Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan tour

Day 1: Arrival to Tashkent and city tour

Welcome to Uzbekistan! Transfer to the hotel and early check-in at the hotel. You can have a rest after your long flight, take a shower, and have breakfast.  After we start city tour to Tashkent. The largest city in Central Asia is a curious blend of Islamic and Soviet influences. Visit the Old City area of Tashkent where you will find the Khast Imom Complex which contains ancient holy Quran of Caliph Osman. Experience the bustling crowds of traders at Chor-Su Bazaar before taking a ride on the city’s famous Soviet-era metro system which like Moscow’s features some of the most ornately decorated stations in the world. Exit at Amir Temur Square Station to view the statue of the great conqueror and next to it, the grand Independence Square

Day 2: Tashkeknt – Urgench (flight) – Khiva city tour

Today very early in the morning we will transfer to the domestic airport to catch the flight departing 7:25 am to Urgench. Upon arrival in Urgench at 8:55 am, 40 minutes transfer to Khiva.

We will visit the walled inner-city section of Khiva called Ichan-Kala. This old section of town preserves more than fifty historic monuments and hundreds of old houses dating back hundreds of years. The entire citadel is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk through the enormous city gates, you are confronted by the glistening Islamic beacon, the Kalta-minor Minaret. Delve deep into the town on a guided tour that embraces all of the city sites, and includes an ascent of the Islam Khodja Minaret, the highest minaret in Khiva. Enjoy broad views of Old Khiva atop the Kunya-Ark Citadel. During dinner, we will get the chance to watch exotic folklore show of local musicians and dancers from the Khorezm region.

Day 3: Khorezm – Bukhara flight

Today you are free to spend a day on your own in Khiva or you can decide to join the half-day trip to Ayaz Kala & Toprak Kala ruins in the desert (requires some steep ascents by foot). After breakfast, we depart towards Toprak & Ayaz Kala, clay ruins of ancient Khorezm in the desert. First, we drive 2 hours to Toprak Kala, ancient capital city of Khorezm around 2nd century AD). From there it is another shaky one hour drive to Ayaz Kala. According to archeological excavations, the Ayaz Kala fortress dates from the 2nd century BC. It was part of a system of border fortresses which stretched as a chain from east to west and which defended the Khiva oasis from the desert side. Return back to Khiva where we will have lunch and free time in the afternoon. Late check-out from the hotel by 6:00 pm. After dinner we take flight to Bukhara, departing at 9:10 pm. Upon arrival at 10:05 pm at Bukhara airport, transfer to the hotel.

Day 4: Bukhara city tour

The second of our UNESCO World Heritage stops – even the very name Bukhara conjures up images of the exotic Orient. For centuries, it was an important trading post and an academic center. The Old Town has been well preserved and is crammed full of minarets, mosques, and madrassas. Its once-notorious canals and pools, the source of many an epidemic, have now been drained but the most famous, Lyabi-Hauz, is still there, an oasis shaded by mulberry trees at the heart of the city. Your guide will show you the city’s unmissable sights and you can soak up the atmosphere wandering through Bukhara’s labyrinthine alleyways. Sights that you will see on today’s walking tour in the Old Town of Bukhara: Minorai Kalon complex, Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chiobs Mausoleum, and spring, Mausoleum of the Samanids. The guided tour ends in the early afternoon and you have some free time before dinner. Dinner in the city.

Day 5: Bukhara – Samarkand (Train 2 hours)

Check out from the hotel and depart to visit the Mausoleum of Naqshbandiy, 15km outside of the city center. There are many orders in Sufism and representatives of all the orders were present at different times in what is Uzbekistan today. The Sufi order Naqshbandiyya had the greatest and longest-lasting influence and the memorial place is still well visited by pilgrims. Next, we visit the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara – Sitorai Mokhi Hossa. «The place where the moon meets the stars» is what the name of the palace means in Persian. On the way back to Bukhara we see Chor Minor madrasa, whose four minarets (chor – four) and the style remind one of India’s building style.  Lunch in the city. At 3:52 pm we take the high-speed train Afrosiob to Samarkand. Upon arrival in Samarkand at 5:20 pm transfer to the hotel for check-in and dinner in the city.

Day 6: Samarkand city tour

Sublime Samarkand evokes an almost mythical past full of romance and intrigue. This was the domain of Timur, one of history’s great conquerors. His vast empire rivaled any, stretching across the Eurasian steppe, who ruled his kingdom with an iron fist while at the same time patronizing the arts and literature. Much of his architectural heritage has been preserved, allowing us to see how the city might have been at the peak of his power.

We start the day with the visit of Gur-Emir mausoleum, where Timur is buried. We will hear the stories from his life and how did he start the construction of Samarkand. Then, we go to Registan Square – Samarkand’s and arguably Uzbekistan’s most famous landmark. The focal point of ancient Samarkand is framed by three beautiful madrassas (religious schools) – Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya Kori. After lunch, we will have time to explore the Siab Bazaar, where fruit and vegetables grown from the rich soil of the Zarafshan Valley are sold in a colorful market. You may explore the city on your own during your free time this evening.

