Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan in Depth

(16 days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Bishkek, Karkara, Karakol, Kochkor, Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand & Shakhrisabz

This in-depth private tour of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan features traditional culture, historic Silk Road cities, ancient ruins, UNESCO sites and the incredible natural beauty of Central Asia’s mountains and grasslands.

Begin in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. During private touring, explore the city center and see highlights such as the White House, the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts and the Osh Bazaar, a lively produce and housewares market, to browse for traditional Kyrgyz crafts such as felt hats, embroidered slippers and handmade carpets.

Next, transfer along the coast of Issyk-Kul Lake to Karkara with touring en route. See the petroglyph-covered boulders of the Issyk-Kul Historical State Museum, and visit a local apiary to learn about beekeeping in Kyrgyzstan. In Karkara, stay in a yurt camp in a verdant river valley, and enjoy hiking and horseback riding in the beautiful grasslands and forested hills.

Continue through the Kyrgyzstan countryside to the town of Karakol. During private touring, visit the colorful Dungan Mosque and Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Also enjoy a dinner of local dishes such as ashlan fu noodle soup at the home of a Dungan (Chinese Muslim) family.

Next, transfer to the rural village of Kochkor. En route, see the remarkable Jeti-Oguz (Seven Bulls) sandstone cliff formation, visit a traditional felt-making workshop and watch a demonstration of hunting with a golden eagle, a traditional method once common among the nomadic people in the region.

En route back to Bishkek, visit the Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see a field of mysterious, centuries-old balbals (carved stone heads and figures). Also enjoy lunch at the home of a German-speaking Mennonite family, a minority population that has lived and farmed in the region for generations.

From Bishkek, take a private excursion to Ala Archa National Park, a deep river valley in the rocky Tian Shan Mountains, for short hikes among the forests and slopes of the breathtaking region.

Fly 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.

Continue to spellbinding Khiva, a walled oasis town and former Silk Road caravan stop on the edge of the desert. With your private guide, explore the narrow lanes of the Ichan Kala, the historic heart of Khiva and an atmospheric collection of mudbrick mosques, madrassas and markets that once served itinerant traders. See highlights of this open-air museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as the dazzling tile-covered rooms and courtyards of the 19th-century Tash Khauli (Stone Palace), the blue dome of the Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the more than 200 carved wooden pillars of the Juma Mosque, the Islam Khodja complex and the turquoise tile-swathed Kalta Minor Minaret. If desired, climb up a bastion of the Kunya Ark fortress or walk a section of the city walls for views over the rooftops of the town.

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.

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 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon private city tour Day 2 Bishkek – Karkara Private cultural and scenic touring en route to yurt camp for 2 nights Day 3 Karkara Private touring and activities such as horseback riding and hiking Day 4 Karkara – Karakol Private transfer to guest house for 1 night. Afternoon private tour Day 5 Karakol – Kochkor Private touring and eagle hunting performance en route to guest house for 1 night Day 6 Kochkor – Bishkek Private touring and lunch with a local family en route to hotel for 1 night Day 7 Bishkek – Tashkent, Uzbekistan Morning private excursion to Ala Archa National Park. Afternoon private transfer to airport for flight to Tashkent. Arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 8 Tashkent – Khiva Morning private city tour. Private transfer to airport for flight to Khiva. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 9 Khiva Private city touring Day 10 Khiva – Bukhara Transfer by private vehicle or train to Bukhara hotel for 2 nights Day 11 Bukhara Full-day private tour Day 12 Bukhara – Samarkand Morning private Uzbek cooking class or continue private city touring. Afternoon private transfer to train station for high-speed train to Samarkand. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 13 Samarkand Full-day private tour Day 14 Samarkand & Shakhrisabz Private excursion or continue private city touring Day 15 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 16 Depart Tashkent Private airport transfer. Departure assistance

Hotels

Bishkek: Hyatt Regency Bishkek Karkara: Ak-Sai Yurt Camp Karakol: Green Yard Guest House Kochkor: Nomad Lodge Tashkent: Hyatt Regency Tashkent or Intercontinental Tashkent Khiva: Farovon Hotel Bukhara: Mercure Bukhara Old Town or Wyndham Hotel Bukhara Samarkand: Hilton Samarkand Regency, Savitsky Plaza or Zarafshon Parkside Hotel

Cost

$13,345 Per Person (double occupancy)