Markets and Minarets of the Silk Road
Tashkent to Kashgar

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Tashkent

Upon arrival in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, you will be greeted by our guide and escorted to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Hotel (D)

Day 02: Tashkent-Urgench Khiva

Depending on the flight schedule, transfer to the airport for flight to Khiva. Upon arrival we have a short drive to Khiva city for a half day city tour.
Overnight in Hotel (BD)

Day 03: Khiva: City Tour

Legend has it that Khiva was founded when Shem, son of Noah, discovered a well here. The town certainly existed by the 8th Century, as a minor fort and trading post on a Silk Road branch to the Caspian Sea and the Volga. In the early 16th century, Khiva was made capital of the Timurid Empire, becoming a busy slave market and pivot of the khanate for the next three centuries. Until Russia finally wrested the region from Timurid grasp in the 19th century, even the boldest hearts feared encounters with these fierce tribesmen and their desert territory. Khiva is an ancient walled city and looks much like it did in centuries past. It is one of the few sites in Central Asia where one can easily imagine life during the time of the emirates. We will spend the morning wandering its maze of ruins and great mosques. Later, a tour of this living museum including the Ichon-Qala gates, Muhammad Amin and Rakhim Khan's Medressas, Tosh-Khovli Palace, Islom-Huja Medressa and Minaret. Dinner will be served at Toza Bogh Palace (Summer residence of Muhammad Rahim Khan II).
Overnight in Khiva at hotel (BD)

Day 04: Khiva - Bukhara

Our drive to Bukhara is through the arid setting of the Kyzyl Kum Desert. Along the way we stop for some refreshments and see how humans have survived over the centuries in this unforgiving landscape. With buildings spanning 1,000 years of history and a thoroughly lived-in city centre that hasn't changed much in two centuries, Bukhara is one of the best places in Central Asia to catch a glimpse of pre-Russian Turkestan. Most of the city centre is an architectural preserve and includes a massive royal fortress, plenty of former Madrassas, a number of ancient public baths and the remnants of a once-vast market complex. There are over 140 protected buildings in the city.
Overnight in Bukhara at hotel (BD)

Day 05: Bukhara: City Tour

Today we explore the old quarter on foot. Bukhara is an ancient city with its bustling "trade domes," active mosques, and the Kalyan Minaret ("tower of death"), one of Central Asia's tallest. We'll stroll around the streets and visit the old town center where old men with long white beards gossip for hours while drinking tea. Bukhara has been designated a World Heritage Site; the resulting restoration of some of the mosques, constructed in the 11th to 15th centuries, to make them appear as if they were built yesterday. There are even some structures still standing that date back to Zorastrian times 2,500 years ago.
We also visit the massive fortress, The Ark, with the Emir's open-air throne room and the Mausoleum of Ismail Samani, an intricate and beautiful 10th century brick structure that is nicely preserved. We'll also venture to the outskirts of Bukhara and visit the summer palace of the last emir, built by a Russian Czar with grand halls and a harem. We will also see Char Minar, a gate of a ancient madrassa long time gone. It was built in 1809 and has more in common with Indian art styles than local. Its name comes from Tajik although the towers you can see are not actually minarets but simply decorative towers. Evening watch the traditional Bukhara folk show
Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 06: Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand

We depart early for Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, where we tour Ak-Saray Palace, Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, House of Meditation and the Crypt of Timur, a man who changed the course of history and made a signfigant difference to Central Asia. There's little left of Timur's Ak-Saray Palace except bits of the gigantic, 40 m (98 foot) high entrance covered with gorgeous filigree like blue, white and gold mosaics, but it's staggering to try and imagine what the rest of this glorious summer palace must have looked like. We continue later to Samarkand. For most people, Samarkand is as mythical as Atlantis or as remote and legendary as Tombouctou. The sublime larger-than-life monuments of Timur, the technicolour bazaar and the city's long, rich history work a special kind of magic. On arrival we'll visit the old bazaars for which this exotic city is famous. Overnight in Samarkand at hotel (BD)

Day 07: Samarkand: City Tour

Samarkand, sometimes called the ‘Rome of the Orient' was already flourishing when Rome and Babylon were founded. During the course of our full day tour we visit the famous Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Mausoleum of Tamerlane, Observatory of Ulughbek, the site where Uleg Bek, grandson of Tamerlane, made some of the greatest achievements of the pre-telescope era of astronomy in the 15th century. We also visit the regal mausoleums of Shah-I Zinda, site of Central Asia's most sacred Islamic shrine, the massive mosque of Bibi Khanym, and the adjacent colourful market. You can purchase Samarkand's famous bread which Alexander the Great unsuccessfully tried to have duplicated back home in Greece, or try some of the region's local produce, from grapes to the world's tastiest melons of multiple varieties. Our afternoon tour covers the Afrosiab Museum, located on the site of ancient Afrosiab and the Historical Museum of Uzbek Culture and Art.
Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 08: Samarkand-Tashkent

