Tour to Celestial Lakes

Tour 3: Tour to Celestial Lakes
Duration: 16 days
Countries: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan
In short: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand – Jartepo – Dushanbe – Khoburubot – Kalai Khum – Khorog – Yashil Kul Lake – Bulunkul Lake – Murgab – Karakul Lake – Kyrgyz border – Osh – Bishkek – Almaty – Issyk lake – Almaty

Day 1: Tashkent
You will be met and transferred after your arrival to sightseeing. At first you will visit main square - Independence square, symbol over fascism in WWII. Then you will visit the local Broadway, street that lays between Independence square and Amir Timur square. Also you will have a ride in the one of the most popular and beautiful metro in the world. The first line of it was opened in 1977.  After it you will go to the old part of the city such as Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The main attraction oft this tour is the world’s oldest Quran copy of 8th c. Owner of this copy was Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Othman was killed by non-muslims in 8th century.  The blood still can be found blood on pages of the  Quran. Night is in a hotel.

Day 2: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva
Morning flight to Urgench and transfer to Khiva. You will have a fascinating tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. It will be taken in the Ichan-Qala that is encircled with walls. Here you can find centuries old buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses made Ichan-Qala into exceptional city-monument. Ichan-Qala became a historical and architectural conservation area in 1969. The most important and impressive sight of it are Kunya-Ark fortress of 17th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, an incredible example of Khorezm architectural mastership of 1830s. Night is in a hotel.

Day 3: Khiva – Bukhara
Today you will drive to an amazing city of Bukhara. Due to more than 140 architectural sites Bukhara became - "town museum" dating to the Middle Ages. Bukhara is made of narrow streets, green parks and gardens, historical and architectural monuments of different epochs, but locate very close to each other. The road that connects Khiva to Bukhara lays through Kizilkum desert. Also you will be fascinated by the view of Amu Darya river, the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the merge of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan and flowing into Aral See. Returning to Bukhara. Night is in a hotel.

Day 4: Bukhara
Your day will start with having city tour in Bukhara. Here you will visit impressive citadel that is called Citadel Ark dating to 4th century. This site was used to as palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then goes the masterwork of9th -10th century - Samanids mausoleum. After it you will see Chashma Ayub that means job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, well known as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Abu-Fayud Khan that was governor of Bukhara. You will have opportunity to walk in the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara - Nodir Divan Begi, which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble. It is famous central sightseeing of Bukhara.You tour will end after visiting Poi Kalon complex, the exceptional example of Bukhara’s architectural art. It has three structures, was built in the 12th – 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night is in a hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara – Samarkand
You will reach Samarkand by using morning train. This city is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. Being the second largest city in Uzbekistan, it also has the same age as the city of Babylon or Rome. Today you are going to visit the most remarkable sights of the city such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. After you see a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating to 15th-17th centuries of Registan Square you won’t stop admire it. Big collection of mausoleums dating to 11th-15th centuries of Shakhi-Zindeh architectural complex is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 6: Samarkand – Jartepo
After crossing Jarpeto border you will drive to Penjakent city. Penjakent or five villages is situated in Khujand area of Tajikistan in a fascinating Zeravshan river valley. It is believed that five villages began the history of this wonderful city, which appeared in the 5-8 centuries AD. The Penjakent of those times was one of the most important cultural and craft centers of Sogd, which had the name "Central Asian Pompeii". It was a strengthened well-organized city with a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The remains of this city were found in the last century. Nowadays you can see the ruins of houses and office buildings, the citadel with the palace, the house of craftsmen, and fire worshipers church. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 7: Penjakent – Dushanbe
Morning transfer to Dushanbe city through Shahriston pass of 3 378 m high. You will have a whole day of city tour. At first you will go to see Rudake Park, National library, White House, National state seal, and House of parliament. You will have a walk to National park to take photos of Ministry of Inner Affairs and the biggest National Flag in the world. The size of this flag is 165 m high pole, 30 m wide, 60 m long. Having a lunch after visiting Central Museum. Then excursion goes to Gurminj Museum of traditional musical instruments. Also you will visit Asian Bazaar to experienced real life of the local people and find such interesting and colorful goods, fruits and vegetables. We will see today the major sight of Dushanbe and learn many other interesting facts about Tajik people. Night is in a hotel.

