Journey through Central Asia

Day 1. Kazakhstan / Astana

• Arrival to Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Transfer to the hotel. Check-in.
• Short rest before we start a city tour.
  • The program starts with a visit to Independence Square with its magnificent fountains, the Kazak Eli monument, the Hazret Sultan mosque. Next we find a crossing over the Ishim River and the continuation of the excursion on the left bank of the river. A visit to the symbolic and trademark icon of Astana - the ‘Astana-Baiterek’ monument, from the observation deck of which you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Next, walk along the Water-Green Boulevard and visit the Round Square, the Museum of First President. Continue your journey to the Temple of Peace and Accord - a pyramidal building built by a prominent British architect, Norman Foster. After which, proceed to the President Centre of Culture. Our final stop is the ethnopark “Map of Kazakhstan – Atameken”, representing a unique outdoor museum.  Here, get the full view of the country and familiarize yourself with the architecture, landscape and history of Kazakhstan.
• Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Kazakhstan / Astana – Kyrgyzstan / Bishkek

• Early morning hotel check-out as we transfer to the airport
• Departure flight to Bishkek
• Arrival to Bishkek
• Upon arrival we start the city tour.
  • Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and its largest city. We visit the Pobeda Square (Victory Square). Next visit the Central Ala-Too Square. Continue to the National Arts Museum and the National Philharmonic. Visit the Oak Park. No tour is complete without visiting the Asian Bazaar. You will be able to take a lot of dynamic photos of the bustling local life.
• Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Kyrgyzstan / Bishkek – Kazakhstan/ Almaty

• Breakfast at the hotel
  • After breakfast we drive to Ala-Archa State Reserve on the outskirts of the city. The Ala Archa National Park is an alpine national park in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan, established in 1976 and located approximately 40 km south of the capital city of Bishkek. In Kyrgyz, the archa, which gives the park its name, is a bright or many-colored juniper which the Kyrgyz people have traditionally held in special esteem, using smoke from its burning wood to chase away evil spirits. However, the archa is not supposed to be planted near the home, because it is believed gradually to sap the energy from human beings living close-by. Next we drive to Burana Tower 60 km away from Bishkek. The Burana Tower is a large minaret in the Chuy Valley in northern Kyrgyzstan. The tower, along with grave markers, some earthworks and the remnants of a castle and three mausoleums, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun.
• We drive to the airport for an evening flight to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• Departure flight to Almaty
• Arrival to Almaty
• Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel
• Late dinner on you own
• Overnight at the hotel in Almaty

Day 4 Almaty

• Breakfast at the hotel
• After breakfast we start a city tour around Almaty.
  • Visit the Park of Heroes 28-Panfilovtsev, located in the heart of the city. This park is the memorial of glory and eternal memory lane with fire established in memory of those who defended with great courage and honor of the WWII years. Continue the journey to the orthodox Zenkov Cathedral where it is deservingly considered the most interesting architectural monument in Almaty. This wooden building, towering at a height 56m, was built without using any nails. Go on a tour in the Green Bazaar
• Lunch at the local restaurant on your own
• Continue of the city tour
  • Visit Republic Square and the Central State Historical Museum with the ‘Golden Room’. Magnificent exhibits of a big collection of Kazak National tools and the history of jeweler art of Kazakhstan can be found. Lastly, conclude the day in the Sunkar Falcon Farm, called conservatory for the wild birds’ native to the region.  The farm breeds the Golden Eagle, and is sold to enthusiast around the world.  Other birds in the farm are Hugh owls, vultures, white bald-headed eagle and the Afghan Dog.  Enjoy the Golden Eagles show whereby they are trained to hunt at the farm. In the evening we visit Kok-Tobe to take a cable ride up to the hill for a spectacular dusk panoramic view on the city.
• Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Kazakhstan / Almaty – Uzbekistan / Tashkent

• Breakfast at the hotel
  • In the morning we drive approx. 2 hours to visit the most beautiful gorges of the Trans-lli Alatau – the Issyk gorge, which lies along the Kuldja tract where hundreds of years ago the trade caravans travelled. On the way get to learn more about the nature and history of this region and see the burial mounds of Saka Period, where the famous “Golden Man” was found, which has become the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Continue your journey to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, to the beautiful mountain Issyk Lake, located in the valley with the same name. The lake was formed about 10,000 years ago due to colossal landslide, resulted in the formation of the natural dam of 300 meters in height.
• Lunch at the local restaurant on your own
• After late lunch upon arrival to Almaty we head to Medeo and Chymbulak Ski Resort.
• Then we transfer to the airport for your flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• Departure flight to Tashkent
• Arrival Tashkent
• Pick at the airport and transfer to the hotel
• Late dinner outside or at the hotel
• Overnight at the hotel

