Almaty-Taraz-Uzbekistan-Takestan-Almaty

Excursion program:

1 day

City Tour of Almaty

During the tour You will get acquainted with the history and development of the southern capital of Kazakhstan, as well as get acquainted with the main attractions of the city. During the tour you will visit: the historical center of Almaty, 28 Panfilov guards Park, Republic Square, independence Monument, Opera and ballet theatre. Abai, Astana Square, Abai Square.

Visit to the Museum of musical instruments

The Republican Museum of folk instruments, opened in 1980, is one of the few in the world. More than 1000 exhibits are stored in the Museum, more than 60 kinds of types and varieties of Kazakh folk musical instruments, which were used by outstanding singers, improvisers, poets and composers, are collected here.

Day 2

Medeo.

The ice skating rink Medeu located at the altitude of 1,691. 2 meters above sea level, known all over the world.  More than 120 world records were set here by famous athletes. The Alpine skating rink is beautiful in any weather. You can admire its beauty from a high point, where you will be lifted by the popular climbing stairs, built on the slope of Mohnatka.

Chimbulak

Ski resort “Chimbulak” is located in the picturesque gorge of Zailiyskiy Alatau at an altitude of 2260 m above sea level, 25 km from the center of Almaty. At a height of 3163 meters above sea level start up lifts. Right and left you see the majestic mountains with snowy slopes and evergreen Tien Shan firs.  Here everyone will find a rest for the soul. You can come here all year round, the benefit of allowing landscape conditions and favorable weather to come and enjoy the surrounding beauty.

Park Kok-Tobe

The Park is located on the slopes of the mountain of the same name, which rises above the city at 1130 meters. The Park is a landscaped area with picturesque terraces and alleys. Near the Park is the famous Almaty TV tower – the tallest building of the city and one of its symbols.   One of the favorite places in the Park among young citizens is the Alley of lovers, which offers a romantic view of the city glowing with thousands of lights. The Park is also famous for its sculptures, including a monument to the legendary ensemble "The Beatles" and the fountain "Apple",where visitors throw coins to once again return to this wonderful place.

Day 3

Charyn canyon

It is a picturesque natural area that impresses with its unearthly landscapes. The depth of the canyon is 200 m. The canyon itself is a natural monument made of sedimentary rocks, whose age reaches 12 million years. The scenery here is truly amazing.  Around the Canyon there is silence and only from below you can hear the stormy streams of the Charyn river beating against the cliffs.  One of the attractions of the canyon is the so-called Valley of castles – a rock deposits reminiscent of the shape of the tower, which were created as if unknown giants. The landscape diversity of the Charyn canyon determines the diversity of flora and fauna.

Day 4

Green bazar

The green Bazaar, which sells everything from meat, spices and vegetables to textiles and furniture. Here everything is always fervently traded, sellers in eager rivalry praise their products and strive to treat customers; buyers, in turn, choose, communicate, in General, life is in full swing. And if you are tired or hungry, shopping, it does not matter: in the market there is a place to relax, and where to drink tea and satisfy your hunger. Green Bazaar admires the abundance of goods and noisy colorful atmosphere of the East.

Day 5

Akyrtas

It was a huge Palace, a quadrangular monumental structure measuring 205 x 180 m., the walls of which are made of massive stone blocks of red Sandstone. In this majestic Palace there were about 70 rooms and 15 columned galleries. The site of Akyrtas as the object, is full of difficult to explain findings, enigmatic, mysterious. If you subject the complex to restoration, it is quite possible to evaluate it along with the wonderful pyramids of Egypt, the Acropolis of Athens, the Colosseum of Rome, the Mayan palaces in Peru, the mysterious cities of the Aztecs.

The Mausoleum of Karakhan

It is an architectural monument located in the Central part of Taraz, at the intersection of two streets - Baizak Batyr and Tole bi. The mausoleum is a part of the cult-memorial complex formed on the territory of the medieval settlement. The architectural structure was built in XI century over the grave of one of the first khans of the dynasty of Karakhanids. According to folk legends, the construction of the mausoleum is connected with the man who built the mausoleums Babja Khatun and Aisha Bibi. Today there are many legends about Karakhan, most of which connect Batyr with the young beauty Aisha.

The mausoleum of Aisha-Bibi

This is a unique and interesting monument of architecture of the XII century, which has no analogues in the architectural culture of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The mausoleum is decorated with a magnificent beauty of solid cladding of terracotta slabs, decorated with ornaments of 60 species. The mausoleum is located in Aisha-Bibi village of Zhambyl district of Zhambyl region. It is a masterpiece of medieval architecture of the Karakhanid era, erected at the caravan trail South of Akyrtas. Accurate information about the construction of the mausoleum is not left, but it is a monument of love and sorrow. There are over 28 versions of the legend about love Oriental beauty Aisha-Bibi and Karakhan brave.

