Hiking to Turgen-Aksu valley and Jeti-Oguz valley

TOUR PROGRAM

1

Day 1: Bishkek

Itinerary

Meet at Manas airport. Bus to the guest house ~40min (25km). Bishkek City tour. Overnight in the guest house (Elevation:900m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

2

Day 2: Bishkek - Karakol

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Karakol ~5-6 hours (400km). Overnight in a guest house (Elevation: 1767m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

3

Day 3: Karakol - Turgen-Aksu valley

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Turgen-Aksu valley ~1-2 hours (60km). You will hike to the baseline of Bozuchuk pass ~5-6 hours (12km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2950m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

4

Day 4: Turgen-Aksu valley - Jergez valley

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will summit Bozuchuk pass (3369m) and descend into Jergez valley ~-5-6 hours (14km). Overnight in the tents (Elevation: 2700m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

5

Day 5: Jergez valley - Ailanysh - Almalu valley

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will summit Ailanysh pass (3671m) and descend into Almalu valley ~7-8 hours (16km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2650m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

6

Day 6: Almalu - Altyn-Arashan

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will summit Almalu pass (3650m) and descend to Altyn-Arashan hot springs ~6-7 hours (14km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2500m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

7

Day 7: Altyn-Arashan - Ala-Kul

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will hike to the baseline of Ala-Kul pass (3860m) ~5-6 hours (14km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 3300m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

8

Day 8: Ala-Kul

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will summit Ala-Kul pass (3860m) and descend to Sirota campsite ~6-7 hours (15km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2700m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

9

Day 9: Karakol valley

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will hike to Karakol valley to the campsite Chon-Tash ~2-3 hours (6km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2450m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

10

Day 10: Telity valley

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will summit Telity pass (3820m) and descend to Telity valley ~7-8 hours (16km). Overnight in the tent (Elevation: 2900m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

11

Day 11: Jeti-Oguz valley

Itinerary

Leaving the campsite you will hike to Jeti-Oguz valley ~4-5 hours (12km). Overnight in the yurt camp (Elevation: 2300m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Yurt camp

12

Day 12: Jeti-Oguz - Cholpon-Ata

Itinerary

Leaving the yurt camp you will travel to Cholpon-Ata ~3-4 hours (130km). On the way you will visit an open air museum of petroglyphs. Overnight in the guest house (1600m)

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

13

Day 13: Cholpon-Ata - Bishkek

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Bishkek ~6-7 hours (324km). On the way you will visit Burana tower. Overnight in the guest house (900m).

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

14

Day 14:

Itinerary

Leaving the guest house you will travel to Manas airport ~40min (25km).

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

_ _ _

Trekking and city tour in Dushanbe (11 days)

TOUR PROGRAM

1

Day 1: Dushanbe

Itinerary

Arrive in Dushanbe. Meeting at airport and transfer to hotel.

Meals

_ _ _

Accomodation

Hotel

2

Day 2: Marguzor lakes

Itinerary

After breakfast transfer to Marguzor lakes till the 6-th lake. Mountain guide will wait with all equipment ( he will came from Penjikent). Accommodation in H-2600 m. Walking excursion to Hazorchashma lake. Back to the H-2600m. Camping

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

3

Day 3: Marguzor lakes - Tovasang pass.

Itinerary

Tracking starts. Passage to the foothill of Tovasang pass. Camping near the summer campsite of shepherds.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

4

Day 4: Valley Archimaydan

Itinerary

Hiking in the Valley Archimaydan. Camping in Du-oba.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

5

Day 5: Valley Archamaidan - Zimtut village

Itinerary

Hiking along the river in the valley of Archamaidan Up to the Zimtut village. H-1950 m. Private guest house.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

6

Day 6: Lake Chukurak

Itinerary

After breakfast in the guest house trek to the lake Chukurak.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

7

Day 7: Kuli-Kalon lake

Itinerary

Trekking to Kuli-Kalon lake. Overnight in tent camping.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

8

Day 8: Aloudin lake

Itinerary

Trekking – to Aloudin lake via Aloudin pass. Camping.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

9

Day 9: Aloudin lake - Dushanbe

Itinerary

Half day walking around and after lunch departure to the Dushanbe. Accommodation in hotel.

