Unknown Silk Road Tour 4
Unknown Silk Road Tour 4
Destination: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
Duration: 20 days
In short: Almaty - Charyn - Issyk - BAO - Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore - Grigorievskoye - Semenovskoye - Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand - Iskanderkul - 7 lakes - Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand - Gijduvan - Bukhara - Khiva - Farap - Kunya Urgench - Darwaza - Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat
Day 1: Almaty
We are blessed to see our dear friends on Unknown Silk Road Tour 4. On arrival, you will have the city tour. You will explore the Southern capital of Kazakhstan. First to all, visit our Asian Bazar. We are sure you will like to bargain and buy gifts. Then you will visit the Panfilov park as well as the oldest park as the Zenkov Cathedral. See the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and take photos of them. In the afternoon, you will travel to Medeo gorge and see the highest mountain skating rink in the world. Afterwards we will travel to Kok Tobe hill to see the tallest TV tower. You will be admired by the green park and take photos. On the way, you will see many shops and buy gifts to your family and friends. The day will end by seeing the whole city by the famous Almaty cableway. Transfer to hotel for rest.
Day 2: Almaty - Charyn - Almaty
The tour will start by having a trip to Charyn Canyon by car. You will be presented by 1,5L of bottled water. In addition, you can take some snacks, tea or coffee in a container with a lid on it. The path will take 4 hours. When you arrive, you will visit the local museum of traditional decorative and applied arts and crafts. Being on Charyn Canyon you will have an opportunity to see panorama views and enjoy nature. Don't miss to take photos and walk along beautiful valleys. You can walk about 2 miles through the Castle Valley labyrinth and take inspiration. Here you will find an eco-park, yurts as well as a small open air cafe working in summer. After productive day, you will be transferred to hotel for rest.
Day 3: Almaty - Issyk - Almaty
We will explore gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau or Issyk Gorge located at the Kuldja tract. Here you will have a chance to see a Sakas mounds as well as the "Golden man" which is the state symbol of Kazakhstan. Then see the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "ISSYK" and learn more about Sakas period's history and culture, duplicate of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, including the sample of Saka burial mound. Driving to the 1756 meters high, you will see Issyk lake placed in the Issyk Valley. The Lake appeared about 10,000 years ago due to the mudslide. You will find the beautiful surface of Issyk Gorge. This is a great idea to have picnic over there. In the end of day, you will spend night in a hotel.
Day 4: Almaty - BAO - Almaty - Bishkek
The tour will start by travelling to the Big Almaty gorge, located on the altitude 2,510 m above sea level. Here you will see magnificent lake in Trans-Ili Alatau. For sure you will be impressed by high mountains. Its waters are cold as well as pleasant. The water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees. Then you will drive to an altitude of 3300 meters above sea level and capture outstanding panorama view. We are sure you will like to back here again and again. These lakes surrounded by mountain peaks and the Tien Shan fir trees, aspen and junipers growing there. In the afternoon, we will drive to Bishkek (4 hours). Transfer to hotel for rest.
Day 5: Bishkek - Burana - Issyk Kul northern shore
Today you will have the city tour and visit the Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and others. In the second part of day you will travel to Issyk Kul. You will see the largest mountainous lake of altitude 1608 meters above sea level that surrounded by celestial mountains. On the way you will visit Burana Tower found in the 11th century and an open air museum of Balbals, the second name of which is stone warriors. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 6: Issyk Kul - Grigorievskoye - Semenovskoye - Karakol
We are glad to present you the next day of tour where you will visit Karakol and see amazing gorges - Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye. They have connection at the end. You will be impressed by wonderful view of panorama and take outstanding photos on tours. You will continue your tour to Karakol. Here you visit the Dungan mosque and an wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a guesthouse.
Day 7: Karakol - Jeti Oguz - Issyk Kul southern shore - Bishkek
The tour will start Jeti Oguz gorge. Here you will be impressed by seven rocky shapes placed in a row. In addition, you will see the Mountain of Broken Hearts. The beautiful panorama view of nature will inspire you for outstanding photos. In the afternoon, we will drive to Bokonvaeva village and meet a local eagle hunter. You will be show an eagle show and take photos with birds. The tour will be continued to Bishkek. On arrival, night is in a hotel.
