Tour title: Majestic countries of Central Asia
Places to visit: Bishkek, Ala Archa, Burana, Chon Kemin, Issyk Kul Lake, Karakol, Jeti Oguz, Kochkor, Son Kul, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand
Day 1: Bishkek - Ala Archa - Bishkek
You will be met today by your guide at Manas International Airport and transfer to Bishkek. It is about 30 km from the airport to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. You will have today the city tour. You will visit outstanding highlights such as: Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many other attractions. This day you will also visit Ala Archa gorge. Ala Archa is an incredibly beautiful place in Kyrgyzstan, a natural reserve with priceless species of flora and fauna. The slopes of the gorge are covered with juniper trees, which are curative in Kyrgyz medicine. In Soviet times, only special people could come here. You can have a great time and see the incredibly beautiful panorama of the gorge. You will complete the tour with driving to Bishkek. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 2: Bishkek - Burana - Chon Kemin
After breakfast you will transfer to Asian Bazaar. At this Bazaar, you will not be able to resist buying Souvenirs, which are allocated to one part of the Bazaar called "Kyal" Bazaar. You can take a lot of photos today. Then you will drive to wonderful Chon Kemin gorge. You will visit today Burana Tower, the name comes from a corruption of the word "monora", which translates as "minaret". This is why it is considered to be one of the first temples built in Kyrgyzstan. 11th-12th century, built by the Karakhanids. This day you will also visit near Burana tower an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). After the exploration historical sight you will transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. This day you will have 3 hours of horse riding. You will lead today to the gorgeous mountains and fascinate mountain forest, where you can admire the fascinating views of the gorge. The overnight is in the home stay.
Day 3: Chon Kemin - Issyk Kul lake northern shore - Karakol
In the morning you will drive to mesmerizing lake Issyk Kul. The lake is beautiful at any time of the year, in winter it does not freeze. about 80 mountain rivers flow into the lake and not one river flows out. The water in the lake is salty and has healing properties. It is located at an altitude of 1608 meters , the length of the lake is 180 km and the width is 70 km. The maximum depth is 700 meters. You will have a chance to overlook the sky mountains and fascinate the view of the lake. You will drive today along the northern shore, drive to Karakol city. Along the way you will visit petroglyphs stone patterns. After arrival you will visit Dungan mosque in 1910, the Dungan mosque was built in the best traditions of Chinese architecture. The design of the mosque traces the architectural style of the Qin era. You will also explore an old wooden Orthodox Church. This night will be in the guesthouse.
Day 4: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Kochkor
This day you will transfer to gorgeous Jeti Oguz gorge. One of the most beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan. The gorge owes its name to an amazing rock complex that meets travelers at the very beginning of the canyon. Translated as "Seven Bulls". You will also take photos of the Broken Heart Mountain. You will go to the top of the mountain and explore the enchanting view of the spectacular gorge. You will drive then to Bokonbaevo village where you can get acquainted with local eagle hunter, who will tell about traditional way of nomadic hunting to hares, lynx and mice. You will spend the night in a home stay.
Day 5: Kochkor - Son Kul
Today you will direct to Son Kul Lake. It is the second largest lake in the country: its area is 278 square kilometers. It is located in a hollow between two ridges at an altitude of 3016 m. The depth of Son Kul reaches 14 m. The water of Son-Kul is extremely transparent, and it can change its hue - from sky-blue in clear weather, to purple on a cloudy day. In summer, the lake is visited by many travelers, as well as local residents. Pastures are used for grazing. In summer, nomads move here and live in yurts, convenient portable dwellings. Upon arrival, you will be able to see the incredibly beautiful nature, feel the silence and see the incredibly beautiful starry sky in clear weather. You will rest night in the yurt.
Day 6: Son Kul - 33 parrots Pass - Kochkor - Bishkek
This day you will meet with local and then transfer to the capital. You will lead through fascinating way 33 parrots pass (3 133 m). It is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Kyrgyzstan. You will drive to Kochkor and you can learn about the ancient technique of sewing the national felt carpet from a local family who will tell you about it. You will visit today small handicraft museum there. There are located many examples of silver decorations, coats made of wolves, horse saddle decorations, carpets and more. To complete the tour you will drive to capital of Kyrgyzstan Bishkek. The overnight is in the hotel.
Day 7: Bishkek -Tashkent
Today you will have a morning flight to capital of Uzbekistan Tashkent. You will get acquainted with the group at Tashkent airport. This day you will have a city tour in this wonderful city. You will start with main square of the country where a lot of gorgeous attractions Independence Square. Then it will be followed by visiting amazing street the local Broadway street where there is an incredibly interesting number of paintings and Souvenirs, handmade products. You will continue tour with outstanding sight Tashkent metro, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and was built after a large-scale earthquake in Tashkent. You will also discover the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. Hast Imam is also interesting for people who study history, art, culture and appreciate old, unusually beautiful places. One of the most remerkabe sights of the day will be the Othman Quran. The might is in the hotel.
