Combination Tour Uzbekistan – - Kyrgyzstan Location: Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Duration: 16 days / 15 nights

Day 1 Arrival day. Full day in Tashkent • Arrive in Tashkent International Airport, transfer to hotel and accommodate. • Drive to the old town and visit main sites. • Overnight in hotel. City tour starts with visiting Khast Imam Square – the holy heart of Tashkent and the least Russified or Sovietized part of the city – consisting of Barak Khan Madrassah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque and Kafal Shashi Mausoleum. Also visit to Chorsu bazaar – the biggest, spicesmelling farmers’ bazaar in Tashkent. Evening round tour of the new city including Amir Temur Square, Independence Square and the Opera & Ballet Theater Square with a stop at Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theater – yellow-brick hybrid of classical and Central Asian styles, completed in 1947 by Japanese prisoners of war. Day 2 Tashkent – Urgench- Khiva • Transfer to the domestic airport and depart to Urgench by AM flight. • Arrive in Urgench and transfer to Khiva (30 km) • Overnight in hotel. In Khiva visit Ichan Kala (Inner town). Visit Mohammed Amin Khan madrassah (1852-1855) – the largest of its kind in the city with a capacity of 250 Islamic students; Kelte Minor (“Short minaret”) commissioned by the khan in 1852 to stand (at over 70 m.) as the biggest in the Islamic world but abandoned in the wake of his death at a frustrated 26 meters. Also visit Kunya Ark (Old Fortress), Pakhlavan Mahmud mausoleum and visit Islam Khoja madrassah (1908) and minaret (1910). Juma mosque (1788) (Friday Mosque) – is interesting for the 213 wooden pillars, each 3,15 m., supporting its roof – a structural concept though to be derived from ancient Arabian mosques. Visit carpet makers hand-weave silk rugs, fabrics and suzane patterned after Khiva-style majolica tiles, doors and miniature paintings. The workshop is under UNESCO protection. Proceed to Tosh Howli (Stone House) – residence, built by Allah Kuli Khan between 1832 and 1841 as a more splendid alternative to the Kunya Ark; Allah Kuli Khan madrassah (1835), and caravanserai. Day 3 Khiva- Ayazkala - Bukhara • Drive to Ayazkala and visit ancient citadels. • After lunch at the yurt camp drive to Bukhara (420km) by road across Kyzul Kum, or Red Sand Desert, the same route taken by loaded Silk Road camel caravans. • Overnight in hotel. On the colorful cliffs of one the Sultauizdag eastern spurs, in the Kyzyl Kum desert their survived ruins of one of the largest castles of ancient Khorezm– Ayaz-Kala. Folk legends associate the name of the fortress of with the name of the legendary warrior-slave Ayaz. Ayaz is a Central Asian Turkic folklore hero. The semi-mythical hero, according to a legend, threw himself at an Amazon princess who lived in the Kirk-Kiz fortress. Day 4 Full day in Bukhara • Full day sightseeing of the old town Visit Poi Kalon Ensemble (Pedestal of the Great) and the Kalon Minaret (in Tajik means Great), one of the defining symbols of Bukhara. Also visit 3 remaining domed bazaars – Taqi Zargaron (1570), or Jeweler’s Bazaar, Taqi Telpak Furushon or Cap Makers’ Bazaar and Taqi Sarrafon, or Moneychangers’ Bazaar, which were among dozens of specialized bazaars in the town. Visit the silk- weaving centre in this late-16th-century building Tim Abdullakhan bazaar. Proceed to Magok-I-Atori Mosque and Lyabi Hauz Ensemble. To the east, the Nadir Divanbegi Madrassah, built in 1630, on the west side of the square, and built at the same time, is the Nadir Divanbegi Khanaka. North across the street, the Kukeldash Madrassah, once was the biggest Islamic school in Central Asia. Visit the Ark www.voyager.group [email protected]

fortress – royal town-within-town, as old as Bukhara itself, home to the rulers of Bukhara for over a millennium, Bolo Hauz Mosque (“Mosque Near the Pool”) (1712) – the royal court mosque, Ismoil Samani Mausoleum – the town’s oldest building (completed around 905) and one of the most elegant structures in Central Asia, and Chashma Ayub (“Spring of Job”) – built in 12 century over a spring.

Day 5 Bukhara – Shakhrisabz-Samarkand • Drive to Shakhrisabz – a homeland of Tamerlane (300km). • City tour in Shakhrisabz • Continue driving to Samarkand (98 km) In Shakhrisabz you will visit Ak Saray (White Palace) – Summer residence of Tamerlane (14 c.), Kok Gumbaz (Blue Dome) – Friday mosque (15 c.), built by Ulugbek in honor of his father and Dorut Tilyavat (House of Meditation) – burial complex of Timur’s forebears. Also visit Crypt of Timur – an underground room, which was discovered in 1963.