Meals

B L _

Accomodation

Hotel

10

Day 10: Dushanbe

Itinerary

After breakfast meating with the guide and starting excursion in Dushanbe and Hissar town.

Visit main square with monument of Somony, biggest library, biggest flagpole, Park of Rudaky, New museum of History. Lunch in national tee house Rokhat. After lunch drive to Hissar town(45km) Visit Hissar fortress of Emir of the Bukhara. Museum and medrese.

Come back to Dushanbe, visit Bazar.Dinner and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

11

Day 11: Dushanbe - Airport

Itinerary

Day of flight. Transfer to airport.

Meals

_ _ _

Accomodation

_ _ _

Jeep-tour from Assy plateau to Bortogay Reservoir

TOUR PROGRAM

1

Day 1: Almaty city – Bortogay reservoir

Itinerary

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Tents

2

Day 2: Bortogay reservoir – Charyn canyon – Almaty city

Itinerary

Breakfast. Free time, walking along the lake vicinity. Transfer to Charyn Canyon. Down to the Valley of the Castles. Lunch at the local café. Back to the city. Dinner at the local restaurant. Night at the hotel.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

3

Day 3: Almaty city - airport

Itinerary

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

- - -

Almaty 4 days/3 nights

TOUR PROGRAM

1

Day 1: Almaty city tour

Itinerary

Arrival. Accommodation at the hotel.

You visit the Kok-Tobe Hill, where the tallest TV Tower in the world is located and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road. At the top of the hill, you can admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck, stroll along the winding paths of the Kok-Tobe park, visit the shop of national souvenirs, and see the monument devoted to The Beatles (the only one in CIS countries) as well as many other interesting things.

The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway.

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals

- - -

Accomodation

Hotel

2

Day 2: Almaty city tour

Itinerary

Breakfast at the hotel.

City Tour. Panfilov Heroes Park, Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, National Museum of Musical Instruments, and Green Bazaar. The tour will continue at the State Square and at the Historical Museum.

Then the tour route will take you to the Medeo Gorge, where you will stop by the huge Medeo dam, which protects the city from destructive mudflows formed on the tops of the western Tien Shan. On the top of the dam, at the altitude of 1733 meters above sea level, you will enjoy an amazing panorama of the largest high mountain skating rink in the world – Medeo, surrounded by wonderful mountains of Trans-Ili Alatau. Further, transfer on the cable gondola on a ski resort Chimbulak, located at 2230 meters above sea level.

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

Hotel

3

Day 3: Almaty – Big Almaty Lake – Sunkar

Itinerary

Breakfast. After breakfast, the start of excursion to the Big Almaty Lake, located 20 km to the south from Almaty.

There are several picturesque lakes in the Mount of Zailiskiy Alatau. One of them is Bolshoe Almatinskoe (Big Almaty Lake). It is especially beautiful in the morning, when the blue surface reflects the sky and surrounding mountains. Kazakh name of this lake is Zhasylkol, which means Blue Lake.

The excursion will impress you at any time of year. Even in winter, when the entire surface covered by ice and snow, it charms by its capacity and mystery. You will see incredible beauty of mountain, get acquainted with flora and fauna, learn its history of the region.

After excursion, return to Almaty.

Overnight at the hotel.

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

Hotel

4

Day 4: Almaty city – airport

Itinerary

Transfer to airport. Departure.

