Silk Road Treasures: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Trip to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Issyk-Kul lake,
Tien Shan and Pamir.
| Country: | Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan | |
| Duración: | 13 days / 12 nights | |
| itinerary: | Bishkek - Issyk-Kul Lake - Karakol - Son-Kul Lake - Kazarman - Uzgen - Osh - Rishtan - Kokand - Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Urgench - Tashkent | |
The classical tour itinerary featuring the ancient cities is a trip to Uzbekistan principal and most famous historical monuments - the grandiose must-see objects, which are an inherent part of Uzbekistan’s image. Medieval mosques, madrasahs and minarets, artisans’ workshops, bustling bazaars surrounded by quiet narrow ancient streets, the burning Asian sun and cool nights, the fantastically delicious Uzbek cuisine and contrast between deserts and oases will make you deeply feel the aura of the oriental culture during this travel to Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's greatest cities provide an ideal base from which to explore the country's rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage.
An incredible country is upon us – a nomad country… Immense prairies, tall mountains, green hills, alpine meadows, and dense pine woods, deep canyons, wild rivers, and crystal-clear mountain lakes – all these wonders are part of the landscape and nature of Kyrgyzstan. There are, however, not that many ancient monuments, medieval mosques, or countless madrasahs here. It is a whole different culture, different lifestyle. It is a place where you can find boundless scenery and nature’s beauty, witness and experience the way of living of nomads in their traditional housing – yurts, as well as taste the unique Kyrgyz cuisine.
- itinerary,
Services & Cost
Visa
Useful information
| Tour program: | ||
| Day 1. | Arrival in Bishkek. Bishkek - Issyk Kul Lake (250 km, 4-5 hrs). Meeting at Bishkek airport at any time of arrival mentioned by tourist. Transfer to Bishkek 11:00 – sightseeing in Bishkek: visit the central Ala-Too Square, flagstaff (and changing of the guard), statue of Lenin Freedom Monument, Philarmonic hall, Monument to Manas. Transfer to Cholpon-Ata along the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul - the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 2. | Issyk-Kul Lake – Karakol (150 km, 4-5 hrs). Karakol (sightseeing). 09:30 – transfer to the city of Karakol (transfer along the Eastern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake). Sightseeing in Karakol: visit Przhevalski museum, a wooden Orthodox Russian church and impressive wooden Dungan mosque, built without metal nails by the Dungan people. After lunch transfer to Jety-Oguz Gorge (25 km) with its famous red rocks, The Broken Heart and The Seven Bulls. Drive back to Karakol. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 3. | Karakol - Lago Son-Kol (390 km, 7-8 hrs) 09:00 – transfer to Son-Kul lake along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. A stop for a guided tour at the “Fairytale” canyon – this gorge is formed of colorful hardened clay and resembles fairytale castles. Afterwards, we move to the Bokonbayevo village, the inhabitants of which are famous for breeding wild predator birds. Demonstration of hunting falcon. Transfer to one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul (altitude – 3016m). Son-Kul lake well known for its traditional summer pastures (Jailoo) and alpine meadows. Tourists can be acquainted here with the nomadic lifestyle of the native people of Kyrgyzstan. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in camp. |
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| Day 4. | Son-Kul Lake – Kazarman (200 km, 6-7 hrs). 09:00 – hiking through the Moldo-Ashoo pass (altitude – 3201 meters). The route is laid on a scenic winding mountain road. We will make a stop to take pictures at the highest point of the pass where you will witness a gorgeous unique mountain panoramic view. There will be another short stop on the way. After that, the road winds around a majestic mountain canyon along the powerful Naryn river. Arrival in Kazarman. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight in a local house. |
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| Day 5. | Kazarman - Uzgen - Osh (275 km, 6-7 hrs). 08:00 – continuation of the route to the south of Kyrgyzstan. The highway runs across two mountain passes: Toguz Toro (altitude – 2800 meters) and Kaldama (altitude – 3060 m). Departure for the eastern side of the famous Fergana Valley. Further drive to the small town of Uzgen one of the ancient capitals of the Karakhanid nomadic empire. Sightseeing in Uzgen: Uzgen minaret (XII c) and mausoleum of Karakhanids (X-XII c). Continue driving to Osh. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 6. | Osh – Rishtan – Kokand – Tashkent (420 km, 6-7 hrs). 09:00 – transfer to the land border with Uzbekistan. Border formalities. Transfer to Rishtan. Visiting the Center of Ceramics, acquaintance with the masters and their crafts. Demonstration of ceramic pottery making process. Transfer to Kokand, the former capital of the Khanate of Kokand (18-19 cc). Sightseeing in Kokand: Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Modari-Khan Mausoleum, Djami Mosque, necropolis Sarymodor. Transfer to Tashkent. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 7. | Tashkent (sightseeing). Tashkent – Samarkand (330 km, 4-5 hrs). 09:00 – sightseeing in Tashkent: Khast-Imam Square, Barak-Khan Madrasah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah, the oldest bazaar of Tashkent “Chorsu”. After lunch – continuation of the sightseeing: Independence Square, Amir Temur Square, walking in the center of Tashkent. 