Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan 12-Day Tour12 Days | Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Almaty, Charyn Canyon, Issyk Lake

Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

 

Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at noon. Meet your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imam Complex where the world famous Quran of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imam visit Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Explore Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

 

Early morning transfer to local airport for flight to Urgench (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Arrive in Urgench, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min.). Later proceed for guided walking sightseeing tour. Spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Itchan Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Amin Khan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta Minor, Juma Mosque, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara

 

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h. drive*). The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzylkum Desert, as the present road does nowadays**. Stop en-route to enjoy views of Amudarya River and the desert.
Arrive in Bukhara late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest and overnight at the hotel.
*As the cafés and restaurants on the way are basic and offer limited menus, you may wish to take a packed lunch on this trip (your hotel or guide can help you arrange this the day before).
**some parts of the road are presently being renovated.

Day 4: Bukhara

 

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

Day 5: Bukhara – Samarkand

 

Continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. Head to Mausoleum of Bakhouddin 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 to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours

Day 6: Samarkand

 

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. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 7: Samarkand – Tashkent

 

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Afrasiab Museum and the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour. At 16:00 transfer to railway station. Take the high-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: 3-4 hours

Day 8: Tashkent – Almaty

 

Transfer to the International Airport to take flight to Almaty. Arrive in Almaty, transfer to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Almaty

 

Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby to start the sightseeing tour in Almaty: visit Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Central State Museum (closed on Tuesdays) and Republic Square. In the afternoon a short drive (25 km) will take you to Chimbulak. Here, visit the ski resort and ride the cable car to enjoy the amazing views of the snowy peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains. Our last stop of the day will be the Sunkar Falcon Farm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), where you’ll enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks – hunting with these magnificent birds is a distinguishing feature of the Kazakh way of life (from March till October, on Wednesdays-Sundays). Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 10: Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty

 

Your guide and driver will meet you at hotel lobby. Depart Almaty and drive to Charyn Canyon (220km, 3-4h). Charyn Canyon located to the east of Kazakhstan, with an unforgettable view of a huge gorge with cliffs and of various colours and shades. The canyon is a part of the Charyn National Park territory has an opportunity to see the old ash-tree grove, the Castle Valley, one part of 154-meter canyon with cliffs resembling towers. Despite a long way to go, the beauty of the Canyon makes you forget long hours of drive and this sight of nature in Kazakhstan will stay long in your memories. Arrive in Canyon. Have some time for picnic and rest. After that walk along canyon and enjoy its beautiful view. In the afternoon return to Almaty. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours

Day 11: Almaty – Issyk Lake – Turgen – Almaty

 

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure to Issyk Lake with visiting Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, where you will see the expositions dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. Depart to Turgen Gorge that is located among waterfalls. Return to Almaty. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 9-10 hours

Day 12: Almaty – departure

 

Check-out from the hotel at noon. Free time until transfer to Almaty International Airport. Departure. End of the 12-day Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan tour.

Price includes:

• All transfers 1-2 pax by sedan type car; 3-7 pax by van type car;
8-13 pax by 20 seat bus, 14 pax and more by 40-50 seat bus;
• Accommodation based on double/twin room sharing, breakfasts included;
• Sightseeing tour program in each city with local guides;
• Entrance tickets to sights as per itinerary;
• Ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent (on rare occasions when the high-speed train is unavailable, we will replace it with the most-comfortable class of regular train);
• Economy class ticket for flights: Tashkent-Urgench, Tashkent-Almaty;
• Meals as per itinerary.

Price doesn't include:

• Tour leader to accompany the travellers for the whole period of the tour;
• Full board (lunches and dinners);
• Hotel charges for additional services;
• Consular fees for Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan tourist visas;
• International flight tickets before and after the tour;
• Travel insurance;
• Tips are not included, but would be appreciated.