Central Asia Budget Tour

Flight to Tashkent.

Arrival at Tashkent International Airport ( ETA 00:50 am).

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. Hotel check-in. Extra night.

Breakfast at the hotel.

11:00 Meet with a guide. Start a 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 and 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" 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 part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah and Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum.

- 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 trade. 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.

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

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Take-away breakfast

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

08:00 Departure for Bukhara by morning flight.

09:10  Arrival at Bukhara Airport.

Come out of the terminal, the driver meets 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.

- 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.

Meet the driver at the hotel lobby.

08:00 Transfer to the border post Jartepa.

Migration formalities: visa and passport control. The border-passing procedure on both sides of the border usually takes from 30 minutes up to 1,5 hrs.

After crossing the border, meet the guide at the Tajik side of the border (ETA 09:30).

Start sightseeing and nature-watching tour: 

-The Sarazm museum (UNESCO World Heritage).

Transfer to Marguzor Lakes in the Fann Mountains, known as Marguzor or Haftkul (seven lakes). Each lake looks different whenever the sun changes its position. Colors may vary from deep blue to indigo. Most of them are cold to swim even in summer.

Six of the lakes are of dammed origin besides the lake Hazorchashma. Each lake has its own name: Nezhigon, Soybean, Gushor, Nofin, Hurdak, Marguzor, Hazorchashma.

Easy hike at the lakes. Lunch in a guesthouse.

16:00 Transfer to the border post Jartepa.

Migration formalities: visa and passport control. The border passing procedure on both sides of the border usually takes from 30 minutes up to 1,5 hrs.

The driver will meet at the Uzbekistan side of the border (ETA 17:30).

Transfer to Samarkand. 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—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.

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) of Abbas ibn-Kussam;

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

– Khoja Doniyor Mausoleum - the mausoleum over the grave of one of the saints. According to legend dating back to the 18th century, the ashes of the Old Testament biblical prophet Daniyar (Daniel) are buried in the mausoleum, the remains of which were brought to Samarkand and buried by Amir Timur.

– 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. 

09:00 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. 

-  Eagle show in Bokonbayevo;

-  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 yurt camp

Transfer to Karakol with sightseeing en route:

- Jeti Oguz gorge is famous for its red rock 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; the valley is also known as the Valley of Flowers.

On arrival in Karakol,  start sightseeing, visiting:

- Przhevalski memorial, who was a great Russian explorer of the 19th century.

- 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 practice the Muslim religion. The construction was made of bricks and wood and decorated with various ornaments.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

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

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

-Kaindy Lake (Birch Lake) is situated among magnificent pine forests 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 that blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water flooded the valley.

The water of the mountain lake is very cold, and 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 that Kayindy Gorge is located in the pre-border area, at the posts, visitors will need to have their passports/IDs.

Transfer to Saty village.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Sightseeing around Almaty includes visiting:

- Panfilov Park. The name of Panfilov Park comes from 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. The Zenkov Wooden 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 that 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 from the 17th century.

- Medeu, the world's largest speed skating rink, is 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 the Shymbulak Ski Resort.

Transfer to Almaty International Airport 

Evening departure flight from Almaty ( ETD 20:00)