Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kashgar

Description

Follow one of the most mysterious and scenic routes of the Great Silk Road. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uighur region of China – explore the pearls of the ancient empires.

Highlights: 

• The architectural monuments: Gur-e Amir mausoleum, Registan Ensemble (s. XV)
• Sightseeing in Shahrisabz
• The Ismael Samani mausoleum.  (s. IX – X)
• The Kukeldash Madrassahs
• The ancient city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan
• Sunday Market in Kashgar
• Excursion to the Tash Rabat Caravanserai
• Overnight in the nomads dwelling - the Yurt, at Son Kul lake
• The ruins of the ancient city of Balasagyn in the Great Silk Route

Itinerary

Day 1. Home country – Tashkent flight.

Our staff will welcome you at Tashkent International airport. Transfer and accommodation in a hotel.

Day 2. Tashkent – Samarkand.

Morning transfer to Samarkand. Accommodation in a hotel upon arrival.
Sightseeing tour: Gur-e Amir Mausoleum  (15c), Registan Ensemble  (including Ulugbek (15c), Shir Dor (17c), Tillya-Kari Madrassahs (17c), Bibi Khanum Mosque.

Samarkand was one of the main trading points of the Great Silk Road. The historical and architectural legacy in this city is just out of this world and makes you travel back in time.

Overnight in a hotel.

Day 3. Samarkand – Shakhrisabz – Bukhara

At 08:00 beginning of a sightseeing tour in Samarkand: Shahi-Zinda necropolis  (14-15c), “Stars above Samarkand” – Ulugbek observatory  (15c), “Ruines of Afrosiab” – the excavation and museum of the ancient town (6 BC-13 AD).
Transfer to Shakhrisabz (170 km).
Sightseeing in Shakhrisabz (what do you see?).
After lunch drive to Bukhara (270 km) and accommodation in a hotel upon arrival. Bukhara is one of the highlights of our travel. It was a remarkable trade center during the Great Silk Road and a relevant place for the Islamic culture in Uzbekistan. Bukhara is plenty of impressive historical monuments, minarets and madrassas, narrow streets lined with bazaars and ancient ruins. The center of Bukhara looks like an open-air museum and it has obviously declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
Overnight in Bukhara.

Day 4. Bukhara sightseeing tour.

Visit to Ismael Samani mausoleum (9-10c), Chor-Minor, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14 c).
Visit to Old Bukhara: Poli-Kalon ensemble, Lyab-i-Hauz (17c).
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 5.  Bukhara – Tashkent flight. Tashkent sightseeing tour.

Morning domestic flight to Tashkent (08:55-10:25). Transfer from Tashkent International airport to a hotel in Tashkent where you will be accommodated.
Sightseeing tour in Tashkent: Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Mosque on Khasty Imam Street, Visit to Chor-Su (a picturesque handicraft bazaar), Museum of History of Uzbekistan, Museum of Applied Arts. Alisher Navoi Theater and square, Amir Timur Monument and Square.
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 6. Tashkent – Fergana. Sightseeing tour in Fergana.

After rearly breakfast, drive towards Fergana via Kamchik pass.
En route lunch and sightseeing in Margilan .
Visit “Yodgorlik” silk making factory.
Upon arrival in Fergana, accommodation in a hotel. Short transfer to Rishtan, where you will visit the
ceramic studio of Rustam Usmanov, a well-known Uzbek/Soviet artist.
Dinner and overnight in Fergana.

Day 7. Fergana – Osh via Andijan. Osh sightseeing tour.

After early breakfast, transfer to Andijan.
Visit the Park with a Museum commemorating Babur, as well as Andijan bazaar.
At noon, arrival to the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border and meeting with your Kyrgyz guide. Transfer to Osh.
After lunch visit Sulaiman Mount, one of the main Islamic shrines in Central Asia. On the mount first you visit historical museum, located right in the main cave. After excursion in the museum you follow the way of all pilgrims up to the top of the hill where you watch a little mosque of Babur, the Great Mughal Empire founder, and take a bird eye’s view of the city.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 8. Osh city – Sary Tash village.

In the morning visit Osh Bazaar, the largest market in Central Asia. Walk along the colorful rows of Golden market, watching blacksmiths working and smelling aromas of spices, fruits and vegetables in the food market. Our visit finishes in the handicraft area.
In the afternoon transfer to Sary Tash village over Taldyk pass (3615 m asl). It is a small village situated in Alai valley with a breathtaking mountain panorama.
Dinner and overnight in a family guest house in Sary Tash.

Day 9.  Sary Tash village – Irkeshtam pass to Kashgar town.

Early in the morning you drive along a smooth paved road to the Kyrgyz-Chinese border at Irkeshtam pass. Kyrgyz guide will help you with border formalities at the check-point on Kyrgyz side. Meeting with Chinese guide and transfer to Kashgar.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 10. Sightseeing tour in Kashgar.

Today is spent in sightseeing in Kashgar: Id Kah mosque, the Apak Hojia Tomb and many more places. We visit local family and share local testy lunch.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 11. Sunday Market in Kashgar.

