Highlights of Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan

(13 days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Almaty with Charyn Canyon & Big Almaty Lake, Shymkent with Turkestan & Aksu Canyon, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand & Shakhrisabz

On this private tour of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, visit modern cities and important Silk Road towns, travel to scenic lake and mountain regions, learn about the myriad cultural influences that permeate the region and experience the local lifestyle at markets and crafts workshops.

Begin in Almaty, a cosmopolitan city (and former capital) in the shadow of the rugged Tian Shan Mountains. During private city touring, see highlights such as leafy Panfilov Park and the colorful wooden Ascension Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church also known as Zenkov Cathedral that dates from 1907. Also visit the Green Market, a large indoor food hall. Learn about the history and culture of Kazakhstan in the Central State Museum, which has objects from the Bronze Age to today. See landmarks such as Republic Square and the Independence Monument with its sculpture of the Golden Man on top. Depending on your interests, perhaps also visit the Museum of Folk Music Instruments or see Soviet-era buildings, the subway, Arasan Baths and other places that make up the urban fabric of Almaty. Upon request, we can arrange tickets to performances at the Kazakh State (Abay) Opera and Ballet Theater.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Big Almaty Lake, a turquoise lake in Ile-Alatau National Park, for beautiful views of the water and the Tian Shan Mountains. Also visit a local falcon farm and bird-of-prey sanctuary to learn how hawks, falcons and other hunting birds are still used by traditional nomadic hunters.

Another day, enjoy a full-day private excursion in the region. Options include touring Charyn Canyon and the famed Valley of the Castles, a dramatic landscape of eroded, rust-colored cliffs and towers formed by wind and water; visiting Tamgaly (Tanbaly), a UNESCO World Heritage Site of rocky hills with more than 5,000 petroglyphs created from the Bronze Age through the early 20th century; seeing Tamgaly-Tas, where monumental Buddhist images and texts were inscribed hundreds of years ago on large rock outcroppings along the Ili River; and hiking in other parts of Ile-Alatau National Park, such as Turgen Gorge, a diverse landscape of waterfalls, river valleys, foothills and forests.

Continue to Shymkent, a base for cultural and scenic touring in the region. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Turkestan, an ancient Silk Road caravan town, to see the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a Timurid-era building covered in vibrant tile mosaics that’s now a pilgrimage destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also see other monuments that make up the historical complex, such as the Friday Mosque, Underground Mosque and Mausoleum of Rabigha-Sultan Begum. En route, visit the vast archaeological site of Otrar, the ruins of a Silk Road trading town and fortress destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century. Another day, take a private excursion to Aksu Canyon, part of the oldest nature reserve in Kazakhstan. Look for native wildlife during privately guided hiking among the forests and grasslands.

Transfer across the border to Tashkent, the modern capital of Uzbekistan. With your private guide, walk through the narrow streets of the Old Town, and visit the vast Hazrati Imam complex to see historic mosques and one of the oldest Korans in the world. Explore Chorsu Bazaar, a busy market under a huge Soviet-era dome that's stocked with spices, produce and other daily goods. Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, a richly decorated historic mansion dedicated to Uzbek crafts such as silk, ceramics, carpets and wood carving. Other touring options include walking through Independence Square, seeing a local synagogue, learning about the country's diverse cultural influences at the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, seeing important historical artworks at the State Fine Arts Museum, and perusing interesting Soviet-era architecture in the metro stations and elsewhere.

Next, visit Bukhara, an ancient Silk Road religious, cultural and trading center. During private touring, discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered the best-preserved medieval Central Asian town. Venture inside ancient domed bazaars to browse stalls for local handicrafts such as rugs, silk, suzani (embroidered textiles), jewelry and woodwork. See cultural highlights such as the Ark, an impressive ancient palace-fortress behind mighty walls; the Poi Kalyan complex, including the 12th-century Kalyan (Kalon) Minaret, a masterpiece of patterned brick, and the 16th-century Miri Arab Madrassa, with its enormous portal and two blue-domed towers; the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble, which features two madrassas and a Sufi lodge around a pond and shady plaza favored by locals; the four-towered Char Minar gatehouse; and the 10th-century Ismail Samani Mausoleum. Additional touring options include visiting the Bolo Hauz Mosque, Maghoki-Attari Mosque or the synagogue and Jewish cemetery.

One day, if desired, take an excursion to Gijduvan, a town famous for rustic pottery, to visit local workshops and browse for colorful glazed ceramics. One morning, enjoy a private cooking class to learn to prepare traditional Uzbek dishes such as plov (lamb pilaf) and samsa (meat pastry).

Continue by high-speed train to fabled Samarkand, one of Central Asia's oldest and most important Silk Road cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During private touring, visit the magnificent Registan, a former trading square bounded on three sides by towering madrassas covered in dazzling tile mosaics. Gaze at the blue-tiled portals, minarets and domes while learning about Samarkand's role as the capital of the influential Timurid dynasty in the 14th and 15th centuries. See other Timurid landmarks such as the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the ornate Gur-e-Amir mausoleum dedicated to legendary ruler Timur (Tamerlane) and his relatives, and the 15th-century Ulugh Beg Observatory, a monumental astronomical device. Walk among the beautiful tile-covered mausoleums of the Shah-i-Zinda ensemble, a hillside necropolis active for more than 800 years. Visit local markets and handicrafts boutiques, and stroll through the old Jewish quarter. Also tour the Afrosiab Museum, which houses archaeological artifacts and an important seventh-century fresco. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a tasting at a local winery, a lesson to learn to make traditional bread and tickets to a performance about Uzbek history and traditional costumes at the El Merosi theater.

One day, enjoy a private excursion over the mountains to the town of Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Timur (Tamerlane) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the historic center, see structures built during the Timurid dynasty, such as the colossal ruined gates of the Ak Saray Palace, the Dorus Saodat memorial complex, the Kok Gumbaz Mosque and the Chorsu Bazaar.

Return to Tashkent by high-speed train for a night.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Almaty, Kazakhstan Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 2 Almaty & Big Almaty Lake Full-day private excursion, including falcon farm Day 3 Almaty & environs Full-day private excursion to Charyn Canyon, Tamgaly UNESCO Site, Tamgaly-Tas or hiking Day 4 Almaty – Shymkent Private transfer to airport for morning flight to Shymkent. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private tour or excursion to Sayram Day 5 Shymkent & Turkestan Full-day private excursion Day 6 Shymkent – Tashkent, Uzbekistan Private overland transfer to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon private city tour Day 7 Tashkent – Bukhara Private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Bukhara. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private touring Day 8 Bukhara Full-day private tour, including optional excursion to Gijduvan Day 9 Bukhara – Samarkand Morning private Uzbek cooking class or continue private city touring. Private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Samarkand. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 10 Samarkand Full-day private tour Day 11 Samarkand & Shakhrisabz Private excursion or continue private city touring Day 12 Samarkand – Tashkent Morning private tour. Afternoon private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Tashkent. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 13 Depart Tashkent Private airport transfer. Departure assistance

Hotels

Almaty: The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty Shymkent: Rixos Khadisha Shymkent Tashkent: Hyatt Regency Tashkent or InterContinental Tashkent Bukhara: Mercure Bukhara Old Town or Wyndham Hotel Bukhara Samarkand: Hilton Samarkand Regency, Savitsky Plaza or Zarafshon Parkside Hotel

Cost

$16,365 Per Person (double occupancy)