The tour will give you the possibility to visit the cities that were part of the Great Silk Road chain, linked the East and the West and became the cause of birth of many unique towns, historic monuments, customs and even states. Tourists will see the unique architectural masterpieces and will be acquainted with the nature of Kazakhstan. In Uzbekistan your imagination will be fascinated with architectural monuments of ancient religious cultures: Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. Kok Tobe Hill in Almaty city. Kazakhstan Itinerary: Day 1 / ALMATY Arrival to Almaty. Transfer to the Hotel. Early check-in. After breakfast sightseeing tour of Almaty: Visiting Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, named in memory of the heroes of Panfilov's division and Almaty heroes, who stopped the enemy's tanks attack in Moscow during the World War II. Park got this name from May 05, 1942. The Ascension Cathedral was built by an architect Andrei Zenkov, famous as a founder of earthquake-proof construction. Museum of national musical instruments. The collection presents over 1000 objects, including rare exhibits dating back to the 17th century. In order to feel the city's real taste, its atmosphere and local color you should visit the Green Bazaar. Visiting Green Bazaar is a little fascinating adventure. You could taste, take part or watch the cooking process, buy national delicacies. After lunch visiting Republic Square, which is the heart of Almaty. The central State museum of Kazakhstan is one of the oldest and largest museums of Central Asia. Kok Tobe Park is one of the symbols of Almaty city and Kazakhstan, situated on Kok Tobe peak at a height of 1100 meters above sea level. Reach Kok Tobe Mountain by the most exciting and unusual way let yourself be a unique passenger of the cableway, connecting Almaty city center and Kok Tobe. Take a bird's eye panorama of the city. Ascension Cathedral in the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. Almaty Day 2 / ALMATY - CHARYN CANYON (200 km) Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Charyn Canyon (200 km). The journey takes about 4 hours one way. Charyn Canyon, which compared to the beauty of the Grand Canyon in Colorado, located east of Almaty. Unique forms of erosion and weathering of the relief will take you to the fantastic, surreal world of whimsical sculptures of sandstone "Castle Valley", "Witches Gulch" and others. The height of the steep slopes, columns and arches up to 150-300 meters. The canyon stretches for 154 km northeast to south-west, along the Charyn River, which is ideal for rafting. Here you will meet a real shaman, who will perform several ceremonies of the ritual dances. Lunch on the coast of the Charyn River. National Band plays with the national ancient musical instruments during lunch. Apple - symbol of ALMATY
Day 3 / ALMATY TURKESTAN After breakfast, enjoy Surround Mountains excursion: Medeo is a picturesque valley located 15 km above Almaty. Besides beautiful nature there are some other attractions to see, one of which is the world's largest speed skating rink, known as Medeo. "Shymbulak" Ski Resort is situated at an altitude of 2.200 meters above sea level. It is one of Central Asia's top skiing spots. Lunch at local café. Transfer to Big Almaty Lake. Big Almaty Lake considered as one of the most beautiful lakes in Kazakhstan. This mountain lake framed by mountains of Trans-Ili Alatau, located at an altitude of 2511 meters above sea level. Big Almaty Lake is an integral part of the Ile-Alatau National Park. Lunch boxes included. Transfer to the railway station. Train to Turkestan city. Departure at 18:50 hrs. Overnight in the train. Big Almaty Lake Charyn Canyon Medeo Day 4 / TURKESTAN SHYMKENT ASTANA 06:55 Arrival to Turkestan. Transfer for breakfast. After breakfast visiting ancient mausoleums: the Mausoleum of Khodja Ahmet Yassawi (UNESCO HERITAGE) Khodja Ahmet Yassawi complex was built in the end of the 14th century and since that time has become one of the main places of worship in Islam. After lunch, transfer to Shymkent via Otrar, (150 km to Shymkent, takes approx., 2hs) Otrar (also called as Farab) was an important trading center in the history of Central Asia, situated at the intersection of the caravan ways of the Great Silk Road. The first settlement on the territory of Otrar was established in the 1st century BC by Kangly (Kangju Empire). The