CmR 01. BY BAKTRIAN CAMEL THROUGH KYZYL-KUM DESERT

The trek goes through the center of the Kyzyl-Kum ("Red Sand") desert.
During the tour many discoveries and interesting meetings are waiting for our participants every day. The dromedaries nicknamed as "ships of desert" will be taking you softly along the ancient caravans' roads through the sand dunes and thicket of haloxylon.
You will meet the wonderful flora and fauna of the desert. Nobody can be indifferent to the original blossoming of the desert in early spring or to meeting a "dragon" of these places - a giant grey monitor lizard. The trek leaves many pleasant memories about visiting yurts of the shepherds, drinking an aroma tea with them and learning the way of life of the local people.
Best time for traveling is: March to June and September to October.


Days Programs
1 Arrival in Tashkent. Meeting at airport. Transfer to hotel.
2 AM half day sightseeing tour (HD SS) in Tashkent. PM drive by coach to Samarkand (340 km; 5hrs).
Visit the old town of Tashkent to see medieval monuments: Barak-Khan Barak-Khan medressa (XVI c.), Kaffal-Shashi Mausoleum (XVIc), Kukeldash Medressa (XVIc), Museum of Applied Arts, Independence Square, Friendship of Peoples Square, Tashkent Metro, Theatre Square where Uzbek National Opera House is and others.
3 Full day sightseeing tour (FD SS) in Samarkand. Hotel.
Visit the Guri-Emir mausoleum (XVc), Rukhabad necropolis (XV c.); Registan Square complex (XVII c.), Bibi-Khanum cathedral mosque (XV c), Ulugbek observatory (XV c.), Shakhi-Zinda mausoleum ensemble (XIVc), Siob bazaar.
4 Drive Samarkand via Nurata to yurt base camp near Dongulek village (340km; 6 hrs). Overnight in yurts.
Visit the Khasan- Khuseyn Mosque (XVI-XVII cñ.), blacksmith's and potter's workshops and a sacred pond with sacred fishes - a place for pilgrimage by Muslim worshipers in Nurata. Also to visit are Medressa of Sheihun Hasan Nury, Mamazgokh Mosque (XIVc) and remains of so called "Alexander the Great's Fortress".
5-9 Ride on the camel back across desert from base camp via Uruztaykuduk - Pahtakyr - Eltay - old base at point 271 to Aydarkul Lake. Overnight in tents.
We cover for 15km to 20km a day. Landscape is typical sandy desert dunes slightly enliven with rare xenophoric vegetation. On the way we see wildlife of the desert - tortoises, lizards, giant lizards, snakes, vultures etc. and get acquainted with the desert flora. Last day of riding we end up at the shore of Aydarkul Lake, which looks like a miracle in the middle of the desert with its area above 2000 sq. kms. We swim, fish and enjoy relaxation.
10 Rest on the lake. Overnight in tents.
11 Drive from desert to Bukhara (240 km; 4 hrs). Hotel.
12 Full day sightseeing in Bukhara. Hotel.
Visit round architectural monuments including Samanids' Mausoleum (IX-X cc AD), Chashma Ayub Mausoleum (XIV-XIX cc.), Poi-Kalon complex (XII-XVI cc.), Ulugbek Medressa (built by Ulugbek - the grandson of Tamerlane and distinguished mathematician and astronomer), Lyabi-Hauz complex (XVI-XVII cc.).
13 Full day sightseeing in Bukhara. Hotel. Visit monuments: Sitorai Mokhi Khosa ("Palace of Moon and Stars") - summer palace of Bukhara emirs (XIX c.), Bolo Khauz Mosque (XIX), Ark - ancient citadel and fortress where from Bukhara started growing (VI-VII cc BC - XVI); Chor-Minor minaret (XIXc).
14 Take a flight Bukhara to Tashkent. Hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
15 Departure.