13-day Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Tour

Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by Advantour driver and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the hotel at 14:00. Your tour will start with meeting your guide to start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Begin at the Courage Monument, which commemorates the 1966 earthquake and honours the resilience of the people of Tashkent, before continuing to the historic Old City. Visit the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, walk past the Khast-Imam Complex, view the exterior of the Islamic Civilization Center, and stroll along the newly developed Zarkaynar Street. Next, explore Chorsu Bazaar and a local pottery gallery, then ride the beautifully decorated Tashkent Metro to the modern city centre. Enjoy free time for lunch on Taras Shevchenko Street, known for its lively dining scene, then continue to the State Museum of Applied Arts and admire the elegant facade of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, concluding the tour at Amir Timur Square. Overnight at the hotel. After the tour or later in the evening you can visit the Islamic Civilization Center in Tashkent on your own (optional).

Early morning transfer 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 Ichan-Kala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah, Kalta-Minor, Juma Mosque, Tash-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islam-Khoja. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 hours

In the morning depart Khiva and drive to Bukhara (480 km, 7-8 h)*. 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 Amu Darya 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 not in the best condition.

Enjoy a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in Old City. Visit Lyabi-Khauz 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

Start the second day with a visit to Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi and the House Museum of Fayzulla Khodjaev. At 14:40 transfer from the hotel to train station. Take Afrosiyob train to Samarkand departing at 15:52, arriving at 17:25 (270 km). Upon arrival the driver will transfer you to hotel in Samarkand. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours

Meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby to start city tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar and Gur-Emir Mausoleum – authentic shrine of Tamerlane. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours

Check out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing: visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Ulugbek Observatory and 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. Late afternoon transfer to the train station. Take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent. Upon arrival pick-up and transfer to the hotel.

Checkout by noon. Free time till transfer to Tashkent International Airport, check in on flight to Bishkek (580 km, 1 h 15 min). Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning transfer to Issyk-Kul (250 km, 4-5 h), the second largest mountain lake in the world (1600 m above sea level). In Cholpon-Ata see petroglyphs – the rock carvings made by prehistoric people lying under the open sky, and visit Ethnographical Museum. Arrival at the hotel, check-in. Free time in the afternoon for swimming and rest on the beach of Issyk-Kul lake. Overnight at the hotel. Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours Meals: dinner

Transfer to Karakol town after breakfast (170 km, 2 h). Visit Museum of Przhevalsky, famous Russian geographer and explorer of Central Asia. In the afternoon start city tour in Karakol: Russian Orthodox Church, Dungan Muslim mosque and local bazaar. Traditional dinner at a Uigur family house. Overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: dinner

In the morning depart to Kochkor (270 km, 5 h.). On the way visit Jety Oguz Gorge famous for its beautiful red sandstone rocks. Your will hear different legends about two different names of the gorge – “Seven Bulls” and “Broken Heart”. Continue driving to Kochkor. Next stop will be Skazka gorge with light walking to see beautiful panoramic view of Issyk Kul lake. Dinner and accommodation in the house of Kyrgyz family. Enjoy traditional Kyrgyz meal “Beshbarmak” for dinner. Meals: lunch, dinner Optional: eagle hunting show near Bokonbaevo village

Visit the felt carpet workshop in Kochkor, where you can participate in manufacturing the souvenirs making them out of felt and then buy them. Lunch at Kyrgyz family house. Depart to Bishkek (230 km, 3 h). Stop on the way to see Burana Tower, what has left from the ancient city of Balasagun (11-13 cent). Arrival to Bishkek. Start sightseeing tour: visit Oak Park, Ala-Too Square, Statue of Manas. See Philharmonic Hall and Victory Monument – bright examples of Soviet architecture. Overnight at the hotel. Meals: lunch

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport. End of the 13-day Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan tour.