Day 6

The Monument of the Earthquake

Memorial to the victims of the earthquake in 1966, which has the name "Courage", is located on the banks of the ancient canal Ankhor, in Tashkent. The earthquake in Tashkent, which occurred in 1966, became notorious around the world and forever changed the then appearance of the city. The violence of the elements destroyed more than half of the city, and brought a lot of human casualties. The city was rebuilt in just 3.5 years. It was in this place, where the epicenter of the earthquake was located, that the monument was erected.

The Square Khast-Imam

The square is located in the old part of the city, inside blocks of old mud houses that survived the earthquake of 1966. On the Khast-Imam mosque Tilla-Sheikh madrasah Barak-Khan of the XVI century, the mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, Islamic Institute named after Imam al-Bukhari, where trained students who will become imams. Hazret Imam square is known primarily for the fact that here is a rich library of Oriental manuscripts, which has more than 22 thousand religious books.

Independence square

The square is located in the center of Tashkent. This is a popular place of recreation for residents of Tashkent. To a large extent, this was facilitated by the fact that the most beautiful fountains of the city are located on the square.

Independence square, like many other areas of Tashkent, has its own history. Until 1865, the Palace of Kokand khans was located not far from this place. In 1865, the Kokand khanate was liquidated, and next to the destroyed Palace, by order of the Russian administration, the construction of the residence of the Turkestan Governor-General was started. Later this residence with a large garden became known as the White house.

Day 7

Kalyan Mosque

This Cathedral mosque, built by Bayazid al Purani in the early 16th century, is an ensemble of POI-Kalyan square in Bukhara. For Muslims, the mosque is the main one and acts as the center of public life of the Islamic city. Kalyan mosque is a UNESCO world heritage site. This masterpiece, made in the tradition of Timurid architecture, was rebuilt several times in its history. The existing building of the Cathedral stands on the site of a similar building of the 12th century and was completed in the era of the Sheibanid dynasty. At that time, the mosque was considered one of the most grandiose buildings in Central Asia.

Miri-Arab Madrasah

By order of the Emir of the World Ubaydulla, ruler of Bukhara, was built Madrasah Mir-I-Arab in the period from 1530 to 1536. The building was erected as a sign of respect for the Sufi Abdullah al-Yamani, who was able to raise the people against the Iranian conquerors. Previously, Mir-I-Arab was the first and only Muslim religious educational institution in the USSR. At the moment there are more than a hundred students, most of whom are people from Uzbekistan.To the left of the entrance to the Mir-I-Arab Madrasah, the premises are turned into a mausoleum – a place where Mir-I-Arab, Ubaydullahan and Royal relatives are buried. And on the right is a mosque.

Baby house

It is a square in the center of Bukhara, surrounded by several ancient buildings. All of them were built in the period from XVI to XVII century. In the past, there was a bustling market, where it was always crowded, thanks to the proximity of the main shopping artery of the city. Now instead of rows, which sold fruit and Persian carpets, grow low trees. In the center of the square is a pond – house Nadir Begi. This is a deep pond of polygonal shape, which was used as a water tank. It got water from numerous channels. After 40-ies of XX century deprived of water house was turned into a Playground, and now transformed into a fountain.

Madrassah Nadir Divan-Begi

It is located in Bukhara, one of the largest cities of Uzbekistan. Madrasah was built in 1622-1623 and is part of the architectural ensemble of the Labi house XVI-XVII centuries. This is one of the outstanding architectural attractions of the city, which in 1993 was included in the List of UNESCO world heritage sites. Madrasah got its name in honor of the vizier Nadir, who built it.

Day 8

Mausoleum Of Samanids

This is the tomb of Ahmad Ibn Ismail - the son of the Emir of the Samanid dynasty Ismail Samani, Dating from the X century. Also in the mausoleum you can see the tombs of two other men-Bukharans, whose identity is not defined. The Samanid mausoleum is located in the Northern part of Samad of Rekreasi Park, in the North-West of Bukhara, historic centre. The building has a cubic shape and is covered by one dome. This masterpiece of medieval architecture is built in the ancient Sogdian style, taking into account the new constructive and artistic abilities of burnt bricks. This one-dome brick building served as an example for many future medieval buildings of XI-XII centuries.

The Mausoleum of Chashma-Ayub

Translated from Persian as "the Source of job", consists of a tomb and a spring, which is considered sacred. An interesting legend is connected with the source. It is said that the prophet job, traveling to Central Asia, was there, where later appeared Bukhara. He was met by thirsty people and asked for a SIP of water. The prophet put down his staff on the ground, and in this place scored a source of cool water, which exists now. The locals believe that the water from the spring heals many diseases. The source looks like a well. Every visitor to the Chashma Ayub mausoleum has the right to taste the local water.

