Uzbekistan Tours
No doubts that Uzbekistan as a tourist destination is one of the most popular in Central Asia. It seems like obscure to visit it, but it is becoming more and more visited by lots of tourists each year. Well-preserved architecture from the Golden Age of Islam religion is what makes it so popular. The history of the country goes back to the 1 millennia BC when world-known dynasties of Sogdia, Bactria and Khorezm grew and flourished. The famous cities from the ancient times are Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakrisabz, Margilan, Karshi, Tashkent and many others.
During your tours in Uzbekistan today you can feel the atmosphere of dreamy medieval deserts, stretched with a row of camels loaded with precious goods, making over stops in busy cities. Mix of cultures and people resulted in a big variety of customs and traditions preserved nowadays that you can observe during our tours. You can learn crafts of how to make paper, silk carpets and pottery like many centuries ago by making visits workshops in towns. You can taste the most famous pilaf in Central Asian region prepared on fire with meat, rice, carrots and dried fruits. You can participate in different cultural events and enjoy different shows and master classes.
Thus, Uzbekistan is a country that must be visited if you come to Central Asia. Also, we are ready to extend your tour to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and build up a wonderful Silk Road Tour. Come and enjoy Central Asia with us!
From Almaty to Turkestan
Itinerary title: From Almaty to Turkestan
Days of tour: 5
Day 1: Almaty
Meet with your guide at the airport and take a short drive to Almaty city. You will start you city tour from blooming Green Bazaar. From the entrance, you will be welcomed by kind seller offering you to taste fresh juicy fruits. Later continue to the city’s famous park- Panfilov Park. Every corner of the park is dedicated to the victims of the World War. In the center, you will come across the beautiful building of Zenkov Cathedral, dating back to the end of 19th century. It is listed on the wooden wonders of the world. After exploring the city, you will drive to the Medeo Gorge, where the highest mountain outdoor skating rink is located. During the Soviet time, several records of speed skating were beaten on this rink. Up the gorge there is a ski resort Shymbulak, popular for city residents during the wintertime. The last point of the day will be Kok-Tobe hill, where you will be surprised by the panoramic view to the whole city. TV tower on the top of the hill considered to be the highest in the world (if to count from the sea level). You can find nice national souvenirs in the small boutiques or have a walk. On the way to the city, take a cableway. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 2: Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Almaty
Today’s tour will take you to the most impressive site of Kazakhstan - Charyn Canyons for a day travel. While you are driving to canyons, you will listen to the story the historical and cultural history of the nomadic Kazakh people in this area and stop at the local restaurant for a lunch. These magnificent monuments in Charyn were formed 12 million years ago by the eternal forces of the nature- rain, wind and the sun. The most beautiful site is Valley of Castles, massive silhouette feels like grandiose castle, some of the formations similar to giant warriors. If you go down and follow the maze track to the river, you can see different interesting creatures, according to your imagination. You can also enjoy the great panoramic view not far from parking place. Drive back to Almaty and night in a hotel.
Day 3: Almaty – Shymkent
In the morning, take a flight to Shymkent. After arrival, embark on sightseeing in Shymkent. It will include Walk of Fame (park named after Sh.Kaldayakov), “Zher Ana” monument, Ordabasy square, Park “20 years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, Museum of Victims of Political Repression (30 minutes), Obelisk of Glory, Eternal Flame to the fallen in The great Patriotic War, Walk of Fame, Arboretum (stop for 20 minutes), Regional Museum (40-60 minutes). After city tours, drive in to hotel.
Day 4: Shymkent – Turkestan – Shymkent
In the morning, travel to Turkestan, which is one of the oldest cities of Kazakhstan. Here you will visit historical and architectural complex "Azret-Sultan" and Mausoleum of famous Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. There are Necropolis, a fragment of the fortress wall, citadel with gates, Hammam and Hilvet underground mosque were found. The history of Turkestan goes back to 500 AD. It is located at the crossroads of caravan routes from Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva in northern Kazakhstan. The city it was religious and political center of Turkic world. Later it became the capital of the Kazakh Khanate. Moreover, it was famous because of the activities of the outstanding Sufi sheikh and philosopher Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. He was buried here in 1166. There are many legends telling about unsuccessful construction of Ahmed Yasawi’s mausoleum. According to one, it says that the big storm destroyed the walls, the second says that the mysterious green bull demolished it. There is a dreem of great ruler Tamerlane. In his dreams Ahmed Yasawi said that before building a mausoleum on my grave , build one on the burial place of Arystan Bab, which was the mentor and spiritual advisor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Then the mausoleum was built on the Arystan Bab’s grave. Nowadays people who come to pray first visit mausoleum of Arystan Bab, and then Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Some pilgrims believe that if you will visit Turkestan three times, it will be considered like small Hajj to Mecca. After enjoying excursion, drive back to Shymkent. You will spend night in a hotel.
Day 5: Shymkent – Chernyaevka
After breakfast, transfer to Zhibek Zholy (Chernyaevka) border checkpoint and continue tour to next country.