Golden Triangle Of Central Asia
About this tour
Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, Bishkek, Ala Archa, Chon Kemin, Issyk Kul, Karakol, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty
Almaty – Big Almaty Lake – Almaty Arrival in Almaty. Your first day of tour in Kazakhstan starts with sightseeing in central part of Almaty. You will visit a popular place for townspeople - the Green Bazaar*. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks - Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden building in the world - Zenkov Cathedral is located. You will also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame. After lunch, you will be taken to the south-western part of the city, passing by the Park of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Then you will continue your journey to the Big Almaty Gorge. After 40 minutes of driving in the gorge through the winding mountain paved road with breathtaking views, you will see the glorious panorama of the Big Almaty Lake, color of which is always different depending on the weather. The lake is a source of drinking water supply of Almaty city. Because of this reason the access of the tourists to the lake is limited, so the excursion route leads little bit higher above the Big Almaty Lake. On the way back to the town you will visit the Falcon Farm, where you will enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks, falcons and eagles - hunting with them is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh way of life. After visiting the Falcon Farm you will have your ride back to your accommodation. * The Green Bazaar and Falcon farm don’t not work on Mondays.
Day 2: Almaty to Bishkek
Almaty – Bishkek. In the morning you will continue sightseeing tour in the southern capital of Kazakhstan. After exploration of sports, cultural and business areas of the city you will get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam. Brief walk around with a chance to take your mountain-view pictures and breath the fresh pine-tree air, then you will take a cable car to Shymbulak ski resort area. You will have a quick chance to walk there and take pictures with breathtaking mountain peaks around. Then you will go down the same way by cable car and drive to the city. Further your mountain adventure continues at the top of Kok-Tobe hill, where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road on the park eco-cars. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway. Then you will have a transfer to Bishkek city. Bishkek city is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan. 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. *On Tuesdays, in the tour departing at 10:00, cableway is not available. Park eco-cars are used instead
Day 3: Bishkek
Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek. The first half of the day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. 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. In the afternoon we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. Afterwards we return to Bishkek. This overnight will be in a hotel.
Day 4: Bishkek to Чон-Кемин, Киргизия
Bishkek – Burana – Chon Kemin. Today you will be transferred to Chon Kemin gorge. Kyrgyzstan is famous for countless gorges with rivers, valleys and lakes. On route to the gorge you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). After an interesting excursion and climbing on the top of the tower is transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. Here you will meet a nice family that will prepare a traditional lunch for you. In the afternoon we will have 3 hours of horse riding. Your route will go high in the mountains and you will even ride horses through a mountain forest. On the top you will see the panorama view of the gorge. The night will be in a home stay.
Day 5: Чон-Кемин, Киргизия to Karakol
Chon Kemin – Issyk Kul lake northern shore – Karakol. Today your tour will continue to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608m.above sea level). The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. You can come up to the lake and to see mountains all around it. Today you will drive along the whole northern shore and arrive to Karakol town. Also we will visit today a place with ancient stone patterns – petroglyphs. In Karakol we will visit the Dungan mosque. It was built in Chinese style without using a single metal nail. This will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a hotel.
Day 6: Karakol to Bishkek
Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Issyk Kul southern shore – Bishkek. Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It’s famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. If you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge. Then we continue our trip, breaking in Bokonbaeva village, where we will meet a local eagle-hunter. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles. It is an ancient kind of hunting animals preserved from generation to generation. You will find out a lot of interesting facts about it. After this visit we will continue our way to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.
Day 7: Bishkek to Tashkent
Bishkek – Tashkent. In the morning is transfer to airport for the flight to Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Today you will visit Independence square which is the main square of the country, erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Further you can take a ride in famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. First line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8th c. Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Othman was killed by non-muslims in 8th century. His blood spred over the Quran that you still can see on its pages. Night is in a hotel.
Day 8: Tashkent to Khiwa
Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva. In the morning you will have a flight to Urgench, then transfer to Khiva, the most ancient city of Uzbekistan. Today you will have a wonderful sightseeing tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. It will be inside of Ichan-Qala, 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. In 1969 Ichan-Qala was designated a historical and architectural conservation area. The most remarkable sites in it are the Kunya-Ark fortress dating back to 17th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, an incredible sample of Khorezm architectural mastership of 1830s. Night is in a hotel.
Day 9: Khiwa to Bukhara
Khiva – Bukhara. Early in the morning we will have transfer to a fascinating city of Bukhara. With its more than 140 architectural monuments Bukhara is a "town museum" dating back to the Middle Ages. The city consists of narrow streets, green parks and gardens, historical and architectural monuments belong to different epochs, but locate very close to each other. The road from Khiva to Bukhara goes through famous Kizilkum desert. On the way we will enjoy the view to Amu Darya river, the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan) and flowing into Aral See. Upon arrival in Bukhara you will have free time. Night is in a hotel.
Day 10: Bukhara
Bukhara. Today you will have a full day of sightseeing tour in the fascinating city of Bukhara. At first you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9th -10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel.
Day 11: Bukhara to Samarqand
Bukhara – Samarkand. Morning train to Samarkand. Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is at the hotel.
Day 12: Samarqand to Tashkent
Samarkand – Tashkent. Today you will continue exploring Samarkand city. You will visit Ulughbek observatory, built in 15th century by Ulughbek, one of the most famous Samarkand rulers and scientists. Working in observatory, Ulughbek created in 1437 the “Zidji Guragoni” catalog, which had information about 1018 celestial bodies. Unfortunately, he was killed by order of his own son. After it you can walk along the local Broadway surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets and workshops. Then you can visit national bazaar Siab, oriental bazaar, where it is easy to find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets. Also you will see carpet factory, a unique handmade carpet factory where over 400 women sew carpets without using traditional techniques. Afternoon transfer to Tashkent is by train. Night is in a hotel.
Day 13: Tashkent
Tashkent – Flight. Breakfast is at the hotel. Transfer to airport and flight.
What's included
What to know
warm clothes (jacket, warm pants) as well as summer clothes, bathing suits, sunglasses, sun blocks, umbrellas or raincoats
Route & locations
Almaty