Name of trip:  Three Stans of the Great Silk Road 

Tour’s destinations: Issyk Kul, Karakol, Bishkek, Khujand, Iskanderkul Lake, Penjakent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent 

Arrival to: Bishkek

Departure from: Tashkent

Day 1: Bishkek – Burana – Issyk Kul northern shore
Today you will arrive to Manas International Airport. This day you will transfer to Bishkek and discover the fascinating city tour. During the tour you will discover main sites of the capital as Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic and many others sights. Further you will transfer to glorious place of Kyrgyzstan Issyk Kul. Issyk-Kul is one of the largest lakes that exist in the world. The natural attraction of Kyrgyzstan is called the precious pearl of Asia. The reservoir is located in the north-eastern region of the republic, surrounded by the Kungei-Alatoo and Terskey Alatoo mountain ranges belonging to the Tien Shan. In terms of water purity, it ranks second after Lake Baikal. The high salt content and mild climate do not allow the lake to freeze even at sub-zero temperatures. The main geographical attraction of Issyk-Kul is its location: the lake is located at 1608 m above the world ocean level. About 80 small tributaries flow into the lake. In course of the tour you will also discover Burana Tower(11th century) minaret and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). The night will be in the hotel.

Day 2: Issyk Kul – Grigorievskoye – Semenovskoye – Karakol
This day you will direct through the charming Semenovskoye and Grigorievskoye. Today you will observe the fascinating gorges and they are connected at the end. Today you will start the tour in one and finish it in the other. This day you will also discover the fascinating scenery, see beautiful landscapes, enjoy mountain peaks with snow-capped peaks, see juniper forests, visit lakes, as well as local residents and yurts waiting for you on the way. You will also have a chance to capture this moment. After that you will direct along the northern shore of the lake and visit Karakol town. This day you will observe the fabulous sites of Karakol as the Dungan mosque. You will discover that it was built in the Chinese style and without a single nail to the surprise. And then you will discover the old wooden Orthodox Church. Today you will spend the night in the hotel. 

Day 3: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Issyk Kul southern shore – Bishkek
Today you will travel to the fabulous gorge called Jeti Oguz gorge. You will discover that it is the fascinating attraction and interesting for its beautiful rocks that stand in a row. From Kyrgyz, the gorge is translated as Seven Bulls. This day you will also have a chance to discover the Broken Heart Mountain. Today you will have great time observing the gorgeous views of the gorge from the top of the mountains. The excursion will take about 20 minutes. After that you will drive along the south part of Issyk Kul lake, and then you will break at village Bokonbaevo and meet the local eagle hunter. He is going to tell you about the ancient of hunting passed over the centuries. This day you will have a chance to make photos with them. After that you will travel to Bishkek. This night will rest in the hotel.  

Day 4: Bishkek – Osh – Guliston – Khudjand
After breakfast you will travel to Manas International airport. This day you will have a flight to Osh city. Today you will continue driving to Tajik border. Along the way you will lead the vivid road and inspire the mountains and high passes. During the tour you will travel over Batken region. You will explore that this place is popular its apricot trees and charming flower called Aigul. This day you will meet Tajik guide at the other side and after you will drive to Khujand city. You will transfer and discover the fabulous Anzob pass (3 372 m). This day you will discover the amazing views. After that you will arrive to the second largest city in Tajikistan - Khujand. Today you will observe the city's location is on the beautiful Syr Darya river and the mouth of the Ferghana valley. It important to note that Khujand is the capital of the northernmost province of Tajikistan (Sughd). The population of the city is about 149,000 people. This day you will discover the main attractions of the city such as Cultural Palace of Khujand in the afternoon. Further you will discover Central Mosque. The location of the mosque is in the center of the city. You will rest the night in the hotel.

Day 5: Khudjand – Iskanderkul Lake
In the morning you will travel to the fabulous attraction - Iskanderkul with the altitude 2 255 m. a. s. l. This day you will transfer to the center of the beautiful Fann Mountains. You will have a chance to discover one of the best in Tajikistan. You will discover today the fascinating territory and discover that Tajikistan is famous for the beauty of the mountains and the charm of nature. After arrival to the lake you will walk around the lake and see the enchanting views and scenery by walking along the beaches of the lake. This day you will also explore the charming Fann Niagara falls. The way will take about 40 minutes. Tajikistan is popular place for fascinating country that ranks second among the CIS countries in terms of water resources and first among the countries of Central Asia. In Tajikistan there are more than 1 000 rivers, 2 000 lakes and 8000 glaciers. You will rest the night in the guesthouse.

Day 6: Iskanderkul – 7 lakes – Penjakent
Today you will discover the gorgeous Fann Mountains. You will explore that they are very popular because you can do hiking and trekking here. This day you will also have a chance to enjoy Seven Lakes or Marquzor Lakes. This day you will have a great opportunity to hike here. The tour route will take you to a wonderful place where are located 7 lakes. They charm with their beautiful views, they are located at different heights and have different areas and names. Along the way you will meet the local residents and explore their way of life. The name of the city of Penjikent, translates as "five villages". It is likely that it was with the five settlements that the history of this city began, dating back to the V-V III centuries of our era. At that time, Penjikent was one of the most important cultural and craft centers of Sogd. It was even called the "Central Asian Pompeii". The city is rich in its sights, architectural monuments, and a beautiful recreation area on the banks of the Zarafshan River. On the second-level terrace on the left bank of the river near the center of the modern city, there is a settlement of the V-VIII centuries AD. The ongoing excavations of the settlement revealed the structure of the rich Sogdian city of the early Middle Ages, and revealed remarkable wall paintings by Sogdian masters. There are located a ruler's palace, two temples, markets, rich dwelling houses decorated with numerous paintings, wooden and clay statues of ancient gods. The ruins of this ancient city were found only in the last century. The night you will rest in the guesthouse.

