Essence of Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan

Upon landing in Tashkent, the driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars)

The driver will send you to Urgench airport for flight to Khiva which will take 1 hour and 40 minutes. On arrival, the driver in Khiva will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check in. After, the guide will accompany you to visit the inner city of Khiva on foot, Ichan Kala. First we will have a bird's eye view of Khiva at the watch tower of Kunya-Ark and then visit Mukhammad Amin Khan, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah - one of the biggest educational institution in Khiva and Kalta Minor. Next go to Juma Mosque to appreciate the wooden pillars decorated with beautiful reliefs and visit Toshkhovli Palace. Finally we'll visit Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum and Islom Khodja Minaret. Finally, return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Asia Khiva (4 stars)

Today we are going to drive through Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara. The 480 kilometers (300 mi) journey will take about 7-8 hours. On the way, stop to admire the desert scene and Amudarya River. Since the journey is pretty long, it is advised to prepare packed lunch on your own beforehand. Check in the hotel to have a good rest upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amulet Hotel (3 stars)

Today the guide will accompany you to visit Old Bukhara on foot. The Old City of Bukhara is an important part of Islamic civilization and possesses a key position connecting Europe and Asia. The tour will start from the architecture complex in the city center, Lyabi Hauz Ensemble. Then visit Magoki-Attori Mosque and Chor-Minor Madrasah. After visiting trade domes, go to madrasahs of Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan. The construction of this theological school applied sculpture, gold painting, embossing and other construction techniques. Next, visit Kalyan Minaret and Kalyan Mosque, Miri-Arab Madrasah and Ark Fortress. Continue to visit Bolo Khauz Mosque, Samanid Mausoleum, and finally visit Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Amulet Hotel (3 stars)

Today the driver will transfer you to Samarkand. The 280-kilometer (174 mi) long journey will take about 4 hours. En route stop at Gijduvan and learn the making process of porcelain. Then continue drive to Samarkand and check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Grand Samarkand Superior (4 stars)

The driver and the guide will pick up you at the hotel lobby on time and then head to Registan Square, the Heart of the Ancient City of Samarkand. The square is the model of medieval Islamic architecture. Then visit Siyob Bazzar and the spectacular Bibi Khanym Mosque. After, head to the biggest astronomy center in middle ages- Ulugbek Observatory. Finally we'll visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and the tomb of Timur, Gur-Emir Mausoleum. After today's sightseeing, the driver will send you to the train station for the high speed train to Tashkent. The train ride takes 2h 10min. Then the driver in Tashkent will pick you up and send you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars)

Today the guide and the driver will accompany you to local religion center, Khast-Imom Complex, to visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Then visit the Chorsu Bazaar. After, the guide will escort you to take the subway to the city center, during which you can have a look of the special Tashkent subway station. After we will visit Independence Square and Amir Timur Park and Earthquake Memorial and State Museum of Applied Art. At the ened of the day, return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Wyndham Tashkent (4 stars)

Today the driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for flight to Bishkek. After the flight arrives, the local guide and the driver will escort you to the hotel. We'll provide lunch for you if you arrive early and the guide will then accompany you to walk around the Old Square, Oak Park and Ala-Too Square and take photos outside the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Abdylas Maldybayev.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Orion Hotel Bishkek (5 stars)

In the morning, drive to the well-known historical site Burana Tower. The Burana Tower and the surrounding remaining castle, tombstones and three tombs are all relics from the end of the 9th century. Then we'll cross the Chui Valley to Cholpon Ata, located on the north bank of Issyk-Kul Lake. On the way, we will visit the New Nomad Museum to learn about the development and culture of nomads. After arriving at Cholpon Ata Resort and checking in the hotel, you can rest on the beach or rent a boat at your own expense to enjoy the beautiful plateau lakes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Light House Hotel

Before we say goodbye to Cholpon Ata, the guide will lead you to visit the open-air Museum of Petroglyphs. After, drive for 3 hours to Karakol to visit the Russian Orthodox Church and Dungan Mosque to learn the colorful culture here. The rest of the time is free for you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: My Hotel Karakol (3 Stars)

Today we'll drive for 2 hours to Skazka Canyon located on the southern bank of Issyk-Kul Lake, also known as Canyon Fairy Tale as the canyon is filled with fantastical and various shaped sandstones. The next stop will be Bokonbayevo, the home for gold eagles and the eagle tamers. You can see the gold eagles and known their habits and characteristics. After, drive for 5 hours to Bishkek and check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Orion Hotel Bishkek (5 stars)

The 12 days Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan tour ends here. The guide and the driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast