Silk Road Discovery Tour: Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Uzbek 12 Days

After meeting at the International Terminal of Istanbul Airport, we complete check-in and passport formalities and board our flight to Almaty. On arrival, we travel to the city centre in a private vehicle waiting for us. After checking into our hotel and taking a short rest, we set out on a tour of Almaty, one of Kazakhstan's major cities. At the Hun Ethnographic Complex, we are welcomed with Şaşu, a traditional Kazakh greeting ceremony. We then watch demonstrations of the Kazakh traditions Beşike Salu and Tusay Kesu. In a Kazakh tent (yurt), we learn about local hospitality and watch demonstrations of traditional horseback games such as Kız Kuu (Chase the Girl) and Atpen Audarysmak. During the Kazakh National Bread-Making Demonstration, we observe how traditional bread, an important part of local cuisine, is prepared. We have lunch at a local restaurant and sample regional dishes. After lunch, weather permitting, we take a cable car up Shymbulak Mountain and enjoy the mountain views. After returning to the city centre, we continue our panoramic tour of Almaty. We see Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral.

After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the airport and take our flight to Bishkek with Centrum Air C6. Upon arrival, we travel to the city centre in our private vehicle and check in at our hotel. After a short rest, we set out on an evening city tour of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. During the tour, we take in panoramic views of Ala-Too Square, the Manas Monument and the city's key landmarks. After dinner, we return to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Bishkek.

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off for the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. Along the way, we see steppes and mountain ranges, with sightseeing stops introducing us to Kyrgyz culture and the region's natural surroundings. During the journey of approximately 270 km, we stop for photos at Boom Canyon in Central Asia. Along the route, we visit Burana Tower and Archaeological Complex. On arrival at Issyk-Kul, we have free time around the lake. Guests who wish can explore the area and take a walk along the lakeshore. We have dinner at our hotel in the Issyk-Kul region and stay here overnight.

After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Issyk-Kul and begin our return journey to Bishkek. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel. Guests have free time for the rest of the day. Those who wish can take a walk in the city centre, shop at local markets or rest at the hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel in Bishkek.

In the morning, we transfer to the airport and take our flight to Tashkent. After arriving in Tashkent at approximately 15:00, we travel to our hotel in a private vehicle waiting for us. After check-in, you have free time to rest for the remainder of the day. Guests who wish can take short walks around the hotel to explore the area. Dinner and overnight accommodation at our hotel in Tashkent.

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our city tour of Tashkent. The tour includes visits to the Alişer Navayi Opera and Ballet Theatre, Independence Square, Emir Timur Square and the Emir Timur statue, the Museum of Applied Arts, Hz. İmam Mosque, a sacred site housing the Quran manuscript of Hz. Osman, Kukeldaş Madrasah and the Old City district. Our stops also include Çorsu Bazaar, known for its traditional spices, nuts, dried fruit and silk products, and Tashkent TV Tower. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will have free time for the rest of the day. You can stroll along Tashkent's wide boulevards, explore modern shopping centres or shop for local products and souvenirs in traditional bazaars. During this free time, you can get to know Tashkent better by exploring its modern and historic districts at your own pace. Dinner and overnight accommodation are at our hotel in Tashkent.

Early in the morning, we transfer to the airport and take our flight to Khiva. On arrival, we head to our hotel for breakfast and a short rest. We then begin our guided city tour of Khiva. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this open-air museum city is one of the best-preserved stops on the Silk Road. During the tour, we visit Pehlivan Mahmud Mausoleum, Cuma Mosque and Minaret, İslam Hoca Madrasa, Kalta Minar (Short Minaret) and the İç Han Kale area. We walk through the narrow streets of Khiva, known as the Stone City of the Silk Road. We enjoy dinner accompanied by a local dance performance and spend the night at our hotel in Khiva.

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Bukhara. During our road journey of approximately 6 hours, we travel through the Kyzylkum Desert in Central Asia, taking in the views. We make short stops along the way and learn about the region's history and geography from our guide. Upon arrival in Bukhara, we check in to our hotel and rest briefly. We then take an evening walk through the city centre with our guide. During the walk, we see narrow streets, historic buildings and illuminated squares. We have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night at our hotel in Bukhara.

After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our guided city tour of Bukhara. With a history of approximately 2500 years, Bukhara is one of the Silk Road's important centres of learning and trade. During the tour, we visit the historic buildings of a city where many scholars and merchants have left their mark. We visit the Nakşibendi Hazretleri Tomb, part of the complex dedicated to Bahâeddin Nakşibend, one of Central Asia's important Sufis. We take a break at the Leb-i Havuz Complex, located at the crossroads of historic caravan routes. We see Bolo Havuz Mosque and Kalan Minaret, two of the city's landmarks. We also visit Mir Arap Madrasa and Kalan Mosque, examples of classical Central Asian architecture. After our visits, we return to our hotel. We have dinner at a local restaurant or at our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Bukhara.

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the train station and depart for Samarkand by train. Along the way, we take in the landscapes of Central Asia. On arrival in Samarkand, we check in to our hotel and take a short rest after lunch. We then set out on a city tour to explore Samarkand on the Silk Road. During the tour, we visit the Imam Bukhari Mausoleum, which houses the tomb of one of the Islamic world's leading hadith scholars, and the Gur Emir Mausoleum, the tomb of Emir Timur, founder of the Timurid Empire. We also visit Registan Square, an example of Central Asian architecture comprising three large madrasas. After exploring Samarkand's historic sites throughout the day, we have dinner and return to our hotel. We spend the night at our hotel in Samarkand.

After breakfast at our hotel, we continue exploring Samarkand. Throughout the day, we tour the historic buildings of Samarkand on the Silk Road and visit Bibi Hanım Mosque and the Şah-ı Zinde Complex. We have lunch at a local restaurant. After our visits, we return to our hotel at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Samarkand.

Early in the morning, we transfer to Samarkand Airport. After completing check-in and passport formalities, we take our flight to Istanbul. Our journey through the Silk Road cities ends upon arrival in Istanbul.