Day 7: Penjakent – Jartepo – Samarkand
In the morning you will transfer to the border at 10 a.m. This day you will have a wonderful highlight tour and discover the city of Uzbekistan, Samarkand. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, comfortably located in the flowery valley of the Zeravshan River. Samarkand is one of the oldest and oldest urban settlements in the Central Asian region. It was founded before the new era, in 742. Due to its convenient geographical location surrounded by India, China and Persia, Samarkand has been one of the main points on the famous Great Silk Road connecting China and European countries for 20 centuries. You will be inspired by the fascinating landmarks as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. During the tour, you can explore that Registan is a powerful square in Samarkand, where there are 3 powerful madrasas that go back to the 15th-17th centuries, they will be able to charm you with their beautiful views. After that, you can go to the Shahi-Zinde architectural complex, where you can observe a charming collection of mausoleums that go back to the 11th-15th centuries, and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, you will be able to enjoy the majestic Bibi Khanum Mosque and explore that it impresses with its architectural appearance, and beautiful, was built in honor of Tamerlane's beloved wife. This night you will spend in the hotel.

Day 8: Samarkand city – Gijduvan – Bukhara
Today you will travel to the fantastic Bukhara. Along the way you will break at Gijduvan village. Here you will explore private pottery workshop. This day you will discover that Gijduvan school of ceramics is popular s all over the world thanks to its interesting design and a geometric pattern. Anf the secrets, methods still exists and is passed down from generation to generation. You will explore the 6th-generation Narzullaev family runs a school and has skills. Then you will discover Gijduvan ceramics is Angob paints. You will travel to Bukhara. The overnight will be in the hotel.

Day 9: Bukhara
In the morning you will have a highlight tour and discover the best attractions. You will get the interesting information about the sacred city. This day you will discover the first destination of the excursion will be the ancient Citadel- Citadel Ark (4^th century). You will also explore that it was a palace for dynasties of Bukhara Emirs. After that you will discover Samanids mausoleum, where you will experience the architecture of 9th -10th century. This day you will also discover Chashma Ayub a well with a spring created by the will of the biblical Job-Ayub. And then you will explore Bolo-Hauz mosque. His attraction has forty columns. Then you will transfer to shopping domes and then you will direct to the popular site of Bukhara – Nodir Divan Begi. You will discover that it is the part of Lyabi House Ensemble. This day you will complete with discovering the interesting site Poi Kalon complex. You will be charmed by the architectural art of Bukhara. You will also explore that here is situated three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Night you will rest in the hotel. 

Day 10: Bukhara – Khiva
After breakfast you will travel to Khiva. You will discover that it is one of the few cities in the world where historical buildings are practically preserved, in fact, a whole city under the open sky. Khiva-in ancient times-Khorasmia, later known as Khvarezmi-Khorezm, in the past a large khanate in the west of Central Asia, south of the Aral Sea. Currently, this is the territory of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Khiva was not originally the capital of Khorezm. Travelling here you will have a chance to discover what other Central Asian cities looked like in the past. This day you will travel from Bukhara from Khiva via the amazing Kizilkum desert. In course of the tour you will discover the wonderful river- Amu Darya. This is the largest river in Central Asia, formed as a result of the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh rivers in Tajikistan. After that you will free time in Khiva. This night you will spend in the hotel.   

Day 11: Khiva – Urgench – Tashkent
Today is the last day of your fantastic tour where you will discover the oldest city of Uzbekistan. This day you will have a chance to experience the Ichan-Qala, inner city of Khiva. You will explore that it is rounded with majestic walls. Today you will discover old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses. Due to this attractions Khiva became the city-monument. You will explore that there are located about 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. Here is also situated the great landmarks as Kunya-Ark fortress. It was erected in 17^th century, and Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, and stunning sample of Khorezm architectural masterpiece of 1830s. You will transfer in the evening you will travel to the capital Tashkent by flight. This night you will rest in the hotel.

Day 12: Tashkent – Airport
Morning transfer to airport
 

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

Tajikistan Transport:
01-05 pax – Hyundai Starex
06-10 pax – 2 cars: Hyundai Starex 

Uzbekistan Transport:
02 pax – Sedan
04-08 pax - Minivan (Grand Starex, Istana)
10 pax - Midibus (Mitsubishi Rosa, Sprinter)

Price per person:
02 pax – 1 720 $
04 pax – 1 200 $
06 pax – 1 075 $
08 pax – 1 000 $
10 pax – 955 $
Single – 190 $

Early check-in – 35 $
Single early check-in – 60 $ 

Half board – 135 $*
Full board – 265 $*

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

English speaking guides:
KG – 345 $ per group
UZ – local 130 $ per group or escort 370 $ per group
TJ – 445 $ per group

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

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums in Uz
- Flight tickets Urgench-Tashkent