Astana to Tashkent

Astana to Tashkent

Beginning in the futuristic cityscapes of Astana, take a journey from mighty Kazakhstan to mountainous Kyrgyzstan and historic Uzbekistan. From the ancient city of Turkistan and the Silk Road ruins of Sayram and Otrar, the sights along the way are unlike anywhere else on earth. Take in the tranquil landscape of Son-Kol Lake, see Solomon’s Throne in historic Osh and wander mosques and museums in Samarkand and Bukhara. Dive into ancient culture and natural beauty on an adventure that will leave you yearning to discover more of Central Asia.

Activities

• Astana – City tour
• Astana – Local Jewler Visit
• Turkistan – Caravan Serai complex
• Otrar – Ancient settlement
• Turkistan – Yasui Mausoleum
• Almaty – Winery visit and wine tasting
• Almaty – Turgen Gorge
• Almaty – Lake Issyk
• Almaty – Zenkov Cathedral
• Almaty – Panfilov Park
• Almaty – Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments
• Almaty – Zelenyi Bazaar
• Charyn Canyon – National Park
• Kolsay Lakes National Park – Hiking
• Karakol – Dungan Mosque
• Karakol – Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
• Karakol – Jeti Orghuz Canyon Hike
• Cholpon Ata – Petroglyphs
• Lake Issyk-Kul – Boat tour
• Bishkek – City walking tour
• Shamsy Valley – Burana tower
• Don Aryk – Kyrgyz family visit and home-cooked lunch
• Issyk-Kul Lake – Yurt workshop
• Kochkor – Market
• Kochkor – Women’s Felt Co-op
• Kyzyl-Oi – Boorsok Cooking Demonstration
• Uzgen – Uzgen Minaret & Complex
• Osh – Sulaiman-Too Mountain
• Osh – National Historical and Archaeological Museum Complex
• Tashkent – Chorsu Bazaar
• Tashkent – Amir Timur Square
• Bukhara – Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
• Bukhara – Ismail Samani Mausoleum
• Bukhara – Ark Fortress
• Samarkand – Leader-led orientation walk
• Samarkand – Bibi-Khanym Mosque
• Samarkand – Registan Square
• Samarkand – Shakh-I-Zinda
• Samarkand – Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
• Samarkand – Plov cooking demonstration & family visit

Highlights

• Discover Central Asia’s fascinating mix of ancient Silk Road culture, Soviet influence and post-independence nations with local leaders to show you the way.
• Learn about the Silk Road and its history – see the Registan in Samarkand (one of the pinnacles of Islamic architecture), spend time in UNESCO World Heritage-listed, 6th-century Bukhara and uncover the charm of the legendary Turkistan.
• Immerse yourself in the unique natural landscapes of this seldom-travelled part of the world – be surrounded by the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, take a train ride through the vistas of the Kazakh steppe, see the little ‘Grand Canyon’ at Charyn and discover the sunken forest of Kolsai Lakes.
• Be wowed by Song Kol Lake and Issyk-kul Lake, where you may see flocks of sheep, goats and herds of horses with their nomadic herdsmen. Stay in a yurt camp at the shore and live like the locals have for centuries in these traditional tents.
• Experience traditional Central Asian hospitality – there’s really nothing like being welcomed into a local home or yurt for a meal, chatting with stall holders at bazaars or simply chatting with the locals at the sites.