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

- - -

Pamir highway (8 days )

TOUR PROGRAM

1

Day 1: Irkeshtam - Kyzyl Art - Murgab

Itinerary

Early in the morning transfer to Irkeshtam border. The view is spectacularly amazing, with the Pamir mountain range covered with permanent snow and glaciers on the right-hand side and small hills on the left with summer pastures. Arriving to the border. Transfer to Kyzyl Art border Kyrgyz vehicles will bring the group across the neutral zone to Tajik checkpoint (Kizil-Art pass) , Arrive at Tajik checkpoint, meet Tajik guide and vehicles, immigration, customs, registration Border formalities. Continue along Pamir Highway to Murgab via Kara-Kul Lake and Ak-Baital Pass, Distance from Kizil-Art Pass to Murgab is 210 km, the drive will take about 5-6 hours. Overnight at in Guesthouse Ibrahim.

Meals

B L _

Accomodation

Pamir hotel/Guest House

2

Itinerary

Visit Yak's House tourist center, opportunity to buy souvenirs, etc, walk to the market, Drive along Pamir Highway, stop to visit summer pastures and shepherds' yurts, stop to visit local families. Lunch: Alichur, local tea house depart by vehicle to Langar via Khargush pass, along Pamir River, here first view Afghan mountains. Distance from Murgab to Langar 250, the drive will take 8-9 hours.

Meals

B _ D

Accomodation

3

Itinerary

Depart for touring around Langar, Touring include visit to petroglyphs near Langar, Depart to Yamg, View ancient Buddhist complex along the way in Vrang, Arrival in Yamg, visit to the History Museum of Vakhan, Sun Calendar, and Lunch in Yamg - at home stay. After lunch drive to the Yamchun fortress (3-2 Centuries BC) and Bibi Fatima hot-springs, driving distance today 90 km.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Guest House

4

Day 4: Yamg - Khorog

Itinerary

Departure to the Khorog, on the way touring to include castle ruins near Ishkashim, Kaakha fortress. Continue on to Khorog with stop in Garm-Chashma hot spring. Distance from Yamg to Khorog 220 km. it takes 7-8 hours.

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

Hotel

5

Itinerary

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

Guest House

6

Day 6: Kalaikhumb - Dushanbe

Itinerary

Check out, drive to Dushanbe via Shurabad Pass and Kulyab, Distance from Kalaikhumb to Dushanbe via Shurabad Pass is 360 km, the drive will take about 8 hours.

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

Hotel 3 star

7

Day 7: Saghtsing tour in Dushanbe

Itinerary

After breakfast visit Hissar , Turn back to Dushanbe . Lunch. After Lunch visit Main square, Somony monument, flagpole, museum of History. Visit Bazar. Souvenir shop. Come back to hotel. Rest.

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

Hotel 3 star

8

Day 8: Dushanbe - Airport

Itinerary

Transfer to airport

Meals

B _ _

Accomodation

_ _ _

Archeological tour in south and west Tajikistan

TOUR PROGRAM

1

Day 1: Dushanbe

Itinerary

Arrival In Dushanbe in the morning to Dushanbe airport. meeting in airport and transfer to hotel, accommodation.

12:00 Lunch and after start of program. SS in Dushanbe, Visit Tajik national museum of history and Hissar fortress(45 km) with complex of museum and medresse, turn back to hotel, dinner in national restaurant Rokhat and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

2

Day 2: Dushanbe - Kurgantube

Itinerary

After breakfast drive to Dusty square and visit monument of I.Somony .Then drive to KurganTube. Lunch in Kurgantube and then drive to Ajinateppa. Accommodation dinner and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

3

Day 3: Kurgantube - Tahti Sangin - Kurgantube

Itinerary

Early in the morning after breakfast drive to Shartuz and then to Tahti Sangin. Lunch in Shartuz , and back to Kurgantube. Dinner and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

4

Day 4: Kurgantube - Penjikent

Itinerary

After breakfast drive to the Penjikent via mountain gorge Varzob and through Anzob pass via tunnel. Lunch on the way. To Penjikent arrival in the evening, accommodation in guest house “Elina” dinner and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

