WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Welcome to Central Asia: Over the centuries, numerous ethnic and cultural groups have settled in Central Asia, forming a unique center of culture, art, cuisine and language. Explorers and conquerors such as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Amir Timur left their mark. Russia and the UK had their latest adventures during The Great Game.
The romance of the past manifests itself in the ancient cities of the Silk Road: Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. As you explore grand monuments and major historical sites, everywhere you turn there are stunning colors, details and art in the exquisite mosaics and Islamic influences found on mosques, palaces, tombs and markets and also through the ancient handicrafts of ceramics, silk textiles, and embroidered fabrics.
Day One
OVERNIGHT: ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN
Late afternoon tour introduction meeting at hotel. Take the Kok-Tobe cable car up to hillside overlooking the city and surrounding mountains. Welcome dinner with live traditional Kazakh music.
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Day Two
OVERNIGHT: ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN
Full day guided tour around Almaty, the hub of Central Asian culture and the old capital of Kazakhstan before modern Astana was bestowed this. Visit the Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Russian Cathedral, Soviet modernism architecture and more off the beaten path areas of the city. Like all ex-Soviet countries, great Georgian food is easy to find and we will explore their food culture for dinner.
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Day Three
OVERNIGHT: KOLSAI LAKES, KAZAKHSTAN
Drive out to the Kolsai Lakes area located in the Northern Tien Shan mountains, close to the border with Kyrgyzstan. Stop for breathtaking views at the Black Canyon along the way. Take in the gorgeous nature at three Kolsai lakes. Home stay in small village near the lakes with home cooked dinner.
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Day Four
OVERNIGHT: TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN
Explore the Charyn Canyon, stretching 154km along the Charyn River, that contains beautiful landscapes, a natural gorge and many rare wildlife species. Drive back to Almaty for some extra time there and early dinner before evening flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Transfer to hotel in Tashkent.
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Day Five
OVERNIGHT: TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN
Tour the old Tashkent with Hasti Imam complex which includes Barakhan Madrasah, Mui Muborak Library with original Koran of 7th century. Later you will see Chorsu market which is one of the biggest and oldest in Central Asia (resembling a Soviet-inspired UFO). Delve into a big bowl of plov, Uzbek’s national dish, for lunch before taking a ride on the Tashkent metro to see unique and gorgeous Soviet architectural design. Learn about historic and cultural connects between Uzbekistan and Korea over a delicious Korean BBQ dinner.
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Day Six
OVERNIGHT: KHIVA, UZBEKISTAN
Morning flight to Urganch. Drive to Kyzylkum desert to visit ancient ruins of Ayazkala and Topraqkala fortresses dating back to 1-4 centuries AD. Lunch in yurt. Arrival into first of three historic Silk Road cities, Khiva, more than 2500 years old and whose historic quarter is surrounded by defensive walls. Orientation walk.
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Day Seven
OVERNIGHT: KHIVA, UZBEKISTAN
Begin the day at Ichan Kala, the museum town in open air. You will feel the atmosphere of living in the old town as the local people who is still living in the old town. You will discover the city with its mosques, minarets, museums, caravan Saray, workshops. Khorezm is famous for its wooden craft, wood carving and also Silk carpet weaving. The most exciting site is Juma mosque with wooden pillars and mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud.
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Day Eight
OVERNIGHT: BUKHARA,UZBEKISTAN
Train from Khiva to Bukhara, the second of the three historic Silk Road cities. Walking tour in Bukhara focusing on Laby Hauz, the heart of Bukhara to see chayhana (traditional tea house), water pond, mosques, madrasa, art galleries, metal and other artisan workshops. Visit the three trade Domes of Bukhara: Taki Sarafan, Taki Telpakfurushon and Taki Zargaron along with the ancient Jewish quarter and visit to the puppet museum and workshop. Local Dinner with a private family.
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Day Nine
OVERNIGHT: BUKHARA, UZBEKISTAN
Tour the Ark Citadel dating back to 1st century and in use until Soviets partially destroyed it in 1920. Visits to Kalyan Minaret and Kalyan Mosque and local silk carpet shop. Visit to the necropolis of Bahauddin Naqshabandiy, the founder of Sufism. Afternoon at leisure to browse and explore the city. Evening Folk Music and Dance show at Nadir Divan Begi madrasah.
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Day Ten
OVERNIGHT: NUROTA, UZBEKISTAN
Depart Bukhara and visit to the Summer Palace, Sitorai Mohi Hosa, one of the most prominent sites in Bukhara, where you will discover the mixture of local and Russian-European architecture style. Lunch on the way to our yurt located on the shores of Aidarkul Lake in the Kyzylkum Desert. Camel riding in late afternoon. Home cooked dinner at yurt.
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Day Eleven
OVERNIGHT: SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN
Morning to enjoy the nature around the lake, maybe even spot a Central Asian tortoise which are active only in spring. Travel to Samarkand, the last of the three historic Silk Road cities. Visit the burial place of Amir Temur, also known as Tamerlane, the 14th century military leader and ruler who lauded over a massive swath of territory in Central Asia. Visit to Afrosiab museum, one of the largest archaeological sites in the world and the ancient city that was destroyed by the Mongols.
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Day Twelve
OVERNIGHT: SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN
Start your tour of Samarkand at the iconic Registan Square with 3 madrasas built during the 15th-17th Centuries. Ulughbek Madrasa, Sherdor Madrasah and Tilla Sheikh mosque. Siab Bazar and Bibihanum mosque. Afternoon to soak in what is arguably the architectural highlight of the entire tour at Shakhi Zinda – the burial place of royal persons and nobles. This stunning complex showcases rich tile-work and history dating back to the 14th century.
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Day Thirteen
OVERNIGHT: SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN
Visit to workshop complex to see the traditions of producing silk paper and ceramic tiles. Cooking class and lunch of the quintessential Uzbek dish, Plov. Afternoon free time. Farewell dinner with local family.
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Day Fourteen
Tour Ends
Our Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan tour ends after breakfast. Your guide will be on hand to help with transfers to the airport or to wherever your adventures take you.
rahmat!
MEET YOUR GUIDE: Andrew Villone
Twenty-five years ago, Andrew got bit hard by the travel bug when he took his first trip abroad, backpacking around Europe for 6 months. Eventually, he took the big plunge and in 2014 he moved to Slovenia, the charming Alpine/Balkan/Mediterranean country where east meets west.
Andrew has been leading & organizing tours for the past 20 years. He loves to champion countries and regions that many travelers have yet to explore. His three favorite aspects of traveling are sampling the local cuisine and wine, sharing travel escapades with other travelers and hanging out with the locals.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Price: $5000 (Air not included) per person for a double occupancy room. Single Supplement is $500. We welcome singles and if you do not have a travel partner, please sign up for a single spot. In the event that a roommate is found, your booking can be changed to a double before final payment is due.
What’s included: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 dinners, and 13 nights lodging. All admissions and fees for group activities. Transport within the tour (including internal flights) and private guides, tips included.
Deposit Policy: A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is due upon booking.
Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan tour begins in Almaty, Kazakhstan (ALA) and ends in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (SKD).
If you have additional questions please email us at info@adventureswithsarah.net
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