Day 8: Dushanbe – Khoburubot – Kalai Khum
Kalai Khum village is your destination today. The way goes through the mountainous road and passes. You will drive via Khoburubot Pass of 3 252 m high that is very famous as Western Pamir Tract. On the way you will see the most outstanding river valley and fascinating gorges in the terrain, here you can have a stop for rest and take photos of the mountain and rivers. Also you will meet locals, Tajik people are very hard working, hospitable, and kind-hearted. They are significantly respects traditions and folklore. This trip is good for the lovers of exotics, those who curious about the ethnic and cultural differences and love the glory of wild nature. Overnight is in a hotel. 

Day 9: Kalai Khum – Khorog
You will have a morning transfer to Khorog. This city is very small even on the worlds map. This city is encircled by rocky mountains. It was built in thee fusion of 3 rivers where Shokhdara river and Ghund river flow into Pyanj river. On the way you will meet Pamir people, they have a bit different appearance compared to Tajik people. Among Pamiris a lot of people have blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. Pamirs Mountains are the highest mountains in the world with human population after the Himalayas in Tibet. Life in the mountains made traditions of local people and Tajik people different. Dinner is in a restaurant. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 10: Khorog – Yashil Kul Lake – Bulunkul Lake – Murgab
Toady you will have a drive to the most beautiful lakes of the Pamir- Yashil Kul and Bulunkul (Blue lakes). They altitude are 3 700 meters above sea level, are situated in the Murghab district. Dueto sun light it has a very unique color of water, there a lot of species of fish in the lake. Also you will have opportunity to see yaks, an exceptional species of domestic animals, shares features of cow and sheep, traditionally used as a beast of burden apart from giving milk and meat products. On the way to the lake you will drive over Koitezak pass of 4 271 m high. Night is in a guesthouse.

Day 11: Murgab – Karakul Lake – Kyrgyz border – Osh
Today you will visit one of the most attractive lakes in the Pamir Tract - Karakul Lake with the latitude of 3, 815 m high. The translation of this lake is “The Black Lake”. To reach this lake you need to drive through the highest Ak Baital pass 4 655 m high. Karakul is the highest large alpine lake of the world, apart from lakes in Tibet and Titicaca. The lake is located in a crater from a meteorite and is encircled by marshy and wet meadows and swamps with rich flora and fauna and several endemic species. Flooding, melting permafrost and buried ice sheets form a landscape with small mounds and a wide variety of small streams and watercourses between 3,500 and 4,000 meters. Rich vegetation is grazed by wild and domestic ungulates. Rich vegetation is grazed by wild and domestic ungulates. Then you will go to the border with Kyrgyzstan to continue your trip to Osh. Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 12: Osh – Bishkek
Osh city is famous for its central site- Suleiman Mountain. Suleiman Too (Solomon’s Mountain) is a holy place for local muslin pilgrims. As the legend says, biblical prophet Solomon (Suleiman in the Koran) was buried at the foot of it. Then we will go to visit Asian Bazaar to enjoy the lifestyle of local people. Evening transfer to airport for flight to Bishkek city. Night is in a hotel.

Day 13: Bishkek – Almaty
In Bishkek you will have a city tour. You will visit the most famous and interesting places such as: Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, the National Arts Museum, National Philharmonic, and many other places of interest. After having a lunch you will be transferred to Almaty city. The road will take 4 hours after arrival you will visit Arbat on the Panfilov’s alley. The Arbat Market is very good and pleasant place for having tour in Almaty. The whole alley is full of artists selling their works of art of local landscapes, giving a good representation of the beauty of Kazakhstan. Arbat is a very popular area with the locals going to TSUM shopping mall nearby to buy, barter and sell goods. Overnight is in a hotel.

