19-day Silk Road Tour: Kyrgyzstan, China, Uzbekistan19 Days | Kyrgyzstan, China, Uzbekistan

Day 1, Sa: Airport – Bishkek

 

Arrival in Bishkek. Transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing tour: Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Philarmonic hall, Statue of Manas, Victory Square and Oriental market – Osh bazaar. After lunch transfer to the Ala-Archa National Park (40 km). You will be in the alpine gorge through which the fast flowing Ala-Archa River runs, flanked by tall, snow-covered peaks with steep-sided, forested, mountain slopes. Hiking to the Ak-Sai waterfall 2700 m above sea level.
Transfer to Bishkek. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 2, Su: Bishkek – Burana – Issyk-Kul

 

In the morning transfer to Issyk-Kul Lake ( 260 km ). On the way, visit Burana tower, which marks the original site of the Karakhanid town, Balasagun. Lunch in the Kyrgyz family where you can see the demonstration of the yurt erection (nomad’s house). Continue driving to Issyk-Kul. Arrival to Issyk-Kul, accommodation in a hotel on the North Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 3, Mo: Issyk-Kul – Karakol

 

Drive to Karakol. In Cholpon-Ata visit open-air art gallery of petroglyphs, said to date from 500 BC – 100 AD, which depict wolves, long-horned ibex, goats, horses, snow leopards, sacrifices and some hunting scenes. Visit the wooden Russian-orthodox church, Dungan Mosque and Prezhevalsky-Museum. Enjoy folk music during the dinner. Overnight in Karakol.
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner

Day 4, Tu: Karakol – Jety-Oguz

 

In the morning drive to Jety-Oguz gorge (Seven Bulls), which is a lush valley with some striking red sandstone rock formations. Picnic. Overnight in the yurt camp.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 5, We: Jety-Oguz – Bokonbaevo – Kochkor

 

Start driving to Kochkor village along the Southern shore of the Issyk-Kul lake. On the way, stop in Bokonbaevo where you can see the eagle or falcon hunting show. Dinner and overnight at the home stay.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 6, Th: Kochkor – Tash-Rabat

 

After breakfast visiting a felt carpet workshop where you can see a process of making Kyrgyz national felt carpets. Transfer to Tash-Rabat ( 245 km ) towards the Chinese border. Tash Rabat was a caravan saray that served as a fortress for the Great Silk Road travelers in the  11th century. This is a carefully restored stone building which does not have analogs from Gobi desert to Caspian Sea. Overnight in yurts.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 7, Fr: Tash-Rabat – Torugart – Kashgar

 

Breakfast. Transfer early in the morning to Torugart Pass. It is a border between Kyrgyzstan and China. Meeting with the Chinese guide at Kyrgyz-Chinese border. Drive to Kashgar. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8, Sa: Kashgar

 

City tour around Kashgar: visit Id Kah Mosque (the largest Mosque in China) and the Tomb of Yusuf Khass Hajib. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 9, Su: Kashgar

 

Full day at Sunday market. The Sunday Bazaar is believed to be the largest outdoor market in the world.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 10, Mo: Kashgar – Irkyshtam – Osh

 

Early in the morning transfer to Irkeshtam border. The view is spectacularly amazing, with the Pamir mountain range covered with permanent snow and glaciers on the right-hand side and small hills on the left with summer pastures. Border crossing. Transfer to Osh. Right after we leave the village we will drive up the Taldyk pass (3615 m).  Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 11, Tu: Osh

 

City tour in Osh ( 220 km ). The legends say that Osh was founded by King Solomon ages ago and had an important position on trading routes of the Great Silk Road. Today you will visit Suleiman-Too (Solomon’s Mountain) and Osh bazaar located at the same place as in the times of Great Silk Road. Overnight at the hotel or guest house.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12, We: Osh – Fergana – Tashkent

 

In the morning transfer Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan border point Dostuk. Border formalities. On the way visit Andijan and Kuva. Drive to Margilan and visit Said Akhmad-Khoja Madrasah. Today, madrasah is home to a number of craftsmen producing handmade carpets and silk. Have a walk on traditional market and continue to Yodgorlik Silk factory to see the production process of silk with traditional Ikat patterns. The last stop will be in the city of Kokand where you will visit the Khudoyar-Khan Palace, Jami Mosque, Norbut-biy and Kamol-Kazy madrasahs. Depart Fergana valley and drive to Tashkent. The steep road which connects Fergana Valley with the rest of Uzbekistan runs via the picturesque mountain pass Kamchik (2267 m above the sea level). Arrive in Tashkent late in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13, Th: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

 

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Meet your guide to start sightseeing around the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imom Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imom visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Explore Chor-Su Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to city center with Amir Temur Square, Independence Square and Applied Arts Museum.
Take the evening flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Arrive in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min.). Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14, Fr: Khiva

 

Spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Kala Fortress. Visit Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Kunya-Ark, Juma Mosque, Toshkhovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom Khodja. Free time in the afternoon.
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15, Sa: Khiva – Bukhara

 

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 hours’ drive*). The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road does nowadays**. Stop on the way to enjoy views of Amudarya River and the desert.
Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in at the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*we advise preparing lunch-boxes for this trip.
**some parts of the road are presently being renovated
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16, Su: Bukhara

 

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magoki-Attori Mosque, trade domes, Kalyan Minaret, Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah, Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrasahs, Ark Fortress, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Chor-Minor Madrasah, Ismail Samani and Chashma-Ayub mausoleums. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17, Mo: Bukhara – Samarkand

 

Continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai-Mokhikhosa – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to Mausoleum of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi. In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 hours’ drive). Stop on the way at Caravanserai Rabat Malik dating back to 11th century. Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in and overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Meals: Breakfast

Day 18, Tu: Samarkand – Tashkent

 

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Meet your guide and driver at hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory, Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis and Gur Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. At 16:00 transfer to railway station and take the fast-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent at 17:00 (300 km). Scheduled arrival time is 19:10. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 19, We: Tashkent – departure

 

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Transfer to the International Airport. End of the tour.
Meals: Breakfast

Price includes:

• All transfers;
• Twin room accommodation;
• Sightseeing tour programs in each city with local guides;
• Entrance tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums. Camera and photo fees are not included and should be paid separately;
• Meals – as stated as program;
• English speaking guide to accompany the group;
• Permits to cross Torugart;
• Economy class ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace this with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
• Economy class ticket for flight Tashkent-Urgench;
• Visa support for Uzbekistan visa.

Price doesn't include:

• Charges in hotels for additional services;
• Single supplement;
• Full board (lunches and dinners);
• Consular fees;
• Visa support (except for Uzbekistan);
• Photography and video making fees;
• Registration (if required);
• Personal insurance;
• Payment for early check in and late check out (check in time is at 13-14.00, check out time is at 12.00);
• Alcohol drinks;
• Tips are not included, but would be appreciated;
• International flight tickets before and after the tour.