Heart of Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan

Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the hotel for a rest. Bishkek is a capital and the largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at the foothill of magnificent Kyrgyz Ala-Tau mountain range. Bishkek is a city of many green parks and marble-faced public buildings combined with numerous Soviet-style apartment blocks and thousands of smaller privately built houses. It is laid out on a grid pattern, with most streets flanked on both sides by narrow irrigation channels that water the innumerable trees which provide shade in the hot summers. The city is believed to be the greenest in Central Asia with more trees per head of population than any other. Our sightseeing tour includes: blooming Osh Bazaar, Historical Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Ala-Too square, the main square of the country. The square serves as a place for state events and celebrations and includes many monuments, open-air picture gallery, famous Oak Park, marble government buildings and theaters.

On the way to Chon-Kemin Gorge we make a stop at Karakhanid’s minaret of the 12 century - Burana tower. Nowadays it is a museum complex which includes the tower itself, reconstructions of mausoleums found on the site, remains of a citadel, collection of balbals (grave stones used by nomadic Turkic peoples), petroglyphs (stone carvings) and a small museum.

Chon Kemin is quiet valley with several small villages and farmers’ lands surrounded by magnificent mountains and fir forest. It is just a wonderful place to be, to sit on the doorstep and watch time pass by with a pot of tea.

In Cholpon-Ata we visit the petroglyphs ‐ a large open-air collection of rock carvings sometimes referred to as a Stone Garden, which covers some 42 hectares and contains a number of prehistoric monumental structures (stone circles, tombs, the remains of a boundary stone wall, balbals) and petroglyphs (dating from the II millennium BC thru the Middle Ages and up to the VI century AD). 

Also visit Cholpon‐Alta Museum of History. It exhibits a wide collection of national embroidery. Transfer to Karakol along beautiful landscapes of the lake and mountains. The atmosphere of Karakol town will bring you hundred years back and give you an impression of Tsarist Russia. Karakol in previous times had another name – Prjevalsk, in honor of the famous Russian explorer of Asia – Nikolai Prjevalski, whose grave is situated at the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Visiting of Prjevalsk Museum. The town was founded in 1869 and constructed in an old Russian style with many buildings from Tsar time. 

In the morning we visit Holy Trinity Cathedral (1872) and Dungan Mosque (1910).
On the way we visit Jety-Oguz gorge with famous “7 bulls” and “Broken Heart” rocks and canyon "Skazka" (Fairy tale). 
Then we head towards the center of Kyrgyz national felt handicrafts – Bokonbaevo. 

In the morning we will demonstrate you a traditional form of falconry found throughout Central Asia – hunting with eagles. Eagle hunting plays a key role in nomadic lifestyle and is widely used not only during national competitions and shows but also throughout routine life of local people.
Continue to Bishkek and flight to Bishkek (Mo and Sa 18:40 - 19:00).

Tashkent is a true embodiment of the modern elegance inherent in many world capitals. At the same time, it remains an eastern city. On this day, you can enjoy an introductory tour of the capital of Uzbekistan, which will take you to the ancient squares and buildings, as well as to the modern part of the 2000-year-old city.

Tashkent is one of the five largest cities in Central Asia. Among the tall modern buildings, historical buildings, ancient mosques are hidden here, and modern shopping centers alternate with traditional oriental bazaars and markets.

Our city tour will also include an ornate museum of applied arts. The exhibits include national carpets, gold embroidery, ceramics, porcelain, jewelry, small furniture and musical instruments. We will also visit Independence Square, a favorite place of recreation for local residents with beautiful fountains of the city, Alisher Navoi Theater Square - one of the largest and unique theaters in Central and Southeast Asia.

Excursions around the Old City will include: a visit to the Kukeldash madrasah, which still serves as a school of the Koran. You will also see the Khast-Imam Square with the beautiful Barak Khan Madrassah, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the Kaffal Shashi mausoleum built of simple brickwork. Here you can also take a look at the Koran written by the third Caliph Osman (644-656). We will also visit the famous ceramic workshop of the Rakhimov family. In the workshop you will be able to see with your own eyes how unique products are made from fired clay. In addition, you can independently work with the material on the potter's wheel, participate in firing, glazing and painting works. A walk through the huge Chorsu bazaar will allow you to feel everyday life with all the fibers of your soul.

High-speed train to Bukhara (07:28 - 11:19).
Arrival in Bukhara - a real city-museum: each building is a real exhibit. Ancient mosques, citadels, mausoleums, madrasas, monuments - all this can be visited while walking around the city, because here every corner of the earth keeps its own history.
Once upon a time, the Great Silk Road ran through Bukhara, which today is purposefully revived.
Bukhara was one of the largest trading centers on the Silk Road. The history of Bukhara has millennia. People have inhabited the area around Bukhara for at least five millennia, and the city has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long served as a center of trade, science, culture and religion. The city is also known as an open-air museum with mosques, madrasahs and minarets. It was the first oasis that attracted the attention of the invading Arab army. During its 2500-year history, it constantly changed hands from one ruler to another. City tour includes: Poi Kalon architectural complex with Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir-Arab madrasah, with trade domes Toki Zargaron, Magoki Attori mosque.

In the morning we will visit an oriental bazaar full of traditional flowers and oriental scents. We will continue our walk around Bukhara with the most beautiful architectural ensembles of mosques and madrasahs, visiting the Ark Citadel, Samanid Mausoleum, Chor Minor Madrasah, Lyabi Hauz Square, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, Bolo Mosque. Folklore show in Nadir Divan Begi Madrasah.

On the way we stop at Shakhrisabz - one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. In the historical center of Shakhrisabz, there are outstanding architectural monuments and entire old quarters, testifying to the centuries-old history of this city. These monuments and quarters date back to the heyday of the city during the time of Timur and the Timurids in the XIV-XV centuries.
We advise you to enjoy the night view of Samarkand. Illumination beautifully illuminates the Registan Square and the Gur-Emir Mausoleum

The historical city of Samarkand is the heart of world cultures. Founded in the 7th century BC. like ancient Afrosiab, Samarkand received its most significant development during the Timur period from the 14th to the 15th centuries.
On this day, you will get to know the legendary city of Samarkand, one of the most important places on the Silk Road. Visit the Registan Square, which has been the heart of Samarkand for many centuries. You will see three beautiful madrasahs: Ulug-Bek Madrassah, built in the 15th century; Tillya-Kori Madrassah, built in the 17th century; Madrasah Sher-Dor, also built in the 17th century. Visit Gur Emir - the mausoleum of the Great Tamerlane.
Departure to Tashkent by express train (17:28 - 19:44).

Departure home in the morning of Day 11.