Immerse into History

Tour 3: Immerse into History
Duration: 16 days
In short: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul – Grigorievskoye – Semenovskoye – Karakol – Skazka – Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl Tuu – Bishkek – Almaty – Issyk – Tashkent – Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara – Tashkent 

Day 1: Almaty
After arrival you will be transferred to the center of Almaty, where you will learn history and development of it as well as to see the most outstanding attractions. To understand the way of life of locals you will go to the Green Bazaar and immerse in the atmosphere of the real eastern market, its colors, smells and crowds. There you can obtain famous oriental sweets and also haggle for them. After it you will visit Panfilov Park, the oldest park in Almaty. Here you can also see Zenkov Cathedral is considered to be the most prominent wooden buildings in the world. The Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame is the next site that was built in honor of who died for freedom and independence of the country. Then you will have a drive to the Medeo Gorge. This gorge is famed because of the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam that protects the city from dangerous mudflows. Then you will drive to Kok-Tobe hill through the scenery winding mountain road. Here is the tallest TV tower in the world is located. Furthermore, you can walk on the winding paths of the park as well as marvel the gorgeous panoramic view of the city using the observation deck, and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour will end after having ride on the famous Almaty cableway. Nigh tis in the hotel.

Day 2: Almaty – Charyn – Almaty
You will have a day trip to the Charyn Canyon. We will give necessary supplies; you can bring yours as well. The road will take 4 hours and on the way you will visit the museum of traditional decorative and applied arts and crafts. After arrival you will be amazed by the view of panorama. You will go straight to the bottom of the canyon. The bottom of the Canyon has a slight downhill in the end of the walk. There you will see a fresh oasis on the banks of the icy cold river Charyn, eco-park with several yurts (traditional dwellings) and a small open air cafe that works in summer. Returning back to and visiting observation points for another breathtaking panoramic view. Night is in the hotel.

Day 3: Almaty – Issyk – Almaty
Your tour will be on the one of the most beautiful gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge lies along the Kuldja tract. Here many centuries ago trade caravans travelled. On the way you will also learn about the history of this territory and visit the tomb of Sakas period, where the Golden Man as found. Afterwards he became the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Then you will have a break at the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”. You will see the exhibition of the history and culture of the Sakas period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, and the model of Sakas burial mound. After it you will drive to the alpine lake Issyk, with the altitude of 1 756 meters above sea level.  It formation happened about 10,000 years ago due to huge slide that in addition made natural dam of 300 meters in height. There you will be able to marvel the beauty of the water surface under the sunlight. And listen to the details of the natural disaster of 1963. You will have a picnic and sometime for enjoying the lake. Night is in the hotel. 

Day 4: Almaty – BAO – Almaty – Bishkek
Big Almaty gorge is next destination. On the 2,510 m above sea high located the Big Almaty Lake, the most picturesque lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau. The surface is very gorgeous when its blue surface is absolutely calm, and it reflects the sky and surrounding mountains. The lake appeared because of the movement of an ancient glacier, this lake is always cool. The lake is a source of potable water for Almaty city, due to the access of tourists to the lake is limited. Then you will drive to astronomical and space researches on the altitude of 3300 meters above sea level. At the foot of the Big Almaty peak, you can admire the breathtaking panorama of the mountains and the Big Almaty Lake, it is surrounded by picturesque mountain peaks covered with Tien Shan fir, aspen and juniper. At 15:00 you will start to go to Bishkek, the road is going to take 4 hours. Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 5: Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul northern shore
At firct you will have a city tour to visit such prominent sights as Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Сentral Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and many other places. Next destination is the celestial alpine lake - Issyk Kul Lake. This lake has another name "the pearl of Central Asia" and situated on the altitude of 1 608 m above sea level. The salty water of the Issyk Kul Lake has curative qualities. On the way you will have a stop at the Burana Tower and open air museum of Balbals, stone warrior. Burana Towe is the minaret of 11th century. Night is in a hotel. 

Day 6: Issyk Kul – Grigorievskoye – Semenovskoye – Karakol
Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye gorge is your sites for today. These gorges have connection in the end. This territory is a national park, where you will be able to marvel snow tops and slopes grown by blue and green pine trees. After arrival to the bottom of the gorge there you will see a magnificent lake. Then we continue our way along the northern shore of the lake to the Karakol town. You will visit the Dungan mosque, it is the major attraction that it was built in a Chinese style without using a single metal nail. The mosque will be followed by a visit to an old wooden Orthodox Church. Overnight is in a guesthouse. 

