Road to Samarkand Tour
| Resort: | Road to Samarkand Tour |
| Operator: | Wendy Wu Tours |
| Destination: | Uzbekistan |
| Price From: | £5790.00 |
Overview22 Day Road to Samarkand Tour Tour ItineraryDAYS 1-2 FLY TO BISHKEKFly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. In the evening, enjoy a traditional folklore show during dinner. DAY 3 HORSEBACK GAMESJourney to Chon Kemin, a quiet valley with small villages surrounded by magnificent mountains and a fir forest. Take in the daily life in Ashu Village and witness horseback games, a nomadic tradition and custom of the Kyrgyz people. DAY 4 CHOLPON-ATADrive to Cholpon-Ata to see many animal petroglyphs etched into glacial stone and take a cruise on Lake Issyk Kul. Later, continue to Karakol. DAYS 5-6 EXPLORE KARAKOLVisit the Przhevalsky Museum and examine the regions diverse religious influences with visits to the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and the Chinese mosque. Take an afternoon stroll in Jety-Oguz Gorge and through the beautiful Valley of Flowers where you can enjoy horseback riding, visit a yurt and have a cup of tea or the Kyrgyz national beverage. Later, visit Irdyk village to see a local mosque and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local Dungan family. The next day, visit Skazka Canyon, known as Fairy Tale Canyon and Barskaun Gorge to take a light hike to a waterfall. Watch a demonstration of Eagle Hunting in Bokonbaevo village. Stay overnight in a Yurt Camp and try your hand at baking flatbread in a traditional oven. DAY 7 FELT WORKSHOPVisit Kyzyl-Suu village to see the yurt installation process. Enjoy the breathtaking views as you continue to Naryn, stopping en route in Kochkor to visit a felt workshop and see the manufacturing of carpets. DAY 8 KYRGYZ NOMADSSurrounded by broad summer pastures dotted with yurts, grazing cattle and mountains, travel to the alpine Son Kul Lake, the largest fresh water lake in Kyrgyzstan and experience the traditional life of Kyrgyz nomads. Continue over Terskei-Torpok Pass and travel back to Kochkor. Stay overnight at a homestay. DAY 9 EXPLORE BISHKEKReturn to Bishkek and visit the 12th Century Burana Tower en route. Known for its wide, leafy boulevards, marble faced buildings and Soviet-era architecture, Bishkek is the capital and largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located at the foothill of magnificent Kyrgyz Ala-Tau mountain range. This afternoon, visit Ala Too Square, Oak Park and the newly restored Museum of History. DAY 10 TASHKENTSpend the day enjoying a leisurely hike in Ala Archa National Park. In the evening, fly to Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan. DAY 11 EXPLORE NUKUSFly to Nukus and visit Savitskiy Museum, home to one of the finest collections of Soviet avant-garde art from the 1920s and 30s to gain an insight into the Central Asias unique cultural heritage. Also explore Mizdahkan, an Islamic complex in Hojeli Village. DAY 12 DESERT FORTRESSThe ancient city of Khiva has a long and turbulent history as part of the Silk Road and a slave trading post. This fascinating destination is lovely to explore discover the magnificent 17th Century Kuhna Ark Fortress and wander around the many medressahs, mosques and minarets within the walled inner town called Itchan Kala. DAY 13 KUHNA ARK FORTRESSDiscover the magnificent desert fortress of Chalpik Kala, Kizil Kala Fortress, Toprak Kala Fortress, Ayaz Kala and Kryrkkyz Kala. Arrive in Khiva. DAYS 14-16 SACRED BUKHARAAfter a days drive across the Kyzyl Kum Desert, arrive at the holiest city in Central Asia, Bukhara. Bukhara has a long history spanning 2,500 years and has an atmospheric old centre. Spend two days seeing the sights, with visits to Kalon Minaret, the Ark Fortress, Bolo Hauz Mosque, Chor Minor, Labi-Hauz Plaza and the summer residence of the last Bukharan Emirs where you will enjoy a cultural folk show in the evening. DAYS 17-19 SAMARKANDPerhaps the most notable name in Silk Road history, Samarkand is a UNESCO World Heritage city with an evocative skyline of domes and minarets it has a mystical presence. Drive to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of the great historical leader Tamerlane and explore the sights of the city. Over the next two days, visit some of the many historical sites of Samarkand including Gur Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square with its three beautiful madrasahs, the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Shah-I-Zinda necropolis, Ulugh Beg Observatory and the Mausoleum of Prophet Daniil. Also, spend time at a paper making workshop in Konigil Village. DAY 20 SAMARKAND TO TASHKENTBegin the return journey to Tashkent, passing through the impressive Gates of Tamerlane. The afternoon will be spent exploring this eccentric city, visiting the 16th Century Kukeldash Medressa, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, Khan Medressa and Khast Imom Complex. Also see the Chorsu Bazaar, a traditional market under a beautiful blue dome and the Crying Mother Monument. DAY 21 EVEN MORE TASHKENTExplore famous sights around Tashkent including the Museum of Applied Arts, the 1966 earthquake memorial, Independence Square, Alishedr Navoi Theatre and the Amir Timur Maydoni. Also explore Broadway Street where you will see local artisans and painters. DAY 22 FLY TASHKENT TO UKFly to the UK, arriving home later the same day. |
