Activity level 22. Uzbekistan + China + Kyrgyzstan

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1 Journey Itinerary Silk Road Adventure Days Eastbound Countries Distance Activity level 22 Tashkent to Tashkent Uzbekistan + China + Kyrgyzstan 3,780 km Designed especially for travellers who seek high adventure among the peaks and mountain passes of the Tien Shan Mountains, this journey traverses some of the least travelled routes of the Silk Road. Your adventurous spirit will be rewarded with breathtaking scenery in unspoilt wilderness. 'A fantastic journey offering insights into history, culture, cuisine and landscapes. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip from day one with excellent guides and organisation.' Darrell & Heather Fisher, Australia Sundowners Overland - Silk Road Adventure Page 1 of 6

2 Itinerary Day 1: Tashkent Beginning in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, the heart of the Silk Road, take the chance to explore the old town and Chorsu Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest Bazaars in Central Asia, found in the unique complex of trade halls crowned with magnificent blue domes. In the evening of Day 1 you join your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at 5:00pm for your pre-departure meeting as detailed on your joining instructions. Day 2: To Fergana Valley After breakfast this morning we travel beyond the capital to the rarely visited oasis of Fergana Valley, the lyrical land of fruit and honey. En route we stop at one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan, Kokand, and the potters town of Rishton. Sightseeing - Kokand Excursion including Minaret, Rishton potteries Day 3: Fergana Valley and to Osh Continuing through the Fergana Valley we visit the silk-weaving town of Margilan where tourists are seldom seen, and the friendly locals dress in traditional wear. The local bazaar with its seductive sights, sounds and aromas is one of the most interesting in the valley. Our journey then takes us across the border to Osh, strategically positioned at the eastern gateway of the Fergana Valley, and which prospered with Silk Road trade until the Mongol armies destroyed the city in the 13 century. This afternoon we gain an insight into its heart and soul visiting the spiritual Suleiman Mountains as well as its colourful bazaar. th Sightseeing - Excursion to Margilan including Bazaar & Half Day Osh City Excursion including Suleiman Mountains, Museum and Osh Bazaar Day 4: Osh and to Sary Tash The history of the Silk Road simmers below Osh s surface. This morning we visit the city s Russian Orthodox Church that was reopened after the demise of the Soviet Union, wander the Central Square and see the monument Kurmandjan Datka before continuing to Sary Tash around midday. Sightseeing - Half day Osh City Tour & dinner Sundowners Overland - Silk Road Adventure Page 2 of 6

3 Itinerary (cont.) Days 5-7: Kashgar The roads leading to the Chinese frontier carry little traffic. Apart from a few small towns in river valleys, the terrain is alluringly barren and rugged. We steadily climb through the Tien Shan Mountains to the Irkeshtam Pass (3005m) bound for the legendary Silk Road market town of Kashgar. Kashgar s unique position has made it a strategic trading post throughout history, its old city once regarded as one of the best preserved examples of a traditional Islamic city anywhere in Central Asia, is now sadly reduced in size. At the heart of the town lies the magnificent yellow-tiled Id Kah Mosque, one of the largest in Central Asia. Step back in time at the Sunday Market where trade continues in a time-honoured tradition, it is an absolute awakening for all your senses and an incredible experience. Sightseeing - Day 6 Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb, City Exploring and free time, Day 7 Half Day Excursion to Sunday Market Meals - Day 5 - Breakfast & lunch, Day 6 Breakfast, Day 7 Breakfast Day 8: Tash Rabat via the Torugart Pass Travelling north through barren mountains, we pass Muslim shrines and the traditional homes of Central Asia s nomads (known as yurts), en route to Torugart Pass (3752m), and the Kyrgyzstan border. Set within a beautiful valley, near Tash Rabat we find, and stay in one of the few remaining Silk Road caravanserais with its large impressive stone walls dating from the 10 century. th, packed lunch & dinner Day 9: Tash Rabat and to Lake Issyk Kul Travelling north the road cuts through the rugged Kyrgyz steppe and spectacular mountains can be seen as we travel via the Naryn Valley to the quaint and friendly village of Kochkor where we stop for lunch. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Tien Shan, Lake Issyk Kul (warm lake) is one of the world s largest bodies of fresh water and, despite an altitude of 1,600 metres it never freezes. We drive along the northern shores of Issyk Kul Lake to Cholpon Ata where we will spend the night. Sightseeing - Tash Rabat Caravanserai, Kochkor Village & Cholpon Ata & lunch Day 10: To Bishkek Leaving the lake s glistening waters behind, we continue on to Kyrgyzstan s capital, Bishkek. Along the way we stop to wander around the Burana Tower, before spending the evening enjoying Bishkek s many parks and intriguing soviet buildings. Sightseeing - Burana Tower Historical Complex, Cholpon Ata Petrogylphs Sundowners Overland - Silk Road Adventure Page 3 of 6

