Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, China

(Tuesday). Almaty. Arrival to the airport of Almaty and transfer to the hotel (check in at 14:00).

Today we will have a city tour around Almaty. Visit Panfilov Park – named after the 28 heroes, who died for freedom and independence of the country. Zenkov Cathedral - the oldest building of the city, that is entirely wooden, built without any metal nails and a Memorial complex devoted to the World War Two and with eternal flame. Continue sightseeing at Green bazaar – a place where you can buy souvenirs, central Moslem mosque, Republic Square with three main symbols of Kazakhstan and Obelisk devoted to the independence.

After the city tour, drive to Medeo Gorge. Stop at the huge Medeo dam, that protects the city from destructive mudflows formed on the tops of the western Tian Shan mountains. From the top of the dam, at the altitude of 1733 meters above the sea level, enjoy the view of the largest high mountain skating rink in the world – Medeo, surrounded by marvelous mountains of Trans-Ili Alatau. After that visit the top of Kok-Tube hill, where you can enjoy unforgettable panorama of Almaty from the observation desk. At the foot of the tallest TV tower in Kazakhstan you can take a walk along the winding paths of the Kok-Tube park, where you will come across "The Beatles" monument devoted to the popular Liverpool band. At the end of the tour take a short ride from the hill to the city center by the cable car. 


Accommodation at the hotel

(Wensday). Almaty – Charyn canyon – Karakol (360 km / 6h). This day we will drive to Charyn canyon.

Charyn Canyon is a unique natural monument, stretching for 154km along the banks of Charyn river to the east from Almaty. It consists out of sedimentary rocks which are about 12 mln years old. The height of canyon walls can be up to 300 meters. The most interesting tourist place is Valley of Castles, curvy 2-km path through the bottom of canyon will lead you along picturesque mountains, red cliffs and rocks. Walk in the canyons. Cross the border with Kyrgyzstan and Arrive to Karakol city for the night.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Thur). Karakol – Cholpon-Ata city (150 km / 3 h). After breakfast we will drive to Grigoriev gorge and have a hike to the mountainous lake.

The beauty of nature is fascinating: forbs, greenery, fresh mountain air and silence.  Continue our journey to Cholpon-Ata. Arrival to Cholpon-Ata city, relax in the hotel, visit SPA and walk along the beach of the lake. Dinner will be in the local café with folklore show.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Fri). Cholpon-Ata city – Bishkek city (270 km / 4.5 h). Today we will have free time for rest in the morning.

On the way you will visit the historical-architectural complex of Burana Tower. Burana tower (minaret) is located on the territory of an ancient settlement 90km far from Bishkek. The historians and archeologists proved that the settlement was once the capital of Karakhanid Khanate and was called Balasagun founded in 10th century AC. Burana tower is the central monument of this complex. 

Upon arrival accommodation at the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel

(Sat). Bishkek – Tashkent flight (HY-780 FRU – TAS 16:35 – 16:55). In the morning you will have a city tour around Bishkek with visiting main Ala-Too square with changing of the guards, victory square with the central market, old square with the statue of Lenin, Manas complex and the local colorful bazaar.

After lunch drive to the airport for the flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival in Tashkent Airport you are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel.

Tashkent is one of the oldest and largest cities in Central Asia, the Uzbek capital since 1930, and very much a showpiece of Soviet and post-soviet architecture. In the evening we start exploring the capital by going back in time - to visit Alisher Navoi Theater, Amir Timur Square, TV Tower, White Mosque of Tashkent City.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Sun): Tashkent – Bukhara “Afrosiab” express train 07:30-11:20. Full day exploring fabulous Bukhara. This incredible city, one of the most famous names of medieval Islam, is home to hundreds of registered monuments. Look around - they're literally everywhere. On today's tour we visit some of the main highlights (listed below), as well some lesser known sights along the way. Bring a fully charged camera battery.

In no particular order we will visit: Lab-i-khauz ensemble - modern centre of traditional Uzbekistan, madrassahNadirkhonDevanbegi, Khanaga, MogakiAttari mosque, Poi Kalon minaret and mosque, see MadrassahsAzizKhan and Ulugbek.

After lunch visit Ark Fortress, Balakhauz mosque, mausoleum of Ismail Samanid, ChashmaAyub. We will also visit Hunarmand UNDP Assisted workshops near Lyabikhauz. We see block printing, metal chasing, suzani embroidery, carving and miniature painting, gold embroidery.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Mon): Bukhara – Shakhrisabz – Samarkand (180 km / 3h). This morning you will travel to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the Great Amir Timur (Tamerlane), located approximately 90km south of Samarkand. Explore the city, visiting sites such as the remnants of Ak-Sarai Palace, DorusTilavat cemetery and Kok-Gumbaz Mosque.

