Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Culture tours Culture tours

Discover Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan

Description

More than 2,000 years ago, the great trade routes that linked Europe and China opened Central Asia to foreign cultures, customs and religions. Join a modern-day caravan on an epic journey to these exotic countries – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

  • Schedule and price for train rides can be changed, and the program accordingly
  • Check-in after 14:00, check-out before 12:00
  • Set menu includes salad, soup, main course, bread, tea & water
  • Note: the offered accommodation options are subject to availability. Reservations are made only after confirmation and payment.
What's included
  • Group transfers in comfortable and air conditioned vehicle
  • English speaking driver in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for 2-4 pax
  • English speaking permanent guide in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for 6-10 pax
  • English speaking local guide during the city tours in Uzbekistan for 2-6pax
  • Accommodation described in the program in twin/double
  • Breakfast (except day 1)
What's excluded
  • International flights
  • Flight Almaty-Tashkent
  • Visa (if required)
  • Personal expenses
  • Insurance
  • Single room supplement – 500 USD per person
  • Early check-in on arrival day in Bishkek - 95 USD per DBL/TWN room
  • Early check-in on arrival day in Bishkek - 75 USD per SGL room
  • Late check-out**
  • Lunches & Dinners (set menu***) 725 USD per person
  • English speaking guide in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for 2-4 pax – 1875 USD
  • English speaking permanent guide in Uzbekistan for 2-6 pax - 620 USD
  • Optional activities
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Alcohol
  • Other services not mentioned as included
Itinerary
Day 1. Airport – Bishkek (ca. 30 km, 40 min) (Kyrgyzstan)
Day 1. Airport – Bishkek (ca. 30 km, 40 min) (Kyrgyzstan)

Arrival at Manas Airport in Bishkek where our team will pick you up and will drive you to the capital. Standard check-in at hotel after 14:00.
We start our city tour in Bishkek. We will visit the heart of the city, Ala- Too Square. After we can enjoy a walk in Oak Park, one of the favorite places of local people. Bishkek is known as the
greenest city in Central Asia thanks to its countless parks and alleys.

After lunch, we will have time to visit the local market Osh bazar. Here you can appreciate the creativity and talent of local artisans. Just as you step into the market, you plunge into the oriental atmosphere: an infinite flow of people, and a great variety of goods and colors.

In the evening, we can go to one of the best restaurants in Bishkek where you can taste delicious Kyrgyz national dishes.

Meals included: no meals included

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel)

Note: it is highly recommended to book an extra night at the hotel, as most flights to Bishkek arrive late at night or early in the morning.

Day 2. Bishkek – Ala Archa National Park – Bishkek (ca. 30 km, 1h one way)
Day 2. Bishkek – Ala Archa National Park – Bishkek (ca. 30 km, 1h one way)

After breakfast in the hotel we go to the National Park of Ala Archa situated 30 km from the capital. One hour later, you get a picturesque valley with a mountain river Ala Archa.

You will have the opportunity to walk in the gorge and enjoy the beautiful alpine views. The park has everything that you might expect of an alpine zone – snow peaks, fast-flowing streams, alpine meadows and pine forest, that’s all creates a perfect place to have a rest and relax.

Later we return to Bishkek. Overnight at hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (My Hotel)

 

Day 3. Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin (ca. 200 km, 3h)
Day 3. Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin (ca. 200 km, 3h)

After breakfast in Bishkek, we go towards Burana Tower.

Burana Tower is an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. It is close to the city of Tokmok. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums – that’s all that last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.

Then we head to the Tar Suu village located in Chon Kemin Valley, known for its beauty and the rich diversity of animals and plants. You go for a walk in the village to explore the lifestyle of the local people.
Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Guesthouse (Kemin Guesthouse)

Day 4. Chon Kemin – Kyzyl Tuu – Bokonbaevo – Skazka – Tamga (ca. 230 km, 5h)
Day 4. Chon Kemin – Kyzyl Tuu – Bokonbaevo – Skazka – Tamga (ca. 230 km, 5h)

Breakfast in the guesthouse. Departure towards the biggest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Issyk Kul Lake.