5

Day 5: Penjikent - 7 Lakes - Penjikent

Itinerary

After breakfast have short SS around - Republican historical-ethnographic museum of Abuabdullo Rudaki. History museum of town. And drive to 7 lakes. Lunch on the road. Visit a lakes, till the lake№6 and walking around few hours. Drive back to Penjikent dinner and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

6

Day 6: Penjikent - Dushanbe

Itinerary

After breakfast drive to Dushanbe. Lanch On the way. Accommodation in hotel. Last dinner in Tajikistan and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

7

Day 7: Dushanbe - Airport

Itinerary

In the morning transfer to Airport and flight home.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

Helpful Information about Tashkent for Your Trip to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is gaining traction in the tourism world these days by drawing Silk Road enthusiasts, history and architecture lovers. It is a unique country that lays claim to Silk Road history, has an Islamic heritage, but also has a lot of Soviet influence. In this regard, it is an eccentric conglomeration of culture that is fascinating to witness.

If you are planning a trip to Uzbekistan, you will most likely hit some of the larger cities such as Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara, and Tashkent. The city that almost every traveler will spend some time in is the capital city of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, because it works as a great home base for international travelers working their way through the country. However, how much do you know about Tashkent City? Here is some general information about Uzbekistan’s capital city that might help you as you prepare for your vacation.

ABOUT TASHKENT

A Brief History of Tashkent

Knowing a bit about Tashkent history will actually help you make much
more sense of the city when you first arrive. First of all, when Tashkent was destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1219, it afterwards rebuilt itself and become a prominent point on the Silk Road. However, in the 19^th century, Uzbekistan was taken over by the Russian Empire and then in the 1920s and into the 1930s saw a lot of industrialization. By this point, the aesthetics of the city had already changed somewhat to include a layer of more Soviet influence.

However, in 1966, a catastrophic event changed the capital city of Uzbekistan forever. A massive earthquake struck the city and rewrote the history of Tashkent; hundreds of thousands lost their homes and when the city was rebuilt, it was with a lot of Soviet design and architecture. So nowadays, for example, you can see lots of concrete buildings, extremely wide open roads, and plenty of parks. There are older buildings still standing in the city of course (mausoleums, mosques, etc.), many of which are featured tourist attractions, but they do not make up 100% of the city.

Tashkent Language

Both Russian and Uzbek are spoken in Uzbekistan, but not a lot of English. If you can read Cyrillic, it will definitely help you out as you are navigating the city.

Tashkent Transportation

Getting around Tashkent City is fairly easy in that it has a good metro system and taxis are easy to procure. The metro displays some beautiful marble and art deco. When you first enter the metro station, you are given a token that you then return after you reach your final destination. It is pretty cut and dry.  As far as taxis, everyone in Tashkent is an informal taxi driver. If you are on the side of the road, just stick your arm out and someone will stop to ask where you are going. If they are going in the same direction or are willing to spare the time to take you there, just negotiate a price with them and then you have got yourself a taxi!

Since so few people in Uzbekistan’s capital city are familiar with English, be aware that you will most likely need some basic Russian skills for this or a map, a smile, and some miming.

Tashkent Weather

Tashkent, Uzbekistan is quite pleasant from March-May and September-November with temperatures hovering between 20-30 degrees C. From June-August, the city can get boiling with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees C, although the temperatures are more bearable if you plan on spending time in the mountains around Tashkent. From December-February, expect a cold winter climate that often dipsbelow 0 degrees C.

Happy Travels!

As you begin your Uzbekistan travels, enjoy strolling around the capital city. The city is not overwhelming as far as crowds of people, nor is it empty and monotone. Amidst all the Soviet buildings, old mosques, and museums, the city is filled with green parks and plenty of places to relax. In fact, many travelers are surprised at the greenness of the city and how open it feels. It is a great place to recuperate from your long international flight, find your “Uzbekistan legs” and begin your trip around this Silk Road country. Have fun and happy travels!

