13 Days Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan Tour

Your guide will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, just a 30-minute drive from the airport. 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. 

Today you will be transferred to Chon Kemin gorge. 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. 

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.

Today you will drive to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m 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 nail. It will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a guesthouse. 

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 (a traditional way of nomadic hunting). When we arrive at Kochkor village you will meet a family who will show you how to make national woolen felt carpets. Night is in a home stay. 

After breakfast we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. 

After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. Overnight is in nomadic collapsible dwellings - yurts. They are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings.

After meeting with locals, we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. The road to the city goes through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. During your transfer be prepared for amazing views of impressive mountains and gorges. 

Today you will see panoramic views of Tue Ashuu pass which is more than 3000 meters high! This road is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. You will have many photo stops so that you will remember this day. Fantastic roads, amazing views, nomads, high mountains; ensure your memories of Kyrgyzstan will last a lifetime. Night is in a hotel. 

In the morning is transfer to airport for your flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival you will have a further local flight to Urgench. 

Meet your guide and city tour in Khiva: At the first half of the day, you are going to visit the oldest part of the city - Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17c); Mohammed-Amin-Khan (19c) Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18c), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19 c) Amir-Tur Madrassah, and Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum. 

After lunch you will see Mazary Sharif Madrassah, Kheivak  well (10c), Uch Avlioli («three saints») Mausoleum, Jami Mosque (18c), Kutluq-Murad Inaq (19c) Madrassah, and Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum. Night is in the hotel.

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 Buchara you will have free time. Night is in a hotel. 

Full day will be dedicated to a city tour in Bukhara with your your local guide. Today you will visit Ismael Samani mausoleum (9–10c) – vault of Bukhara rulers' dynasty, Chor-Minor, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14 c), and Bukhara local bazaar. 

In Old Bukhara you are going to see Poli-Kalon ensemble including Minaret (12c) , Mosque (15c), functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16 c) Amir- Alim-Khan Madrassah (14c), Taqi (trading domes), and Kukeldash Madrassah (16c). 

After lunch time you will see Lyab-i-Hauz (17c), Nadir Divanbegi (17c), Magoki Attari (16c), Ulug Beg (15c), Abdul Aziz (17c) Madrassahs as well as Registan Ensemble, Ark Fortress (16c) and Bolo-Hauz complex (18 c). Overnight is in the hotel.

After the breakfast we will start our way to Samarkand – The pearl of the East. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop, which was previously visited by Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Sir Charles and many of others. There we will have a chance to learn the history of pottery culture of Uzbekistan, short master class of pottery preparing and do buy the items you liked.

Afterwards continue drive to Samarkand. Upon arrival you will have check in to the hotel and overnight. 

Breakfast is in the hotel. Full day city tour of Samarkand: Registan square – the complex of three historical building: Madrasah Ulugbek (15th c.), Madrasah Sher-dor (17th c.), Madrasah Tilla-Kori (17th c.) – the visiting card and the main attraction spot of Samarkand. Architectural complex Shakhi-Zindeh (11-15th c.) - the name Shah-I-Zinda (meaning "the living king") comes together with the legend about Kusam Ibn Abbas, the cousin of the prophet Muhammad who was buried here. Mausoleum Guri Emir - Tamerlane's tomb (14-15th c.) - Gur-e Amir means "Tomb of the King". Bibi Khanum Mosque - name of the mosque translated as the "Elder wife" and it was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane's wife, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is in the hotel.

Breakfast is in the hotel. In the morning you will drive to Tashkent (350 km, 4.5 hrs drive). Upon arrival there is a city tour in Tashkent including Independence square (Red square in former USSR, Main Square of the country). Broadway is walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Amir Timur square – one of the central squares of Tashkent, erected on behalf of national hero – Amir Timur. The square symbolizes sovereignty and power of Uzbek nation.

Tashkent metro is among the most beautiful subways in the world. First line was opened in 1977. Now the number of stations is 29 with 36.2 km long. Old city is an old part of Tashkent city, the area, which preserves the traditional Uzbek style: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah (16th.c) and Hast Imam complex – the Islamic heart of the country. Overnight is in the hotel.

After breakfast is transfer to Tashkent airport. you will catch the flight and back to your sweet home.