Silk Road travel: Tour 4

 

Silk Road travel: Tour 4
Destination: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
Duration: 16 days
Places to visit: Almaty - Issyk - Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore - Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake - Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand - Bukhara - Farab - Turkmenabad - Mary - Merv - Ashgabat


Day 1: Almaty
We are glad to see you on a tour of Silk Road. This day will start by learning more about Southern capital of Kazakhstan and see beautiful sites. First visit Green Bazaar and enjoy shopping. Then visit the oldest Almaty parks as Panfilov Park as well as Zenkov Cathedral. Later on visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame dedicated to the memory of fighters who died for independence of Kazakhstan. In the second part of day we will visit Medeo Gorge and enjoy seeing the highest mountain skating rink in the world. Drive to Kok Tobe hill and see the largest TV tower in the world. The day will end by seeing a center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Transfer to a hotel for sleep.

Day 2: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
We are glad to present the next day of travelling to gorges as Trans Ili Alatau or Issyk Gorge. It is situated along the Kuldja tract. Here you will have an opportunity to see remarkable beauty of nature and take superb photos. See burial mound of Saka period, where the famous "Golden Man" was found and became a state symbol of Kazakhstan. You will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum Reserve "ISSYK" and find traces dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period and a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. Later on we will drive to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level and see great mountain lake Issyk. It appeared about 10,000 years ago due to landslide of 300 meters in height. Afterwards is transfer to a hotel.

Day 3: Almaty - Bishkek
In the morning is transfer to Bishkek. Bishkek city is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan. It is situated at about 800 meters (2,600 ft) altitude near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. It goes to the Tian Shan mountains rises up to 4,855 meters (15,928 ft). On a tour you will admire outstanding beauty of panorama. Here you will have a city tour and visit Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala Too Square, the National Arts Museum, National Philharmonic and so on. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 4: Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore
The driver will transfer to Issyk Kul Lake. It is bounded by the heavenly mountains and defined to be the second largest alpine lake in the world of 1608 m above sea level. The second name of the lake is "the pearl of Central Asia" and never freezes due to salt at the bottom. On the way to the lake you can visit Burana Tower and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors) found in the 11^th century. Night is in hotel.

Day 5: Issyk Kul Lake - Karakol
In the morning we will travel to Karakol city. On the way we will visit ancient stone inscriptions found in the 800 B.C. See petroglyphs made by shamans more than 2 000 years ago. We will drive lengthways the northern shore of the lake to the town of Karakol. We will visit the Dungan mosque and an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 6: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
In the morning we will walk to Jeti Oguz gorge or Seven Bulls placed in a row and have diverse shapes. Here you will a chance see the Broken Heart Mountain. Being here you will see outstanding panorama view if you spend. The next destination is visiting Bokonbaeva village and meet a local trainer who hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles. Take photos of birds and enjoy a tour. Rest is in a hotel.
           
Day 7: Bishkek - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand
Today is transfer to the airport for a flight to the city of Osh in the morning. Upon arrival you will have the chance to visit a famous and special place as Suleiman Mountain. Suleiman Too (Solomon's Mountain) is located in the city center. It is the important place of pilgrimage for local Muslims. According to the legend, biblical prophet Solomon (Suleiman) was buried at the foot of it. Later on we will drive to Tajik border. We will pass over mountains and high passes and drive through Batken region. You will be impressed by apricot trees and flower as Aigul. Your Tajik guide will meet you at the other side and drive to Khudjand city. It is the second largest city of Tajikistan and placed on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population of the city is 149,000. In addition, it is the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan and called Sughd. In the second half of day you will visit the Cultural Palace of Khudjand where the first president of Tajikistan was selected. See Central Mosque situated. Rest is in a hotel.

Day 8: Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake
We will drive to high Mountain lake - Iskanderkul of 2 255 m. a. s. l located in the famous Fann Mountains and defined to be considered to be the best places of Central Asia. We will walk along beaches and hike 40 minutes in order to see a wonderful waterfall. It is important to note that Tajikistan takes the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources which is the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries. There are more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Night is in a home stay.

Day 9: Iskanderkul Lake - Penjakent
Today we will travel to Penjakent through pass Shahriston. The height is about 3 378 m. The pleasing city of Penjakent, "five villages" is situated in Khudjand area of Tajikistan in an amiable Zeravshan river valley. It appeared in the 5^th -8^th centuries AD. The city of Penjakent was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd or "Central Asian Pompeii". It was a ruler's palace, where two temples, markets, dwelling houses were ornamented with paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. Its fragments were found only in the last century. Travelers will have a chance to see the remnants of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshiper's church. Rest is in a local hotel.

