Tour Type: Private Tour, flexible and customized
Guide & Driver: English-speaking driver guide & air-conditioned car
Hotel: 3 to 4-star well-selected hotels, also be open to your own choice
Itinerary |
Day 1: Arrival in Almaty, Airport pick-up
Welcome to join our central Asia tours. The driver-guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars) |
Day 2: Almaty city exploration
Today we'll first go to Zenkov Cathedral with over 1,000 years history. It is the second highest wooden architecture in the world. Then visit the most beautiful and biggest mosque in Kazakhstan, the Central Mosque of Almaty. After, head to Medeu Skating Rink where we will climb the dam and overlook the whole ski resort. Finally visit the Shymbulak Ski Resort and return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Renion Park (3 stars) |
Day 3: Visit Big Almaty Lake, Drive to Bishkek
On the third day we'll drive to Big Almaty Lake which is surrounded by snow mountains on three sides. Here you can admire the beautiful reflections of the snow mountains on the lake. Afternoon, drive to Kyrgyzstan border. The driver and the guide of Kyrgyzstan will wait for you there and send you to the hotel in Bishkek for check-in.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Light House Hotel |
Day 4: Drive 5h to Cholpon Ata on the north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake
Issyk-Kul Lake, "the Pearl of the Tien San" is the second biggest mountain lake in the world. Today, we'll head to the popular resort on its north shore, Cholpon Ata. Before arrival, the guide will accompany you to visit the New Nomad Museum. After we arrive at Cholpon Ata, we'll go to the outdoor museum to visit the breathtaking Petroglyphs. Hundreds of rocks are carved with animals like highland goats, horses, camels and snow leopards and the scenes of hunting and sacrificial ceremonies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Light House Hotel |
Day 5: Drive 4h to Burana Tower, Bishkek airport see-off
Today we'll drive back to Bishkek. On the way we'll visit the famous Burana Tower, the remain of the ancient city Balasagun. After, the guide and the driver will transfer you directly to Bishkek Airport for flight to Tashkent. The flight will take 2 hour and 10 minutes. Upon landing, the driver in Tashkent will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars) |
Day 6: Tashkent highlights
The guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel and drive to Khast-Imom Complex. The square gathers the Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari which is the model of Islamic architecture. And then go to the most famous Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent. Next, take the subway to the city center to visit Independence Square and Amir Timur Park. Tashkent subway stations are mainly Islamic Style. Finally we'll learn about the Uzbekistan textile, sculptures, decorations and metal casting art at State Museum of Applied Art.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars) |
Day 7: Drive to the Tajikistan border, Khujand city trip
The driver will transfer you to Uzbek-Tajik border where the guide and the driver in Khujand will be waiting for you. We'll arrive at Khujand at noon. Khujand is the second biggest city in Tajikistan and has 2,500 years' history. After lunch, we are going to visit the Historical Local Lore Museum of Archeology and Fortification, Mausoleum of Sheik Muslekheddin, Panjshanbe Market and Arbob Cultural Palace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel Firuz (4 stars) |
Day 8: Discover Istaravshan, Transfer to Samarkand
Today's first stop is Istaravshan 80 km (50 mi) southwest away from Khujand. Istaravshan is an exotic ancient Muslim city and also a crucial stop along Ancient Silk Road. Then go to Shahriston Pass with an altitude of 3,378 m (11,083 ft.), where the guide will accompany you to visit Fortress Mug Teppe and Kuk Gumbaz Mosque and see the handicrafts at the local bazaar. The knife here is widely praised. After, drive for 5 hours to Uzbek border. The driver in Samarkand will wait for you at the border and transfer you to the hotel in Samarkand.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior (4 stars) |
Day 9: Explore Samarkand
The guide and the driver will lead you to visit Registan Square. The square is the historical, cultural and artistic center of Samarkand. Then we'll go to the local biggest market Siyob Bazzar where you can buy various articles for daily use. Then visit Bibi Khanym Mosque nearby the bazzzar. After visiting Ulugbek Observatory, we'll head to Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis. Shakhi-Zinda means "Forever Living King". The Necropolis is the most popular attraction in Samarkand. Finally we will visit the tomb of Timur, Gur-Emir Mausoleum.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior (4 stars) |
Day 10: Drive to Bukhara, stop at Al Bukhariy mausoleum and Bahauddin Naqshbandiy
On the 10th day, we'll drive for 280 kilometers (175 mi) to Bukhara, taking 4 hours. On the way we'll visit mausoleum of Imam al Bukhariy. Imam al-Bukhari is a famous Islam scholar. His mausoleum is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the area. After we arrive at Bukhara, visit the mausoleum and necropolis of Bahauddin Naqshabandiy and check in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Amulet Hotel (3 stars) |
Day 11: Bukhara walking tour
The guide will accompany you to enjoy a walking tour at Bukhara Old City. There, we'll first visit the Lyabi Hauz Ensemble by the reservoir. Then visit Magoki-Attori Mosque and Chor-Minor Madrasah. Next, go to explore the local market center trade domes. After visiting Madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, visit one of the highest architecture in Bukhara- Kalyan Minaret and Kalyan Mosque. Next, come to Miri-Arab Madrasah where the tomb of Miri Arab is located. Continue to visit Ark Fortress, residence of Bukhara rulers, and admire the carved wooden pillars at Bolo Khauz Mosque. Finally we'll visit Samanid Mausoleum and Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Amulet Hotel (3 stars) |
Day 12: Drive to Khiva through Kyzylkum Desert
Today the driver will transfer you to Khiva. The 480-kilometer (300 mi) journey will take about 7-8 hours. We'll drive through Kyzylkum Desert known as the "Red Sand" and admire the scenes of Amudarya River. Upon arrival, check in the hotel for a good rest.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva (4 stars) |
Day 13: Khiva walking tour
Today, the guide will escort you to visit Khiva inner city, Ichan Kala on foot. Khiva was an important town along the Ancient Silk Road and now is a UNESCO World Heritage. First we'll go to Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah. The madrasah was built in 1785 under the order of Mukhammad Amin Khan. Then visit Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah and the Kalta Minor outside. Next visit Juma Mosque. The flat roof of the mosque makes it unique among the local mosques. Then visit Toshkhovli Palace and Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum which is the tomb of the famous poet and warrior Pakhlavan Makhmud and the only architecture with blue roof in Khiva. Finally we are going to visit Islom Khodja Minaret and Kunya-Ark.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva (4 stars) |
Day 14: Take a flight to Tashkent
Today the driver will transfer you to the airport for flight to Tashkent. After the 1 hour and 40 minutes' flight, the driver in Tashkent will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you.
Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars) |
Day 15: Depart from Tashkent, Airport see-off
Today your central Asia tour come to an end. The driver will transfer you to the airport and say goodbye.
Meals: Breakfast |
