Welcome to Istanbul!

You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Today is yours to discover at your leisure. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this dynamic city, where you can explore its bustling streets, indulge in local flavors, or simply enjoy the unique blend of history and modernity that makes it so captivating.

Special Information

Day 1 to 4 is unescorted, with local guides joining you for day tours along the way. You will make your way between destinations. A step by step guide will be included in your documentation.

Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.

After breakfast, a local guide will meet you for a comprehensive tour of Istanbul's must-see landmarks. Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia (also known as St. Sophia or Aya Sofya), the historic Byzantine Hippodrome, the stunning Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem). You'll also have the chance to wander through the Grand Bazaar. Additionally, we'll visit a carpet showroom where you'll learn about the intricate process of handcrafting carpets

Inspiring Highlights

• Hagia Sophia
• Byzantine Hippodrome
• Blue Mosque
• Topkapi Palace
• Grand Bazaar

Special Information

The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and is replaced by the Spice Bazaar. If your tour begins on a Saturday, we recommend visiting the Grand Bazaar during your free time on Day 1 or Day 4

Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. If your tour begins on a Monday and you wish to visit this site, please consider visiting during your free time on Day 1 or Day 4

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely cruise along the stunning European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus, taking in the scenic beauty that separates two continents. This afternoon, we’ll head to the Asian side of Istanbul, where a visit to Camlica Hill awaits. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to sweeping, panoramic views that capture the essence of Istanbul’s unique skyline and natural landscape.

Inspiring Highlights

• Cruise the Bosphorus Straight
• Camlica Hill

Today is yours to explore Istanbul at your own pace. Whether you choose to wander through its vibrant neighborhoods, visit hidden gems, or relax in a local café, the city offers endless possibilities.

In the evening, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ashgabat, marking the next exciting chapter of your journey. Your room remains available until your transfer to the airport.

Special Information

Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (51lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on, with options to increase your luggage allowance at the airport if needed. Your flight will be unescorted, however your tour guide will assist you on either end to ensure that your journey is trouble free. 

Welcome to Turkmenistan!

Upon arrival at Ashgabat International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. As you will be arriving during the night, your room will be ready for you.

At 10.30am, a local guide will meet your group at the hotel and you will start off the tour taking in the city sights: National Museum of Turkmenistan, Independence Park, Ruhnama Monument, Neutrality Arch, Wedding Palace panoramic viewpoint, Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex and memorial complex, the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, a UNESCO site and the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque.

After an exciting first day of touring, you will be transferred to your hotel for a evening at your leisure.

Inspiring Highlights

• Ashgabat City Tour
• Parthian Fortresses of Nisa
• Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque

Special Information

For more information on visa and entry requirements into Turkmenistan, please see the 'Pre Tour Essentials' on our webpage and your Trip Notes,

Pre-tour accommodation:
This itinerary accommodates the fact that most flights arrive in Ashgabat between 1am and 3am on Day 1 of your trip, so your accommodation is included from 2pm the day before your trip starts.

You will only need a pre-tour accommodation night if you check in to your hotel from 2pm two days before your tour starts to 1pm the day before your tour starts.

In practical terms, if Day 1 of your trip is on the 15th of a month (for example), then you will only need 1 night pre-tour accommodation night if you check in to your hotel between 2pm on the 13th and 1pm on the 14th.

Due to local regulations in Turkmenistan, a maximum of one night pre-tour accommodation is available in Ashgabat.

Contact us if you need further information in this regard.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel by private bus to the local Sunday bazaar where you will have the opportunity to wander around and chat with the stall holders. We will then head to horse stables to see the very special Akhal Teke horses, a breed that is more than three thousand years old. Lastly, this morning, we will head to the beautiful Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque, with four minarets and a central dome. Make sure to check out the beautiful interior and fine stained glass windows

In the afternoon, we will drive to the Darvaza gas crater, stopping off to visit mud and water craters along the way. The crater is nicknamed ‘Door to Hell’ or ‘Gates of Hell’ and has been burning since the 1980s. We will arrive in Darvaza before sunset and enjoy a BBQ dinner together. We will spend the night under the stars in double trekking tents or shared 4-person yurts.

