$1,290.00
Dynamic cycling tour with 5 to 7 hour stages of around 350 km, mixed asphalt road and track, with an average of 60 km per day through mountain ranges, isolated valleys and huge plateau. Many visits and meetings with local people are the highlights of this tour. Although the trip is accessible to all, it is nevertheless necessary to be in a good physical condition and to be accustomed to cycling. The bike stages are programmed for a maximum distance not exceeding 70 km per day. However, they can be varied and either shortened or lengthened according to the participants’ physical abilities and territorial conditions. Accompanied by a professional guide you will be immersed in the history of the legendary cities of the Silk Road, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand turquoise. You will discover the varied landscapes of the Kyzylkum desert and the mountains of Nourata, one of the most populated areas of Central Asia, the region of musicians-gambardists, shamans and beautiful nature.
Duration: 15 days, 14 nights
DATES: Departure dates at your convenience, from mid-April to end of October
REGISTRATION: Possible from 2 people.
BEST PERIODS: MID APRIL – MAY – MID JUNE – SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
Itinerary:
Urgench – Khiva – Shavat – Toprak Kala – Ayaz Kala – Bukhara – O’rtagurgon – Sarmish – Nurata – Aydarkul – Ukhum – Navkat – Mitan – Samarkand – Tashkent
Description
TOUR PROGRAM:
Day 1 Friday- Paris – Urgench
Flight Paris – Urgench at 21h00.
Day 2 – Saturday – Urgench – Khiva (30 km)
Arrive in Urgench at 06:10. Costumes formalities. Welcome by your local English-speaking guide. Transfer by bus to Khiva (35 km, about 30 min). Check in and breakfast at the hotel, begin with visits to the UNESCO-listed open-air city-museum, former stopover of the Silk Road: Ata Darvaza Gate, Kalta Minor Minaret (19th century), Mohamed Aminkhan Medersa, the throne of the king and the ancient palace Kounya Ark. Lunch during the visit, then continuation: Mohamed Rahimkhan’s madrassah, the Friday mosque, the mausoleum of Said Alouddin, the mausoleum of Pahlavan Makhmud, the minaret of Islamkhodja, the palace of Tochhovli and the Harem of the Khan, the medersa of Ollokoulikhon. End of visits around 4 pm. Return to the hotel. Presentation of the travel program and bike check before the ride. Dinner at the restaurant. Night at the hotel.
Day 3 – Sunday – Khiva
In the morning, visit local animal market, located in suburb of the city. This market is open only on Sundays. Lunch. Afternoon, free time for personal discoveries. Dinner at the restaurant. Night at the hotel.
Day 4 – Monday – Khiva – Toprak Kala – Ayaz Kala (135 km)
Breakfast. Bus ride to Cholish (55 km), then bike ride to ruined Toprak Kala fortress (40km). Visit of the fortress of II-IV century after J-C, that became regional capital under the Kushans in the second century, it undergone the repeated attacks of the Hephalite Huns who, by destroying the irrigation channels, were right of the royal city. Lunch on the road to Buston. Cycling to the Ayaz Kala fortress (40 km) (IV-II century BC), one of the most impressive sites because the ruins of the two citadels are perched on a hill in the middle of the desert. In the course of the journey, meeting with the inhabitants of the traditional villages. Installation at the yurt camp. Dinner and overnight under the yurt.
Day 5 – Tuesday – Ayaz Kala – Miskin – Bukhara
After breakfast, bike ride to Turtkul (50 km), then by bus to Miskin (15 km). Picnic with grilled fish sinned in Amoudarya. Continuing to Bukhara (330 km). The road passes through the Kizil Kum desert (Red Sand). The peculiar beauty of the Central Asian desert reminds us of the days of the brave caravans who crossed this sea of sand.. Arrival in Bukhara at the end of the afternoon. Installation at the hotel. Having dinner. Night at the hotel.
Day 6 / 7 – Wednesday / Thursday – Bukhara
Bukhara the divine. One of the most important ancient and medieval cities of Central Asia. For many centuries, Bukhara played key role as administrative, commercial, cultural and handicraft center. Bukhara is a real architectural reserve. Visit of the Labi-Khauz ensemble (Medersas Nodir Devon Begi, Koukeldach, Khonako Nodir Devon Begi 17th century), the trading cupolas (18th century), Maggoki Attori mosque, Ulugbek medersa (15th century), Abdoulazizkha (17th century), Poyi Kalan ensemble (Mir Arab Medersa XVII century, 17th century Poyi Kalan mosque, Minaret Kalan XI century). Lunch. Afternoon, continuation of the visit – Arc-citadel, walk through the park where is the mausoleum of the Samanids (IXth century), the mazar Chachma Ayoub. Dinner at the restaurant. Night at the hotel
Day 8 – Friday – Bukhara – O’rtagurgon – Sarmish (140 km)
Transfer by bus to Ortaqorgon (70 km). Continuation by bike to Sarmish through local farms (50 km). Lunch in road race. Arrival at Sarmish, discovery of rock drawings dating back to the Bronze Age. Visit the petroglyphs. Installation at the summer camp. Dinner. Night at camp.
Day 9 – Saturday – Sarmish – Nurata – Ulkhum (170 km)
By bus to Nourata (70 km). Arrival in Nurata and visit the mosque, the pool with sacred fish, ancient Greek fortress and traditional embroidery house in Nurata. Lunch of mutton grilled in a chaikhana. In the afternoon, ride a bike to Kizilcha (50 km), then bus ride to the green valley of Ukhum (50 km), inhabited by Tajiks living in stone houses along the river, and lined with ancient walnut trees dating over 300 years old. Lunch on road. Arrive in Ukhum. Dinner and stay in local guest house.
Day 10 – Sunday – Ukhum
Visit some villages in the mountains. Lunch and dinner in the guest house. Night in the guest house.
Day 11 – Monday – Ulkhum – Kizilcha – Josh – Koshrabod – Mitan (215 km)
By bus to Kizilcha (65 km), then by bike to join the city Josh (60 km) through the mountain Boyqoro, 1016 m, visit local farms. Lunch on the road in a local host family. From Josh, passage by bus to arrive in Mitan (105 km). Accommodation in a guest house. Walk in the village. Dinner and night in a guest house.
Note: Mitan is a vast village, situated 60 km from Samarkand. Very little foreigners know about this village that located far from touristic routes.
Plan occupancy for “riders” not making the track or 2nd vehicle
Day 12 – Tuesday – Mitan – Samarkand (65 km)
Ride a bike across local villages to Dahbed (50 km). Lunch in a chaykhana (teahouse) on route. Arrive to Dahbed. Continuation by bus to Samarkand (15 km). Arrive in the afternoon in Samarkand. Check in and dinner at the hotel.
Day 13 – Wednesday – Samarkand
City tour. Night at the hotel.
Day 14 – Thursday – Samarkand – Tashkent (310 km)
In the morning, transfer to the train station. Departure on high speed train to Tashkent. Arrive before the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Check in. City tour. Gala dinner. Night at the hotel.
Day 15 – Firday – Tashkent – Paris
Free morning. Transfer to the airport. Return flight.
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Price includes
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- All transfers by minibus according to the itinerary, as well as your airport, pick up and drop off
- Accommodation based on double room sharing.
- English-speaking local tour guide accompanying the group
- All entrance tickets as per the itinerary
Price does not include
- International airfares
- Hotel charges for additional services
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, e.g. souvenirs
- Tips for guides and drivers
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