Cities: TASHKENT – SAMARKAND – BUKHARA – KHIVA – URGENCH – TASHKENT – ALMATY – CHARYN CANYON – ALMATY– ISSYK LAKE – ASTANA
The brightest cities of Central Asia are waiting for your visit with Canaan Travel. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are the countries with unified history and spirit of east culture. In this cognitive tour, which stars from the capital of Uzbekistan – Tashkent, we will bring you through the most amazing places of this city. You will discover that Tashkent is incredibly beautiful and clear city with a great deal of architecture monuments. And then, traveling to Samarkand you will be surprised with the greatness of ensemble and blue cupolas of madrasahs.
This city is considered as culture capital of the East. You will have a chance to visit the most beautiful centennial places. But Uzbekistan is not ending at this point. Bukhara covered with veil of traditions and legends, fortress city Khiva will open their embrace for you with geniality of the East.
And from Uzbekistan you will travel right to Kazakhstan, where you will gather into lots of amazing stories about falconry and get to know more about modern Kazakh history; you will see the panorama of this city from the highest point of the capital – Astana Bayterek. You will travel around the most picturesque places of Kazakhstan, get to know incredibly beautiful reserve named “Issyk”, visit museum of history and culture of saq period, where you will discover great events of our past together with wares of golden ceramics. There is no sense of trying to describe this, when you can see it with your own eyes in our tour.
Arrival in Tashkent.
Exсursion in Tashkent.
The tour of the capital of Uzbekistan will take its start from the religious center of modern Tashkent – Hast-i-Imam Square, where you can see the ancient manuscripts of Central Asia – the 7th century Qur’an of Osman. The Hast-i-Imam ensemble was formed at the grave of the famous scientist, Koran scholar and hadith, poet and artisan Khazret Imam. The next visit to the functioning Madrassah ‘Kukeldash’- one of the largest madrasahs existing in our days in Central Asia. This madrasah is located near the Chorsu square in the historical part of Tashkent.
Dinner
This madrasah is located near the Chorsu square in the historical part of Tashkent. Independence Square. Amir Timur Square. Theatre Square. The former (the residence of Prince Romanov in Tashkent). The former residence of Prince Nikolay Romanovich Romanov, who was exiled to the Turkestan Region for mining precious stones in 1881, is located in Tashkent. The Tashkent Underground is the Museum of Tashkent.
Shopping at Chorsu Bazaar.
Dinner.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Early breakfast in the hotel. Chech-out.
Transfer to the railway station to the high-speed train “Afrosiab”.
Departure at 08:00.
Arrival at 10:10.
Registan Square is surrounded with beautiful buildings from three sides: ‘Ulugbek’ madrasah, ‘Sher-dor’ madrasah and ‘Till-Kari’ madrassah. All these three madrasahs are directed with the portals to the middle of the square and form united ensemble composition. Each building is distinguished by its unusual decor – a pattern of stone on the walls and portals. The blue domes above the madrasah are made with burnt bricks, and glazed tiles adorn them from the outside, it shines brightly in the sun.
Dinner
The ‘Bibi-khanum’ mosque. A beautiful legend is connected with the ‘Bibi-Khanum’ mosque. According to which the formidable governor built a mosque for his beloved wife Bibi-Khanum. After a successful trip to India, Timur decided to build the largest building in the East. Shining walls, significant minarets, extensive portal of the mosque, carved with marble, glorified the name of Timur and his beloved wife.
Dinner in the local restaurant.
Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Continuance of the excursion.
Ensemble of ‘Shokh-i-Zinda’. The ‘Shokh-i-Zinda’ ensemble consists of eleven mausoleums, which were joined to each other in sequence during the XIV-XV centuries. This unique and mysterious ensemble is located near the ancient settlement ‘Afrasiab’. The ensemble is also called ‘Cemetery Street’. The blue domes of the mausoleums, rushing the chain into the far, look like a graceful necklace from a bird’s eye view.
Dinner
Ulugbek Observatory. The ‘Ulugbek’ Observatory is a vivid confirmation of the significant development of architecture, science and culture in Central Asia in the XIV-XV centuries. The visit of the ‘Koni Gil’ village, a workshop for the production of silk paper from the bark of the mulberry tree. Master Class.
Dinner in the local restaurant.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Early breakfast in the hotel. Check-out.
Transfer to Bukhara. (260 km. 4 hours) stop in the city Gijduvan.
On the way visit: Gijduvan – ceramic workshop of the potter in the 7th generation Abdullah Narzullaeva. Familiarity with traditional Gijduvon ceramic pottery school and Suzanne (traditional embroidery).
Arrival in Bukhara.
Tour around Bukhara. Your journey begins with a visit to the ‘Lyabi-Hauz’ Ensemble. This is one of the central squares of the city of Bukhara, an architectural ensemble created in the 16th-17th centuries. The square is formed by the buildings of the Kukeldash Madrasah, the Diwan-Begi Madrassah and the Diwan-Begi Khanaki, grouped around the Nodir-Begi Hole. Madrassah Kukeldash – the largest madrasah in Bukhara,‘Ulugbek’ Madrasah – the only building left from the times of the famous “scientist on the throne” of Ulugbek. Kalyan Minaret, without which it is impossible to imagine the silhouette of Bukhara.