Inspiring Highlights

• Bazaar Visit
• Akhal-Teke horse stable
• ‘Gates of Hell’
• BBQ Dinner and overnight in Yurt camp

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

Please note that the roads will be very bumpy today, and you will travel by 4WD for your trip into Darvaza.

As yurt accommodation is on a shared basis (4 people per Yurt) private rooms are not provided. This applies to both twin share and solo travellers. Toilet and shower facilities are outside of the yurts.

After a camp-style breakfast, we will drive to the UNESCO site of Kunya-Urgench, on the left bank of the Amu Daria River, for a sightseeing tour. Urgench was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town monuments, a mosque, fortresses, a 60-metre high minaret and more, date from the 11th-16th centuries.

After, we will cross the border before our lunch stop. Here we will also change vehicles and drivers before continuing onto Khiva.

On arrival, we will check in to the hotel where the rest of the day can be spent at leisure.

Inspiring Highlights

•  UNESCO heritage site Kunya Urgench

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours including border crossing formalities which can take up to 2 hours.

When crossing the border, once you exit Turkmenistan customs you will need to hop on a short bus ride across no-man's land to the Uzbekistan customs office. This can be quite busy and chaotic, as you will be crossing the border with other travellers and locals. You will be crossing the border unescorted, however your Uzbekistan tour leader will be waiting for you on the other side. You will need some Turkmenistan Manat to pay for the bus ride across the border - this will only be 5-10 Manat, however prices can change on the border so please discuss this with your Tour Leader prior to crossing.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for an enjoyable day taking in the sites of Khiva. The historical Ichan Kala, Pahlavan Mahmud Complex, built in 1664, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajj Madrasah and Minaret.

After a leisurely lunch together, we’ll continue onto the Tash-Khauli Palace which was built in 1830 and is a perfect example of the Khorezm architectural grandeur of those times. A visit to Juma Mosque, Muhammad Amin Khan Minaret & Madrasah and Avesta Museum, a museum dedicated to the sacred book, will follow in the afternoon.

We will then return to the hotel and freshen up before heading out to enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant with a folklore show - plenty of music and dancing!

Inspiring Highlights

• Khiva Sightseeing tour
• Tash-Khauli Palace
• Traditional dinner and folklore show

After breakfast we will travel to Bukhara, across the Kyzyl-Kum Desert, one of Central Asia's largest deserts, and along the Amu Darya River. The Amu Darya is one of the longest rivers in Central Asia, around 2,540 kilometres long and was a vital part of the Silk Road.

Once we check in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy.

Inspiring Highlights

• Kyzyl-Kum Desert

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will set off on a sightseeing tour of Bukhara. Ismail Samani Mausoleum, recognised as an architectural masterpiece due to its geometric forms. Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, located in an ancient cemetery and currently under UNESCO review, Bolo Khauz Mosque built in 1712 and is a tranquil site, Ark Citadel, the oldest structure in Bukhara, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, often considered the symbol of Bukhara, Ulugbek Madrasah, and Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah.

After a leisurely lunch, visit Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah and the domed shopping arcades.

After an eventful day sightseeing, you will join a cooking masterclass with Chef Oshpaz at a beautiful national house. Chef specialises in plov, a traditional Uzbekistan rice dish, like pilaf. Chef will reveal culinary secrets and show you how to cook an authentic Bukhara plov at home!

Inspiring Highlights

• Bukhara city tour
• Plov cooking class

After breakfast, we will continue with our Bukhara sightseeing. The first stop will be Sitorai Mohi Hosa, the last emir, Alim Khan’s summer palace from 1912 to 1918, and the Bahoutdin Architectural Complex, which also homes the tomb of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, the founder of the Naqshbandi order.

