Description

Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan (15D14N)

 

At a Glance

DAY 01: Arrival in Tashkent

DAY 02: Tashkent 

DAY 03: Tashkent – Bukhara 

DAY 04: Bukhara 

DAY 05: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand  

DAY 06: Samarkand 

DAY 07: Samarkand – Tashkent 

DAY 08: Tashkent – Bishkek  

DAY 09: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Chon Kemin

DAY 10: Chon Kemin – Issyk Kul

DAY 11: Issyk Kul – Karakol 

DAY 12: Karakol – Charyn Canyon – Almaty 

DAY 13: Almaty 

DAY 14: Almaty 

DAY 15: Departure from Almaty

Day 1. Arrival in Tashkent

Welcome to Uzbekistan!

A Central Asian nation and former Soviet republic, landlocked Uzbekistan is the proud home to spellbinding architecture and ancient cities that have been overlooked for many years.

Its centuries-long history under Persian rule and as a key stop on the Silk Road left a rich cultural and architectural legacy, made all the more fascinating by the country’s time as an enclave of the Soviet Union.

Upon clearing immigration and customs, the representative will be waiting at the airport meeting area for your transfer to the hotel. 

Welcome dinner at the national restaurant.

Overnight in Tashkent

Meal(s): Dinner

 

Day 2. Tashkent 

Tashkent, a charming mish mash of austere Soviet-style buildings and classical Russian architecture, has a long history of 2,200 years and has been the capital of Uzbekistan since 1930.

We’ll go on a half-day city tour, starting by exploring the narrow winding streets of the Old Town. This area is home to Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya Shaykh Mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Library of Islamic Literature.

Under a giant dome, we’ll find a delightful slice of city life in the traditional Chor-Su Bazaar. It’s also a great place to buy souvenirs, watch Uzbek bread baking and taste many national dishes in between the numerous food rows. 

In the modern part of the city we’ll visit Mustakillik Square. We’ll even take a ride on the vibrant, arty Tashkent Metro. The tour of Tashkent ends at Amir Temur Square, established on the intersection of two ancient trade roads in the heart of the city. 

Overnight in Tashkent

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3. Tashkent – Bukhara

Transfer to the airport in the morning for your onward journey to Bukhara.

Bukhara is an oasis city, located right in the middle of the desert. Once located on the Great Silk Road, Bukhara is one of the oldest cities in the world – its history exceeds 2.500 years.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Mausoleum of Samanids, the Bolo Hauz Mosque, the Ark Citadel, the Ulugbek Madrasa, the Poi Kalon Complex and Lyabi Hauz Square. 

Overnight in Bukhara

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 4. Bukhara

We will explore the surroundings of Bukhara and visit the Chor Minor Madrassah, Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – the summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara, Chor Bakr Necropolis – city of the dead and the Baghautdin Nakhshbandi Mausoleum – center of Sufism.

Overnight in Bukhara

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 5. Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand  

In the morning, depart to Samarkand (4h). En route you will visit house of one of the famous ceramic masters in Gijduvan. 

Later we will visit the XI century caravanserai Malik Rabat and Sardoba – ancient water reservoir. 

Arrive in Samarkand, which lied at the crossroads of the silk trading route through Europe and Asia.

Enjoy lunch and take a rest at the hotel before we will visit the world-famous Registan Square and the Mausoleum of Amir Temur. 

Overnight in Samarkand 

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 6. Samarkand

After it revolted against its Mongol rulers (1365), Samarkand became the capital of the empire of Timur (Tamerlane), who made the city the most important economic and cultural centre in Central Asia.

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Samarkand including the Bibi Khanim Mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, the Ulugbek Observatory and the local paper mill which offers a fantastic insight into how traditional paper is still made using old-fashioned techniques.

Overnight in Samarkand

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 7. Samarkand – Tashkent 

After breakfast, drive to Tashkent (4h). Time at leisure in Tashkent. 

Overnight in Tashkent. 

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 8. Tashkent – Bishkek  

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight HY-779 Tashkent-Bishkek 13:00 – 15:10 (subject to change).

After lunch we’ll have short city tour in Bishkek: visit Central Square Ala Too, see the Manas Monument, the Old Square with the Parliament House and Lenin’s Monument. We continue walking to the Opera and Ballet House and reach Victory Square dedicated to the victims of WWII.

Overnight in Bishkek. 

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 9. Bishkek – Ala Archa – Chon Kemin   

After breakfast, we will have an excursion to the mountain gorge Ala Archa located 40km from Bishkek. It is a popular place for hiking, skiing and mountaineering including trips to more than 20 glaciers. It covers the area of 200 km² – mostly forested valleys, waterfalls and rivers. The altitude varies from 1500m to the highest point 4895m (Peak Semenov Tien Shanskii). 

Next stop will be Burana Tower (UNESCO site) which was constructed in 12th century by Karakhanids dynasty. You can walk up the winding staircase and enjoy a view of the scenic Chuy Valley. There is also a small open-air museum of balbals, carved stone figures often found around ancient burial mounds.

Arrive in Chon Kemin Valley, a beautiful area with lots of hiking opportunities, horse riding (extra payment), swimming in the pool and taking many photos. 

Overnight in Chon Kemin Valley

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 10. Chon Kemin – Issyk Kul Lake    

Today we’ll start 3-4 hour drive to Issyk Kul Lake (Hot Lake). Issyk Kul is a pearl of Kyrgyzstan; the lake never freezes due to its salinity. 

Free time at the lake. If weather allows, we’ll have a boat ride. 

Overnight at Issyk Kul. 

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 11. Issyk Kul Lake – Karakol    

Drive to Karakol town (3h), on the way visit the museum of N. M. Przhevalski, the outstanding Russian explorer of Asian continent. In Karakol we’ll visit Dungan mosque, and wooden Orthodox cathedral. 

Enjoy dinner with local Dungan family. 

Overnight in Karakol

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 12. Karakol – Charyn Canyon – Almaty 

In the morning we’ll drive to Kegen border. After crossing formalities, continue to Charyn Canyon (3h).

The canyon follows the Charyn River for about 50 kilometers. The walls of the canyon reach up to 300 meters at some point and the colours range from red to brown, yellow and black. It’s a geologists dream come true with sedimentary rocks that are about twelve million years old.

Visit the most beautiful place of Charyn Canyon – Castles Valley. 

Lunch en route. Continue to Almaty (3h). 

Overnight in Almaty

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 13. Almaty 

Today we’ll explore Almaty. We’ll visit Panfilov’s Park with Zenkov’s Orthodox Cathedral, Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and the Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments. Continue with the Green Bazaar and also visit the Independence Monument at Republic Square.

After lunch we will drive to the “Hawks nursery” where hawks, eagles, golden eagles are trained to hunt with people. 

Overnight in Almaty

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 14. Almaty 

Transfer to Hunns ethno-village (1.5h) surrounded by evergreen trees, mountain rivers and high peaks in the picturesque Talgar gorge. During this tour you will get acquainted with the everyday life of Kazakhs. Local people wearing national clothes will show you the main traditions, ceremonies, and activities.

Drive back to Almaty in the evening. 

Overnight in Almaty

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15. Departure from Almaty

After the breakfast transfer to Kok-Tobe hill, stroll along the paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck.

The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by cableway.

After lunch visit to the State Historical museum and then walking on Arbat Street. 

After dinner, transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home (Almaty-Seoul, OZ-578 at 23:00).

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner