This is a spectacular combination of different things: experience of nomadic life, breathtaking scenery, great nature, ancient monuments, tasty foods and exceptional friendly and warm people. In Kyrgyzstan, you'll enjoy snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes and an adventure trek. In Uzbekistan, you discover the ancient towns that have stood for centuries along the Great Silk Road.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Your guide meets you at the airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, and takes you to the 4 star Uzbekistan hotel, where you can recuperate in renovated rooms after your long flight. (D)
Day 2: The day starts with a detailed briefing of what the rest of the trip holds. On our way to the airport, we hold a driving tour of Tashkent's squares, parks, fountains and monuments. After a short flight we find ourselves in a town of Urgench. We stay at the best hotel the town has, 2star Jaikhun. After lunch, we make our way to ruins of ancient fortresses - Toprak-Kola (3rd and 4th century) and Ayaz-Kola (6th,7th century). (B) (L) (D)
Day 3: An hour's drive deposits us in Khiva, a town seemingly untouched by time. The whole town is an open-air museum. Some of attractions include: Djuma Mosque (one of the most ancient structures in Central Asia with 218 wooden columns, 10th century), Kalta Minor Minaret (built in 1850s and it seems like it wasn't finish), Kukhna Ark (the ancient fortress with Summer mosque, Khan's Tail, throne room and bastion inside, 12-17th century), Harem (one part of Tosh-Khovli Palace, 19th century), Islam-Huja Medressa & minaret ( with interesting museum of handicrafts inside, 1910), Pahlavon Mausoleum (14th century). Everyone cannot help admiring the skill with which ancient Khorezm architects decorated their creation! (B) (L) (D)
Day 4: Today we drive 450 kilometres southeast to Bukhara, another architectural phenomenon at least 25 centuries old. We stop off at the 4 star New Bukhara hotel. We can stroll along its streets. This day we visit Poi-Kalon architectural ensemble with a cathedral mosque Kalon (1514), a famous minaret by the same name, which contains 12 courses of brick tiles of various beautiful patterns along its 46 m. height (1127) and unique medressa Mir-Arab (1536). Lyabi-Khauz, a trading square built around a pool (16-17 century) is also one of the highlights of this town. (B) (L) (D)
Day 5: Today we continue to discover old Bukhara and have ample time to visit Chor-Minor medressa (1807); one of masterpieces of the classic oriental architecture of the 9th and 10th century, the Samanids museum; the whole town with the residence of Emir and his wives, mosques, minting yard and treasury, the citadel Ark (5-20 cent.); the active mosque Bolo-Hauz (1718), the palace of the last emir, the summer palace Sitorai-Mokhi-Hosa (20 cent.). Don't forget to look into a few of handicrafts shops as well! (B) (L) (D)
Day 6: In the morning we drive further eastward (320 km). On the way we have a look at Timur's home town, Shakhrizabz. Our destination this evening is Samarkand. We stay at the 4 star Afrosiab hotel. (B) (L) (D)
Day 7: Astonishing historic architecture of Samarkand is ours to explore! Attractions: Ulugbek's observatory (1420s); the ensemble of three medressas, Registan ( 15 -17 century); legendary Bibi-Khanum mosque (14 century); the ensemble of mausoleums Shakhi-Zinda (14 -15 century); Goor-Emir mausoleum, where Timur, Ulugbek and other Timurids were interred (1404). (B) (L) (D)
Day 8: Today we come back to Tashkent (250 km) and take a short flight to Andijan, a small town on east of Uzbekistan. Upon arrival we drive to Osh (40 km). Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! The comfortable rooms of the 2 star Osh hotel is our accommodation for the evening. (B) (L) (D)
Day 9: We take the full day to discover a town that's 3000 years old! The day would not be complete without a visit to one of Central Asia's best bazaars, as well as a look at the famous Suleiman Hill. (B) (L) (D)
Day 10: A new adventure awaits us! To drive through Kyrgyzstan, spend nights along our lakes and rivers and see the Kyrgyz nomads is something that everyone should experience. We head to vast Toktogul reservoir (300 km). If you like you could finish your day with a dip in the reservoir's warm water. (B) (L) (D)
Day 11: Spectacular scenery is on today's agenda, as we drive over the Ala-Bel Pass to Susamyr River (200 km). To end the perfect day we have fine ending, a traditional Kyrgyz dinner alongside a lit campfire. (B) (L) (D)
Day 12: The beauty of Kyrgyzstan comes alive before our eyes today, as we follow the stormy mountain Kokomeren River southeast. The scenery gets wilder as we reach one of the highlights of our trek, Lake Song-Kul (320 km). This lake is not like all the others because it's located at 3530 m. above the sea level. If you like, you can stay in Kyrgyz yourt! We enjoy horse back riding or just hiking, spend time with always friendly Kyrgyz families and taste their fresh airan (yogurt) and kymys (a fermented national drink from mare's milk). (B) (L) (D)
Day 13: Today we step into the nomadic life near Kochkorca village (140 km). Here, the Kyrgyz people still live in traditional simplicity. We spend the night in the summer pastures of the mountains. (B) (L) (D)
Day 14: Unique Lake Issyk-Kul is our next stop (150 km). It's nearly 700 m. deep, 170 km. long and 70 km. across and surrounded by mountain ranges of Kungey Ala-Too and Terskey Ala-Too. Here we have some time to hike, swim and enjoy the breathtaking views. After admiring the great outdoors we complete the day by taking a hot shower or sauna. Today our camp is located in the mountain gorge Djety-Oguz on the bank of the small river. (B) (L) (D)
Day 15: Today we visit Karakol, the administrative center of Issyk-Kul region and then through the border area between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan we reach the beautiful Charyn canyon (240 km), noted for its sculpture-like formations. Words can't describe the beauty, so we walk stroll amid the scenery to get the full effect. (B) (L) (D)
Day 16: Our drive takes us into Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan (200km.). We can make city-tour including visit Museum of Kazakh national instruments and Sviato-Nikoljikij Cathedral. Also it's a last opportunity to buy something as a gift from Central Asia. Then it's time to relax at the 3 Star Otrar hotel. (B) (L) (D)
Day 17: You depart from the airport in Almaty. We enjoyed hosting you in Central Asia and hope to see you once again!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Domestic flights cost $US70 per pax additionally. Prices listed are given for group of 2-3 pax. We offer more reasonable prices for group of above 3 pax.:
2-3 person: 2145 $US
4-5 persons: 1670 $US
6-7 persons: 1605 $US
8-9 persons: 1475 $US
10- > persons: 1395 $US
Price includes:
- all kinds of transportation for the whole program
- guides
- hotel accommodation (A class - 4 stars hotels, where it'spossible; B class - 2-3 stars hotels)
- HB
- entrance tickets
- visa support
- visa registration
- all domestic flights
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Uzbekistan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
