Bestseller Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan Tour

Tour itinerary: Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Saty – Almaty – Tashkent – Bukhara – Samarkand – Tashkent

Season: April - November

Days: 10 | Nights: 9

Best Seller Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan Tour is a 10 - day trip to explore magnificent Central Asia natural and historical treasures. Kazakhstan attracts with stunning Kolsai lakes, Charyn Canyon, Almaty region beatiful nature; and Uzbekistan impresses with handicrafts centres, green valleys and marvelous ancient sights of the Great Silk Road cities - Samarkand and Bukhara.

Book the trip to trace your steps following the fabulous Silk Road route!

Day 1

Almaty

Flight to Almaty.

Early morning arrival in 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 driver holding a sign with your name on it. Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in hotel. Early check-in. Resting time after the flight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

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.

- 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 2

Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Saty

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Charyn Canyon. Sightseeing in the "Valley of Castles".

Charyn Canyon is a natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America, although inferior to it in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon is up to 150-300 meters. Extraordinary dissection of the terrain is striking: the numerous ravines form a dense, chaotic network. Wind and water have created the beautiful "Valley of Castles", where you are always surrounded by the fancy towers composed of sedimentary rocks. The length of the valley - more than 2 km, width - 20-80 meters. For millions of years the nature has been creating a unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles carefully and slowly.

Transfer to Kolsai Lakes, easy hiking near Kolsai lake 1 (1800 m above sea level).

Later continue driving to Saty Village.

Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.

Day 3

Saty – Almaty

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

Exploring one of the most beautiful places of Kazakhstan, Kaindy Gorge. 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 lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water, and dry stems of fir trees overlook the water surface, like the masts of the submarine squadron. It is impossible to describe in words all this mystical splendor of the lake.

Afternoon transfer to Almaty.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Almaty – Tashkent

breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Almaty International Airport.

Flight Almaty - Tashkent by KC 128.

Arrival in Tashkent 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. As Tashkent airport is not far from the city center, the transfer will take about 20 – 40 minutes depending on the hotel location.

Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel

06:30 Transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.

07:28 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

11:19 Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel to drop off the bags and meet the guide at the lobby.

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 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 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 trade of silk, jewelry, and 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: Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Bukhara – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Samarkand, en- route visiting the 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, a master class in painting ceramics, suzani embroidery, and traditional bread baking.

Continue to Samarkand.

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide. Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hrs):

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – 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 15th Century.

– Mausoleum of Hoji Doniyor also known as Saint Daniel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide. Start sightseeing program in Samarkand visiting (5-6 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.

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

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

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

16:30 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.

17:30 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

19:44 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 9

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet the guide and start a sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting:

- 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.

Day 10

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.
Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Price per person:

Person	Standart	Comfort
1	$3715	$4020
2-3	$2295	$2475
4-5	$1735	$1920
6-12	$1515	$1690
Single supplement	$255	$385

Book it!

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

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

- English-speaking local guides in Kazakhstan, English-speaking local guides in Uzbekistan (4 standard excursions);

- Meals: breakfasts at the hotels; dinner in Saty guesthouse;

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

- Train tickets Tashkent – Bukhara, Samarkand – Tashkent by speed trains "Afrosiab"/Sharq" (economy class);

- VAT;

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to Almaty, flight Almaty - Tashkent, from Tashkent;

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Visa/ E-visa to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan (if required);

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

- Transport and guide service for free days and free time after the standard city tours (can be added by request); transport for a walking tour in Bukhara;

- 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 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 increases, 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).

CITY	HOTELS STANDARD	HOTELS COMFORT
Almaty	Voyage Hotel	Renion Park/ Kazzhol Park
Saty	Guesthouse in Saty village
Tashkent	Milan/ Marwa/ Elements/ Gabrielle International Hotel / Uzbekistan	Inspira- S/ Ateca/ Ichan Qala / Mirzo Boutique
Samarkand	Malika Prime / Zilol Baxt / City / Arba / Marokand Spa/ Khan	Dilimah/ Emirhan/ Kosh Hovuz/ Grand Samarkand/ East Star
Bukhara	AnNur / Basilik/ Malika Bukhara / Safiya/ Devon / As-Salom
Or other hotels of the same category. The hotels will be booked depending on room availability for the dates.