Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Tour - 2: Tours in Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Kokand, Fergana, Rishtan, Margilan, Osh, Bishkek, Issyk-Kul

For rich history, masterful artistry, and delicious food, look no further than a trip to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Silk Road once brought new ideas and artisans to Central Asia, enriching the cities here and developing techniques and methods for artistry unique in the world. This 14-day Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Tour takes you to the places where this development took place across these two countries. Start with the larger cities: Tashkent, the modern capital of Uzbekistan; Khiva, which retains its strikingly whole medieval atmosphere; Bukhara, full of mosques and holy sights; and Samarkand, the splendid capital of past Silk Road empires. Continue through the Fergana Valley, where the most craftsmen and artisans live. Visits to the Yodgorlik Silk Factory and a famous ceramicist in Rishtan bring you even closer to these masters and their techniques, which have been passed down through generations. The first stop in Kyrgyzstan is Osh, a multi-ethnic city that retains traces of the Silk Road today in its landscape and culture. The rest of Kyrgyzstan is filled with ancient and natural places, from the wooded slopes of Ala-Archa National Park to the petroglyphs of Cholpon-Ata. With its wide variety of stops, from vibrant cities to busy workshops to fresh nature, this is the best tour for exploring all that Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have to offer.

Tour itinerary:

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Day 1: Tashkent – arrival

Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at 14:00. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia.
Visit Old City part of Tashkent with the Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imam visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari.
Explore Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

Early morning transfer for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Arrive in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 min.). Later proceed for guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h.)*. The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road** does nowadays. Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amu Darya River and the desert. Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
**Some parts of the road are not in the best condition.

Day 4: Bukhara

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 5: Bukhara – Samarkand

Continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 hours’ drive). Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik dating back to 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

Day 6: Samarkand

Meet your guide and driver at hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – the Mausoleum of Amir Timur. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 7: Samarkand – Tashkent

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. At 16:00 transfer to railway station. Take the high-speed train, Afrosiyob

, departing to Tashkent at 17:00 (300 km). Scheduled arrival time is 19:10. Pick-up and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 8: Tashkent – Kokand – Fergana

Drive to Fergana Valley (320 km drive till Fergana city). The steep road* which connects Fergana Valley with the rest of Uzbekistan runs via picturesque mountain pass Kamchik (2267 m. above the sea level). The first stop will be in the city of Kokand where you will visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Jami Mosque, Kamol-Kazy Madrasah, and Norbut-biy Madrasah. Continue driving to Fergana city (80 km). Visit Akhmad Al-Fergani Park in Fergana. Check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
*Part of the road is currently under reconstruction
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 9: Fergana – Margilan – Rishtan – Fergana

In the morning, drive from Fergana to Margilan and visit Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah. Today, madrasah is home to a number of craftsmen producing handmade carpets and silk. Have a walk on traditional market and continue to Yodgorlik Silk factory to see the production process of silk with traditional Ikat patterns. If it is Thursday or Sunday, visit Kumtepa Bazaar, the largest market in Fergana Valley. Drive to Rishtan to the house of a well-known ceramic master Rustam Usmanov whose works are exhibited on world exhibitions. Enjoy a pottery workshop and have a look at ceramic collection in a small museum. After return to Fergana. Transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Day 10: Fergana – border point – Osh – Bishkek

In the morning transfer to Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border point. Crossing the border. Upon arrival at the customs and passport control on both sides, kindly proceed to the exit of the border control area. At that point, our guide/driver will be waiting for you with the sign with your name. In Kyrgyzstan meet your local guide and driver, transfer to Osh.
Have a short city tour in Osh which according to legends was founded by King Solomon 3000 years ago.
Visit Suleyman-Too (Solomon’s Mountain), National Museum of History and Archaeology, and the Osh Bazaar located at that same place from time when Osh was an important trading center on the Great Silk Road. In the afternoon transfer to local airport for flight to Bishkek. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Bishkek – Ala-Archa – Bishkek

After breakfast transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km, 50 min.) which attracts visitors with its beautiful mountain scenery and hiking trails. Fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs through the alpine gorge surrounded by snowy peaks with steep forested slopes. Enjoy free time or a hike in the park. In the afternoon return to Bishkek for city tour. Visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours

Day 12: Bishkek – Issyk-Kul

In the morning transfer to Issyk-Kul Lake (260 km, 4 h.). Stop on the way to see Burana Tower, what has left from the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13 cent.). Continue driving to Issyk-Kul, the second largest mountain lake in the world (1600 m above sea level). Arrival at lake, accommodation in a hotel at the North coast of Issyk-Kul.
Meals: dinner

Day 13: Issyk-Kul – Grigorievskoe Gorge – Bishkek (380 km, 6-7h.)

After breakfast at transfer to Grigorievskoe Gorge. It is one of the most beautiful gorges in Issyk-Kul region. After hiking transfer to Bishkek. On the way stop in Cholpon-Ata, where you will be able to visit Petroglyphs, the rock carvings lying under the open sky and also visit Ethnographical Museum. Transfer to Bishkek. Arrive in Bishkek, free time. Farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: dinner

Day 14: Bishkek – departure

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport. End of the 14-day Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan tour.

Price includes:

All transfers: 1-2 pax by sedan economy type car; 3-7 pax on minivan/van, 8-13 pax by 20 seat bus;
Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
Guided sightseeing tour program, in Uzbekistan local guides in each city;
Entrance tickets to the sights as per itinerary;
Economy class tickets for flights Tashkent-Urgench, Osh-Bishkek;
Ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
Tour leader to accompany the travelers for the whole period of the tour in Kyrgyzstan (except for the day 14 – transfer to the airport);
2 Dinners on days 12-13;
Mineral water 1l pax/day;
Starting 8 persons English speaking tour leader from Advantour in Uzbekistan;
Starting 10 persons +1 person travels free of charge accommodated in single room;
Visa support letter for Uzbekistan visa.

Price doesn't include:

Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour in Uzbekistan;
Hotel charges for additional services;
Full board (lunches and dinners);
Consular fees for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan tourist visas;
Visa support for Kyrgyzstan tourist visa;
Comfort car supplement in Uzbekistan total – 720USD;
Registration in Kyrgyzstan (20$);
Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
Travel insurance.