earliest monuments are dated from the XII to XV centuries. Otrar was a large oasis, containing a series of town and cities with its own names: Altyntobe, Dzhalpak-tobe, Kuyuk-Mardan-tobe and Pchakchi-tobe. Otrar is the birthplace of the great medieval philosopher Abu Nasr al-farab. The period of X-XII centuries was the time of prosperity of urban life, which was broken by the Mongol invasion. In 1219 Otrar fell under the onslaught of the army of Genghis Khan. On the way to Shymkent city tourists will also pass: The Museum in Shaulder village. The Mausoleum of Arystan - bab of XII century - one of Muslim shrines in Central Asia that is famous as pilgrimage place. Mausoleum of Khodja Ahmet Yassawi Arrival to Shymkent. Dinner. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Astana city. Departure at 22:45 hrs. Day 5 / ASTANA Late arrival to Astana city. Accommodation. Overnight. Sightseeing of Astana We start our city tour from Atameken outdoor museum, famous for its miniature model map of Kazakhstan. Visiting the Baiterek Tower - symbol of new capital of Kazakhstan. Visiting the Palace of Independence where you can find model of general layout of Astana city and watch 4D movie. Visiting the National Museum. Visiting one of the biggest Mosques in Central Asia - Hazret Sultan. Finally, you will cross the river in order to start your amazing 40-minute boat trip. Dinner at Alasha restaurant designed in Eastern style. Hazret Sultan Mosque. Astana
Day 6 / ASTANA TASHKENT Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. Transfer to Alzhir Memorial Museum of Victims of Political Repressions and Totalitarianism. ALZHIR - Akmola camp for the wives of traitors of Motherland - one of the largest camps of Soviet Union and one of the three "islands" of the "Gulag Archipelago". The camp was opened in the beginning of 1938, when it received the first stages of the prisoners - mostly members of the families of traitors. According to incomplete data, the number of repressed exceeded 18,000 convicts. Return to the city. Lunch. Transfer to airport Flight to Tashkent by Air Astana KC 123. Departure at 20.50 hrs. Arrival to Tashkent airport. Meet and greet service. Accommodation. Overnight. Astana city. Kazakhstan Day 7 / TASHKENT URGENCH KHIVA Ichan-Kala. Khiva. Uzbekistan Day 8 / KHIVA - BUKHARA (490 km) Breakfast at Tashkent hotel. Caravans come to China from West to East and our route starts from Khiva, museum city under the sky. Transfer to the airport, flight to Urgench (morning flight) Arrival and transfer to Khiva (30 km, ~ 40-50 min). Khiva Hotel accommodation (check in 14.00) If you ever dreamed of getting into Eastern fairy tale, than your dreams come true. City tour in Khiva around: Ichan-Kala architectural complex (XIIXIX), the Residence of the last Khiva Khan including Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, KunyaArk Castle (XVI-XVI), Kalta Minor Tower. Continue to Tash-Hovli Palace (XIX), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum (XIV-XVIII), Juma Mosque (X) and other Khiva tourist sights. Narrow streets, carved ayvans veranda and doors, majestic minarets and mausoleums, heritage and arts all kept with care in this city as great treasure. Meeting sunset on the wall. Breakfast at Khiva hotel. In old days, route from Khiva to Bukhara lasted more than a month. Today it takes 8-9 hours by vehicle, through mysterious red desert Kyzyl-Kum, the territory of Khorezm, which was called in the past as a State of Thousand and Hundred Cities. What kind of secrets are buried in this desert, this is something what archeologists and historians will be trying to find in the future. Meanwhile, you are invited to view the exotic landscapes of desert with roaming camels, nomadic yurts and old Amudarya River (Oxus). Lunch Box in route. Arrival to Bukhara and accommodation. Holy Bukhara, homeland of Ibn Sino (Avicenna), loved city of all saints and worldwide known philosopher cheery Hodja Nasriddin, lively, noisy and luxurious capital of Emirs, rich man of all nationals and patrons. When you hear Splendor of East it is Bukhara! Bukhara. Uzbekistan
