Ak kalpak hat Tour

Tour 3: Ak kalpak hat Tour
Duration: 16 days
Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
In short: Almaty – Charyn – Issyk – BAO – Bishkek – Issyk Kul northern shore – Karakol – Bishkek – Osh – Khudjand – Iskanderkul Lake – 7 lakes – Penjakent – Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara – Khiva – Tashkent 

Day 1: Almaty
Welcome to travel in Almaty. Today you will have the city tour. Enjoy central parts of Almaty. Travelling here will give the opportunity to learn more about history and development the Southern capital of Kazakhstan. There are a lot of attractions will inspire you in tours.  We would like you to visit the famous Green Bazaar. Being there you will have the opportunity for shopping. Don’t miss bargain there. Buy sweets and souvenirs there! After that toy will have the chance to visit the oldest Almaty parks – Panfilov Park. It is the wonderful park full of trees and flowers. Later on visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame which was built to the memory of the fighters who lost life for freedom and independence of the country. Then you can visit the Medeo Gorge and enjoy skating rink. Travellers like to visit it. Then you can visit the Kok-Tobe where you will see the biggest TV tower in the world. Don’t miss to capture it! You will enjoy the landscape of green land. Also you can find shopping domes and buy gifts for your friends and family. After that you will drive to the top of the hill to the center of the city by the Almaty cableway. We are sure you will enjoy it! Afterwards we will drive to hotel.

Day 2: Almaty – Charyn – Almaty
The driver will take you and drive you to Charyn Canyon on a comfortable car or minivan. We are glad to inform you that we provide 1,5L of bottled water. In addition you can some snacks and drinks as well but in a container with a lid on it. To reach to the canyon will take about 4 hours. After that you will have an opportunity to visit the local museum of traditional decorative and applied arts and crafts. Don’t miss to take photos of them! When you arrive to Charyn Canyon, you will see a beautiful view of panorama and have a short hiking trip. If you walk for about 2 km through the maze of the Castles Valley you will see wonderful shapes of this amazing place.  Also the bottom of the Canyon has a small slope to the end of the walk, thus you will see additional retreat on the bank of icy cold Charyn River. There are yurts (felt dwellings) as well as open air café which work only in summer season. You will have the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful panoramic views.

Day 3: Almaty – Issyk – Almaty
Today we will drive to the wonderful Trans-Ili Alatau - Issyk Gorge which is situated along the Kuldja tract. Before ancient traders used to cross this gorge. On the way you will enjoy nature and learn more about history of this region. Also you will see the burial mounds of Saka period, where the famous "Golden Man" was found and later became the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Then visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”. There are historical attributes devoted to the history and culture of the Saka period as well as a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment and of course the model of Saka burial mound. You will drive to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level and see wonderful mountain lake Issyk. It is important to note that this lake appeared about 10,000 years ago because of landslide of the natural dam of about 300 meters in height. In addition you will see turquoise colors of its water surface and the Issyk Gorge. Also there is a natural disaster happened in 1963. After that picnic and free time. Afterwards is transfer to hotel.

Day 4: Almaty – BAO – Almaty – Bishkek
We are glad to present the tour of travelling to the Big Almaty gorge of an altitude of 2,510 m above sea level where you can see the Big Almaty Lake. We have no doubt you will love it. It is considered to be one of the most picturesque lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau. The surface of the lake is calm and surrounded by celestial mountains. The Big Almaty Lake appeared due to movement of an ancient glacier. The temperature of water is always pleasant and even in July the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees. Water of this lake is potable and thus the access to this lake is controlled by government. You will get acquainted with scientific premises for astronomical and space researches near the Big Almaty Lake of an altitude of 3300 meters above sea level. Being there you will have the chance to see panorama view and capture it! The lake is surrounded by the great mountain peaks covered with Tian-Shan fir-tree, aspen and juniper. Afterwards we will drive to Bishkek at 15:00. It will take about 4 hours. The night will be spent in a hotel.

Day 5: Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul northern shore
Today you will have Bishkek City Tour. Visit the Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Сentral Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and others. Then we will travel to the famous Issyk Kul Lake. You will see the second largest alpine lake in the world of 1608 m. above sea level which is also called "the pearl of Central Asia". The interesting thing that this lake is never freezes. Later on we will visit wonderful Burana Tower (11th century) as well as an open air museum of Balbals or stone warriors. Overnight will spent in the hotel.

Day 6: Issyk Kul – Grigorievskoye – Semenovskoye – Karakol
The morning will start by driving to Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye gorges. You will be impressed by the national park of green meadows and pastures. There are a lot of waterfalls and small mountain streams. Don’t miss to capture evergreen forest and take the smell of landscape. After that we will drive to Karakol city and get acquainted with the Dungan mosque (was built without nails) in Chinese style.  You can also see an old wooden Orthodox Church and enjoy ancient heritage. Your night is in a guesthouse.

