Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Adventure holidays |
|---|---|
| Country |
Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan |
| Travel type |
Fly |
| Price range | From £2250 |
| Travel partner | Wild Frontiers |
| Duration | 16 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6781 |
Silk Road - Wild Mountains, Fabled Towns
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Explore the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, stay in yurts with a wonderful eagle hunter and his family, the nomads of Son Kul and the shepherds of Tash Rabat. This trip offers an amazing venture into the ways of mountain life on the Old Silk Road. In addition to this you can walk over a high mountain pass (or take the jeep that goes round), ride horses and camp beneath the stars. And that’s only in Kyrgyzstan. From there you will fly to see the fabled cities of Samarkand and Bukhara (with possible Khiva extension). For those of you that like to really get beneath a region’s surface, rather than simply travel through it, this is the trip for you.
Anyone in a decent state of health will enjoy this trip. It should be noted that you will be camping and staying in yurts, so you should be prepared for long-drop toilet facilities and no showers for part of the trip. But don’t panic too much – what you will be witnessing will easily make up for any discomfort!
At Wild Frontiers they are very aware of the economic, ecological and ethical impact tourism can have on ancient cultures and fragile environments. They realise that taking tourists through such a region can have a negative impact on the lives of those who live there as well as the environment and on all our tours we therefore go to great lengths to minimise the negative and accentuate the positive… after all, there are also many good things that the tourist can bring. Dividing this issue into two categories, the ethical and the ecological, they are actively involved in trying to help local communities while doing as little damage to the world as they can.
Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel has teamed up with Carbon Clear to help you repair the biggest environmental impact of your trip – the greenhouse gas emissions from your flight. When you take one of their trips, they will make a contribution to Carbon Clear at no extra costs to yourself towards ‘offsetting’ or ‘neutralising’ these emissions. This is done by funding projects across the world that will reduce greenhouse gases on your behalf through sustainable energy or rainforest restoration.
Anyone in a decent state of health will enjoy this trip. It should be noted that you will be camping and staying in yurts, so you should be prepared for long-drop toilet facilities and no showers for part of the trip. But don’t panic too much – what you will be witnessing will easily make up for any discomfort!
At Wild Frontiers they are very aware of the economic, ecological and ethical impact tourism can have on ancient cultures and fragile environments. They realise that taking tourists through such a region can have a negative impact on the lives of those who live there as well as the environment and on all our tours we therefore go to great lengths to minimise the negative and accentuate the positive… after all, there are also many good things that the tourist can bring. Dividing this issue into two categories, the ethical and the ecological, they are actively involved in trying to help local communities while doing as little damage to the world as they can.
Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel has teamed up with Carbon Clear to help you repair the biggest environmental impact of your trip – the greenhouse gas emissions from your flight. When you take one of their trips, they will make a contribution to Carbon Clear at no extra costs to yourself towards ‘offsetting’ or ‘neutralising’ these emissions. This is done by funding projects across the world that will reduce greenhouse gases on your behalf through sustainable energy or rainforest restoration.
Included
- Trip is on full board basis
Transport as outlined in itinerary, generally we use converted Soviet Army trucks in Kyrgyzstan, coasters in Uzbekistan.
Accommodation on a twin share basis,
All meals,
Mineral water
entrance fees
Wild Frontiers price means NO hidden extras, NO Local payment or kitty, NO compulsory single supplement
Not included
- International flights but these can be booked through Wild Frontiers
- Local airport taxes,
- Insurance,
- Visa (if required)
- Beverages
- Tips to the local guides and all costs of a personal nature
- Horses cost around £1 per hour to rent
- Single room supplement £265 which is not compulsory – we will find someone to share with you if you wish
Day 1
London – Bishkek
Day 2
Bishkek
Arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, at 01.10 and transfer to the Asia Mountain Hotel or the best available alternative. After a rest and a swim (not compulsory!) we’ll have a look around town, visit the national museum, have lunch and a look at one or two other sights before and early supper. (Hotel).
Day 3
Bishkek – Bokenbaev
After breakfast we drive to Tok Mok to visit the restored 11th century Burana Tower. We will then continue on to Bokenbaev and in the late afternoon check into the home of Sogan Bai, a Kyrgyz eagle hunter, for a home stay with his charming family. (Homestay)
Day 4
Bokenbaev – Yurt Camp
Morning walk up through the foothills of the verdant Tien Shan, the Mountains of Heaven, to Yurt camp for lunch. Afternoon watch the eagles hunting. There will be plenty of chances for walks and horse rides should you prefer. Evening in yurts with dinner cooked at camp by Sogan Bai’s wife and children… followed by vodka toasts and Sogan Bai singing songs with his local guitar! (Yurt Camp)
Day 5
Yurt Camp – Mountain Camp
Trek from the yurt camp, over the 4100m Ton Pirival Pass and down to a dirt road to camp by the river and a natural hot-water spa. Though the scenery on this walk is magnificent, it should be made clear that it is a reasonably tough day trek that will take between 9 and 11 hours. But those not wishing to walk can travel in one of our vehicles, via Sari Bulak, to meet up with the trekkers at our campsite. Dinner will be cooked in camp by our own cooks. (Camp)
Day 6
Mountain Camp – Narin
Drive to Narin, stopping en route for a picnic lunch. Check into the Celestial Mountain Guesthouse. Dinner at the hotel. (Hotel).