15:00 – transfer to Samarkand, probably the best-known Uzbekistan’s historic city. Over 2,750 years of age, it has a rich history and boasts world-famous masterpieces of medieval Islamic architecture, most of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Arrival in Samarkand Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 8. | Samarkand (sightseeing). 09:00 – sightseeing in Samarkand: the most impressive square in the entire Central Asia – the Registan Square (Madrasah of Ulugbek, Sher-Dor Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah). Continuation of sightseeing after lunch: Bibi-Khanym Mosque; architectural ensemble Shah-i-Zinda; Ulugbek Observatory. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 9. | Samarkand – Bukhara (300 km, 4-5 hrs). Bukhara (sightseeing). 09:00 – transfer to Bukhara, one of the world’s oldest cities and one of the seven holy cities of Islam. It is over 2,500 years old, and seems to be emanating the breath of history. The city was a large political and religious center in the Middle Ages with over 350 mosques and 80 madrasahs (Islamic colleges), many of which survive. The historic center of Bukhara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch – continuation of sightseeing in Bukhara: Lyab-i Hauz Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrasah, Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, domed shopping arcade. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 10. | Bukhara (sightseeing). 09:00 – sightseeing in suburbs of Bukhara: the summer residence of the Emir of Bukhara (19-20 cc), Sitora-i Mohi Khosa, the necropolis of the Sufi sheikh Bahaaddin Nakshbandi. Return to Bukhara. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 11. | Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 8-9 hrs). 08:00 – transfer to Khiva through the famous Kyzylkum desert along the Amu Darya River. Arrival in Khiva. Free time. Visit the souvenir shops. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 12. | Khiva (sightseeing). Khiva – Urgench. 09:00 – sightseeing in Khiva (Itchan-Kala): Pakhlavan Makhmoud Complex, Kunya-Ark Fortress, Islam Hajji Madrasah & Minaret. After lunch – continuation of the sightseeing: Tash Khauli Palace, Juma Mosque, Mukhammad Aminkhan Minaret & Madrasah. Transfer to the airport of Urgench city. Internal flight from Urgench to Tashkent. Meals: breakfast. Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day 13. | Tashkent (departure). Transfer to the airport. Meals: breakfast. |
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The cost of the tour includes:
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The cost of the tour does not include:
Additional services:
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Accommodation:
Hotels
The cost of the program includes accommodation in cozy hotels often decorated in a national style. We recommend this special type of accommodation because it is unique in Central Asia: it combines modern comfort in every detail and a unique culture of hospitality in a chamber atmosphere with almost home cosines. Hotels of this level characterizing by a warm welcome, empathetic and friendly attitude by the staff and enable you to familiarize yourself with the national culture.
Guesthouses
Accommodation in guesthouses (1-2 persons in a room) will allow you to take a dip into traditions and habits of local people, while maintaining the proper level of comfort. These are traditional houses located in remote mountain villages equipped with all necessary amenities for comfortable stay.
Yurt Camp
Accommodation in yurts for 1-2 members. Living in a real Yurt far from civilization is an extremely unusual and memorable experience for a city dweller. Yurt is a traditional dwelling of nomads in Central Asia. The Yurt is cool in summer and warm in winter. The Yurt is ecological, as it is made from simple natural materials: wooden poles and felt rolled from sheep wool. The Yurt Camp is equipped with electricity, hot and cold water. There is a dining area, shower and toilets on the territory.
The tour comes with the following accommodation:
| Location | Boutique hotel | Hotel 4* |
| Bishkek | Discovery Hotel 3* or similar | Hotel Plaza 4* or similar |
| Issyk-Kul Lake | Kapriz 4* or similar | Kapriz 4* or similar |
| Karakol | Hotel Green Yard 3* / Hotel Amir 3* or similar | Hotel Karagat 4* or similar |
| Son Kul Lake | Yurt camp | Yurt camp |
| Kazarman | Guesthouse | Guesthouse |
| Osh | Hotel Sun Rise 3*or similar | Classic Hotel 4*or similar |
| Tashkent | Samir Hotel 3* / Orient Inn Hotel 3* or similar | Krokus Plaza 4* / Ramada Hotel 4* or similar |
| Samarkand | Arba Hotel 3* / Zilol Baht Hotel 3* or similar | Dilmah Hotel 4* / Grand Samarkand 4* or similar |
| Bukhara | Kabir Hotel 3* / Kavsar Hotel 3* or similar | Sahid Zeravshan 4 * / Omar Khayam Hotel 3*+ or similar |
| Khiva | New Star Khiva Hotel 3* / Silk Road Caravan Sarai 3* or similar | Zeravshan Boutique 3*+ / Erkin Palace Hotel 4* or similar |
Transport
Depending on the size of a group the following means of transportation are used during the tour:
Uzbekistan:
| Group | Vehicle |
| Group 1-2 pax | "Daewoo Lacetti" |
| Group 3-5 pax | "Hyundai Grand Starex" |
| Group 6-9 pax | "Toyota Hiace" / "King Long" |
| Group 10-12 pax | Mitsubishi Rosa / "Eurise" |
| Group 13-15 pax | Mitsubishi Rosa / "Eurise" |
| Group 16-45 pax | "Golden Dragon" |
Kyrgyzstan:
| Group | Vehicle |
| Group 1-2 pax | "Mitsubishi Delica" |
| Group 4-10 pax | "Mercedes-Benz Sprinter" |
Visa and Visa invitation 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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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 to Kyrgyzstan:
Useful Information on Traveling in Uzbekistan
Photos of the tour:
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