Guide

English-speaking local guides for sightseeing

Others

Entrance fees to the sites and ecological fees

Accommodation

Almaty - Kazakhstan Hotel 3* or similar Altyn Emel - Guesthouse Kolsay lakes - Guesthouse at Saty Village (15 km from Kolsay Lake) Tashkent - Leader Hotel 3* or similar Samarkand - Arba Hotel 3* or similar Bukhara - Devon Hotel 3* or similar

Meals

All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners according to the program

Transport

Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle for the whole tour; Flight from Almaty to Tashkent (economy class); Railway transfers from Tashkent to Samarkand, Samarkand to Bukhara and Bukhara to Tashkent on a high-speed train (economy or business class).

Not included:

Insurance

Optional

Visa fees (if necessary); Meals not mentioned above; Porters at the train stations and airpots; Tips and gratitudes.

Flights

Inernational flights

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Almaty, Arrival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Almaty, Arrival

Arrival in Almaty early in the morning, meet the driver at the airport and further transfer to the hotel for accommodation and rest.

After breakfast start the sightseeing tour in Almaty. Visit Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers, Ascension Cathedral (Russian Orthodox church), Museum of musical instruments and Green Bazaar. After lunch time we proceed to the National Park of Ili Alatau and its highlights of Medeo rink, Shymbulak resort and Kok Tobe park. Return to the hotel for rest and overnight.

breakfast included
Day 2 Almaty - Altyn Emel National Park By Road (450 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Almaty - Altyn Emel National Park By Road (450 Km)

After breakfast we start our jeep tour across Almaty region. By the lunch time we arrive in Altyn Emel National park. Accommodation at the local guesthouse and lunch there. After lunch proceed to Aktau white mountains for a slight hike there and additional visit of the 700 years old osier. Return to the guesthouse for dinner, rest and overnight.

breakfast, lunch, dinner included
Day 3 Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Kolsay Lakes By Road (480 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Kolsay Lakes By Road (480 Km)

After breafast we continue exploring the beauty of Altyn Emel National Park. We set off to visit another highlight of the region - the Singing dune - rare nature phenomenon that happens at dry weather when the sand becomes to sing similar to the tunes of an organ. After that we proceed to Zharkent city with its Dungan mosque, the Valley of Castles and Charyn canyon - a small copy of the Grand canyon.

After exploring the area, we drive further to Kolsay lakes. On arrival - accommodation at the guesthouse for rest and overnight.

breakfast, lunch, dinner included
Day 4 Kolsay Lakes
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kolsay Lakes

Breakfast at the guesthouse and further transfer to Kolsay lakes region that represents a a group of high mountain lakes at Northern Tien Shan, close to Kyrgyzstan border. The place is for true lovers of nature, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests; these lakes are located at 1,800m, 2,300m and 2,900m above the sea level. Today we can make trekking from the first lake to the second Kolsay lake; it takes around 3-4 hours one way (lunch boxes included). Optionally, take a horseback ride instead and shorten your trip.

If you are not willing to walk, you can just enjoy the untainted nature of Kolsay with its fresh air, marvelous sceneries and ice-clear water. You can even rent a boat to sail on the lake.

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

breakfast, lunch, dinner included
Day 5 Kolsay Lakes - Kaindy Lake - Almaty By Road (350 Km)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kolsay Lakes - Kaindy Lake - Almaty By Road (350 Km)

Breakfast at the guesthouse and further transfer to Kaindy lake - another highlight of the region that is famous for its origin. The lake appeared after a strong earthquake in 1911, when the coniferous forest was flooded after the landslide. The water at the lake is cold and, therefore, trees are still well preserved until now and can be seen through the clear water. Once we pass off-road area and stop by the slope, you are going for walking until Kaindy lake, where fascinating view of the lake opens from top of the hill. En route back we will stop at the local guesthouse for lunch.

After lunch - futher transfer to Almaty. Accommodation at the hotel, rest and overnight.

breakfast, lunch, dinner included
Day 6 Almaty
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Almaty

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit the Kazakh ethno-village “Huns” - a perfect place for those willing to plunge into and experience the nomadic past of Kazakhs, their traditional games and rituals. Entertaining program in the village includes: Show of felt craft, Performance of “Besikke salu” or “Tusau kesu” rituals, Horse games, Traditional dances and music, Master class on cooking “baursak” - traditional Kazakh pastry.

Lunch of national Kazakh style.

Return to the city and rest at the hotel.

Overnight in Almaty.

breakfast, lunch included
Day 7 Almaty - Tashkent By Morning Flight
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Almaty - Tashkent By Morning Flight

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning flight to Almaty.

