Eco Tour to Uzbekistan

Description

The exotic nature of Uzbekistan with it’s vast deserts, spectacular mountain ranges, numerous rivers, lakes, reservoirs, Nature reserves and a great variety of rare species attracts nature enthusiasts from all over the world. This tour is a combination of diverse activities for those who are keen on ornithology, botany and zoology. It enables you to visit nature reserves, such as Zaamin reserve, Zerafshan reserve, ecology Center “Jeyran” and other ecologically preserved regions, where you can witness endemic representatives of flora and fauna included into the Red Data Book of endangered species. In addition, you will have an opportunity to see the architectural highlights of Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent.

Itinerary

Day 1. Tashkent – Tashkent region – Tashkent

Arrival at Tashkent airport. Meet and greet. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in hotel. Rest. Visit to Fishing farm. Here you can watch fish and learn about fishing industry from rural fishermen. Transfer back to Tashkent. City excursion.

Visit to Khazrat Imam Complex (16th c.) where you will see Koran of Khalif Osman – the oldest and most completely conserved copy of Holy Koran in the world, and Abu Kassim Madrassah (19th c.) that nowadays houses workshops of famous Tashkent craftsmen, Independence square – the largest square of its kind in Central Asia.

Overnight in Tashkent.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2. Tashkent – Zaamin nature reserve – Samarkand

Early morning transfer to Zaamin nature reserve.  Zaamin reserve was founded in 1960-1976 on the spurs of the Turkestan ridge at an altitude of 1760 – 3500m above sea level. Its area is 10,500 hectares with 4,161 hectares being covered with forest.

Flower and bird watching tour guided by professional botanist and ornithologist.

Lunch en route.

Transfer to Samarkand. Accommodation in hotel upon arrival.

Overnight in Samarkand.

(Breakfast, Lunch box, Dinner)

Day 3. Samarkand – Zerafshan reserve – Samarkand

Morning transfer to Zerafshan Nature reserve(15 km). Bird and flower watching tour.

Zerafshan reserve was founded in 1975. It’s located on the right bank of the Zerafshan river, in its middle stream. The reserve occupies the strip of land 47km in length and 1.5 km in width (in some spots it narrows up to 300m). The area of the reserve is 2320 hectares, 30 per cent of which is covered with forests.

Here you have an opportunity to witness a rare species of Bukharian deer recorded in Red Data Book. Transfer back to Samarkand. Sightseeing. Visit to the Noble Heart of Amir Temur’s capital – the Registan Square that rightly ranks first among magnificent masterpieces of Eastern Renaissance. Bibi – Khanum Mosque – grandiose congregational mosque of Samarkand and the biggest one in Central Asia. Gur-Emir mausoleum – last resting place of Timur and Timurids (15th c.).

Overnight in Samarkand.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4. Samarkand – Yangikazgan

Morning transfer to Yangikazgan, Yurt Camp.

Accommodation in Kazakh national yurts upon arrival. After some rest and shower you can visit camel breeding farm where you can see colts. The farm is located 30 minutes walk from the camp; camel riding also can be organized.

In the evening you will have dinner round the campfire under the starry sky.

Overnight in Yurts.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5. Yangikazgan – Sarmysh gorge – Bukhara

Morning transfer to the Sarmysh gorge. This place is known for its diverse fauna, which includes different bird and mammal species, such as steppe eagle, golden eagle, black swift, long-legged buzzard, foxes, ground squirrel, chukar, hare, turtles, hedgehogs. There are 650 species of plants and herbs here, among which 27 are endemic.

After eco-excursion you will be transferred to Bukhara. Accommodation in hotel upon arrival. Lunch.  Sightseeing tour round Bukhara. Mausoleum of Samanid Dynasty (9th c.) – one of the greatest masterworks of Islamic architecture.

Poi Kalon Complex (12th -16th c.) – the religious heart of Holy Bukhara. Lyabi Khauz Ensemble (16th c.), formed around a wonderful pool, is one of the most delightful places of the city.