Day 7: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Issyk Kul southern shore – Bishkek
We will start our day to Jeti Oguz gorge (Seven Bulls). When you arrive there you will see seven rocks situated in a row. On its back you will see the Broken Heart Mountain. Spend 20 minutes and see wonderful panoramic view of gorge! After that we will drive to Bokonbaeva village and meet berkutchi (an eagle hunter). You will have the opportunity to take photos with them and participate in eagle hunting. We are sure you will like to hold them! Over the time, we will continue the route to Bishkek. Today you will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 8: Bishkek – Osh – Guliston – Khudjand
You will have the flight to Osh city in the morning and then drive to Tajik border. You will drive among mountain passes. On your route you will drive through Batken region and see apricot trees and of course the unique flower – Aigul. You will be met by Tajik driver who accompanies you to Khujand city. You will pass by Anzob pass (3 372 m) and enjoy panoramic views. It is important to note that Khujand is the second largest city of Tajikistan and situated on the Syr Darya River at the mouth of the Fergana Valley. The population of the city is about 149,000. In addition it is the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan, now called Sughd. Visit the Cultural Palace of Khujant where the first president of Tajikistan was chosen. Then we will see the Central Mosque in the middle of the city. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 9: Khudjand – Iskanderkul Lake
We are glad to present the next day of visiting the Mountain lake – Iskanderkul (2 255 m. a. s. l.). In the course of tours you will find it in the famous Fann Mountains. It is considered to be one of the beautiful places in Central Asia. You will have the opportunity to see warm beaches and enjoy magnificent background. If you spend 40 minutes you will see stunning waterfall. It is worth saying that Tajikistan takes the second place among the CIS countries for volume of water resources as well as has the highest water reserves of all Central Asian countries with more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. You will spend the night in a guesthouse.

Day 10: Iskanderkul – 7 lakes – Penjakent
Today’s tour is dedicated to visiting the Fannsky Gory (Fan Mountains). They are best for hiking! After that we will visit Seven Lakes (Marquzor Lakes) where you can have a short hiking trip. On the way you will see 7 lakes with different colors and altitudes. In addition you will meet with locals and learn more about their culture. After hiking visit the Penjakent. Talking about this city of Penjakent ("five villages"), it is located in Khujand area of Tajikistan near Zeravshan river valley. This wonderful city appeared in the 5th and 8th centuries AD and nowadays became one of the most important cultural and crafts centers of Sogd. The second name of this city is "Central Asian Pompeii". Being there you will find two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses with paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods and others, while the ruins of this ancient city were found only in the last century. Nowadays travellers will have the opportunity to see the remains of dwelling houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshiper’s church. The night will be spent in a local guesthouse.

Day 11: Penjakent – Jartepo – Samarkand
You will have morning transfer to the border at 10 am and arrive to Samarkand city. You will have the city tour. Talking about Samarkand, it is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan and considered to be the second largest city of Uzbekistan like Babylon or Rome. Then you will visit Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square has three Madrasahs (15th and 17th centuries) and considered to be one of the most visited places among travellers. Visit the Shakhi-Zindeh and find mausoleums (11th and 15th centuries). It is important to note that this place is included to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built to the memory of Tamerlane’s wife. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 12: Samarkand city – Gijduvan – Bukhara
Having a hearty breakfast you will drive to Bukhara. You will have the stop at Gijduvan village where you can visit private pottery workshop. We will learn more about Gijduvan ceramics. Talking about this skill, it passed from father to son from generation to generation and nowadays became the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. It is also well-known by a geometric pattern with green and blue colors of products. Then we will drive to Bukhara. Night is in a hotel.

Day 13: Bukhara
We are glad to present the city tour of visiting Bukhara city. Visit Citadel Ark belonging to 4th century which connected several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Also you can see Samanids mausoleum of 9th and 10th century.  It is very beautiful! We will continue our route to Chashma Ayub or Job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque which unites forty columns and built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. After that you can visit shops and get gifts for your family and friends. Also you will have the chance to visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble. Your day will end visiting Poi Kalon complex, it is one of the main architectural arts of Bukhara. When you enter there you will see three structures built in the 12th and 16th centuries. There are Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah in it. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 14: Bukhara – Khiva
In the morning we will travel to Khiva. You will find there more than 140 architectural monuments. In general Bukhara city or a "town museum" goes back to the middle Ages. In the tour you will find narrow green streets with shops as well as parks and gardens, historical and architectural monuments of different centuries. The road from Khiva to Bukhara goes through Kizilkum desert where you can see the view to Amu Darya River (the deepest river in Central Asia, molded by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan) and flowing into Aral See. On arrival in Khiva, you will get a break and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 15: Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent
We are glad to present the stunning tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. You will visit the inside of Ichan-Qala with strong walls. You will visit old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses altered Ichan-Qala into inimitable city-monument. Ichan-Qala has over 400 traditional dwelling houses and 60 architectural monuments. Ichan-Qala was historical and architectural conservation area in 1969. You can also visit outstanding Kunya-Ark fortress (17th century), found by Muhammad Arang Khan. Also there are Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace which are the great masterpiece of Khorezm found in 1830s. You will have the evening flight in Tashkent. Your night is in the hotel.

Day 16: Tashkent – Airport
Morning transfer to airport. 

Price per person:
02 pax – 2 325 $
04 pax – 1 645 $
06 pax – 1 440 $
08 pax – 1 310 $
10 pax – 1 235 $
Single – 265 $

Early check-in – 30 $
Single early check-in – 45 $ 

Half board – 240 $*
Full board – 415 $*

Entrance fees in UZ* (with escort guide only) – 50 $ per person 

English speaking guides:
KG – 435 $ per group
UZ – local 130 $ per group or escort 370 $ per group
TJ – 445 $ per group
KZ – 420 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
       Almaty – “Kazakhstan” Hotel 3*
       Issyk Kul – “Karven” Resort
       Karakol – “Karagat” Hotel 4* or “Green Yard” Guesthouse
       Bishkek – “Discovery” 3* or “Garden” 4*
       Khujand – “Firuz” Hotel 4*
       Iskandarkul – “Dilovar” Gueshouse
       Penjakent – “Umariyon” Hotel 3*
       Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
       Bukhara – “Old City” Hotel 3*
       Khiva – “Porso” Hotel 3*
       Tashkent – “Samir” Hotel 3*
- Mineral water supply
- Entrances to all museums in Kg, Kz & Tj
- Flight tickets Bishkek – Osh (15 kg limit, extra 2 $ per kg)            

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Museum admissions in Uz
- Flight tickets Urgench-Tashkent

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