4 Itinerary (cont.) Day 11: Bishkek and to Tashkent Following an excursion to the breathtaking Ala-Archa National Park and hike along the canyon, we return to Bishkek to explore the sites of the city and experience the hive of activity at Osh Bazaar before flying over nearby peaks to Tashkent. Sightseeing - Morning excursion to Ala-Archa National Park, Bishkek City Tour (2 hours) and Osh Bazaar Day 12: Tashkent to Ayaz Qala via Urgench After our city tour of Tashkent, we embark on a train journey to the exquisitely ornate cities of western Uzbekistan and arriving in Urgench the following day. Sightseeing - Full Day Tashkent City Tour including Khast Imam square, Chorsu bazaar, Amir Timur square, Monument of Courage, Mustakiliq square, Museum of Applied Art Day 13: Ayaz Qala We arrive in Urgench, then head for the remote region bordering Karakalpakstan to explore the ancient forts of Ayaz Qala, before spending the night in a traditional yurt under some of the world s most astonishing skies. Sightseeing - Half Day City Tour including Toprak Qala Day 14: Khiva We continue our Silk Road Adventure onwards to explore the old city of Khiva one of the best-preserved examples of a walled Khanate city with foundations dating from the 10 century. A truly magnificent sight to behold, as we draw nearer Khiva rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of well-preserved and impressive architecture. th Sightseeing - Half Day City Tour including Itchan Kala, Ak Mosque, Anush Mohammed's Bath, Kuhna Ark, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Islam Khoja Minaret Days 15-17: Bukhara After a morning further exploring Khiva, we depart for Bukhara. Bukhara is alive with history, the Ark Fortress, Samanid Mausoleum; one of the world s oldest monuments and the Kalyan Minaret are just some of the wonders not to be missed. In the covered bazaars, rugs, silks and spices are still traded as they were in the heyday of the Silk Road and exploring them gives a real sense of what it could have been like in the days of Marco Polo. Sightseeing - Day 15 City Exploring and free time, Day 16 Full Day City Tour including Citadel Ark, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani Mausoleum, Poyi Kalon Ensemble, Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah, Kosh Madrasah Ensemble, Lyabi Khauz Ensemble, Magoki Attori Mosque, Coumpol Bazaar & evening performance, Day 17 City Exploring and free time Meals - Day 15 Breakfast, Day 16 Breakfast, Day 17 Breakfast Sundowners Overland - Silk Road Adventure Page 4 of 6

5 Itinerary (cont.) Days 18-20: Samarkand A spectacular drive through the Zerafshan Mountains takes us to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane. Beside the ruined entrance towers of his Ak-Serai Palace, the pretty market town offers a relaxed atmosphere with traditional homes, tea houses and mosques. Later, we arrive in Samarkand the most evocative city of the Silk Road, often referred to as Golden Samarkand, after the romantic poem The Golden Road to Samarkand by English poet, James Elroy Flecker, who strangely never visited the area. Still, that is a minor detail when we consider that the city s Registan is simply the most spectacular architectural ensemble in Central Asia. Comprised of three madrassas (places of learning) and a mosque, this beautiful square is inspiring. Other highlights include Shah-I-Zinda, with its narrow alleys of tombs and mausoleums, Bibi Khanym Mosque and the Ulug Bek Observatory. Sightseeing - Day 18 Excursion to Shakhrisabz, Day 19 Full Day Samarkand City Tour including Registan Square, Guri Emir Mausoleum, Shah-i- Zinda Complex, Ulug bek Observatory, Bibi Khanym Mosque, Day 20 City Exploring and free time Meals - Day 18 Breakfast, Day 19 Breakfast, Day 20 Breakfast Days 21-22: Samarkand to Tashkent Spend the day soaking in the glittering sites of this fascinating city before making our way to the railway station to board our final train, returning to Tashkent later this evening. Our journey concludes where it all began and you can enjoy a final day in Tashkent. Please note: Our 27/08/18 departure may run in the reverse direction. Any affected travellers will be advised of changes closer to departure. Please contact our Travel Advisors for more details. Sightseeing - City Exploring and free time Meals - Day 21 - Breakfast, Day 22 - Breakfast. Sundowners Overland - Silk Road Adventure Page 5 of 6

6 What's included Group size 15 maximum Meals 20 breakfasts 3 lunches 2 dinners Transfers All transfers including to and from the airport. Accommodation 17 hotel / guesthouse (twin share) 1 homestay (shared) 2 yurts (Shared) 1 train (shared 4 berth) Sightseeing Comprehensive schedule of sightseeing with certified Local Guides. You ll have a generous sprinkling of free time to relax or explore on your own. Expertise Expert local guides Train tickets provided Visa support Advice from Travel Advisors Contact Us Client enquiries and reservations Australia: New Zealand: UK: Europe: Worldwide: travel@sundownersoverland.com Travel agent enquiries and reservations Australia: New Zealand: UK: Europe: Worldwide: agentsales@sundownersoverland.com Client enquiries and reservations Level 1, 51 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000 Australia T: Sundowners Overland - Silk Road Adventure Page 6 of 6