Travel around Silk Road: Tour 3
Destination: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Duration: 14 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Issyk - Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore - Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake - Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand - Bukhara - Tashkent
Day 1: Almaty
Dear travelers! We are happy to see you in Kazakhstan. When you arrive at the airport you will be meet and accompanied to Almaty, where you can learn more about the history and development the city. First to all we will Green Bazaar and immerse in local life. Then we will visit Panfilov Park as one of the oldest in Almaty, where the most astonishing building - Zenkov Cathedral is found. We will continue our tour and visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame dedicated to the freedom and independence of the country. In the afternoon we will travel to Medeo Gorge and see the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. Later we will visit Kok Tobe hill. Enjoy ride on the popular Almaty cableway your tour for today ends. Night is in a hotel.
Day 2: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
In the morning we will visit the most popular place of Trans Ili Alatau like Issyk Gorge. It is located on the Kuldja tract. Being here you will see burial mounds of Sakas period, where the "Golden Man" was found. Nowadays it is a state-owned symbol of Kazakhstan. See the State Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve "ISSYK" where you can see remains devoted to the history and culture of the Sakas period, comprising a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Sakas burial mound. Then we will drive to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level. It emerged due to mudslide that made natural dam of 300 meters in height. Rest is in a hotel.
Day 3: Almaty - Bishkek
The tour will start by transferring to Bishkek. It is the largest city and the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is situated at about 800 meters high near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. This range is a wing of the Tian Shan Mountains that rises to 4,855 meters high and gives a remarkable background to the city. on arrival you will have a city tour and visit Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala Too Square, the National Arts Museum, National Philharmonic, and so on. Night is in a hotel.
Day 4: Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore
Today you will travel to Issyk Kul Lake. It is mountainous lake bordered by mountains with the elevation of 1608 m. above sea level high. Issyk Kul Lake is the second largest Lake in the world well known as "the pearl of Central Asia". Then you will visit Burana Tower of 11th century and an open-air museum of Balbals or stone warriors. Travelers can go to the top of this minaret to see the same view that Silk Road. Night is in a hotel.
Day 5: Issyk Kul Lake - Karakol
In the morning we will drive to Karakol city. On the way you will visit ancient stone inscription - petroglyphs of the 800 B.C. Magicians made them 2 000 years ago. We will continue our drive at the northern shore of the lake to Karakol. There you will see the Dungan mosque that was built in Chinese style without using metal nails. See an old wooden Orthodox Church. Overnight is in a guesthouse.
Day 6: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
Today we will travel to Jeti Oguz gorge. Jeti Oguz or Seven Bulls will impress by red rock formations. Also, you can see the famous Broken Heart Mountain. Travelers will visit 20 minutes and enjoy panorama views. The tour will be continued to the Bokonbaeva village, where you can see a local eagle hunter who hunts with the help of eagles. This precious skill passes from generation to generation. We will continue our way to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.
Day 7: Bishkek - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand
In the morning is flight from Bishkek to Osh. On arrival you will visit Suleiman Mountain or Solomon's Mountain located in the center of the city. According to the legend, biblical prophet Solomon (Suleiman) was buried at the foot of it. Later we will drive to Tajik border via mountains and high passes. On the way you drive via Batken region and see apricot trees and unique flower - Aigul. The guide will wait you on the border and will accompany to Khujand city. It is the second largest city in Tajikistan with the population 149, 000. This city is located on the Syr Darya River at the Fergana Valley. Khujand is reflected to be the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. Then you will have a trip to Cultural Palace of Khujant, where the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. In addition, see Central Mosque that is situated in the middle of the city. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 8: Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake
Iskanderkul is mountainous lake in the famous Fann Mountains with the altitude of 2 255 m. a. s. l. This area is one of the best places in the Central Asia for hiking. On arrival to the lake you will have a walk at the beach. To see a waterfall, you can hike 40 minutes. Amid CIS countries Tajikistan is in the second place for its volume of water resources. In Tajikistan there are more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Night is in a home stay.
Day 9: Iskanderkul Lake - Penjakent
We will travel to Penjakent through Shahriston pass with a height of 3 378 m. Penjakent or five villages is found in Khujand area of Tajikistan, in an imposing Zeravshan river valley. The city was found in the 5-8 centuries AD. It is also called as "Central Asian Pompeii". It was well-organized city that had a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The remains of this ancient city were found only in the last century. Today it is possible to see dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 10: Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand
In the morning is crossing of the Tajik Uzbek border. Travelers will be met at other side of the border and transferred to Samarkand. Night is in a hotel.
Day 11: Samarkand
Samarkand is second largest city of Uzbekistan. It is located in the valley of the river Zerafshan. Travelerls will visit Registan square, Shakhi Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. The main site of Samarkand is Registan Square which is compound of three charming Madrasahs of the 15-17th centuries. Shakhi Zindeh is an architectural complex from the collection of big mausoleums of the 11th-15th centuries. This collection is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque is dedicated to favorite Tamerlane's wife. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 12: Samarkand - Bukhara
In the morning is transfer to Bukhara by train. On arrival we will visit Citadel Ark. It is the most ancient citadel in Bukhara of 4th century. This citadel used to be a palace for some dynasties of Bukhara Empire. It is a masterwork of 9th -10th centuries as Samanids mausoleum. The tour continues to Chashma Ayub or Job's well and Bolo Hauz mosque. This mosque has forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu Fayud Khan. We will walk at the shopping domes and visit the most remaining sight of this tour as madrasahs Nodir Divan Begi belonging to Lyabi House Ensemble. See Poi Kalon complex which has three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel.
Day 13: Bukhara - Tashkent
We will arrive in Tashkent by train. On arrival you will have a city tour and visit the main square of the country. It is a national symbol of triumph in World War II. Afterwards we will walk to the local Broadway where we can see Tashkent metro. Its first line was opened in 1977. Then visit the old parts of the city, which includes Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that has several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. Afterwards visit Othman Quran, it is the world's oldest Quran copy of 8th century. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 14: Tashkent - Departure
Transfer to Tashkent International airport.
Transport in Kazakhstan:
02 pax - Sedan economy
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Minibus
Transport in Kyrgyzstan:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter
Transport in Tajikistan:
02-04 pax - Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax - 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax - 3 cars: Hyundai Starex
Transport in Uzbekistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-06 pax - Minivan
08-10 pax - Minibus
Price per person:
02 pax - 2 040 $
04 pax - 1 470 $
06 pax - 1 305 $
08 pax - 1 165 $
10 pax - 1 125 $
Single - 220 $
Early check-in - 25 $
Single early check-in - 45 $
Half board - 195 $
Full board - 335 $
English speaking guide - 1 355 $ per group
Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - $35 per group
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Issyk Kul - "Karven" Resort
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
Iskandarkul - Homestay
Penjakent - "Umariyon" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
Tashkent - "Samir" Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Train tickets Samarkand - Bukhara, Bukhara - Tashkent.
Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guides