The Great Silk Road

Arrival in Tashkent. Meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Check in at 1400. Free day.
(Meal: -/-/-)

After breakfast start guided sightseeing tour in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. You will
start with exploring the Old City. Visit Khast-Imam Complex, where the world famous Quran, holy book that
belonged to Caliph Uthman, has been preserved. The complex consists of Barak-Khan Madrasah, Tillya Sheykh
Mosque, Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari. Continue to
Chorsu Bazaar. Then take a ride on Tashkent Metro to the city center to visit Applied Arts Museum and walk
through Navoi Theater to Amir Timur Square where you will end Tashkent city tour.
Transfer to domestic airport, evening flight to Urgench departing at 20:25 (1093 km, 1 h 30 min). Arrival in
Urgench at 21:55, transfer to the hotel in Khiva (30 km, 35 min).
Duration of sightse

After breakfast start your sightseeing tour of Khiva, a highlight for many on the Classic Uzbekistan Group Tour.
Visit Ichan-Qala Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Ichan-Qala Fortress visit Kunya-Ark, Sayeed Alauddin
Mausoleum, Arab-Mukhamadkhan Madrasah, Oq-Masjid Mosque, Madrasah of Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan
Madrasah, Abdullakhan Madrasah, Juma Mosque, Allakulikhan Madrasah, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Pakhlavan
Makhmud Mausoleum, Minaret of Islom-Khoja. At 19:00 transfer to domestic airport flight* to Bukhara at 15:20
arriving in Bukhara at 16:10. Arrival in Bukhara, transfer to the hotel.
*subject to availability and maybe substituted to transfer by train
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
(Meal: B/-/-)

After breakfast start walking sightseeing tour in Bukhara.
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. In the evening enjoy a National Show at Nadir Divan-begi
Madrasah and a delicious dinner at the National house.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
(Meal: B/-/-)

Breakfast. Continue your Classic Uzbekistan Group Tour 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 Chor-Bakr Necropolis. In the afternoon take the high-speed train,
Afrosiyob, 15:52-17:20 or overland transfer. Arrive in Samarkand, check in to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
(Meal: B/-/-)

After breakfast, Samarkand sightseeing tour. Visit spectacular Registan Square, Gur Emir Mausoleum – the
mausoleum of Amir Timur, remains of Bibi Khanum Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Ulugbek Observatory. Free time in the
afternoon.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
(Meal: B/-/-)

Breakfast. Continue sightseeing tour in Samarkand. You will visit Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis, Afrasiab Museum and
the Tomb of Saint Daniel. Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from
mulberry. Farewell lunch in Samarkand.
At 16:30 transfer to the railway station to take the high-speed Afrosiyob train departing at 17:30 (300 km, 2 h 10
m) and arriving in Tashkent at 19:40. Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
(Meal: B/L/-)

Check-out from the hotel till noon. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Almaty at 14:10. Arrival to Almaty. Meeting
with the local guide and driver. Transfer to Hotel. City tour around Almaty. Walking via old city center (today: Square
Astana) to the 28 Panfilovtsev Park, Zenkov Cathedral (monument of cult architecture of Christians in Kazakhstan).
A walk along the pedestrian street, which appeared in 1883 and has the name Silk Road, here you can see the works
of street artists and listen to local musicians, buy souvenirs. Overnight at the hotel.
(Meal: B/-/-)

After breakfast, you will visit Green Baazar where it is possible to purchase fresh vegetables, fruits and other goods
from the region. Later on, leaving Almaty and head towards Kol-Say Nature Park, in Saty. Transfer to the parking
place nearby Kol-Say lake, walking excursion about 30-40 minutes to the view point of the first Kol-Say lake. The
mountain lake, with an emerald colour in fine weather, framed by a coniferous forest. Return back to Saty.
Overnight at the guest house.
(Meal: B/-/-)

After breakfast, transfer to Charyn Canyon. Charyn Canyon, it is an amazing creation of nature that has existed for
millions of years, picturesque and very diverse in geomorphologic aspects. The height of steep mountainsides
reaches 150-300 meters. Numerous ravines and gullies make dense rambling net. Wind and water created stunning
"Red Castles Valley". All along the valley you are surrounded by towers of fantastical forms, built of sedimentary.
Throughout time nature has created these architectural wonders, without haste, it has built majestic castles.
Transfer to the Kazakh/Kyrgyz border, crossing, the procedure takes around 1 hour. Continue driving to Karakol.
Dinner in Uighur Family (small nationality migrated from Chine in 19th Century). Overnight in the hotel.
(Meal: B/-/-)

Breakfast. City tour in Karakol with visiting Russian Orthodox Church, Muslim Mosque in Dungan Style, Lenin Statue,
local bazaar and “one village one product shop”. Transfer to the Sothern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. Visiting Barskoon
waterfall. Walking to the waterfall takes around 30 minutes, one way.
Continue driving to the yurt camp, which is located on the shore of Issyk-Kul. Master class of making Kyrgyz bread
– Boorsak. Dinner and overnight in the yurt camp.
(Meal: B/-/D)

Breakfast. Transfer to Bishkek along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul lake. On the way, we will also stop in Fairy –
Tale Canyon. Turning after Tosor village towards Terskey Ala-Too mountains and after passing about 4 km, we will
notice how mountains part, and immediately, as if by the wave of a magic stick we will find ourselves in this valley
of fairytales. In Russian, the word Skazka means “Fairy Tale” and the place is certainly a magical place, full of mystery
and mysticism, sufficient to stimulate the imagination of those with the inclination to stand, and stare, and
wonder. Walking there. Here for additional payment, you can also watch the Eagle Hunting show. The hunter will
tell you more about the process of hunting and about birds. Have a visit to Kyzyl Tuu village, here you can see how
the wooden parts of the yurts (dwelling house of nomad people) are made, and even test it by your own hands. On
the way visiting of Burana Tower, a place on the Great Silk Road dated to 11th century. Besides the tower you will
see the ruins of ancient city called Balasagyn, an excursion to the museum dedicated to this place. Upon arrival to
Bishkek, check-in in the hotel.
NoviNomad Travel novinomad@elcat.kg www.novinomad.com
(Meal B/-/-)

Breakfast. City tour with visiting of Victory Square - memorial for the fallen in WWII; Statue of Kurmandshan Datka
- legendary fighter against the Russian occupation in 1862 - 1876. Her portrait is also on 50-Som bill figured; Alatoo
Square - official holidays are held with parades in front of representative facades of government buildings; Panfilov
Park - under shady trees children will find a variety of attractive amusements; Monument to Manas the Great, on
horseback - first encounter with the country's most important historical figure , which is also the name of the Kyrgyz
airline Air Manas; Osch-bazaar - it offers not only decorative goods of all kinds, but also corresponding photo
opportunities. In the afternoon transfer to Ala-Archa National Park.
During the excursion you will walk towards to the waterfall Aksai. Duration of the walking is around 3 hours. Silent
snow peaks will charm you with its powerful and beauty. Fresh air, crystal springs and smelling of herbs will give
you pleasant minutes in your life. Transfer back to Bishkek late afternoon.
Overnight in the hotel. (Meal B / - / -)
Day 14, Th. Bishkek – Airport
Transfer to the airport about 40 minutes. Fly home.
(Meal B / - / -)