Day 9 / BUKHARA After breakfast, city tour in Bukhara: Ismael Samani Mausoleum (the tomb of representatives of Samanids' dinasty at the end of IX beginning of X), Chashma Ayub Mausoleum (Spring of Job - XIV), Bolo-Hauz Mosque (beginning of XX), Citadel Ark (IV) city in a city. Lunch at national house of Rakhmon. Here you will see a unique collection of ancient Susanne and taste one of delicious national dishes, cooked specially for you by home owners. Continue to Poi Kalon Ensemble (Pedestal of the Great), religious heart of Sacred Bukhara, consists of Minaret Kalon (XII), Kalyan Mosque (XII), Miri Arab Madrassah (XVI), Ulugbek's Madrassah (1417), Madrassah Nodir Divanbeghi, Abdul Aziz Khan Madrassah, Magoki-Attori Mosque (dated XII-XVI centuries), Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble (dated XIV-XVII centuries), Kosh-Madrassah Ensemble (consisting of two resisting Madari-Abdullakhan Madrassah (Abdullakhan's mother) and Abdullakhan Madrassah. Chor-Minor (four minarets). Free time: we advise you to visit Bukhara Dome Bazaars (dated 1516 centuries): Toki Saraffon (the Dome of Moneychangers), TokiTelpak Furushon (the Dome of Cap makers), Toki Zargaron (the Dome of jewellers) and Tim Abdullakhan (the Center of silk). In evening you could enjoy amazing Performance of Folk ensemble in one of the oldest and beautiful medieval Madrassah of Bukhara Nodir Divanbeghi. Architectural Complex Shakh-i-Zinda. Samarkand Khiva Day 10 / BUKHARA SHAKHRISABZ (290 km) SAMARKAND (140 km) After breakfast drive to Shakhrisabz (290 km, 4-5 hours) City tour in Shakhrisabz: ruins of Ak-Saray Palace (XIV-XV), Dor-ut Saodat Complex: Khazratiy Imam Mosque (XIV), Jahongir Mausoleum (XIV), Dor-ut Tillavat Complex: Gumbazi-Seiidan, Kok Gumbaz Mosque (XV). Lunch in guest house. Continue to Samarkand (110 km, 3 hours). Arrival and Samarkand hotel accommodation. pilaf - Uzbek national food Day 11 / SAMARKAND Breakfast at Samarkand hotel. The science and art of ancient East where concentrated in Samarkand since olden times. Multinational and tolerant it is spoken here that: there are many stairs leading to the sky and there is no difference in what language you pray. Full day city tour in Samarkand: Mausoleum Guri Emir - Tamerlane's Tomb (XIV-XV), Registan Square - Madrassah Ulugbek (XV), Madrassah Shir-Dor (XVII), Madrassah Tillya-Kori (XVII). Visiting of morning East Siab Bazaar, Bibi Khanum Mosque (XIVXV). Tashkent Registan Square. Samarkand
Day 12 / SAMARKAND TASHKENT Breakfast at Samarkand hotel. Continue to Architectural Complex Shakh-i-Zinda (dated XI-XV century), Ulugbek Observatory (XV), and Museum of ancient city of Afrosiab Transfer to the railway station for train to Tashkent (speed train Afrosiab 17.00-19.10) Arrival and Tashkent Hotel accommodation. Day 13 / TASHKENT After breakfast excursion through old part of the city, visiting the religious complex Khasti Imam: consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (XV century), Barak Khan Madrassah (XVI centure), MuyMubarak Mosque - storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of prophet Muhammad; Dzhuma-mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali, Kukeldash Madrassah (XVI), Bazaar Chorsu. Continue to the center of Tashkent with Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan. Day 14 / TASHKENT NEXT DESTINATION The tour ends on the 14th day! The transport takes guests to the airport and we are looking forward to seeing you next time! Khiva. Uzbekistan PRICES of 2017 in USD: from 1090 USD per person for group of 20 pax + 1FOC The program includes: - Accommodation in tourist class hotels throughout Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (twin/dbl shared); - Services for private A/C transport with driver per program: 2 pax sedan up to 3 seats 3-7 pax minivan up to 10 seats 8-14 pax minibus up to 18 seats 15 pax and more bus up to 42 seats; - All airport transfers; - Meals: according to the program: Lunch boxes at Charyn Canyon and Big Almaty Lake (days 2, 3) Full Board in Uzbekistan (8 breakfasts at the hotels, 7 lunches and 7 dinners at local restaurants); - Shaman rituals at Charyn Canyon; - Folk Performance in Bukhara; - Train ticket Samarkand Tashkent (Economy Class); - Escort English - speaking guide for all sightseeing and excursions from arrival till departure; - Entrance fees to sites listed; - Mineral water 1L p/p daily; - Souvenirs; - Visa support (Uzbekistan part). Additional services: Air tickets (subject to change): - Almaty Astana from 60 USD per person, - Astana Tashkent - from 125 USD per person, - Tashkent Urgench from 115 USD per person. The program excludes: - International air tickets; - Domestic air tickets; - Any services, not included in the above itinerary.