Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan

We depart for Bishkek, via Istanbul.

Early morning arrival, and transfer to hotel for breakfast and morning at leisure. In the afternoon, city tour begins in Ala-Too Square. We will see the changing of the guard ceremony at the Presidential Palace, and visit the Tsum Market, the oldest in Bishkek. This evening is our Welcome Dinner

We take an excursion to Ala Archa National Park in the Tian Shan Mountains. The park is known for hiking and beautiful snowy peaks. We will enjoy guided walks in the park before returning to Bishkek. Later we’ll visit the open air “Museum of the Painters” and explore a local bazaar. Tonight’s dinner features traditional Kyrgyz music.

We travel to Almaty—capital of Kazakhstan. After a city tour, we’ll enjoy a spectacular photo opportunity at the top of Kok-Tube Mountain, overlooking Almaty. Tonight’s dinner will be at a restaurant on the mountain offering stunning views.

Today we’ll visit the intricately beautiful Zhenkov Cathedral—an extraordinary Russian Orthodox Church built entirely of wood. We’ll then stroll through Panfilov Park and visit the Museum of Musical Instruments. Later we’ll visit the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, which houses the largest collection of Kazakh historical and cultural artifacts.

We fly to Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan. This evening we’ll enjoy a performance at the Navoi Theatre, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

We fly to Nukus, capital of the Karakalpakstan region, where we’ll visit the Karakalpakstan Region Museum, renowned for its Savitsky Gallery— an astounding collection of Soviet Avant-Garde Art. Then we’ll visit the Mizhda Khan necropolis and spend some time in a local bazaar.

Enroute to Khiva we stop at Toprak Kala—a mud built fortress from the 1st century BC, which was once a royal residence in the desert. We proceed to Khiva, where our hotel is a short walk from Ichan Kala—the walled inner town of the city.

On our tour of this fascinating walled city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) we’ll see the Kalta Minor, Madrassah Rakhimkhon and the Hunarmand workshops. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we have a cocktail party, and dinner with a special folklore show.

We make our way across the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara, enjoying scenic views of desert landscapes and village life along the way. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Our walking tour will take in the Poi Kalon minaret and mosque, a variety of madrassahs, and the Jewish quarter. We’ll enjoy a traditional Uzbek “plov” lunch prepared by a local artist in his studio. Then we visit the Ark Fortress—home of former rulers of the Bukhara Khanate, followed by a visit of the notorious Zindan Prison (now a museum) and the Ismail Samanid Mausoleum—one of Bukhara’s oldest monuments

We take an excursion to Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa, or “Palace of Moon-like Stars”— summer residence of the last emir of Bukhara. The palace now houses the Museum of Arts and Crafts. Then we proceed to Gijduvan and visit a local master potter and enjoy lunch at his workshop. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Bukhara’s covered markets.

Morning at leisure to further explore Bukhara. Later we board a train for Samarkand.

Sightseeing in Samarkand includes Registan Square and the three beautiful Madrassahs, Bibi Khanum Mosque, the bustling Siyob Silk Road Bazaar, Gur-e-Amir (mausoleum of the Asian conqueror Tamerlane) and Ulugbek’s Observatory.

We venture to the Konigil Meros village to visit a traditional paper-making factory. Later we’ll take a train back to Tashkent.

Our city tour will take in the Old City, the Khast Imam complex, Tilla Shaik archives, Chorsu Bazaar, Akbar’s Pottery house, Independence Square, the Applied Arts Museum, and the magnificent Russian Orthodox church. Notice the contrast between the modern, and Soviet-era architecture, and experience the lively atmosphere of this city. Tonight is our Farewell Dinner.

We fly home to Canada, via Istanbul