Silk Road Tour: Kyrgyzstan, China (Kashgar Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous Region), Uzbekistan

After breakfast transfer to Issyk-Kul Lake (260 km). On the way visit the Burana Tower located on the territory of one of the capitals of the Karahanid Empire – Balasagun. Lunch. Continue the trip to Issyk-Kul, accommodation in a hotel on the northern shore of the lake.

Transfer to Karakol. In Cholpon-Ata visits to petroglyphs dating from 500 BC – 100 AD, which depict wolves, mountain goats, horses, snow leopards, scenes of sacrifice and hunting. In Karakol visit to Russian Orthodox Church, Dungan Mosque and Museum of Przhevalski. Night in Karakol.

After breakfast, drive to the Jeti-Oguz gorge (« seven bulls »), which is famous for its flower fields and seven red sand rocks. Picnic. Night in yurts.

Transfer along the southern shore of Issyk- Kul Lake to the village of Kochkor. On the way stop at Bokonbaevo where you can watch falcon hunting. Dinner and night in the homestay.

After breakfast visit the workshop where you can see the process of making national felt rugs. Transfer to Tash Rabat (245 km) towards the Chinese border. From the 11th century Tash Rabat was a caravanserai on the Silk Road. This medieval fortress is the largest and most complex structure of stone, with no other preserved building surpassing it from the Gobi Desert to the Caspian Sea. Night in a yurt.

After breakfast drive to the Torugart mountain pass, a border post between Kyrgyzstan and China. Meeting with representatives of the Chinese tourist company on the border. Transfer to Kashgar. Night in hotel.

After breakfast a tour of the city: a visit to the Eid Kah Mosque (the largest mosque in China) and the grave of Yusuf Has Hajib. Night in hotel.

After breakfast visit Sunday market. This Sunday bazaar is considered the biggest market in the world, one of the biggest trading markets in the southern Xinjiang Uighur region. You will be able to see it for yourself when walking in famous Kashgar Sunday bazaar! Colorful and various goods from different countries of the world and different regions of Kashgar, extraordinary fabrics, silk, spices and much more you can find here. Night in hotel.

After breakfast transfer along the famous AlayValley surrounded by giant snow-ice peaks of the Zaalai Ridge with its highest peak – Lenin peak (7134 m) up to the Chinese – Kyrgyz border (“Ikreshtam” entry point). After crossing the border transfer to the small village of Sarytash, where you will stay for the night.

Breakfast.Transfer to Osh, accommodation. City tour of Osh.The legends state that Osh was founded a long time ago by King Solomon and occupied an important place on the trade routes of the Great Silk Road. Today you will visit Suleiman Tag (Mount of Suleiman).

In the morning transfer to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border « Dostuk. » Crossing the border. On the way visit to Andijan and Kuva. Continue to Margilan. Walk in the local bazaar and visit Margilan silk factory « Edgorlik ». Here you can see the process of production of silk ikat fabrics with traditional patterns. The last stop will be in Kokand. Here you will visit Hudoyar Khan Palace, Jami Mosque, Norbut Biy madrasah. Transfer to Tashkent. The mountain serpentine road  connecting the Fergana Valley with the rest of Uzbekistan goes through the picturesque Kamchik mountain pass (2267 m above sea level). Night in hotel.

City tour of the capital of Uzbekistan. Visit Hast Imam Complex with Barakhan Madrasah, Tilla Sheih mosque and mausoleum of Kafal Shashi (XVI c). Walk through Chorsu bazar of the old town. Museum of Applied Art,  Independence Square, Amir Timur square, monument of Courage, monument to victims of the earthquake of 1966, beautiful metro of Tashkent. Dinner. In the evening transfer to airport for flight Tashkent – Urgench at 19:00. Arrival in Urgench at 20:30. Transfer to Khiva. (30 km, 35 min) Overnight at hotel of Khiva.

Breakfast at the hotel. Exursion in Ichan Kala which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this open-air museum city you will visit Kunya Ark Fortress, Tash Hauli Palace, Muhammad Aminhan madrasah, Muhammad Rahimhan madrasah, Kalta Minor minaret, Juma mosque, Pahlavan Mahmoud mausoleum, Islam Hodja minaret. Night in hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning transfer from Khiva to Bukhara (480 km). The modern motorway crosses the Kyzylkum Desert, following the ancient route of the Great Silk Road. A stop during which you will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the desert and the Amu Darya River. Arrival in Bukhara at the end of the day, accommodation and rest in the hotel. Overnight at the hotel of Bukhara.

After breakfast start exploring Bukhara with your guide.Visit the central part of the city: complex of Poikalon (XII—XVI c), architectural ensemble of “Masjidi Kalon”, “Miri Arab” madrasah and  minaret (46 m). Ulugbek Madrasah (1417) was the earliest of three commissioned by the enlightened Timurid ruler. Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah (1652). Trading Domes including Toki Zargaron, Toki Telpak Furushon and Toki Saraffon. Tim of Abdullakhan (1577) and one of the most elegant trade halls. Faizulla Khodjaev House (XIX c) — a 150-year old house of the Bukhara merchant. Magoki Attori mosque, Labi-Hauz (XVI—XVII c) — a complex with Nodir Devon Begi madrasah. Ark Fortress (VI — XIX c) — in the Middle Ages it was a whole town with the Emir’s family house with wives, mosques, mint place, government institutes, store rooms, a prison and a square for public executions, Bolo Haus Ensemble, Samanid mausoleum (IXc)- the first brick building shaped as a cube covered with dome with unrepeatable geometrical brickwork design, Chashma Ayub Mausoleum. Overnight at hotel of Bukhara.

Breakfast at the holel. Continue tour in the vicinity of Bukhara: summer residence of Bukhara Emir – Sitorai Mohi Hosa (XIX c). Transfer from Bukhara to Samarkand by car or minibus (280 km, 4 hours).  On the way, visiting the ruins of Rabat Malik caravanserai and Sardoba. Arrival in Samarkand, accommodation. Overnight at hotel of Samarkand.

After breakfast meet with guide and a driver. Today you will visit the famous square of Registran, which was the center of Samarkand for many centuries, as well as the cathedral mosque Bibi-Hanum. Many folk legends are connected with its construction. You will also go the Siab bazaar where you can buy oriental sweets, fresh fruit and national souvenirs. In addition, you will visit the Ulugbek Observatory. Ulugbek was the grandson of Amir Timur, the ruler of Samarkand and the great scientist of the Middle Ages. Afterwards walk along the narrow street of Shahi-Zinda complex, which is a magnificent ensemble of mausoleum of Samarkand nobility. To finish, we stop at magnificent mausoleum of Gur-Emir – the tomb of Amir Timur and Timurids. At 16:00 transfer to the railway station. The high-speed train « Afrosiab » leaves for Tashkent at 17:00 (300 km) and arrives at 19:10. Transfer to hotel. Night at the hotel of Tashkent.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport for international flight to your home nation.

End of the programme.