Compare Highlights of Central Aia: Kyrgystan's mountains and Uzbekistan's architecture by Audley Travel vs Uzbekistan: See & Experience it ALL in 8 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 16 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 6,068 | $ 2,160 |
| Price Per Day | $ 379 | $ 270 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
Dinner in an Uzbeki home is included on this tour. We do our best to ensure you are being offered healthy and tasty local cuisine. |
| Description |
Landlocked Uzbekistan is a hinterland of inhospitable desert, and yet it has produced works of such architectural sumptuousness and skill, they’ve beguiled visitors and itinerants for centuries — and they continue to do so. Whether you visit Uzbekistan as part of a longer journey retracing the Silk Route, or as a standalone destination, our specialists will talk you through the country’s primary points of interest. They’ll weave their knowledge of its backstreets, museums, Soviet relics and Islamic sacred sites into your own tailor-made Uzbekistan itinerary. The triptych of madressehs (Islamic schools) gracing Registan Square in the historical city of Samarkand is likely to form the climax to your holiday in Uzbekistan, and our specialists will help you make the most of your visit here. You can complement this with exploring Khiva’s city walls, Tashkent’s teahouses and Bukhara’s marketplaces. Our specialists can also point you toward half-forgotten, lesser-known places: ruined mud-brick fortresses marooned amid desert sands, and once-powerful port towns. |
You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Tashkent.
Day 2 : Tashkent
You will be met at the airport by your driver and guide and driven to your hotel to check in. Once freshened up you'll be collected and taken on a tour of the city. A tour of Tashkent provides an excellent overview of what Uzbekistan and Central Asia have to offer as you take in mosques and markets, as well as the State History Museum.
Day 3 : Khiva
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Urgench. Upon arrival you'll be met by your new driver and, along with your guide, travel to Khiva, a journey of around one hour.
Day 4 : Khiva
You have a full day tour of Khiva today. The city feels very much like an open air museum, and the architecture within the city walls is truly stunning including the blue tilled Kalta-Minor Minaret and Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrassah.
Day 5 : Bukhara
Today you'll be collected from your hotel by your driver and guide and driven to Bukhara. It's a long journey through the desert, which will take at least seven hours.
Day 6 : Bukhara
You have a full day tour of Bukhara today. A fabulous, bustling old city and one that feels very much lived in. You'll sense the atmosphere as you wander the winding, dusty streets of the old town.
Day 7 : Bukhara
Today is free to explore this wonderful old city at your own pace. We'd suggest a visit to one of the cities bazaars, merchant buildings or bath houses.
Day 8 : Samarkand
This morning you'll be collected from your hotel for the drive to the station for your train to Bukhara, a journey of around two and a half hours. On arrival you'll be collection from the station for the drive to your hotel.
Day 9 : Samarkand
Today you have a tour of Samarkand including the magnificent Registan square - the highlight of a visit to Samarkand. The city's grand leafy streets give it a distinctly different feel to other Uzbek cities.
Day 10 : Bishkek
You will be driven back to Tashkent today in time for your onward flight to Bishkek. On arrival you'll be met by your new driver and guide and driven to your hotel.
Day 11 : Karakol
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven along the north shore of Izzyk Kul stopping at Burna tower en route. This is a long journey of around eight hours in total.
Day 12 : Karakol
You will spend today walking through the alpine valleys of Altyn Arashan with your private guide.
Day 13 : Tamga
Today you'll be collected from your hotel and driven to the village of Tamga located on the southern shore of Izzyk kul. En route you'll visit Jeti Oguz canyon around 30 minutes from Karakol.
Day 14 : Song Kol Lake
You will be collectedd from your hotel in Tamga today and driven to your ger on the shore of Song kol. Along the way you'll visit Fairy-tail Canyon and the village of Kockor.
Day 15 : Bishkek
Today you'll be driven from your ger on the shores of Song Kol to Bishkek a drive of around seven hours out of the mountains to the Kyrgyz capital.
Day 16 : International return flight
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Day 1: Arriving into Central Asia’s Most Popular Country & Having a Traditional Dinner Inside a Native’s Home
Our tour starts in the capital that is Tashkent. Your tour with us today starts officially at 5:00pm. Please be in the lobby at this time, as your tour guide and driver should be waiting for you there. We are taken via a quick drive to a native Uzbek’s home. There we watch how traditional food is prepared as well as have dinner. The combination of tasty cuisine, rich culture and good company creates an unforgettable experience.
Day 2: Discovering the Characteristically Soviet Capital & Then Relocating to Khiva
Rebuilt as a model Soviet city following the 1966 earthquake, the capital of Uzbekistan is characteristically different from the historic gems that are Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. Nonetheless, Tashkent retains much of its charm: bazaars, mosques and more. Not least, Tashkent is home to the best restaurants in the country. In the evening, we take a flight from Tashkent to Khiva.
Day 3: Walking Through 600 Years of History in a ‘Living Museum’ Town
The old town of Khiva retains more than 50 historic monuments and 250 old houses. Having an English-speaking and professional tour guide lead us through the beautiful streets makes all the difference in our day. The most spectacular area of Khiva is called “Ichan Kala.” This is the walled inner area of the town. Since 1990, it has been protected as a World Heritage Site. The clustered array of mosques, madrassahs (religious colleges) and tiled minarets within an area of less than 3 kilometers (almost 2 miles) gives us a sense of how bustling this town historically was. Expect to see striking examples of Islamic architecture built over the span of 600 years.
Day 4: Cruising Along the Silk Road & Getting a Massage in a Turkish Bathhouse
We relocate from Khiva to one of Central Asia’s most spiritual destinations, Bukhara. Located on the Silk Road, this city has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture and religion. UNESCO has listed the historic center as a World Heritage Site. We spend as much time as possible sightseeing.
The day ends at a traditional Turkish bathhouse (a.k.a. hammam). First we head into a room heated by a continuous flow of hot and dry air. This allows us to perspire freely. We then move to an even hotter room before we wash in cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, we finally go to the cooling room for a period of relaxation.
Note: The means of transportation from Khiva to Bukhara is via train or private vehicle, depending on the group size. Flights are available on selective dates. If you prefer a flight, please tell us. If available, we will let you know the difference in price. Usually, it is not much.
Day 5: Exploring the Country's Most Spiritual Destination Followed by Folkloric Music & Dancing
Home to about 140 architectural monuments, our private driver as well as our tour guide show us Bukhara’s historical attractions. People have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia and the city has existed for half that time. We feel the heritage as we walk Bukhara’s streets and explore the sites. The evening ends at a venue where we watch folkloric dancing as well as listen to a traditional band.
Day 6: Uzbekistan's Showcase City & Most Popular Destination
After exploring Bukhara some more, we relocate to Samarkand. This city is undoubtedly a must-see destination for any traveler visiting Central Asia. Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean. In 2001, UNESCO added Samarkand to its World Heritage List.
Day 7: Wine & Cognac Tasting at a Vintage Winery, Ancient Crafts & Stunning City Architecture
Along with sightseeing, we see how Samarkand has carefully preserved the traditions of ancient crafts: gold embroidery, silk weaving, engraving on copper and painting on wood. Another highlight for today is a visit to the Khovrenko winery. Its history dates back to the early 19th century. This is when a Russian pioneer winemaker launched his first wine production in the region. We taste some of the best varieties of Uzbek wines and different types of local cognac.
Day 8: Our Tour Ends Today
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Samarkand (no additional charge) or Tashkent (an additional charge), whichever you prefer.
