In the footsteps of ancestors
Name of tour: In the footsteps of ancestors
Length: 12 days and 11 nights
Overnight stays: Issyk Kul, Karakol, Bishkek, Khujand, Iskanderkul Lake, Penjakent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent
Day 1: Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul northern shore
This day you will arrive to Manas International Airport. After that you will travel to Bishkek and explore the fascinating city tour. You will observe main sites of the capital as Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and many others sights. Then you will be transferred to glorious place of Kyrgyzstan Issyk Kul. Issyk Kul is a truly beautiful place that attracts with its beautiful landscapes and mountains. The lake is surrounded by the beautiful Kungei Alatoo and Terskey Alatoo ranges. You can enjoy the lake, which is located at an altitude of 1608 meters and never freezes. About 80 rivers flow into the lake and none of them flow out. People proudly call the lake as the "the pearl of Central Asia". During the tour you will also visit Burana Tower(11th century) minaret and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 2: Issyk Kul – Grigorievskoye – Semenovskoye – Karakol
Today you will head along the fascinating Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye. These beautiful gorges are connected at the end. You can start the tour in one and finish it in the other. During your trip, you will see beautiful landscapes, enjoy mountain peaks with snow-capped peaks, see juniper forests, visit lakes, as well as local residents and yurts waiting for you on the way. Don't miss the opportunity to capture this moment. Then you will head on along the northern shore of the lake and visit Karakol town. You will see today the important sites of Karakol as the Dungan mosque, an island of Dungan culture and architecture in Central Asia. It was built in the Chinese style and without a single nail to the surprise. Then you will see the old wooden Orthodox Church. You will rest the night in the hotel.
Day 3: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Issyk Kul southern shore – Bishkek
You will transfer today to a spectacular gorge called Jeti Oguz gorge. This is an interesting attraction interesting for its beautiful stones that stand in a row. From Kyrgyz, the gorge is translated as Seven Bulls, which make up many legends. You can also see in the tour the Broken Heart Mountain. There you will spend great time observing the stunning views of the gorge from the top of the mountains. It will take about 20 minutes. Then the tour continues with driving along the south part of Issyk Kul lake, you will stop at village Bokonbaevo and meet the local eagle hunter. He will tell you about the ancient ay of hunting passed over the centuries. You will have a chance to take photos with them. Then you will transfer to Bishkek. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 4: Bishkek – Osh – Guliston – Khudjand
Today you will start the tour with transferring to Manas International airport. You will have a flight to Osh city. After that you will continue driving to Tajik border. You will lead along the picturesque road and admire the mountains and high passes. Along the way you will drive over Batken region. This pale famous for its apricot trees and charming flower called Aigul. You will be met by Tajik guide at the other side and after you will drive to Khujand city. Along the way you will observe the picturesque Anzob pass (3 372 m). You will be fascinated by the amazing views. Then you will arrive to the second largest city in Tajikistan - Khujand. The city's location is on the beautiful Syr Darya river and the mouth of the Ferghana valley. The population of the city is about 149,000 people. It important to note that Khujand is the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan (Sughd). You will explore the main attractions of the city such as Cultural Palace of Khujand in the afternoon. Then you will explore Central Mosque. The location of the mosque is in the center of the city. The overnight is in the hotel.
Day 5: Khudjand – Iskanderkul Lake
The next interesting site of the tour will be– Iskanderkul with the altitude 2 255 m. a. s. l. The lake is located right in the center of the beautiful Fann mountains. This place is one of the best in Tajikistan . Tajikistan is famous for the beauty of the mountains and the charm of nature. Upon arrival at the lake, you can walk around the lake and see the enchanting views and landscapes by walking along the beaches of the lake. You can also see the beautiful Fann Niagara falls. This will take about 40 minutes. Tajikistan is a fascinating country that ranks second among the CIS countries in terms of water resources and first among the countries of Central Asia. In Tajikistan there are more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. The night will be in the guesthouse.
Day 6: Iskanderkul – 7 lakes – Penjakent
This day you will explore the divine Fann Mountains. They are very popular because you can do Hiking and trekking here. Today you will also have a chance to enjoy Seven Lakes or Marquzor Lakes. You will have a chance to hike here. The tour route will take you to a wonderful place where are located 7 lakes. They charm with their beautiful views, they are located at different heights and have different areas and names. Along the way you will meet the local residents and explore their way of life. The you will continue tour with exploring city Penjakent. Its name literally translates as "five villages". It was with five villages that the history of this famous city began, Dating back to the V-VIII centuries of our era. The city was an important center. Its ruins were accidentally discovered by archaeologists in the last century. Today, tourists have a unique opportunity to appreciate the remains of residential buildings and city buildings, houses of artisans and churches of fire worshippers of that time. The city is also referred to as "Central Asian Pompeii". There are located a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The ruins of this ancient city were found only in the last century. You will spend the night in the guesthouse.
