ITINERARY

Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

This tour is developed to see traces of the Great Silk Road and get acquainted with the history and modern life of all Central Asian states. You will be impressed by magnificent mountains and primeval nature of Kyrgyzstan with wild landscapes of Tien-Shan Mountain Range: densely planted forests of conifers, wide valleys and raging rivers, unique mountain lakes with transparent water, magic glaciers, herds of horses, sheep and yaks, magnificent Canyons and feel a charm of ancient cities of Uzbekistan.

D1: UK – Almaty (-/L/D)

D2: Arrive Almaty ()

Arrive Almaty. Almaty is a modern metropolis with a picturesque panorama of mountains and apple tree forests. Almaty is the southern capital of Kazakhstan and at the same time is the largest city in the country. Officially for more than 20 years, it is not the capital of the country, but still an important cultural and business center. Our city sightseeing tours include 28 Panfilov’s guardsmen park, Zenkov-Cathedral, National Museum of History, Republic Square.
In the evening we visit Sunkar show. The main attraction is the small zoo with birds of prey of different varieties. Here you can see a bird of prey hunting show. Five to seven spices of birds of prey take part in the show. You will learn more about falcon hunting history, organic traits and the lifestyle of birds of prey. The show lasts for approximately 40 min.

D3: Almaty to Karakol (B/L/D)

Breakfast at hotel.
Today we proceed to the next country of our tour – Kyrgyzstan but first, we visit an amazing Charyn Canyon. The canyon is considered as the Grand Canyon’s younger brother. The dramatic erosion made by the river Charyn has created an impressive landscape. The site is also known as a Valley of Castles. It has a particularly bright red color and rock formations resemble castles. It’s spectacular during the day and at night under a star-lit sky. After the excursion to Charyn Canyon, we proceed to the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border and then after all border procedures to Karakol.
Dinner with Uighur family to taste national cuisine and Lagman-show (Lagman – is a traditional Uighur dish. You will be able to see the process of Lagman cooking and participate in it.

D4: Karakol (B/L/D)

The atmosphere of Karakol town will bring you hundred years back and give you an impression of Tsarist Russia. The town was founded in 1869 and constructed in an old Russian style with many buildings from Tsar time. We visit Russian Orthodox Church (1896) and Chinese pagoda styled mosque (1899).
In the afternoon we take a hike in the fabulous Jety-Oguz gorge where famous “7 bulls” and “Broken Heart” rocks are located. You can enjoy horseback riding, take an easy hike to the mountains to observe an amazing panorama, visit a yurt and take a cup of tea or Kyrgyz national beverage – Kumis (fermented mare’s milk).
Dinner with Dungan family to taste national cuisine.

D5: Karakol to Chon-Kemin National Park (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we proceed our journey along the northern shore of magnificent Issyk-Kul Lake. In Cholpon-Ata we visit the petroglyphs ‐ a large open-air collection of rock carvings sometimes referred to as a Stone Garden, which covers some 42 hectares and contains a number of prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs, the remains of a boundary stone wall, balbals) and petroglyphs (dating from the II millennium BC thru the Middle Ages and up to the VI century AD). Also, visit Cholpon‐Alta Museum of History. It exhibits a wide collection of national embroidery.
Further transfer to Chon-Kemin National Park.

D6: Chon-Kemin to Bishkek (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Free morning at Chon-Kemin National Park. Optional easy hike to the mountains to see a picturesque panorama of the valley.
On the way to Bishkek, we make a stop at Karakhanid’s minaret of the 12 century - Burana tower. Nowadays it is a museum complex which includes the tower itself, reconstructions of mausoleums found on the site, remains of a citadel, collection of balbals (gravestones used by nomadic Turkic peoples), petroglyphs (stone carvings) and a small museum. Lunch with Kyrgyz family.
Further transfer to Bishkek.

D7: City tour of Bishkek and flight to Tashkent (B/L/D)

Bishkek is a capital and the largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at the foothill of magnificent Kyrgyz Ala-Tau mountain range. It is a city of many green parks and marble-faced public buildings combined with numerous Soviet-style apartment blocks and thousands of smaller privately built houses. It is laid out on a grid pattern, with most streets flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels that water the innumerable trees which provide shade in the hot summers. The city is believed to be the greenest in Central Asia with more trees per head of population than any other. Our sightseeing tour includes blooming Osh Bazaar, Historical Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Ala-Too square, the main square of the country. The square serves as a place for state events and celebrations and includes many monuments, open-air picture gallery, famous Oak Park, marble government buildings and theaters.
Evening flight to Tashkent.

