sides. Continue onwards to Khiva. When you arrive check into the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant. Stay overnight in Khiva. Accommodation: Bek Khiva Hotel 4* or similar

Day 16, 27 OCT: KHIVA – URGENCH – TASHKENT (B.D) Breakfast at hotel is followed by a full day sightseeing tour of Khiva: fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where monuments Alla Kuli Khan Madrassah, Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor, Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, Minaret of -Khoja, Juma Mosque, Tosh-Hovli Palace and other monuments are located. Dinner at local restaurant. In the evening transfer to the airport in Urgench for flight to Tashkent. Arrive at Tashkent, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay. Accommodation: Ramada Hotel 4* or similar

Day 17, 28 OCT: TASHKENT (B.D) Breakfast at the hotel. Start your guided sightseeing tour around Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah; In the afternoon, visit State Museum of Applied Arts, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square. After dinner, you are transferred to airport for your flights homewards to Sydney, Australia.

Day 18, 29 OCT: TASHKENT – URUMQI – GUANGZHOU – SYDNEY or MELBOURNE CZ6030, 29 Oct. Tashkent – Urumqi 01:45/07:15 CZ6022, 29 Oct. Urumqi – Guangzhou 09:25/14:30 CZ325, 30 Oct. Guangzhou – Sydney 21:00/08:25 (30 Oct) CZ321, 30 Oct. Guangzhou – Melbourne 21:10/08:40 (30 Oct) Depart to Sydney or Melbourne via Urumqi and Guangzhou, China on China Southern Airlines and fly overnight.

Day 19, 30 OCT: SYDNEY or MELBOURNE ARRIVAL You arrive in Sydney or Melbourne in the morning. Your unforgettable Five Stans tour ends.

Tour price: $6,290 per person, twin or double share Single supplement: $1,230

Tour price includes: 1. China Southern Airlines economy class air-ticket Sydney or Melbourne – Guangzhou – Urumqi – Almaty//Tashkent – Urumqi – Guangzhou – Sydney or Melbourne; 2. Airport tax and fuel surcharge (currently $350, subject to change); 3. Accommodation at the 4* hotels (mentioned as in the itinerary or similar) in double/twin rooms with breakfasts; 4. Meals as mentioned in the itinerary; 5. Services of English-speaking local guides (separate guides in each country); 6. Sightseeing with entrance fees at museums and historical parks mentioned in the program; 7. Air-tickets for internal flights from Bishkek to Osh, from Mary to Ashgabat, from Ashgabat to Dasoguz and from Urgench to Tashkent; 8. Transportation services on comfortable air-conditioned vehicles (minibuses or coaches - depending on the number of tourists in a group); 9. Mineral water for each day of the tour; 10. China visa fee; 11. Gratuities to guides and drivers; 12. Visa invitation to Turkmenistan, including Letter of Invitation, State Registration and Travel Pass (obligatory for all foreigners).

Tour price doesn’t include: 1. Visa fees to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan; 2. Travel insurance; 3. In Turkmenistan: tourist fee per night, charged in the hotels at departure 2 USD/per person/per night (obligatory); 4. Any meals or services not mentioned in the itinerary.

Important notes for all travelers: Please bring only cash USD for your local expenses in Central Asia, no EURO and no credit cards are accepted in these countries (only in Almaty, Bishkek and Dushanbe it is possible to cash money via ATM).

Visa Information: 1. Visa to Kazakhstan: The citizens of Australia, the UK and the USA do not need visa to travel to Kazakhstan. 2. Visa to Kyrgyzstan: The citizens of Australia, the UK and the USA do not need visa to travel to Kyrgyzstan. 3. Visa to Tajikistan: Currently foreign citizens, including Australia, the UK and the USA, have an opportunity to obtain Tajikistan visa online on this official web: www.evisa.tj. Visa invitation from the MFA of Tajikistan is not necessary. Cost of visa online is 50 USD/per person. Please, note, this program does NOT require the necessity of GBAO permit. 4. Visa to Uzbekistan: From February 1, 2019 the citizens of Australia and the UK and the USA do not need visa to Uzbekistan. 5. Visa to Turkmenistan: Citizens of all foreign countries, intending to enter Turkmenistan, are obliged to have visa. Visa to Turkmenistan can issued only on the basis of preliminary issued visa invitation. The visa invitation is being issued by our company on the basis of the following documents of yours: 1) Completed application form (sample of the application form will be sent beforehand); 2) Scanned copy of your passport of good quality; 3) A photo of good quality (size 3:4). After receiving these documents, our Turkmenistan ground operator will apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan for visa invitation issuance for our tourists. The process of visa invitation issuance takes about 3 weeks. On the basis of the visa invitation a tourist can get Turkmenistan visa at the embassy of in any country, where there is Turkmenistan Embassy, in Ashgabat Airport or at the consular department on the border.