Silk Road treasure 3

 

Silk Road treasure 3
Country: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan 
Time of the tour: 14 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Issyk - Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore - Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake - Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand - Bukhara - Tashkent

Day 1: Almaty
We are glad to impress you by the wonderful Silk Road treasure 3. The driver will meet you at the airport and drive to Almaty. You will have the city tour and visit the colorful Green Bazaar. Don't miss to bargain and learn more about nomadic lifestyle. Then you will visit the Panfilov Park and see the wooden architecture as Zenkov Cathedral. Afterwards you will visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and then transfer to the Medeo Gorge. You can ride on the highest mountain skating rink in the world. Then we will drive to Kok Tobe and see the tallest TV tower in the world. In the evening you will get joy on the popular Almaty cableway. Night is in the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
We are glad to show you the next day of tour visiting the Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge located along the Kuldja tract. On the way you will learn more about history of this region and see the burial mounds of Sakas period, where the "Golden Man" was found. Today it is a state symbol of Kazakhstan. Then we will see the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK" and find out the history and culture of the Sakas period, counting a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Sakas burial mound. Continuing to Issyk Lake of an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, you will see the natural dam of 300 meters in height and get impressed by such beauty. In the evening is transfer to a hotel for rest.

Day 3: Almaty - Bishkek
The next destination of our tour is Bishkek. It is the capital of Kyrgyzstan as well as the largest city located at about 800 meters high near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. It is the part of the Tian Shan Mountains that rises to 4,855 meters high and gives the perfect view to the city. In addition, you will have the city tour and visit the Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, the National Arts Museum, National Philharmonic and other places. Night is in a hotel.  

Day 4: Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore
In the morning, you will drive to Issyk Kul Lake located at the elevation of 1608 m. above sea level high as well as the second largest Lake in the world well known as "the pearl of Central Asia". It is important to note that this lake is never freezes and heals body. On the route you will visit the Burana Tower of 11^th century and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). We are no doubt you will like it on tours. Afterwards, you will end your day in a comfortable hotel.

Day 5: Issyk Kul Lake - Karakol
Today you will drive to Karakol city where you can visit an ancient stone inscription - petroglyphs of the 800 B.C. They were made by shamans 2 000 years ago. We will continue to drive to the northern shore of the lake to Karakol and see the Dungan mosque which was built without nails and have Chinese style as well as an old wooden Orthodox Church. Overnight is in a guesthouse.

Day 6: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
Today we will travel to Jeti Oguz gorge or Seven Bulls. You will be impressed by the red rock formation and see the Broken Heart Mountain. In addition, you will have an opportunity to see panorama views and take vibrant photos. In the second part of day we will travel to Bokonbaeva village, where you can see local eagle hunter. You will be shown an eagle hunting and learn more about eagles. Then we will continue our way to Bishkek. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 7: Bishkek - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand
Today you will have flight Osh. On arrival, you will see sacred place of Muslim pilgrimage - Suleiman Mountain or Solomon's Mountain. It is located in the center of the city. According to the legend, biblical prophet Solomon was buried at the foot of it. Then you will pass Tajik border via mountain passes. We will pass by Batken region and see apricot trees and the famous flower - Aigul. Your guide will meet you on the border Khujand city which is considered to be the second largest city in Tajikistan with the population 149, 000. You will find it located on the Syr Darya River on of the Fergana Valley. Khujand is he capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan which nowadays called Sughd. Then, we will visit Cultural Palace of Khujant, where the first president of Tajikistan was held. Then you can see the Central Mosque in the middle of the city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 8: Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake
In the next day of our tour you will visit Iskanderkul lake which is an alpine lake located in the famous Fann Mountains with the altitude of 2 255 m. a. s. l. Travelers will be impressed by this on their tours. In addition, you will admire beautiful waterfall and take vibrant photos. It is important to note that Tajikistan is in the second place for its volume of water resources of more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Today you will spend night in a home stay.

Day 9: Iskanderkul - Penjakent
Today you will explore Penjakent. You will pass via Shahriston pass with a height of 3 378 m. Penjakent is also five villages is situated in Khujand of Tajikistan, in the magnificent Zeravshan river valley. The city was found in the 5-8 centuries AD and was one of the most important centers of Sogd. It is also called "Central Asian Pompeii". On arrival, you will have an opportunity to see ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods as well as dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 10: Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand
In the morning you will cross the Tajik-Uzbek border. The guide will meet you at other side of the border and drive to Samarkand. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 11: Samarkand
Noting of Samarkand, it is the second largest city of Uzbekistan. It is located in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It was the same age as the cities of Babylon or Rome. On arrival, you will have the city tour and visit the Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square is famous for its stunning three fascinating Madrasahs of the 15-17^th centuries. Shakhi-Zindeh has a big collection of mausoleums found in the 11th-15th centuries which later became UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque is very famous site in Uzbekistan which was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane's wife, after his fruitful trip in India. Transfer to hotel for rest.

Day 12: Samarkand - Bukhara (Morning train transfer)
The next destination of our tour is travelling to Bukhara by train. On arrival, you will visit the famous places as Citadel Ark as the most ancient citadel in Bukhara of 4th century. In ancient times, it collected some dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Moving to the 9th -10th centuries you will see the Samanids mausoleum. Visit the Chashma Ayub- job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque. You will be impressed by the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. In the afternoon, visit madrasahs Nodir Divan Begi which became a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, the famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. Afterwards, visit the Poi Kalon complex and see three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries as Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Transfer to hotel for sleep.

Day 13: Bukhara - Tashkent (Morning train)
In the morning you will reach Tashkent by train On arrival, you will visit the Independence square as the main square of the country. Nowadays it is a symbol of victory in World War II. Later on, we will visit Broadway located between Independence square and Amir Timur square. It is recommend seeing Tashkent metro, which was opened in 1977. In the second part of day you will visit Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex which has madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. Don't miss to visit the Othman Quran. It is considered to be the world's oldest Quran copy of 8^th century. It is worth seeing in on tours! Today, you will spend night is in a hotel.

Day 14: Tashkent - Departure
Transfer you to Tashkent international airport for flight. Silk Road treasure 3 is finished.

 

Transport in Kazakhstan:
02 pax - Sedan economy
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Minibus 

Transport in Kyrgyzstan:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter 

Transport in Tajikistan:
02-04 pax - Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax - 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax - 3 cars: Hyundai Starex 

Transport in Uzbekistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-06 pax - Minivan
08-10 pax - Minibus

 

Price per person:
02 pax - 2 040 $
04 pax - 1 470 $
06 pax - 1 305 $
08 pax - 1 165 $
10 pax - 1 125 $
Single - 220 $                                    

Early check-in - 25 $
Single early check-in - 45 $ 

Half board - 195 $
Full board - 335 $ 

English speaking guide - 1 355 $ per group 

Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - $35 per group

 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Issyk Kul - "Karven" Resort
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
Iskandarkul - Homestay
Penjakent - "Umariyon" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
Tashkent - "Samir" Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Train tickets Samarkand - Bukhara, Bukhara - Tashkent.    

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guides