Central Asia 4-stan tour - 2

Flight to Tashkent.

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport (ETA 01:00 am).

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. The driver meets with a signboard “ANUR TOUR” at the exit of the terminal.

Transfer to the hotel. Extra night. Resting time after the flight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

12:00 Meet the guide at the lobby and start Tashkent sightseeing tour (5 hrs):

- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994 after the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theaters in the world that performs both classical and national repertoires. 

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present, and future of the country. There are fountains standing for the life energy of the Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, and the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War.
- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of the earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of the earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four water”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city in the bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in postcards and international magazines and became one of the major sights of interest both for locals and guests – one can see oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delirious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.

- Tashkent Metro (the first line was launched in 1977) with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.

Transfer to the hotel. 

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Take-away breakfast

05:30 Transfer to Tashkent Airport / Terminal 3. 

07:00 Flight Tashkent -  Urgench by HY 51.

08:30 Arrival in Urgench Airport.  

The driver will meet at the exit of the terminal with a signboard ANUR TOUR. 

Transfer to Khiva, drop off the bags at the reception. Standard hotel check-in at 14:00.

Meet the guide in the lobby. Start walking excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-Kala (translated as “Inner town”) - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia:

- Ata-Darvaza, 

- Kunya- Ark;

- Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;

- Kalta Minor,

- the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;

- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;

- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;

- Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin,

- Islam-Khoja Madrassah - was built in 1908 by Islam-Hoja of the Prime Minister of Khan. The minaret is a symbol of the country, is an early example of the architecture of the XIV century.

- Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer Khiva to Bukhara by car (475 km, 7 hrs) via Kyzylkum desert. 

Arrival in Bukhara. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon/evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start walking sightseeing program in Bukhara (5 hrs):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- Trading domes or so called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and money exchange.Nowadays, visitors can purchase different souvenirs of a wide range from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with the distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure in Bukhara, 

11:00 Transfer to Samarkand, en- route visiting famous Gijduvan pottery workshop where visitors are welcome for a tour around the workshop and observe the process of ceramic making and painting.

The owners demonstrate the stages of making ceramics from turning the potter’s wheel to making paints from natural ingredients, decorating the ceramics in a distinctive style, drying and firing.  Take a tour around the museum-hall of ceramic masterpieces with a unique collection of the ceramic items of Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan. 

By request ( as extra), ceramic painting master-class.

Continue to Samarkand.

Arrival in Samarkand in the afternoon, check in the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver. Start Samarkand sightseeing: 

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants decorated with gold ornaments and considered as one of the most significant places in the world;

– Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori.

– Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in the 15th Century;

– Samarkand bazaar Siyab.

Transfer to the hotel.
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Continue sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums  formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named Saint Abbas ibn-Kussam;

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to border Jartepa. Border crossing ( visa/ passport control usually takes 30 min- 1,5 hr).

Meet the guide and driver at Tajikistan part of the border.

- Visit Sarazm (UNESCO World Heritage) museum.

Take an off-road trip to pristine lakes located in Fan Mountains, locals called the lakes Haftkul ( Seven lakes) or Marguzor by name of the largest and most beautiful lake. 

 Every lake has  its  own  name:  Nezhigon  (or Mizhgon),  Soybean, Gushor,  Nofin,  Hurdak,  Marguzor,  Hazorchashma. Six of the lakes are of dammed origin, beside the lake Hazorchashma.

The difference in level between the upper and lower lakes is 692 meters

Please note there are some shaky/ bumpy parts of the road, there is a mountainous narrow track with photo -stops.

Lunch at the guesthouse ( traditional meals).

Transfer to Penjikent.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

09:00 Transfer to the camp "Artuch", via Fann Mountains.

Take short stops en-route  to observe the beautiful views. 

- Artuch is a town in north - west Tajikistan. It is located in Sugd not far from the Kulikalon Lakes. The mountaineering tourist base "Artuch" is located in the heart of Fann Mountains (2200 m) in the valley of the river Artuč, the land is covered with alpine meadows where the spring river Chil Chashma originates.

The camp was opened in 1971 and was the site of various climbing camps and events.

After lunch, one can have light warm-up walk around Artuch, the place is beautiful and is a great for photographing.

Back to the cottage camp.

Overnight.

Camp- style breakfast.

09:00 Start hiking tour to lake Chukurak.

