| Duration: | 14 Day(s) - 13 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Photography Tours |
Day 1: Tashkent – Khiva
Arrive in Tashkent, meet up and transfer to the hotel, rest.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Walking tour to Alisher Navoi Ballet and Opera House. Built by Japanese prisoners of war and designed by Shusev, the same architect who built Lenin’s tomb, the architecture of this opera is a skilled mix of a number of influences that characterize Uzbekistan: Islamic art is combined with classicism, which leads to beautiful results – with a neo-classical façade, topped with stalagmites, Moorish style.
Then, visit Independence Square and The Tashkent Tube (Metro).
Visits of Friday Mosque and Kaffol Shoshi Mausoleum, Kukeldash Madrasah.
Visit the Museum of Decorative Arts. One of the most interesting museums in Tashkent is the Museum of Decorative Arts with an extensive collection of ceramics, carved wood, textiles, carpets, metalwork, and other handicrafts.
Transfer to the airport for the evening flight to Urgench by HY057, departure at 20:25, arrival at 21:55.
Arrive at Urgench, transfer to Khiva, and check in at the hotel.
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Khiva
Note: It is possible to take Tashkent -Khiva train which will take 15 hours of journey.
Day 2: Khiva – Dashoguz – Darwaza (400 km)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Sightseeing tour in Khiva: Mukhammad Amin Khan and Kalta Minor (XVIIIe c), Kunya-Ark (ancient fortress) (XVIIe – XIXe c); Mukhammad Rakhim Khan Madrasa (XIXe c.); Said Allaoutdin Mausoleum (XIVe c.); Jami Mosque with 212 wooden columns (XVIIIe c); Tash Khali, the second residence of khans of Khiva (XIXe c.); Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum (XIVe – XXe c); Islam-Khodja ensemble (beginning of the XXe s); bazaar; woodcarvers workshops.
Drive to the Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.), and go through formalities at both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km of the neutral zone (minibus available for ca. 1 USD). With your invitation letter, you will be able to get your Turkmenistan visas at the border.
Please note: Depending on the number of people waiting to cross the border you will need to wait up to one or two hours, also be prepared to be thoroughly searched.
On the Turkmenistan side of the border, meet your Turkmen guide and driver and transfer to the Darwaza gas crater located in the middle of the Karakym desert (270 km, 4-5 h.). Discover the burning gas crater by day and nighttime.
Accommodation in the yurts. Camp dinner and overnight in yurts (two people per yurt).
Day 3: Darvaza – Ashgabat (270 km)
After camp-style breakfast drive to Ashgabat via water crater and Erbent desert community. Arrival
in Ashgabat around noon. Opportunity to visit Altyn Asyr Gundogar Bazaar in the north of Ashgabat. Check-in at the hotel (at or after 14:00 hrs) and have some rest during the midday heat and after the long and shaky ride of the past days. Have lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon, have a short sightseeing tour (3-4 hrs) in Ashgabat. The tour includes a visit to the National Museum of History, the Arch of Neutrality, and Independence Park. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Ashgabat – Turkmenabad – Bukhara (Turkmenabad – Bukhara – 150 km)
After breakfast transfer to the airport and flight to Turkmenabat (ETD 0610 h, ETA0700 h, subject to change). Upon arrival in Turkmenabat, a short city tour in Turkmenabat, including visiting the city center, passing by the central square, and theatre, then transfer to the border post-Farap. Cross the border in around 1h. Meet up with the guide and transfer to Bukhara (2 hours from Alat)
Accommodation: 3 * hotel in Bukhara
Day 5: Bukhara – Samarkand (280 km)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Sightseeing tour in Bukhara: The Ark Citadel (XVIIe – XXe c), Bolo-Khaouz Mosque (1712), Ismail Samani Mausoleum (IXe – Xe ss), Chachma Ayub Mausoleum. Then visit the Poi Kalyan complex. The minaret is one of the rare monuments that survived the destructive wrath of Ghengis Khan who destroyed most of the monuments of Central Asia. After, the visit to trade domes Toki-Zargaron; Trade Dome Toki-Sarafon, and Toki-Tilpak Furushon; Magok-Attor Mosque, Lyabi Khouz square.Morning train to Samarkand. (1.30 hours) Lunch
Transfer to the train station
Leaving by HST to Samarkand (1,5 hours)
Upon arrival visit Samarkand.
Accommodation: 3 * hotel in Samarkand
Day 6: Samarkand
Breakfast in the hotel.
Sightseeing tour in Samarkand, Visit Registan square, Excursion in Bibi Khanum Mosque which ones were the biggest Mosque in Central Asia, Walking tour of the Siab Bazar located near Bibi Khanum.
Accommodation: 3 * hotel in Samarkand
Day 7: Samarkand – Penjikent – Khujand (320 km)
Morning transfer to Uzbekistan – Tajikistan border, Uzbekistan/Tajikistan border cross, Sarazm – ancient town sights, Lunch in a local tea house, Drive to Istaravshan city, Local Bazar, City sights, Drive to Khujand city, have dinner and rest.
Accommodation: 3 * hotel in Khujand
Note: It is possible every Monday to take the Samarkand-Khujand train which will take 8 hours of journey. If you would like to travel by train, we will give you a quotation – by train -?
