16 Days Tour to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kashgar

Arrival in Tashkent. Accommodation in hotel. 

Morning transfer to Samarkand. Accommodation in hotel upon arrival. 

Visit to medieval architectural monuments: Gur-e Amir Mausoleum  (15c), Registan Ensemble  (including Ulugbek (15c), Shir Dor (17c), Tillya-Kari Madrassahs (17c), Bibi Khanum Mosque. 

Overnight in hotel

At 08:00 proceed with sightseeing tour in Samarkand including visit Shahi-Zinda necropolis  (14-15c), “Stars above Samarkand” - Ulugbek observatory  (15c), “Ruines of Afrosiab” - the excavation and museum of the ancient town (6 BC-13 AD). 

Then transfer to Shakhrisabz (170 km). Sightseeing in Shakhrisabz. After lunch drive to Bukhara (270 km). Arrival in Bukhara. Accommodation at the hotel. 

Overnight in Bukhara. 

Full day. Visit to Ismael Samani mausoleum (9-10c)-vault  of Bukhara rulers' dynasty, Chor-Minor, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14 c). Visit to Old Bukhara: Poli-Kalon ensemble, Lyab-i-Hauz (17c). 

Overnight in hotel. 

Morning domestic flight to Tashkent (HY 1322, 08:55-10:25). Arrival in Tashkent. 

Accommodation in hotel. Sightseeing tour in Tashkent including visits of Kukeldash Madrassah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, Mosque on Khasty Imam Street, Visit to Chor-Su (handicraft bazaar). Museum of History of  Uzbekistan, Museum of Applied Arts. Alisher Navoi Theater and square. Amir Timur Monument and Square. 

Overnight in hotel.

Early breakfast. Transfer to Fergana via Kamchik pass. En route lunch and sightseeing in Margilan . Visit "Yodgorlik" silk making factory. Arrival in Fergana. Accommodation in the hotel. Transfer to Rishtan.  Visit ceramic studio of Rustam Usmanov. 

Dinner in local restaurant in Fergana. 

Overnight in Fergana.

Early breakfast. Transfer to Adijan. Visit the Park with a Museum commemorating Babur, as well as Andijan's bazaar. 

At the noon time arrival at Uzbek-Kyrgyz border and meeting with your Kyrgyz guide. Transfer to the city of Osh. 

After lunch visit Sulaiman Mount, one of the main shrines of the Islamic world in Central Asia. On the mount first you visit historical museum, located right in the main cave. After excursion in the museum you follow the way of all pilgrims up to the top of the hill where you watch a little mosque of Babur, the Great Mughal Empire founder, and take a bird eye’s view of the city. 

Overnight in hotel. 

In the morning visit Osh Bazaar, the largest market in Central Asia. You walk along the colorful rows of Golden market, watch black smiths working and smell aromas of spices, fruits and vegetables of Food market. You finish your immersing into oriental life by visiting the handicraft rows. In the afternoon transfer to Sary Tash village over Taldyk pass (3615 m above sea level). This is a small village situated in Alai valley with a breathtaking mountain panorama. 
Dinner and overnight in a family guest house in Sary Tash. 

Early in the morning you drive along a smooth paved road to the Kyrgyz-Chinese border at Irkeshtam pass. Kyrgyz guide will help you with border formalities at the check-point on Kyrgyz side. Meeting with Chinese guide and transfer to Kashgar. 

Overnight in hotel. 

Today you will take the Kashgar city tour to the Idigar Mosque,Apak Hoja Tomb ,Old Town and Handicraft street. Id Kah Mosque is the large Mosque in China and most famous one in Xinjiang. Apak Hoja Tomb is the holiest place in Xinjiang and an architectural treasure Built in 1640, it is reminiscent of the Central Asian artistic style of Samarkand or Isfahan.Old town will provide a sense of what this legendary Central Asian hub was like in the days when the Silk Road was at its zenith. 500-year old remnants of the city wall, narrow lanes and colorful multi-ethnic crowds combine to make Kashgar's historic district a highlight of any visit to the city.

We have the unique opportunity to visit the Sunday Market in Kashgar, one of the highlights of our trek. It's any photographer's dream. As many as 100,000 people come in from surrounding areas to buy and sell animals and goods. Early in the morning we can see streams of people in donkey carts coming in to market. There are separate areas for animals, furniture, fabric, clothing, shish kebobs, shaves with a straight razor (including scalp), fruits and vegetables, and much more. In the animal bazaar care needs to be exhibited as horses and donkeys are being "test-driven". Also in the animal bazaar you can find cattle, sheep, goats, and camels - all in a fairly small, walled-in area. You will be free to roam the bazaar or to go along with a guide who will translate Uighur for you. 
Overnight in hotel.

In the morning you drive from Kashgar to Torugart Pass (3752 m above sea level) on the Chinese vehicle. The distance from Kashgar to the Torugart Pass is about 180 kilometers.  Your Kyrgyz car with driver and guide meets you on the pass, at the demarcation line between Kyrgyzstan and China. Your guide will help you with border formalities at the Kyrgyz side. 

You get lunch boxes with snacks after you crossed the border. After passing the customs you will be transferred to Tash Rabat. 

Dinner and overnight in yurts. 

In the morning transfer to the area of the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake . You pass greenery valley and a very dramatic pass on your way to the lake. Upon arrival accommodation in yurt camp and after you will have some free time to explore the area and enjoy the peaceful and picturesque landscapes. 

Dinner and overnight in yurt.

In the morning you have some free time to step into the nomadic life at the Son Kul Lake. Here, the Kyrgyz people still live in traditional simplicity. You can go hiking and spend time with friendly Kyrgyz families and taste their fresh airan (yogurt) and kumis (a fermented national drink from mare’s milk. 

Optionally: You can enjoy horseback riding trip in the lake area. 

In the afternoon you will be transferred to Kochkor village where you will watch how local people make felt, various carpets and other handicraft stuff. 

Dinner and overnight in a family guest house in Kochkor. 

In the morning  drive to Bishkek city via beautiful Issyk Kul Lake. 

 On the way we also visit Burana Tower (old minaret) near Tokmok town. That minaret was constructed in Balasagun town; one of the capitals of Karakhanid State existed in 12 centuries AD. Explore ruins of that important trading point at the Great Silk Road and visit a little local museum telling about that civilization. Also watch a collection of Balbals, Turkic ancient tombs. 

After excursion we continue our drive to Bishkek.Upon arrival check in hotel/guesthouse.

Optionally: During dinner we take the unique opportunity to listen to the Manaschi (a singer performing the national Kyrgyz epos, Manas) and see Kyrgyz folk-show.The musicians in traditional Kyrgyz costumes present you a wide range of national musical instruments – starting from Komuz (a thre- stringed wooden musical instrument)  to Chopo Choi (wind instrument made of mountain reed ). You hear the fascinating singing of young Kyrgyz ladies as well as an opera singer. 

Dinner in a local restaurant with Asian and European cuisine. Overnight in hotel/guest house in Bishkek.

In the morning you will be transferred to the international airport “Manas” to catch your flight back home.