4 STAN VIP Tour

Tour itinerary: Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan – Tajikistan

Season: Spring – Summer – Fall

Days: 17 | Nights: 16

Flight to Almaty.

Arrival at Almaty International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.

Transfer to the hotel from Almaty airport to the city center may take about 30 min- 1 hr depending on the hotel location and traffic. Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Almaty

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.

Day 3

Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Karakol

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Charyn Canyon that is often called "Valley of Castles". The length of the valley is more than 2 km, the width is 20-80 meters. It looks like the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in North America.

Time for walking among columns and towers made by nature.

Picnic lunch at nature.

Transfer to Karakol passing the border post "Kegen". Border passing formalities usually take 30 min - 1 hour.

Please note: while passing the border one needs to be ready to handle all the luggage across the border by him/herself (~300 m).

Arrival in Karakol in the evening.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Karakol – Jety Oguz – Karakol

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Jeti Oguz gorge.

- Jeti Oguz gorge is famous for its red rocks formations that have the name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. One can see there the Broken Heart Mountain, one of the most popular places among locals and visitors. By request, light hiking tour to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge.

After the excursion transfer to Karakol. Start sightseeing in Karakol visiting:

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Karakol – Issyk kul

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing tour in Karakol 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.

Transfer to Issyk kul en-route visiting

- Ancient stone inscriptions (dating back to 800 B.C.). These petroglyphs were made more than 2 000 years ago by shamans. They depict wolves, long-horned ibex, goats, horses, snow leopards, sacrifices and some hunting scenes.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Issyk kul – Bishkek

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Transfer to Bishkek (~ 2 hours, 260 km) en-route visiting

- Issyk-Kyl lake is one of the most wonderful lakes in the world, located in the north-eastern part of the Kyrgyz Republic. Issyk Kul is translated as “Hot Lake” and is considered as one of "the pearls of Central Asia". Due to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. There are many activities that entertain people on the beach: windsurfing, scooters, aqua parks, parachutes, and rides on boats and ships. In winter there are also spots of alpinism where people enjoy incredible landscapes.

Enjoy a light walking at the lakeshore.

- Burana Tower (11th-century minaret) and an open-air museum of Balbans (stone warriors), which marks the original site of the Karakhanid town, Balasagun;

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Bishkek

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing in Bishkek visiting:

- Ala Archa Natural park (~35 km from Bishkek, ~ 40min)

Take an easy walk high up to observe the view of mountains and rich Kyrgyz nature, spectate birds and animals living their lives, watch how cold water of Kyrgyz rivers falling down the mountains, and continue its way among ancient trees and gorge itself.

Time to explore the area, take photos, and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful nature views.

In the afternoon start Bishkek walking tour visiting:

- Oak Park - city center. It is known also as Dubovy Park - today it is one of the favorite places among 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 Kyrgyz garrison, and a military band.

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

- Visit the central bazaar.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Bishkek – Osh – Andijan

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:00 Transfer to Bishkek airport.

08:00 Evening flight Bishkek - Osh by TEZ 105.

08:40 Arrival in Osh Airport.

Meet the driver at the airport meeting zone.

Transfer to Osh, the oldest city in Kyrgyzstan, for sightseeing tour visiting;

- Suleiman Mountain. 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.

- Osh Bazaar, a colorful bazaar with more than 2000 years of history, plays an important role in the Great Silk Road as a major landmark.

- Main Square with Lenin statue, Kyrgyz people are very respectful to the history of Soviet period.

Transfer to the Uzbek- Kyrgyz border Dostyk. Border crossing.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control. Meet the guide and driver holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.

Transfer to Andijan (40 km). Check-in the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Andijan – Fergana

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing in Andijan visiting:

- Bobur Literary museum with a unique collection of literary works of Zahiriddin Muhammad Bobur, an outstanding ruler and the founder of Mogol Empire;

- Art and Literature Museum;

- Memorial park complex on the Bog-I Shamol named after Zahiriddin Muhammad Bobur is one of the most beautiful places in Andijan, popular among the locals and the visitors of the city.

Transfer to Fergana, continue sightseeing in Fergana valley:

- 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 as New Margilan, further in the soviet period renamed as Fergona in 1924. Nowadays, Fergana is a flourishing beautiful town and despite its young history became the central point of Fergana valley.

- Visit Ahmad Al-Fargoni monumental complex ;

- Continue to 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.

- Said-Ahmad Hodji Madrassah where craftsmen produce original silk carpets,

- Silk factory Yodgorlik where visitors are welcome to observe the process of silk manufacture with traditional decoration “ikat”.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Fergana – Kokand – Khujand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Continue sightseeing in Fergana valley visiting:

- Rishton (50 km west of Fergana) famous all over the world for its pottery that is decorated according to the 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 Rustam Umarov where 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.

- 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.

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 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 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 khan family were buried.

Transfer to the border post-Kanibadam. Border crossing usually takes 30 min- 1 hr.

