Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan Tour | 2

Flight to Tashkent.

Afternoon/evening arrival in Tashkent International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” .

Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport is not far from the city center, the transfer will take about 20 – 40 minutes depending on the hotel location.

Arrival in the hotel. Check-in.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

09:00 Meet with a guide.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5-6 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Timur Square, founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square, was renamed on August 31, 1994 after the Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.
Around the Square, there is the Museum of History of Timurids, Uzbekistan hotel, Forum Palace, and famous Tashkent striking clock.

- Tashkent striking clock, one of the major symbols of Tashkent.

- Theater Square with the Opera House: State Academic Theater of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theater of the world performs both classical and national repertoires. 

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan reflects the past, present, and future of the country. There are fountains standing for the life energy of Uzbek people, the Cabinet and the Senate, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers who died during the Second World War.
- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of the earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

- Chorsu bazaar – the ancient bazaar of Tashkent. “Chorsu” means “four waters”, symbolically meaning the conjunction of four major parts of the old city in the bazaar where people come for trades. The bazaar beautiful blue dome, built in traditional style after the Tashkent earthquake, is often depicted in postcards and international magazines and became one of the major sights of interest both for locals and guests – one can see oriental tiled bazaar from different souvenir shops with ceramics, handicraft works, carpets and jewelry, the whole pavilion full of delirious fruits to the finest textiles and colorful fabrics.

- Tashkent Metro (the first line was launched in 1977) with beautiful train stations each decorated in thematic style with traditional ornaments and special lightning.

Overnight at the hotel.

Meet the driver at the hotel in Tashkent.

06:30 Transfer to the train station in Tashkent.

07:21 Departure for Bukhara by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

11:38  Arrival in Bukhara.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver who will wait for you with a tablet "ANUR TOUR".

Transfer to the hotel to drop off the bags and meet the guide at the hotel.

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes, and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so-called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with the distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

- Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Optionally can be added by request:

Visit Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free day in Bukhara.

By request ( extra payment)

Sightseeing program in Bukhara countryside visiting:

- Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

- Naqshbandi mausoleum (the founder of Naqshbandi Sufi Spiritual order) Located near Bukhara the memorial complex of Bakhauddin Nakshbandi is considered as one of the most significant religious places of Bukhara that attracts many visitors as well as pilgrims.  The memorial was rebuilt several times in XIV - each Emir of Bukhara wanted to build something new near the mausoleum. This complex impresses with its incomparable style of oriental architecture, which reflects the spirit of the Sufi Order.

- Sitora-I – Mohi Khosa – last Emir summer residence visit by request.

14:30 Transfer to the railway station in Bukhara.

15:50 Departure for Samarkand by train "Afrosiyob"/ "Sharq".

17:20 Arrival in Samarkand.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Transfer to  Shahrisabz and beautiful Takhta Karacha pass.

Meet the guide in Shahrisabz.

Excursion tour in Shakhrisabz includes visiting ( 2 ,5 hrs)

- Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”), the ruins of the summer palace of Tamerlane. The palace was constructed and decorated by deported from conquered Khorezm skillful builders, masters and artisans. Some parts of the gate tower survived to the present day.

- Mausoleum of Dorus-Saodat ("The Place of Power", XIV century) contains the tomb of Eldest and favourite Tamerlane’s son Jahongir.

- Visit Kok Gumbaz, so-called “House of Meditation.

- Mausoleum Gumbazi-Seyidon of XVI century where the descendants of Ulugbek are buried. 

Return to Samarkand. Transfer to hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and driver at the hotel's lobby. 

Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (6 hours):

– Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants decorated with gold ornaments and considered as one of the most significant places in the world;

– Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori.

– Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city which was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in 15th Century;

– Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums  formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) belonging to the Muslim person named Saint Abbas ibn-Kussam;

– Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

16:30 Transfer to the railway station in Samarkand.

17:30 Departure for Tashkent by high-speed train "Afrosiyob".

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent. 

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver.

Transfer to the hotel. 
Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure.

11:30 Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

14:10 Departure flight Tashkent– Almaty by KC 128.  

15:30 Morning arrival in Almaty International Airport.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal, meet the driver with “ANUR TOUR” sign. Transfer to the hotel. Arrival in hotel. Time to rest after the flight.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Desayuno en la casa de huéspedes.

09:00 Encuentro con el guía y el conductor. Traslado al Cañón de Charyn.

- El Cañón de Charyn (el Valle de los Castillos) es un complejo natural único en su tipo, no solo en Kazajistán, sino también en todo el mundo. Se formó durante el Paleógeno y recuerda al Gran Cañón del Río Colorado en Norteamérica, aunque de menor tamaño. La altura de las empinadas laderas del cañón alcanza los 150-300 metros. La extraordinaria disección del terreno es sorprendente: los numerosos barrancos forman una red densa y caótica. El viento y el agua han creado el hermoso "Valle de los Castillos", donde siempre estará rodeado de imponentes torres compuestas de rocas sedimentarias. El valle tiene más de 2 km de largo y entre 20 y 80 metros de ancho. Durante millones de años, la naturaleza ha creado una arquitectura única, erigiendo magníficos castillos con cuidado y lentitud.

Traslado a Almaty.

Tarde de descanso. Alojamiento en el hotel.

Transfer to Almaty International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.