Direct Flight from Izmir: Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan, the Pearls of the Silk Road Route

Tour details

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT
This tour is organized with a minimum participation of 30 people. The final cancellation notice date is 20 days before the tour start date. A tour canceled due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through our agency.

VISA & PASSPORT

Ordinary Passport    ❌  Visa Not Required

Green Passport        ❌    Visa Not Required

Service Passport  ❌     Visa Not Required

You must have a passport that is valid for 6 months from the date of the end of travel and is not older than 10 years.

For destinations requiring a visa, the visa application must be made with the documents specified in the “Documents Required for Visa” list that your agency will provide for you. To avoid problems with customs police at the border of the country to be visited due to torn, worn, wet and/or similarly damaged passports, such passports should be renewed; and if the destination is a country that applies visas to citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, the relevant visa must be in the new passport. Otherwise, responsibility belongs to the passenger. Since our guests under the age of 18 may be asked by the police officer on duty at country entry and exit points for a document showing the mutual consent of the parents when traveling alone or with only one parent, we recommend that our guests under 18 and their parents pay attention to this matter.

CURRENCY
The currency used in Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistan Som (UZS). Cash usage is common in daily expenses; local currency is preferred especially in local markets and small businesses.

In Kazakhstan, the currency is the Kazakhstan Tenge (KZT). While credit card usage is common in large cities, it is recommended to have local currency for small expenses.

It is useful to have US Dollars (USD) with you.

TIME ZONE
Uzbekistan is 2 hours ahead of Türkiye (UTC+5).

In Kazakhstan, although the time zone varies by region, Almaty and its surroundings, which are visited for tourism, are 3 hours ahead of Türkiye (UTC+6).

FOOD CULTURE
Uzbek cuisine, shaped by the influence of Silk Road culture, stands out with its traditional flavors focused on meat and pastries. While rice, lamb, vegetables and spices form the basis of the cuisine, dishes are generally filling and sharing-oriented. Plov (Pilaf), Manti, Lagman and Samsa are among the best-known dishes of Uzbek cuisine.

Kazakh cuisine draws attention with its meat- and dairy-based structure, bearing traces of nomadic Turkic culture. While horse and lamb meat have an important place in traditional cuisine, pastries and fermented dairy products are widely consumed. Beshbarmak, Kazy (horse sausage), Baursak and Kymyz are among the main flavors representing Kazakh cuisine.

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
*The electrical outlets used in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are generally compatible with those in Türkiye. However, since different plug types may be encountered in some older facilities, it is recommended that you bring a plug converter (adapter) so that you can use your electronic devices without issues.

SHOPPING
*There are shopping opportunities at shopping malls in city centers and at small stalls selling souvenirs.

TOURS & OPTIONAL TOURS and ACTIVITIES
*All City and Cultural Tours written in the program are included in the price.

*If optional tours and activities or program options such as boat trips are clearly stated in the program, they are organized with a minimum participation requirement of 15 people and participation is not mandatory. If the required number is not met, excursions cannot be carried out, or the prices, content, and vehicles used for optional tours/activities may vary depending on the number of participants. In addition, the days and times of extra tours/activities may be changed by the guide according to the open/closed status of museums, ruins, or venues at the destinations and according to weather conditions.

*The agency reserves the right to change the tour route when deemed necessary, provided that the content remains the same.

*Excursions or tours that are not permitted to be visited or entered by local authorities or for any other reason are not operated. The Agency cannot be held responsible for the عدم operation of these excursions or tours.

ACCOMMODATION
*During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the specified km. 

*Triple rooms may be provided depending on hotel availability, and the bed offered to the 3rd person in such rooms may be smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Since extra beds are foldable/collapsible or coach beds, participants are deemed to have accepted the possible tightness in the rooms and the bed type for 3rd person and/or child reservations. 

*Child discounts are valid for children staying with 2 adults and who fall within the age group specified in the pricing section.

*Among the services included in the tour program, breakfasts taken at the hotel are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited.

*For possible disruptions and technical problems reported to us by the hotel management, our agency reserves the right to change hotels, provided that the hotel category remains the same.

