Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan Tour | 1

Flight via Istanbul to Tashkent by TK 370.

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport (ETA 01:50).

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, the driver meets with a sign “ANUR TOUR”.

Transfer to the hotel. Extra night.

12:00 Meet the guide at the lobby and start Tashkent sightseeing tour (5 hrs):

- 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.

Take-away breakfast.

07:00 Transfer to the railway station in Tashkent.
08:00 Departure for Samarkand by high-speed train "Afrosiyob"/"Sharq".

10:08 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver and guide.

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

– 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;

– 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;

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

16:50 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand. 

18:00 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob"/"Sharq".

20:08 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.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Countryside sightseeing in Tashkent, please choose one of the options below (guide and transport services are included for 5- 6 hrs).  Because the program today can be flexible, the entrance fees today are not included, tourists can buy the entrance tickets at the ticket offices on their own.

Resting time in the evening.  Overnight at the hotel.

Opt 1. Chimgan Tour

10:00 Meet the driver and guide at the hotel. Transfer to Chimgan Mountains area, 120 km from Tashkent, about 1,5 –2 hrs one way.

-  Amirsoy cable way ride. Entrance fees in Amirsoy complex/ Amirsoy cable way are not included, visitors can buy entrance tickets at the tickets offices of Amirsoy.

- Take a photo stop with panoramic views to Charvak Lake and Chimgan mounts.

After lunch in the local café in the place called Bochka, transfer back to Tashkent. Arrival in Tashkent (ETA by 17:00).

Opt 2. Sun Institute and Uzumfermer.

09:30 Meet the guide and driver. Transfer to Parkent (45 km, ~1 hour on the way)

- The Big Solar Furnace- the heliotechnical complex is one of the two largest solar structures in the world.  Due to its ideal location, Parkent Solar Furnace has a number of advantages that contribute to the accumulation of environmentally friendly solar energy. 

The visitors can participate in simple experiments and watch the work of solar panels - heliostats, compare electronic and sundials, boil water and learn how to light Olympic fire.

- Winery Uzumfermer (excursion around the winery and winetasting of local wines. Entrance fees to be paid at the winery ticket office).

Transfer to Tashkent (1 hour). Transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

11:30 Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

14:10 Departure flight Tashkent– Almaty by KC 128.  

15:30 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, meet the driver with “ANUR TOUR” sign. Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in hotel. Time to rest after the flight.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

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).

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.

Transfer to Almaty International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Almaty.

End of the tour.