Silk Route and the Four Stans of Central Asia
Summary of the itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and Guided tour of Almaty
Day 2: Day trip to Medeo,Chimbulak and Kok-Tobe
Day 3: Day Trip to Big Almaty Lake
Day 4: Almaty to Bishkek
Day 5: Bishkek city Tour
Day 6: Full-Day Excursion to Ala Archa National Park
Day 7: Visit to Kashka Suu Ski Town
Day 8: Bishkek to Tajikistan
Day 9: Dushanbe city Tour
Day 10: Transfer to Saratog and Iskander-Kul Lake
Day 11: Transfer to Penjikent and self-guided tour of the Penjikent
Day 12: Hike to Margazor lakes
Day 13: Transfer to Uzbekistan
Day 14: City Tour of Tashkent
Day 15: Charvak, Chimgan and Beldersay
Day 16: Intercity transfer to Samarkand and Samarkand guided tour
Day 17: Shakhrisabz tour
Day 18: Departure
Inclusion:
- Hotels 4 star including Breakfast
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- All intercity transfers with airport transfer and flight tickets
- GST
- Visa assistance
Key Exclusions:
- International Airfare and Domestic Airfare
- City Taxes at hotels
- Intracity transfers are excluded
- Lunch and Dinner
Activities
Day 1:
Arrival and Guided tour of Almaty
Welcome toKazakastan! Arrive at Almaty International Airport and transfer to your hotel in a private cab.Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest metropolis is situated in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains and served as the country's capital until 1997 and remains a commercial and cultural center for Kazakhstan. Take a guided tour of thisbeautiful Kazakh city in the afternoon. Visit the Republic Square with the previous Presidential Palace and Independence Monument, the Panfilov Park, named after the 28 Panfilov gatekeepers of Almaty who kicked the bucket nobly protecting Moscow against Nazi intrusion in 1941, the Zenkov Cathedral, built completely of wood in 1904 without nails, the Museum of Musical Instruments and the beautiful St Nicholas Cathedral. (Overnight in Almaty)
Day 2:
Day trip to Medeo and Chimbulak
Visit Medeo, one of the most popular sightseeing places in Kazakhstan. It is the highest mountain complex in the world for winter sports! During your journey to Medeo, you will not only get to see the beautiful Tien Shan Mountains but also some of the major accomplishmentsin Kazakhstan. Enjoy the spectacular scenery, clean mountain air and walks at the most famous Almaty residents skating rink. Go on an incredible cable car ride to the Chimbulak ski resort. (Cable car tickets included) (Overnight in Almaty)
Day 3:
Day Trip to Big Lake
Go on a day trip to Big Lake and visit the Alma-Arasan recreational area. Then you'll get to the Big Almaty Gorge which is situated at an altitude of 2,510 m above sea level. Enjoy spectacular views of the canyon on the Main Almaty River while horseback riding and crossing the river (5 times) to visit the burial mounds of Boraldai Saka. The burial mounds of the Boraldai Saka is the only site remaining in the Almaty territory from the early Iron Age. (Overnight in Almaty)
Day 4:
Departure
Now your trip in Kazakhstan has come to a close. If you are lucky to have a late flight, you can spend your final day in Almaty by getting to know the city on your own and discovering the various delicacies it has to offer. You may visit the Central State Museum, which exhibits thousands of ancient Kazakh objects, before you’re transferred to Bishkek by Bus. Spend the on your own (Overnight in Bishkek)
Day 5:
Bishkek city Tour
Transfer to Bishkek by road (5 hours). Bishkek isthe capital of Kyrgyzstan, which borders the Tian Shan area of Central Asia. It is a gateway to the mountains of Kyrgyz Ala-Too and the national park of Ala Archa, with glaciers and nature trails. The art scene of the city comprises the vast State Museum of Fine Arts, and the colonnaded Opera and Ballet Theatre. The massive central Ala-Too Square features the monument to Manas, honouring the hero of the Manas Kyrgyz Epic. Go on a guided tour of Bishkek, including the main square called Ala-Too (formerly Lenin Square), the State History Museum, the Fine Arts Museum and the Frunze House Museum, before taking a walk around Bishkek's Osh Bazaar and return backto your hotel. (Overnight in Bishkek)
Day 6:
Full-Day Excursion to Ala Archa National Park
Lying some 40 kilometres south of the capital, the Ala Archa National Park is one of the most popular attractions in the region. Here you can enjoy a full-day excursion to the mountains to explore the Ala Archa Canyon and enjoy some of the most spectacular views in the region. (Overnight in Bishkek)
Day 7:
Visit to Kashka Suu Ski Town
Today drive to the Ski Resort of Kashka-Suu situated at 2,100 meters above sea level, 35 km from Kyrgyzstan’s capital city. Fresh air, spectacular panoramic views of the Great Kyrgyz Range and Chuy Valley, great tracks and standard of service add to a pleasant Kyrgyz holiday. (Overnight in Bishkek)
Day 8:
Bishkek to Tajikistan
On the last day of your trip, you will be transferred to the airport by a private cab for your flight to Tajikistan. Arrive at Dushanbe International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan and was at one time a little mountain town known for its Monday showcase. You can spend the day on your own. (Overnight in Dushanbe)
Day 9:
Dushanbe City Tour
Explore the city on a day tour where you’ll visit the important attractions such as Shokhmansur bazaar, the "Dusti" square (square of friendship), Botanical garden, the National Museum of Tajikistan that houses more than 50 000 expositions and a 12m high Statue of Buddha) and the “KokhiNavruz”. (Overnight in Dushanbe)