CLOTHING and REQUIRED ITEMS
*For the summer season, we recommend bringing t-shirts, short- and long-sleeved shirts that can be easily put on and removed, cotton trousers, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket for the evenings, and a thin sweater. In addition, we recommend that you bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs for possible noise, a camera, a video camera, their chargers, spare memory cards, and charging devices. For the autumn and winter period, we recommend clothing that allows comfortable movement and keeps you warm, as well as an umbrella and a thin raincoat.

ABOUT AIRLINE TICKETS and FLIGHTS
*Before the tour date, flight times and airline ticket reservation number information are shared by our agency. Due to group reservation, you can complete your baggage and customs procedures at the specified time and counter with only your passport, even without your ticket. Our check-in procedures are carried out by our agency.

*During registration, the name, date of birth, passport and ID number as written in the passport must be entered into the system. Airline tickets are issued according to this information. The no-show fee for airline ticket cancellations or changes caused by incorrect information will be charged to the guests.

*Our agency is not responsible for any losses arising from your inability to participate because you were late for the flight or could not catch the plane for reasons related to your own circumstances.

*Our agency is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol of 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay on scheduled and special flights, or times may change before the current trip and flight. Route changes may occur depending on the city where the plane lands. All times must be confirmed 48 hours before departure dates.  Our agency is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change.

*Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport tax and airport service fees.

FLIGHT DURATIONS
Izmir   ✈︎  Samarkand   ⏱︎   4 hr 30 min
Samarkand   ✈︎   Izmir  ⏱︎   5 hr 25 min

TRANSPORTATION and LOCAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
*During travel, it is mandatory to wear your seat belts. For passengers aged 0-4, bringing a “vehicle baby seat” is mandatory. In case of non-compliance with the rules, our agency cannot be held responsible for any traffic fines or penalties that may be imposed.

*All vehicles provided by local vehicle service providers for transportation and transfer services are inspected according to the rules and conditions in the United Arab Emirates. Vehicles that pass inspection provide service if they are comfortable and flawless, regardless of their model and age.

*Including the tours specified in the program, in cases where the tour cannot be carried out because it is not permitted to be visited or entered by local authorities on the day and time corresponding to the tour, or due to closed roads because of any event, or because weather conditions make the tour impossible, our agency is not responsible for the inability to perform the said tours. Some tours may be carried out by public transportation or on foot where possible, at closed roads or points where vehicle entry is not allowed.

*During your trip, seat numbers are assigned and fixed according to the reservation order. Even if the given seat numbers are the same in numbering, their direction, place, or position may differ. Seating is arranged according to the vehicle conditions of the country in question.

LOSSES, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, PASSPORT and ID LOSSES
*When leaving the hotels where you stay during your trip, please make sure that you have taken all your belongings. In case of lost items being found, the expenses incurred while delivering them to the country and/or person are the responsibility of the owner.

*In the event that your passport is lost or stolen, since the Agency official/guide must continue the Tour Program for the other traveling guests as promised by the agency, they should know that they will act under their own responsibility regarding all organization related to passport procedures, return travel, or joining the tour in the country where the loss/theft occurred. Our agency does not accept responsibility for any difficulties or problems that may arise in this regard.

*The agency is not responsible for items forgotten, lost, or stolen during the tour

HEALTH
*We do not expect to encounter any health-threatening problems with meals taken at good restaurants and hotels in the region. However, when you are not with the group, we advise you to be careful about food and drink, to definitely consume only sealed bottled water, to avoid ice, milk and dairy products, to eat meat and fish products that you are sure are well cooked, and for fruit, to eat fruits that can be peeled, such as bananas and pineapples.

*We strongly recommend that you obtain reports and invoices from the healthcare facilities where you receive treatment in case of health problems or injuries that may occur for reasons beyond your control. This will be useful to you if needed in insurance-related procedures.

PAYMENT METHOD
*You may make your payments partly in cash in the amount permitted by law, as well as by bank transfer through the banks clearly stated on our website, and if you deem necessary, also by Credit Card.

*Payments made during tour registration will be refunded in the same currency and amounts in the event of cancellation/refund.


