Silk Road travel: Tour 2

 

Silk Road travel: Tour 2
Destination: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
Duration: 12 days
Places to visit: Tashkent - Bukhara - Samarkand - Andijan - Uzbek border Dustlik - Osh -Bishkek - Ala Archa - Burana - Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul lake northern shore - Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Charyn Canyon - Almaty

Day 1: Tashkent - Bukhara
On arrival to the airport, the guide will meet you and transfer to Tashkent. Have a city tour and visit Independence square, local Broadway as well as metro opened in 1977. In the afternoon we will visit such places as: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex which has few madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. See the world's oldest Quran copy of the 8^th century belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph. Othman was killed in 8^th century. You will have evening train to Bukhara. Night is in a hotel.

Day 2: Bukhara - Samarkand
In the morning you will have a city tour and explore ancient Citadel Ark. It is the firstborn citadel in Bukhara of 4^th century. In past times it was a palace for some dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Guests will visit one of the most famous madrasahs here as Nodir Divan Begi, it is a part of Lyabi House Ensemble. Afterwards we will visit Poi Kalon complex. It is an example of architectural art of Bukhara 12th - 16th centuries. This building is made of three structures as Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Transfer to Samarkand by train. Night is in a hotel.

Day 3: Samarkand - Tashkent
Samarkand is the second largest city located in the valley of the river Zerafshan. On arrival you will have a city tour and visit Registan square, Shakhi Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square is famous for madrasahs of the 15-17^th centuries. Shakhi Zindeh is a big architectural collection of mausoleums found in the 11^th-15 centuries. This complex is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque belongs to the favorite Tamerlane's wife, after his success in campaign to India. Evening train to Tashkent. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 4: Tashkent - Andijan - Uzbek border Dustlik - Osh
In the morning we will transfer to Andijan by train. After arrival and crossing the border you will be transferred to Osh city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 5: Osh - Bishkek
In Osh you will visit the most well-known and wonderful site as Suleiman Mountain or Solomon's Mountain which is famous between Muslim pilgrims. It is located in the center of the city. Actually, Solomon was buried at the foot of it. Then you will go to Asian Bazaar and learn more about local life. In the evening is transfer to the airport to have a flight to Bishkek city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 6: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek
Today is a city tour in Bishkek and visit Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and so on. We will drive to Ala Archa gorge. At Soviet Union Times only V.I.P have endorsement to be in this National Park. The Ala Archa gorge is situated on the branch of the Tien Shan ridge. The way to the park is only 45 km from Bishkek. In order to see all the attractiveness of the park, you can take a short walking tour and see a panoramic view of the gorge. We will back to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.

Day 7: Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin
We are glad to present the next day of a tour visiting Chon Kemin gorge. We will visit Burana Tower and an open-air museum of Balbals (stone warriors) on the way. The Burana Tower is a steeple of 11^th century; you can go to the top of it to see the view that travelers had before. The tour will be continued to Chon Kemin. We will have 3 hour of horde riding via mountains and mountain forest. On the top of the mountain you will have scenic panoramic view of the gorge. The night is in a home stay. 

Day 8: Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul lake northern shore - Karakol
Travelers will drive to Issyk Kul Lake. It is the second largest mountainous lake in world with the altitude 1 608 m above sea level. It is also called "the pearl of Central Asia". This lake is enclosed by mountains. On the way you will see a place with ancient stone patterns - petroglyphs. In the afternoon we will drive to Karakol town, where you can visit Dungan mosque. This mosque is famous for being built without nails. In Karakol you will see old wooden Orthodox Church. Overnight is in a guesthouse. 

Day 9: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
This tour will start by travelling to the red rocks formations - Jeti Oguz gorge or Seven Bulls where you can see the Broken Heart Mountain. Hike 20 minutes to the top of the mountain to enjoy panorama view of the gorge. Then we will drive to Bokonbaeva village in order to meet a local eagle-hunter. He will show you outdated way of hunting of nomad people by using eagles for it. This way of hunting passes over generations. We will continue our way to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.

Day 10: Bishkek - Almaty
We are glad to see you in Kazakhstan. You will be transferred to Almaty. It is 230 km or 4 hours. Upon arrival you will have a city tour and visit the Southern capital of Kazakhstan. Start from Green Bazaar then see one of the oldest parks in Almaty - Panfilov Park. In this park is located one of the most extraordinary wooden buildings in the world - Zenkov Cathedral. You will continue to Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and drive to the Medeo Gorge. Being there you will see the highest mountain skating rink in the world. Visit Kok Tobe hill and admire beauty of the tallest TV tower in the world. Then have a ride by the famous Almaty cableway. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Day 11: Almaty - Charyn Canyon - Almaty
Today you will drive to the most eminent and brilliant place in Kazakhstan as Charyn Canyon of about 12 million years. We will drive 3 hours. On the way you will get additional information about the history and nature of the region about Kazakh people. Guests will be inspired by its splendor and majesty glory. Go on the top and admire beauty of panorama walking via the labyrinth of the Valley of Castles! We have no doubt you will be impressed. In the end of day is transfer to a hotel.

Day 12: Airport
In the morning is transfer to airport. 

 

Transport in Uzbekistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-06 pax - Minivan
08-10 pax - Minibus 

Transport in Kyrgyzstan:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter 

Transport in Kazakhstan:
02 pax - Sedan economy
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Minibus

 

Price per person:
02 pax - 1 620 $
04 pax - 1 220 $
06 pax - 1 045 $
08 pax - 940 $
10 pax - 890 $
Single - 185 $

Early check-in - 30 $
Single early check-in - 50 $  

All dinners - 170 $*
All lunches and dinners - 315 $*

Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - 40 $ per person

 

English speaking guides:
UZ - local 110 $ per group or escort 370 $ per group
KG - 525 $ per group
KZ - 220 $ per group

 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
Tashkent - "Samir" Hotel 3*
Osh - "Sun Rise" Hotel 3*
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Chon Kemin - Homestay
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Horse riding in Chon Kemin gorge
- Flight tickets Osh - Bishkek (15 kg limit, extra 2 $ per kg)
- Train tickets Tashkent-Bukhara, Bukhara-Samarkand, Samarkand-Tashkent, Tashkent-Andijan  

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide