Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Explorer
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,614
MODERATE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Discover the wonders of Central Asia on this 9-day tour through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Starting in Almaty and ending in Samarkand, you’ll travel by road and train to explore ancient sites and modern wonders, including the oldest nature reserve in Central Asia, the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, and the ghost town of Otrar.
This 9-day Central Asian vacation takes you across Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to explore many of the great cities along the Silk Road. It features moderate or first-class accommodations, private guided tours, and is great for travellers wanting to explore new regions just opening up to the world of travel.
Your journey begins in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan and the former capital. Take the day to head on a city tour to see some of the many landmarks of this city surrounded by the Tian Shan Mountains, including the Ascension Cathedral, the Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments, and the Almaty Central Mosque. Connect to Tamgaly to gaze upon Bronze and Iron Age petroglyphs carved into the rocks. Return to Almaty and board the overnight train to Taraz, one of the country’s oldest cities. A short city tour will showcase a few city highlights, from the Taraz Regional Museum to Aisha Bibi Mausoleum, before you connect to Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, the oldest nature reserve in Central Asia. Explore this gorgeous reserve that’s home to 50 species of mammals, including the rare snow leopard and Tian Shan bear, before you continue onward to the former Soviet industrial town of Shymkent.
Based in Shymkent, you’ll head on a full-day excursion to the ancient settlement of Otrar, a ghost town that was once homes to palaces, mosques, and bathhouses prior to the invasion of the Mongols. Connect onward to Turkistan, where you’ll see the breathtaking Mausoleum of Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi, the most iconic building in the country.
Cross the border into Uzbekistan and reach the capital Tashkent, where you’ll head on a sightseeing tour to discover the wonders of this old trading post along the Silk Road. You’ll see the Khast Imam Complex, Kukeldash Madrasah, and Independent Square. Continue to Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road, where you’ll discover the history of this garden spot. Visit some of the many wonders of Samarkand, including Shakh-i-Zinda Mausoleum, Registan Square, Bibi-Khanum Mosque, and the Silk Road Bazaar. You’ll also take an excursion to Gur Emir to watch sunset from the Mausoleum of Tamerlane.
You’ll have the next morning to yourself before heading to the airport to connect to your onward destination.
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,614
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Almaty
Welcome to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Duration | 2 Nights |
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Accommodation |
Rahat Palace Hotel |
Location | View map |
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Rahat Palace Hotel
This deluxe hotel is conveniently located in Almaty's city centre, with many rooms offering spectacular views of the Alatau mountains. Facilities include two restaurants, a spa, fitness centre and indoor pool. Complimentary WiFi is provided.
This deluxe hotel is conveniently located in Almaty's city centre, with many rooms offering spectacular views of the Alatau mountains. Facilities include two restaurants, a spa, fitness centre and indoor pool. Complimentary WiFi is provided.
Facilities
- Bar
- Business Centre
- Fitness Centre
- Guest Services Desk
- Internet Access
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
- Pool
- Spa
Photo gallery
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Almaty
Enjoy a full day tour of Almaty, a city with some interesting Russian architectural buildings surrounded by the Tienshan Mountains. Visit Panfilov Park, Zhenkov's Holy Ascension Cathedral, the Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments, the State Museum of Kazakhstan, the Central Mosque of Almaty and either Zeelyoni Bazaar or the Green Bazaar. In the evening drive to Kok Tyube to take a gondola ride to a panoramic view point of the city.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Almaty to Tamgaly to Taraz(overnight train)
Transfer to Tamgaly, an impressive petroglyph UNESCO World Heritage site. The most interesting are the Bronze and Iron age petroglyphs depicting solar symbols, animals and human figures performing rituals. Later in the day return to Almaty to board your overnight train to travel southwest to Taraz (approx. 9 hour train journey). Approx. driving time between Almaty and Tamgaly is 2.5 hours (one-way).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Accommodation |
Barhat Hotel and Spa |
Location | View map |
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Barhat Hotel and Spa
Spend your holidays in this hotel that offers luxurious mattresses, but you can also go free to bask in the sauna and hammam. It features an outdoor pool. Hearty breakfasts in a stylish lobby bar. Conference room for 30 people, from 30 to 70 people …
Spend your holidays in this hotel that offers luxurious mattresses, but you can also go free to bask in the sauna and hammam. It features an outdoor pool. Hearty breakfasts in a stylish lobby bar. Conference room for 30 people, from 30 to 70 people can hold events in the lobby bar. For group guests we organize a transfer. And also we offer a massage in our SPA salon.
Facilities
- Bar
- Currency Exchange
- Daily Housekeeping
- Internet
- Laundry Facilities (Surcharge)
- Parking
- Reception (24 hrs)
- Room Service
- Swimming Pool
- Terrace
Photo gallery
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Taraz to Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve
Arrive in Taraz in the morning and transfer to a hotel restaurant for breakfast and to refresh. Taraz is one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan and it was a major trade centre along the Silk Road. Take a short city tour of Taraz visiting the Museum of Taraz and Aisha Bibi mausoleum. Then travel to Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, where you will overnight (approx. 2 hour drive).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Aksu Zhabagly to Shymkent
Morning walking tour of Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, the oldest nature reserve in Central Asia. The reserve is home to over a 1000 species of plants and over 50 species of mammals, including the rare snow leopard, and the Tien-Shan bear. Afterwards, travel to Shymkent city, once a soviet industrial town (approx. 2 hour drive).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
Accommodation |
Canvas Hotel |
Location | View map |
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Canvas Hotel
Canvas Hotel is a modern 4-star hotel, where Kazakh art is intertwined with modern design, and the simplicity of style is perfectly complemented by quality service. It is an ideal place for business or leisure with comfortable rooms, a welcoming atmosphere and excellent cuisine. Canvas …
Canvas Hotel is a modern 4-star hotel, where Kazakh art is intertwined with modern design, and the simplicity of style is perfectly complemented by quality service.
It is an ideal place for business or leisure with comfortable rooms, a welcoming atmosphere and excellent cuisine.
Canvas Hotel is located in the heart of the historical center of Shymkent with its museums, art galleries and vibrant nightlife.Facilities
- 24 hour Front desk
- Airport Shuttle Service
- Conference Hall
- Free Parking
- In-Room Safe
- Room Service
- WiFi
Photo gallery
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Shymkent (Otrar and Turkestan)
Take a full day excursion. Visit the ancient settlement of Otrar where you can see remnants of palaces, mosques and bathhouses. The site was first excavated in 1969 with a history dating back to the first century AD. It is also where Genghis Khan's army is said to have fought heroically (though unsuccessfully) when the Mongols first invaded Central Asia. Then proceed to Turkestan to visit the Mausoleum of Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi, Kazakhstan's most iconic building. Built by Tamerlane, it is said that three visits here are equal to one visit to Mecca. Return to your hotel in Shymkent. Approx. driving time Shymkent to Otrar (2 hrs), Otrar to Turkestan (1.5 hrs), and Turkestan to Shymkent (2.5 hrs).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Shymkent to Tashkent to Samarkand
Cross the border into Uzbekistan and then transfer to the capital city of Tashkent (approx. 2 hr drive). Tashkent is one of the largest cities in Central Asia. Take a sightseeing tour around the city to visit the old town, Khast Imom Complex, Kukeldash Madrassah, Friendship Square, Independent Square and Museum of Applied Arts. After the tour take the train to Samarkand together with your guide (train time is approx. 3 hrs). Arrive at in Samarkand in the late evening and transfer to your hotel.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
Accommodation |
Alexander Hotel |
Location | View map |
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Alexander Hotel
Hotel "ALEXANDER" is an absolutely unique project, with its own history, but in a new solution by modern designers, decorators and the best European architects specializing in the restoration and reproduction of architectural monuments and objects representing the historical and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan. We …
Hotel "ALEXANDER" is an absolutely unique project, with its own history, but in a new solution by modern designers, decorators and the best European architects specializing in the restoration and reproduction of architectural monuments and objects representing the historical and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.
We pay special attention to the safety of our guests, which is provided around the clock by our own hotel security service. All guest rooms are equipped with electronic locks and a fire system, and the hall and corridors of the hotel are equipped with a modern video surveillance system.Facilities
- Bar
- Fitness Centre
- Free WiFi
- Lounge Bar
- Multi-lingual Staff
- Sauna
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Samarkand
Take a full day city tour of Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road cities. Samarkand was greatly admired for its gardens and vegetation and was a flourishing city during the Silk Road period. The city has a very interesting history having been invaded by Macedonians under Alexander the Great, and by the Mongols and was also visited by Marco Polo. Visit the Shakh-i-Zinda mausoleum including monuments from the 14th and 15th centuries and architecture from the Timurid dynasty. Also visit Registan Square, the great central square of Samarkand, the enormous Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Afrosiab Museum, Ulugbek's Observatory and the Silk Road bazaar. Drive to Gur Emir, the mausoleum of Tamerlane to watch the sunset over the blue dome (weather permitting). In the evening return to Registan Square to see the illuminated madrassahs.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Samarkand Departure
Day at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Tuesdays and Fridays from April to October
PRICE INCLUDES:
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Private arrival and departure airport transfers
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2 nights moderate hotel accommodations in Almaty
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1 night moderate overnight train accommodation (from Tamgaly to Taraz)
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1 night moderate guest house accommodation in Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve
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2 nights moderate hotel accommodations in Shymkent
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2 nights moderate hotel accommodations in Samarkand
- Private-guided tours and experiences as per itinerary
- Transportation by private vehicle for land transfers and sightseeing
- English speaking local guides for sightseeing mentioned on the itinerary
- Train tickets from Almaty - Taraz (berth compartment) and from Shymkent - Samarkand (chair seat)
- Bottled water provided daily
- Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 1 lunch & 1 dinner (at guest house)
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Photo fee at museums and sites
- Items of a personal nature
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
20 Oct 2020