Day 8: Bishkek - Osh - Guliston - Khudjand
In the morning, you will have flight to Osh city and then to Tajik border. On arrival, you will drive over Batken region and see apricot trees and flower Aigul. Meet your Tajik driver and travel to Khujand city. You will pass via the Anzob pass of 3 372 meters high. Breathtaking panoramic view will not leave anyone indifferent on tours. Khuldjand is located on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley as well as the second largest city in Tajikistan. This city was capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan (Soghd) with total population of 149,000. In the afternoon, you will visit the Cultural Palace of Khujant where the first president of Tajikistan elected as well as the Central Mosque in the middle of the city. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 9: Khudjand - Iskanderkul Lake
This tour will start by travelling to Iskanderkul Lake. It is an alpine lake with altitude of 2 255 meters above sea level. Iskanderkul is one of the best places in Central Asia for tours. You can see a waterfall if you spend 40 minutes. It is important to note that Tajikistan is famous for its water resources as well as has the highest indicators on water resources in Central Asia of more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Night is in a hotel.
Day 10: Iskanderkul - 7 lakes - Penjakent
Meet outstanding time in the Fann mountains. You will be impressed by Seven Lakes. They are famous for their different shapes. This is one of the best areas for hiking and photoshoot. On the way you will meet locals and learn more about their lifestyle. We will travel to Penkajent or five villages, located in Khujand region of Tajikistan in Zeravshan river valley which came to the origin in the 5th - 8th centuries AD. Also this city was cultural and crafts centers of Sogd as well as called "Central Asian Pompeii". Travelers will see ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich residential buildings, with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods as well as residential buildings and office buildings, a citadel with a palace, a house of craftsmen and a church of fire worshipers. Overnight is in a guesthouse.
Day 11: Penjakent - Jartepo - Samarkand
In the morning, you will travel to Samarkand. This city is located in the valley of the river Zerafshan. Samarkand is the second largest city of Uzbekistan the same age as Babylon or Rome. Travelers will visit the Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square attracts travelers with its three fascinating Madrasahs found in the 15-17th centuries. Shakhi Zindeh has a big collection of mausoleums found in the 11th-15th centuries, later became the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque built by Tamerlane, for his lovely wife. Transfer to hotel for sleep.
Day 12: Samarkand - Gijduvan - Bukhara
The tour will start by visiting the Gijduvan pottery private school. This is the 6th generation came from Narzullayevs family. Today Gijduvan school ceramics is famous for all over the world. On arrival, you will see its shapes as green and blue colors prevail in decoration of products. Then we will visit the memorial complex of Al Bukhary as Islamic School who made a collection of hadiths known as Sahih Al-Bukhari. On arrival to Bukhara, night is in a hotel.
Day 13: Bukhara
We are glad to impress you by the city tour where you will enjoy seeing the Citadel Ark. It is an ancient citadel in Bukhara of 4th century which ruled by few dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see the mausoleum of Samanids which is considered to be the main architecture of the IX-X centuries. Then you will see the Chashma Ayub or the Job's well and Bolo -Hauz Mosque. Here you will see the forty-column mosque, created in honor of Bukhara governor Abu Fayyud Khan. Visit the madrassas as Nodir Divan Run which is the Lyabi House ensemble. In evening, you will visit Poi Kalon complex and see three structures built in the 12th-16th centuries as the Kalon minaret, the Kalon mosque and the Mir-Arab madrasah. Rest is in a hotel.
Day 14: Bukhara - Khiva
Today you will explore Khiva city. First to all, Bukhara is "town museum" found in the Middle Ages and famous for its more than 140 architectural monuments. You will be impressed by narrow streets, green parks and gardens with unique flowers as well as historical and architectural monuments. You will pass by the famous Kizilkum desert. Here you will capture outstanding Amu Darya River. It is considered to be the deepest river in Central Asia shaped of the integration of the Pyanj and Vakhsh rivers in Tajikistan and flows into the Aral Sea. On arrival to Khiva, overnight is in a hotel.
Day 15: Khiva
We are glad to impress you by the wonderful city as Khiva. On arrival, you will explore the Ichan-Qala or so called the inner city of Khiva and see its tough walls. Here you will see old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses that influenced Ichan-Qala into enigmatic city. In Ichan-Qala, travelers will see more than 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. In 1969 this place developed historical and architectural conservation where you can see the Kunya-Ark fortress of 17th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan and Kalta Minor minaret, and Tash Khouvli palace. They belong to Khorezm architecture since 200 years ago. Night is in a hotel.
