Central
Asia Steppes & Deserts Tour
(Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan –Turkmenistan)
Central Asia is at the cross roads between the west and the east.
The land is inhabited by a mixed race of Mongolid origin which
initially came with hordes of migratory tribes and intermixed with
the local population giving rise to a new cultural outlook to what
is today Central Asia. Our tour outlines scenic views, the steppes,
the deserts, monuments of the ancient cities and the people.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Almaty.
Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Check-in time at the hotel
is 3 p.m.
Overnight
Day 02: Almaty sightseeing tour.
Almaty is situated at the altitude of 600-900 meters above the
sea level. Almaty means Father of Apples, a name derived from the
apple trees that were widespread to the area. Almaty is the largest
city in Kazakhstan and the former capital of the Republic. The
city was set up on the place of the ancient settlement, which dates
back to the 3rd century BC. City tour of Almaty includes visit
to: The Museum of Folk Music Instruments, Panfilov Park, the Zenkov
Cathedral and Kasteev State Museum of Fine Arts. Funds of the museum
number over 20,000 storage units: paintings, graphics, sculptures,
folk arts and crafts, etc.
Overnight
Day 03: Almaty to Issykul Lake resort area via Bishkek – road
transfer.
Transfer to Issykul Lake via Bishkek.
Issyk-Kul means “warm lake” in Kyrgyz and confirms
this name by not freezing in the winter. About 134 rivers flow
into the lake. No river flows out of Issyk-Kul, so the lake accumulates
all minerals carried by the rivers and rain. The area of Lake
Issyk-Kul keeps a lot of secrets. At present at the bottom of the
lake archaeologists
have discovered the ruins of an ancient city, Chigu, which sank
many centuries ago. It was a capital of the Usuni State since
the second century BC, and the trade centre of the Tian Shan on
the
Great Silk Road.
On arrival transfer to your hotel
Overnight
Day 04: Sightseeing of Karakol town and Circle the Lake Tour..
Full day tour. Karakol (Black Lake in Kyrgyz) was founded in 1869
as a military and trade point on the road from the Chu valley
to Kashgar. It was first named Przhevalsky after Russian explorer
Nikolay Przhevalsky, whose last expedition ended here. Visit
to
Przhevzlsky Museum: there is a wonderful data of his meetings
and journeys, the instruments he used in gathering informative
data
are on display. He is also known for breeding a tiny bred horse
in the steep lands of Tibet, which was later known as Przhevalsky
Horse. Also we will see: the Dungan’s Mosque, Russian Orthodox
Church, the Museum of History and oriental bazaar (on a Friday
animal bazaar is also interesting).
Overnight
Day 05: AM Issykul to Bishkek with a stop at the site of
Burana – road
transfer.
PM sightseeing tour of Bishkek.
Morning transfer to Bishkek. En route stop in Burana. The word “burana” drives
from the corruption of Arabic word for minaret, munara. Burana Tower is the
central monument of the architectural complex and dates back 11th century.
On arrival transfer to your hotel
Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan. It is a modern and developed city. We can
see it visiting: State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Philharmonic Hall
near Manas Square. Also we will visit Osh Bazaar on Kievskaya Street. It is the
biggest typical market in Kyrgyzstan, which is noisy and full of local color.
Overnight
Day 06: AM Bishkek to Tashkent – flight. PM Tashkent sightseeing
tour.
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Tashkent
On arrival transfer to your hotel
PM Tashkent city tour. The capital of Uzbekistan, Central Asia’s premier
metropolis betrays little of its 2000-year history as a crossroads of ancient
trade routes. We explore: Barak Khan Madrasah Tillya Sheikh Mosque Namazgokh
Mosque, “Chorsu" bazaar and Mustakillik (Independent) Square
Overnight
Day 07: Tashkent to Samarkand – road transfer.
Morning departure for Samarkand.
On arrival transfer to your hotel
Overnight
Day 08: Full day Samarkand sightseeing tour.
Full day tour. See Registan Square, Ulugbek Madrasah, Shir-Dor Madrasah, Tillya-Kari
Madrasah, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Shakhi Zinda Necropolis. Bazaar is one of the main
sights of Samarkand. Early mornings and Sundays offer the most activity. Beside
cloth sacks of exotic spices, the famous Samarkand now fills barrows and pushchairs.
Overnight
Day 09: Samarkand to Nurata’s Yangikazagan Kyzylkum desert camp – road
transfer.
Morning departure for Nurata. Once known as Nur this town dates back to the period
before arrival of Alexander the Great. We will visit the famous Sacred Fish pond,
Shrine of a Local Saint.
On arrival transfer to Yurt Camp. A night under the stars in the desert.
Day 10: Nurata to Bukhara – road transfer.
Morning transfer to Bukhara.
Bukhara takes one of the main places among the most ancient archaeological cities
of Uzbekistan . It is very interesting from historical point of view. Bukhara
contains more then 350 mosques, as well as some 140 architectural monuments.
On arrival transfer to your hotel
Overnight
Day 11: Full day Bukhara sightseeing tour.
Bukhara is a prime example of the whole being more then sum of its parts. Everywhere
you go there is something that will add to your visit, including the revered
majesty of the Ismail Samani mausoleum, the Ark Citadel, Bolo-Khauz Mosque, Kalon
Minaret, Toki-Sarafon, Toki-Zargaron, Ulugbek Madrasah, Magoki-Attori Mosque
and Lyabi-Khauz.
Overnight
Day 12: Bukhara to Khiva – road transfer via the Kyzylkum desert.
Morning departure for Khiva via the Kyzylkum (red sands) Desert.
En route stop to see the Amudarya River - the Oxus.
On arrival transfer to your hotel
Overnight
Day 13: Full day Khiva sightseeing tour.
Khiva is the most intact and remote of Central Asia’s Silk Road cities,
the final destination of trip back through the centuries from Tashkent to Khiva.
Now it is effect two towns, but you will spend most of your time in the old walled
city the Ichan Kala (Shakhristan) as it is “outdoor museum”. Continue
visiting Mohammed Amin Khan Madrasah, Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrasah, the Islam
Khodja Madrasah and Minaret.
Overnight
Day 14: AM Khiva to Dashhowuz via Kunya Urgench. Sightseeing of Kunya Urgench.
PM flight to Ashgabat.
Morning departure for Dashhowuz. En route visit the archaeological sight of Kunya
Urgench: Putlog Timur Minaret, Aslam II Mausoleum and Traubel Khanum Mausoleum,
which was built in the middle of the 14th century for the Mongol princess Traubel.
It is a structure with twelve-sided sanctuaries with honeycomb decorations and
tiling. On the sparkling mosaic, there are 365 sections, symbolizing the days
of the year; 24 arches, for the hours of the day; 12 bigger arches for the months
of the year; and four windows for the weeks of the month.
PM transfer to the airport for the flight to Ashgabat
On arrival transfer to your hotel
Overnight
Day 15: AM Ashgabat sightseeing tour. PM tour to the ancient site of Nissa.
Morning tour includes: Arch of Neutrality, Lenin Square, Orthodox Church of Alexander
Nevsky, Ertogrulgazi Mosque, and Carpet Museum, where you can see a rich collection
of antique carpets, dating back to the 17th century.
PM visit to Nissa, which attracts by rich archaeological site and rich history.
Overnight
Day 16: Ashgabat departure.
Transfer to airport. Check-out time at the hotel is 12 noon.
Assistance on departure.
End
of the tour.
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