Photo by supplier SR1404, photos from sources: http://ift.tt/1eA7akf, http://ift.tt/1Im2PDw, http://ift.tt/p8vbui, www.tourblogger.ru

Explore nature and city sights in North Tajikistan in 7 days

TOUR PROGRAM

1

Day 1: Arrival In Dushanbe

Itinerary

Arrival In Dushanbe in the morning to Dushanbe airport. Early meeting in airport and transfer to hotel, accommodation in 12:00. Lunch and after start of program. City tour in Dushanbe, visit Tajik national Museum of history and Hissar fortress (45 km) with complex of museum and medresse, turn back to hotel, dinner in national restaurant Rokhat and rest.

Meals

B L D

Accomodation

Hotel

3 Hands-On Educational Vacations in Kyrgyzstan

Unfortunately, classrooms trained us young that learning was not always fun. This is not surprising when you are sitting in a small room stuffed with 30 other kids and a monotonous teacher that would obviously rather be out golfing. However, learning how to do exciting things and getting your hands dirty in the process (like blowing something up in chemistry class), had more appeal, didn’t it? Well, if you have a desire now in your adult years to learn something on your vacation for some real-life, hands-on education, there are 3 golden opportunities waiting for you in Kyrgyzstan!

SPORT AND TOURISM IN KYRGYZSTAN

Diving in Lake Issyk Kul

Issyk Kul is a massive, brilliant blue lake in Kyrgyzstan that is sprawled out in the middle of Kyrgyzstan’s famous Tien Shan “Heavenly” Mountains. There are lots of things you can do at the lake, but one of the more unique activities is diving. Along the bottom of the lake are remains of an ancient 2,500-year-old settlement where you can get glimpses of items like battle axes, bones, and ceramics. Never done any diving before? No problem. Travelers with no diving experience can take an instructional course prior to their excursion underwater.

Mountaineering Courses in Ala Archa Gorge

Have you dabbled in mountain climbing and are ready to improve your skills? Ala Archa Gorge (located just 40 km outside of Bishkek) is a popular destination with climbers. Mountaineering training courses are offered in the gorge for different levels of climbers. Learn everything from setting up belays, tying common knots, and navigating crevices to rescuing injured climbers. In each course, you will ascend at least one peak, but often more. These include some of the most famous mountains in Kyrgyzstan: Korona Peak (4,810 m), Ratseka Peak (3,900 m), Box Peak (4,200 m), etc.

CULTURE AND TOURISM IN KYRGYZSTAN

Nomad University

Much like Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan is home to pastoral nomads that continue to live off the land and move from season to season. Tourism in Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia both offer travelers the opportunity to experience homestays with nomads, but some of Kyrgyzstan’s nomads have recently started offering something else that is quite unique. It is called Nomad University.  Instead of just staying in a yurt with a nomadic family, how about learning skills directly from nomads themselves? Learn what it means to be a nomad and do it. Nomads will teach you Kyrgyzstan customs and courtesies, hosting etiquette, how to ride a horse, how to herd sheep, how to butcher your own sheep, how to make traditional Kyrgyz dishes, and more. Don’t just listen to someone talk about the customs and courtesies in Kyrgyzstan and then go home. After you learn about them, put it into practice by visiting your teacher’s neighbors or hosting a party for them. You won’t get a more authentic cultural experience than this!

START LEARNING

So if you want your vacation to broaden your skills and horizons, take a look at one of these educational opportunities. What’s your preference? Learning how to dive to the bottom of a brilliant blue lake in Kyrgyzstan that houses an ancient settlement? Combining sport and tourism in Kyrgyzstan by learning new mountaineering skills in the middle of a stunning gorge? Learning how to ride a horse and herd a flock of sheep in the Tien Shan Mountains with nomads as your teachers? Tourism in Kyrgyzstan has so much to offer travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience.

Photos by Vlad Ushakov