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

Transfer to Khujand.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Khujand – Istaravshan – Iskanderkul

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing tour in Khujand.

Khujand was the furthest point Alexander the Great reached in Central Asia, the city was named Alexandria Eschate (Alexandria the Farthest), the city became one of the important entrepôts on the great Silk Road.

Start of the excursion program:

- Pushkin square with Kamoli Khudjandi Square;

- Timur Malik’s fortress and Sugd museum;

- Muslihiddin memorial complex;

- Panjshanbe bazaar. The Silk Road which passes Khujand city had always made Panjshanbe to be crowded with traders and tourists.

- Arbob Palace had its particular significance in 1992, when it was the place for the meeting of the Tajik Soviet ministers which officially declared independence from the Soviet Union. Also, it was the site where the Tajik flag was chosen.

Transfer to Iskanderkul via Istaravshan town, 78 km southwest from Khujand, Istaravshan is one of the most ancient cities of Tajikistan (more than 2500 years). Ancient name Cyropolis founded by Cyrus the Great in 544 BC as a boarding fort of the Achaemenid Empire.

Overview sightseeing in Istaravshan visiting:

- Mazori Sharif mausoleum;

- Kog Gumbaz madrasa (16th century);

- Kuhi Mug, the ruins of the ancient fortress.

Transfer to the guesthouse near Iskanderkul.

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

Day 12

Iskanderkul – Penjikent – Samarkand

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

09:00 Take a leisure walk near Iskanderkul lake, a real pearl of Fan mountains located at an altitude of 2 100 meters above sea level. There are beautiful legends, interesting stories about Alexander the Great.

Transfer to Penjikent.

Start sightseeing tour in Penjikent visiting:

-The Sarazm Important Bird Area (UNESCO World Heritage) lies downstream of the city on the tugay-vegetated floodplain of the river.

-The archaeological site of the ruins of old Penjikent - a walled inter-city (2500-years ago) that was a Sogdian trading city on the Silk Road.

- Museum of Rudaki. Penjikent is a birthplace of Abu-Abdallah Rudaki, considered as the forefather of Persian Poetry with a hall devoted to Rudaki, well-preserved frescoes of ancient Sarazm.

Afternoon transfer to border Jartepa. Border crossing usually takes 30 min- 1 hr.

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

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start sightseeing program in Samarkand visiting:

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

- Continue to the famous Registan Square – heart of Samarkand and real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, the ensemble of grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor and Madrassa Tilla Kori;

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

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

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14

Samarkand – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand visiting:

- Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

- Mausoleum of Khoji Doniyor known also as Saint Daniel. Khoja Donier is considered as a saint patron of Samarkand, people believe that a visit to the mausoleum can bring health and success; many visitors come here to make wishes near the almond tree. A holy spring is located at the foot of the hill of the mausoleum; people claim the water has healing and miraculous properties;

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

- Carpet factory “Hudjum” to observe the process of the finest carpets weaving.

20:00 Transfer to the train station in Samarkand.

21:03 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob" OR afternoon transfer via Gijduvan (depending on the train schedule/by request).

22:34 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara:

- 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);

- There are three 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 the trade of silk, jewelry, and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit 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.

Optionally can be added by request:

Visit Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16

Bukhara – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Bukhara countryside tour visiting:

- The last Bukhara's 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 Bukhara emirs

- Bakhauddin Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order) Located near Bukhara the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Nakshbandi is considered as one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attract many visitors.

- Chor-Minor Madrasah - Chor-Minor is known as madrasah Halif Niyazkul (in Persian “Four minarets”) was built by a merchant in 1807 in Bukhara.

14:50 Transfer to the train station in Bukhara.

15:50 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob" OR afternoon transfer via Gijduvan (depending on the train schedule/by request).

19:40 Arrival in Tashkent.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the hotel lobby.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent visiting old and new parts of the city:

- 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.

- Tashkent striking clock, one of the major symbols of Tashkent.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theater of the world 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, 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 waters”, 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 Tashkent International Airport.

Evening departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- Accommodation in a guesthouse near Iskanderkul;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from airports/ train stations /borders;

- English-speaking professional licensed escorting and local guides in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan;

- Meals: breakfast at hotels; picnic lunch in Charyn canyon, dinner in Iskanderkul guesthouse;

- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums as per program;

- Internal flight Bishkek– Osh (economy class, standard);

- Train tickets Samarkand - Bukhara by tourist train “Afrosiab”/”Sharq” (business class); OR transfer by car (depending on the train schedule);

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to Almaty, from Tashkent;

- Kazakhstan e/visa, Kyrgyzstan e/visa, E-visa to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan e-visa (if required);

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Meals: lunches and dinners except those specified in the included section;

- VAT 15 %, personal travel/medical insurance, portage, tips, personal expenses, and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.

- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;

- Please note that the tour price does not include seasonal VAT 15 %, VAT can be added to the basic tour price.

- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;

- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;

- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions (weather conditions during the tour, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).