An unforgettable trip through two Central Asian countries: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. An exciting combination of culture and nature. First we visit the cultural treasures of Islamic architecture in Uzbekistan and then enjoy the breathtaking, picturesque countryside of Kyrgyzstan. During the trip you have the possibility to experience everyday life in Central Asia – the lively bustle in the old towns of Uzbekistan as well as nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan. Just about every tourist should make this journey at least once in their life!
Trip info
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3-4* and Boutique Hotels
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Tashkent
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Istanbul
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Guided
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breakfast and dinner
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Easy
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airplane, fast train, coach
Trip Overview
An unforgettable trip through two Central Asian countries: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. An exciting combination of culture and nature. First we visit the cultural treasures of Islamic architecture in Uzbekistan and then enjoy the breathtaking, picturesque countryside of Kyrgyzstan. During the trip you have the possibility to experience everyday life in Central Asia – the lively bustle in the old towns of Uzbekistan as well as nomadic life in Kyrgyzstan. Just about every tourist should make this journey at least once in their life!
Itinerary
Fly with Turkish Airlines TK368 to Tashkent at 0:30 am. Arrival time in Tashkent at 07:00 am.
Welcome to Uzbekistan! Your tour guide will meet you at the international airport and take you to your hotel.
After breakfast we go to the old town and visit the historical complex Khast Imam. In the large square you will see Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Barakkhan Madrasa and Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum as well as the library in which the oldest Koran in the world is kept. Then we go to the Chorsu Bazaar, which was already well-known in the Middle Ages and stood at the crossroads of the caravansaries of the Great Silk Road. In the afternoon we will walk through the modern town and visit Independence Square and Amir Timur Park.Two overnight stays in Tashkent.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Navruz Hotel in Tashkent
Today, in the morning we fly to Urgench with Uzbekistan Airways at 7:25. Transfer to the hotel in Khiva, about 35km from Urgench. Visit to Ichan Kala («the inner town citadel» of Khiva). It still looks as historical as it did centuries ago. It is one of the few preserved places in Central Asia where one can imagine life as it was in the time of Khanate. The famous buildings of Central Asia which have long become landmarks are to be found in Ichan Kala (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Walking around the historic centre, you will admire the Oriental ornaments and turquoise tiles of the richly decorated buildings, and will understand why the old town of Khiva, “Ichan Kala”, is called an “open-air museum”. In the evening, you can enjoy the sunset over the oasis.
One overnight stay in Khiva.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Accommodation: Erkin Palace Hotel in Khiva.
Impressive trip through the vegetated „Kyzylkum “(«Red Sand») desert and the vast steppe to Bukhara (approx. 420 km). On the way, we will have lunch break in an Uzbek «Roadhouse». In the late evening we arrive in Bukhara and you have time to explore Bukhara by yourself. Dinner in a local restaurant. Three overnight stays in Bukhara.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Komil Boutique in Bukhara
Excursion in the old town starts with the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani. Then we visit Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum. After we will wander around the old town where you will feel transported to the world of the stories from ‘One Thousand and One Nights’. It is hard to believe that, just like 100 years ago, teaching and learning still takes place in the mosques and madrasas, such as the Miri Arab madrasa. You will admire the «classic» architectural complex Lyabi Khauz with its trading domes and several mosques, madrasas as well as the dervish monastery Khanaka in the old town, and will understand the honorary title «noble town».
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Komil Boutique in Bukhara
Today we will visit the Chor Minor madrasa, whose four minarets (chor – four) and the whole style shows similarities with the Indian style of building. After that we will take a road to the summer residence of the last Bukhara Emir – Sitorai Mokhi Khosa which in Persian means «The place where the moon and the stars meet». As it is known, Bukhara is one of the seven holy towns of the Islamic world. There are a large number of orientations in Sufism, and the representatives of all orders were present in various eras on the site of where Uzbekistan is today. Sufi orden Naqshbandiya had the longest lasting effect and left behind the greatest legacy. Bahauddin Naqshbandi was one of the spiritual mentors of Tamerlan. His philosophy was based on the principle of «God in the heart, work in the hands». The memorial complex of Bahauddin Naqshbandi was considered to be the Central Asian Mecca.
In the afternoon, we have time to discover the Jewish quarter of Bukhara and visit a Synagogue which is over 400 years old. Then we will visit a Puppet Work Shop.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Komil Boutique in Bukhara
We drive on to Samarkand, the town of the stories in 1001 nights (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the Middle Ages, it was considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in the world and today it has lost none of its charm. On the way, we will make a stop atthe Rabbati Malik Caravansaray and Sardoba (water reservoir).
