Silk Road trip: Tour 4

 

Silk Road trip: Tour 4

Day 1: Almaty
We are happy to see you on a tour around Silk Road. Upon arrival, the driver will meet you and transfer to a city. You will have a city tour. First to all visit the famous Green Bazaar and enjoy seeing oriental goods and people selling and buying goods. Later on we will visit Panfilov park as the oldest park in Almaty where the Zenkov Cathedral is situated. Then we will see the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. In the afternoon we will travel to Medeo gorge and enjoy seeing the highest rink. We will drive to Kok Tobe hill and where you can see splendid winding mountain road and the tallest TV. Panorama views will not leave anyone indifferent. On the way you will find national souvenirs' shop. The day of a tour will end by seeing the top of the hill to the city center lengthways the famous Almaty cableway. Night is in a hotel.

Day 2: Almaty - Charyn - Almaty 
We will drive to Charyn Canyon on a comfortable car or minivan with 1,5L of bottled water. It will take 4 hours. On the way we will visit the local museum of traditional decorative and applied arts and crafts. On arrival to Charyn Canyon you will be able to admire the panoramic view and go to the bottom of the canyon. Then walk about 2 miles through the Castle Valley labyrinth with its wall forms hanging over you. The bottom of the Canyon has a small way down towards the end of the walk, where you'll get into a sanctuary on the bank of the icy cold Charyn River, which is also home to an eco-park with a few yurts are traditional dwellings of nomads and a small open air cafe operating in summer. Transfer to a hotel for sleep.

Day 3: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
We will travel to outstanding gorges as Trans Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge that is located together with the Kuldja tract. On arrival you would be given about nature and history of this area and you will have a chance to see a Sakas mounds. See "Golden man" that was exposed and today it is the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Then we will visit State Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve "ISSYK" where you can learn more about Sakas period's history and culture, duplicate of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, and of course the sample of Saka burial mound. We will travel to the 1756 meters high and see the alpine lake Issyk that situated in the Issyk Valley appeared about 10,000 years ago due to the mudslide that resulted in the formation of a natural dam. Night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Almaty - BAO - Almaty - Bishkek
The tour will start by travelling to the Big Almaty gorge where on altitude 2,510 m above sea the Big Almaty lake is located, the most superb lake in Trans Ili Alatau. The lake is very pleasing, mainly, when its blue surface is totally calm and you can see the likeness of the sky and the nearby mountains. Since the lake is located high in the mountains, the water in the lake is always cold, in July the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees. Admission to the lake is restricted because it is a source of drinking water for inhabitants of Almaty. The tour passes above this lake at an altitude of 3300 meters above sea level, by the way there are technical amenities for astral and space research. You can see an unbelievable panorama of mountains and lakes enclosed by mountain peaks and of course the Tien Shan fir trees, aspen and junipers growing there. At 15:00 you will drive to Bishkek. It is 4 hours. Night is in a hotel.

Day 5: Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore
In the morning you will have a city tour. We will see Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and so on. In the morning we will travel to Issyk Kul Lake. It is the largest mountainous lake with altitude 1608 meters above sea level that enclosed by highly mountains. Then we will have a way to Burana Tower of the 11^th century and an open air museum of Balbals or stone warriors. Night is in a hotel.

Day 6: Issyk Kul - Grigorievskoye - Semenovskoye - Karakol
The tour will start by visiting outstanding gorges as Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye. These two gorges are connected at the end. See celestial mountains enclosed with snow on the top, slopes where blue and green pine trees grow. In the very bottom there are wonderful lakes there. And then you will continue your tour to Karakol. In Karakol you will see such amazing sights as the Dungan mosque that was built without single metal tack in Chinese style, wooden Orthodox Church that goes after the Dungan mosque. Overnight is in a guesthouse.

Day 7: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
On your way to Bishkek you will visit Jeti Oguz gorge which is famous because of its red rock object and there you can see Mountain of Broken Hearts. Spend time along gorge for 20 minutes to a mountain's top to see panorama view. Then you will have a stop in Bokonvaeva village and meet a local eagle hunter. He signifies one of the ancient ways of hunting of nomad people and skills are passes through generations. On arrival to Bishkek, night is in a hotel.