Scenic drive along the eastern spurs of the Pamir Ranges to Tashkent.
We continue on a city tour of Tashkent visiting mosques and madrassas (Islamic schools) housing craft workshops dating from the 14th century. We visit the Kukeldash medressa, a grand 16th century academy undergoing restoration; the History Museum of Uzbekistan and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 09: Fergana valley

Drive by car through Kamchik Mountains pass to the beautiful green Fergana Valley, en route we visit Kokand and the Museum in the Fort of the Last Ruler (Khudayor Khan) to admire the collection of exhibits related to the times of the Last Ruler's regime. We also visit Museum Norbuta - Bia madrassa and Modarikhon mausoleum. Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 10: Ferghana valley Dostuk border – Osh

Morning sightseeing of Ferghana valley, later transfer to Dostuk Kyrgyz/Uzbek border. Upon arrival we are met by our Kyrgyz guide for our transfer to Osh town. Afternoon city tour of Osh including a visit to Suleyman Mountain, Baburs house, the History Museum, Rabat Abdullah Khan Mosque and Mausoleum and Osh Bazaar.  Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 11: Osh-Chickan

In the morning drive to Chickan en-route stopping at Ozgen,
Overnight in Hotel (BD)

Day 12: Chickan-Bishkek-Chong-Keming valley

In the morning drive to Bishkek. Our journey takes us through the Susamyr Valley, Teo-Ashu tunnel and pass, Ala-Bel pass, Hydro-Power stations, Chickan Valley, Marble Pyramid and the Toktogul Water Reserviour, We will make a stop in Bishkek for city tour, later drive to Chong Kemin; Chong Kemin lies within the Tian Shan mountain range separating Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan with lush green valley and snow-capped peaks.
You will have a chance to explore one of the famous old soviet collective farms with potato fields. We will have dinner with locally made traditional meals.
We spend a night in one of the local guest house fully decorated with antique embroidery of handicrafts and felts with modern facilities.  Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 13: Cholpon-Ata Issyk Kul Lake

Morning we spend in Chong-Kemin exploring around the valley, hike up to the forest to see the panoramic view of Kalmak-Ashuu valley.
After lunch drive to Chol Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul. En-route we stop at Burana tower.
Overnight in Hotel (BD)

Day14:  Karakol

Drive to Karakol, one of the first towns of the Russian Cossak settlements in late 19th century. En-route we visit Przevalski’s (a great Russian explorer from the  late 19th century) Memorial Museum.  After lunch, sightseeing of Karakol. We visit the museum, Dungan Pagoda type of mosque and Orthodox wooden Church. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 15: Day trip to Altyn Arshan valley

Full day exploration of Altyn-Arashan valley, where you can have a nice warm bath at one of the hot spring or hike around the area. Later return to the Karakul.
Overnight in hotel  (BD)

Day 16: Karakol – Tamga village

In the morning drive to Tamga village en-route we stop at Jety Oguz Canyon where you have chance to for some hiking or a horse ride through the beautiful scenery.
Overnight in Guest house (BD)

Day 17: Song Kul Lake

After breakfast drive through picturesque mountain gorges to Song Kul Lake. Free afternoon to explore the beautiful surrounding area.
Overnight in Yurt (BD)

Day 18: Song Kul Lake free day

Full free day to explore the area meet the local shepherds or take an optional horse ride or hike up to the nearby Mountains.
Overnight in Yurt (BD)

Day 19: Tash Rabat

In the morning transfer to Tash-Rabat towards the Chinese border. visit the Caravan Sarai dated from 11th century which served as a fortress for travellers along the Great Silk Road.
Overnight in Yurt (BD)

Day 20: Kashgar (China)

Early in the morning transfer to Kyrgyz Chinese border at Torugart. After border formalities you will be met by our Chinese guide and driver and transferred to Kashgar. (BD)

Day 21: Kashgar Karakul Lake

Day trip to Karakul Lake along the famous Karakorum Highway. The scenery along the way is magnificent. We will be stopping at the Lake where you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Muztagh-ata Mountain. After lunch, free time to enjoy the area. Later return to Kashgar for overnight in hotel (BD)

Day 22: Kashgar Sunday Market

This day is planned to coincide with the famous Sunday market in Kashgar where everything from carpets, blankets, foods, horses, donkeys, sheep’s and even camels are for sale! Wonderful assortments of people come from all over the region, and the population of the town swells by 100,000! This is truly one of the most incredible bazaars in Asia, and a photographer’s paradise!
After the market visit we tour the Eidgah Mosque, Abakh Hoja Tomb and old town
Overnight in Hotel (BD)

Day 23: Onward Flight

Our Service will end with airport transfer (B)