Later, we will bid farewell to Bukhara and board the train to Samarkand, among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. We will arrive late afternoon and after checking in, we’ll head to Registan Square, one of the most beautiful sites on the Silk Road. You’ll see intricate tile work and vibrant colours displayed - all different perspectives depending on the time of day visited.

Inspiring Highlights

• Sitorai Mohi Hosa
• Registan Square

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

After breakfast, our sightseeing will begin where it ended last night–back at one of the most impressive public squares in Central Asia, Registan Square. We will then continue onto the mausoleum of the 14th-century Mongol conqueror Timur, the Gūr-i Amīr or Guri Amir Complex.

After lunch, we will visit some more Samarkand icons, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the largest mosque in Samarkand, with its three domed rooms, covered galleries and open courtyard. The Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble which includes mausoleums and other ritual buildings of the 11th-15th and 19th centuries, and Shah-i-Zinda Ulugbek, a 1420s observatory built by Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg.

Dinner tonight will be at a national house, and includes a culinary master class and tasting of manti, an authentic Uzbek dish of large dumplings filled with meat and steamed in a special pot.

Inspiring Highlights

• Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum, and Bibi Khanum Mosque.
• Cooking class and tasting of manti

This morning we will cross the land border to Tajikistan where we will be met by your Tajik team. Your new guide and driver will take you to the first fascinating stop, the ruins of the ancient settlement of Sarazm. Meaning ‘where the land begins’, this UNESCO site bears testimony to the development of human settlements in Central Asia (from the 4th millennium BCE to the end of the 3rd millennium BCE).

We will continue on with a visit to a local museum and Marguzor, or ‘Seven Lakes’ – each lake has its own colour, name and story. You will be driven to the sixth lake, and then you will hike from the sixth to the seventh lake.

Lunch will be at a guesthouse situated at the fourth lake. You will be picked up from the sixth lake and driven to the lunch spot for a lovely lunch with beautiful views.

After, we will return to Panjakent where the rest of the day is spent at leisure.

Inspiring Highlights

• Ancient ruins of Sarazm
• Marghzar Lakes (Seven Lakes), and a guided hike between the sixth and seventh lakes

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours including border crossing formalities.

Hike from sixth to seventh lake: 3 km one direction and 1 hour; total - 6 km and 2 hours hiking. Please note that this hike is weather and time permitting. 

After a early breakfast we will head to the capital, Dushanbe. The drive is a picturesque one so make sure you have your camera handy! We will travel via Anzob mountain pass and the Anzob Tunnel (or Istiqlol Tunnel), a 5,040 metre long tunnel which took several years to construct. En route we will stop at beautiful Iskanderkul, a glacial lake and spend some time walking along the shore and taking in the scenery.

On arrival in Dushanbe, you will check into the hotel and spend the rest of the day as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Anzob pass and the Istiklol tunnel
• Iskanderkul

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll stop at our first site of the day, the Tajikistan United Museum, one of the most significant cultural institutions and a great place to start your introduction to the history and culture of the country. The Buddha in Nirvana is one of the most iconic exhibits and dates back to the 7th century.

After, we will make a stop at the Botanical Garden, a beautiful and tranquil space that showcases a wide variety of plants from Tajikistan and other parts of the world.

Followed by a visit to the Oriental Bazaar, always a favourite, and also known as the Green Bazaar. It really is an exciting cultural experience to have and get a glimpse into everyday life in Tajikistan. Purchase nuts and spices, dried fruit and traditional Tajik bread, known as non.

After lunch, we will head to the beautiful Hissar Fortress more than 2,500 years old, and opposite, the Madrasah Kukhna (Old madrasah). Built in the 17th century, the madrasah had up to 150 pupils learning the Koran, the khadises (Prophet’s sayings), the history of Islam and more.

We will then return to Dushanbe where the rest of the evening will be spent as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Tajikistan United Museum, botanical garden and oriental bazaar
• Oriental Bazaar
• Hissar town, the Hissar Fortress and Madrasah Kukhna

After breakfast, we will travel to Khujand, a city in the Fergana Valley. Located on the Great Silk Road and the only city built on the bank of the Syr-Darya River, in 1986, the city celebrated its 2,500th anniversary.

