Three Stans (Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan) 13 Days
Three Stans (Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan) 13 Days
itinerary
day 1
Fri: Tashkent - Almaty
Arrival to Tashkent international airport. Transit and flight to Almaty at 19:10 (Uzbek airways HY 761). Arrival Almaty at 21:40 local time. Transfer and overnight is at the hotel.
day 2
Sat: Almaty
Your guide and driver will meet you at hotel lobby to start the sightseeing tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, State Museum, St.Nicholas Cathedral, and Green Bazaar. Enjoy panoramic view at Kok-Tobe Hill, visit Medeo Gorge. Almaty was the capital of independent Kazakhstan from 1991 to 1997. In 1997, the capital moved to Astana; since then, Almaty has been referred to as the southern capital of Kazakhstan. Almaty remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan. The city is located in a mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan. Almaty is the largest, most developed, and most ethnically and culturally diverse city in Kazakhstan. Overnight is in a hotel.
day 3
Sun: Almaty – Bishkek
Today we will have a transfer to Bishkek city. Bishkek city is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek is situated at about 800 meters (2,600 ft) altitude near the northern range of the Kyrgyz Ala Too range. This range is an extension of the Tian Shan Mountains, which rises up to 4,855 meters (15,928 ft) and provides a spectacular backdrop to the city. The distance from Almaty city to Bishkek is 230 km. It will take about 4 hours for the transfer. On the way, you will pass a border control. You will be transferred to your hotel to have a rest. In the afternoon, you will have city tour. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. Night is in a hotel.
day 4
Mon: Bishkek – Issyk Kul Lake
In the morning, we will visit our Asian Bazaar. We will show it to you today and you will be able to take many dynamic photos of bustling local life. This bazaar is a noisy and colorful tapestry of fabrics, produce, and people selling and buying goods. Then you will be transferred to Issyk Kul Lake, surrounded by the celestial mountains. It is the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m. above sea level). The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". Due to the salty water, Lake Issyk Kul possesses curative qualities. On route to the lake, you will visit Burana Tower (11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbans (stone warriors). You will get to enjoy a traditional lunch and then we will make our trip to the lake. Night is in a hotel.
day 5
Tue: Issyk Kul Lake – Bishkek
In the morning, we will visit a place where you will see ancient pictures on stones! They are called petroglyphs. Shamans made these petroglyphs more than 2 000 years ago. All these stones are still at the same place as they were at that time. You can see a panorama view of the Issyk Kul Lake from this place – people were thinking that it was the middle of the world. After an excursion, you will visit a museum in Cholpon Ata. There are many attractive things from the Kyrgyz history, handicraft, music instruments and many other interesting artifacts. Afterwards we will drive to Bishkek city. Night is in a hotel.
day 6
Wed: Bishkek – Tashkent
In the morning is transfer to airport. Flight to Tashkent (Uzbek airways HY 778, 06:45-07:20). Upon arrival transfer to the city, breakfast is at local café. Panoramic tour in Tashkent, check in to the hotel and time for rest. City tour in Tashkent: Independence square. Broadway - walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Amir Timur square – one of the central squares of Tashkent, erected on behalf of national hero – Amir Timur. Tashkent metro – among the most beautiful subways in the world. Old city – old part of Tashkent city, the area, which preserves the traditional Uzbek style: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah (16th.c) and Hast Imam complex – the Islamic heart of the country. Overnight is at the hotel.
day 7
Thu: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (domestic flight)
Transfer to domestic airport. Registration and flight for Urgench by first morning flight. Upon arrival transfer and check in to the hotel. Time for rest. Afternoon city tour in Khiva: Ichan-Qala is the inner city in Khiva rounded with strong walls. Centuries old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses transformed Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. Ichan - Qala consists of over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. At the end of excursion returning back to the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.
day 8
Fri: Khiva - Bukhara (440 km, 7 hours’ drive)
Breakfast is at the hotel. Morning departure for Bukhara, the way goes thru Kizilkum desert (around seven hours’ drive thru the desert). Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amu Darya River and the desert. Arrival to Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Free time in Bukhara and overnight is at the hotel. Lunch will be lunch boxes and dinner will be at Adras national restaurant (groups will have national dancing show program).
day 9
Sat: Bukhara
After the breakfast, you will have full day tour of Bukhara: Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex – located several km from Bukhara. Memorial complex of the famous Sufi Leader and Philosopher. Drive to the city and visiting Citadel Ark (4th b.c.) - Ark citadel is the most ancient citadel in Bukhara. Lunch will be at Adras traditional restaurant, following by dancing show program. Check in to the hotel and continuing the city tour: Shopping domes – Toki Saraffon, Toki Telpak Furushon & Toki Zargaron domes. Herbal tea degustation in Bukhara. Complex Lyabi-Khauz (14-17th c.) - the central sightseeing place of Bukhara city. Poi Kalon complex - the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. Dinner will be at national Uzbek house with master class of Bukhara pilaw preparing. Overnight is at the hotel.
day 10
Sun: Bukhara – Gijduvan - Samarkand (290 km, 4 hours)
After the breakfast, we will start our way to Samarkand. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop, which was previously visited by Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Sir Charles and many of other famous people. There we will have a chance to learn the history of pottery culture of Uzbekistan, short master class of pottery preparing and do buy the items you liked. Lunch will be at Pottery house, groups will have master class of Gijduvan shish kebabs, local bread preparing process. Afterwards continue drive to Samarkand. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Dinner will be at Karimbek restaurant. Overnight is at the hotel.
day 11
Mon: Samarkand
Breakfast is at the hotel. Full day city tour of Samarkand: Registan square – the complex of three historical building: Madrasah Ulugbek (15th c.), Madrasah Sher-dor (17th c.), Madrasah Tilla-Kori (17th c.) – the visiting card and the main attraction spot of Samarkand. Architectural complex Shakhi-Zindeh (11-15th c.) - the name Shah-I-Zinda (meaning "the living king") comes together with the legend about Kusam Ibn Abbas, the cousin of the prophet Muhammad who was buried here. Mausoleum Guri Emir - Tamerlane’s tomb (14-15th c.) - Gur-e Amir means "Tomb of the King". Lunch will be at New Arbat European restaurant and dinner will be at traditional Uzbek house where groups will have cultural show program “Uzbek Bride”. Overnight is at the hotel.
day 12
Tue: Samarkand – Tashkent (350 km, 4,5 hours’ drive)
Breakfast is at the hotel. Morning drive outside of the city to visit Al Bukhary memorial complex (12 km away of the city). Al Bukhary - Islamic scholar, who authored the hadith collection known as Sahih al-Bukhari, regarded by Sunni Muslims as one of the most authentic (Sahih) Hadith collections. He also wrote other books such as Al-Adab al-Mufrad. Returning to Samarkand and shopping at national bazaar Siab. Transfer to Tashkent (optional bullet train Afrosiab), upon arrival to Tashkent dinner at Xinxiang style restaurant. Transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight is at the hotel.
day 13
Wed: Tashkent – Departure
Early breakfast is at the hotel. Transfer to Tashkent airport, flight for next destination.
