The three stans of Central Asia: Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan

KHIVA-BUKHARA (450 km, 7-8 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Bukhara through the Kyzylkum Desert. Arrival in Bukhara in the evening. Accommodation. 

Overnight stay in hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

BUKHARA 

After breakfast start city tour of Bukhara. "If Samarkand is the wonder of the earth, Bukhara is the wonder of the spirit". Visit:

• The Mausoleum of Ismail Samani
• The Kalon Minaret
• The Samanid Mausoleum
• The Mir-i-Arab Madrasa
• Chor-Minor
• The Poi Kalon Mosque
• Madrasa Nadirkhon Devanbegi
• The Ark fortress
• The Mausoleum of Chashmai Ayub
• The Lyabi-Hauz complex - has always been dedicated to markets. Today, three remain, intended mainly for tourists, and all in covered areas surmounted by domes with roofs designed to convey fresh air inside. Here then is the Taqi-Sarrafon, the bazaar intended for money changers, the Taqi-Telpak Furushon, that of the hatters and the Taqi-Zargaron, occupied by jewelers.

After visits transfer to the hotel. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant

BUKHARA-SAMARKAND (by train)

After breakfast visit:

• Bukhara Gold Embroidery Factory, whose products include carpets, curtains, chapanes, headdresses, coffins, bags, purses and shoes.
• Sitorai Mokhi Khossa – was a summer palace of the Bukharian Emirs

After lunch transfer to the train station to take the train to Samarkand at 15:46 PM-17:29 PM. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

SAMARKAND-TASHKENT (by train) 

After breakfast start city tour of Samarkand: 

• Registan Square - (“sand square”) called the pearl of Central Asia is one of the most beautiful squares in the world and the symbol of the city. Inside the square are the Madrasa Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tillakori.
• The Gur-Emir mausoleum - the tomb of the Great Tamerlane.
• The Ulugbek Observatory - is the largest observatory in Central Asia which was built in 1420 by Ulugbeg (Tamerlane's grandson)
• The Bibikhanum Mosque - which was built in 1399-1400, dedicated to the beautiful wife of Tamerlane.
• Shakhi-Zinda - the memorial complex
• Siyab Bazaar - is the most famous and most important bazaar in Samarkand

After visits transfer to the train station & take the train to Tashkent. Upon arrival to Tashkent transfer to the hotel & accommodation.

Note: It can be organized photoshoot by professionals during the tour by request. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

TASHKENT 

After breakfast start city tour Tashkent:

• Architectural complex Khast Imam (Hast Imam square, Barak Khan Madrassah, Kafal al-Shashi Mausoleum);
• Chorsu Bazar - the oldest bazaar in Tashkent 
• Time for lunch (payment on the spot).
• Independence Square (Ezgullik Arch, Monument of Independence, Monument of the Grieving Mother and Alley of Memory);
• The Palace of Konstantin Romanov - an overview of the outside;
• Theatrical square of the Alisher Navoi (Bolshoi Theatre);
• Amir Timur Square and Tashkent "Broadway".
• Tashkent underground (if time permits)

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel 

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant

TASHKENT-KOKAND (by train) – RISHTAN-FERGANA

After breakfast transfer to the railway station & catch the train at 07.55-12.16 to Kokand. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel & accommodation.

After lunch the Kokand city tour begins:

• Khudoyar-Khan Palace - The majestic and original building commemorates the last ruler of the Kokand Khanate - Khudoyar.
• Jami Mosque - Kokand's most impressive mosque, built by Umar Khan in 1812, is centered on a 22-meter minaret and includes a colorful 100-meter-long aivan (portico) supported by 98 decorated red wooden columns brought from India in different colors and carving of traditional Ferghana architecture.

After visits we continue with Rishtan (40 km, 45-50 min). We visit:

• The house of the famous ceramist Rustam Usmanov, an acquaintance of the master and his work. Demonstration of the manufacturing, painting and firing process.

Transfer to hotel in Fergana & accommodation. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast at hotel

Optional: Lunch at local restaurant and dinner at local family

FERGANA-MARGILAN-DUSTLIK BORDER (112 km, 2-2,5 hours) - OSH - AIRPORT – BISHKEK (30 km, about 30 minutes)

After breakfast visit we continue with Margilan (17 km, 30 min). We visit:

• Yodgorlik factory, famous throughout the world for its sublime silk manufacturing, so much so that over the centuries it has acquired the full nickname of "silk capital of Central Asia". We admire the complete process of manufacturing silk fabrics from the preparation of the cocoons to obtaining the finished material. The techniques and methods of processing raw materials, as well as the production technology of finished fabrics, have been passed down from generation to generation for approximately 2,000 years.

