Route: Bishkek – Son-Kul – Karakol – Issyk-Kul – Bishkek – Osh – Ferghana – Tashkent –
Bukhara – Samarkand - Tashkent

Short description:
This tour will give you the unique opportunity to get to know two countries, their people and architecture, of the Great Silk Road, that are quite different, also because one of the people is traditionally nomadic, the other one always lived a settled life. Nevertheless, they both have something in common: The typical hospitality, warmth and openness of the Central Asian people which definitely can be seen as one of the most important heritages of the era of the Great Silk Road.
 
Itinerary:
Day 1: Bishkek After arrival in Bishkek in the early morning, we first go to our hotel and you have time to relax. After breakfast, we start our city tour around the capital of Kyrgyzstan, including the central Ala-Too Square with the Historic Museum, Philarmonic (concert hall), Statue of Manas, Victory Square, and lunch. After some time for relaxing and discovering the city on your own, we go for dinner. Accommodation in the hotel.
Day 2: Bishkek-Son-Kul lake Transfer from Bishkek to Kochkor after breakfast. In Kochkor we have a demonstration of making the traditional Kyrgyz felt carpets Shyrdak and Ala-Kiyiz and also a typical lunch. In the afternoon drive on to mountain lake Son-Kul (3000 m), dinner and overnight in yurts.
Day 3: Son-Kul lake-Karakol In the morning we have the chance to visit nomads and taste Kymyz (fermented mares milk, the traditional drink of the Kyrgyz nomads). Also you will have some free time to walk around and enjoy nature until having lunch in our yurt. Afterwards, we drive on to Karakol at the east end of the famous lake Issyk-Kul, where we go to our accommodation and have a kyrgyz folklore show and dinner.
Day 4: Karakol- Issik-Kul In the morning visit of the wooden, Russian-orthodox church, the dungan mosque (Dungans are a muslim, Chinese people that migrated to Kyrgyzstan about 200 years ago) and the Przhevalsky museum, which is dedicated to the interesting life of this Russian traveller and explorer. After lunch in Karakol, we drive to north of Issyk-Kul. The rest of the afternoon is to your free disposal. In the evening, we have dinner in our good hotel.
Day 5: Issik-Kul- Bishkek In the morning you still have time to enjoy the beautiful lake, also called the “Pearl of the Tien-Shan”. After lunch in the hotel, we then drive to Bishkek in the afternoon, where on the way we visit the famous Burana-tower from the 11th century. Dinner in restaurant, accommodation in hotel
Day 6: Bishkek- Osh In the morning flight Bishkek – Osh, where we are met at the airport by our new transport to go to our cosy guesthouse. There, we first have lunch and then head for the bazaar in the afternoon, that provides you with a first feeling for the lively culture of the Great Silk Road. Dinner & overnight.
Day 7: Osh-Fergana  In the morning visit of Sulaiman Gora, the holy pilgrimage mountain in the centre of the town. Nearby, we will also have lunch and then go to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border Dostuk, where you first meet your uzbek driver and guide. Sightseeing tour programme in Ferghana Valley. Visit the silk factory in the city of Margilan, discover for yourself the process of silk making from point of cocoons to dyeing the ready silk. Drive to the city of Kokand, visit Palace of the ruler of Kokand, 19th century, Narbutebay Madrassa and Juma Mosque. Transfer to the hotel in Fergana. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Fergana- Tashkent In the first half of the day transfer to the airport and flight to Tashkent. Arrvial to Tashkent, check in to the hotel. Lunch. In the afternoon sightseeing Tashkent. Drive through the center of the city, visit Khast-Imom Mosque, Abdul Kassim Madrassa and if the time allows Amir Temur Museum. Dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Tashkent-Bukhara  In the morning transfer to the airport and flight to Bukhara. Arrival to Bukhara, transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing Bukhara. Sightseeing tour will include visits to the sights Ismail Samonid mausoleum (a burial place of the Samani dynasty founder Ismail Samani, 10th century), Kalon Minaret and Poi Kalon Mosque, Miri Arab Madrassa (16th century), Ulugbek Madrassa (15th century) and Abdilazizkhan Madrassa (17th century), Magoki Attory Mosque (is a very interesting construction, with façade 12th century and reconstructed in 16th century, with Zoroastrian temple ornaments underneath), Lyabi House complex, Bolo Hauz Mosque (18th century an official place of worship of emir of Bukhara). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Bukhara-Samarkand  In the first half of the day continue sightseeing Bukhara: Ark Fortress (a home to the rulers of Bukhara), Museums inside Ark Fortress. After lunch depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand. Arrival to Samarkand, check in to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Samarkand Full day sightseeing Samarkand which will include: famous Registan Square (with Madrassa Sherdor 17th century, Tilla Kori and Ulugbek 15th century), Shokhi Zinda Nekropole (important pilgrimage place in Samarkand), remains of grandiose Bibi Khanum Mosque, Gur Emir-Mausoleum (where conqueror Amir Temur (Tamerlane), his two sons and two grandsons are buried, 15th century), Ulugbek Observatory. Overnight at the hotel. 
Day 12: Samarkand-Tashkent In the morning continue sightseeing Samarkand. Visit silk carpets factory. Free time.  In the afternoon depart Samarkand and drive to Tashkent. Arrival to Tashkent, transfer to the hotel.
Day 13: Tashkent Transfer to the airport, departure.