Day 1 ARRIVAL DAY-TASHKENT
Arrival at Tashkent airport. Full day CSS in Tashkent: visit Kukeldash Madrassah and Khast Imam Square. Also visit Barak Khan Madrassah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque and Kafal Shashi Mausoleum. After lunch visit to Chorsu bazaar. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2 TASHKENT-KHIVA (FLIGHT)
AM flight to Urgench. CSS of Khiva: Visit Ichan Kala (Inner town). Khiva is the most intact and most remote of
Central Asia’s Silk Road cities, the final destination from modern Tashkent to medieval slave town. Visit Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassah (1852-1855) – the largest of its kind in the city with a capacity of 250 Islamic students, or rather 130 romantic tourists, as the madrassah today houses hotel “Madrassah”; Kelte Minor (“Short minaret”) commissioned by the khan in 1852 to stand (at over 70 m.) as the biggest in the Islamic world, but abandoned in the wake of his death at a frustrated 26 meters. Also visit Kunya Ark (Old Fortress) – the Khiva rulers’ residence, first built in 12th century, then expanded by the khans in the 17th century. The khans’ harem, mint, stables, arsenal, barracks, mosque and jail were all there. Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum – Pakhlavan Mahmud the Hercules of the East, Palvan Pir the "kurash" wrestler-saint, Pirar Vali the antireligious Persian poet, Mahmud the district furrier, all died here, one and the same, in 1325 to enter local folklore as a hero of both brain and brawn and to become the adopted patron of Khiva. With its lovely courtyard and stately tilework it is one of the town’s most beautiful spots. Islam Khoja Madrassah (1908) and Minaret (1910) – Khiva’s newest Islamic monuments. Islom Khodja, who commissioned the Madrassah and Minaret was and early 20th century grand vizier and, by Khivan standard, a liberal. The minaret is 45 meters tall and it’s Khiva’s highest. Juma Mosque (1788) (Friday Mosque) – is interesting for the 213 wooden pillars, each 3,15 m., supporting its roof – a structural concept though to be derived from ancient Arabian mosques. Lunch at private house. After lunch visit Tosh Howli (Stone House) – residence, built by Allah Kuli Khan between 1832 and 1841 as a more splendid alternative to the Kunya Ark; Allah Kuli Khan Madrassah (1835), bazaar and caravanserai. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 KHIVA-BUKHARA (480 KM, 8 HRS)
Full day drive to Bukhara. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 4 BUKHARA
Full day S/S of Bukhara: visit Poi Kalon Ensemble (Pedestal of the Great). The square separates the Mir-I-
Arab Madrassah and the Kalon Jummi mosque. The Kalon Minaret (in Tajik means “Great”) is one of the defining symbols of Bukhara. When it was built by the Karakhanid Arslan Khan in 1127, the Kalon Minaret was probably the tallest building in Central Asia. It’s incredible piece of work, 47 meters tall, which in 875 years has never needed any but cosmetics repairs. Also visit 3 remaining domed bazaars – Taqi Zargaron (1570), or Jeweler’s Bazaar, Taqi Telpak Furushon or Cap Makers’ Bazaar and Taqi Sarrafon, or Moneychangers’ Bazaar, which were among dozens of specialized bazaars in the town, Magok-I-Atori Mosque – the remains of a Buddhist monastery, a Zoroastrian temple and the mosque of the Arab invaders, all sharing the same space and Lyabi Hauz Ensemble. Lyabi Hauz, a plaza built around a pool in 1620 (the name is Tajik for “around the pool”). To the east, the Nadir Divanbegi Madrassah, built in 1630, on the west side of the square, and built at the same time, is the Nadir Divanbegi Khanaka. North across the street, the Kukeldash Madrassah, once was the biggest Islamic school in Central Asia. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch visit the Ark fortress – royal town-within-town, as old as Bukhara itself, home to the rulers of Bukhara for over a millennium, Bolo Hauz Mosque (“Mosque Near the Pool”) (1712) – the royal court mosque, Ismoil Samani Mausoleum – the town’s oldest building (completed around 905) and one of the most elegant structures in Central Asia, and Chashma Ayub (“Spring of Job”) – built in 12 century over a spring.
