The capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek is a green, tree-lined city locate...
Read more >Fly overnight to Bishkek via Istanbul. (N)
Day 2: BishkekArrive and transfer to the Plaza Hotel for 2 nights (including immediate occupancy). Afternoon city tour including visits to the Open-Air Sculpture Museum, Victory Park, Ala-Too Square and the Kyrgyz State Philharmonic Hall. (N)
Day 3: Ala Archa National Park • BishkekDrive to Ala Archa National Park, a picturesque area of wooded valleys, rivers, glaciers and waterfalls. View the magnificent peaks of the Kyrgyz Alatau Ridge (Tien Shan mountains), with a range of walking options available. A packed lunch is included. Return to Bishkek, with a guide at your disposal in the city. (B, L)
Day 4: Bokonbaevo • KarakolDrive to Bokonbaevo village on the shores of Issyk-Kul lake and watch the villagers make felt carpets and other handicrafts. Continue to Karakol, stopping en route at Fairy Tale canyon for a short walk to see the striking rock formations. Stay 2 nights at Green Yard Hotel. (B, L)
Day 5: Djety-OguzDrive to Djety-Oguz gorge for a walk among its impressive red rock formations and spruce forests. Join an optional golden eagle hunting show, to witness this ancient tradition. This evening, return to Karakol and join a Uighur family for a cooking demonstration of lagman (Kyrgyz noodle dish). (B)
Day 6: Karakol • Issyk-Kul lakeTour of Karakol including Dungan Mosque, built for a community of Chinese Muslims who arrived in the late 19th century. Continue to the Bronze Age petroglyphs found at CholponAta on the northern shores of Issyk-Kul lake. Optional 1-hour boat cruise on the lake. Stay overnight at Karven Issyk-Kul Hotel. (B)
Day 7: Burana Tower • BishkekDrive to Burana Tower and explore the ruins of this important Silk Road trading point. The 25-metre-high minaret is the last remnant of a mosque found in the medieval city of Balasagun that was established in the ninth century. Continue to Bishkek and stay overnight at the Plaza Hotel. (B, L)
Day 8: Fly to Almaty, KazakhstanFly to Almaty and take a guided tour of the city. Visit Panfilov Park, a local baazar, a chocolate factory and Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s highest wooden buildings. Stay 3 nights at the Kazzhol. (B)
Day 9: AlmatyTake another city tour including Republic Square and the Central State Museum, which showcases the country’s history from Bronze Age burials and nomadic culture to modern times. Drive to the picturesque valley of Medeo Gorge and take a cable car to an altitude of 2,230 metres above sea level for views of the surrounding mountains and to see one of the world’s most famous ice rinks. Visit Sunkar falcon farm and Kok Tobe hill with its 37-metrehigh TV tower, offering sweeping views of the city from its viewing deck. (B)
Day 10: Charyn canyonTravel to the spectacular Charyn canyon for a gentle hike amid spectacular scenery. The red sandstone canyon is approximately 90km long and features some stunning rock formations. Return to Almaty, a journey of approximately 4 hours. (B)
Day 11: Fly to Tashkent, UzbekistanFly to Tashkent and transfer to the Miran International Hotel for 1 night. (B)
Day 12: Tashkent • Fly to Urgench • KhivaMorning tour of Tashkent’s old city, visiting Amir Timur Square, Kukeldash mosque and madrasa, and some of the unique metro stations. This evening, take a 1-hour flight to Urgench then drive to Khiva. Stay 3 nights at the Malika Kheivak Hotel (or similar). (B, D)
Day 13: KhivaMorning visit to the ancient fortresses of Toprak Kala and Ayaz Kala, situated on a hill overlooking the Kyzylkum desert. Take lunch in a yurt then continue to Goybu village to visit Ulli Khovli, an ancient Khorezmian local house. Take a tour through the village to see the traditional lifestyle of the Khorezmians. (B, L, D)
Day 14: KhivaFull-day tour of Khiva including Kunya Ark, Islam Khoja minaret, a local bakery and Tash Havli Palace. (B, D)
Day 15: BukharaFull-day drive to Bukhara (7-8 hours) through the Kyzylkum desert, with a photo stop en route at Amudaryo river. Stay at the Omar Khayyam Hotel for 3 nights. (B, L, D)
Day 16: BukharaCity tour of Bukhara including visits to the PoiKaylan complex, the surviving trade domes, Lyab-i-Hauz complex, ancient Silk Market and the historic Chor Minor mosque. This evening, enjoy dinner at a family home with a cooking demonstration of plov (Uzbek rice dish). (B, D)
Day 17: BukharaContinue exploring Bukhara including visits to the Summer Palace, the imposing fortress known as The Ark, located on the site of a 2,000-year-old fortress; and the Samanid mausoleum, believed to be the oldest Islamic architectural monument in Central Asia, with its design derived from Zoroastrian burial structures and fire temples. (B)
Day 18: Shahrisabz • SamarkandDrive to Shahrisabz, birthplace of Tamerlane, and visit the mosques, mausoleums and summer palace. Continue to Samarkand and stay at the Emirkhan Hotel for 3 nights. (B, L, D)
