Oriental fairy tales of Asia

“Oriental tales of Asia” is diving into cultures of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, finding connection between two adjacent countries. You see many landscapes during the tour from mountains till desert.
The start of the tour leads from the capital of Kyrgyzstan from North part to the South. Passing by high mountain plateaus, pastures, two mountain ridges. Visit the largest area of relict walnut forest at Arslanbob village. Mostly Uzbeks live in the village. The village is quiet oriental. Also, on the way stop at the most ancient cities of Kyrgyzstan: Uzgen and Osh. Crossing Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, moving towards Tashkent. Sightseeing tours around Uzbekistan: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Visiting former capital of Sogdian state – Samarkand. The city was the center of cultural, scientific and trade center during Ulugbeks’ time. Samarkand is under UNESCO protection from 2001.
Visit Bukhara - city-museum. There are 140 architectural historical monuments. It was cultural center of the East. Here lived Ali Ibn Sina, Rudaki, and others in different times. In 1991 Bukhara was included in UNESCO heritage.  
Visit Khiva – one of the biggest and oldest centers of the Khorezm agricultural oasis. Desert Kyzylkum starts here. Khiva is the first city among Central Asian cities, which was included in UNESCO list in 1990.

Day 1.
Airport – Bishkek 
Early morning arrival to the airport “Manas”. Transfer to Bishkek accompanied by a great view to Kyrgyz Ala Too Mountain Range. Accommodation in a hotel in Bishkek, short rest. City tour - walk from Philharmonic to Ala Too main square. Passing by “White House”, open-air art gallery, oak park, different monuments and finish by Opera House and Victory Square. 
Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in a Hotel.
Altitudes (above sea level): Bishkek 700-800m
Distance and travel time: 35 km (40 min), city tour 6-7 hours.

Day 2.
Bishkek – Chychkan  gorge
Transfer to Susamyr valley over Too Ashuu pass. Crossing Suusamyr valley with its endless pastures. Continue driving to Chychkan gorge over Ala Bel pass. Accommodation in tourist complex. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Too Ashuu pass - 4100m, Ala Bel pass - 3184m
Distances and travel time: 280 km, 6-7 hours driving.

Day 3.
Chychkan gorge – Arslanbob village 
Moving towards Arslanbob village via Toktogul reservoir. It’s the biggest in Central Asia. Driving along strong Naryn river. Passing by several hydroelectric power stations. Accommodation in guesthouse. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Chychkan gorge – 2200m, Arslanbob village – 1600-2000m
Distances and travel time: 200km, 5 hours driving.

Day 4.
Arslanbob – Osh 
Arslanbob is the largest area of relict walnut forest on the planet. It covers over 600,000 hectares. After breakfast visiting waterfall, panoramic view to the village and surrounding mountains. After lunch transfer to Osh city. On the way stop at Uzgen city. Visiting Uzgen tower and complex of three mausoleums. Overnight in guesthouse/hotel in Osh.
Altitudes (above sea level): Arslanbob – 1600-2000m, Osh – 963m
Distances and travel time: 190 km, 5 hours driving.

Day 5.
Osh
Osh is the one of the oldest city of Kyrgyzstan with 3000years’ history. One-day sightseeing tour around the city. Visiting sacred mount Suleiman-Too and history museum, situated in natural cave, main square in downtown, Orthodox Church, oriental market. Accommodation in guesthouse/hotel.
Altitudes (above sea level): Osh – 963m
Distances and travel time: 5-7 hours for excursion.

Day 6.
Osh – Tashkent 
Transfer to Kyrgyz/Uzbek border after breakfast . Crossing the border “Dostuk”. Meeting a new guide and driver. Transfer to Tashkent. Accommodation in a hotel in Tashkent. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Osh – 963m, Tashkent – 455m
Distances and travel time: 420km, driving 7-8 hours.

Day 7.
Tashkent – Samarkand 
In the first half of the day sightseeing tour around Tashkent. Visit center of city: Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, Old City part of Tashkent with Khast-Imom Complex and Chor-Su bazaar, Applied Arts Museum. In the afternoon depart and drive to Samarkand (by car or train). Accommodation in a hotel. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Tashkent – 455m, Samarkand – 705m
Distances and travel time: 300 km, 5-6 h driving/or 2h by train.

Day 8.
Samarkand
City tour in Samarkand. It includes visiting famous Registan Square, Shakhi-Zinda Complex, remains of Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Shakhi Zinda necropolis, Gur-Emir mausoleum, Ulugbek observatory, Afrosiyob Museum, central bazaar in Samarkand. Accommodation in a hotel. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Samarkand – 705m
Distances and travel time: 5-7 h for excursion.

Day 9.
Samarkand – Bukhara 
In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Bukhara. Arrival to Bukhara, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing Bukhara. Visit, Kalon ensemble, madrasa Miri-Arab, Magoki-Attori mosque, medrese Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan, trade domes, Lyabi Hauz complex, madrasa Chor-Minor. Accommodation in a hotel. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Samarkand – 705m, Bukhara – 229m
Distances and travel time: 275 km, 4,5-5h on the way.

Day 10.
Bukhara
Continue sightseeing tour in Bukhara. Visit Samani dynasty mausoleum, Arc Fortress, Chashma-Ayub. Day trip to summer palace of Bukhara Emirs Sitorai-Mokhikhosa. Free time during the day. Accommodation in a hotel. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Bukhara – 229m
Distances and travel time: 5-7 hours for excursions.

Day 11.
Bukhara – Khiva 
Driving to Khiva after breakfast. On the way stop at Amudarya river for lunch. Arrival to Khiva, check in to a hotel. Free time. 
Altitudes (above sea level): Bukhara – 229m, Khiva – 109m
Distances and travel time: 450 km, 7h driving.

Day 12.
Khiva – Tashkent
In the morning guided sightseeing of Khiva, spend a day in UNESCO World Heritage site Ichan-Qala fortress. In Ichan-Qala fortress visit Kunya-Arc, Sayeed Alauddin mausoleum, medrese Arab-Mukhamadkhan, mosque Oq-Masjid,medrese Hodjan Berdi-biya, Shirgazikhan, Abdullakhan, Juma mosque, madrasa Allakulikhan, Toshkhovli palace, Pakhlavan Makhmud mausoleum, minaret Islom-khodja. Free time in the afternoon. In the evening transfer to the airport in Urgench, flight to Tashkent. Arrival to Tashkent, transfer to a hotel. Accommodation in a hotel
Altitudes (above sea level):  Khiva – 109m, Tashkent – 455m
Distances and travel time: 1000km, 1h 20 min by plane.

Day 13.
Tashkent – Airport
Transfer to the airport. Departure.
Altitudes (above sea level): Tashkent – 455m.

Price on request.

Reccomended list of clothing:
Sunscreen (at least 20SPF);
Lip balm;
Sunglasses with UV protection;
At least a 25 Liter backpack for personal items;
Telescopic trekking sticks poles (optional);
Head lamp spare bulbs & batteries; 
T-Shirts, long-sleeved T-shirt, shorts;
Trekking pants;
Underwear;
Fleece jacket or pullover;
Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional); 
Down vest and/or jacket (optional);
Waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex);
Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex);    
Sun hat or scarf;
Warm fleece hat or light balaclava; 
Comfortable shoes.