Day 16: Khiva - Farap - Kunya Urgench - Darwaza
After breakfast, the group will transfer to Farap borders. You will drive to the North of Turkmenistan to its well-known the architectural monuments of Kone Urgench which was Capital of Khorezm before (X-XII centuries). Here you will see amazing sites as Mausoleum of Najm al-Din al-Kubra, Tyurabek Khanum, Il-Arslan, Tekesh Ibn Hadzhibey, the highest minaret in Central Asia Kutlyg-Timur. In the evening is transfer to Darwaza. Night in a tent.
Day 17: Darwaza - Ashgabat
Today you will ride a horse to see the implausible pride of Turkmen people as Akhal-Teke horses. On the way, you will enjoy the Traditional Tea party and learn more about Akhal-Teke horses show program as well as see the horse racks. We are sure you will like it on tours. In the evening, we will transfer to Ashgabat. Rest is in a hotel.
Day 18: Ashgabat - Mary - Ashgabat
We are glad to present the next day where you will visit the ancient city Mary. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in 2.5 km to the east of Mary, to Bayram-Ali. Travelers will see one of the main archaeological places of Central Asia that took an important role of Silk Road growths for more than 2000 years. The size of this place is 1200 ha. Talking of stunning Mausoleums of the Sultan, Sanjar and Muhammed Ibn-Zeid (XII c), you will notice that it demonstrations sophisticated Seljuk brickwork and architectural decor. Afterwards is drive to Ashgabat. Overnight is in a hotel.
Day 19: Ashgabat
The last day of our tour is dedicated to exploring the capital city of Turkmenistan. Here you will visit the famous "Nisa" which in decent times was the capital of the Parthian Empire and today protected by the UNESCO Heritage. Afterwards you will visit the Monument and Park of Independence and see a white-marble "Eiffel Tower", a fountain-monument originated to the 10th anniversary of independence. It is a sculptural representation of ten Akhal-Tekke horses placed on the top of a wonderful fountain as well as splendid Ertoghrul Ghazi and Gypjak Mosques. In addition, visit the National Museum of History and Ethnography. Night is in a hotel.
Day 20: Flight
Drive to Ashgabat International Airport. Unknown Silk Road Tour 4 is completed.
Transport in Kazakhstan:
02 pax - Sedan economy
04 pax - Minivan
06-10 pax - Minibus
Transport in Kyrgyzstan:
02 pax - Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax - Mercedes Sprinter
Transport in Tajikistan:
02-04 pax - Hyundai Starex
06-08 pax - 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax - 3 cars: Hyundai Starex
Transport in Uzbekistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-06 pax - Minivan
08-10 pax - Minibus
Transport in Turkmenistan:
02 pax - Sedan
04-08 pax - Minibus
10 pax - Bus
Price per person:
02 pax - 3 000 $
04 pax - 2 220 $
06 pax - 1 965 $
08 pax - 1 795 $
10 pax - 1 770 $
Single - 335 $
Early check-in - 30 $
Single early check-in - 45 $
Half board - 280 $*
Full board - 495 $*
Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) - 50 $ per person
English speaking guides:
KG - 435 $ per group
UZ - local 120 $ per group or escort 395 $ per group
TJ - 445 $ per group
KZ - 420 $ per group
TM - included by law
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Almaty - "Kazakhstan" Hotel 3*
Issyk Kul - "Karven" Resort
Karakol - "Karagat" Hotel 4* or "Green Yard" Guesthouse
Bishkek - "Discovery" 3* or "Garden" 4*
Khujand - "Firuz" Hotel 4*
Iskandarkul - "Dilovar" Gueshouse
Penjakent - "Umariyon" Hotel 3*
Samarkand - "Ideal" Hotel 3*
Bukhara - "Old City" Hotel 3*
Khiva - "Porso" Hotel 3*
Darwaza - Tents with dinner
Ashgabat - "Menzil" Hotel 3*
- Visa support to Tm
- Museum admissions
- Mineral water supply
- English speaking guide in Tm
- Flight tickets Bishkek - Osh (15 kg limit, extra 2 $ per kg)
Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guides
- Entrances to all museums in Uz
- Migration tax (12 $) + bank fee (4 $)
Note: Each Traveler should have 2 photos (5x6) to be presented at the points of entry.