Day 19: SamarkandFull-day tour of Samarkand, including visits to the Ulugbek observatory, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Afrosiab Museum, the Bibi Khanum mosque and Registan Square. (B)
Day 20: SamarkandContinue your tour of Samarkand, visiting Gur Emir mausoleum, the final resting place of several members of the Timurid dynasty including Timur himself. Other highlights include Hazrat Khizr mosque, Nodir Divan Begi madrasa and the Khodja Doniyor mausoleum. This afternoon, stop at a silk carpet factory and silk paper workshop before returning to your hotel. Dine at a local restaurant this evening. (B, D)
Day 21: Samarkand • TashkentMorning at leisure in Samarkand. Late afternoon Afrosiyob Express train to Tashkent. On arrival, transfer to a local restaurant for dinner and then stay 1 night at the Miran International Hotel. (B, D)
Day 22: Tashkent • Fly homeMorning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
Meal basisAs per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
Important information Discovery tourAccommodation in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan should be considered basic and simple outside of Bishkek and Tashkent. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this tour, due to several gentle hikes and walking over rough terrain. This tour is therefore best suited to the hardier traveller.
Single supplementAvailable on request.
Tailor-made travelFor a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.
The Emirkhan is a 4-star character property located within the heart of Samarkand and 1.8km from the renowned Registan Square. All guestrooms are individually and traditionally furnished in bright colours with gold detail. Not all rooms have a bath. Features: 60 rooms & suites, restaurant, Wi-Fi. Room amenities: Air conditioning, satellite television, refrigerator, in-room safe, hairdryer, Wi-Fi.
The nine-storey Plaza Hotel is located in the central park of Bishkek, within a 5-minute walk of the main tourist attractions, such as the Bishkek White House and about a 15-minute walk from Ala-Too Square. The hotel's restaurant serves Asian and European cuisines, while playing light classical and modern music to create a pleasant atmosphere. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the cityscapes or mountains. Features: 65 rooms, restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym, sauna, rooftop terrace. Room amenities: Air conditioning, satellite television, tea & coffee facilities, safe, minibar, hairdryer, Wi-Fi.
The Omar Khayyam hotel has an excellent location in the picturesque old town quarter of Bukhara city, within walking distance of many of the sights of interest. The hotel's restaurant serves rich, exotic and traditional Uzbek, European and Korean cuisine. There is also a summer open-air bar-restaurant serving light snacks and drinks. All rooms are designed in a simple and contemporary style and are spread over two buildings, with authentic rooms in the oldest building. Features: 47 rooms, restaurant, bar, lounge-bar. Room amenities: Air conditioning, television, minibar, hairdryer.
Located in the Ichan Qala and next to the Islam Khoja minaret, the Malika Kheivak hotel is ideally situated to explore all the main sights of interests of Khiva. This welcoming hotel offers 22 comfortable rooms decorated in traditional style. The restaurant serves local cuisine and regional wines and spirits at the bar. Features: 22 rooms, restaurant, laundry, ironing. Room amenities: Air conditioning, television, telephone, hairdryer, Wi-Fi.
The Karven Issyk-Kul Hotel is located about 20km from the centre of Cholpon-Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul and has its own stretch of private beach with umbrellas, sun loungers and a beach bar. Features: 45 rooms, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gym, games room. Room amenities: Cable television, minibar, safe, Wi-Fi.
The Green Yard Guest House in Karakol is a small, friendly, family-run property. The rooms are simply furnished and all offer en suite facilities. The guest house comprises of two houses, each one has a communal dining area where breakfast is served while other meals can be ordered in advance. The property is located off an unmade road, so vehicle access is limited to cars only. Larger buses must stop at the main street and it will be necessary to walk a short distance to the property. Features: 16 rooms, dining room, bar, picnic area, sun terrace, barbecue facilities, garden, steam room, sauna, massage facilities. Room amenities: Air conditioning, satellite television, hairdryer, heated bathroom floors, Wi-Fi.
SIK2021
Guideline Prices
Low season from £5595 per person
High season from £5895 per person
Flexible Prices & Itineraries
For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards or flight options, or to tailor this
itinerary, please call 020 7873 5000
or
send an email enquiry
Please call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication, may be subject to change, particularly as a result of variable flight costs. You will be informed of any such changes prior to booking.
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