9 days highlights of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

Description:

CITY TOUR
Visit Ayusai Waterfall which is located in Ayusai Gorge, and is 700 m from Ayusai Visit Centre, stands tall at 6 meters (20 ft) in height. Walking or hiking to the waterfall is not that hard if you wear comfortable clothes and shoes (optional) or you can just explore the area and enjoy the views of the mountains).
Head to Almarasan Gorge which is also a part of Ili Alatau National Park. Here you can find lots of different cuisines and restaurant overlooking the river with a beautiful view of the gorge and the surrounded nature. Visit Shymbulak Mountain Ski Resort, which is located at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level – by riding a cable car. Have a look over Medeu Gorge from the cable car, where is the highest outdoor mountain skating rink in the world is located – Medeu Ice Skating Rink, at an altitude of 1691 m above sea level (attend to Medeu Ice Skating Rink – optional). At Shymbulak Mountain Resort, you will be able to ride 3 different cable cars (2200 m, 2800 m, 3200 m).

RETURN TO THE CITY
Visit Green Bazar (local market) which is considered to be one of the oldest local markets in Almaty, since 1868. In the same area visit Rahat Chocolate Factory shop which is famous for the delicious Kazakh chocolate. We will visit Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen which is famous for the (Eternal Flame, Zenkov Orthodox Cathedral, Memorial of Glory monument, Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments) (places to visit in the park – optional). Have a walking tour at Arbat and Panfilov Downtown, where you can find lots of different cuisines and restaurants, hand-made crafts and jewelry.

Overnight: hotel in Almaty

Description:

TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Morning Flight – ALMATY – TASHKENT

CITY TOUR
Today we will explore the remains of old town with its Khast Imam complex, Tilla Shaikh* mosque and the 16th century Kaffal Shashi mausoleum*, part of which houses an important religious library, Mui Mubarak madrassah*, Juma Mosque* and Imam Ismail al-Bukhari Islamic Institute* where one can see the original Quran of Uthmān (VII c.).
After that we also enjoy a visit to the Chorsu* market at the end of old city excursions. Later visit the religious centres at Kukeldash* madrassah, one of the few remaining grand architectural monuments of Tashkent, built in the second half of the 16th century.

Overnight: hotel in Tashkent

Description:

TRANSFER TO THE RAILWAY STATION
Morning – high-speed train, Afrosiyob*, moves towards Samarkand*

CITY TOUR
We begin with visiting Registan Square* – the heart of Samarkand, a huge square in the old town centre, on which stand three majestic mediaeval universities (“madrassas”), mosque,Guri Emir* – “Tomb of the King”, the mausoleum of Asian conqueror Tamerlane and his descendants. XIV century construction is architecturally significant as the model for other world-famous buildings which were erected later, such as Taj Mahal in Agra.
Continue sightseeing by visiting Afrasiab Museum. Later we continue to explore Bibi Khanum*, the royal graveyard, nowadays became as the one of the main pilgrimage centers of Central Asia.

Overnight: hotel in Samarkand

Description:

DAY DEDICATED TO:
Samarkand’s history of Islamic learninghadith, theology, astronomy, and philosophy. Imam Maturidi Mausoleum* and architectural complex necropolis Shah-iZinda*. Later we continue to explore Imam al Bukhari complex* and Ulughbek’s Observatory*.

TRANSFER TO THE RAILWAY STATION
Late evening – the high-speed train, Afrosiyob*, moves towards Bukhara*

Overnight: hotel in Bukhara

Description:

CITY WALKING TOUR
We will start our sightseeing with a visit to the Lyabi house complex, which since the Middle ages has been known as the city’s trade centre, entertainment centres, music and gastronomy. It consists of madrasah “Nodir-Divan-Begi”*, madrasah “Kukeldash”* and pond – house. Visiting the mosque “Magoki Attori”*; market domes “Taki-Zargaron* and the complex “Poi Kalyan”*, which consists of three buildings – minaret “Kalyan”*, mosque “Kalyan”*, and madrassah Miri Arab*.
We continue our sightseeing tour from the main square Ark Fortress* and sights nearby, including world famous Samanids’ Mausoleum*

Overnight: hotel in Bukhara

Description:

CITY TOUR
We will start our sightseeing with a visit to Chorminor madrassah* and SitoraiMokhi-Khosa* – the summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir, a unique site combining Oriental and Russian architecture. Continue to the Fayzulla Khodjayev House Museum, and explore the Chor-Bakr Necropolis, an impressive Islamic burial site.
The tour also includes a visit to the Nakshband Complex, an important pilgrimage site and a center of Sufism.

Overnight: hotel in Bukhara

Description:

CITY TOUR
We continue our Uzbekistan trip with a drive to Gijduvan (45km, 50 min), a town famous for its ceramics school at which unique products recognizable across Uzbekistan are created. The Gijduvan ceramics school has a long history, for the skills have been passed from father to son for generations. Today Gijduvan is home to the sixth generation of potters from the Narzullayevs family, who have brought the ceramics school to worldwide fame. While visiting the pottery workshop you will have the opportunity to create your own piece of art under the guidance of an experienced potter. Visit the adjacent Gijduvan Ceramics Museum and even purchase souvenirs from the potter’s shop.

TRANSFER TO THE RAILWAY STATION
Afternoon – the high-speed train, Afrosiyob*, moves towards Tashkent*.

Overnight: hotel in Tashkent

Description:

You will check out from the hotel at noon and have free time until your transfer to Tashkent International Airport.