MEALS INCLUDED:

Arrival in Bishkek. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest at the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan and the administrative center of the Chuy region. It is located in the valley of the river of the same name, at the foot of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too mountains, about 30 kilometers from Kazakhstan. Its name originates from the Kyrgyz word for a churn used to make mare’s milk, “kumis,” the traditional local drink.

City tour in Bishkek: the tour includes Ala-Too Central Square, the State Historical Museum and the Changing of the Guard, the Lenin Statue, Duboviy Park, Victory Square (Plaza Pobeda), and many other points of interest. Dinner according to the schedule. Return to the hotel afterward.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to one of the largest alpine lakes in the world after Lake Titicaca: Issyk Kul Lake. Known as the “hot water lake” (its name translates this way from Kyrgyz), it is surrounded by the Tian Shan mountains, with snow-covered peaks throughout the year. Its average altitude is 1,700 meters above sea level, maximum depth is 702 meters, length 180 km, and width 60 km. It occupies a closed tectonic basin. The lake’s waters are slightly saline due to mineral springs at its bottom and surrounding areas, as well as snowmelt from the mountains in spring.

Excursion to the open-air museum of Scythian and Turkic petroglyphs (7th century BC – 5th century AD). These are ancient Bronze Age settlements with carvings on exposed stones. The carvings are in the Scythian-Animal style, representing animals beautifully with intricate lines and curious designs. The site was an ancient temple where inhabitants held rituals, made offerings, and left images of sacred animals. From the museum, enjoy a beautiful view of the surrounding Celestial Mountains and the lake itself.

Optional boat tour on the lake (duration 1 hour).
Accommodation in the area at the end of the day.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel and free time during which you can enjoy a swim in the lake or walk along its shores and sunbathe.

At the scheduled time, transfer towards Bishkek, approximately 260 km away. On the way, visit the architectural complex “Burana Tower”, located about 75 km east of Bishkek. The tower was built in the 11th century and is the main remnant of the ancient city of Balasagyn. Its name “Burana” derives from the mispronounced word “Monara,” meaning Minaret. This city was established in the 10th century on top of an older settlement and served as the capital of the eastern Karakhanid State in the 10th–11th centuries AD. It is famous as the birthplace of the poet Jusup Balasugyn, who wrote an epic poem called Katadgu Bilig (“The Knowledge that Brings Happiness”), which has been translated into several languages and is part of the Silk Road heritage.

Lunch will be served in a restaurant according to the program schedule.

At the appointed time, departure to the airport for the flight to Tashkent. Farewell to the Kyrgyzstan team. Upon arrival in Tashkent, our staff will meet you for transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. The excursion begins with a tour of the old part of the city, visiting the Hasti Imam architectural complex, including Barak Kan Madrasa, Kafal Shohi Madrasa, Kukeldash Madrasa, and Chorsu Bazaar.

City tour in Tashkent includes the Museum of Applied Arts, Independence and Eternity Square, city fountains and modern monuments, Amir Temur Square, Opera and Ballet Square, and the Earthquake Monument.

Lunch will be served in a restaurant according to the program schedule. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to Tashkent Airport for a domestic flight to Urgench (according to flight schedule). Upon arrival, transfer to Khiva (30 km, ~40 min).

Begin the visits in the Ichan-Kala architectural complex, the inner citadel and an important medieval commercial center on the Silk Road. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990 and is a well-preserved example of Muslim architecture in Central Asia.

City tour of Ichan-Kala (12th–19th centuries) includes: Kalta Minor, Kunya Ark Castle, Mohammed Rahim Khan Madrasa, Minaret and Islom Khodja Madrasa; visit the Tash Hovli architectural complex (19th-century harem), Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud (14th–18th centuries), and Juma Mosque (10th century).

Return to the hotel for rest.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by vehicle towards Bukhara, crossing the Kizil-Kum Desert (“Red Sands”). On the way from Khiva to Bukhara, we will cross the historic Amu Darya River (this river, together with the Syr Darya to the north, marks the border with Kazakhstan and is one of the main sources of water for the Aral Sea).

Arrival in Bukhara and check-in at the hotel. Rest at the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue with the visits: Kalyan Minaret and Poi Kalyan Mosque, Miri Arab Madrasa (external visit), Toki Zargaron Dome, Ulughbek and Abdullazizkan Madrasas, Toki Telpak Furushon Dome, Magoki Attory Mosque, Toki Sarafon Dome.

Return to the hotel and rest.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Samarkand by high-speed train. Arrival in Samarkand. Begin the city tour:

• Gur Emir Mausoleum (15th century) – the authentic sanctuary of Tamerlane. This majestic complex originally included a khanaka, the madrasa of Muhammad Sultan (grandson of Amir Timur), and later the tombs of Amir Timur and his descendants.

• Registan Square (15th–17th centuries) – for centuries, the center of Samarkand. "Registan" means "sandy place." The square is surrounded by three madrasas: Ulughbek Madrasa (15th century), Sher-Dor Madrasa (17th century), and Tilla-Kari Madrasa (17th century, gilded).

• Bibi Khanum Mosque (1399–1404) – the majestic blue domes are breathtaking. In ancient times, the mosque’s dome was compared to the sky, and its portal arch to the Milky Way.

• Siyob Bazaar (closed on Mondays) – the largest market in Samarkand, where you can find national bread, fruits, vegetables, sweets, and more.

Return to the hotel for accommodation.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue visiting the main sights of Samarkand:

• Ulughbek Observatory (1428–1429) – a medieval astronomical wonder of Uzbekistan. The observatory was a unique construction for its time, featuring a giant vertical goniometric circle with a radius of 40.212 meters and an arc length of 63 meters.

• Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis (14th–15th centuries) – a series of beautifully decorated tombs with bright blue colors. Shakhi-Zinda consists of eleven mausoleums built successively over the 14th–15th centuries. It served as the burial site for royalty and nobles. The main mausoleum is said to be the symbolic tomb of Kusama Ibn Abbas, a cousin of Prophet Muhammad. The complex’s name, “Shakhi Zinda,” means “The Living King” in Persian.

In the afternoon, transfer to the train station for a high-speed train to Tashkent (according to schedule). Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Rest at the hotel.

MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the flight to the next destination.