Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Explorer

Welcome to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.

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.

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).

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).

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).

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).

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.

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.

Day at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.