Forward to the past

Tour 2: Forward to the past
Duration: 12 days
In short: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul northern shore – Grigorievskoye – Semenovskoye – Karakol Skazka – Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl Tuu – Bishkek – Almaty – Issyk – Tashkent – Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara – Tashkent

Day 1: Bishkek – Ala Archa – Bishkek
Driver will meet and transfer you to Bishkek. The road to the capital of the Kyrgyzstan will take 30 minutes. You will have a city tour to visit main attraction of the city like: Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many others. Then you will have to drive 45 km to Ala Archa National Park. At the Soviet Union times only V.I.P. had permission to stroll in the gorge. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. To marvel the panoramic view of the gorge you need to hike a bit. Then drive back to Bishkek. Night is in the hotel. 

Day 2: Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul northern shore
Today your destination is the celestial lake - Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world. Also this lake is known as the "the pearl of Central Asia".  Its altitude is 1608 m. above sea level. The salty water of the lake has curative qualities. On the way you will have a stop at the Burana Tower and an open air museum Balbals, stone warriors. Buran Tower is minaret of 11th c. that served as a sight for Great Silk Road travelers know there was a city and place to have a rest. In addition you will see ancient stone inscriptions of 800 B.C. in Cholpon Ata town. Shamans made these inscriptions more than 2 000 years ago. Here you will visit local ethnography museum. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Day 3: Issyk Kul – Grigorievskoye – Semenovskoye – Karakol
You will have morning drive to the Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye gorge that are famous for its connection in the end. The territory of these gorges is the national park. Here you will be able to marvel such beautiful scenery as snow tops and slopes grown by blue and green pine trees. At the bottom of gorge you will see very beautiful view of the lake.  After it you will continue trip to the Karakol town. Here you will see one of the most interesting buildings in the world – Dungan mosque, which was built without using any metal nail in Chinese style. The mosque will be followed by a visit to an old wooden Orthodox Church. Overnight is in a guesthouse. 

Day 4: Karakol – Skazka – Bokonbaevo
Today your destination is Jeti Oguz gorge or Seven Bulls. This place is famed due to its red rocks formations. In addition you will be able to see the Broken Heart Mountain. You will be able to take a lot of photos and also to hike 20 minutes on a top of a mountain to see a panorama view of the gorge. After it you will have a drive to one of the most scenery place in Kyrgyzstan – Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon. It is situated about 4 km from the Tosor village. This place is very interesting due to the sand that takes different fancy shapes and gorgeous forms. Then your tour goes to Bokonbaeva village, where you will meet eagle hunter. That uses traditional way of hunting with the eagle help. His preys are hares and foxes. Night is in yurts.

Day 5: Bokonbaevo – Kyzyl Tuu – Bishkek
Bishkek is your destination today. On the way you will have a stop in Kyzyl Tuu. Here you will be able to assist in a yurt workshop.  Yurt is a dwelling made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings. After it we will continue our drive to Bishkek city. Night is in the hotel. 

Day 6: Bishkek – Almaty
Morning drive to Almaty, the road will take 4 hours. After arrival you will have a city tour to learn more about history of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan and marvel it’s the most outstanding sights. It will start with visiting the popular place even among locals – Green Bazaar, where it will be difficult refrain yourself from haggling. After it you will visit central Park of Almaty – Panfilov Park that is considered to be one of the oldest here. Furthermore you can visit one of the most beautiful wooden buildings in the world - Zenkov Cathedral. Next site is the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, devoted to the memory of the fighters who died for freedom and independence of the country. After exploring all the part of this city you will have a drive through scenery winding mountain road to get to the Medeo Gorge, well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflows.  Then is the Kok-Tobe hill with its the prominent tallest TV tower in the world. Then you will have a walk in the Kok-Tobe Park, marvel its outstanding panoramic view using special observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. Tour will end with drive back by famed Almaty cableway. Night is in the hotel. 

Day 7: Almaty – Issyk – Almaty
After breakfast you will drive to Issyk gorge of Trans-Ili Alatau that lays along the Kuldja tract. Here many years ago trade caravans passed. Durind the drive you will learn more about this area and see the burial mounds of Sakas period, where the famous "Golden Man" was found. He became the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition to it you will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, where you will see the exhibition of the history and culture of the Sakas period, copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Sakas burial mound. After this you will continue your drive to the alpine lake Issyk. Tis lake is located on the altitude of 1 756 meters above sea level in the valley with the same name. This lake appeared because of the huge landslide and furthermore, the dam of 300 meters in height was formed. Here you will able marvel such beautiful view of the water surface under the light of the sun, and the Issyk Gorge. And listen to the details of the natural disaster of 1963. You will have a picnic and free time to explore this place. Night is in the hotel. 