Day 8: Bishkek - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand
In the morning is flight from Bishkek to Osh city and then to Tajik border. On the road you will drive together with high passes and over Batken region, which eminent for its apricot trees and splendid flower as Aigul. The Tajik driver will meet you and transfer to Khujand city. The driver will take you via the Anzob pass which 3 372 meters high. Travelers will admire a magnificent panoramic view. Khuldjand is located on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley and defined to be the second largest city in Tajikistan. This city is capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan (Soghd) with population 149,000.  Here you will visit such sites as a Cultural Palace of Khudjant where the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. Night is in a hotel.

Day 9: Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake
The tour will start by visiting Iskanderkul lake. It is an alpine lake with altitude 2 255 meters above sea level. Iskanderkul lays and it's one of the best places in Central Asia. You will have an opportunity to walk along the beach and see waterfall if you spend 40 minutes. Tajikistan is famous for its water resources and has the highest indicators on water resources in Central Asia. This country has more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Rest is in a guesthouse.

Day 10: Iskanderkul Lake - 7 lakes - Penjakent
We are glad to present to present the next day of visiting the Fann mountains. It is the name of them is Seven Lakes. There you will have time for short hiking and the road located via the gorge. The lakes are situated on the dissimilar high levels and each of them have numerous colors. Also you will meet locals and find more about their way of life. It will be inquisitive to know more about nomad people. After hiking you're the next destination is Penjakent. Penkajent or five villages is located Khujand region of Tajikistan in a fine Zeravshan river valley. It is high opportunity the five villages began its history of this extraordinary city that was in 5th - 8th centuries AD. This city was important city that had most vital cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. The tinted part of this info is that the city had another name "Central Asian Pompeii".  It was a gorgeously secure highly planned city with a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich residential buildings, adorned with abundant paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The wrecks of this ancient city were exposed in the preceding century. Nowadays travelers will be able to see the offcuts of housing buildings and office buildings, a citadel with a palace, a house of craftsmen and a church of fire worshipers. Overnight is in a guesthouse.

Day 11: Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand
Today is transfer to the border and then Samarkand. We will have a city tour. First to all visit a city located in the valley of the river Zerafshan. Samarkand is the second largest city of Uzbekistan. Then we will visit amazing sights as Registan square, Shakhi Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three charming Madrasahs (15-17^th centuries) is the main remaining sight of Samarkand that no one can't decline to esteem its attractiveness and magnificence. The architectural complex of Shakhi Zindeh is a great assortment of mausoleums of the 11th-15th centuries (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Bibi Khanum Mosque is dedicated to Tamerlane's wife after his campaign in India. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 12: Samarkand - Gijduvan - Bukhara
In the morning you will drive to pottery private school. It is 6^th generation from Narzullayevs family which provided sheen to Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. The school has deep roots that's why it information and mastership passes over generations. As private ceramic they have some individualities as Green and blue colors succeed in decoration of products by geometric patterns. Then you will go to memorial complex of Al Bukhary Islamic School who created a group of hadiths known as Sahih Al Bukhari, which Sunni Muslims reflect one of the most authentic collections of hadiths. The tour will be continued to Bukhara. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 13: Bukhara
Whole day will be enthusiastic to the tour in this remaining city. Citadel Ark is an ancient citadel in Bukhara of 4^th century and was used as palace for some dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see the tomb of Samanids, an honest masterwork of architecture of the IX-X centuries. The tour then endures to Chashma Ayub, which means the Job's well and Bolo Hauz Mosque, also known as the forty-column mosque, devoated to Bukhara governor Abu Fayyud Khan. Then you will have an idea to amble over the swapping domes and visit one of Bukhara's most famous madrassas as Nodir Divan Run. It is also part of the Lyabi House collaborative, the well- known Bukhara's central attraction. Your city tour ends with a visit to the Poi Kalon complex, an exclusive example of the architectural art of Bukhara. It has three structures built in the 12th-16th centuries as the Kalon minaret, the Kalon mosque and the Mir Arab madrasah. Night is in a hotel.