Day 7: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Issyk Kul southern shore – Bishkek
Driver will take to Jeti Oguz gorge, Seven Bulls. Due to its fancy red rock formation this place is very famed. Here you will be able to see the Broken Heart Mountain. It’s possible to see the panoramic view of the gorge; if you will have a 20 minutes hike. After it you will have a stop at the Bokonbaeva village that will be interesting due to its eagle hunter. Hunting with the help of the eagle is the traditional way to hunt of nomadic people. It can hunt hares and foxes. You will learn many other information of this way of hunting. After this visit we will continue our way to Bishkek. Night is in a hotel.   

Day 8: Bishkek – Osh – Guliston – Khudjand
You will have a flight from Bishkek to Osh. Then crossing Tajik border. Your route will go through mountains and high passes. You will pass through the Batken region, known for its apricot trees and the unique Aigul flower. You will be met at the other side of the border and transferred to Khujand city. Driver will take on the Anzob pass with the altitude of 3 372 m with amazing panorama views. The Khujand city is situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley; also it is the second largest city of Tajikistan. It is capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd with the population of 149,000. You will visit the main sight of the city such as Cultural Palace of Khujant, where the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. In addition you will go to see Central Mosque that is situated in the middle of the city. Night is in a hotel.  

Day 9: Khudjand – Iskanderkul Lake
Iskanderkul Lake is your site for today. It is alpine lake with the elevation of 2 255 m. a. s. l that is located on the Fann Mountains, one of the most gorgeous places of Central Asia. Upon arrival you will have stroll on the beaches. After having 40 minutes hike to marvel the waterfall you are returning back. Tajikistan is ion the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources: it has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. Night is in a guesthouse. 

Day 10: Iskanderkul – 7 lakes – Penjakent
We will drive today to the Fannsky Gory (Fan Mountains). They are one of Central Asia's most popular hiking areas. Today’s destination is Seven Lakes (Marquzor Lakes). At this place you will have time to go for short hiking. There road goes along a gorge where 7 lakes are located. They are situated on different altitudes and have different colors. Also you will meet local people that live at that area. It will be very interesting to see their way of life. After hiking we will drive to Penjakent. The city of Penjakent ("five villages") is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a picturesque Zeravshan river valley. Quite possibly the five villages started the history of this remarkable city which originated in the 5th-8th centuries AD. Penjikent of that time was one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. It was even named "Central Asian Pompeii". It was a superbly fortified well-organized city with 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. Today the tourists can see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church. Night is in a local guesthouse.

Day 11: Penjakent – Jartepo – Samarkand
In the morning is transfer to the border by 10am. Arrival to Samarkand. City tour in Samarkand: Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Day 12: Samarkand city – Gijduvan – Bukhara
After breakfast we will start our way to Bukhara. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop. Gijduvan ceramics school has its deep roots. The skills have been passed from father to son from generation to generation. Today Gizhduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. Gijduvan School of ceramics is distinguished by a geometric pattern. Green and blue colors prevail in decoration of products.  Afterwards we continue driving to Bukhara. Night is in a hotel. 

Day 13: Bukhara
The whole day will be devoted to excursions in this wonderful city of Bukhara. You are going to visit the most outstanding site of Bukhara – Citadel Ark, one of the oldest here. This citadel used to be a palace for few dynasties of Bukhara Empire. After it you will see the masterwork of 9th -10th century- Samanids mausoleum. As well as the Chashma Ayub with the meaning of job's well and the mosque of forty columns- Bolo-Hauz mosque, built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. In addition you can stroll on the shopping domes and visit one of the most prominent madrasahs of Bukhara- Nodir Divan Begi, part of Lyabi House Ensemble. It is the fames central sightseeing of Bukhara. At the end you will visit the exceptional sample of architectural art of Bukhara- Poi Kalon complex. It consists of three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel. 

Day 14: Bukhara – Khiva
You will have a morning drive to the beautiful city of Khiva. Bukhara is known as the “town museum" of the middle Ages with140 architectural monuments. The city is full of narrow streets with green parks and gardens, historical and architectural monuments belong to different epochs, but locate very close to each other. Kizilkum desert connects Khiva to Bukhara. You will be able to marvel the view of the Amu Darya River, the deepest river in Central Asia. It appeared due to the fusion of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan and flowing into Aral See. In Khiva you will have free time. Night is in a hotel.    

Day 15: Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent
Today you will have a city tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. The tour will take place in the Ichan-Qala, inner city in Khiva. It rounded with strong walls. This city became city-monument due to old buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses. This old city consists of over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. It also became a historical and architectural conservation area in 1969. Here you can find the most prominent site - Kunya-Ark fortress of 17th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, and unique example of Khorezm architectural masterwork dating to 1830s. Evening flight to Tashkent. Night is in the hotel.

Day 16: Tashkent – Airport
In the morning is transfer to airport. 