Day 14: Almaty   
Today you will start your tour by visiting main sites and learning more about history and development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan. At first you will visit the place that is popular among locals - the Green Bazaar. In this place it will be hard to not haggle. The goes the one of the oldest parks in Almaty – Panfilov Park. Here you can visit the one of the most iconic and interesting wooden buildings in the world – Zenkov Cathedral. Also you will visit site that was built in honor for those who died for freedom and independence of the country. After you will learn all the parts of this city, the road will leads us to the Medeo gorge. This gorge is the most famous for the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflows. Kok-Tobe hill is a place where the tallest TV tower in the world is located and where for reaching to this place you need to ride via scenic winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can jaunt on the winding paths of the park, enjoy the magnificent view of the city from the special deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. You will return back by using famous Almaty cableway. Night is in the hotel.

Day 15: Almaty – Issyk lake – Almaty
Today you will go to the Kuldja tract where many years ago the trade caravans travelled. On the way to it you will find out more information about history of this region and see the burial mounds of Sakas period, where the famous "Golden Man" was found. This Golden Man became the state symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition you will have opportunity to have excursion in the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, gere you can see expositions dedicated to the history and culture of the Sakas period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Sakas burial mound. After it our way goes to the 1756 meters above sea level where the magnificent alpine lake Issyk is situated.  Due to the landslide this lake appeared about 10 000 year ago, furthermore it formed the natural dam of 300 meters in height. On the lake you will be amaze by the beauty of the water surface and the Issyk Gorge. Here you will listen about the natural disaster of 1963. Also at the lake you will have a picnic and free time to explore the nature. Night is in the hotel.

Day 16: Airport
In the morning is transfer to airport.  

Transport in Uzbekistan:
02 pax – Sedan
04-06 pax – Minivan
08-10 pax – Minibus 

Transport in Tajikistan:
02-04 pax – Hyundai Starex
06- 08 pax – 2 cars: Hyundai Starex
10 pax – 3 cars: Hyundai Starex   

Transport in Kyrgyzstan:
02 pax – Mitsubishi Delica
04-10 pax – 1 Mercedes Sprinter 

Price per person:
02 pax – 2 315 $
04 pax – 1 640 $
06 pax – 1 575 $
08 pax – 1 355 $
10 pax – 1 350 $
Single – 260 $

Early check-in – 30 $ 
Single early check-in – 50 $  

All dinners – 225 $*
All lunches and dinners – 410 $*

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

Flight tickets Tashkent – Urgench – from 80 $ per person
 

English speaking guides:
UZ – local 150 $ per group or escort 420 $ per group
TJ – 680 $ per group
KG – 225 $ per group
KZ – 290 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
      Tashkent – “Samir” Hotel 3*
      Khiva – “Old Khiva” Hotel 3*
      Bukhara – “Porso” Hotel 3*
      Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
      Penjakent – “Umariyon” Hotel 3*
      Dushanbe – “Meridians” Hotel 3*
      Kalai Khum – “Karon Palace” Hotel 4*
      Khorog – “Lal” Guesthouse
      Murgab – “Pamir” Guesthouse
      Osh – “Sun Rise” Hotel 3*
      Bishkek – “Discovery” 3* or “Garden” 4*
      Almaty – “Kazakhstan” Hotel 3*
- Entrances to all museums
- Mineral water during the tour
- Train tickets Bukhara - Samarkand
- Flight tickets Osh – Bishkek (15 kg limit, extra 2 $ per kg) 

Service does not include:
- Meals
- Single rooms
- Early check-in
- Travel insurance
- Visa and visa support
- English speaking guide
- Flight tickets Tashkent – Urgench

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