Day 5 BUKHARA-SAMARKAND (300 KM, 4 HRS)
AM. Drive to Samarkand. PM CSS: Reghistan square (Sandy place) – ensemble of majestic madrassahs (15-17 cc.), ranks first in Central Asia and among the greatest of all the grandiose and magnificent works of the Islamic world, Bibi Khanym Mosque (15 c.) – the gigantic congregational mosque, once one of the Islamic world’s biggest mosque and Siab market – colorful main farmers’ market. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 6 SAMARKAND-TASHKENT (300 KM, 4 HRS)
AM CSS of Samarkand: Visit to Gur Emir (in Tajik - Tomb of the emir) – mausoleum of Timur and the Timurids (15 c.); Shakhi Zinda (The Living King) – necropolis of Samarkand rulers and nobles. The name refers to its original, innermost and holiest shrine – the grave of Qusam ibn-Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, who is said brought Islam to this area. Also visit to Ulugbek Observatory (1420) – the remains of an immense (30 m. tall) astrolabe for observing star position, part of three-storey observatory and Afrasiab ruins and museum with fragments of 7th century frescoes. PM. Drive to Tashkent. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 7 TASHKENT-CHIMKENT (155 KM, 3 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Uzbek-Kazakh Chernyaevka border. After border formalities drive to Chimkent. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 8 CHIMKENT-TURKESTAN-CHIMKENT (330 KM, 6 HRS)
Full day trip to Turkestan. Visit Ahmad Yasawi Complex. The mausoleum of Khwaja Ahmad Yasawi, the founder of the Yasawiyya Sufi order is located in the southern Kazakh city of Turkestan. Built during the reign of Mongolian conqueror Tamerlane (Timur-i Lang) (1370-1405), the construction of the mausoleum spanned almost sixteen years of his rule from 1389 to 1405, with unfinished portions remaining until the present day. Yasawi, a Sufi poet and teacher is credited with the conversion of the Turkish speaking people of Kazakhstan to Islam, and is commonly known as 'Father of the Turks'. His shrine is a national symbol and one of the most important historical monuments in Kazakhstan, with its image appearing on every Kazakh currency note. Lunch at local café. Return drive to Chimkent via Otrar ruins. And there were houses, wells, fire places and irrigation systems, store house: for a moment my mind was 2000 years back in history trying to visualize this early central Asian civilization from which the Kazakh people of today have come from. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 9 CHIMKENT-BISHKEK (477 KM, 8 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Bishkek via Kazakh-Kyrgyz Chaldovar border. En route visit Mausoleum of Babadji-Khatum. Lunch en route. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in guest house.
Day 10 EXC ALA ARCHA NATURE PARK (52 KM one way, 1 HR)
After breakfast city tour of Bishkek. Visit History Museum, Ala-Too square, Panfilov Park, open air Gallery, Osh Bazaar. Lunch at local restaurant. PM. Drive to Ala-Archa Nature Park for excursion. The total area of the Park is 19, 5 thousand sq. km., and its altitude ranges from about 1.500 meters at the entrance to a high of 4.895 meters. There are more than 20 small and large glaciers and some 50 mountain peaks within the park, and two smaller rivers, the Adygene and the Ak-Sai, originate from these glacier’s melting waters. There are 800 species of plants and about 170 species of mammals and birds. All people who visit the Park admire the snow-topped mountains with steep slopes covered with forests, picturesque landscape and the swift mountain river Ala-Archa. Dinner at local restaurant with Kyrgyz folkloric music show. Overnight in guest house.