Price per person:
02 pax – 2 325 $
04 pax – 1 645 $
06 pax – 1 440 $
08 pax – 1 310 $
10 pax – 1 235 $
Single – 265 $

Early check-in – 30 $
Single early check-in – 45 $ 

Half board – 240 $*
Full board – 415 $*
Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) – 50 $ per person 

English speaking guides:
KG – 435 $ per group
UZ – local 130 $ per group or escort 370 $ per group
TJ – 445 $ per group
KZ – 420 $ per group
 

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*
     Tashkent – “Samir” Hotel 3*
- Mineral water during the tour
- Entrances to all museums in Kg, Kz & 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

If you want to find out more about places included in this tour – please read below.
For more details – click on the NAME of the place. 

Almaty is a city located at the foothill of Zailiy Ala Tau that gives a splendid view to it.
Green Bazaar has abundance and variety of goods starting from fruits and ending with meat.
Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen is one of the popular places in a city that has a few sites inside.
Zenkov Cathedral is one of the world’s top highest buildings made of wood.
Medeo Gorge has one the largest alpine ice skating rinks in the world.
Kok Tobe hill allows observing a great city panorama and offers lots of entertainments.
Charyn canyons are unique geological rock formations resembling the Grand canyons.
Issyk Lake is small lake with dramatic history of avalanches.
Big Almaty Lake is a great place to visit within an hour drive from Almaty.
Bishkek is the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, located at the foothill of Kyrgyz Ala Too range.
Burana is a tower from the 11^th century in ancient town of Balasagyn on the Great Silk Road.
Balbals are stone statues in honor of distinguished warriors in Turk culture in the 6-7^th centuries.
Issyk Kul lake is the most beautiful alpine lake reminding the sea due to its size.
Petroglyphs in Cholpon Ata is a huge collection of carved stones from the 2^nd millennium BC.
Grigorievskoye gorge is one of the highlights of Issyk Kul region for one day tours.
Semenovskoye gorge is one of the most popular gorges on the northern shore of Issyk Kul.
Karakol is a touristic town in south-eastern part of Issyk Kul, starting point of most treks. 
Museum of Przhewalsky is a big source of information about the life of great explorer.
Dungan mosque is the only mosque in Kyrgyzstan built like a Chinese pagoda.
Orthodox Church is the first church built in the area during the Russian Empire.
Jeti Oguz gorge is famous for sand formations of striking red color and unusual shapes. 
Broken Heart is a rock with a shape of broken heart right at the entrance to the Jeti Oguz gorge.
Eagle hunter in Bokonbaevo – you will meet a real eagle hunter and learn about his birds.
Osh is the oldest city in the country dating back to the first millennium BC.
Khudjand is one of the largest trade and cultural centers of the Central Asian region.
Cultural Palace of Khujant or Arbob palace is an ornate administration building, blending the history of traditional Tajikistan.
Central Mosque is the largest religious building built in Tajikistan in the years of independence.
Iskanderkul lake is the pearl of the Fann Mountains, full of mysterious.
7 lakes strike everyone with the saturated and ever-changing color of water.
Old Panjakent is one of the easternmost settlements of the Sogdiana Empire.
Samarkand has experienced many declines throughout the history of the Great Silk Road.
Registan square was created by the grandson of Amir Timur and situated in Samarkand.
Shakhi-Zindeh has more than 11 mausoleums based here in 14-15^th centuries.
Mausoleum Guri Emir is the place where Amir Timur, his sons and grandchildren were buried.
Bibi Khanum Mosque is said to be created in 1399, on the order of Amir Timur for his wife.
Gijduvan pottery workshop started to get to be known thanks to Sufi Abdalkhalik Gizhduvani.
Bukhara is the city with the largest number of mosques and sacred places.
Citadel Ark is an ancient monument of Bukhara which was actually created in 4-3 centuries.
Samanids mausoleum is considered to be the site of greatest ancient history of Samanids dynasty.
Chashma Ayub is located near the ruins previously being at the territory of the Samanids.
Bolo-Hauz mosque of 18^th c. has an interesting design with about 20 columns surrounding it.
Nodir Divan Begi madrasah used to be caravanserai previously, but then became madrasah.
Lyabi House Ensemble was created in the times of Sheybanids and has several madrasah around.
Poi Kalon complex is the greatest building of Bukhara and means “the foot of the minaret”.
Khiva is a city of legends and mythical characters of ancient times.
Ichan-Qala is an ancient and stunning fortress with a rich Uzbek inheritance.
Kunya-Ark fortress is the wonderful stronghold of the eastern world and high culture.
Kalta Minor minaret is a golden symbol of turquoise color, found by Mohammed Amin Khan.