Dinner.
Next to the minaret is the ‘Kalyan’ Minaret without which it is impossible to imagine the silhouette of Bukhara. Next to the minaret is ‘Kalyan’ Mosque and the Muslim spiritual school – ‘Mir-i-Arab’ madrasah that is acting from the 16th century to the present day.The Ark Citadel, ‘Bolo Hauz’ Mosque, domed trading buildings- ‘taki I tymi’. The mausoleum of Ismail Samani is the oldest surviving building of Central Asia. Mausoleum of Chashma Ayub (“The Source of Job”). The legend of the monument is connected with the prophet Job (Ayub).
Free time.
Dinner at Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast in the Hotel.
Check out.
Transfer to Khiva (480 km – 8h) through desert Kyzyl Kum. Photo-stop In a picturesque location on the river Amu Darya. Rest and lunch at the tea house in the desert.
Arrival in Khiva.
Check in.
Rest in the hotel.
Free time.
Dinner in a traditional chayhana.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Tour around Khiva: Fortress Kunya-Ark “city in the city. Here were the Khan’s mosque, the residence of the khan, the supreme court, the khan’s reception room-the chicken khan, the powder factory, the mint, the harem, the kitchens, the stables, the guardhouse, etc. In the southern part of the chicken khan was the throne room with the two-columned aivan (terrace). In the middle of the hall was a yurt, during receptions the khan sat at her. Ivan was decorated with a blue-white-blue majolica with a delightful ornament.
Tash-Hovley Palace.
Madress Muhammad Aminhana.
Muhammad Rahimkhan’s madrassah.
Dinner
Multicolumn mosque ‘Juma’. The mosque was built in the 10th century, it has 212 carved wooden columns. She accommodated all the men of the city who came to her on Friday worship.
Minaret of Kalta-Minor.
The Minaret of Islam-Khoja. The complex of Pakhlavan Mahmud is the burial place of a well-known poet in Khorezm, who was considered the patron of Khiva. The main hall of the mausoleum served as the tomb of the Khiva khans.
Dinner at the local restaurant.
20:00 Transfer to the airport to the flight Urgench-Tashkent HY058.
Departure at 21:40.
Arrival at 23:45.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time.
17.00Transfer to airport.
19.20 Depart to Almaty.
21.40 Arrival to Almaty.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Today you will visit the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks – Panfilov Park, where one of the most beautiful wooden buildings in the world – Zenkov Cathedral is located. After exploration of sport, cultural and business areas of the city you will get to the Medeo Gorge. Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck and visit the shop of national souvenirs. The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Today you will have a day trip to Charyn Cabyons. It is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain. It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions as well as have a lunch in a local cafe. And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once – so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
The tour route to one of the most beautiful gorges of Trans-Ili Alatau – Issyk Gorge lies along the Kuldja tract, where hundreds of years ago the trade caravans travelled. On the way you will visit the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “ISSYK”, where you will see the expositions dedicated to the history and culture of the Saka period, including a copy of Golden Man and golden items, ancient ceramics, weapon, elements of horse equipment, as well as the model of Saka burial mound. Then the tour route will take you to an altitude of 1756 meters above sea level, to the beautiful mountain lake Issyk, located in the valley with the same name. On the lake you will enjoy the majestic beauty of its turquoise water surface and the Issyk Gorge, as well as listen to the details of the natural disaster of 1963. Also at the lake you will have a picnic and free time for recreation at nature.
In the evening is transfer to the railway station.
Departure to Astana. Night will be in the train.
At 08:00 a.m. you will arrive in Astana.
Meeting with the guide and transfer to the city (early check-in and breakfast are not included in the cost). You will see the Constitution Square, Presidential Centre of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the museum you will see the Golden man, well known not only in the Kazakh steppe but also in all Central Asia. Then you will visit shopping center Khan Shatyr. Then you take the elevator to the top of the “Astana-Baiterek” monument, where you can admire the magnificent panorama of the Kazakhstan capital from the special observation deck. After lunch you will cross Ishym river and get to the Kazakh Eli Square. There you will visit another unique project – the Palace of Peace and Accord, and also see the extraordinary beauty of Khazret Sultan mosque. Final point of the excursion will be the Palace of Independence, where you can look at the far-reaching plans of the development of Astana in the hall “Layout Astana until 2030”
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
It is an Akmola camp for the wives of traitors of Motherland – one of the largest camps of Soviet Union and one of the three “islands” of the “Gulag Archipelago”. The exposition of the museum is located on hall perimeter that involves the visitor in a vicious circle and immerses in the historical past of Kazakhstan. At the end of excursion you will watch 20-minute documentary film. After lunch you will see the hunting with birds of prey is traditional for all Central Asian nomads. A rider with a golden eagle sitting on the wrist has always been a symbol of the Asian steppes. Falconry is practiced in many countries, but hunting with eagles on hares and foxes is an exceptional attraction of Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan, hunters with eagles are called «Berkutchi». After demonstration of hunting you will get a complete picture of the traditional hunting with eagles, which has far-historical roots.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free time.
Transfer to airport.
Depart.
End of the program