Day 7
Narin – Tash Rabat: Drive to Tash Rabat, the famous ancient Silk Road caravanserai, stopping en route at At Bashy to view 11th century ruins. An easy day’s drive with lunch and photo stops, arriving in plenty of time to enjoy the caravanserai and its stunning mountain surroundings. The walking is wonderful and those wishing to ride can do so. Dinner will be provided by the local family. Sleep in yurts.
Day 8
Tash Rabat: Day free to ride or walk. We might head up to the 3,500m Tash Rabat Pass or follow an another beautiful circular route, or you could just do your own thing. This valley, just 35km as the crow flies from the Chinese border, is lush and green, groaning with horses, yaks and sheep and the nomads who live by them. We will take a packed lunch as the ride or walk will take most of the day. Traditional dinner again in the yurts.
Day 9
Tash Rabat – Son Kul: In the morning we’ll take another beautiful drive, on to Son Kul, the spectacular 3000 metre mountain lake, to stay with local nomads in their Yurt camp. Arrive late afternoon. Dinner cooked by the shepherds.
Day 10
Son Kul: Walk or ride up into the hills for a picnic lunch and enjoy the mind-blowing views. Those wishing to, can hang out at the camp, watching the plethora of bird life. Evening in Yurts.
Day 11
Son Kul – Bishkek: Drive to Bishkek and check back into the hotel late afternoon in time to freshen up. Dinner will be al fresco at the Dolce Vita Italian restaurant. (Hotel).
Day 12
Bishkek – Tashkent - Samarkand: 05.00 Transfer to the airport for a 06.00 flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After an early lunch and a look around Tashkent, transfer to Samarkand and check into charming guesthouse. Early evening visit to the Registan before dinner at a restaurant in town. (Hotel)
Day 13
Samarkand: Full day wandering through this incredible city, taking in such sights as the main bazaar, the Bibi Khanym mosque, Registan and Tamerlane’s tomb. Dinner at a restaurant in town. (Hotel)
Day 14
Samarkand – Bukhara
Last look around the sites before we drive along the Royal Road, stopping en route to see the entrance to an old caravanserai, and for lunch, then on to Bukhara and check into the guesthouse located in the beautiful Labi Haus. After a rest, walk around the famous and fascinating old town. Dinner al fresco at the Labi Hauz. (Hotel).
Day 15
Bukhara: Morning tour of the old town: the Arc – or town citadel, in front of which the British officers Connelly and Stoddard lost their heads in what was one of the most infamous events of the Great Game. Also visit the Kolan minaret, or Tower of Death – from which Amir Nasirulla Khan threw his enemies – and the rest of the beautiful old town. The afternoon is free in the bazaar for wandering, shopping etc. before dinner and traditional dancing at colourful open-air town house. (Hotel).
Day 16
Bukhara – Tashkent: Morning in town, lunch and then at 1520 fly to Tashkent. Met by local escort and after checking in and a rest we will go out to dinner at a very nice restaurant by the canal. (Hotel).
Day 17Tashkent – UK
Transfer to the airport for flight to UK.
Khiva Extension (with local guide)
Day 16
Bukhara: Bukhara at leisure
Day 17
Bukhara – Khiva
Morning drive to Khiva and check into the converted Madrassa in the heart of the old town. Lunch en route and arrive in time for a short sightseeing programme. See some of Khiva’s most colourful and sumptuous sites, including the Kukhna Arc and the Mohammed Khan Madrassa. Dinner will be had open-air in the courtyard of the Madrassa. (Hotel).
Day 18
Khiva:
Khiva at leisure
Day 19
Khiva – Tashkent
Fly to Tashkent at 1035. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing trip in the city followed by dinner out.
Day 20
Tashkent. Tour finishes.
London – Bishkek
Day 2
Bishkek
Arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, at 01.10 and transfer to the Asia Mountain Hotel or the best available alternative. After a rest and a swim (not compulsory!) we’ll have a look around town, visit the national museum, have lunch and a look at one or two other sights before and early supper. (Hotel).
Day 3
Bishkek – Bokenbaev
After breakfast we drive to Tok Mok to visit the restored 11th century Burana Tower. We will then continue on to Bokenbaev and in the late afternoon check into the home of Sogan Bai, a Kyrgyz eagle hunter, for a home stay with his charming family. (Homestay)
Day 4
Bokenbaev – Yurt Camp
Morning walk up through the foothills of the verdant Tien Shan, the Mountains of Heaven, to Yurt camp for lunch. Afternoon watch the eagles hunting. There will be plenty of chances for walks and horse rides should you prefer. Evening in yurts with dinner cooked at camp by Sogan Bai’s wife and children… followed by vodka toasts and Sogan Bai singing songs with his local guitar! (Yurt Camp)
Day 5
Yurt Camp – Mountain Camp
Trek from the yurt camp, over the 4100m Ton Pirival Pass and down to a dirt road to camp by the river and a natural hot-water spa. Though the scenery on this walk is magnificent, it should be made clear that it is a reasonably tough day trek that will take between 9 and 11 hours. But those not wishing to walk can travel in one of our vehicles, via Sari Bulak, to meet up with the trekkers at our campsite. Dinner will be cooked in camp by our own cooks. (Camp)
Day 6
Mountain Camp – Narin
Drive to Narin, stopping en route for a picnic lunch. Check into the Celestial Mountain Guesthouse. Dinner at the hotel. (Hotel).
