An interesting combined bike tour with full transport support includes simple biking in the foothills of the Turkestan range, among the unique nature of Zaamin, in the area of picturesque Zeravshan range, in the floodplain of the Amu Darya in the Kyzylkum desert and along the ancient fortresses of Khorezm. The famous Great Silk Road passed here. The biking program includes excursions to the ancient cities of Uzbekistan, where tourists will see the world-famous medieval monuments of Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara, Khiva and the sights of the capital of Uzbekistan – Tashkent. The tour is designed for groups of 4 people or more.
Tour program
show all
1
Arrival in Tashkent by morning flight.
Arrival in Tashkent by morning flight. Meeting at the airport, transfer to hotel. Rest. Free time. Briefing with the guide in the evening. Overnight in a hotel.
2
Transfer Tashkent-Zaamin (250 km, 4 hours). Biking 26km.
After breakfast, transfer by car from Tashkent to Zaamin National Nature Park. On the way – biking near the Zaamin reservoir: _+732m, -410m, 26km On this day, we will go on a training bike ride, just 26 km away. From the village of Zaamin, the route runs along asphalt road to the Zaamin mountain reservoir, where you can stop for a photo session with an extensive panorama of the reservoir and the Turkestan ridge. Then a section of biking on dirt roads to the highway, where the group is already waiting for vehicles. Transfer to Zaamin National Nature Park, accommodation in a hotel, 1700m. http://centralasia-adventures.com/ru/sights/zaamin_park.html
3
Biking: Zaamin - Suffa - Bahmal, - 2014m, 55km. Transfer to Samarkand.
The route runs along secondary roads from the picturesque Malguzar ridge to Tashkent-Termez highway (55 km,- 2014m, asphalt).Tourists will pass through the villages. In May, you will see fields of red poppies all along the way. Then we sit in cars and drive along the highway to legendary Samarkand (180 km, 3 hours). Accommodation in a hotel.
4
Samarkand, Excursion.
Samarkand, Excursion. Excursion in Samarkand: The "Heart" of Samarkand - Registan Square (XIV-XVI centuries) with 3 famous madrasas: Sherdor, Ulugbek and Tillya-Kori, the grand mosque of Bibi Khanum (XV c.), the magnificent mausoleum of Gur-Emir (XV c.), where Tamerlane, his sons and grandson Ulugbek were buried, the observatory of Ulugbek (1420) - the grandson of Tamerlane and famous ruler and scientist-astronomer, Shakhi – Zinda (XI-XVIII c.) is a necropolis of rulers and nobles of Samarkand, consisting of many beautifully decorated mausoleums, Siab bazaar.
On this day, tourists will drive 90 km along asphalt road to Shakhrisabz, the birthplace of Tamerlane, a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route passes through mountain Takhta-Karacha pass (1675 m). On the ascent there are rocks of a bizarre shape: an arch in the form of heart, dragon, etc. From the pass there is a vast panorama of Kashkadarya River valley and Kitab town. Lunch at the national cafe on the descent from the pass. Arrival in the evening in Shakhrisabz, accommodation in a hotel.
6
Shakhrisabz, excursion. Transfer to Bukhara, Biking 59 km.
In the morning, after breakfast city tour of Shahrisabz: the ruins of Ak-Saray Palace (1380-1404), the Doruttilyavat ensemble (XIV-XV c), the Dorussiadat ensemble (XIV c), the Amir Temur’s monument, the KokGumbaz Mosque (1435), the Jami Mosque (1915), the Jahangir’s mausoleum (XIV century), the Chor-su shopping dome. Transfer by bus from Shakhrisabz to Bukhara (270 km, 4-5 hours). Biking: Kasan-Maimanak-Karlyk_+59m, -99m, 40km. Part of the way - biking in the countryside. In the evening group arrives in Bukhara through the ancient Kagan. Accommodation in a hotel. Free time, independent walk around Bukhara if desired.
7
Bukhara. Exursion.
