best spots in Kazakhstan and historical & cultural sites in Uzbekistan
Flight from ___to Tashkent. Driver will welcome you at Tashkent International Airport. Transfer to hotel and leave luggage (check-in at/after 14:00). EARLY CHECK-IN NOT INCLUDED. Sightseeing tour in Tashkent begins at ___ by visit to the Complex of Khast-Imam (reconstructed in 2007), religious center of Tashkent. Architectural ensemble includes several constructions, built in XVI –XIX cc.; then you will discover beautiful madrasa Kukeldash. Lunch time. In the afternoon visit to The Museum of Applied Art of Tashkent, the ancient palace of Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev that is transformed to the museum in 1938; Explore beautiful and unusual underground stations of Tashkent, Amir Temur Square and Independence Square, visit to one of the biggest Bazaar of Uzbekistan, Chorsu. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the Railway station to take a train tickets to Bukhara (dep: 07:30 | arr: 11:17). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Leave your luggage and start a city tour. Full day sightseeing program includes the visits to: Architectural complex Poi-Kalyan (means «Foot of the Great»), consists of three constructions built in XII-XVI centuries: madrasah Miri-Arab, mosque and minaret Kalyan – “Great minaret” is the main decoration of the complex; the madrasa of Ulug Beg and Abdulaziz Khan. Built in 1652, a few centuries later than Ulugh-Beg Madrasah (built in 1417), Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasa marks the remarkable progress of medieval Central Asian architecture; Tim Abdullah Khan – a covered bazaar built in 1577; Magok-i Attari Mosque (today, Museum of Carpets) is one of the oldest architectural monuments where you will find heathen shrines, the remains of a Buddhist monastery, a Zoroastrian Temple in Bukhara. Lunch time. In the afternoon continue to explore other monuments, as: architectural ensemble Laybi-Hauz (means «the shore of reservoir»), consists of three monumental buildings: Kukeldash madrassa and two other religious buildings: Hanaka on the west and Madrasah of Nadir Divan-Begi on the east; Ark-Citadel –a residence of Bukhara khans, a massive fortress, built and occupied around the 5th century AD. Bolo-Hauz Mosque, built in the 17th century, was a place of prayer for the Emirs and their entourage. It is the only preserved monument in Registan Square that includes: multi-column aivan, domed mosque, minaret and a small pool; the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, one of the most ancient monuments in the city, mausoleum Chashma Ayub, or "Source of Job". Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning drive to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz city. In Shakhrisabz make rest stop en route and have a sightseeing tour: Visit to the Mausoleum of Jakhongir in Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex, remains of Ak-Saray Palace, Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble with Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and burial vault of Tamerlane’s father. Lunch time. In the afternoon drive to Samarkand. Upon arrival, transfer and check-in to the hotel. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning begin sightseeing tour in Samarkand: The Registan Square (“Sandy Place”), the ensemble of three madrasahs (the Ulughbek Madrasah (1417-1420), the Sher Dor Madrasah (1619-1636) and the Tillya Kori Madrasah (1646-1660)) is a unique example of town-building art, a remarkable pattern of the architectural planning of the main town square; The Gur-Amir Mausoleum –a world known masterpiece of Central Asian architecture, the family crypt of the great dynasty of Tamerlane, with a fine ribbed dome and decorated with paper-maché inside. Lunch time. In the afternoon you will explore other miracles of the city: The Pearl of Samarkand – Bibi Khanum Mosque. Constructed in 1399 by the best architects and artisans of Khorossan, Azerbaijan, Persia and India, the mosque was compared on the beauty and shining with the Milky Way; Siyab Bazar –the most ancient and the biggest traditional market of Samarkand. In the evening you will take a visit to the theatre of historical costume "El Merosi". “El Merosi” in uzbek means "The Peoples’ Heritage". Working since 2005, the theatre is gaining popularity not only in Uzbekistan, but as well outside of the country. The theatre shows the traditions of local people, existing from ancient time to present and national costumes of different epochs: leather suits of Scythian horsemen, a costume of Achemenians made of gold brocade, suits of Anahita made of the finest fabrics and hats made of woven silver, a suit of a Sogdian, which is made of fabric decorated with hand-embroidery. Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning meet the guide at hotel and start exploring other historical sites of Samarkand: The Shakhi-Zinda ensemble with more than 20 buildings, built from early XI up to XIV cc. Each mausoleum has its own style of decoration and great fantasy of skillful artisans; the Observatory of Ulugbek, the first observatory in Central Asia, built in XIV c. Visit to the mausoleum of Hodja Daniyar, located near the healing spring and attracts crowds of tourists every day. Some believe that Daniel was biblical prophet others – associate him with fellow-soldier of Kusam ibn Abbas. Lunch time. In the afternoon you will take a visit to The Museum of Afrasiab. Afterwards, set upon a journey to Tashkent by high speed train (dep: 18h00 | arr: 20h10) Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. Free time is at your disposal for your own discoveries until your flight to Almaty. Transfer to the Airport for taking flights. Flight at ___. Upon arrival in Almaty you will be met by the driver. Transfer to the hotel. Flight is available two times a day! Dinner time. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. Breakfast at hotel. The Charyn Canyon trip (10 hours) Charyn Canyon is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions as well as have a lunch in a local cafe. And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once - so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. Anyone who has ever been to the Charyn Canyon, falls in love with it forever! Transfer back to the hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. Almaty Grand Tour (6 hours): The tour starts with sightseeing in central part of Almaty. You will visit a popular place for townpeople - the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. It is the great chance to experience an atmosphere of the real Central Asian market, its colors, smells and crowds. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty park – Panfilov Park, where you will see one of the unique wooden building in the world – Zenkov Cathedral and also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, dedicated to the memory of the fighters who died for freedom and independence of the country. After, you will go to the Medeo Gorge, where the highest mountain skating rink in the world is located, as well as the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflow. Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will go by the picturesque winding mountain road. You can stroll along the winding paths of the Kok-Tobe park, admire the magnificient panorama of the city from the special observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Return to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the International Airport for taking flight to Homeland. Have a safe flight! End of our services!
Price includes: -Accommodation in double/twin rooms at hotels mentioned or similar (Classification to the country's standards): - Breakfasts at hotels; - Entrance fees for museums and sites, mentioned in program; - English speaking permanent guide in Uzbekistan; - English speaking permanent guide in Kazakhstan; - Transportation and transfers by private, air-conditioned vehicle with driver during the tour, including petrol, road tax, etc. (Unless not mentioned in program movements); - Domestic Train Ticket Tashkent – Bukhara (Economy class); - Domestic Train Ticket Samarkand – Tashkent (Economy class); - Our assistance 24h/7.
Price doesn’t include: - The International flight tickets; - Almaty Tashkent flight; - Lunches and Dinners; - Photo & Video charges during sightseeing (from $0, 5 per site); - Travel Insurance; - Tips for guides, drivers, etc.
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan