The Great Silk Route: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan – 18D/17N

Arrival at the airport in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Customs formalities, meeting with the Kyrgyz team. Transfer and accommodation at the hotel (early check in, 100% of the night from Tuesday to Wednesday)

Breakfast at the hotel. Rest at the hotel for the long flight. Lunch at a local restaurant. City tour in Bishkek: Ala-Too Central Square, State Historical Museum and Changing of the Guard of Honor, Lenin Statue and Duboviy Park, Victory Square. Rest at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. 09.00 Panoramic tour of the Karakol city: Dungana Mosque, one of the most attractive and attractive wooden buildings in Karakol. The mosque was built in 1910 in classical Chinese style. The next visit is to the Orthodox Church of Holy Trinity (1876), which preserves one of the sacred Orthodox jewels - icon of the Virgin Tijvina. 10.00 Depart for Valley Chon Kemin (450 km, 8-9 hrs with visits). The route will pass along the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake. Along the way we visit the Djety Oguz Canyon, known as the Seven Bulls Canyon, a picturesque place that is famous for its red sandstone rock formations, coniferous forests and alpine meadows.

18.00 Arrival at Chon Kemin and accommodation at Eco Hotel. Dinner at the eco hotel. Rest in an eco hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the international flight to Tashkent (HY 778; 11.30-11.50) *. Arrival in Tashkent and accommodation at the hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant. We will visit the old part of the city, Khasti Imom, including Madrasa Barak Kan, Madrasa Kafal Shohi, Library, located in the same square and has its importance because it houses the "Koran of Usman", original from the 7th century. Then we visit the modern part from the city: Plaza de Independencia y Eternidad, Plaza de Ópera y Ballet, Plaza de Amir Temur

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Lake Iskanderkul (230 km, 6 hrs with visits), on the way visit Istrafshan city, open-air city-museum, the ancient center of trade and crafts and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. In 2002 Istaravshan celebrated the 2500 year anniversary. Lunch at a local restaurant along the route. Arrival at Lake Iskanderkul, the largest lake in the Fann Mountains that has spread widely at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level. Continuation to Dushanbe (150 km, ~ 3 hrs). Arrival, accommodation and rest at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Pendjikent (260 km, approx. 6-7 hrs). Lunch at a local restaurant. We visit the Museum of Rudaki, the founder of Persian classical poetry, known to the world as Abu-Abdullo Rudaki. There is not much information about his life, it is only known that Rudaky lived at the end of the 9th century - in the beginning of the 10th century (Imperia de Samani), the last days he has lived in poverty and has died in 941 years in the place Pandzhrud's hometown, near Pendjikent town.

The ruins and excavations of the ancient city Pendjikent (Sogdiana V-VIII), Ruins of Sarazm, 5500 years of civilization (UNESCO). Transfer to the Jarteppa border with Uzbekistan (20 km). Customs papers. Departure to Samarkand (30 km). Arrival in Samarkand, accommodation and rest at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Shakhi-Zinda Architectural Complex (9th-15th centuries), Museum of the ancient city Afrosiyab, Ulughbek Observatory (15th century). Lunch at a local restaurant. Departure to Bukhara (295 km, ~ 5 hrs). Arrival in Bukhara. Accommodation and rest at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning. Transfer to the station to catch the SHARQ train (12.05-17.50) *. Arrival in Khiva and accommodation at the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant. Rest at the hotel.

* The itinerary is subject to alterations depending on the changes that Uzbekistan Railways may make in their schedules and days of train operation

* In case of cancellation of the train we organize transfer by road (450 km, 8 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the Shavat border (65 km). Farewell with the Uzbek guide. Crossing the border (800m on foot). Customs papers. Meeting with the Turkmen guide. Continuation of the road trip to Kunya Urgench Historical Park (125 km). The fortress walls of Ak Gala are evidence of antiquity and some mausoleums date back to the 13-14 century: the magnificent Mausoleums of Turabek Khanym (wife of Kutlug Timur), the Khorezmites Il Arslan, Tekesh and Sultan Ali. Famous Sufi teacher Nadjmeddin Kubra. Here we will visit the highest Minaret in Central Asia of 62 meters high that belongs to Kutlug Timur. It is one of the 60 brick built minarets in Central Asia. Finally you can visit the Ak Dash Gate of what is believed to be a portal of the Caravanserai and climb the Walls of Kyrk Molla which is still an important destination. Lunch Box in Kunya Urgench. Return to Dashauz (110 km) to take the domestic flight to Ashgabat (depending on the flight schedule) *. Arrival in Ashgabat. Accommodation and rest at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to take the domestic flight to Ashgabat (depending on the flight schedule) *. Visit to the Archaeological site of Old Nisa (UNESCO) that includes the fortress of Old Nisa and New Nisa. Which was founded in the 3rd century BC. and it existed until the 3rd century AD. According to archaeologists, the New Nisa fortress was the center of the Parthian city and existed until the 16th-17th century, while the Old Nisa fortress was the residence of the Parthian kings. Lunch at a local restaurant. City tour in Ashgabat: Ertogrul Gazi Turkish Mosque, Independence Park, Arch of Neutrality, National Museum and Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. Rest at the hotel.