Day 10: Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand
In the morning is transfer to the Tajik and Uzbek border. The Uzbek driver will meet you at the other side of the border and drive to Samarkand. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 11: Samarkand
Today is a city tour in Samarkand. The wonderful city of Samarkand is located in the valley of the river Zerafshan and defined to be the second largest city of Uzbekistan as Babylon or Rome. Visit the Registan square, Shakhi Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square will inspire travelers by three Madrasahs belonging to the 15^th - 17^th centuries. Shakhi Zindeh is the largest collection of mausoleums originated in the 11^th-15^th centuries (The UNESCO World Heritage Site). Bibi Khanum Mosque is a very lovely site which was built for the favorite Tamerlane's wife, after his trip from India. Night is in a hotel.

Day 12: Samarkand - Bukhara (Morning train transfer)
In the morning we will travel to Bukhara by train. On arrival is city tour and visit ancient citadel in Bukhara found in the 4^th century and called as Citadel Ark. Then we will visit Samanids mausoleum found in the 9^th -10^th century. The next stop is the Chashma Ayub or Job's well and Bolo Hauz mosque where you can see forty columns dedicated to Bukhara governor Abu Fayud Khan. Later on we will visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara as Nodir Divan Begi (Lyabi House Ensemble). The tour will be continued visiting the Kalon complex. It has three structures built in the 12^th-16^th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Overnight is in a hotel.
 
Day 13: Bukhara - Farab - Turkmenabad - Mary - Merv
Meet your local guide at Alat and Farap border point. Today we will travel to Mary province. We will visit an Ancient Merv situated at the road crossing of the Great Silk Road. Today it became one of the largest and biggest cities of the ancient world and the most important capitals of Islam along with Baghdad, Cairo and Damascus. Then you will have a guided tour and visit Gyz Gala, Erk Gala, Soltan Gala, Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum, Ibn Zeid Mausoleum. Rest is in a hotel

Day 14: Mary - Ashgabat
Today we will travel to Ashgabat. On this tour we will see the Annau Seyitjemaleddin Mosque. Aterwards a ruin town - Abiverd, located in eight kilometers west of Kaka. Abiverd was one of the most significant trading towns of Khorasan. On arrival to Ashgabat, you will have sightseeing tour. On the route we will drive to Gypchak village in order to see mausoleum and mosque. We will continue to Old Nissa - The Sanctuary of Parhian Kings. Nisa was the capital of Parthian Empire for 600 years as well as was the opponent of Rome Empire. We will visit Monuments of Archabil avenue and learn more about new part of Ashgabat as Health Path of Turkmenbashy constructed on mountains, Monument of Constitution "Alem" Culture and Recreation Center. In the second part of day we will drive to hotel and check in. Visit the Park dedicated to Turkmen horses-the pride of Turkmen, Gulistan Bazar, Monument for the Victims of the Earthquake of 1948, Monument of Lenin, Ertogrul Gazy Mosque. Later on we will walk along the main streets of Ashgabat and admire beauty of Palace of Happiness! Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 15: Ashgabat
We will continue our tour in Ashgabat city and the famous "Altyn Asyr" Oriental Bazar or Jygyldyk bazaar! It is the largest bazaar in Central Asia. Being there you will have a chance to admire interesting goods of oriental style and buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Then we will visit Horse Farm and enjoy seeing Turkmen Horses - Akhal Teke. Then we will visit the National Museum of History where you can see the biggest museums in Central Asia. Drive to Arch of Neutrality and see the famous rocket and tripod style erected which represent neutral status of Turkmenistan. Its height is over 300 feet counting 40 feet rotating statue of first President of Turkmenistan: Saparmyrat Nyyazow (Turkmenbashy). We will have the chance to walk around the Park of Independency where you can see fountains and statutes as well as Monuments of Independency and Ruhnama. Night is in a hotel.

Day 16: Flight
Have a safe flight!


Transport in Kazakhstan:
02 pax - Sedan economy
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Minibus

Transport in Kyrgyzstan:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter

Transport in Tajikistan:
02-04 pax - Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax - 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax - 3 cars: Hyundai Starex

Transport in Uzbekistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-06 pax - Minivan
08-10 pax - Minibus

Transport in Turkmenistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-08 pax - Minibus
10 pax - Bus


Price per person:
02 pax - 2 430 $
04 pax - 1 820 $
06 pax - 1 600 $
08 pax - 1 430 $
10 pax - 1 375 $
Single - 280 $

Early check-in - 25 $
Single early check-in - 45 $

Half board - 245 $
Full board - 350 $

English speaking guide - 1 285 $ per group

Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - $35 per group


Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Issyk Kul - "Karven" Resort
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Boutique Hotel
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
Iskandarkul - Homestay
Penjakent - "Umariyon" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
Merv - Merv 3*Hotel
Ashgabat - "Menzil" Hotel 3*
- Train tickets in UZ
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- English speaking guide in TM

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guides
- Migration tax 12$+4$ bank fee in TM
- Fee for using cameras on monuments in TM