Along the road of ancient caravans
A tour of Central Asia including the cities on the Great Silk Road (Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan section)
| Countries: | Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan | View the route map »» |
| Tour duration: | 15 days / 14 nights | |
| Best time to travel: | June - September | |
| Itinerary: | Bishkek - Karakol - Djety Oguz - Tamga - Kochkor - Son Kul lake - Kyzyl Oy village - Bishkek - Osh - | |
| - Fergana - Margilan - Rishtan - Kokand - Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent | ||
The itinerary of this informative tour goes along one of the sections of the Great Silk Road (Route), across the two Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. You will take course through the route, which in ancient times was passed by numerous caravans - across the Tien Shan Mountains, past the cities of the fertile Fergana Valley, to Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara and further to Khorezm, to the fabulous medieval Khiva. On your way you will admire picturesque and unexpectedly contrasting landscapes in the cool mountains and colorful cities, look into the crystal clear water of Lake Issyk Kul, stay in national Kyrgyz yurts and contemplate the masterpieces of ancient cities that once sprang up along the Great Silk Road. And the cuisine. An incredibly wonderful cuisine that has taken in the best local cooking traditions!
The Great Silk Road was not a mere branching trans-Eurasian system of caravan routes used to transfer expensive silk, aromatic spices, rare minerals and other valuable goods from China and India to Europe and the Arab countries. It was a unique communication highway, on which knowledge, recipes, religions, ideas and innovations travelled between the East and West.
Different parts of this transcontinental route used to change and shift in the course of time, the system of caravan roads constantly growing and branching. However, the road we are going to take in this tour was one of the basic strategic courses in the complex network of the Great Silk Road. Alongside knowledge and interesting souvenirs, you will bring home a lot of indelible impressions!
- Itinerary
Services & Cost
Visa- Useful Information
Route Map
| Itinerary | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Bishkek. Meeting at “Manas” airport. Transfer to Bishkek (30 km), check-in at hotel not earlier than 06:00 am. Leisure time. After breakfast start of the guided sightseeing tour around Bishkek: Manas Monument, the central Ala-Too Square and watch of the Guard of Honor, Independence Monument, main governmental buildings, the Old Square with Parliament House and the only survived in Central Asia Lenin’s Monument. Transfer to the Victory Square to finish the city tour by short excursion there. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 2. | Bishkek - Burana Tower - Karakol. Right after breakfast at 08:00 transfer to Karakol town situated at the foot of the most picturesque mountains of Tian Shan. On the way visit Burana Tower (old minaret) near Tokmok city and a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient tombs. Further transfer to Karakol along the North shore of Issyk Kul lake. Visit Cholpon-Ata Petroglyphs site on the way. Upon arrival in Karakol accommodation and rest in family hotel. |
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| Day 3. | Karakol - Djety Oguz - Tamga. After breakfast city tour in Karakol: visit Dungan mosque and Orthodox Cathedral. Later visit the museum of N. M. Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent. Further transfer to Djety Oguz Gorge, which is translated from Kyrgyz language as “Seven Bulls”. and named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien Shan spruces. Easy hiking in the gorge along the winding Djety Oguz mountain river and further transfer to Tamga village. Arrival to Tamga and dinner in the family Guest House. |
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| Day 4. | Tamga - Kochkor - Son Kul lake. After breakfast transfer to Kochkor village along the southern shore of the Issyk Kul Lake. On the way short hiking in Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyons. Upon arrival to Son Kul lake accommodation in yurt camp. Enjoy horseback riding or just hiking, spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families and taste their fresh airan (yogurt) and kymys (a fermented national drink from mare’s milk). Dinner and overnight in yurts. |
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| Day 5. | Son Kul lake - Kyzyl Oy village - Bishkek. In the morning after short hiking in the lake area and breakfast transfer to authentic Kyzyl Oy village via Kara Keche canyon and along Kekemeren river. Further drive to Bishkek via Suusamyr valley and Too Ashuu pass. Upon arrival to Bishkek accommodation and rest at the hotel. |
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| Day 6. | Bishkek - Osh (morning flight). After breakfast transfer to the airport to take flight to Osh town. Upon arrival start sightseeing tour in Osh: visit the Central bazaar and Central Square. After lunch visit Suleiman Mount, one of the main shrines of the Islamic world in Central Asia. On the mount visit to a historical museum, located in the main cave. After that walk up the hill and watch a little mosque of Babur, The Great Mogols Dynasty founder, and take a bird eye’s view of the city. |
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| Day 7. | Osh - “Dustlik” border point - Margilan - Fergana (road transfer). Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, passing through checkpoint. Meet at Uzbek side of the border. Further transfer to Margilan and visit “ Yodgorlik ” silk factory which is famous for handmade khan-atlas. Transfer to Fergana. Accommodation at the hotel and rest. |
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| Day 8. | Fergana - Rishtan - Kokand (road transfer) - Tashkent (railway transfer, 16:53-20:45). Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Rishtan, visiting pottery (hand-made ceramics). Transfer to Kokand. Sightseeing tour around Kokand: Palace of Khudayar Khan, Mausoleum of Modari Khan, Juma Mosque. Arrival to the railway station in Kokand and further transfer to Tashkent by train. Meet in Tashkent on arrival. Accommodation at the hotel and rest. |