Day 8: Tashkent - Bukhara (morning flight)
This day you will direct to the airport for a morning flight to Bukhara, one of the most famous cities of Uzbekistan, through which the famous Great Silk Road passed. Bukhara is one of the main centers of Islam not only in Central Asia, but also in the entire Muslim world. The tour offers you to visit Citadel Ark ancient fortress. According to research and archaeological excavations, its Foundation was laid in the VI-III centuries BC. It served as a Palace for the rulers of Bukhara until 1920. Further you will explore Samanids mausoleum, a significant monument of 9th -10th century. You will also discover Chashma Ayub, one of the monuments of religious architecture in the heart of Bukhara, including a mausoleum and a sacred spring. After you will walk along the shopping domes and visit Nodir Divan Begi is an incredibly beautiful atmosphere here, which makes it possible to fully join the ancient cultural heritage of the Uzbek people and learn the beauty of folklore performances and carefully protected national traditions. In addition you will explore Poi Kalon complex, which consists of three structures, built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. You will rest the night in a hotel.
Day 9: Bukhara
This day you will have a highlight tour in holy city Bukhara. You will visit today the fascinating Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, located few kilometers from Bukhara (XVI century) - the famous philosopher and Sufi of the East. This memorial complex is a Muslim Shrine that has become an important place of pilgrimage not only for residents of Bukhara - pilgrims from all over the Muslim world come here. It is believed that if you visit the Naqshbandi mausoleum three times from Bukhara, it will be equivalent to one Hajj. Then you will drive to see the countryside residence of Bukhara Emirs named Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. Today, the Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace has a Museum exhibition where you can see samples of Palace furniture and household items, Chinese and Japanese porcelain, and a collection of national clothing of the XIX century, decorated with the famous Bukhara gold embroidery. At last you will drive to Sumiton village to find Chor Bakr memorial complex, which began to be built in the XVI century. The "city of the dead", as this place is called in the world, is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. To complete the tour you will return to city. This night will be in a hotel.
Day 10: Bukhara - Samarkand
After breakfast you will have a morning transfer to Samarkand. The second most important city in Uzbekistan. Its population is more than 500 thousand people. This is one of the oldest cities in the world, which can be seen not in the form of picturesque ruins, but in full glory. You will discover today majestic sites of Samarkand Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a majestic ensemble consisting of 3 madrassas and a mosque built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents, the famous place is protected by UNESCO, in addition to religious, has great architectural significance. Bibi Khanum Mosque that was built by order of Timur, the mosque was supposed to show the world the strength and power of his state. In the huge courtyard, numerous crowds of citizens and guests of the great ruler gathered. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 11: Samarkand - Tashkent (train)
This day you will also discover the highlights of Samakand. You will discover Ulughbek observatory, medieval monument on Kuhak hill, which is the remains of one of the most important observatories of the XV century. Its founder is Muhammad Taragay Ulugbek, a famous Turkic astrologer and astronomer. The Observatory is known for the fact that here in 1437 they compiled the Gurgan zij, an astronomical catalog with 1018 stars. Then you will explore the local Broadway where are a lot of souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets and workshops. In course of the tour you will discover national bazaar Siab, oriental bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from the shopping. You will also explore carpet factory, a unique handmade carpet factory, here you can see an exclusive product made from natural materials with national drawings. You will transfer to Tashkent is by train. You will rest the night in a hotel.
Day 12: Flight
In the morning is transfer to the airport.
Transport in KG:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter
Transport in UZ:
02 pax - Sedan
04-06 pax - Minivan
08-10 pax - Bus
Price per person:
02 pax - 1 180 $
04 pax - 850 $
06 pax - 735 $
08 pax - 670 $
10 pax - 615 $
Single - 175 $
All dinners - 130 $*
All lunches and dinners - 255 $*
Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - 45 $ per person
To be 2 in one yurt (now 4 pax) - 15 $ per person
English speaking guides:
KG - 465 $ per group
UZ - local 180 $ per group or escort 320 $ per group
Bishkek - Tashkent flight - from 170 $
Tashkent - Bukhara flight - from 60 $
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Chon Kemin - Homestay
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
Kochkor - Homestay
Son Kul - Yurts, "Nomad's Dream" camp (4 pax in 1)
Tashkent - "Tourist Inn" Hotel 3*
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
- Horse riding in Chon Kemin
- Mineral water during the tour
- Entrances to all museums in KG
- Train tickets Samarkand - Tashkent
Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums in UZ