Kazakhstan + Uzbekistan Tour

Arrival in Almaty early in the morning, meet the driver at the airport and further transfer to the hotel for accommodation and rest. 

After breakfast start the sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers, Ascension Cathedral (Russian Orthodox church), Museum of musical instruments and Green Bazaar. After lunch time we proceed to the National Park of Ili Alatau and its highlights of Medeo rink, Shymbulak resort and Kok Tobe park. Return to the hotel for rest and overnight. 

 breakfast

After breakfast we start our jeep tour across Almaty region. By the lunch time we arrive in Altyn Emel National park. Accommodation at the local guesthouse and lunch there. After lunch proceed to Aktau white mountains for a slight hike there and additional visit of the 700 years old osier. Return to the guesthouse for dinner, rest and overnight. 

 breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breafast we continue exploring the beauty of Altyn Emel National Park. We set off to visit another highlight of the region – the Singing dune – rare nature phenomenon that happens at dry weather when the sand becomes to sing similar to the tunes of an organ.

After that we proceed to Zharkent city with its Dungan mosque, the Valley of Castles and Charyn canyon – a small copy of the Grand canyon. 

After exploring the area, we drive further to Kolsay lakes. On arrival – accommodation at the guesthouse for rest and overnight. 

 breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast at the guesthouse and further transfer to Kolsay lakes region that represents a a group of high mountain lakes at Northern Tien Shan, close to Kyrgyzstan border. The place is for true lovers of nature, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests; these lakes are located at 1,800m, 2,300m and 2,900m above the sea level.

Today we can make trekking from the first lake to the second Kolsay lake; it takes around 3-4 hours one way (lunch boxes included). Optionally, take a horseback ride instead and shorten your trip. 

If you are not willing to walk, you can just enjoy the untainted nature of Kolsay with its fresh air, marvelous sceneries and ice-clear water. You can even rent a boat to sail on the lake. 

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse. 

 breakfast, lunch, dinner 

Breakfast at the guesthouse and further transfer to Kaindy lake – another highlight of the region that is famous for its origin. The lake appeared after a strong earthquake in 1911, when the coniferous forest was flooded after the landslide.

The water at the lake is cold and, therefore, trees are still well preserved until now and can be seen through the clear water. Once we pass off-road area and stop by the slope, you are going for walking until Kaindy lake, where fascinating view of the lake opens from top of the hill. En route back we will stop at the local guesthouse for lunch. 

After lunch – futher transfer to Almaty. Accommodation at the hotel, rest and overnight. 

 breakfast, lunch, dinner

In the morning we say goodbye to the beautiful lake Son Kul, today we are going back to Bishkek. Lunch in a local family in Don Aryk village. After lunch transfer to ancient city Balasagun, one of the capitals of the Karakhanid’s state, the beautiful Burana tower of the early 11 century will appear before your eyes. After the excursion transfer to Bishkek. Accommodation in a hotel. Farewell dinner.

*We have the right to change the program depending on the time of arrival in Tashkent. After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Upon arrival transfer ti the hotel. After some rest, city tour. Lunch and dinner in a local restaurant.

After breakfast, we continue our city tour in Tashkent. Transfer to the local airport for a flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1h 30 min). Arrive at Urgench airport. Meeting and transfer to Khiva (35 km, 40 min). Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will visit the Ichan-Kala fortress. Visit to the Muhammad Amirkhan madrasah, the Muhammad Rakhimkhan madrasah, the Kalta-Minor madrasah, the Juma mosque, the Tash-Khovli palace, the Pakhlavan Mahmud mausoleum. Try to climb the Islam-Khoja minaret – the tallest minaret in Uzbekistan. 

Enjoy a panoramic view of old Khiva from the Kunya-Ark observation deck. Transfer to Urgench airport for a flight to Bukhara. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Full-day guided tours of the Old Town. Visiting the Lyabi-Hauz complex, the Magoki Attori mosque, the Chor-Minor madrasah, the Kalyan minaret, the Kayan mosque and the Miri-Arab madrasah, the Ulugbek madrasah and the Abdulazizkhan madrasah, the Ark fortress, the Bolo-Khauz mosque, the Samanid mausoleum and the Chashma mausoleum Ayub. Show at Nadir Divan-Begi madrasah. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we are going to visit the summer residence of the last emir of Bukhara – Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa. Our next place for the visit will be the mausoleum of Bahouddin Naqshbandi – the founder of the Sufi order of Naqshbandiyya. Transfer to the railway station. Meeting at the station and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Today after breakfast, we will visit the famous Registan Square, Bibi-Khanum cathedral mosque, also Siab Bazaar, where you can buy oriental sweets and souvenirs. In addition, you will visit the observatory of Ulugbek, the Shahi-Zinda mausoleum ensemble and Gur Emir mausoleum – the tomb of Amir Timur and Timurids. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we continue our excursion in Samarkand. We visit the tomb of Saint Daniel. Then a trip to the village of Konigil, where we will see the process of making Samarkand’s paper from mulberry according to old technology. Transfer to the railway station. Here you will be met and taken to the hotel.

Departure day