After visit You say goodbye to Uzbekistan and cross the border Duslik near Osh, Kyrgyzstan. At the border, you meet Kyrgyz guide. Transfer to Osh, around 15 km. Together, you take a walk through the city of Osh and visit the famous Sulaymon-Too mountain. The 1100-metre-high mountain forms the backdrop of the city of Osh and is an important pilgrimage site for believers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In the evening, you take a domestic flight from Osh to Bishkek, it takes around 50 min. Arrival to Bishkek. Overnight in hotel. 

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: 700 m in Bishkek)

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

BISHKEK – BURANA – KOCHKOR (200 KM, ABOUT 3 HOURS OF DRIVING + TIME FOR ALL STOPS)

AM. Breakfast. Excursion to colorful Central Asian Osh bazaar.

Transfer to to Kochkor. Optionally, on the way stop in the village Don-Aryk and watch Kyrgyz traditional horse game ”Ulak Tartysh”. You can see the skillful riding of horseback riders and learn about the national game of nomadic peoples. It is like horse polo but with body of goat or sheep. Lunch in the local family, you can taste national cuisines. 

PM. Shortly visit ruins of the ancient town Balasagyn and Burana Tower.  Later on, stop in Boom canyon where you can test fresh traditional bread Kattama. 

Accommodation in the hotel in Kochkor. Optionally, visit the felt carpet workshop, where you cannot only buy souvenirs but you can participate in producing them yourself. The members of the Women's Cooperative show and tell us how to make felt carpets.  Dinner and accommodation in the hotel.  

 (Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point – 800 m in Bishkek, Kochkor 1700 m in the end of the day)

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

KOCHKOR - TAMGA (170 KM, ABOUT 3 HOURS DRIVING + TIME FOR ALL STOPS)

AM. Breakfast. Transfer to the Issyk-Kul lake, Tamga yurt camp. The lake is considered to be the second largest mountainous lake in the world on the altitude of 1607 meters above the sea level. You will drive along the southern shore and will have several stops. Optionally, on the way a stop in the village Kyzyl-Tuu. This village is famous with its talented artisans, who makes wooden parts of yurts. The artisan will show us process of Yurts production. Lunch in the family who makes yurts. 

PM. Optionally, transfer to Jaichi gorge with stunning view to the mountains. Here you will watch the Eagle Hunting show. The hunter will tell you more about the process of hunting and about birds.

Next stop in Tamga Military Resort, construction of which began in 1932.  During Soviet time it was resort for Russian astronauts, who had acclimatization after flights to space. Fist of the guest in the resort was Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin. A walk through the park, which will take you back to the period of Soviet time, you can look sculptures of artist from that time. Continue driving to Tamga. 

Dinner and accommodation in the yurt camp Nomad Lodge by the shore. Optionally, Kyrgyz folklore program during the dinner organized by the local family from the village. 

 (Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point Kochkor 1700 m, 1607 m in Tamga in the end of the day)

Overnight at the yurt camp.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

TAMGA - KARAKOL (140 KM, ABOUT 2 HOURS DRIVING + TIME FOR ALL STOPS)

AM. Breakfast. Transfer to Karakol. Karakol is a city in Kyrgyzstan to the east of Lake Issyk-Kul. On the way visit Barskoon gorge. One of the most beautiful gorges of Kyrgyzstan - Barskoon gorge is located on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, 90 km from Karakol village. The slopes of the gorge are covered with thick vegetation and shrubs. There are three waterfalls in the gorge. “The Tears of the Snow Leopard” waterfall is the name of the most famous waterfall of the Barskoon Gorge. This unique place is a state natural monument. The height from which the water stream descends is about 100 meters. The walking takes about 30-40 minutes one way to the first point of great view. After the walking will be served small table on the nature with local Champaign and fruits. 

Later visit Djety-Oguz valley. Djety-Oguz in Kyrgyz means “Seven Bulls”. This picturesque gorge is named so because of the red rocky sand formations covered with forests of Tien-Shan spruces. The walking about 30 minutes both ways to the best view of “Seven Bulls”. 

Lunch in Dungan family. Small nationality migrated to the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan 400 years ago, they ran away from China because of the Muslim religion. 

PM. City tour in Karakol. Construction of Karakol began in the late 19th century and was initially a military garrison under the Russian Empire. During the city tour you will be able to walk along the old streets and wooden houses of that time. Visit Russian Orthodox Church, Muslim Mosque in Dungan Style, Victory Park.