Then we go to one of the visiting cards of Uzbekistan, famous Registan Square with its three unique madrasas Ulughbek, Sherdor and Tillya Kori. We will also visit the mausoleum ``Guri Emir`` of the ruler Timur. One overnight stay in Samarkand.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Platan Hotel Boutique in Samarkand
Excursion to the paper-making factory of Samarkand, where silk paper has been produced since 2005 using the technology of 8th century. Then we visit Ulugbek Observatory, once the greatest research centre in Central Asia, and Shakhi Zinda Necropolis, the grave complex «living king», where today Timur’s family members are buried. We go to the largest mosque in Central Asia Bibikhanum. Then we walk to Siyob Bazaar which is just next to the mosque. The selection of dry fruits alone is very impressive. At 18:00h we take a fast train "Afrosiyob" to Tashkent. Dinner in Tashkent. One overnight stay in Tashkent.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Navruz Hotel in Tashkent
Flight in the morning to Bishkek with Uzbekistan Airways at 7:05 am.
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport exit and then you will drive together to the hotel. After a short rest we will start a city tour. The main buildings in Bishkek were built in Soviet Times. During your trip you will find out the whole history of our capital from the very beginning till our days. Your guide will tell you a lot of amazing facts about Bishkek. This city tour includes visits to Victory Square, Oak Park with stone sculptures, Old Square, The House of Parliament, Main Ala Too Square, White House, Manas Hero Square, City Hall and many other interesting places.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Smart Hotel in Bishkek
Today we are going to visit our famous Burana Tower which was built in the 11th century. There was a thriving city on the Great Silk Road. Many caravans were there while moving from China to Rome. Also you will see Stone Warriors – Balbals that belong to the 7-8th century. If a famous soldier was killed during a war, then people would always make a statue for him. After an interesting excursion and climbing onto the top of the Tower we will drive to Chon Kemin village which is situated in a national park where you can enjoy many amazing mountain views. Rural regions remain delightfully unspoiled, traditional and rich in culture whilst the capital is quite developed. Tourism is still in its infancy and vast areas are largely untouched by foreign visitors. Beaming smiles, open arms and unrivalled hospitality await those who do make this tour. As an option you can book beforehand a short horse riding tour for 3 hours. We can book for you horses and a horse-man to ride for a while in our amazing mountains. It takes just 10 minutes from your home stay to ride to the mountains. There is a very nice round-horse-riding trip with a panorama view on the top where you will get through a mountain forest! This night you will spend in a house of a very friendly Kyrgyz family. You will see the way they live. In the evening you will have excellent dinner that the owner will make for you! There are no people who would not like all these food! Also it is a great chance to get acquainted with locals.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Ashuu Hotel in Chon Kemin
Today we will drive to the most famous place of Kyrgyzstan – Issyk Kul Lake! Issyk Kul is the biggest mountain lake in Central Asia, and the second biggest mountain lake in the whole world! Its length is 180 km and it is 60 km wide! The view of the lake is fantastic – it has pure blue water and it is surrounded by high Tien Shan Mountains from all sights! You can swim in the lake and see mountains around you with snow white peaks! The water is about 22 degrees and many people come here to swim in summer time. For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. Nobody was allowed to swim there and even to touch the water! Only in the 19th century people started to swim in the lake and to go fishing. The road to the Lake goes along Boom gorge. The views are really stunning there! There is a spectacular canyon inside Boom with unusual Red Rocks formations. If you want, we can stop to have a short hiking there. The road to the Red Rocks takes about 2 hours one way. At the end you will see an incredible view of this canyon. If you are not tired, then you can spend one more hour walking around. The road to the red canyon is not a difficult one. It goes along amazing rocky mountains. Only 3 times you will need to go over some big stones. After coming back to your home stay you will have time to go to the beach and to swim in the lake. At 8 o’clock you will have very good dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Simiram Hotel in Issyk Kul
In the morning we will visit a place where you will see ancient pictures on stones-petroglyphs. These petroglyphs were drawn more than 2 000 years ago by shamans. All these stones are still at the same place as they were at that time. You can see a panorama view of the Issyk Kul Lake from this place – people were thinking that it was the middle of the world. All these pictures were depicted on the southern side of stones. People believed that in this case the God of the Sun will see their messages. Also beside the pictures there are big stones put in a circle way to make sacrifices. After an excursion you will visit a museum in Cholpon Ata. There are many attractive things from the Kyrgyz history, handicraft, musical instruments and a lot of other interesting artifacts. Afterwards we will drive to Karakul town. The road goes along the northern shore of the lake and you will have many photo stops to make pictures of our amazing lake. Karakul is an old town that was built in the time of Russian Tsar. Many houses still have decoration with wooden frames of windows. The main highlights of Karakul town are Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque. Russian Orthodox Church was built at the end of 19th century. It is a wooden church and there are many nice icons that are very old. You will have enough time to go around the church and to go inside as well. Women have to cover their head with a kerchief. Dungan mosque is made by Chinese architecture as a present for Kyrgyz. It is made of wood without using any nails.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner.