What's included
  • Izmir - Samarkand - Izmir plane tickets with SunExpress Airlines and port taxes, check-in fees
  • All transfers by air-conditioned private vehicles and all city and culture tours
  • Museum, archaeological site, and national park entrance fees included in the program
  • Visit to Magic City Amusement Park
  • Uzbek welcome night with traditional dinner and music on the first day
  • Dinner with traditional music in the historic city of Khiva (accompanied by a local instrumental ensemble)
  • Entertainment night and dinner on the last day
  • Samarkand-Bukhara and Tashkent-Samarkand high-speed train tickets
  • Domestic flight tickets and taxes between Urgench and Tashkent
  • 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners
  • 7 nights accommodation in 4* and 3* hotels
  • Airport taxes and service fee
  • All accommodation tourist taxes
  • All city entrance fees and customs duties
  • All highway and parking fees
  • Turkish-speaking guiding and local guiding services
  • Mandatory TÜRSAB professional liability, travel and health insurance (A surcharge applies for guests over 65 years old: 35 €)
Not included
  • Exit fee for leaving the country (can be obtained by guests via the Mobile APP, relevant banks, and GİB.)
  • Lunches and beverages taken during meals
  • Optional Activities
  • All kinds of hotel extras
  • Guide and Driver tips are excluded.
  • Entrance fees to Museums, Archaeological Sites, and National Parks that guests may wish to visit on their own
Tour Program
Izmir - Samarkand
In the evening, at the specified meeting time, we meet at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport International Terminal, complete our check-in and baggage procedures, and then take our non-stop (direct) flight on SunExpress Airlines, arriving at Samarkand International Airport at 04:40 local time. After collecting our luggage and completing passport and customs formalities, we board the waiting coach and transfer to our hotel, where we will be staying.
Samarkand
After having breakfast at our hotel, we begin our Samarkand tour, the Pearl of the Silk Road where scholars, armies, religions, and cultures converge. Our first stop will be Konigil village. In this village, which for centuries has provided services solely related to paper production, we will have the opportunity to observe and experience the paper-making process together. After watching and receiving detailed information from the workshop staff and our guide about how paper is made from mulberry tree bark, we head to the Gur Emir Mausoleum, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Timur’s tomb is located. Known as the resting place of the Emir, the mausoleum was built by Timur during his lifetime for his grandson Muhammad Sultan and later continued to be used as a family burial site. Designed in the Timurid style and Islamic architecture, the interior of the mausoleum is adorned with blue and gold mosaics, and the ceilings feature intricate painted and tile decorations. After listening to our guide’s explanations, we proceed to Registan Square, known as a center of trade, history, and cultural education, and whose name means “sandy place” in Persian. We listen to information about the Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilla Kari Madrasahs located in the square. After free time in the historic atmosphere of this square, which embraces not only Samarkand but the attention and culture of all Central Asia, our next stop is Siyob Bazaar, where we pause to shop for souvenirs and freely enjoy lunch. After our break, we go to see the largest mosque in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Built by Timur in honor of Bibi Khanum after his campaign in India, this mosque is among the most impressive examples of architecture with its grandeur. Bibi Khanum Mosque is decorated with rich tilework, calligraphy, and stone carving. Blue and turquoise tiles are extensively used on both the interior and exterior facades, and Arabic inscriptions, especially quotations from the Quran, are placed in various parts of the structure. This historic site, a must-visit for both tourists and researchers, has suffered earthquakes and major damage but has been restored and continues to welcome visitors. After our guide’s explanations here, we visit the Shah-i-Zinda (Living King) Mausoleum Complex, meaning “The Living King.” We also see the complex containing the tombs of important figures and scholars, then continue to learn about and visit the Observatory built between 1424 and 1429 by Ulugh Beg, who served as a scholar, astronomer, and ruler during the Timurid period. We listen to the explanations at the structure, which contains a massive sextant (an angular measuring instrument), and then head to our local restaurant for dinner. Our guests are welcomed with a ceremony accompanied by music and dance, and we savor shashlik kebab served on 6-meter-long skewers along with a variety of local delicacies. After a pleasant evening, we return to our hotel. *Breakfast will be served at our hotel, and dinner will be served at the local restaurant or at our hotel. Included in the price! *Lunch will be taken freely on the road during the tour and is not included in the price.
Semerkant - Bukhara