Day 8: Almaty – Tashkent
You will have a morning flight to Tashkent.  You will be met and transferred to the city. You city tour will start from the main square of the city – Independence square, which is symbol of the victory in WWII. You can have a stroll in the local Broadway, the street that divides Independence square and Amir Timur square. In addition you will be able to have a ride in one of the most beautiful metro in the world. Its firs line was opened in Independence square and Amir Timur square. After it you will explore the old part of the city such as includes Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The most oustanding sight of the tour is  the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8th c. Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 9: Tashkent – Samarkand
You will have a morning train to Samarkand. It is the second largest city in Uzbekistan. Samarkand is located in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is considered to be as old as the city of Babylon or Rome. You will have opportunity to visit it’s the most prominent sights as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. At first you will visit Registan square that is made of three fascinating Madrasahs dating to 15-17th centuries, you will admire. Shakhi-Zindeh is a huge architectural complex of mausoleums dating to 11th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And last one the Bibi Khanum Mosque made in honor of favorite wife of Tamerlane, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 10: Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara
Bukhara is your destination for today. On the way you will have a break in at Gijduvan village. It is very famous due its private pottery workshop. This school has a very long history and deep roots. The way to make thhem is passed from generation to generation. Now here live the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family, which lauded this ceramics school all over the world. This school has its own style of decorating products using green, blue colors and geometric pattern. After it you will visit memorial complex of Al Bukhary. He was Islamic scholar, who authored the hadith collection of Sahih al-Bukhari, regarded by Sunni Muslims as one of the most authentic Hadith collections. Continue driving to Bukhara. Overnight is in the hotel. 

Day 11: Bukhara – Tashkent
You will have a city tour in Tashkent. At first you will be enjoying the one of the oldest citadel in Bukhara – Citadel Ark, which used to be a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. After it will be the master work of 9th -10th century - Samanids mausoleum. The Chashma Ayub or job’s well is the next site that you will visit as well as Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. After it you can stroll through the shopping domes visit one of the most famed madrasahs of Bukhara - Nodir Divan Begi. It is a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, one of the most popular central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour ends by visiting the exceptional example architectural art of Bukhara- Poi Kalon complex. It is made of three structures of 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Evening flight to Tashkent. Night is in a hotel. 

Day 12: Tashkent – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Your driver will transfer you to Tashkent international airport. Flight for next destination.

Price per person:
02 pax – 1 485 $
04 pax – 1 135 $
06 pax – 920 $
08 pax – 860 $
10 pax – 790 $
Single – 180 $ 

Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 60 $ 

Half board – 165 $*
Full board – 295 $*
Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) – 35 $ per person 

To be 2 in one yurt (now 4 pax) – 10 $ per person
Flight tickets Bukhara – Tashkent – 55 $ per person 

English speaking guides:
KG – 505 $ per group
KZ – 235 $ per group
UZ – local 120 $ per person or escort 315 $ per person
 

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
     Bishkek – “Discovery” 3* or “Garden” 4*
     Issyk Kul – “Karven” Resort
     Karakol – “Karagat” Hotel 4* or “Green Yard” Guesthouse
     Bokonbaevo – Yurts (4 pax in 1)
     Almaty – “Kazakhstan” Hotel 3*
     Tashkent – “Samir” Hotel 3*
     Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
     Bukhara – “Porso” Hotel 3*
- Mineral water during the tour
- Train tickets Tashket – Samarkand            

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Flight tickets Bukhara – 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. 

Bishkek is the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, located at the foothill of Kyrgyz Ala Too range.
Ala Archa gorge is a famous National park with picturesque scenery in 40 km from Bishkek.
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.
Historial Museum in Cholpon Ata has interesting artifacts from ancient times to nowadays.
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.
Skazka canyons have overwhelming shapes and colors against the background of Issyk Kul.
Eagle hunter in Bokonbaevo – you will meet a real eagle hunter and learn about his birds.
Yurt installation in Kyzyl Tuu is a show where guests can take active part in setting up an yurt.
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.
Issyk Lake is small lake with dramatic history of avalanches.
Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan located in the north-east of the country.
Independence Square is one of the key sightseeing during your tour to Tashkent.
Broadway is one of the best places to have a walk located in the center of Tashkent.
Amir Timur square was first created in 1870, by the architects from the Russian Empire.
Chorsu Bazaar is the center of Uzbek atmosphere where you can try various traditional food.
Kukaldash Madrasah is the educational center created for boys and girls to study religion.
Hast Imam complex is the spiritual place for the people to come and pray.
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”.