We go by the south shore of the lake. On the road, we can stop in the small village of Kyzyl Tuu (option). You can see how the Kyrgyz family makes the yurts and try to set up with help of local people the real Kyrgyz yurt.

In Bokonbaevo, it is possible to meet an eagle hunter with his bird (option). It is one of the oldest traditions of Kyrgyz nomads.

Along the way, we visit Skazka canyons, which translates from Russian as Fairytale. There you can find rocks of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front
of you. You can do short hiking in the canyons.

Overnight in the family resort on the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Family resort-hotel (South Beach) 

 

Day 5. Tamga – Barskoon – Jeti Oguz – Karakol (ca. 180 km, 3h)
Day 5. Tamga – Barskoon – Jeti Oguz – Karakol (ca. 180 km, 3h)

After breakfast, we head to Karakol.

Along the way, we visit Barskoon Gorge. The gorge is famous for its waterfalls. One of the best known is Tears of a Leopard. Here you find the monument for the first cosmonaut Yu. A. Gagarin, who was very fond of this place and rested in the nearby Tamga military sanatorium.

After we go towards Jeti Oguz gorge. The name of the gorge is symbolic and means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz because there are seven giant red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. You can take a walk here and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

When we get to Karakol, we will visit its famous sights, such as the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Dungan mosque.

Dinner in a restaurant in Karakol.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Hotel 78)

Day 6. Karakol – Kolsay Lake – Saty (ca. 240 km, 5h) (Kazakhstan)
Day 6. Karakol – Kolsay Lake – Saty (ca. 240 km, 5h) (Kazakhstan)

After breakfast, departure to Kegen border post between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Transfer from the border post to Saty village. Lunch on the road or upon arrival in Saty.

We go to Kolsay lake. We visit the first lake. Kolsay lakes are one of the most beautiful places of Kazakh nature. They are located at 1800, 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. They are distinguished by a unique watershed mountain landscape, consisting of three natural zones, and a variety of rare plants and animals.

You walk around the lake Kolsay-1. Overnight and dinner in the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Kolsay Prestige Hotel)

Day 7. Saty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty (ca. 310 km, 5-6h)
Day 7. Saty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty (ca. 310 km, 5-6h)

After breakfast, we drive to Charyn Canyon.

Charyn canyon is located in the national park. It is considered the little brother of the Grand Canyon in the United States. The erosion made by the Charyn River has created dramatic and
impressive landscapes.

When you arrive, you will admire the great panorama and you will walk down to the bottom of the canyon to walk about 2 km in the labyrinth of the Valley of the Castles. After 2-3 hours in the canyon, we drive to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan.

Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kazzhol Park Hotel)

Day 8. Almaty – Medeo – Almaty (ca. 30 km, 35 min one way)
Day 8. Almaty – Medeo – Almaty (ca. 30 km, 35 min one way)

After breakfast, we go towards Medeo gorge where the highest mountain sports complex at an altitude of 1691 meters is located. Medeo is often a favorite place for the residents of Almaty
on weekends.

Then we return to Almaty where we visit Zenkov Cathedral, one of the most beautiful, magnificent architectural monuments in the city. After we go to Kok Tobe, the highest point in the city. It is famous for its panoramic view of the city from all directions. To reach the Kok Tobe hill, we take a cable car ride which starts near Hotel Kazakhstan and goes over some of the oldest parts of Almaty and the magnificent fruitgrowing gardens. Once you reach the Kok Tobe hill, you would see the famous 372 meters high TV Tower which is visible from far and offers great views of the mountains and the city plus a few attractions at the top.

Dinner in the restaurant. Overnight in the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 4* (Kazzhol Park Hotel)

Day 9. Almaty – Tashkent (flight) (Uzbekistan)
Day 9. Almaty – Tashkent (flight) (Uzbekistan)

Flight from Almaty to Tashkent (11:05-12:40*). Our team will welcome you at Tashkent International Airport. Transfer and check-in (14:00) at the hotel.