Tour of Bukhara: Lyabi-Hauz complex (XVI-XVIIc.) – the “heart” of old Bukhara, a favorite place of recreation for residents and guests of the city, includes madrasah and khanaka Nadir Divanbegi (XVII c.), Kukeldash madrasah (XVI c.), the oldest artificial pool (hauz) - in Central Asia (XVII c.), surrounded by old shady trees; Poi-Kalyan complex ( XII-XVI c.) – a visiting card of Bukhara with the Miri-Arab madrasah (XVI c.), the Kalyan mosque (XV c.) with the original multi – dome gallery and Kalyan minaret (XII c.) – one of the oldest, miraculously survived during wars , invasions and earthquakes, a structure with a height of 69 meters; Ayub Mazar (XIV-XIX c.), a mausoleum-sarcophagus over an ancient sacred spring, “appeared at the behest of the biblical Ayub (Job)"; trade domes of Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Sarrofon, Telpak Furushon (XV-XVI c.), where since ancient times local craftsmen sold their products. And today tourists can buy here magnificent souvenirs and products of folk craftsmen: gold embroidery, carpets, suzane, ceramics, coinage and much more. The Samanids mausoleum (IX-X c.) – the pearl of ancient architecture, the family tomb of the rulers of Bukhara and one of the first monuments in Central Asia, built of baked bricks; the Ark fortress (VII – XIX c.) - the oldest building in the city; the residence of the Bukhara emirs with a mint, a jewelry workshop, the office of the vizier, a prison, the harem of the emir; The Chor-Minor minaret (XVIII c.) is a small mosque of the original form with four minarets, which has no analogues in Muslim architecture.
8
Biking to suburbs attractions of Bukhara
Today we will go by bike to the country residence of Bukhara emirs: Sitorai Mokhi Khosa and visit the memorial complex of Bahouddin Naqshbandi, the founder of the medieval Dervish order, +82m, -82m, 33km Return to the hotel, rest.
9
Transfer from Bukhara to Guldursunkala ( 395 km, ~ 7h). Biking 44km.
The road passes through the Kyzylkum desert, sometimes along the Amu Darya River, and crosses the dune ridges. Baiking: +83 m, -45 m, 44 km. Baiking starts from a small but remarkable ancient fortress Guldursunkala (translated as a fortress like a flower). Tourists will ride bicycles on rural roads, and in the sunset will finish in a yurt camp near the ruins of ancient Khorezm fortress of Ayazkala. Accommodation in yurts.
In the morning excursion to the ruins of Ayazkala (from the Turkic – frosty, cold fortress), one of the best preserved fortresses of ancient Khorezm (I-III c.). Then a biking to several other attractions of Khorezm: Toprak-Kala fortress (Earthen City), which was the residence of the Khorezm king (35 km). Excursion. Next, baiking through another of the fortresses, Kyzylkala to the famous black mountains Sultan Uvays, with a memorial monument of the XVII-XIX c. - the Sultan Uvays-Bobo complex. Excursion. The biking program ends here – then tourists will find an interesting city program. Transfer by car through Urgench to Khiva (90 km, 1.5 hours). Accommodation in a hotel. Free time, independent evening walk in Khiva, if desired.
11
Khiva, city tour.
Ichan Kala – open-air museum city, UNESCO site, Kalta Minor minaret (XIX c.), Kunyaark fortress (XVII c.)-former residence of Khiva khans, Pahlavan Mahmud complex (XIV – XIX c.)-national hero and poet, Islam Khoja minaret and madrasah (1908), Juma Mosque (X – XVIII c.), Tashkhauli and Allakuli Khan palaces (XVIII-XIX c.), a bazaar where you can buy the world-famous Khiva carpets. Overnight in a hotel.
13
Flight home
Flight home
Price by request
Highlights
the capital of Uzbekistan - Tashkent
mountain landscapes of the Nuratau and Aktau ridges
yurt camp in the Kyzyl-Kum desert, camels
panorama of Aydarkul lake
flora and fauna of the Nuratau ridge and Kyzyl-Kum desert
legendary petroglyphs of Sarmysh
sights of ancient cities: Bukhara, Shakhrisabz, Samarkand
exotic mountain villages
local national cuisine
What is included
accommodation, nights: 3 * hotels - 6, yurts - 1, national house - 1, guest house - 1, tents - 5
meals
city part - only breakfasts in hotels
mountain and desert part - full board
transport
city part of the tour - bus / minibus
mountain part - UAZ-2206 (4WD) for escorting and transportation of equipment / bicycles
