Day 4 Almaty – Big Almaty Lake – Bishkek
The tour starts with a drive to the Big Almaty Gorge, where at an altitude of 2,510 meters above sea level we find the Big Almaty lake. The lake is very beautiful, especially when its blue surface is absolutely calm, and it reflects the sky and surrounding mountains.The Big Almaty lake was formed as a result of movement by an ancient glacier. Thanks to its location in the mountains, the water in the lake is always cool – even in July, the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees. By afternoon drive to Bishkek. Upon arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Day 5 Bishkek – Grigorevka Gorge – Cholpon Ata
In the morning depart Bishkek and drive to Issyk Kul lake (250 km, 3,5 – 4 hours). Issyk Kul is Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake and at about 180 km long by 70 km wide and 668 meters deep at the deepest point, (the average depth is about 300 meters), it is the world’s second largest mountain lake – and the fifth deepest lake in the world. The lake has been held in high regard by the Kyrgyz – it is known as the “pearl of the Tien Shan ”. Arrival to the lake, drive to Grigorevka gorge(60 km, 1,5-2 hours) full of lush green Alpine meadows and fir trees, easy hike in the gorge. Here, from the end of June until the end of September there is a collection of yurts, which offer a wide range of services. Transfer back to Cholpon Ata where you will be able to visit Petroglyphs or Open Air Museum, sometimes referred 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 stone inscriptions (dating from the II millennium BC up to the Middle Ages). Transfer to a hotel or guest house on the Northern shore of the lake. Overnight in Karven Issykul hotel.
Day 6 Issyk Kul –Bishkek – (Thursday flight at 18:10 PM)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Bishkek. On the way visit Burana Tower. It is an 11th century minaret, and one of the first buildings of such type in Central Asia. Burana tower was one of the capitals of Karakhanid khanate. In Karakhanids’ time new towns and settlements were developing and Burana tower, mausoleums and other buildings found after archaeological excavations are the witnesses of that build up. Return to Bishkek.
Afternoon sightseeing of Bishkek. Today you can enjoy quite a number of typical soviet-style architecture (Philharmonic – concert hall, government building, Monument of the Great War heroes) and also modern monuments pointing out the traditional Kyrgyz culture (Monument of Manas, Monument of Independence). Flight to Tashkent at 1840. Arrival in Tashkent.
Day 7 Tashkent to Samarkand by bullet train at 0800-1010
After an early breakfast we will transfer you to the train station at 0700, 2 hrs ride and arrive at 1010. Upon arrival start city tour in Samarkand.
Legendary city Samarkand can offer you visit to famous Registan sqauer with its magnificent madrasa and mosques. After breakfast in the hotel proceed to sightseeing in Samarkand. Visit Gur Emir mausoleum, the tomb of Temur and his grandchildren and his teacher. Bibi Hanum mosque, Shahi Zinda complex, the holy place of central asia where you can visit mausoleum of Kusam Ibn Abbas, Temur’s generals and women relatives. Afrosiab museum and the observatory of Ulughbek.
Day 8 Samarkand full day tour
Today we will take you to Samarkand Silk paper workshop where you will discover how they make silk paper from Mull Berry trees. Afternoon free time in Samarkand you discover more on your own like locals. Walking the city to bazaar, shops and some galleries. You can visit also a church in Samarkand built in 19 century or Synagogue. Overnight.
Day 9 Samarkand to Bukhara by bullet train 1,5 hrs ride.
After breakfast transfer to train station for Bukhara train at 0950-1120. Upon arrival start sightseeing in Bukhara. Bukhara was the religious center of Central Asia as well as education center in islamic world. It is the birthplace of Avicena, Imam Al Bukhariy and other famouse islamic workd leaders. Enjoy full day walking tour in Bukhara with Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Hauz mosque, Ark fortress, Kalyan Minaret and mosque, Mir Arab madrasah which has been functioning since 17th century as a Madrasah and even in Soviet times. Laby Hauz complex, Chor Minor madrasah.
Day 10 Bukhara full day city tour
Today we will exlore the outskirts of Bukhara where you will visit Summer Palace of Bukhara Emir and Bahuddin Naqshabndiy mausoleum, one of the holy sites in Islamic world. He was the leader of Sufiy , the author of Naqshbandiya. Also visit famous Gijhduvan ceramics master. PM free on your own. Overnight.
Day 11, Bukhara-Khiva 500 km by train or by flight if available
The train is available on even days, 6 hrs train ride. 1225-1755.
Transfer to Khiva through Kyzylkum desert and upon arrival free time in Ichan Kala. Free at leisure. Overnight.
Day 12 Khiva full day city tour
Full day visit of Khiva: Ark Fortress, Ichan kala, Madrasah Muhammad Aminkhan, Madrasa Muhammad Rahimkhan, Kalta Minor, wood workshop, carpet workshop, Pahlavan Mahmud mausoleum, Shergazikhan madrasa, Juma mosque and Minaret, Tash Hauli palace, caravanserai and bazaar. Overnight.
Day 13 Khiva-Urgench-Tashkent flight
Transfer to Urgench for a Tashkent flight at 0935-1050. Free time in Tashkent, overnight.
Day 14 Tashkent-Departure
Transfer to airport in Tashkent, pick up in Astana and transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Tour cost:
02 people: $2980 per person with breakfast in double room
03 people: $2890 per person with breakfast in double room
04 people: $2839 per person with breakfast in double room
06 people: $2794 per person with breakfast in double room
Single room supplement: $380 per person
Full board meals supplement: $270 30 Sep, Mon – 28 Oct, Mon
Deadline: 31 August 2024