Day 6 Samarkand- Tashkent • Proceed for city tour. • Transfer to Samarkand Railway Station and take a high-speed train “Afrosiyob” (17:00- 19:10). • Arrive in Tashkent and accommodate in the hotel. • Overnight in hotel. Visit to Gur Emir (in Tajik - Tomb of the emir) – mausoleum of Timur and the Timurids (15 c.), Reghistan square (Sandy place) – ensemble of majestic madrassahs (15-17 cc.), ranks first in Central Asia and among the greatest of all the grandiose and magnificent works of the Islamic world. At Registan Ensemble inside Tillya-Kari Mosque we can watch how local women hand-weave silk carpets and silk fabrics; Bibi Khanym Mosque (15 c.) – the gigantic congregational mosque, once one of the Islamic world’s biggest mosque and Siab market – colorful main farmers’ market. National lunch at family house “Mubaro’s home place”. After lunch visit to Shakhi Zinda (The Living King) – necropolis of Samarkand rulers and nobles. Also visit to Ulugbek Observatory (1420) – the remains of an immense (30 m. tall) astrolabe for observing star position, part of three- storey observatory and Afrasiab ruins and museum with fragments of 7th century frescoes.

Day 7 Tashkent- (flight) • Transfer to the airport, flight to Almaty • Arrive to Almaty, southern capital of Kazakhstan. Transfer to hotel • Leisure time • Overnight in hotel Day 8 Full day in Almaty • Full day city tour in Almaty including visiting main interesting sites of the city. History of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan, its past and future, beautiful nature and lovely places for townpeople - everything just in the one day! During the tour you will have a unique opportunity to admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the Kok-Tobe hill and visit Chimbulak skating rink and other places of interst.

Day 9 Almaty- Canyon-Karakol • Proceed to Karakol • En route visit • Upon arrival to Karakol overnight in hotel / guest house. www.voyager.group [email protected]

Karakol town is situated in the south-east part of Issyk-Kul lake at the foot of the mountains on the banks of the Karakol river. It is a cultural, industrial and kind of administrative center of Issyk-Kul region. Since it is located so close to so many spectacular mountains, Karakol is a great base for starting off on hikes and treks. There are hikes that set out from Karakol to suit any adventurer, from day hikes to extended treks. The surrounding mountains are some of the most dramatic in Kyrgyzstan, including hidden lakes, broad glaciers, and Kyrgyzstan’s two tallest peaks, Pobeda Peak (7,439 m or 24,406 ft) and (7,010 m or 23,000 ft). The two most popular destinations near Karakol are Altyn Arashan and Jeti Oguz, both of which are great for hikes or picnics.

Day 10 Full day in Karakol • Morning city tour in the town • Drive to Karakol gorges including Djety-Oguz and Kok-Djayik. • Overnight in hotel / guest house

Picturesque Jeti-Oguz gorge is located 28 kilometers to the south-west of the town of Karakol. Its name is translated from Kyrgyz language means “Seven bulls”. The name is symbolic, because there is a 35 km long wall of seven huge red-brown cliffs resembling ranked furious bulls standing together. In front of the cliffs there are flat mountain slopes, thickly overgrown with grass and pine trees. Especially romantic look has the rock "Broken Heart" located at the entrance to the gorge. Jeti-Oguz is also famous for its hot springs with water enriched with radon and hydrogen sulfide. In the place they hit out of the ground, at the altitude of 2200 m, there is a resort. The water in springs is useful for the treatment of rheumatism, gastric and nervous diseases. Rising higher, you can reach the flower valley called Kok-Dzhayyk with wonderful views of the gorge, or the Valley of Flowers strewn with poppies. At the upper part of Jets- Oguz there are also mountain lakes and roaring waterfalls.

Day 11 Karakol-Issyk-Kul • Drive to northern shore of Issyk-Kul lake • Optionally boat cruise • Visit Cholpon-Ata petroglyphs • Overnight in hotel Day 12 Full day in Issyk-Kul • Full day leisure in Issyk-Kul

The pearl of Kyrgyzstan, a lake surrounded on two sides by the majestic Terskey and Kungei Ala-Too mountains is called Issyk Kul, which is translated from Kyrgyz as "hot lake". The water in it does not freeze even in the coldest periods. This is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world, and by its incredible transparency it is second after Lake Baikal in Siberia. The coasts of the lake are famous for their unique nature and crystal-clear fresh air. Geographical location and natural conditions have created a special maritime climate on the coast, which makes every tourist experience the feeling of comfort and ease. The area around the lake is full of resorts where you can relax and improve your health.

Day 13 Issyk-Kul – Alamedin gorge • Drive to Alamedin gorge • En route visit Buran Tower, included into UNESCO World Heritage Site www.voyager.group [email protected]

• Overnight in hotel. Alamedin Gorge is one of the most striking features of the Kyrgyz Range, just south of Bishkek. Pure mountain air of Alamedin gorge, spectacular views of white mountains and the calming flow of the river will fill with strength and spirituality the couple. Day 14 Alamedin gorge- Bishkek • Enjoy half day in mountain resort with spa procedures. • Drive to Bishkek • Overnight in hotel Day 15 Full day in Bishkek • City tour of Bishkek • Visit local bazaar and shopping malls • Optionally visit Ala-Archa National Park Bishkek – is a capital of Kyrgyz Republic. With the population of one million people, Bishkek is one of the main and largest cities in Central Asia. Located in the very north of the country on the southern slopes of Mountains. There are several major museums, the most interesting of which is the Historical Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum named after M.V. Frunze. Downtown is flecked with posters Opera and Ballet Theatre, Russian and Kyrgyz Drama theaters, Bishkek City Drama Theatre, State Ala-Too Square, Philharmony named after T. Satylganov.

Day 16 Departure from Bishkek • Transfer to airport

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