Ark - city fortress

This is one of the oldest buildings in Bukhara, used from the V century until 1920, when it was partially destroyed by the red army. In fact, about 80% of the internal buildings are in ruins, although some of the buildings are still preserved, now they are museums.

Behind the entrance in the form of a ramp is the mosque of the XVII century Jome ("Friday"). To the right is a corridor with courtyards on both sides. On the left will immediately be the living quarters of the former Prime Minister Emir (Kushbegi), now here are collected archaeological finds from the vicinity of Bukhara.

The Complex of Nakshbandi

This is the most important Muslim Shrine, named in honor of the theologian of the 14th century, the founder of the Sufi order of Naqshbandi, who made the Hajj to Mecca 32 times. He urged people to strive for knowledge and work and not to lead a hermit's life. The complex, built in the 16th century, includes Nakshbandi mausoleum of Honaka 16th-century mosque and minaret of Abdulpazhon 18th century, the 19th century Kushbegi mosque and the burial vault of Bukhara rulers. Of course, the main place of the complex is the mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi, where many pilgrims from different countries come to honor the memory of the Great Sheikh

Day 9

The Mausoleum Gur-Emir

This is an ancient tomb of the famous Central Asian conqueror Tamerlan, the founder of the Timurid Empire and the eponymous dynasty. Gur-Emir mausoleum is considered a part of the architectural ensemble, together with the mausoleum of Rukhabad and AK-Saray. This beautiful medieval monument is a majestic masterpiece of architecture of the Muslim world. The name Gur-Emir translates as "tomb of the king." Gur-Emir mausoleum is located in the old Samarkand – its historical center, near the Amir-Timur Park, in the South-East of Uzbekistan. It is a huge one-dome building with a crypt.

Sher-Dor Madrasah

This Islamic educational institution, which performs the role of a theological Seminary, and secondary schools. It was built in 1619-1636 in Samarkand, in the Eastern part of Registan square.  Sherdor madrasah was originally named after its founder - Yalangtush Bahadur. The modern name - Sher-Dor madrasah was due to the mosaic pattern on the front portal. The master depicted an episode of hunting a mythical beast that looks like a lion and soon this story became a national symbol of Uzbekistan. Inside and outside the madrasah is decorated with bright unique ornaments made of glazed brick. In turn, the towers and walls of the building are decorated with mosaics with floral motifs and quotations from the Koran.

The Ulugh Beg Madrasah

This is an ancient Muslim educational, cultural, spiritual and educational center, which was founded in the distant XV century by Ulugbek, a Turkic ruler, an outstanding astronomer and astrologer.  Ulugbek madrasah is located in the heart of Samarkand, not far from Registan square, in the South-East of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It is a rectangular structure with two 33-meter minarets of the East. The luxurious building of the training center is built in the traditional style of the spiritual school of the Middle East, the facade of which is decorated with glazed bricks, carved Kashin mosaic, majolica, carved marble.

Also during the Tour you will visit:

Madrasah Tillya-Kari,

Bibi Khanum mosque, Siab Bazar

Shahi Zinda Complex

Ulugbek Observatory

Day 11

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is the first officially approved and protected by UNESCO historical and cultural object in the territory of modern Kazakhstan, the Central attraction of the reserve Museum "Azret Sultan" in Turkestan. The surviving mausoleum was founded in 1385 at the burial place of the widely revered Islamic poet Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Khazret Sultan), who died in 1166. The construction of the Grand mosque of Ahmed Yasawi was carried out by order of Tamerlan himself, commander and founder of the Timurid Empire, and lasted until he was alive, until 1405. In the end, only the arched entrance portal remained unfinished.

Well Ukash-ATA - depth of 25 meters, built a small structure in the form of a Yurt. People make a pilgrimage here with requests for well-being and for purification from sins. Everyone who comes to these places, first of all visits the mausoleum, where the tomb of Ukash-ATA is located and reads the Koran. Then collects water from the well, located on the mountain. About the mausoleum and the well full of miracles, there are many legends-epics.

Day 12

Arystan-Baba mausoleum is an architectural monument of XII-XIV centuries, near the ruins of the ancient Otyrar of South Kazakhstan region, 150 kilometers from the city of Shymkent. The mausoleum was built over the grave of the famous religious mystic Arystan-Bab, who lived in the XII century. The legends call Arystan Babu a teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. According to legend, Arystan Baba was an associate of the prophet Muhammad.

The Ancient Settlement of Otrar

The first urban settlement on the site of Otrar dates back to the II century BC. Its founders are considered to be kanguya. Otyrar was considered a cultural center among medieval cities. It is a place where education, science, culture, medicine and art developed. Findings of archaeological excavations are the basis, source of spiritual value and national pride of modern spiritual and material culture.