Classic Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & Kazakhstan

OVERVIEW

Lying at the geographic and cultural heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan stretch from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the western edge of China, spanning a wealth of landscapes, peoples and traditions. Home to the Turkic tribes of old, their cities and mountains, even to this day, are pervaded with the magic and romance of the ancient Silk Road.

Tashkent provides the starting point for this incredible odyssey, providing a gateway onto the medieval city of Khiva and then through the barren Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara and Samarkand, where you get a chance to explore the mosques and mausoleums of Bukhara and enjoy the Islamic majesty of the stunning Registan Square in Samarkand before flying on to the Kyrgyzstan capital, Bishkek.

A full day in the Ala Archa Canyon and a swim in the warm waters of Lake Issy Kul is then followed by a wander through the fascinating backstreets of Karakol, before heading into the Chon Kemin Valley for an overnight stay in the rural village of Ashu. The journey’s end then sees you amongst the mountains and museums of the Kazakh city of Almaty.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the many mosques and mausoleums of Bukhara, Uzbekistan
• See the blue tiles of the immense and inspiring Registan Square in Samarkand
• Swim in the warm Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan
• Stay in a rural village guesthouse in Ashu in the Chon Kemin Valley of Kyrgyzstan
• Visit the former capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty

DAY 1: ARRIVE TASHKENT

Arrive in Tashkent and embark on a city tour of modern Tashkent. Begin with the central square Amir Timur Maydoni, dominated by a statue of Tamerlaine on horseback and the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre, designed by the architect responsible for Lenin's tomb. Also visit the Applied Arts Museum and the extensive Chorsu Bazaar. As you wander through the streets, you will discover many of its madrassahs, mausoleums and mosques dating back to the 16th and 17th century.

DAY 2: TASHKENT - URGENCH - KHIVA

Fly to Urgench and then it's just a short drive to Khiva. On arrival explore Khiva on foot, a unique walled, oasis town, preserved in its entirety since medieval times. You can visit the "Kunya Ark" or old citadel which was the Emir's residence with its magnificent summer mosque and harem. Also see the Juma Mosque with its 200 individually carved wooden pillars and the Tash Khauli Palace.

DAY 3: KHIVA - BUKHARA

A long drive today (7-8 hours) though the barren Kyzyl Kum or red desert to the magical city of Bukhara.

DAY 4: BUKHARA

Take a full day tour through the narrow streets of old Bukhara. Visit the Ark Citadel, former residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. Continue to Bolo-Khauz Mosque and Kalyan Square with its great minaret and the Ismael Samani Mausoleum dating from the 10th century. Spend some time wandering the old trading domes, now home to many handicraft stalls.

DAY 5: BUKHARA

This morning visit the summer palace of Bukhara’s last Emir, just outside the city. It is an eclectic mix of Oriental and European design and contains a good collection of suanes (Uzbek traditional embroidery) and Chinese porcelain brought to Bukhara by camel caravan in the 19th century. Next, see Lyabi-Khauz Square surrounded by madrassahs and crowded tea houses.

DAY 6: BUKHARA - SAMARKAND

After spending the morning in Bukhara, transfer to the train station and take the Afrosiyob or Sharq train to Samarkand. The journey takes just under 2 hours and 30 mins and you will pass through countryside before approaching the suburbs of Samarkand.

DAY 7: SAMARKAND

Take a full day guided tour of Samarkand including Registan Square, a highlight of the trip, surrounded on three sides by blue tiled madrassahs. It is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and no picture can convey the magnificence of this square. Continue to Tamerlaine's tomb, Ulukbek's Observatory, the Shahi-Zinda mausoleum complex and the Bibi Khanum Mosque built in honour of Tamerlaine's wife. Around the mosque there is a buzzing local market.

DAY 8: SAMARKAND - TASHKENT

Explore Samarkand at your own pace. Then take the train to Tashkent and spend the rest of the day enjoying the nation's capital.

DAY 9: TASHKENT - BISHKEK (KYRGYZSTAN)

Fly to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, splendidly set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the city including the main square and State National History museum and stroll around Bishkek's Osh Bazaar.

DAY 10: BISHKEK

Full day visit to Ala Archa Canyon, part of the Ala Archa National Park. Take a walk up into the mountains for amazing views over the park. Join a mountain guide taking various walking routes at your own pace through forests fragrant with pine and juniper. Ala Archa is a favourite place for the citizens of Bishkek, who like to take walks amidst unspoilt nature and relax by a waterfall.

DAY 11: BISHKEK - LAKE ISSYK KUL - KARAKOL

Take a trip out to Lake Issyk Kul or “warm lake”. It is the second largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Measuring 182km long by 58km wide, the lake is heated from below by volcanic activity and never freezes even in the depths of winter. Enjoy lunch and a walk by the lake before continuing to Karakol, a sleepy provincial town with a Russian flavour, sandwiched between the lake and the imposing Tien Shan Mountains.

DAY 12: KARAKOL - CHON KEMIN VALLEY

Explore the backstreets of Karakol, full of Russian style cottages shaded by white poplars and see the wooden Holy Trinity Cathedral built in 1895 and the Chinese Dungan Mosque. Later on, drive to Ashu village in the Chon Kemin Valley near the Kazakh border.

DAY 13: CHON KEMIN VALLEY - ALMATY (KAZAKHSTAN)

There is time this morning to explore this rural village, which is full of farms and fields growing various crops. Drive on to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city.

DAY 14: ALMATY

In the morning take a sightseeing tour of Almaty visiting Republic Square with the former Presidential Palace and Independence Monument, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Russian Cathedral, built entirely of wood in 1904 without the use of any nails, and the colourful St Nicholas's Cathedral.

This itinerary was developed in collaboration with Wild Frontiers as part of a capacity building initiative for the Silk Road World Heritage Journeys project.