Central Asia VIP Tour

Flight to Almaty.

Morning arrival at Almaty International Airport (ETA 03:00).

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

Transfer to the hotel. Arrival at the hotel. Extra night

Resting time after the flight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

11:00 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, even though 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, 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.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

09:00 Meeting with the guide and driver. Transfer to Charyn Canyon.

- Charyn Canyon (the Valley of Castles) is a unique natural complex of its kind, not only in Kazakhstan but also in the entire world. It was formed during the Paleogene period and is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in North America, although smaller in size. The height of the canyon's steep slopes reaches 150-300 meters. The extraordinary dissection of the terrain is striking: numerous ravines form a dense and chaotic network. Wind and water have created the beautiful "Valley of Castles," where you will always be surrounded by towering pillars composed of sedimentary rocks. The valley is more than 2 km long and between 20 and 80 meters wide. Over millions of years, nature has created a unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles with care and patience.

Transfer to Almaty.

Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 Transfer to Bishkek by car (250 km ~ 4-5hrs) to the border post "Korday". Migration formalities ( visa/ passport control usually takes 30 min~2 h).

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

Continue to Bishkek.

Arrival at the hotel, check-in.Short time to rest.

In the afternoon, start a Bishkek walking tour visiting:

- Oak Park - city center. It is also known 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 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.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Issyk Kul with a Bishkek countryside trip visiting:

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

Arrive at Ala-Archa's entry and prepare for a light hiking tour.

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

- Issyk-Kul 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 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.

Leisure time and light walking at the lakeshore.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Transfer to  Bishkek with sightseeing en route, visiting:

- Burana Tower (11th-century minaret) was the vertical dominant of the ancient city Balasagun, the northern capital of the Turkic linguistic state of the Karakhanids , and a nearby open-air museum with its collection of ancient bal-bals, carved stone figures used as monuments. 

The tower was originally 45 m, but because of the great earthquake, part of the minaret was destroyed, and its height was reduced to 25 m. There are many beautiful legends about this place, and it is interesting to learn more.

16:40 Transfer to Manas International Airport. 

18:40 Evening flight to Tashkent by HY 780 (1,5 hrs).

19:00 Arrival in Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov, the first president of Uzbekistan.

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 not take a long time (20–40 minutes, depending on the hotel location).

Arrival at the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

09:00 Meet with a guide.

Start a sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5-6 hrs), 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 Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.
Around the Square, there is the Museum of History of Timurids, the Uzbekistan Hotel, the Forum Palace, and the famous Tashkent striking clock.

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

- 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; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum , and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the 7th century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors from 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 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.

Overnight at the hotel.

Takeaway 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 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.

- 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

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

-  The Bakhauddin Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order), located near Bukhara, the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Naqshbandi is considered one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attracts many visitors.

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

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to Samarkand via Shahrisabz and the beautiful Takhta Karacha pass.

Meet the guide in Shahrisabz.

Excursion tour in Shahrisabz includes visiting (2,5 hrs):

- Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”), the ruins of the summer palace of Tamerlane. The palace was constructed and decorated by skilled builders, masters, and artisans who were deported from the conquered Khorezm. Some parts of the gate tower survived to the present day.

- Mausoleum of Dorus-Saodat ("The Place of Power", 14th century) contains the tomb of Eldest and favourite Tamerlane’s son, Jahongir.

- Kok Gumbaz, so-called “House of Meditation.

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of the 16th century, where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried. 

Arrival in Samarkand. Hotel check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide. Start the Samarkand sightseeing tour by visiting

– 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;

– 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;

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

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

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

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand (6 hours), visiting:

16:30 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.

17:28 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.

Take-away breakfast/ Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour