Hidden Treasures of Central Asia
Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan: Hidden Treasures of Central Asia
| Country: | Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan | ||
| Tour duration: | 12 days / 11 nights | ||
| Itinerary: | Almaty - Altyn Emel National Park - Charyn Canyon - Kolsay lakes - Kaindy lake - Almaty - Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Tashkent | ||
Scheduled arrival dates in 2023:
| Group №1: |
| Group №2: 27.09-08.10.2023 - scheduled! |
| Group №3: 11.10-22.10.2023 - scheduled! |
- Itinerary,
Services & Cost - Visa
- Frequently Asked Questions
| Tour program | ||
| Day 1 Wednesday. | Almaty, arrival Arrival in Almaty early in the morning, meet the driver at the airport and further transfer to the hotel for accommodation and rest. After breakfast start the sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers, Ascension Cathedral (Russian Orthodox church), Museum of musical instruments and Green Bazaar. After lunch time we proceed to the National Park of Ili Alatau and its highlights of Medeo rink, Shymbulak resort and Kok Tobe park. Return to the hotel for rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast |
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| Day 2 Thursday. | Almaty - Altyn Emel National Park by road (450 km). |
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| Day 3 Friday. |
Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Kolsay lakes by road (480 km). After breafast we continue exploring the beauty of Altyn Emel National Park. We set off to visit another highlight of the region - the Singing dune - rare nature phenomenon that happens at dry weather when the sand becomes to sing similar to the tunes of an organ. After that we proceed to Zharkent city with its Dungan mosque, the Valley of Castles and Charyn canyon - a small copy of the Grand canyon. After exploring the area, we drive further to Kolsay lakes. On arrival - accommodation at the guesthouse for rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 4 Saturday. | Kolsay lakes. Breakfast at the guesthouse and further transfer to Kolsay lakes region that represents a a group of high mountain lakes at Northern Tien Shan, close to Kyrgyzstan border. The place is for true lovers of nature, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests; these lakes are located at 1,800m, 2,300m and 2,900m above the sea level. Today we can make trekking from the first lake to the second Kolsay lake; it takes around 3-4 hours one way (lunch boxes included). Optionally, take a horseback ride instead and shorten your trip. If you are not willing to walk, you can just enjoy the untainted nature of Kolsay with its fresh air, marvelous sceneries and ice-clear water. You can even rent a boat to sail on the lake. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 5 Sunday. |
Kolsay lakes - Kaindy lake - Almaty by road (350 km). Breakfast at the guesthouse and further transfer to Kaindy lake - another highlight of the region that is famous for its origin. The lake appeared after a strong earthquake in 1911, when the coniferous forest was flooded after the landslide. The water at the lake is cold and, therefore, trees are still well preserved until now and can be seen through the clear water. Once we pass off-road area and stop by the slope, you are going for walking until Kaindy lake, where fascinating view of the lake opens from top of the hill. En route back we will stop at the local guesthouse for lunch. After lunch - futher transfer to Almaty. Accommodation at the hotel, rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. |
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| Day 6 Monday. | Almaty - Tashkent by a night train (18:30-10:30). Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit the Kazakh ethno-village “Huns” - a perfect place for those willing to plunge into and experience the nomadic past of Kazakhs, their traditional games and rituals. Entertaining program in the village includes: Show of felt craft, Performance of “Besikke salu” or “Tusau kesu” rituals, Horse games, Traditional dances and music, Master class on cooking “baursak” - traditional Kazakh pastry. Lunch of national Kazakh style. 16:00 Return to the city and further transfer to the railway station. 18:30 Departure to Tashkent by a night train. Meals: breakfast, lunch. |
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| Day 7 Tuesady. |
Tashkent. 10:30 Arrival in Tashkent. Meet your guide and driver at the railway station and further transfer to the hotel for accommodation, breakfast and short rest. Start the sightseeing tour in Tashkent. Today we visit first the old part of the city and the religious complex Khasti Imam, consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Muy-Mubarak Mosque - the storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of prophet Muhammad; Dzhuma-mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali, Kukeldash Madrassah and Chorsu Oriental bazaar. In the afternoon explore the new city, including visiting of Independence Square and Amir Temur Statue. Return to the hotel for rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 8 Wednesday. |
Tashkent - Samarkand by a high-speed train (2 hours). Early breakfast at the hotel (or breakfast boxes). 06:20 Transfer to the railway station. 07:28-09:42 Transfer from Tashkent to Samarkand by Afrosiab high-speed train. Upon arrival in the city, we start our busy day in a jewel of the ancient and modern Silk Road. There is the mysterious jade mausoleum of Gur-i-Emir, the graveyard of Tamerlane. One of the greatest treasures is Registan Square, Temur’s outstanding creation, a huge complex of minarets, mosques and madrassas. Further we move on to Bibi Khanum Mosque, the gorgeous necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda, and the old observatory of Ulugbek, the greatest Muslim astronomer, and the neighboring Ulugbek museum. Accommodation at the hotel in the evening, rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 9 Thursday. |
