Specialization– Speleology
 

Location:This tour is held in Baysuntau range, Surkhandariya region of Republic of Uzbekistan.

 

Duration is 14 days

 

Best timeto travel is April the 1^st to October the 31^st

 

The area of this tour refers to the Baysuntau range (Surkhandarya region), includes visits to caves of the Khodja Gur-Ata region. There were more than 10 caves discovered from the beginning of 1984 and onwards by exertion of Ural speleologists. The deepest cave is the Festival. Its deepness is about 600 m, and summary extent of its labyrinths is more than 12 km.

Besides Festival cave, there is Berloga (lair) and Jubuleynaya (Jubilee) of great interest with their unique calcite crystals – flowers. You will walk through the huge “Svjashenniy” (Holly) grotto to the plateau with fossilized dinosaurs’ footprints on it. You will also visit stay of primitive men (Teshik-Tash grotto) mid Paleolithic period. On this stay, there was tomb of Neanderthal boy found.

This route might be concluded in the settlement – fortress of Derbent. You will be accompanied with wonderful legends during your tour. You will be acquainted with the architectural monuments of Samarkand and Shakhrizhabs on the way.

 

Programme

Day 1.Arrival in Tashkent. Met at the airport and transfer to a hotel. Check in the hotel. A time to relax. Lunch. Excursion around the architectural monuments of Tashkent city, including visit to Kukeldash Medresseh (CXVI), Barak-Khan Medresseh (CXVI), Kaffal Al Shashe Mausoleum (CXVI), Khast-Imam complex and Orient Bazaar of Chor-Su for 4 hours. Dinner.

Day 2.Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Shakhrizhabz via Samarkand (D=410km). Lunch in a restaurant in Samarkand. Upon arrival in shakhrizhabz check in a hotel. Dinner.

Day 3.Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour around Shakhrizhabz for 3 hours, including visit to Ak-Saray palace, Complexes of Darut Tillavat and Darus Saodat. Free time. Dinner.

Day 4.Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the area of Khodja Gur-Ota (D=100-110km, T=1.5-2 hrs.) Observe Baysun Range. Lunch. Free time, go on observing this area. Dinner. Overnight in the juniper forest at the brook.

Day 5.Ascend on the altitude of 3400m. Set the basic camp, preparation of necessary equipment. Dinner.

Day 6.Visit to Berloga (Lair) cave (T=6-8 hrs.) Return to the basic camp by night.

Day 7.Visit to labyrinths of the Uchitelskaya (Teacher) Cave and labyrinths of the underground Lake in Sifonnaya (Siphon) Cave (T=6-9 hrs.). Return to the basic camp by night.

Day 8.Walks on primitive limestone plateau (area where the basic camp is).

Day 9.Descend to the valley of the Machaydarya River. Look over the footprints of dinosaurs on limestone plateau. Set the camp, viewing of this area.

Day 10.Transfer on a special vehicle to the Machaydarya valley (T=4-4.5 hrs.) to the stay of the primitive men in Teshik-Tash grotto. Return to the camp.

Day 11.Conclude trekking. Transfer to Samarkand on a special vehicle. Lunch en route. Evening arrival in Samarkand and chech in a hotel. Dinner.

Day 12.Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy sightseeing in Samarkand including visiting the Guri-Emir Mausoleum (XV cc.), Registan Square (XVII cc.), Bibi-Khanum Cathedral Mosque (XV cc.), Ulugbek Observatory (XV cc.), Shakhi-Zinda Mausoleums ensemble, and Al-Bukhari complex and local bazaars. Overnight at a hotel.

Day 13.Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tashkent. Upon arrival in Tashkent, check in a hotel. Dinner.

Day 14.Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure from Tashkent.

 

Transport:

Tashkent– Samarkand – Shakhrizhabz – Samarkand – Tashkent – on a comfortable bus

Within mountain portion of the tour for carrying of basic Camp and baggage of clients - a general-duty cross-country vehicle

 

Food:

3 meals a day in the cities

in mountains – breakfast, dinner (hot course) 

lunch - dry ration, hot tee, coffee.

 

Accommodations:

Tashkent– a hotel

Samarkand– a hotel

Shakhrizhabz – a hotel

In the mountains - equipped basic Camp (2 for a tent)

 

The price quoted for this programme includes the following:

transfers to and from airports, A/C transportation and all scheduled excursions detailed on the itinerary

double/twin sharing accommodation on B&B basis with private bath or shower in each hotel of different category  

All meals (FB)

SS programmes with local guides speaking your native language & entrance fees as specified in the programme

national guide (escort) speaking your native language and accompanying you for the entire itinerary

visa invitation letter (visa authorisation letter)

license fees

rent of  necessary equipment (tents, dishes, etc.)

cook on trek

 

Fitness– This adventure travel holiday is suitable for anyone who is in good health and enjoys a fair level of fitness. A little adventures. Sports spirit. Special speleology equipment is required.

 

Caution!

The Central Asian caves are not equipped especially for wide audience and they are all in their virginal, primary kind. Movement inside sometimes embarrassed by narrow passage ways, like corridors, where you can move only creeping. Sometimes small ledges may block a way, what required simple climbing.    

 

The price excludes the following:

Visas (for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan)

Single supplement charge

Travel Insurance

Tipping

Items of a personal nature, such as laundry, drinks, etc.