Day 11 BISHKEK-CHOLPON-ATA (304 KM, 5-6HRS)
After breakfast drive to Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way visit Burana Tower. The Tower is a part of the ancient city “Balasagun”, the capital of the ancient state of the Karahanides which located on the grounds of an ancient citadel of which today only a large earthen mound remains. This is believed to be the side of the ancient city of Balasagun, founded by the Sogdians and later for some time the capital of the Kara-Khanid Empire. A large collection of ancient gravestones and bal-bals is nearby. Excavated Scythian artifacts have been moved to museums in St. Petersburg and Bishkek. The ruins of “Balasagun” are one of the interesting tourist sites. Lunch en route. Continue drive to Cholpon-Ata, visit an open-air gallery of rock engravings, sometimes referred as the Stone Garden, which covers 42 hectares and contains prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs, the remains of a boundary stone wall), and petroglyphs, dating from 500 BC up to 600 AD. After excursion transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 CHOLPON-ATA-KARAKOL (140 KM, 2-3 HRS)
Morning free time for rest. Boat cruise. The Issyk-Kul Lake occupies the Central part of the Valley created by the circle of the Terskey and Kungei Ala-Too mountain ranges. The lake greatly affected the climate of the area. It doesn’t freeze in winter (”warm” lake in Kyrgyz), and so, the whole region surrounding this large body of water has a more mild climate than the altitude of the area would normally have. Also, the sun is very strong here and this affects the climate. The Issyk-Kul Lake is the largest in the Tian Shan Mountains (6,236 sq. km) and has a maximum depth of 668 m and altitude is 1609 m. Next to Lake Titicaca in South America, it is the world’s second largest lake in area. Lunch at local café. After lunch drive to Karakol and upon arrival city tour. Visit a very pretty wooden mosque built by Chinese artisans between 1907 and 1910 for the local Dungans, and a similarly appealing wooden Russian Orthodox church, the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It was completed in 1985 and used as an officers’ club during Soviet times. It is now restored and in use again as a church. There is a small section of Russian colonial “gingerbread’ style residential buildings. You will also visit the Przhevalsky museum, dedicated to this famous Russian geographer and explorer, and after whom the Mongolian wild horse was named. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 13 KARAKOL-BISHKEK (430 KM, 8-9 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Bishkek by the south side of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way excursion to Djety-Oguz gorge, a valley with striking red sandstone rock formations – the “Seven Bulls” from which valley takes its name. Free time for a little hiking. Lunch en route at local house in Bokonbaevo village. Upon arrival at Bishkek, transfer to local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in guest house.
Day 14 BISHKEK-ALMATY (250 KM, 5-6 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Almaty via Kyrgyz-Kazakh Kordai border. Lunch en route. Upon arrival city tour of Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Central State Museum and Kok-Tube. Panfilov Park is large rectangle of greenery makes the pleasant focus for the northern part of the central area. In the middle is the bright Zenkov cathedral, designed by A.P. Zenkov in 1904. This is one of the most interesting places to visit in town. This church located in Panfilov Park is all made without iron nails. All made of wood and all connected together with wood. Used as a museum and concert hall in the Soviet era, it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1995 and is now functioning place of worship. Central State Museum - The three-story square building with nine domes on Furmanov Street, right opposite the President’s Palace, is visible from afar. The blue domes, biggest in the middle and the rest along the perimeter, coupled with white stone walls look impressive and magnificent. The Museum’s biggest collection in Kazakhstan consists of 120, 000 exhibits displayed in its four huge halls and 200, 000 in reserves. On the right from the Republic Palace, there is cable way linking Almaty with the Kok-Tube hill (TV Tower). This acquaintance could be started from the trip by cable-way to Kok-Tube summit (it was called till 60-ies as Virigina), whose wagon delivers passengers from Republic Palace (Dostyk Ave., cross-road of Abai Ave.) to the top during some minutes. It's altitude above sea level is 1130 meters. In 1997 the cable way will meet its 30-ies anniversary. The cable way stretches above the part of "old city", which is called "compote". Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.
Day 15 DEPARTURE DAY
Morning transfer to airport for departure flight.
***Registration 2 hours before the flight.
END OF OUR SERVICES
QUOTATION:
30+1 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
25+1 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
20+1 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
15+1 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
10+1 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
05-09 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
04 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
03 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
02 PAX – US$ per person on h/twin with breakfast
01 PAX – US$ on SGL with breakfast
Supplement for half board – US$ per person
Supplement for full board – US$ per person
Single supplement – US$
Main tour price includes:
Accommodation in mentioned hotelsguest houses on Twin room sharing basisTashkent: Shodlik Palace 4*/Uzbekistan4*/Grand Orzu3*; Samarkand: Konstantin4*/Orient Star 3*; Bukhara-Amelia boutique/Malika 3*/Caravan3*/ Khiva: Malika 3*/Madrassa3*
Breakfast in hotels/guest house as mentioned (dinners and lunches according itinerary in some places)
Services for private transport with drivers per program
German-speaking tour guide accompany the group
All excursions by tour guide
Entrance fees
Main tour price does include:
Lunches and dinners
Air tickets: Tashkent-Urgench
Folklore show in Bishkek
Boat-cruise
Baggage/trip cancellation/ accident, personal insurance, medical and rescue coverage
Transfers to/from airport for participants making individual air arrangements
Optional excursions or deviations from the schedule tour
Photo and video charges
International and domestic air tickets
Beverages
Tips and gratuities
Drinks, telephone/cable/fax/email charges and laundry
Any personal expenses
Any services not included in the above itinerary
Visa costs and processing
Visa support letter for Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