Day 8: Khujand – Kokand by Car 140 km
Early in the morning transfer to the bus station for Khujand-Kokand
Note: you will cross the border Tajikistan-Uzbekistan on foot.
Meeting in Uzbek border, transfer to Kokand.
Lunch
Sightseeing tour in Kokand
Upon arrival in Kokand dinner and rest
Accommodation: 3* hotel.
Day 9: Kokand-Andijan- Osh
After breakfast leave for -Andijan (1.5 hours). In Andijan transfer to the border with Kyrgyzstan. After crossing the border, a driver from Kyrgyzstan will meet you and transfer you to Osh. Osh city tour.
According to legend, Osh was constructed by King Solomon and served as the first place where the merchants of the West met the merchants of the Far East. For centuries it has served as a key position on the legendary Silk Road.
The tour guide will take you on a visit to the holy Suleiman – Too Mountain. This UNESCO Cultural Legacy Site has served as a pilgrimage site for 1500 years. The main visitors are women because they believe that visiting and praying at the mountain will increase their chance of giving birth to healthy children, an ancient Silk Road tradition.
We will then visit a museum located within the bowels of the earth, and proceed to visit the local Jayma Bazaar. If time permits we will then visit the Russian Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, and the central square of Osh – home to the world’s greatest statue of Lenin, some 25 meters in height. Transfer to hotel in Osh.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel at Osh.
Day 10: Osh-Bishkek-Ala-Archa National Park
After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight Osh-Bishkek (1 hour). At the airport, a guide will meet you and you will have a Bishkek city tour. We will proceed to the national park Ala Archa and embark on a hike down the Ala Archa River gorge. The gorge is surrounded by Alpine mountains capped with glaciers, steep slopes, and fir forests. According to your wishes, we will hike to Aksai waterfall. Transfer to hotel in Bishkek.
Accommodation: Hotel at Bishkek, Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Bishkek-Karakol-Jeti Oguz valley
After breakfast transfer to the bus station where you will go to Karakol by bus or taxi(6 hours). Upon arrival at Karakol guide will meet you and take you to Jeti Oguz Valley (40 min). Lunch at the yurt camp, visit the “Maiden Braid” waterfall, Broken Heart scale, and Seven Bulls Rocks according to your chosen accommodation at the yurt camp in Jeti Oguz or 3* hotel in Karakol. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Karakol-Karkara-Kegen-Kolsai Lake-Saty
After breakfast transfer to the Kegen border with Kazakhstan through Karkara Valley. Cross the border then we will visit Kolsai lakes. Accommodation at Saty guesthouse.
Day 13: Saty-Charyn Canyon - Almaty
After breakfast transfer to Charyn Canyon for visiting, then we will drive to Almaty for an Almaty city tour. The first part of the tour passes through the central part of Almaty and covers many sights. A walk here allows you to see the old buildings of the city and cathedrals that are steeped in history, and take a walk through the famous Almaty Park and city squares. The program also includes a climb to Kok-Tobe mountain, which offers just an amazing view!
The second part of the tour will introduce you to one of the world’s largest alpine complexes for winter sports – Medeo. Here you can go ice skating, make memorable photos with a falcon, dress in Kazakh national clothes, or just take a walk around the complex. And above Medeo is the Shymbulak ski resort, which is climbed by cable car. By the way, for the special thrill, you can choose a cabin with a glass floor!
Accommodation: 3* hotel in Almaty
Day 14: Flight Home
After breakfast transfer to the airport in Almaty.
Uzbekistan Side:
Price Including:
Airport transfers in Tashkent
Accommodations as mentioned – 5 cities
City tours as mentioned – 5 cities
Tashkent -Urgench flight ticket
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -4 cities
Bukhara-Samarkand train (Afrasiyab)
Entrance fees 4 cities
Travel tax
Turkmenistan Side:
Price Including:
Tour package (LOI, Register fee., permit fee)
Hotel stay and tent rent (2 nights)
Guide (3 days)
Transport (3 days)
Meal (FB) during all route
Entry tickets (Kone-Urgench, Horse farm, Nissa, Margush, Ancient Merv, Museums)
Daily1.5lt water
Air tickets
tourist fee of the hotel
Price Excluding:
Visa fee
Migration tax (12$)
Extra meals, services, Folklore concerts, and show
Private expenses, gratuities
Insurance
Fee for using cameras on monuments
Tips for driver and guide per person per day
Note: Each Traveler should have 2 photos (5x6) to be presented at the points of entry.
Tajikistan Side:
Price Including:
2 Lunch, 1 Dinner, 1 breakfast,
3* Hotel in Khujand
Transport
English speaking Guide
Entrance fees
Water
Price Excluding:
Insurance
Visa
Personal spending
Early check-in
Late check out
Single supplement
Kyrgyzstan Side:
Price Including:
Airport transfers
Entrance fees
Osh-Bishkek flight
Bishkek-Karakol bus
3* hotel accommodations
Meal: 3 breakfast, 3 lunch, 3 dinner
Transfers
Guide
Price Excluding:
Insurance
Visa
Personal spending
Early check-in
Late check out
Single supplement
Kazakhstan Side:
Price Including:
Airport transfer
Entrance fees
Accommodations (1 night at guesthouse, 1 night at 3* hotel)
Meal: 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner
Guide
Transfers
Price Excluding:
Insurance
Visa
Personal spending
Early check-in
Late check out
Single supplement