Day 10:
Transfer to Sarytag and trip to Iskander-Kul
Today we will transfer to Sarytag, one of the most wonderful open countries in the Central Asia region and a portion of the world's most noteworthy pinnacles including PikLenina and PikComunista. Check-in to your hotel and later on visit Iskander-Kul claimed to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the former Soviet Union at an altitude of 2195 meters in the northern slopes of Fann Mountain. The lake is also knowns as the Lake of the Alexander the Great. (Overnight in Sarytag)
Day 11:
Transfer to Penjikent and self-guided tour of the Penjikent
Today we will transfer to Penjikent located in the Khujand area, which was a truly favourable area since no convoy or individual going from the mountains or coming back to Samarkand could sidestep Penjikent. The city was wrecked by Arabs in the eighth century (the key fight occurred on Mount Mug). The vestiges of this antiquated city were discovered uniquely in the only remaining century. Today the vacationers can see the remaining parts of staying houses and places of business, the fortification with the castle, the place of specialists, and fire admirers church. Upon arrival check-in to your hotel. Later on, we'll visit the Ethnographic historical centre as an acquaintance of with the way of life and history to antiquated City (fifth - eighth Century AD) before investigating the city itself. See the ruler's invigorated stronghold, the Shakhristan (inward walled city), that contained two Zoroastrian sanctuaries, and the necropolis. Proceed to the city bazaar to meet with neighborhood individuals and absorb the environment. Your next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage site Sarazm. (Overnight in Penjikent)
Day 12:
Margazor lakes Hike
Head south to the excellent Margazor lakes, there are seven lakes altogether, every one of the alternate tints of turquoise. Go through the early daytime climbing ways around the pools of Mijgon, Soya, Hushyer and Nofin, taking in the many staggering scenes. Show up at your conventional homestay in the delightful Nofin town for some lunch and a rest. This evening you'll keep on investigating more lakes; lake Khurdak, the biggest lake Marguzor and the last lake Hazorchashma. Return back to the town for loosening up at night. (Overnight in Penjikent)
Day 13:
Transfer to Uzbekistan
Now your trip inTajikistan has come to a close. Board the bus for Tashkent, Uzbekistan (5 hours) and transfer into your hotel upon arrival. Tashkent is Uzbekistan's capital city. It is known for its many museums and its mixture of modern and Soviet-era architecture. The Amir Timur Museum is home to Timurid manuscripts, arms and relics. Nearby there are centuries-old Buddhist relics in Uzbeks, a huge State Museum of History. Tashkent Tower, which provides views of the city from the observation deck, is a part of the city skyline. (Overnight in Tashkent)
Day 14:
City Tour of Tashkent
Today after breakfast go on a day tour of the Tashkent city with your guide and explore the major attractions. Visit the ancient museums and learn about their fascinating history. Cover all the major sightseeing like Minor Mosque, Tashkent TV Tower, Suzuk Ota Complex, Amir Timur Museum etc (Overnight in Tashkent).
Day 15:
Charvak, ChimganandBeldersay
Post breakfast visit theChimgan Mountains in the morning. The road lying in picturesque surroundings full of local villages, gardens and streams will propel you. Take a 3 km long trip from BeldersayGorge to Kumble peak,in a cable car, where the longest ski track begins (please notice that the cable car does not operate during the weekdays, and expect long lines on Saturdays and Sundays). After a mountain hike continue to Charvak reservoir shore, which is surrounded by green mountain flanks. With numerous resorts, beaches and summer camps for youngsters, Charvak Lake is a favourite place for locals and foreigners to enjoy out of town summer days. (Overnight in Tashkent)
Day 16:
Intercity transfer to Samarkand and Samarkand guided tour
Transfer to Samarkand, located in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the secondlargest city of Uzbekistan and is of the old as the city of Babylon or Rome. Superb and delightful city Samarkand has a heavenly and alluring power. Also called “Rome of the East” by the poets of ancient times. Its profitable geological situation in the Zarafshan valley puts Samarkand to the primary spot among urban areas of Central Asia. Transfer to your hotel and go on a full-day tour in one of the key trading cities of the ancient Silk Road, which became famous as the capital of the vast state of Tamerlane. You'll visit Tamerlane's Tomb and Registan Square, an architectural marvel of blue-tiled madrassahs on three sides. See also the Observatory of Ulugbek, the Necropolis of Shah-i-Zinaida, and the massive Bibi Khanum Mosque, designed by Tamerlane for his Chinese wife. (Overnight in Samarkand)
Day 17:
Shakhrisabz tour
Enjoy a day trip to Shakhrisabz, the origin of Tamerlane, encompassed by the Zerafshan Mountains. Appreciate phenomenal perspectives from the highest point of the gigantic entry of the Ak-Sarai Palace of Tamerlan and visit the Mausoleum and the Kuk Gumbaz Mosque. (Overnight in Samarkand)
Day 18:
Departure
Now your Silk route has come to a close with Uzbekistan being the last destination. If you are lucky to have a late flight, you can spend your final day in Samarkand by getting to know the city on your own and discovering the various delicacies it has to offer, before you’re transferred to the airport by a private cab.