D8: Tashkent (B/L/D)

This wonderful city is a real embodiment of the modern elegance that is inherent in many world capitals. At the same time, it remains an oriental city. Enjoy a discovery tour through the capital of Uzbekistan, which will take you to the ancient squares and buildings as well as modern part of the 2,000-year-old city. Excursions in Old Town: First visit is Kukeldash Madrasah, which still serves as a Koran School. You will also see the Khast-Imam Square with the beautiful Barak Khan Madrasah, the Tillya Sheikh Mosque and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum made of simple brickwork. Here you can also take a look at the Koran written by the third Caliph Osman (644 - 656). We will also visit the well-known ceramic workshop of Rakhimov family. In the workshop, you can see with your own eyes how unique products are made from fired clay. Moreover, you can work yourself with the material on the potter's wheel, and take part in firing, glazing and paint the works. A stroll through the huge Chorsu bazaar will let you experience the everyday life with all your senses.

D9: Train trip to Samarkand (B/L/D)

Morning train trip to Samarkand (08:00-10:10 am). The historic town of Samarkand is a crossroad and a melting pot of world's cultures. Founded in the 7th century B.C. as ancient Afrosiab, Samarkand received its most significant development in the Timurid’s period from the 14th to the 15th centuries. Visiting of Registan Square which used to be a heart of Samarkand in ancient times. After arrival to Samarkand transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. City tour in Samarkand: Visiting of Guri Emir Mausoleum (15c), Registan Ensemble (Square), a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, surrounded on three sides by blue tiled madrasahs: Ulugbek (15c), ShirDor (17c), Tillya Kari Madrasahs (17c); Bibi Khanum Mosque.

D10: Samarkand, sightseeing tour (B/L/D)

Morning tour in Samarkand: Shah-i-Zinda necropolis (14-15c), “Stars above Samarkand” - Ulugbek observatory (15c), “Ruins of Afrosiab” - excavations and museum of the ancient town (6 BC-13 AD), Saint Daniel Mausoleum, Samarkand local bazaar. Afternoon visiting of local agricultural farm and dinner with a local family.

D11: Transfer to Bukhara, 290 km (B/L/D)

Morning drive to Bukhara.
Bukhara was one of the great trading centers at the Silk Road. The history of Bukhara stretches back millennia. Humans have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia ago and the city exists for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. Afternoon city tour: Visiting of Ark Citadel Bolo Haus mosque, the Ismael Samani Mausoleum, and Kalyan Minaret.

D12: Bukhara, sightseeing tour (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we continue the city tour in Bukhara – Complex LabiHaus, Maggoki at Tori Mosque, Traditionally covered bazaars including Toki Zargaron Trading Dome (1569-70); Toki Telpak Furushon Trading Dome, Toki Sarrafon Trading Dome (16th c.), Chor Minor Madrasah. Folk Show in the Nodir Devon Begi Madrasah.

D13: Flight to Tashkent (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Tashkent. Excursion in New Town: you should not miss an underground ride: Tashkent and Almaty are the only Central Asian cities to have a subway, which is also a small architectural and artistic masterpiece. Our city tour also includes a richly decorated Museum of Applied Art. Exhibits include national carpets, gold embroidery, ceramics, porcelain, jewelry, small furniture and musical instruments. We will also visit the Independence Square, a favorite resting place for local people with beautiful fountains of the city, Alisher Navoi Theatre Square – one of the largest and unique theatre on the territory of Central and Southeast Asia and Romanov Palace (outside), a two-story building of burnt gray-yellow brick palace built in 1891 richly decorated by ornamental turrets and openwork lattices.

D14: Departure to UK (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel.
After Breakfast met in the lobby by our local tour guide who will escort us to the airport. Depart Tashkent for London.
Arrival at London Heathrow and having enjoyed an INCREDIBLE TOUR say goodbye to your new friends.

- END OF PROGRAMME -

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

- Return International and Domestic flights.
- Tips
- 4* accommodation as stated
- All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles
- Tour Leader from UK and Local English speaking guides
- Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Entrance and ecological fees
- Folklore show in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
- Train ticket Tashkent – Samarkand, “Afrosiab” train

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

- Travel & personal insurance.
- Photography Fees
- Any expenditure of personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry, mini bar or drinks during meals, tips to driver, guide, helper, etc.
- Any other meal/ details not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Visa charges

New information regarding visas for UK, US, EU citizens:

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan - visa-free
Uzbekistan - Double/Multiple entry visas without LOI. E-visa will be launched in July 2018
Tajikistan - E-visa (clients need to bring a printed confirmation)
Turkmenistan - visa on arrival at the land border with LOI