Day 7
Narin – Tash Rabat: Drive to Tash Rabat, the famous ancient Silk Road caravanserai, stopping en route at At Bashy to view 11th century ruins. An easy day’s drive with lunch and photo stops, arriving in plenty of time to enjoy the caravanserai and its stunning mountain surroundings. The walking is wonderful and those wishing to ride can do so. Dinner will be provided by the local family. Sleep in yurts.
Day 8
Tash Rabat: Day free to ride or walk. We might head up to the 3,500m Tash Rabat Pass or follow an another beautiful circular route, or you could just do your own thing. This valley, just 35km as the crow flies from the Chinese border, is lush and green, groaning with horses, yaks and sheep and the nomads who live by them. We will take a packed lunch as the ride or walk will take most of the day. Traditional dinner again in the yurts.
Day 9
Tash Rabat – Son Kul: In the morning we’ll take another beautiful drive, on to Son Kul, the spectacular 3000 metre mountain lake, to stay with local nomads in their Yurt camp. Arrive late afternoon. Dinner cooked by the shepherds.
Day 10
Son Kul: Walk or ride up into the hills for a picnic lunch and enjoy the mind-blowing views. Those wishing to, can hang out at the camp, watching the plethora of bird life. Evening in Yurts.
Day 11
Son Kul – Bishkek: Drive to Bishkek and check back into the hotel late afternoon in time to freshen up. Dinner will be al fresco at the Dolce Vita Italian restaurant. (Hotel).
Day 12
Bishkek – Tashkent - Samarkand: 05.00 Transfer to the airport for a 06.00 flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After an early lunch and a look around Tashkent, transfer to Samarkand and check into charming guesthouse. Early evening visit to the Registan before dinner at a restaurant in town. (Hotel)
Day 13
Samarkand: Full day wandering through this incredible city, taking in such sights as the main bazaar, the Bibi Khanym mosque, Registan and Tamerlane’s tomb. Dinner at a restaurant in town. (Hotel)
Day 14
Samarkand – Bukhara
Last look around the sites before we drive along the Royal Road, stopping en route to see the entrance to an old caravanserai, and for lunch, then on to Bukhara and check into the guesthouse located in the beautiful Labi Haus. After a rest, walk around the famous and fascinating old town. Dinner al fresco at the Labi Hauz. (Hotel).
Day 15
Bukhara: Morning tour of the old town: the Arc – or town citadel, in front of which the British officers Connelly and Stoddard lost their heads in what was one of the most infamous events of the Great Game. Also visit the Kolan minaret, or Tower of Death – from which Amir Nasirulla Khan threw his enemies – and the rest of the beautiful old town. The afternoon is free in the bazaar for wandering, shopping etc. before dinner and traditional dancing at colourful open-air town house. (Hotel).
Day 16
Bukhara – Tashkent: Morning in town, lunch and then at 1520 fly to Tashkent. Met by local escort and after checking in and a rest we will go out to dinner at a very nice restaurant by the canal. (Hotel).
Day 17Tashkent – UK
Transfer to the airport for flight to UK.
Khiva Extension (with local guide)
Day 16
Bukhara: Bukhara at leisure
Day 17
Bukhara – Khiva
Morning drive to Khiva and check into the converted Madrassa in the heart of the old town. Lunch en route and arrive in time for a short sightseeing programme. See some of Khiva’s most colourful and sumptuous sites, including the Kukhna Arc and the Mohammed Khan Madrassa. Dinner will be had open-air in the courtyard of the Madrassa. (Hotel).
Day 18
Khiva:
Khiva at leisure
Day 19
Khiva – Tashkent
Fly to Tashkent at 1035. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing trip in the city followed by dinner out.
Day 20
Tashkent. Tour finishes.
On all our tours we aim to provide you with the best accommodation available. By best we do not not necessarily mean most expensive, but most interesting, characterful and convenient, offering you the best travel experience possible. Knowing your accommodation represents a hugely important part of your tour, we spend a great deal of time on searching out the best places for you to stay. On this trip accommodation will be in small hotels and guesthouses with Western style bathrooms, yurts and tents.
This holiday is booked by phone. Click 'book now' to make a reservation request to our travel partner who will call you back to confirm your booking details and take payment. To speak to a representative now please call 0330 333 6781.
1 result
| Departure date | Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Aug-2012 | 2250.00 | reserve |
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