12D10N Fascinating Kazakhstan Uzbekistan (Flights Included)

Arrival to Tashkent International Airport is at 16:00 transit and flight to Almaty is at 20:15. Arrival Almaty airport, meet and transfer to your hotel. 

Today you will visit amazing Kok Tobe. Kok-Tobe is the highest TV tower in the world, if you count from the sea level. A special viewing platform located on the mountain will allow you to admire the magnificent panorama of the city, as well as you can stroll along the winding paths of Kok-Tobe Park and visit souvenir shops. Our guide will tell the meaning of souvenirs and help to buy the best one. And at our last destinations you will have a great opportunity to buy local sweets from Rakhat Chocolate Factory and dry fruits at cheap rates and some souvenirs from Green Bazar. Overnight in hotel.

Today you will have a day trip to Charyn Canyons. 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 café. 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. Overnight in hotel. 

Today you will drive 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. In the evening, transfer back to the city. Overnight in hotel. 

Today you will have a city tour. You will visit The Republic Square, the Monument of Independence, The Abay State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Then the tour will continue to one of the oldest Almaty parks – The Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. After that, you will see Zenkov's Cathedral. Afterwards we will go to Medeo gorge. It is famous for the highest mountain skating rink in the world. So, the next locations that we will visit, where you will get acquainted with the old part of the city and see the Vernensky buildings of the 19th century as well: Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, Ascension Cathedral, House of Officers, Museum of Folk Musical Instruments, Memorial of Glory. Transfer to airport and flight to Tashkent. Arrival to Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. Check in and overnight.

You will have a morning flight to Bukhara. Today you will have a full day city tour in this fascinating city.  Firstly, you will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4^th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9^th -10^th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. Then you have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. The tour will end with visiting Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. Overnight in hotel.

Today you will have a sightseeing tour in the surrounding area of Bukhara. First you will visit Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, located few kilometers from Bukhara. It is a memorial complex of famous Sufi Leader and Philosopher, one of the Muslim pilgrimage places for all people of Islamic world. Sheikh Bakhauddin Nakshbandi was one of the spiritual masters of Amir Timur.  Today complex consists of mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, courtyard with pool, madrasah, and burial vault of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. Then you will drive to see the countryside residence of Bukhara Emirs named Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex. The palace is the sample of combination of various architectural styles. Emir named the palace on behalf of his wife who died young “Star - like and moon- like Palace”. At last you will drive to Sumiton village to find Chor Bakr memorial complex, the town of the dead. Complex symbolizes the four sides of the earth and interprets that all people are equal. Construction of the complex began during the Samanids reign until the 16^th century. After excursions you will return to city. Overnight in hotel. 

After breakfast we will start our way to Samarkand. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop. Gijduvan ceramics school has its deep roots. The skills have been passed from father to son from generation to generation. Today Gizhduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. Gijduvan School of ceramics is distinguished by a geometric pattern. Green and blue colors prevail in decoration of products. Afterwards we continue driving to Samarkand. Overnight in hotel. 

Samarkand is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. It is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and is of the same age as the cities of Babylon and Rome. Today you will visit its most outstanding sights, such as Registan Square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum of Guri Emir and national bazaar. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to the 15th and 17^th centuries, is the main highlight of Samarkand and no one can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. The architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a large collection of mausoleums dating back to the 11^th–15th centuries, being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After that, you can walk along the local Broadway, surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets, and workshops. Overnight in the hotel.

Today you will continue exploring Samarkand city. You will visit Ulughbek observatory, built in 15th century by Ulughbek, one of the most famous Samarkand rulers and scientists. Working in observatory, Ulughbek created in 1437 the “Zidji Guragoni” catalog, which had information about 1018 celestial bodies. Unfortunately, he was killed by order of his own son. After it you can walk along the local Broadway surrounded by souvenir shops, teahouses, sweets and workshops. Then you can visit national bazaar Siab, oriental bazaar, where it is easy to find Uzbek traditional handmade products and local sweets. Also you will see carpet factory, a unique handmade carpet factory where over 400 women sew carpets without using traditional techniques. Afternoon transfer to Tashkent (by train). Overnight in hotel. 

A full day is dedicated to a sightseeing tour in Tashkent. Today you will visit Independence Square, which is the main square of the country and was erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then you will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between Independence Square and Amir Timur Square. Furthermore, you can take a ride on the famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. The first line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city, which includes Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah, and the Hast Imam complex, which consists of several madrasahs, mosques, and mausoleums. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran, which is the world’s oldest Quran copy, dating back to the 8th century. Evening is the transfer to the airport and flight home.