We have the unique opportunity to visit the Sunday Market in Kashgar, one of the highlights of our trek. It’s any photographer’s dream. As many as 100,000 people come in from surrounding areas to buy and sell animals and goods. Early in the morning we can see streams of people in donkey carts coming in to market. There are separate areas for animals, furniture, fabric, clothing, shish kebobs, shaves with a straight razor (including scalp), fruits and vegetables, and much more. In the animal bazaar care needs to be exhibited as horses and donkeys are being “test-driven”. Also in the animal bazaar you can find cattle, sheep, goats, and camels – all in a fairly small, walled-in area. You will be free to roam the bazaar or to go along with a guide who will translate Uighur for you.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 12. Kashgar – Tash Rabat Caravanserai via Torugart pass.

In the morning you drive from Kashgar to Torugart Pass (3752 m asl), in the border between China and Kyrgyzstan. Our Kyrgyz driver will meet you in the other side of the border and will help you with formalities. Upon crossing the border, lunch boxes and snacks. Drive to Tash Rabat, where you will be accommodated in yurts*.

Excursion to the famous caravanserai, explore outside and inside, learn historical aspect. Walk around and enjoy the area and local nomadic traditions.

Dinner and overnight in yurts.

*A yurt is a circular dwelling made of lattice of flexible poles and covered in felt or other fabric. Being easily portable, it is used by Kyrgyz nomads.

Day 13. Tash Rabat Caravanserai – Son Kul Lake.

In the morning transfer to Son Kul Lake through greenery valley and a very dramatic pass. Son-Kul (3016m asl) is an alpine lake located in a remote area and surrounded by a stunning landscape and nomads living in their yurts. In summer, Son-Kul area is considered the best pasture in Kyrgyzstan. This area preserves all the attributes of nomadic life, which you can easily experience as nomads are always happy to receive visitors.

Upon arrival in Son Kul, accommodation in a  yurt camp and some free time to explore the area and enjoy the peaceful and picturesque landscapes.
Dinner and overnight in yurts.

Day 14. Son Kul Lake – Kochkor village.

In the morning you have some free time to step into the nomadic life at the Son Kul Lake. Here, the Kyrgyz people still live in traditional simplicity. You can go hiking and spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families and taste their fresh airan (yogurt) and kumis (a fermented national drink from mare’s milk.
Optionally: You can enjoy horseback riding trip in the lake area.
In the afternoon you will be transferred to Kochkor village where you will watch how local people make felt, various carpets and other handicraft stuff.
Dinner and overnight in a family guest house in Kochkor.

Day 15. Kochkor village – Bishkek city.

In the morning  drive towards Bishkek. On  the way we visit the archeological complex of Burana. Burana tower is an ancient minaret designated world heritage by UNESCO. It was built in the 11^th century in a territory called Balasagyn, which was an important trading point for the Great Silk Road. In this archeological complex located 80 km away from Bishkek you can explore the Burana tower, a collection of Balbals (handmade statues) and a small museum where pieces found in excavation are shown.

(Excursion takes approx. 1-hour, simple walk, but good shoes required as it’s dusty and little climbing to the tower up along the steep stairs).

After excursion we continue our drive to Bishkek. Upon arrival accommodation in a hotel or guesthouse.
Optionally: During dinner we can see Kyrgyz folk-show. Musicians in traditional Kyrgyz costumes show you a wide range of national musical instruments – You hear the fascinating singing of young Kyrgyz ladies.

Dinner in a local restaurant with Asian and European cuisine. Overnight in hotel/guest house in Bishkek.

Day 16. Departure from Bishkek.

In the morning you will be transferred to the international airport “Manas” to catch your flight back home.

Map

Additional Info

Optional events:

-  Settling the Yurt at Son Kul lake – 80 USD per group
-  Demonstration of felt carpet making in Kochkor – 60 USD per group
-  Demostration of traditional horse games near the Burana complex – 190 USD per group

Photos

Prices

For more information about dates and prices for the tour please fill in the form in the upper right corner of the page. The manager will contact you as soon as possible with more information about the itinerary and prices.

Uzbek part

Included: 

• Accommodation 6 nights:
  Tashkent  - 2 nights
  -Samarkand  - 1 night
  -Bukhara - 2 nights
  -Fergana – 1 night
• Meals - only breakfasts
• English speaking guide
• Excursions according to the itinerary
• Entrance fees

Chinese part

Included:

• Accommodation 3 nights:
  -Kashgar - 3 nights
• Meals – only breakfasts
• Transfers according to the itinerary. 1 -2 a/c minibuses (Mercedes Sprinter or similar) depending on the group size.
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees

Kyrgyz part

Included:

• Accommodation 6 nights:
  -Osh - 1 night
  -Sary Tash – 1 night
  -Tash Rabat – 1 night
  -Son Kul – 1 night
  -Kochkor – 1 night
  -Bishkek – 1 night
• Meals – Half Board
• Transfers according to the program. 1 -2 a/c minibuses (Mercedes Sprinter or similar) depending on the group size.
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees
• Bottled water

Excluded: 

Uzbek part

Excluded:

• Beverages
• Alcohol beverages
• Cost of visa or visa support (if applied)
• Personal expenses
• Tips

Chinese part

Excluded:

• Beverages
• Alcohol beverages
• Cost of visa or visa support (if applied)
• Personal expenses
• Tips

Kyrgyz part

Excluded:

• Airfares
• Cost of visa or visa support (if applied)
• Tips
• Personal expenses