- Chukurak lake is located at height of 2455 m. There is pass Chukurak  (3160 m.) near the lake with great observation point, ascent there from Kulikalon lakes will take about  3-4 h of relaxed hiking.  

- Descent to lake Chukurak will take 1,5 - 2 hours  through the picturesque gorge covered  with wild fir - trees woods where one can take a donkey ride.

Lakes are located in small gorge where you can stay for the night.

- On the bank of the second blue lake for there are small observation platforms. From lake Chukurak two trials pass down to the camp "Artuch" and upward - to pass Guitan (2600 m.). 

Back to the camp.

Resting time in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Camp-style breakfast.

09:00 Transfer to Khujand withshort photo stops en-route.

Khujand, the second largest city and one of the oldest cities in Tajikistan, was the furthest point Alexander the Great reached in Central Asia, so the city was named Alexandria Eschate (Alexandria the Furthest).

Start sightseeing tour in Khujand:

- Pushkin square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;

- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum;

- Muslihiddin memorial complex;

- Panjshanbe bazaar (the name "Panjshanbe" comes from Persian language meaning “Thursday”) is one of the oldest markets in Tajikistan. The Silk Road routes passing through Khujand had always made Panjshanbe to be crowded with merchants and travelers.

- Arbob palace.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:30 Transfer to the border post Patar/Andarhan.

Border crossing to Uzbekistan (takes about 30 min-1, 5 hr).

The guide and driver meet at Uzbekistan side of the border with a sign "ANUR TOUR".

Transfer to Kokand (appr 40 min drive).

Kokand (mentioned as Khavakand or Kokan derived from a tribal name) is an ancient city that due to favorable location was one of the convenient fortified points of caravan routes in the Great Silk Road. Nowadays, Kokand is a modern town at the crossroads of Tashkent, Fergana valley to Andijan and the other route to Khujand (Tajikistan) and is considered as one of the most important pre-border points.

Start sightseeing tour around Kokand visiting:

- Khudoyar-Khan Palace of 19th century is listed in the world heritage of UNESCO, at present days houses Kokand Regional History Museum that exibits a unique collection of more than 3000 artifacts from ancient, khanate and tsarist periods of the region.

- Norbut-Biy Madrassah, the largest madrassa in Kokand. The madrassa was built in XVIII century by captured architects as well as the famous Bukharian architect Usto Muhammed Salih Kasim, so the design and construction are quite typical to some monuments of XVIII Century in  Bukhara.

- Modari Khan Mausoleum (Modari-khan means Mother of Khan”)  was built in 1825 by order of the widow of Umarkhan,  famous poetess Nodira to honor the tomb of her mother-in-law. Since then the mausoleum became the family mausoleum where most of the female members of the khan family were buried.

Transfer to Rishton. 

- Rishton (50 km west of Fergana) famous all over the world for its pottery that is decorated according to ancient tradition that is more than 800 years. Masters hand down their trade secrets from father to son. The unique red clay ceramic masterpieces are decorated with naturally made ultramarine, turquoise and azure ornaments known as blue glaze "ishkor".

- Workshop of the famous potter Said Akhmedov Rustam visitors are welcome to observe the finest Rishtan ceramics in wonderful hand made and painted tea sets and lagans and beautifully decorated jugs and vases.

Resting time in the evening. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. 

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

09:00 Transfer to Andijan, en-route stop in Margilan:

- Margilan (“Marg” from Persian green grass, “lon”- “place“) was an inhabited settlement in Fergana valley since IV-III Centuries BC, the town was well known for its crafts and finest silk fabrics from the Great Silk Road period up to now.

-  the silk workshop of Sobirjon ota where visitors can have a tour around the house and observe the process of silk manufacture with traditional decoration “ikat”.

- Ahmad Al-Fargoni monumental complex in Fergana. Fergana is a relatively young city that was founded as a strategic fortified point in Turkestan in 1876 during the tsarist period of the region. The town was initially called New Margilan, further in the Soviet period renamed Fergona in 1924. Nowadays, Fergana is a flourishing beautiful town and despite its young history became the central point of Fergana valley.

Transfer to Andijan.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to the Uzbek- Kyrgyz border  Dostyk (ETA 09:00)

Border crossing formalities (40 min- 1, 5 hrs depending on the customs formalities and tourist flow). Meet the guide and driver.