Day 6 Uzbekistan / Tashkent

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Tour around Tashkent:
  • Khast-Imam Complex
  • Minor Mosque (White Mosque)
  • Monument of Courage
• After the tour, we will show you the underground of Tashkent. We get to the metro station Gafur Gulyam (the Uzbekistanskaya line) and on the most romantic station named Alisher Navoi will make a transfer to the metro station Pakhtakor (the Chilanzarskaya line). Our amazing underground journey will end at Amir Temur metro station.
• Lunch at your own
• Continue of city tour:
  • Amir Temur Square
  • Walk along Broadway Street with its gallery of handmade paintings under              the open sky
  • The former residence of the exiled Russian Prince Nikolai Romanov and today's Reception House of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (outside view)
  • Alisher Navoi theatre (outside view)
  • Independence square
  • Eternal flame
  • Walk along the Ankhor Canal
  • Visit the museum of applied art
• Dinner at your own
• Overnight at the hotel

Day 7 Tashkent – Bukhara

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Check-out from the hotel and transfer to Tashkent Railway station
• Departure to Bukhara
• Arrival to Bukhara
• Transfer to Bukhara
• Lunch at a local restaurant on your own
• Check –in the hotel
• Bukhara city tour:
  • Lyabi Havuz Complex: Khanaka and Nodir Divan-begi Madrassa, Kukeldash madrassah, Monument of Khoja Nasreddin
  • Magokki Attori Mosque
  • Ulugbek Madrassa
  • Abdullazizkhan Madrassa
  • Poi Kalyan Complex: Kalyan Mosque, Functioning Madrassa Mir-I-Arab, Kalyan Minaret - the symbol of Bukhara
• Dinner at a local restaurant on your own
• Overnight at the hotel in Bukhara

Day 8 Bukhara – Samarkand  

• Breakfast at the hotel at Bukhara
• Check-out from the hotel
• Continuation of the Bukhara city tour:
  • Ark Citadell and Samanid’s mausoleums
  • Sitorai Mokhi Khosa (Last Bukhara Emirs Palace)
  • Imam Bahautdin Naqshbandi Complex
• Lunch at a local restaurant on your own
• Transfer to Bukhara Railway station
• Departure to Samarkand
• Arrival to Samarkand
• Transfer to the hotel and check – in
• Dinner at a local restaurant on your own
• Overnight at the hotel

Day 9 Samarkand

• Breakfast at the hotel
• “Amazing Samarkand” city tour:
  • Visit silk paper factory
  • Ulugbek’s Observatory
  • Shakhi Zinda Necropolis
• Lunch at a local restaurant on your own 
• Drive toward to Samarkand’s Mountains:
  • Visit to the St. David Cave
• Back to the hotel
• Dinner at a local restaurant on your own
• Overnight at the hotel

Day 10 Samarkand – Tashkent  

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Continuation of Samarkand city tour:
  • Registan Square: Ulugbek Madrassa, Sherdor Madrassa,  Tillya Kari Madrassa - "decorated with gold"
  • Gur Emir - Tomb of Tamerlan
• Back to the hotel and check-out
• Lunch at a local restaurant on your own 
• Continuation of Samarkand city tour:
  • Visit Bibi Khanum Mosque and Siab Bazaar for the souvenirs, traditional sweets and dry fruits
• Transfer to the railway station
• Departure to Tashkent
• Arrival to Tashkent
• Late dinner at a local restaurant on your own
• Transfer and check-in the hotel
• Overnight at the hotel

Day 11 Tashkent

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Check-out the hotel and transfer to the airport
• Departure flight   

 

End of the tour.

The cost of the tour is available on request

1. Hotel accommodation in twin sharing standard room 
2. Meal: breakfasts in the hotels
3. Transport with AC for full 12 days as per present itinerary
4. All transfers, pick and drop to/from the airports and railway stations in the cities
5. Train tickets Tashkent – Bukhara, Bukhara – Samarkand, Samarkand – Tashkent by economy class
6. City tours in Astana (Nursultan), Almaty, Bishkek, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand
7. Accompanying person for the whole trip
8. Russian speaking guides in the cities for excursion days
9. All monuments entrance fees