Exploration of the Kyrgyz Tien-Shan and Uzbek cities

Departure from Bishkek in the morning, (option visit of Burana's tower), walk and picnic in the Konorchek red's rocks canyon (2-3 hours walk), then in the afternoon, drive to Chong Kemin, visit of the Chabdan Batyr park. Drive to Yashil Koel lake, short walk in the surrounding area, then drive to Karol Doeboe village. Installation in Lira's homestay. Traditional dinner with the local family. Animated evening to discover kyrgyz games and songs. Overnight at local ecotourism association. (option : rafting in the Chuy or Chong Kemin river, handicraft lesson or show, cuisine lesson or show, horse games show)

In the morning, after a short transfer by vehicle along the river canyon Chong Kemin, you will hike to lake Kongur at 2500m. alt. Slopes of this area are covered by fir forests. This mountainous lake has a unique trapezoidal shape. On the shore of the lake, we set up the camp and enjoy the wonderful sceneries around us. Dinner and overnight stay in a tent. (part of a minimum 2 days trekking program to Issyk Kul lake)

In the morning, we pass the pass at 3350m. alt. and we go down with a magnificent view of Lake Issyk Kul and the chain of Terskey Alatoo rising to over 5200 meters. By late afternoon, we reach our vehicle and we go along the north shore of Issyk Koel, "warm lake", the second largest alpine lake after Titicaca is the pearl of Kyrgyzstan. We stop in Tamchy, to spend the night. Free time for swimming. Overnight in guesthouse or homestay.

Begin your journey by driving to lake Song-Kul via Kyzart pass, passing through Kyzart village. After lunch, we will reach Kilemche valley and proceed to the lake via Tuz Ashuu pass. Enjoy a walk down to the lake's shore before spending the night in a traditional yurt. Optional activities include horseback riding or hiking (4-5 hours) from Kilemche to Tuz Ashuu yurt camp.

After breakfast riding to Tulpar Tash on the our beautiful lake Son Kul, situated at 3016m above sea level. End of the afternoon, we arrive to yurt camp and spend the night and dinner in yurt.   

Late waking up, we still enjoy the quiet of the nomadic life, then we drive to the village of Kyzyl Oy, located in the canyon of the river Kekemeren. We descend through the pass of Chilbili. Night in guesthouse.

In the morning we continue to drive to the main road connecting the two major cities of Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek-Osh. The scenery is stunning and varied. On the way stop at the village of Kojomkul, hero of the 20th century. After crossing the Ala-Bel pass, we drive into the Chychkan canyon. Dinner and overnight in a local family.

We continue our journey in the arid and colorful landscape of the canyon of the river Naryn, then we get down into the lush valley of Fergana. Visit Jalal Abad, Uzgen minaret (XI c.) And arrive in Osh. Evening walk on Mount Suleiman and Central Park. Night in guest house.

Breakfast and visit of the central market. Transfer to Kyrgyz / Uzbek border. Custom's formalities. Meeting on the border between Uzbekistan Andijan and Osh around 9am with the guide and Uzbek driver. Transfer to Fergana city (105 km). On the way, visit of the market and the Juma mosque and  madrasa of the Hujra. Following the road and visit the silk factory in Margilan and the local market. Lunch. After lunch road to Rishtan town where you'll find the workshop of traditional potters. In Kokand  you will visit the palace of Khoudayarkhan dating  the nineteenth century. Juma Mosque, the tombs of rulers Dahma-i- Chakhon and Modari Khon. Night in Kokand.

Early breakfast. Transfer to Tashkent - capital of Uzbekistan via Kamchik Pass (2110 m). Arrival in Tashkent. Discovery of Tashkent - the large cultural, scientific capital of Uzbekistan. Visit the great place Khast Imam including Barak Khan Madrasah (XVI century), the Jami Mosque (Friday) opened for worship and the mausoleum of Kaffal Chachi (XVI century); Madrasa Abul Kassim (nineteenth century), craft center; Chorsou market and Tashkent metro with its beautiful resorts.