Day 7: Penjakent – Jartepo – Samarkand
After breakfast you will drive to the border at 10 a.m. You will have a city tour in the fascinating city of Uzbekistan, Samarkand. Samarkand, a Grand city which is located in the valley of the Zerafshan river. Samarkand is 2500 years old, the city is very ancient and is the same age as Babylon and Rome. It is the second largest city in Uzbekistan. This day you will admire such stunning highlights as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan is a powerful square in Samarkand where madrassas are located, which date back to the 15th-17th centuries and will enchant you with their views. Then you will get to architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh where to find a magnificent ensemble of mausoleums Dating from the 11th-15th centuries and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour route will take you to the majestic Bibi Khanum Mosque that attracts people with the architectural art and was built after Tamerlane’s victorious campaign in India. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 8: Samarkand city – Gijduvan – Bukhara
The next day will be driving to fabulous Bukhara. During the way you will stop at Gijduvan village. There you will observe private pottery workshop. The Gijduvan school of ceramics is famous all over the world thanks to its interesting design and a geometric pattern. This business still exists and is passed down from generation to generation. The 6th-generation Narzullaev family runs a school and has skills. Another feature of Gijduvan ceramics is Angob paints. Paints, the basis of which, in addition to the coloring substance is clay. Then you will drive to Bukhara. This night will be in the hotel.
Day 9: Bukhara
This day you will have a full day city tour in this sacred city. The first destination of the excursion will be the ancient Citadel- Citadel Ark (4th century). This site was a palace for dynasties of Bukhara Emirs. Then you will explore Samanids mausoleum, where you will be inspires by the architecture of 9th -10th century. You will continue tour with exploring Chashma Ayub a well with a spring created by the will of the biblical Job-Ayub and Bolo-Hauz mosque. This mosque is popular due to its forty columns. After that you will get to the amazing shopping domes and then you will direct to the popular site of Bukhara – Nodir Divan Begi. This is alos the part of Lyabi House Ensemble. You will complete the tour with exploring the interesting site Poi Kalon complex. This is the charming of architectural art of Bukhara. There are located three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 10: Bukhara – Khiva
This day you will transfer to Khiva. It is one of the few cities in the world where historical buildings are practically preserved, in fact, a whole city under the open sky. The ancient city of Khiva is located on the territory of Uzbekistan and is famous for many historical buildings that have been preserved as a Museum-reserve behind the city wall. Most of the buildings were built in the 19th century and are perfectly preserved to this day. Visiting Khiva, you can imagine what other Central Asian cities looked like in the past. You will drive today from Bukhara from Khiva via the amazing Kizilkum desert. During the tour you will pass the wonderful river- Amu Darya. This is the largest river in Central Asia, formed as a result of the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh rivers in Tajikistan. Then you will have free time in Khiva. The overnight is in the hotel.
Day 11: Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent
This is the last active day of your tour. You will explore the oldest city of Uzbekistan. The tour route will lead you to the Ichan-Qala, inner city of Khiva. This city is rounded with majestic walls. You will have chance to find old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses. All this sites made Khiva to the city-monument. There are situated about 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. There are located the great landmarks as Kunya-Ark fortress. It was erected in 17th century, and Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, and stunning sample of Khorezm architectural masterpiece of 1830s. In the evening you will travel to the capital Tashkent by flight. The night will be in the hotel.
Day 12: Tashkent – Airport
Morning transfer to airport
Price per person:
02 pax – 1 720 $
04 pax – 1 200 $
06 pax – 1 075 $
08 pax – 1 000 $
10 pax – 955 $
Single – 190 $
Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 60 $
Half board – 135 $*
Full board – 265 $*
Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) – 50 $ per person
English speaking guides:
KG – 345 $ per group
UZ – local 130 $ per group or escort 370 $ per group
TJ – 445 $ per group
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Issyk Kul – “Karven” Resort
Karakol – “Karagat” Hotel 4* or “Green Yard” Guesthouse
Bishkek – “Discovery” 3* or “Garden” 4*
Khujand – “Firuz” Hotel 4*
Iskandarkul – “Dilovar” Guesthouse
Penjakent – “Umariyon” Hotel 3*
Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
Bukhara – “Old City” Hotel 3*
Khiva – “Porso” Hotel 3*
Tashkent – “Samir” Hotel 3*
- Mineral water supply
- All museums admissions in Kg & Tj
- Flight tickets Bishkek – Osh (15 kg limit, extra 2 $ per kg)
Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums in Uz
- Flight tickets Urgench-Tashkent