Silk Road Travel: Tour 3

 

Silk Road travel: Tour 3

Day 1: Almaty
Hello dear guests! We are glad to see on a tour along Silk Road. On arrival meet the guide and drive to the central part of Almaty. We will have a city tour. Start from Green Bazaar and see locals selling and buying goods. The oriental smell of sweets will not leave anyone indifferent.  Afterwards walk to Panfilov Park as one of the oldest in Almaty and see the wooden Zenkov Cathedral. The next aim is walking to the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, built in the remembrance of heroes who died for freedom of Motherland. In the second part of day we will visit Medeo Gorge and see the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. Visit Kok Tobe and enjoy seeing tallest TV tower in the world. End your day by a ride on the well-liked Almaty cableway. Transfer to a hotel.

Day 2: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
Visit the most popular place of Trans-Ili Alatau called Issyk Gorge. It is located lengthways the Kuldja tract. Today we will learn more about history of this region and see the burial mounds of Sakas period, where the "Golden Man" was discovered. On the way see the State Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve "ISSYK". Remains are enthusiastic to the history and ethos of the Sakas period, counting a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment and the model of Sakas burial mound. The next destination is Issyk Lake of an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level. The lake was appeared due to mudslide. Night is in a hotel.

Day 3: Almaty - Bishkek
Today is transfer to Bishkek. It is the main city and the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is placed at about 800 meters high near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. This range is a wing of the Tian Shan Mountains that growths to 4,855 meters high and delivers a enormous backdrop to the city. Today we will have a city tour of Bishkek and explore Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala Too Square, the National Arts Museum, National Philharmonic and other places on wonder. Night is in a hotel.  

Day 4: Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore
In the morning we will drive to the stunning Issyk Kul Lake. It is mountainous lake delimited by mountains with the elevation of 1608 m. above sea level high. Issyk Kul Lake is the second largest Lake in the world and known as "the pearl of Central Asia". It doesn't freeze and has healing qualities. Before reaching the lake, we will visit Burana Tower of the 11^th century and an open-air museum of Balbals or stone warriors. Everyone can go at the top of this minaret to see panorama views. Night is in a hotel.

Day 5: Issyk Kul Lake - Karakol
We are glad to present the next interesting day of driving to Karakol city. We will visit ancient stone inscription, called petroglyphs belonging to the 800 B.C and found by witchdoctors 2 000 years ago. The tour continues to the northern shore of the lake to Karakol. When we reach to the city, we will see the Dungan mosque. This site was built Chinese style. The most interesting thing that the mosque was built without metal spikes. See an old wooden Orthodox Church. Overnight is in a guesthouse.

Day 6: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
We will drive to see the stunning Jeti Oguz gorge.  Jeti Oguz or Seven Bulls. This place has red rock formation placed in row. Behind it you can see Broken Heart Mountain. Then we will hike for 20 minutes to see panorama views. The next destination is driving to Bokonbaeva village and meet local eagle hunter. He uses outdated way of hunting by using eagles for it. He can hunt hares, foxes and so on. This way of hunting given from generation to generation. Then we will return to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.                                                                                      
Day 7: Bishkek - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand
Travelers will have morning flight from Bishkek to Osh. Upon arrival visit the sacred place among Muslim pilgrims - Suleiman Mountain or Solomon's Mountain. It is located in the center of the city. According to the legend, biblical prophet Solomon (Suleiman from Koran) was submerged at the foot of it. Drive to Tajik border thru mountains and high passes. On the way drive over Batken region and see apricot trees and flower called Aigul. Your guide will wait you on the border and escort to Khujand city. It is the second largest city in Tajikistan with the population 149, 000. This city is located on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. Khujand is reflected to be the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, called Sughd. See the Cultural Palace of Khujand, where the first president of Tajikistan was elected. Travlers will have an idea to see Central Mosque situated in the middle of the city. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 8: Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake
Iskanderkul Lake is a mountainous lake in Fann Mountains with the altitude of 2 255 m. a. s. l. This area is one of the best places in the Central Asia. Upon arrival you will walk at the beach. Here everyone will see outstanding waterfall if hike 40 minutes. Amid CIS countries Tajikistan is in the second place for its capacity of water possessions. In Tajikistan there are more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Night is in a home stay.

Day 9: Iskanderkul Lake - Penjakent
Penjakent is your purpose today. We will pass through Shahriston pass with a height of 3 378 m. Penjakent or five villages is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan, in an imposing Zeravshan river valley and found in the 5-8 centuries AD. It was one of the most significant centers of Sogd and called "Central Asian Pompeii". It was an extremely well-organized city that had a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods but ruins were found later. In addition, you will see dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 10: Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand
Today we will cross the Tajik Uzbek border. The guide will meet you at other side of the border and transfer to Samarkand. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 11: Samarkand
Admire beauty of Samarkand. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan. The city is located in the valley of the river Zerafshan and has the same age as Babylon or Rome. City tour. Visit Registan square, Shakhi Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. The main site of Samarkand is Registan Square with three captivating Madrasahs of the 15-17^th centuries. Drive to see Shakhi Zindeh with rich collection of mausoleums of the 11th-15th centuries. This collection is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The last site we will visit today is Bibi Khanum Mosque. It was built in honor of beloved Tamerlane's wife, after his fruitful campaign in India. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 12: Samarkand - Bukhara
In the morning is transfer to Bukhara by train. Upon arrival you will have a city tour and visit Citadel Ark. See the most ancient citadel in Bukhara of the 4th century. It used to be a palace for few dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Afterwards visit the masterwork of the 9th -10th centuries - Samanids mausoleum. The next goal is Chashma Ayub or Job's well and Bolo Hauz mosque. It is mosque of forty columns and erected in honor of Bukhara governor Abu Fayud Khan. Walk at the shopping domes and visit madrasahs Nodir Divan Begi (Lyabi House Ensemble). End your day by seeing the architectural art of Bukhara - Poi Kalon complex with three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel.

Day 13: Bukhara - Tashkent
Today we will arrive to Tashkent by train. Travelers will visit the famous Independence square that is the foremost square of the country. It is a symbol of victory in World War II. We will walk at the local Broadway, located Independence square and Amir Timur square. Later on, take a ride in the famous Tashkent metro. Its first line was opened in 1977. The tour continues visiting the old parts of the city as Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that contains of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. Then see Othman Quran. It is the world's oldest Quran copy of the 8^th century. Overnight is in a hotel.   

Day 14: Tashkent - Departure  
Today the driver will transfer you to Tashkent 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

 

Price per person:
02 pax - 2 040 $
04 pax - 1 470 $
06 pax - 1 305 $
08 pax - 1 165 $
10 pax - 1 125 $
Single - 220 $                                    

Early check-in - 25 $
Single early check-in - 45 $ 

Half board - 195 $
Full board - 335 $

English speaking guide - 1 355 $ per group

Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - $35 per group

 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Issyk Kul - "Karven" Resort
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
        Iskandarkul - Homestay
        Penjakent - "Umariyon" Hotel 3*
        Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
        Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
        Tashkent - "Samir" Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Train tickets Samarkand - Bukhara, Bukhara - Tashkent.   

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guides