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| Day 9. | Tashkent. After breakfast guided sightseeing tour around Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah; after lunch: Museum of Applied Arts, Independence Square, Amir Timur Square. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 10. | Tashkent - Samarkand (morning railway transfer). Breakfast at the hotel. Ride to Samarkand in premium service high-speed train «Afrosiab» (07:30-09:48). Guided sightseeing tour of Samarkand: Gur-e Amir Mausoleum (Tamerlane’s sepulcher), Rukhabad Mausoleum, Registan Square (Ulugbek Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilla-Qori Madrasah); after lunch: Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, and Ulugbek Observatory. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 11. | Samarkand - Bukhara (road transfer). After breakfast transfer to Bukhara and visit the out-of-town sites on arrival, located in 4 km from Bukhara: Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace, memorial complex of the Islamic saint Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, Chor-Bakr Memorial Complex. Arrival to Bukhara. Accommodation and overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 12. | Bukhara. Breakfast in hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Bukhara: Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Khauz Mosque, Ark Citadel, Po-i-Kalyan Complex (Kalyan Minaret and others), Ulugbek Madrasah; after lunch: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 13. | Bukhara - Khiva (road transfer). Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer across the Kyzyl-Kum Desert and along the Amudarya River to Khiva. Lunch en route. Arrival in Khiva. Leisure time. Visiting traditional workshops and souvenir shops. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 14. | Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent (evening flight). Breakfast in hotel. Guided sightseeing tour around Khiva: Ichan Kala (historical inner city), Pakhlavan Mahmud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret. After lunch: Tash Khauli Palace, Juma Mosque, Muhammad Aminkhan Minaret & Madrasah, and Avesta Museum. Transfer to Urgench (35 km, 30 min). Evening flight to Tashkent. Meeting at airport, transfer to hotel, check-in and rest. |
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| Day 15. | Tashkent. Departure. Breakfast at the hotel (or lunch-box). Early morning transfer to the airport. Departure. |
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Cost includes:
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Cost does not include:
Additional Services:
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Hotels.
We choose the most conveniently located and reputable hotels for our customers to stay at. The list of the hotels we offer is below. However, due to seasonal conditions and group size this list is subject to change.
- Standard - cozy private hotels, with traditional national interiors in many of them, providing all the necessary facilities for comfortable stays; notable for very warm hosting and home-like atmosphere.
- Comfort - very comfortable hotels providing excellent facilities and services; mainly located in or near city centers.
- Guest houses - suppose the entire exposure into the originality and life style of the local residents. Tourists accommodate here by 3-4 persons in each room. Facilities are outside.
- Yurt camp near Son Kul lake suppose accommodation of 5-6 persons in each yurt - a traditional “house” of Kyrgyz nomads. The yurt camp is equipped with necessary things, such as: toilet, bathhouse, dining yurt.
The tour comes with the following accommodation:
| City | Standard | Comfort | ||
| Bishkek | Art Hotel 3* | or similar | Plaza Hotel 4* | or similar |
| Karakol | Green Yard Hotel | or similar | Karagat Hotel 4* | or similar |
| Tamga | Guest House | or similar | Guest House | or similar |
| Son Kul | Yurt camp | or similar | Yurt camp | or similar |
| Osh | Sun Rise Hotel 3* | or similar | Classic Hotel 4* | or similar |
| Fergana | Asia Fergana Hotel 4* | or similar | Asia Fergana Hotel 4* | or similar |
| Tashkent | Samir Hotel 3* | or similar | Ramada Hotel 4* | or similar |
| Samarkand | City Hotel 3* | or similar | Grand Samarkand Hotel 4* | or similar |
| Bukhara | Fatima Hotel 3* | or similar | Devon Begim Hotel 4* | or similar |
| Khiva | Zukhro Boutique Hotel 3* | or similar | Bek Hotel 4* | or similar |
Transportation.
Depending on the size of a group the following means of transportation are used during the tour:
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"Chevrolet Lacetti"  |
"Hyundai Grand Starex"  |
"Mitsubishi Rosa"  |
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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 Kyrgyzstan
Under current rules visa-free stay within unlimited period on the territory of Kyrgyzstan is granted for the nationals of the following countries:
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List of states granted visa-free stay up to 90 days: Mongolia, Ukraine
List of states granted visa-free stay up to 60 days
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Visa-free access to Kyrgyzstan up to 30 days: Malaysia.
Useful Information on Traveling in Kyrgyzstan:
Useful Information on Traveling in Uzbekistan:
► Memo: Useful tips for tourists »»
Route Map
Photos of the tour:
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Our video gallery:
 Kyrgyzstan painted with sand |
 In an off-road vehicle across Kyrgyzstan |
 Uzbek fruit and vegetables |
 Lively Kyzylkum desert |
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Feedbacks from tourists to the tour «Along the way of ancient caravans».
Dear Sofia,
we want to say THANK YOU for the organization of a fantastic trip through Usbekistan and Kirgistan!
Everything was well timed. We didn’t had any complications. Really really well done :)
Also the guides did a great job. We got to know the countries very deeply and enjoyed the days a lot!
In case, we will for sure recommend you as a professional travel company!
Best
Wolfgang & Annina
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