A detailed route, historical places and interesting excursions in two Central Asian countries - you can find it all in this 13-day Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Tour. Start with the main sights of Uzbekistan: the busy cities. Tashkent is the biggest city in Central Asia, though beneath the modern buildings there are remainders of ancient settlements. Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand are all protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as they are remarkable for their ornate monuments and medieval characters. Kyrgyzstan is a land of pure and refreshing nature. Issyk-Kul is the world’s second-largest alpine lake, and though it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, it never freezes because of its high salinity. At the far eastern end of Issyk-Kul is Karakol, a diverse little town, and further into the mountains is Kochkor, home to masters who make traditional wool carpets. For those looking for an adventure through Central Asia, the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan tour is the best tour for seeing a lot in a short time and thoroughly exploring these two countries.
Tour itinerary:
Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia.
Visit Old City part of Tashkent with 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 city center to walk through Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and visit Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Visit Old City part of Tashkent with 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 city center to walk through Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and visit Applied Arts Museum. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Early morning transfer for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Arrive in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min). Later proceed for guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Kunya-Ark, 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
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
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.
*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.
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
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and Chor-Bakr Necropolis. At 14:40 transfer from the hotel to train station. Take Afrosiyob
train to Samarkand departing at 15:52, arriving at 17:25 (270 km). Upon arrival the driver will transfer you to hotel in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
train to Samarkand departing at 15:52, arriving at 17:25 (270 km). Upon arrival the driver will transfer you to hotel in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Check out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory and 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. Late afternoon transfer to the train station. Take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent. Upon arrival pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Transfer from the hotel to Tashkent International Airport, check in on flight to Bishkek (580 km, 1 h 15 min). Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Check-in from noon. Start sightseeing 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
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
In the morning transfer to Issyk-Kul (280 km, 4-5 h), the second largest mountain lake in the world (1600 m above sea level). In Cholpon-Ata see petroglyphs – the rock carvings made by prehistoric people lying under the open sky, and visit Ethnographical Museum. Arrival at the hotel, check-in. Free time in the afternoon for swimming and rest on the beach of Issyk-Kul lake. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Transfer to Karakol town after breakfast (120 km, 2 h). Visit Museum of Przhevalsky, famous Russian geographer and explorer of Central Asia. In the afternoon start city tour in Karakol: Russian Orthodox Church, Dungan Muslim mosque and local bazaar. Traditional dinner at a Uigur family house. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
Meals: breakfast, dinner
In the morning depart to Kochkor (270 km, 5 h.). On the way visit Jety Oguz Gorge famous for its beautiful red sandstone rocks. Your will hear different legends about two different names of the gorge – “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart”. Take a two hours walk to the waterfall. Lunch in the yurt camp. Continue driving to Kochkor. Dinner and accommodation in the house of Kyrgyz family. Enjoy traditional Kyrgyz meal “Beshbarmak” for dinner.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visit the felt carpet workshop in Kochkor, where you can participate in manufacturing the souvenirs making them out of felt and then buy them. Lunch at Kyrgyz family house. Depart to Bishkek (280 km, 4 h). Stop on the way to see Burana Tower, what has left from the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13 cent).
Arrival to Bishkek, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Arrival to Bishkek, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
- All transfers: 1-2 pax by sedan 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, Tashkent-Bishkek;
- Tickets for trains Bukhara-Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace it 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 13 – transfer to the airport);
- 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.
- 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;
- Registration in Kyrgyzstan (20$);
- Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
- Travel insurance.
Accommodation:
| Tashkent - 2 nights | |
| Navruz, Praga, Grand Capital | Courtyard by Marriot, Wyndham Tashkent, International |
| Khiva - 1 night | |
| New Star, Qosha Darvoza or similar | Erkin Palace, Bek Khiva or similar |
| Bukhara - 2 nights | |
| Bibikhanum, As-Salom, Fatima, Kavsar or similar | Omar Khayam, Zargaron Plaza, Asia Bukhara or similar |
| Samarkand - 2 nights | |
| Meros, Boulevard Palace, City, Malika Prime, Rabat or similar | Dilimah, Sultan, Grand Samarkand Superior, Grand Samarkand, Platan or similar |
| Bishkek - 2 nights | |
| B hotel, Asia Mountains or similar | Plaza, Park Hotel, Ambassador or similar |
| Issyk-Kul - 1 night | |
| Raduga, The Try Korony or similar | Raduga, The Try Korony or similar |
| Karakol - 1 night | |
| Karagat, Green Yard Hotel or similar | Karagat, Green Yard Hotel or similar |
| Kochkor - 1 night | |
| Home stay (B&B) | Home stay (B&B) |