Travelling to Khujand, we will take in some picturesque sights - two mountain passes, Anzob pass and Shakhristan pass (have your camera handy!).

On arrival, we will visit the Republican Historical-Ethnographic Museum, one of Tajikistan's most important cultural institutions, the Timur-Malik Fortress, also known as Khujand Fortress; Timur Malik was a statesman, and the emperor of Khujand. Archaeological Museum, the Mosque and Madrasah of Sheikh Muslihiddin, a complex consisting of the cathedral mosque, a 19th-century minaret and the Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin.

Finally, we will stop by the Payshanba Bazaar, which is situated in front of Khujand Mosque. The bustling marketplace building itself is an architectural marvel; its central building a striking example of Soviet-era architecture blended with traditional Central Asian design elements.

We will then head to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Inspiring Highlights

• The Anzob and Shakhristan pass
• Historical-Ethnographic Museum
• Payshanba Bazaar

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

After a early breakfast we will head to the border of Uzbekistan where you’ll meet your new guide and driver and continue the journey to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. It is a vibrant and historically rich city, with a history spanning over two millennia.

We will arrive around lunch time where we will proceed to the hotel to check in and rest and freshen up.

Later, we will head out on our first tour of the capital, a visit to Independence Square and Amir Temur Square and Statue.

After this visit we will drive back to the hotel where the rest of the night can be spent as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Independence Square and Amir Temur Square

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast at the hotel, our city tour continues with a visit to the old part of the city and the religious complex of Khasti Imam. Here, you’ll see Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Muay-Mubarak Mosque, which is also home to the Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of prophet Muhammad. The Dzhuma-mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali and Kukeldash Madrassah will also be visited this morning. A last stop to Chorsu Oriental Bazaar will bring an end to our memorable time in Tashkent. Don’t forget to look up - the most stunning feature of the bazaar is its huge blue dome.

We will then travel to the airport to catch a flight to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, nestled at the foot of the Tian Shan mountains. It’s also known as the greenest city in Central Asia due to its leafy streets and green spaces.

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to get some rest before your exciting day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Inspiring Highlights

• Tashkent Old City tour
• Chorsu Oriental Bazaar

Special Information

Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.  

After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel 45-km to see our first amazing attraction, Ala-Archa Gorge. The gorge lies within the national park on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is a magical place for hiking, enjoying fresh air, and the scenery is just breathtaking.

Afterward, we will return to Bishkek and visit the main sights. Our first stop is the heart of the city, Ala-Too Square, the main city space used for political demonstrations, festivals and events. Formally known as Lenin Square until 1991, there is also a military monument with an hourly changing of guards. You will see the large statue of Lenin here. We will also see the Monument to Manas the Great, which stands in front of the National History Museum on the square.

We will then return to the hotel where the rest of the day can be spent as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Ala-Archa Gorge Hike
• Ala-Too Square

After breakfast in Bishkek we will head to Naryn. On the way, we will stop to visit the mediaeval Balasagyn city and famous Burana Tower, an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan. The 24-metre-high tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of a castle and three mausoleums was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the 9th-century.

The next stop will be Kochkor Village, the centre of felt production in Kyrgyzstan. We will also take part in a masterclass in making traditional felt rugs. Local artisans produce beautiful felt carpets, called shirdak, and felt-covered yurts.

Once we arrive in Naryn (located more than 2000 metres above sea level) we will travel to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Naryn is situated in a valley so the surroundings you will find yourself in are quite spectacular: the Tien Shan mountain peaks, alpine meadows, and scenic rivers. Blissful!

Inspiring Highlights

• Balasagyn city and the Burana Tower
• Kochkor Village felt masterclass

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

After breakfast we will depart for our day trip to Tash-Rabat, a 15th century stone caravanserai, or roadside inn, located on the Great Silk Road (around 220-km drive).