After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the famous Afrosiyob High-Speed Train station and travel by high-speed train to Bukhara, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the important stops on the Silk Road. After approximately a 1.5-hour high-speed train journey, we begin our tour of Bukhara, a city whose history dates back to the 6th century BC and which became an important commercial center during Alexander the Great’s campaign in Asia, contributing significantly to Islamic civilization and famous for its handmade carpets, silk fabrics, and embroidery. We start our program by seeing the statue of Nasreddin Hodja, who is featured in many Turkish and Middle Eastern folk tales and is known worldwide, with stories and anecdotes that teach lessons through justice, intelligence, and wit, and whose statue is also found in Bukhara. We then continue by visiting the Ark Fortress, whose history dates back to the 5th century. After listening to our guide’s explanations about the fortress, which contains government buildings, madrasahs, mosques, and living quarters, we go to the Taki Zargaron and Taki Telpakfurushon bazaars, where we will have free time. Following our next meeting point, we visit the Leb-i Hauz complex, which is described as a cultural feast and a complex of khanqahs and madrasahs that shaped social life, as well as the Chor Minor Madrasa, Magoki Attori Mosque, and the tombs of Bahauddin Naqshbandi and his mother, and then have our dinner. We complete our full-day Bukhara exploration and then transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel in Bukhara. *Breakfast will be at our hotel, and dinner will be served at a local restaurant or at the hotel where we are staying. Included in the price! *Lunch will be taken freely on the way during the tour and is not included in the price.
Bukhara - Hive
After having breakfast at our hotel, we check out of our rooms and take our seats on our waiting vehicle, setting off for Khiva, considered a true gem of Uzbekistan’s Khwarezm region. With its rich history intertwined with the present and a completely different atmosphere from the country’s other cities, Khiva will make you feel as though you are on a fairytale journey. Accepted as approximately 2,500 years old, the city is the most beautiful oasis town, with its reddish earth-toned buildings and unique adobe structures, and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2020, being chosen as the cultural capital of the Turkic world. Along the way, with detailed information about Khiva and stops we will take during this long journey, we arrive in the city after an extended trip. Accompanied by a local music group welcoming us in traditional costumes, we enjoy our dinner at a local restaurant, where we can savor regional delicacies in an atmosphere as if we were in the middle of a desert, in a fairy tale setting. After dinner, guests who wish may spend time at the glittering and ornate night market located very close to the hotel and purchase souvenir gifts for their loved ones. Guests who prefer to rest may come to our hotel and settle into their rooms. *Breakfast will be served at our hotel, and dinner will be served at a local restaurant or at the hotel where we are staying. Included in the price! *Lunch will be taken freely during the journey on the road and is not included in the price.
Hive - Urgench - Tashkent
After resting and having our breakfast at our hotel in Hive, we set out to get to know the city. We visit the historical museum considered to be İç Han Castle and the complex that also houses the Pehlivan Mahmud Tomb, and listen to our guide’s explanations and information. We then arrive at the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa, which is often considered together with the Kalta Minor (Short Minaret), but is actually the largest madrasa in Central Asia in its own right, and begin touring this two-story madrasa, whose walls are entirely covered with glazed tiles and which is used as a hotel today. After our visit here, we head to the Allah Kuli Khan Madrasa, one of the most magnificent architectural examples, which amazes visitors and is considered one of the most famous educational institutions of its time. After listening to our guide’s explanations about the structure adorned with white, blue, and green tiles, we view the Pehlivan Dervaze Gate, listen to the related explanations, and then enjoy free time in the bazaar where you can have lunch and shop for local souvenirs. After regrouping, we travel to Urgench, located on the banks of the Amu Darya River and the Shavat Canal. Following our panoramic tour there, we proceed to Urgench Airport and take our seats on our HY054 flight to Tashkent. After an approximately 1-hour journey, we arrive in Tashkent and transfer to our hotel. *Breakfast will be taken at our hotel, and dinner will be served at a local restaurant or at the hotel where we are staying. Included in the price! *Lunch is not included and will be taken freely on the road during the tour.
Tam Gün Tashkent