Leave your luggage, meet your guide and start city tour. We start our sight seeing tour at the capital city of Uzbekistan and visit such places as Hazrati Imom Complex, spiritual heart of Tashkent (16-20centuary). Chorsu bazaar one of the busiest bazaars in Tashkent. Amir Temurs square – statue of Amir Temur was placed on site in 1994. We also go to Independent square, Tashkent Metro and Museum of Applied Arts. Overnight at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Art Deluxe Hotel)

*The flight can be changed, and the program with its price accordingly. The flight Almaty – Tashkent is operated every day at different times depending on the day.

Day 10. Tashkent – Bukhara (domestic train)
Day 10. Tashkent – Bukhara (domestic train)

Breakfast at hotel. 07:00 transfer to railway station to take a train to Bukhara (07:54-12:11). Transfer to hotel. Leave your luggage and meet your guide.

Whole day walking tour of Bukhara: Ismail Samani mausoleum, Chashma Ayub mausoleum, Bolo-Hauz mosque, Ark Fortress, Poi-Kalyan architectural complex, Ulug Beg Madrasa, Abdulaziz Khan Madrasa, Tim Abdullah Khan, Magok-I Attari Mosque, Lyabi-Hauz complex (Kukeldash madrasa, Hanaka, Nadir Divan-Begi madrasa). Overnight at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Al Hayat Hotel)

*The train ride can be changed, and the program with its price accordingly.

Day 11. Bukhara – Samarkand (domestic train)
Day 11. Bukhara – Samarkand (domestic train)

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide at 09:00.

Places to visit: Chor Minor Mosque has unusual but unique look (four minarets). Naqshbandi Complex is most religious place and always crowded.

Lunch time break. After we go to Sitora-i-Mokhi-Khosa Palace, summer residence of Bukharas Emir, and Chor-Bakr Complex, ancient cemetery equal to 3 hectares.

Transfer to train station at 15:30. Take a train at 16:24 to Samarkand. Arrive to Samarkand at 18:10 and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Zilol Baxt Hotel)

*The train ride can be changed, and the program with its price accordingly.

Day 12. Samarkand city tour
Day 12. Samarkand city tour

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide at 09:00. Starting the sightseeing at kingdom of Timurids dynasty. We go to Guri Amir Mausoleum of Timurids Dynasty and Registan square which has three madrasas all built in different time.

Lunch time break. After we discover such places as Bibi Khanum Mosque built in 1399 by Amir Temur, Siab Bazaar – oldest and still operating bazaar, and Shahi Zinda Complex, a nobel street cemetery XI to XX century. Overnight at the hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Zilol Baxt Hotel)

Day 13. Samarkand – Tashkent (domestic train)
Day 13. Samarkand – Tashkent (domestic train)

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide at 09:00. Places to visit: Ulugbek observatory built in 1425-1429. Mausoleum of Hodja Daniyar XV – century. Afrasiab museum – Oldest in Samarkand. Konigil ancient paper factory be part of a master-class.

Transfer to train station at 16:30. Take a train at 17:30 to Tashkent. Arrive to Tashkent at 20:10 and transfer to hotel.

Meals included: breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel 3* (Art Deluxe Hotel)

*The train ride can be changed, and the program with its price accordingly.

Day 14. Tashkent – Airport – Departure (ca. 15 km, 20 min)

Transfer to the airport. Departure.

Additional information
  • Check-in time from 14:00, Check-out time till 12:00
  • Schedule and price for train rides can be changed, and the program accordingly
Private tour
Season April - October
Duration 14 days/13 nights
Group 2 - 10 pax
3495 USD 2 pax (SUV)
2575 USD 4 pax (SUV)
2520 USD 6 pax (Minibus)
2310 USD 8 pax (Minibus)
2145 USD 10 pax (Minibus)
Price per person
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