We will then return to Naryn where the rest of the evening can be spent as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Tash-Rabat inn

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours., including driving on bumpy unpaved roads.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our drive to the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake, the pearl of Central Asia. The lake in the western Tian Shan Mountains, is the second largest alpine lake in the world. Due to the great depth of the lake and the large volume of salt it contains, the lake doesn't have time to cool completely in winter, so the lake doesn’t freeze over.

We will make several stops along the way. The first one will be at Bokonbayevo Village, which is famous for breeding wild predator birds. We will view a demonstration of a hunting falcon.

Today’s lunch stop will be held in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt, before our exciting guided tour of the Fairytale canyon (or Canyon Skazka) this afternoon. This gorge is formed of colourful hardened clay and resembles fairytale castles.

Later, we will arrive in Tamga Village and have dinner together.

Our accommodation tonight will be a yurt camp or a guesthouse.

Inspiring Highlights

• Issyk Kul Lake
• Bokonbayevo Village Falconry
• Fairytale Canyon
  

Special Information

Accommodation: You will stay in a Yurt camp if travelling from mid April - mid October or, a guesthouse all other times. Yurt accommodation is on a shared basis (4 people per Yurt) and private rooms are not provided. This applies to both twin share and solo travellers. Toilet and shower facilities are outside of the yurts.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. 

After a early breakfast, we will explore the surroundings with a guide and travel to Djety Oguz Gorge, which is translated from Kyrgyz as ‘Seven Bulls’ because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces.

We will enjoy some easy hiking in the gorge along the winding Djety Oguz mountain river, before heading to Karakol, a charming town that sits on the eastern tip of Issyk Kul Lake. Upon arrival we will visit famous sights such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan Mosque. Built in 1907-1910, it features wooden detailing and Chinese decoration but built without a single nail.

Later, we will visit the Memorial Museum of N. M. Przhevalsky, a small and fascinating museum documenting the travels of Russian geologist and explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky.

We will then return to the hotel where the rest of the evening can be spent as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Djety Oguz Gorge
• Karakol’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral
• Dungan Mosque
• Memorial Museum of N. M. Przhevalsky

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. 

This morning we’ll enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel as we will be leaving for Karakol. At the border we will continue our journey to Almaty, set in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains and Kazakhstan’s capital city until 1997.

Along the way, we will stop for lunch and we’ll also stop to visit Charyn Canyon National Park. The Canyon is said to resemble the Grand Canyon in the US and nicknamed ‘Little Brother’, however it is smaller. It is 50km from end to end, with the erosion made by the Charyn River creating dramatic and impressive landscapes.

We will then continue the drive and arrive in the evening where you’ll check into your hotel and spend the rest of the evening as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Charyn Canyon National Park

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

800KZT will be needed for a short truck ride within Charyn Gorge - please ensure that you have the required amount of cash on hand today.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head off on a 10-hour tour of Almaty.

We’ll begin with a visit to the bustling Green Bazaar, followed by a stroll through Panfilov Park, where we’ll see Zenkov Cathedral and the Memorial of Glory with its Eternal Flame. Next, we will head to Kok-Tobe hill to see the world's tallest TV tower and enjoy a scenic cableway ride back to the city centre. After lunch, explore Medeo, the highest ice rink in the world, and visit the Shymbulak mountain resort, where you'll take a cable car to 3,200 metres for breathtaking views.

We will then head back to the hotel where you can spend the rest of the evening as you wish.

Inspiring Highlights

• Green Bazaar
• Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park
• Kok-Tobe hill cableway ride
• Medeo

Special Information

The cable car at the Shymbulak Mountain Resort closed for 10 days in Spring and Autumn for maintenance. If you are in Almaty over these dates, alternative sightseeing will be included.

This morning after breakfast you will check out and bid farewell to Kazakhstan.

You will be transferred to Almaty International Airport International and depart.

Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.

Special Information

Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.

If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

Some flights may depart as early as 3 AM. Please note that the final day of the itinerary does not account for these early departures, which may require leaving for the airport around midnight and may result in missing breakfast