Samarkand - Bukhara by road (280 km). Breakfast. 09:00 Meet the guide and continue exploring the city. Today we visit Afrosiab museum and settlement and Saint Daniel’s tomb. After lunch time we will have a 20 min transfer to the countryside to visit Konigil village - a place, that gives a chance to explore the traditional centuries-proofed way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Besides, the locals will show us the process of oil and flour production using the ancient methods. After lunch time we will continue our trip to Bukhara (4 hours driving). On arrival - accommodation at the hotel and rest. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 10 Friday. |
Bukhara. Breakfast at the hotel. 09:30 We meet our guide at the hall of the hotel and start exploring Bukhara. Bukhara is filled with over 900 historical monuments, here we will spend time visiting many sites and wandering amongst the old city streets. Our focus will be directed today on Samanids Mausoleum and Bolo-Khauz Mosque. Further we proceed to the Fortress Ark, the old citadel of over 20 m in height. In the afternoon we will visit Poyi Kalon Architectural Ensemble that consists of Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque and Miri Arab Madrasah; Ulugbek Madrasah; Abdul-Aziz khan Madrasah, Lyabi Khauz Complex and the Trading Domes - Coumpol Bazaar, that has been existing here from the times of the Great Silk Road. During the tour we’ll have a wonderful opportunity to walk over the narrow streets of the old city and take unique photos. Return to the hotel in the evening. Rest and overnight. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 11 Saturday. |
Bukhara - Tashkent by afternoon train (4 hours). Breakfast at the hotel. 10:00 Meet the guide and driver. Today we make a short transfer to the country and visit the Mohi-Khosa summer palace of the Emirs of Bukhara, which is known as the '”Palace of Moon-like Stars'” and represents the work of Russian architecture. Finally, we will take a look at the Bakhouddin Naqshbandi ensemble - the important Muslim shrine and a place of wonderful calming energy. 15:00 Transfer to the train station. 15:50-19:43 Transfer from Bukhara to Tashkent by Afrosiab high-speed train. On arrival - accommodation at the hotel in Tashkent and overnight. Meals: breakfast. |
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| Day 12 Sunday. |
Tashkent, departure. Breakfast at the hotel. Check out before 12:00. Transfer to the International airport for departure. Meals: breakfast. |
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This tour is guaranteed and will be arranged whatever final number of persons in a group. | ||||||
Tour price includes:
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Accommodation.
This tour comes with the following accommodation:
| Location | Accommodation | |
| Almaty | Kazakhstan Hotel 3* or similar | |
| Altyn Emel NP | Guesthouse | |
| Kolsay lakes | Guesthouse at Saty Village (15 km from Kolsay Lake) | |
| Tashkent | Sato Hotel 3* or similar | |
| Samarkand | Arba Hotel 3* or similar | |
| Bukhara | Devon Hotel 3* or similar | |
| ► | Hotels. We offer accommodation in cozy hotels often decorated in a national style. It is completely unique: it combines modern comfort and a unique culture of hospitality. |
| ► | Yurt campsites on the trekking route Yurt camps consist of three to four yurts. Guests are accommodated in yurts with kurpachas – national mattresses for sleeping; three to four guests will be lodged in each yurt. All guests are provided with warm sleeping bags to take with them throughout the entire route. All meals are served at the traditional yurt dining hall that is traditionally decorated with Oriental-style elements: guests dine at a dastarkhan, which is a traditional tablecloth that gets laid on the ground of the yurt and guests sit around it. The campsites feature sinks with cold water and restrooms with toilets. |
| ► | Guest house . Accommodation in guest houses will allow you to take a dip into traditions and habits of local people. These are traditional houses located in remote mountain villages. |
| ► | "Edelweiss Meadow” yurt camp - Standard Option – accommodation in heated camping tents, 1–2 persons per tent. The tents are equipped with electricity, individual heaters, beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows and changeable bed linen: flat sheets, bed sheets, and pillowcases. - Comfort Option – accommodation in a comfortable yurt, 1–2 persons per yurt. The yurt is equipped with private bathroom (shower cabin, toilet, hot and cold water); heating, electricity, beds with changeable bed linen, wardrobes, desk, armchairs, electric kettle, toiletries, hairdryer; towels. |
Transport
During the tour the following types of transport will be provided depending on the number of people in a group:
| Uzbekistan and other countries | Venicle |
| Group 1-2 pax | "Chevrolet Lacetti" or similar |
| Group of 4 pax | Hyundai Starex minivan or similar |
| Group 6-8 pax | "King Long" or similar |
| Group 9-15 pax | "Eurise" or similar |
| Visa to Uzbekistan | Visa to Kyrgyzstan | Visa to Turkmenistan | Visa to Kazakhstan | Visa to Tajikistan |
Visa to Uzbekistan
Visa-free regime for up to 60 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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Visa-free regime for up to 30 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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A great number of other countries can obtain an e-visa to Uzbekistan by simply visiting the governmental portal e-visa.gov.uz.
Read more about visa to Uzbekistan here »»
Visa to Kazakhstan
Visa-free regime for up to 90 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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Visa-free regime for up to 30 days has been established for citizens of countries below:
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Visa-free regime for up to 14 days has been established for citizens of: Hong Kong
Photo of the tour:
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Video of tours to Kyrgyzstan:
 Сharms of Kyrgyzstan’s nature |
 Riding motorbikesthrough Kyrgyzstan |
 RideThePlanet:Kyrgyzstan Whitewater |
 In an off-road vehicle across Kyrgyzstan |
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