Youth Trip – Wonders of Uzbekistan and Mountains of Kyrgyzstan 15 days

Arrival in Bukhara by train early in the morning at 6:20. After breakfast start exploring Bukhara with your guide.

Bukhara the divine! It is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia the age of which reaches 2,500 years. This city has been a spiritual and commercial center and its importance does not decline over the centuries. « Bukhoroi – Sharif » – « Noble and Sacred Bukhara » – is one of the numerous epithets that this ancient city was awarded. Here you can fully feel the charming atmosphere of the East!

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) is one of the most elegant trade halls. Faizulla Khodjaev House (XIX c) — a 150-year old house of Bukhara merchant. Magoki Attori mosque. Lunch at a local restaurant. 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), Chashma Ayub Mausoleum.  Labi-Hauz (XVI—XVII c) — a complex with Nodir Devon Begi madrasah and a famous monument to Hodja Nasreddin. Overnight at hotel of Bukhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you visit the Summer Residence of Bukhara Emir – Sitorai Mohi Khosa (early 20^th century). Transfer to the mountain village Sentob. You will enjoy the drive through small villages and the scenery, make a stop to take photos of the fields and talk to farmers. It is a great opportunity to get acquainted with Uzbek people and their life in small villages. Upon arrival accommodation in the guest house. A walk in the village and its vicinity accompanied by a local guide. Overnight at the guesthouse.

Early departure from the village to hike to Gaukum Pass ( 1516 m). During the walk you will be able to enjoy the view of Sentob village, the canyons of the Sentob river, the views of the Nuratau Mountains and Lake Aidarkul. After half-hour trip, arrival at a small mountain lake Fazilman (1640 m). After a break and lunch you will continue to Kichik Fazilman mountain (1833m). The return journey to the village of Sentob by another route will take 2.5 hours. You will walk down a steep path from the lake to the upper bank of the left tributary of the Sentob River and walk down an abandoned mountain passage to the village of Sentob. Transfer to Samarkand. Arrival, hotel accommodation. Overnight at hotel of Samarkand.

Breakfast at the hotel. Quest excursion of Samarkand « Secrets of Registan. » During this tour you will visit the main attractions of Samarkand and explore the city in unusual way solving riddles and intellectual challenges.

You will visit Ulugbek Observatory (XV c), the Museum of Archaeology of Afrosiob, the Necropolis of Shahi Zinda (XIV-X cc) – « City of the Dead » complex of 20 elegant mausoleums covered with blue glittering tiles. Lunch in a national house (included in the price).

After lunch you will visit Registan Square (15-17 c), which was the main city square during Tamerlan ‘s reign. It is surrounded by three majestic buildings: Ulugbek madrasah, Sher Dor and Tilla Kari madrasahs. Bibi Hanum mosque (XIVc) was built on Timur ‘s orders to become the grandest building of the time. Visit a famous Samarkand Siob bazar. Here you can find all kinds of spices and fruits and famous Samarkand bread. The mausoleum of Guri Emir with a majestic blue dome (XVc) is a burial place of Amir Timur, his sons and grandchildren. To finish, we stop at a legendary Saint Daniel’s grave. It is a remarkable place with unforgettable atmosphere. At 17.00 transfer to railway station. Departure from Samarkand by high-speed train at 18:00. Arrival in Tashkent at 20:10. Transfer to hotel. Night at the hotel of Tashkent.

After an early breakfast – a long bus transfer to Bishkek. The road will take the whole day (approximately 13 hours). On arrival – accommodation in a hotel, rest.

Transfer Bishkek – Ala Archa National Park (transfer 30 km), accommodation in tent camp (2100 meters). Hiking without backpacks. We will visit the attractions of the park and enjoy the beauty of the majestic mountains. Hike to Ak-Sai gorge. After returning to the camp – Kyrgyz tea party, dinner, rest.

Ala Archa National Park is located in the central part of the Kyrgyz Ala Too Range. The Ala Archa gorge is 35 km long and it is considered the largest of the gorges of the range. Ala Archa is a real natural landmark of the region because of its exceptional beauty, variety of flora and fauna, scenic landscapes, waterfalls and slopes.

Today we will hike with backpacks. We take food with us for only 2.5 days so backpacks are not too heavy. We climb up the gorge to Racek Shelter. The journey will take a few hours. The path goes through coniferous forest, then along alpine meadows. On the way – Ak-Sai Falls. At  Racek Shelter you will have a great view of the Ak-Sai glacier. Installation of tents, walking around.

After breakfast, walk to Ak-Sai Glacier. The most famous mountains of the Kyrgyz range Ala-Too are located here. They protect the valley from southern winds. That is why the glacier was formed here. Return. Dinner. Overnight in tents.

Breakfast and go with backpacks – towards the alpine camp. We will have to rise and descend, so it will take a lot of effort. By mid-afternoon we reach our destination. Lunch, rest. Hiking through the coniferous forest to the climbers’ cemetery.Return. Dinner. Overnight at the tent camp.

Breakfast, collection of the camp. A long transfer to Karakol city will take almost the whole day. Upon arrival – accommodation in the hostel. After taking a shower we go for a walk around the evening city.

The Karakol gorge can be seen from the city of Karakol. Some of its peaks stand out clearly: Karakol (5,280 m), Jigit (5,130 m), Przewalski (4,283 m).

Transfer to Arashan gorge, long known for hot mineral springs. The gorge is very beautiful; its landmark is also morainic lakes. Altin Arashan (Golden Source) is located in the picturesque alpine valley. It is at an altitude of 3000 meters, in the south of which is Palatka peak (4260 m). Most of this territory belongs to the Arashan State Reserve.

Transfer on a truck. The road is very steep and difficult to pass in some places; it will take 3-4 hours. We will pass through pine forests, where many hot and cold springs are hidden. Bears are notoriously frequent guests in these places. In the evening you can swim in thermal springs.

After breakfast – a walk without backpacks through Alakel Pass exploring a nearby gorge. Overnight in tents.

Transfer to Issyk-Kul Lake (80 km). After mountain crossings – well-deserved rest on the sandy beaches of Issyk-Kul. Here you can rest, swim and sunbathe.

Issyk Kul is a mountain lake at 1609 m above sea level. It is among the 25 largest lakes in the world and is the 7^th on the list of the deepest lakes. The lake is situated between the Terskey Ala Too (from the south) and Kyungei Ala Too (from the north). Isskyk-Kul is 705 m deep and it never freezes.

Transfer to Bishkek (5-6 hours). A short tour of the city. Transfer to the airport for international flight home