Transfer to Osh,

 Start sightseeing tour in Osh, the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan, visiting

- Suleiman Too (Suleiman is the prophet Solomon - Suleyman in Quran, “Too “is “mountain”). The museum is the only UNESCO sight of the whole mountain with many sacred places in caves and paths. It is quite unusual – the museum with rare artifacts is located in the largest cave of the mountain. Besides, there are several caves, rocks and niches each with its name. The locals and pilgrims believe every spot of the mountain is sacred and come here to follow the rituals and pray for better life and good health; couples come pray to be blessed with a child. It is believed that every spot of the mountain is sacred. There is a watching platform with beautiful panoramic views to the city and surroundings.

15:30 Transfer to Osh Airport

16:45 Flight Osh - Bishkek.

17:25 Arrival in Bishkek Airport. 

Meet the driver and transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

09:00 Start Bishkek sightseeing tour visiting:

- Oak Park in the city center. It is known also as Dubovy Park - today it is one of the favorite places among locals and tourists in Bishkek. 

- Ala-Too Square is the central square in Bishkek. It serves as a place for state events and celebrations. Philharmonic hall – situated at the top of Rose Alley.

- Statue of Manas (Manas is a legendary Kyrgyz hero and the classic centerpiece of Kyrgyz literature).

- Victory Square in the centre one can see the Victory monument, a memorial which was completed in 1984. Usually, the main festival events are held in Bishkek at eternal flame, on Victory Square, where is posted a guard of honor, forces of Kyrgyz garrison, and a military band.

Transfer to the yurt camp near Issyk Kul with nature sightseeing en-route.

- Burana Tower was the vertical dominant of the ancient city Balasagun, the north capital of the Turkic lingual state of the Karakhanids, and the small nearby museum with its collection of ancient bal-bals, carved stone figures used as monuments. 

-  Eagle show in Bokonbayevo;

-  Issyk-Kul  translated as “Hot Lake” - one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Asia. Due to the salty water Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. 

Enjoy your stay and real experience of nomadic life in the yurt camp. Dinner and overnight in a yurt.

Breakfast at the yurt camp

Transfer to Karakol, en-route nature sightseeing:
-  Skazka ( Fairytale) canyon;
- Jety Oguz gorge photo stop and easy hiking.

On arrival in Karakol start overview sightseeing visiting:

- The wooden Russian-orthodox church.

- Dungan mosque is one of the most famous places in Karakol town. The most interesting thing is that it is built without a single metal nail. More than 100 years ago there was a Chinese master who lived in this town. Dungans are people from China who had Muslim religion. The construction was made of bricks and wood and decorated with various ornaments.

- Museum of N.M. Przhevalski (Russian explorer of Asian continent).

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Kegen-Karjyra border, border passing formalities ( luggage/ visa/ passport control usually takes 40 min - 2 hrs).

Transfer to one of the most beautiful places of Kazakhstan, Kaindy Gorge ( off-road part of the trip)

-Kaindy lake (Birch Lake) is situated among magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley.

The water of the mountain lake is very cold, the stems of fir trees overlook the crystal lake surface like a flooded forest. Take photo stops in Kayindy gorge and at the observation platform of the lake. The green slopes, fresh air and stunning azure lake create the enchanting atmosphere of Kayindy National park. 
Please note Kayindy gorge is located in the pre-border area, at the posts visitors will need to have the passports/ id.

Transfer to Saty village.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Sightseeing around Almaty includes visiting:

- Panfilov Park. The name of the Panfilov Park comes after the heroes of Panfilov. There is a big monument in commemoration of the heroic actions made by 28 Almaty Soldiers who died in 1941 near Moscow.

- Zenkov Cathedral. Zenkov Wooden constructed Cathedral is one of the eight unique wooden buildings in the world. It is one of the few buildings to survive the 1911 earthquake, despite the fact it is built entirely of wood and constructed without nails;

- National Musical Instruments Museum. In the Museum of Musical Instruments, one can find various national musical instruments, the oldest of which is of the XVII century.

- Medeu, the World's largest speed skating rink known as Medeo. At the end of the gorge there is a ski resort Shymbulak, situated at an altitude of 2.200 m above sea level. It is one of Central Asia's top skiing spots where one can take a cable car funicular to Shymbulak Ski resort.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Almaty International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Almaty.

End of the tour.