Day 14: Bukhara - Khiva
Khiva a very grand city and it's our next destination. Actually Bukhara is "town museum" dating back to the Middle Ages that has more than 140 architectural monuments. This city is made of thin but beautiful streets, green parks and gardens full of flowers and green, historical and architectural monuments go to dissimilar periods that stand near to each other. The road from Khiva to Bukhara lays via the famous Kizilkum desert. On the way, we will see a gorgeous picture of the Amu Darya River, which is the deepest river in Central Asia, and was formed of the amalgamation of the Pyanj and Vakhsh rivers in Tajikistan and flows into the Aral Sea. Upon arrival in Khiva, night is in a hotel.

Day 15: Khiva
The day will start by a city tour in the oldest city in Uzbekistan. Ichan Qala or inner city of Khiva that has stout walls around it. Travelers will admire sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan Sarais and Bathhouses. In Ichan Qala thare are over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. In 1969 this area became historical and architectural upkeep. The highest places here are Kunya Ark fortress of 17^th century, revealed by Muhammad Arang Khan and Kalta Minor minaret, and Tash Khouvli palace, all of them are a farfetched example of incredible craftsmanship of Khorezm architecture from 200 years ago. Night is in a hotel.

Day 16: Khiva - Farap - Kunya Urgench - Darwaza
In the morning you will be transferred to Farap borders. You will be met there and then driver will take to the North of Turkmenistan to its well-known the architectural monuments of Kone Urgench that was Capital of Khorezm before (X-XII centuries). You will visit and see not only it a lot sights such as Mausoleum of Najm al Din al Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, the uppermost minaret in Central Asia Kutlyg Timur. Then we will travel to Darwaza also famed as Gas Crater. Night is in a tent.

Day 17: Darwaza - Ashgabat
Today we will travel to Ashgabat. In the second part of the day you will ride a horse to see the pride of Turkmen people their Akhal Teke horses. There you will be able to love the Traditional Tea party, not very long but amused Akhal Teke horse show program and see the horse racks. Afterwards is return back to Ashgabat. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 18: Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat
Today we will have a path to ancient city Mary. This city is under protection of UNESCO World Heritage Site and located 25 km to the east of Mary, to Bayram Ali. City signifies one of the main archaeological places of Central Asia that played important role of Silk Road growths for more than 2000 years. The size of this place is 1200 ha. It observes all the mechanisms of the "wandering city". The wonderful Mausoleums of the Sultan, Sanjar and Muhammed Ibn Zeid (XII c), demonstrations sophisticated Seljuk brickwork and architectural decor. Then you will go back to Ashgabat. Night is in a hotel.

Day 19: Ashgabat
This day of a tour is devoted to see whole capital city of Turkmenistan. We visit one of the underlined part of the tour "Niva" that was Capital of the Parthian Empire and now this place is under protection of UNESCO Heritage. Later on visit Monument and Park of Independence, which looks like a white-marble "Eiffel Tower", a fountain-monument started to the 10th centenary of independence it is a sculptural depiction of ten Akhal Tekke horses placed on the top of an attractive fountain and of course superb Ertoghrul Ghazi and Gypjak Mosques. In the second of the day you will visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography. Transfer to a hotel for rest.

Day 20: Flight
Drive to Ashgabat International Airport.

 

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 

Transport in Turkmenistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-08 pax - Minibus
10 pax - Bus 

 

Price per person:
02 pax - 3 000 $
04 pax - 2 220 $
06 pax - 1 965 $
08 pax - 1 795 $
10 pax - 1 770 $
Single - 335 $

Early check-in - 30 $
Single early check-in - 45 $ 

Half board - 280 $*
Full board - 495 $*
Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - 50 $ per person
 

English speaking guides:
KG - 435 $ per group
UZ - local 120 $ per group or escort 395 $ per group
TJ - 445 $ per group
KZ - 420 $ per group
TM - included by law

 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Issyk Kul - "Karven" Resort
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Guesthouse
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
Iskandarkul - "Dilovar" Gueshouse
Penjakent - "Umariyon" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
Khiva - "Porso" Hotel 3*
Darwaza - Tents with dinner
Ashgabat - "Menzil" Hotel 3*
- Visa support to Tm
- Museum admissions
- Mineral water supply
- English speaking guide in Tm
- Flight tickets Bishkek - Osh (15 kg limit, extra 2 $ per kg)

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guides
- Entrances to all museums in Uz
- Migration tax (12 $) + bank fee (4 $)

Note: Each Traveler should have 2 photos (5x6) to be presented at the points of entry.

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