In the late afternoon transfer to Samarkand and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Tues): Samarkand – Tashkent “Afrosiab” express train 17:30-19:40. No name is so evocative of the Silk Road as Samarkand. It is one of the oldest existing cities in the world and the oldest of Central Asia. Built on the site of Afrosiab, which dated from the 3rd or 4th millennium B.C., Samarkand was known to the ancient Greeks as Marakanda; ruins of the old settlement remain north of the present city.

You will have a full day tour of Samarkand to see the famous Registan Square which was for many centuries the heart of Samarkand. See the three beautiful madrassahs: the Ulug-Bek Madrasah built in 15th century; the Tillya-Kori Madrasah built in 17th century; the Sher-Dor Madrasah, also built in 17th century. Visit Gur Emir - mausoleum of Great Tamerlane. Later see the grandest structure of Amir Temur’s times - the chief Friday Mosque called Bibi-Khanum, the Silk Road bazaar and ShahiZinda necropolis.

Transfer to the railway station to catch your train to Tashkent. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Wed): Tashkent – Kokand – Rishtan – Fegana (380 km / 6h). Morning drive to Fergana en route visit Kokand and Rishtan.

On arrival in Kokand excursion to the major sights.VisitKhudayar Khan Palace, Jommi Mosque, Narbutabey and DasturkhanchiMadrassah, Royal CemeteryandKhaidarov Workshop (museum of Kokand woodcraft).

Later drive to Rishtontown (50km away from Fergana) – a center of unique ceramic production in Uzbkekistan. Rishtan is known today as a city of the foremen, one of the largest in Central Asia centers of manufacture of unique glazed ceramic. Rishtan artisans have become famous all over the world for their eramics production technology. Their distinctive blue and green work shines in the sun, and every third family in Rishtan produces pottery. All works are unique.

You will visit the creative workshop of RustamUsmanov, a famous master of blue ceramics in Rishtan. The mastery of his beautiful paintings and the richness of their pattern themes give a unique, hard-to-reproduce character to each of his works. They are some of the best pieces of Uzbekistan's decorative art. Here you will have an opportunity to see the master class of ceramic production and to create some pieces on your own.

Continue to Fergana town for overnight.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Thur): Fegana – Osh (135 km / 2.5h). Morning we proceed to Margilan (located 12 km from Fergana). Margilan has been famous for its wonderful and fine silks. Via the Great Silk Road traders brought Marghilanian silk to Baghdad, Cairo and Athens. It is still the most important silk production center in Uzbekistan.

Today we will visit a workshop where original handmade methods of silk ikat production are still used. This is one of the best places that Ikat weaving still survives as in the old days. We will visit Yodigarlik silk processing factory and Saidahmad Hoja Ehsan Madrasa where famous velvet ikat, adrasikat, silk rugs and block print masters are still working like in the old days.

After that we will cross border to enter Kyrgyzstan.

Continue our way to the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan – Osh. Osh is the second biggest town of Kyrgyzstan after Bishkek with the population about 250 thousand people. It was one of the religious Muslim centers in Central Asia. It is known by its ancient mosques in the center of the town and also by Suleiman-Too (Sulaiman-Takhty, the throne of Solomon), which is one of the places of pilgrimage of central Asian Muslims. In the evening we will have a small city tour with visiting Suleiman mountain and the main square.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Fri). Osh – Kashgar (500 km / 9h). It will be a long drive this day.

In the morning after breakfast we will go to Torugart pass and cross the border with China. Drive to Kashgar. Dinner and overnight in the hotel in Kashgar.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Sat). Kashgar. Today we will have city tour in Kashgar.

We will start from Id Kah mosque which was built in the middle of XV century. The pray hall of this mosque may hold about 4000 prayers. After that we will drive to Abakh Khoja tomb; it’s an ancient Islamic complex and a cemetery. You will see the biggest dome structure in Xinjiang in the eastern part of it. After lunch we will have free time to rest. Overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Sun). Kashgar Sunday market. Today after breakfast we will devote our day to Sunday market of Kashgar. On Sunday it seems that all Central Asia is here. You may see the people from all Central Asian countries which are busy with bargain and trying to get the best deal. Evening free. Overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation at the hotel

(Mon). Departure.

Today the car will take you to the airport for your flight home.