April 9, 2021 · 1 min read
Group tours are unique in that you cover the world like there is no other day. The neighbors, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, which are culturally similar but different in topography and landforms, make an ideal pair for a fulfilling group tour to give a complete Central Asia travel experience.
Perhaps the most mountainous country in Central Asia where the Tian Shan mountain range covers 80% of the land, also because of which it is sometimes referred to as "Switzerland of Central Asia." It is a country where you'll be seeing a lot of lakes and, of course, mountains.
Sitting in the mountain ranges of Tien Shan in the Chui Valley, Bishkek is the capital and largest city of Kyrgyzstan Republic. Even though it is not blessed with many historical sites, it is an ideal place to start a trip through the mountain ranges and alpine lakes of Tien Shan along with your group members.
Lying 5,279 feet above sea level, Issyk-Kul is the second largest alpine lake which is surrounded by hills and mountains. Because it is situated at such great heights, the water is pristine and clear which a highly endemic fish biodiversity.
Located in the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, Cholpon-Ata is a resort town which is frequented by vacationers and holidaymakers who usually come here in groups. From the top, there is an imposing view of the lake and the air you breath is as pure as it could get.
Karakol is the fourth largest city of Kyrgyzstansituated on the eastern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake which hikers and trekkers from far and wide come to visit briefly as a quick pit stop before continuing on their trek route. But this city, which gives more of a town feel, has so much more to be explore. Karakol Historical Museum, Dungan Mosque are few such explorable sites.
It is a large village which serves as an excursion base into the high country which guarantees one of the best views of the overlooking Issyk-Kul Lake.
Another alpine lake on the list, it is the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan after Issyk-Kul, but the largest freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan as Issyk-Kul is saline. Heavily praised for its picturesque scenery, it is surrounded by summer pasture and mountains.
Uzbekistan is located to the west of Kyrgyzstan where there are numerous mosques, mausoleums, architectural complexes from the medieval period which your entire group will love and adore. The major cities covered in this tour are:
The capital of Uzbekistan which is now the administrative center and major tourist hub of the country, it has numerous national museums which paint a compelling picture of Uzbek history from pre-Islamic era to the Tsarist period.
One of the oldest cities of Uzbekistan, it was founded as a fortress town with meters high brick mud walls. This isolates this place from the modern Khiva which gives an impression of a town within a town. Itchan-Kala which is the name given to the older fortress is the primary tourist attraction of this place.
Located in the Silk Road route, Bukhara in the ancient past was a center of trade, religion, culture, and scholarly activities. Now there are over 140 architectural monuments to be explored.
Urgench is a city located in western part of Uzbekistan, the other half of which is located in Turkmenistan near the village of Kunya-Urgench. As there are limited number of sightseeing options, it'd just be used as a stopover en route Khiva so you can have few hours in seclusion.
Samarkand which is referred to as "The Crossroad of Cultures," was the capital of Tamerlane and his Timurid Empire where he constructed numerous architectural complexes that are now major tourist attractions. BibiKhanum Mosque and Shah-iZinda mausoleums are two such examples beside others.
At the end of the tour, you'll be almost left unaccounted for how the days went by as there will be so much traveling, packing, unpacking involved in this 15-days dual-country tour. But nevertheless it'll be extremely rewarding which will surely leave you rejuvenated.