After our breakfast, we begin our city tour of Tashkent. We start visiting the Hazrati Imam Complex, which includes the Barak Khan Madrasah, the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, the Tila Sheikh Mosque, and the Hast Imam Mosque. We continue our tour while listening to our guide’s information about the structures famous for their architectural design and tiled domes, where we will also see the Holy Quran, believed to have been recited by Hz. Osman at the time of his martyrdom and written in Kufic script in the 7th century. After visiting the Amir Timur Museum, whose white structure has become a symbol of the capital and which houses more than 5,000 exhibits, similar to the blue dome of Gur-e Amir in Samarkand, we then visit the tombs of Zeng Ata and his wife Anbar Ana, whose stories and legends you will find interesting. After seeing Independence Square in the city center, we give free time. After meeting again with our guide, we go to our restaurant and enjoy our meal prepared for us with local delicacies. After a pleasant evening, we return to our hotel. For those who wish, accompanied by our agency representative, we go to Tashkent City Mall to see the stores of world-famous brands, watch the light and water shows at the artificial lake in its garden, and enjoy free shopping. (Included in the price!) *Breakfast will be served at our hotel, and dinner will be taken at a local restaurant. Included in the price! *Lunch will be taken freely along the way during the tour and is not included in the price.
Tashkent - Turkistan (Kazakhstan)
After our early morning breakfast, we depart from Tashkent, which is located very close to the Kazakhstan border, and arrive at the border gate. After completing the crossing procedures, we travel via Shymkent to Turkistan, which is home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, dating back to the 12th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is of great renown in Central Asia. The city has also recently launched an important Kervansaray project, creating a major shopping and cultural center for the use of visitors. First, after visiting the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, we head to an open-air area located very nearby where we can see horses, camels, and eagles. Those who wish may enjoy a riding experience and take a photo with an eagle. After these enjoyable experiences, we turn our direction to the Underground Hilvet Mosque, one of the most extraordinary mosques in the world. Following this fascinating visit, we go to the Aristan Baba Complex, which is associated as a whole with Sufi mysticism, listen to our guide’s explanations, and then head to the newly completed Kervansaray, which has also become a point of interest for tourists along the Great Silk Road. Set on an area of 20 hectares, this complex features motifs from fairy-tale characters such as Zümrüdüanka and Tulpar, and includes a hotel, shopping, and entertainment centers. We are given free time to enjoy ourselves in this complex. Afterwards, we go to our local restaurant for dinner, and then watch the historical musical show performed on the pond in the Kervansaray in the evening. After the show, and after spending some leisure time in the complex with our loved ones, we proceed to our hotel in Turkistan. *Breakfast will be served at our hotel, and dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Included in the price! *Lunch will be taken freely along the way during the excursion and is not included in the price.
Turkistan (Kazakhstan) - Tashkent - Samarkand
After our breakfast, we proceed to the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan border gate to complete our crossing procedures and begin our Tashkent city tour. We visit Independence Square, which bears motifs related to Uzbekistan’s modern history and national identity and is the city center’s largest square; the Tashkent Metro, one of Central Asia’s first and largest metro systems, decorated almost like an art gallery with marble and large chandeliers, and whose stations are named after important and famous figures; and the Applied Arts Museum. After that, we head to Magic City Park, considered the largest entertainment and attraction park in Asia. We explore this park, which offers amusement areas, musical fountains and pools, cinemas, and one of the largest aquariums in Asia, bringing the ocean right before your eyes. After enjoying our time in this park, one of the modern faces of the city where we can encounter more than 100 species of animals, we go to Afrosiyob Train Station and travel to Samarkand by high-speed train. In the evening, we crown our visit to this pearl of the Silk Road, which we explored in the first days, with dinner at our restaurant accompanied by traditional Uzbek dances and a musical entertainment program. Later in the evening, we transfer to the airport to complete our customs procedures and take our seats on the plane that will take us back to Izmir. *Breakfast will be at our hotel, and dinner will be at a local restaurant. Included in the price! *Lunch will be taken freely on the road during the tour and is not included in the price.
Semerkant - İzmir
After our arrival at the airport, we complete our passport and customs procedures and then take our seats on the SunExpress Airlines flight that will take us to Adnan Menderes Airport, returning home. Upon our arrival in the morning local time, we bid farewell, hoping to meet again on another tour program.