Transfer to the airport for domestic flights. Arrival in Urgench at 08h.30 Transfer to Khiva city (30 km) - an area full museum city and it's a part of UNESCO heritage.
Meeting with the local guide at 10 am. Discovery of Khiva: city museum in the middle area, visiting Ichan-Kala begins with the discovery of the walls and the main gate of the inner city "Ota Darwaza", then the madrasa of Mohammed Amin Khan and the minaret " Kalta Minor" (19th century), the central square of the old city, Kunya Ark (17th century), the madrasa of Muhammad Rakhim Khan, the Joumma Mosque (10th-18th century), the Allakoulikhan Harem - Tach Haoulie madrasa (18th century -XIX). The Islam Khodja madrasa and its minaret (1908), the Pakhlavan Mahmud complex (XIV-XIX century) - a place of worship for the inhabitants of the region. After the visits you will have free time to stroll through the ancient streets of the inner and outer city of Khiva. Hotel accommodation.

Breakfast at the hotel. Road to Bukhara through the Kizil Kum desert (red sand). With a couple of stops for photos and food. Arrival at the end of the afternoon. Accomodation at the hotel. Bukhara is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia, the numerous monuments among which stand out the madrasa Ulugh Begh, built by the grandson of Tamerlane in 1417, set Liab-i-Hauz, gathering the madrasas Koukeldash (1568) and Nadir Divanbegi (1622). Walk through the old city. Dinner. Accommodation at the hotel.

Bukhara, one of the oldest cities of Central Asia, made famous by its former carpet market, city museum in the middle of the sands. Bukhara will delight you with the atmosphere of its old streets and its remarkable monuments that take us back to the medieval period and well before: mausoleum Ismail Samani (ninth-tenth centuries), Chashma Ayub mausoleum (XII-XIV century), the famous bazaar of Bukhara, together Bola Hauz (eighteenth century), Citadel Ark (I. -IVème centuries.). Lunch at a local restaurant in the modern city. Following the discovery; all Poi-Kalian (XV-XVI centuries) which consists of the Kalon mosque, Kalon minaret and madrasah Miri Arab. 

In the morning you will go outskirt of Bukhara and visit:
Residence of the last emir of Bukhara - Sitorai Mokhi Khosa. Emir Mohammed Alim Khan studied in St. Petersburg and he was close to Nicholai II and was opened to a new trends. His palace is a mixture of Eastern and European styles, technical innovations of that time, a collection of suzane and a beautiful park with peacocks.
  Complex of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi - a famous religious figure. The complex is located 12 km from Bukhara and consists of a beautiful garden, a water source, a mosque, a madrasah and the resting place of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi. Here you will learn about his life, how he became world famous and why he is called a saint. You will definitely feel peace in your heart at this place.  Return to Bukhara. After lunch transfer to Samarkand by bullet train “Afrosiab”. Train departs at 15:50 and arrives to Samarkand at 17:20.  Upon arrival accommodation and rest.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Discovery of Gur Emir mausoleum - the tomb of the ruler and the famous square "Registan" with 3 medarsas, monuments; medarsa of Ulugbek (XV c); medarsas of Cher Dor and Tilla Kori (XVII c).

After, the excursion of the city. Visit the necropolis Shakhi Zinda, the mosque of Bibi Khanum, the largest mosque in Central Asia, with its huge blue dome, the bazaar of Samarkand allows everyone to find something among the colorful stalls. Afternoon the discovery of the remains of the observatory of Ulugbek, Museum of Afrosiab. Train "Talgo" Uzbek to 17h 30. Arrival in Tashkent at 19: 40. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Depending on your flight schedule, the guide will accompany you to the airport and help you check in for your flight. We hope you enjoyed your trip and invite you back to explore other Central Asian countries with us.