Accommodation: Karagat Hotel in Karakul.
We will travel today to Jeti Oguz gorge. This is one of the most well-known places in Kyrgyzstan! It’s famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jet Oguz. Your guide will tell you a beautiful legend about these rocks. Also you will see our amazing Broken Heart Mountain! We will make many photos there and if you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge! There are yurts on the way and people can offer you to drink Kumis. It is a national drink that is made of mare’s milk which is an alcoholic drink as a beer. Today you will meet real nomads! They come to these mountains in summer times with their cattle. Nomadic families do not live at one place all the time. Every month they move from one pasture to another in order to have more fresh grass. Nomads still live in their felt houses yurts. It is the best dwelling to live and to transfer from place to place. And this night you will also spend as real nomads in Kyrgyz yurts!!! It is a great opportunity to get unforgettable memories about Kyrgyzstan and its people! Yurt is a collapsible felt dwelling. It is made of felt and wood without using a single nail! To fix the wooden sticks people use leather stripes. It takes just one hour to collapse or to erect a yurt. And you need just 3-4 horses to take it from one place to another. It is very nice to sleep inside in summer time and it is very warm to sleep there in winter. Take your chance to get new feelings! Nomads still keep all their amazing traditions that are completely different from all other nations in the world. Also it will be possible to communicate with nomads.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Yurt camp Hotel in Jety Oguz
After a night in yurts we will drive to Kochkor. This time we will drive along the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. This is a great chance to see the whole lake from all sights! If you wish you can swim there for 30 minutes before we continue our driving. Today we will visit one of the most interesting families in Kyrgyzstan – the family of Eagle Hunters! There are still some people in villages that continue this ancient way of hunting in our days. They train eagles and hawks when they are young and every winter go with them to the mountains for hunting. The Eagle Hunter just let the bird fly and it finds the victim on its own. You will find out many interesting facts about this way of hunting and you will be able to make photo while keeping the bird on your hand! We will have lunch in this house and the owners will tell you unusual stories about their hunting. This family goes hunting from generation to generation and that is why they know everything about it. Then we will drive to Kyrgyz village Kochkor. This night you will also spend with a nice Kyrgyz family. They will prepare traditional dinner for you.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Guesthouse Hotel in Kochkor
In the morning we will visit a local museum that is made in a private house. The owners have collected a lot of interesting things of Kyrgyz handicraft from all villages around! You will see different kinds of carpets, wooden cradles, silver decorations, national costumes, and many other amazing things! Your guide will tell you fantastic traditions connected with them! Also it will be possible to buy some handmade souvenirs at this place. Then we will show you the way our women produce traditional felt carpets. You will not just watch the production but you will even participate. You will have a chance to make your own picture with a help of colored wool and then all together we will beat it in a special way to get a nice felt carpet. You can take it with you for memory. After an interesting meeting with locals we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. You will have enough time today to go for a walk in the city and to buy souvenirs. Farewell dinner in Bishkek will be at 6 o’clock.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Smart Hotel in Bishkek
Take a flight with Turkish Airlines TK 349 to Istanbul at 6:35 am. Arrival time in Istanbul at 9:30 am.
COST
Includes
- Service includes:
- * All airport transfers.
- * All domestic flight tickets and Tashkent – Bishkek flight tickets.
- * Transport for all transfers and excursions in both countries.
- * Double room accommodation in hotels, guesthouses and home stays.
- * Two time meals during the tour.
- * Full-time service of your English speaking guide-interpreter.
- * Entry fees to all sightseeings and museums.
- * No extra charge after confirmation.
Excludes
- Service does not include:
- * Single room accommodation.
- * Early check-in.
- * Alcohol and soft drinks.
- * International flight tickets.
- * Personal travel insurance.