On arrival in Tashkent - meet your guide and driver start the sightseeing tour in Tashkent. Today we visit first the old part of the city and the religious complex Khasti Imam, consisting of Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Muy-Mubarak Mosque - the storehouse of the well-known Koran of Khalif Osman and gold hair of prophet Muhammad; Dzhuma-mosque of Khodja Akhrar Vali, Kukeldash Madrassah and Chorsu Oriental bazaar.

In the afternoon explore the new city, including visiting of Independence Square and Amir Temur Statue. Return to the hotel for rest and overnight.

breakfast included
Day 8 Tashkent - Samarkand By A High-Speed Train (2 Hours)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tashkent - Samarkand By A High-Speed Train (2 Hours)

Early breakfast at the hotel (or breakfast boxes).

06:20 Transfer to the railway station.

07:28-09:42 Transfer from Tashkent to Samarkand by Afrosiab high-speed train.

Upon arrival in the city, we start our busy day in a jewel of the ancient and modern Silk Road. There is the mysterious jade mausoleum of Gur-i-Emir, the graveyard of Tamerlane. One of the greatest treasures is Registan Square, Temur’s outstanding creation, a huge complex of minarets, mosques and madrassas. Further we move on to Bibi Khanum Mosque, the gorgeous necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda, and the old observatory of Ulugbek, the greatest Muslim astronomer, and the neighboring Ulugbek museum. Accommodation at the hotel in the evening, rest and overnight.

breakfast included
Day 9 Samarkand
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Samarkand

Meet the guide and continue exploring the city. Today we visit Afrosiab museum and settlement and Saint Daniel’s tomb.

After lunch time we will have a 20 min transfer to the countryside to visit Konigil village - a place, that gives a chance to explore the traditional centuries-proofed way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Besides, the locals will show us the process of oil and flour production using the ancient methods.

breakfast included
Day 10 Samarkand - Bukhara By Morning Train (1.5 Hours)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Samarkand - Bukhara By Morning Train (1.5 Hours)

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:45 Transfer to the train station.

09:44-11:17 Transfer from Samarkand to Bukhara by a high-speed train. On arrival in Bukhara start the sightseeing tour with a guide. Bukhara is filled with over 900 historical monuments, here we will spend time visiting many sites and wandering amongst the old city streets. Our focus will be directed today on Samanids Mausoleum and Bolo-Khauz Mosque. Further we proceed to the Fortress Ark, the old citadel of over 20 m in height. In the afternoon we will visit Poyi Kalon Architectural Ensemble that consists of Kalon Minaret, Kalon Mosque and Miri Arab Madrasah; Ulugbek Madrasah; Abdul-Aziz khan Madrasah, Lyabi Khauz Complex and the Trading Domes - Coumpol Bazaar, that has been existing here from the times of the Great Silk Road.

During the tour we’ll have a wonderful opportunity to walk over the narrow streets of the old city and take unique photos. breakfast included
Day 11 Bukhara - Tashkent By Afternoon Train (4 Hours)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Bukhara - Tashkent By Afternoon Train (4 Hours)

Breakfast at the hotel.

10:00 Meet the guide and driver. Today we make a short transfer to the country and visit the Mohi-Khosa summer palace of the Emirs of Bukhara, which is known as the ’”Palace of Moon-like Stars’” and represents the work of Russian architecture. Finally, we will take a look at the Bakhouddin Naqshbandi ensemble - the important Muslim shrine and a place of wonderful calming energy.

15:00 Transfer to the train station.

15:50-19:43 Transfer from Bukhara to Tashkent by Afrosiab high-speed train. On arrival - accommodation at the hotel in Tashkent and overnight.

breakfast included
Day 12 Tashkent, Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tashkent, Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out before 12:00.

Transfer to the International airport for departure.

breakfast included

12 days tour

Hidden Treasures Of Central Asia: Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Hidden Treasures Of Central Asia: Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan

Almaty, Arrival

Almaty - Altyn Emel National Park By Road (450 Km)

Altyn Emel - Charyn Canyon - Kolsay Lakes By Road (480 Km)

Kolsay Lakes

Kolsay Lakes - Kaindy Lake - Almaty By Road (350 Km)

Almaty

Almaty - Tashkent By Morning Flight

Tashkent - Samarkand By A High-Speed Train (2 Hours)

Samarkand

Samarkand - Bukhara By Morning Train (1.5 Hours)

Bukhara - Tashkent By Afternoon Train (4 Hours)

Tashkent, Departure

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