Dinner in the restaurant where you can taste local delicious trout fish. Accommodation in the hotel.

 (Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point 1607 m in Tamga, 1700 m Karakol)

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

KARAKOL –- REINA KENCH – HOT SPRING – KARAKOL (IN TOTAL FOR THE DAY AROUND 200 KM)

AM. Breakfast. Visiting honey production cooperative where beekeepers will talk about the production and diversity honey of Issyk-Kul region. 

Later, you visit agriculture complex “Reina-Kench”, where you will know about the breeding of thoroughbred horses and Arashan rams in this farm. 

PM. Lunch in the agriculture complex. Transfer to the hot spring, pleasant pastime with thermal water baths. Return back to Karakol. You will visit Uigur family for the dinner. They will demonstrate of master class of cooking handmade noodles for Lagman food. You will test Lagman during the dinner in the family. Accommodation in the hotel.

 (Altitudes above sea level during the day: 1700 m Karakol) 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

KARAKOL – KEGEN BORDER - SATY (220 KM, AROUND 6 HOURS + TIME FOR ALL STOPS)

AM. Breakfast. Excursion to Prjevalsky Museum. Famous explorer of the Far East and Central Asia in 19^th century, zoologist, ethnographer, geographer. He gained world fame as a result of four expeditions to Central Asia.

Transfer to Kol-Say Nature Park, which is located in Kazakhstan. Before the passing the border, you will visit San-Tash barrow. San-Tash means counted stones. The story about San-Tash came from the time of Great Timur, when he asked all solders of his army to put stones in one place. He wanted to see how is bid barrow with stones and see in the same time how is big his army. 

Lunch as picnic in nature in a picturesque location. 

PM. Border formalities on Kyrgyz-Kazakh border Kegen. Border formalities takes about 1 hour. 

Continue driving to the Kol-Say Nature Park. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. 

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point 1700 m Karakol, in the end of the day 1000 m Saty) 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

SATY – ALMATY (320 KM 4-5 HOURS OF DRIVING+ TIME FOR ALL STOPS)

AM. Breakfast. Transfer to the parking place of the bus near by Kol-Say lake, walking excursion about 30-40 minutes to the view point of the first Kol-Say lake. The mountain lake, with an emerald colour in fine weather, framed by a coniferous forest. 

Transfer to Charyn Canyon around 1.5 hours. Charyn Canyon, it is an amazing creation of nature that has existed for millions of years, picturesque and very diverse in geomorphologic aspects. The height of steep mountainsides reaches 150-300 meters. Numerous ravines and gullies make dense rambling net. Wind and water created stunning "Red Castles Valley". All along the valley you are surrounded by towers of fantastical forms, built of sedimentary. Throughout time nature has created these architectural wonders, without haste, it has built majestic castles.

Walking to the view point of the canyon for about 3 km in both ways. Lunch in the café in Charyn canyon.

PM. Transfer to Almaty around 4-5 hours, time depends on traffic jam in Almaty. 

Dinner at the local restaurant. Accommodation in the hotel. 

(Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point 1000 m Saty, in the end of the day 500 m Almaty) 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant

ALMATY 

AM. Breakfast. City tour around Almaty. Transfer to Asian Green Bazaar in the morning, then  walking via old city center (today: Square Astana) to the 28 Panfilovtsev Park, Zenkov Cathedral (monument of cult architecture of Christians in Kazakhstan). You will visit the Museum of Musical Instruments, Abai Theater. A walk along the pedestrian street, which appeared in 1883 and has the name Silk Road, here you can see the works of street artists and listen to local musicians, buy souvenirs. Transfer to Republic Square and Monument of Independence, Historical Museum. 

Lunch at the local restaurant. 

PM. Transfer to Medeo gorge. It is one of the most famous sight of Kazakhstan because it is the highest mountain complex for winter sports in the world! Well-developed infrastructure and proximity to the city makes Medeo very attractive to visit at any time of the year. You will find delightful nature, clean mountain air and pictures view, have chance to walk to the top of Medeo damp with good viewpoint and have a flavored coffee. Excursion by cable car up to the gorge. Return back to Almaty. Farewell dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation at the hotel.

 (Altitudes above sea level during the day: start point 500 m Almaty) 

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel

Optional: Lunch and dinner at local restaurant 

ALMATY - AIRPORT

Transfer to the airport. Flight home by Turkish airlines. 

Meals: Breakfast in the hotel