Day 7: Samarkand city tour – Tashkent

After breakfast, we visit Konigil Paper Mill. At the paper mill, you may see the process of paper production from mulberry tree bark – just like in 8th century Samarkand. We then go to Shahi Zinda, to the tile-rich street of turquoise and blue domes. After lunch, you can have free time or visit Ulugbek’s Observatory and Afrasiyab Museum. At the museum you can learn more about the ancient city of Samarkand – then known as Afrasiyab – that was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century. We will catch our train to Tashkent later in the afternoon to go to Tashkent. Train leaves at 5:30 pm. Arrive in Tashkent at 7:40 pm and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant before the hotel check-in

Day 8: Tashkent – Rishtan – Kokand -Fergana

After having breakfast, check out the hotel and continue today`s journey through the picturesque Tian Shan mountain range to the beautiful Fergana Valley. On the way visit Rishtan. The town is famous all over Uzbekistan for its ceramics. It is no coincidence that pottery became so prominent exactly at this place because the red clay and pigments available here are of excellent quality. We have the chance to visit the studio of a pottery master and learn more about his job and passion that has been passed down from generation to generation. From Rishtan we then drive further to Kokand, another town with a rich history as a trading and religious center. In the 19th century, it was the capital of the Kokand Khanate, that stretched all the way until the southern Kazakh steppe. We will have a short sightseeing tour, which includes the remains of Khudayar Khan’s Palace as well as the impressive Jami Mosque. Dinner in restaurant overnight in a hotel.

Day 9: Uzbekistan: Fergana – Kyrgyzstan: Osh – Bishkek

After breakfast transfer to Osh city crossing Uzbek Kyrgyz border. If we have time visit to Sulaiman mountain. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nicknamed Kichi-Mecca (Little Mecca), Suleiman Too sacred mountain is a major place of Muslim and pre-Muslim pilgrimage. On top of the mountain is a stone shelter known as Babur’s House, named after the 15-16th-century Muslim leader who founded the Mughal Dynasty in India. Lunch in Osh. Flight o Bishkek 40min. Arrival to Bishkek city tour. Dinner overnight in a hotel.

DAY 10: Bishkek – Burana Tower – Karakol (405km 7 hours)

Drive to Issyk-Kul region, Karakol. En-route visit an important point on the ancient Silk Road — the Burana Tower architectural complex, dated back to the 10th century, monuments include a minaret, remnants of a castle, and ancient warrior cemetery. Lunch in Cholpon Ata. Overnight at home stay in Karakol.

DAY 11: Karakol – Altyn Arashan (Horse riding 5 hours)

After breakfast at 9:00 by car get to start point in Ak-Suu forestry. Driving time about 30 minutes. Then horseback riding through a beautiful gorge to Altyn-Arashan hot springs. Riding time about 4 to 5hrs with stop for lunch (picnic). After continue to Altyn Arashan. Arrival in Altyn Arashan (Hot spring) Take a hot natural shower. Dinner overnight in guesthouse. Here is Very beautiful scenery, view to always snow covered Palatka peak 5020m.

DAY 12: Altyn Arashan – Ala Kul Lake – Altyn Arashan (Horse riding 6 hours, walking 1 hour)

In the morning we take the breakfast and we continue our Horseback riding to Ala Kul Lake. The lake lies in the glacier valley of the left riverhead of Kurgaktor River, at an altitude of 3532 meters above sea level with beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks. You will be amazed by this extraordinary lake. Ala-Kul Lake is a rock-dammed and hidden treasure between lofty Terskey Ala Too Mountains. Picnic by the Ala-Kul Lake view 3900m. After we back to Altyn Arashan. Dinner, Overnight in guesthouse.

DAY 13: Altyn Arashan – Karakol – Zheti Oguz (Horse riding 3 hours/By car 1 hour)

After breakfast come down to Altyn-Arashan have lunch and down to Ak-Suu forestry by the same route as 3rd day, this time is mostly down so about 3hrs. Arrival in Karakol lunch. After lunch we go to Zheti Oguz, It means “Seven Bulls” which comes from the fact that the rocks look like seven bulls. Dinner overnight in yurt.

DAY 14: Zheti Oguz – Skazka – Bokonbaevo – Kochkor (By car)

Enjoy with a beautiful view of the kok Jaiyk valley, Later head to the southern shore of Issyk-kul, on the way visit Skazka canyons, admire rock formations shaped by wind erosion. In Bokonbaevo we have eagle show and Archery. Here is you will have opportunity to make picture with eagle and try archery. Arrival in Kochkor. Dinner overnight in guesthouse.

DAY 15: Kochkor – Kyzart – Kilemche(Horse riding)

After breakfast go by car to Kyzart start Horse riding to Kilemche. Picnic on the way. Arrival in Kilemche. The name means “like a carpet,” and this swathe of grass covers whole mountain ranges, with shadings as subtle as any shyrdak (shyrdak is a Kyrgyz felt carpet). Dinner in a yurt.

DAY 16: Kelimche – Song Kul lake (Horse riding)

Spend the morning climbing to Jalgyz Karagai pass (3400m), enter the lake basin. The trek offers superb views of grassland and mountain ranges. After lunch at Jaman Echki, follow the lakeshore east to, and meet the host family of Kyrgyz shepherds. Overnight in yurt，enjoy typical local food, such as fermented mare’s milk.

DAY 17: Song kol lake – Tash Rabat (By car)

After breakfast transfer by car to Historical place from the Great Silk Road Tash Rabat (6 hours), it was occupied 10^th century Lunch in Naryn city. Arrival to Tash Rabat we visit inside. Dinner overnight in yurt.

DAY 18: Tash Rabat – Kel Suu lake (By car)

After breakfast transfer by car to Kel Suu lake (7 hours), Picnic on the way. We going via Kok Kyia pass 3400m. Arrival to yurt camp, horse riding to the lake 1 hour (1way). Enjoying till evening near the lake evening back to yurt camp. Dinner overnight in yurt.

DAY 19: Kel Suu lake – Bishkek (By car)

After breakfast transfer by car to Bishkek (7-8 hours), Lunch in Naryn. Arrival to Bishkek. Dinner in restaurant. Overnight in a hotel

Day 20: Bishkek – Manas international airport

Transfer to airport for departure. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Central Asia!