Uzbekistan – Tajikistan – Kyrgyzstan 16 days

Flight to Tashkent

Morning arrival at Tashkent International Airport (ETA 00:40 am).

Migration formalities usually take 30 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the driver holding a sign “ANUR TOUR”.

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

Breakfast at the hotel. 

10:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.  Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) :

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

- Theater Square with the Opera House: The 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 Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, and the “Eternal Flame".
- 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 part in the reconstruction of Tashkent.

- Applied Art Museum with a unique collection of exquisite handicraft items from all regions of Uzbekistan;

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four water”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city. The bazaar's 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 the oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets, and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delicious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.

16:40 Transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.

17:55 Departure for Kokand by train "O'zbekiston"

22:33 Arrival in Kokand.

The driver meets at the exit of the terminal with the signboard "ANUR TOUR". Transfer to the hotel. 

Resting time in the evening. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Kokand (mentioned as Khavakand or Kokan, derived from a tribal name) is an ancient city that, due to its 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, the Fergana Valley to Andijan, and the other route to Khujand (Tajikistan), and is considered one of the most important pre-border points.

10:00 Start sightseeing tour around Kokand, visiting :

- Khudoyar-Khan Palace of the 19th century is listed in the world heritage of UNESCO and, at present, houses the Kokand Regional History Museum, which exhibits 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 the 18th century by captured architects as well as the famous Bukharian architect Usto Muhammed Salih Kasim, so the design and construction are quite typical of some monuments of the 18th 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.

- Rishton (50 km west of Fergana) is famous all over the world for its pottery that is decorated according to the ancient tradition that is more than 800 years old. 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",

- Tea break and ceramic painting master class in the workshop of Said Ahmedov, where visitors are welcome to observe the finest Rishtan ceramics in wonderful handmade and painted tea sets, lagans, and beautifully decorated jugs and vases.

Transfer to Fergana.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight in the hotel.

Takeaway breakfast

06:30 Transfer to Tashkent Airport ( Terminal 3). 

08:00 Departure flight Tashkent - Bukhara.

09:10 Arrival at Bukhara Airport.

Come out of the terminal; the driver will meet you with a signboard "ANUR TOUR".

Transfer to the hotel to drop off the bags, standard check-in is after 14:00.

Meet the guide at the hotel. Start WALKING sightseeing in Bukhara (5 hours):

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

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques to survive 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 were preserved from the 16th century, and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry, and money exchange. Today as well, there are shops in the domes selling a wide range of souvenirs, from small magnets, suzani, and ceramics to the famous Bukhara carpets.

Lunch in the national house of master miniaturist Davlat Toshev.

- Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas 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 that impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel, dating back to the 1st 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.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby. Start the Bukhara countryside tour by visiting:

- Samanids Mausoleum (9th century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

- The last Bukhara Emir’s summer residence, "Sitorai-Mokhi-Khossa". Located 4 km away from Bukhara. Once this palace life was in full swing and sealed people's fates. The palace witnessed the triumph and the last days of the Bukhara emirs

Master class of golden embroidery Zarduzlik ( about 1 hr)

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning at leisure.

11:00 Meet the driver at the lobby of your hotel in Bukhara.

Transfer to the famous Gijduvan pottery workshop ( about 50 min drive from Bukhara), 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 ceramic items from Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan. 

Master class of painting ceramics, and lunch at the master's house.

After drying and burning the painted ceramics, the master will send the handmade ceramics to your hotel in Samarkand within the next two days.

Continue to the hotel in Samarkand. 

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

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

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

Take an off-road trip to pristine lakes located in the Fann Mountains; locals call the lakes Haftkul ( Seven Lakes) or Marguzor, after the 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, besides 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 Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent, visiting :

- Museum of Rudaki – As Penjikent is the birthplace of Abu-Abdallah Rudaki, the forefather of Persian poetry. Before lunch, visit the local bazaar and mosque.

- The Sarazm Museum (UNESCO World Heritage).

- The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled intercity (2500 years ago) - was once a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road. Today, only ruins are left owing to the fact that the main construction material was clay bricks.

14:00 Transfer to the Tajik - Uzbek border post Jartepa,

Migration formalities ( border crossing usually takes about 30 min-1,5 hr).

The driver will meet at the Uzbekistan side of the border. Transfer to Samarkand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

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

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants, decorated with gold ornaments and considered 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—which 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.

Wine tasting in Bagizagan - Samarkand wines. 

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby. Continue sightseeing program in Samarkand (5 hours):

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – a 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;

Bread-baking master class and tea break. 

– Paper factory "Meros”  in Konigil village that produces unique paper that can be preserved for more than and is used in craftworks.

17:35 Departure for Tashkent by train "Afrosiyob"/"Sharq".

20:05 Arrival in Tashkent. 

Transfer to the hotel 

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Morning at leisure. 

12:30 Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

15:20 Morning flight Tashkent- Bishkek by HY 777

17:30 Arrival at Manas International Airport.

The driver meets with a signboard ANUR TOUR at the exit of the terminal/ meeting zone.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

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 northern capital of the Turkic linguistic state of the Karakhanids, and the small nearby museum with its collection of ancient bal-bals, carved stone figures used as monuments. 

- Lunch in Kochkor village, where visitors can observe the traditional felt making.

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

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

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Morning photo time near Issyk Kul lake.

Transfer to Chon Kemin village, nature sightseeing en route:

- Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon and enjoy an easy hike among the impressive, colorful red rocks.

- Eagle show in Bokonbayevo (traditional eagle hunting)

Evening arrival in Chon Kemin. 

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Breakfast at the guesthouse. 

Morning at leisure in Chon Kemin, possible photo time or horse riding in the surroundings ( extra). 

Transfer to Bishkek with sightseeing en route:

- Photo stop near Chunkurchak Gorge, easy hiking. 

Lunch in the guesthouse. 

Transfer to Bishkek.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Bishkek sightseeing tour visiting:

- Ala Archa Natural Park (~35 km from Bishkek, ~ 40min). Easy hiking and photo stops in Ala Archa gorge.

Start walking a city tour around Bishkek, visiting:

- Oak Park, the city center. It is also known 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, where one can see the Victory monument, a memorial, was completed in 1984. Usually, the main festival events are held in Bishkek at the eternal flame on Victory Square with the guard of honor, forces of the Kyrgyz garrison, and a military band.

- The State History Museum is a perfect display of the Kyrgyz people and the history of the country of Kyrgyzstan.

Master class of felt weaving into silk in the Aidai handicraft workshop. 

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Manas International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Bishkek.

End of the tour.