Overnight in Bukhara.

(Breakfast, Lunch box, Dinner)

Day 6. Bukhara – Ecology Center “Jeyran” – Amu Bukhara Canal – Tudakul lake – Tashkent

Transfer towards the Amu-Bukhara Canal (50 km).  Visit to ecology Center “Jeyran”, established with the purpose of preserving the unique species of gazelles – Gazella subgutturosa – the typical inhabitant of deserts and semi-deserts. Following the Ecology Centre there are numerous wetlands created by water overflowing the Amu-Bukhara canal. The banks of the canal are covered by tamarisk and reed.

This area is home to many rare species of animals, specifically gazelles, koulans, Przewalski’s horse, Bukharian moufflon and markhor. The landscape of this place abounds with variety of plants and herbs.

Ecological excursion guided by ornithologist and botanist.

Transfer to Tudakul water reservoir which is known as a fish breeding place (23 km).

Tudakul water reservoir is surrounded by extensive wetlands giving shelter to thousands of birds, including various migrants. The reeds of the wetlands become an ideal place for nesting and breeding baby-birds.

(Breakfast, Lunch box, Dinner)

Day 7. Tashkent – Chimgan mountain area

Transfer to Chimgan mountain area.  Start with bird and flower watching activities in the sub-alpine zone of the Chimgan mountains and Beldersay tract as well as in the upper forest zone(1500-2200m above sea level). This is where you’ll have the chance to observe bluebird – symbol of happiness and a rare alpine flower Edelweiss – symbol of bravery. Picnic.

Transfer back to Tashkent.  Farewell dinner with show.

Overnight in Tashkent.

(Breakfast, Picnic lunch, Dinner)

Day 08 Tashkent – Departure.

Transfer to Tashkent airport.
Departure.
(Breakfast)

Useful hints

• Suitable time for this tour is from mid April to mid June;
• Depending on the month of the year the above mentioned plant species may vary.

To make your tour a success, don’t forget to take the following:

• Comfortable clothes and footwear (for cool weather and for hot days while in desert)
• Sunglasses and headwear to protect you from sun
• Special optical equipment
• Supply of batteries
• Trekking sticks
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Flash light
• Sufficient amount of photographic film
• Repellents (to protect you from a mosquito-bite)
• Waterproof cloak (to protect you from rainy weather which is likely to happen this part of the year)

Types of birds and flowers that can be observed during the tour:

Zaamin reserve:

Birds: from 102 species mostly interesting are Black Stork, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Booted Eagle, Barbary Falcon, Saker Falcon, Tawny Owl, White-winged Grosbeak and others.
Flora: Juniperus serawschanika, Juniperus semiglobosa, Juniperus turkestanica, Carex turkestanica, Agropyrum, Festuca, Gentiana, Achillea, Dactylus glomerata, Poa alpina, Vicia angustifolia, Medicago tianschanica, Astragalus (more then 45 species), Ferula, Taraxacum hissaricum, Potentilla, Geranium, Allium komarovii, Artemisia dracunculus, Dianthus, Eremurus kaufmannii, Acantholimon, Onobrychus, Tragacantha, Cousinia, Crataegus turkestanica, Rosa fedtschenkoana, Lonicera korolkovii, Centaurea squarossa, Convolvulus lineatus, Phlomis olgae, Berberis oblonga, Eremurus robustus, Papaver pavoninum, Hypericum scabrum, H. perforatum, Centaurea squarossa, C. depressa, Onobrychus echidna, O. pulcher, Acantholimon, Scabiosa songarica, S. micrantha, Althea nudiflora, Polygonum coriarum, P. hissaricum, Inula macrophylla, Mellilotus officinalis, Origanum tythantum, Ziziphora pedicellata, Ephedra equisetina, Rosa nanothamnus, R. Maracandica, R. Divina, Cotoneaster, Lonicera nummularifolia, Calophaca tianschanica, Rhamnus coriacea, Malus sieversii, Pyrus regelii, Acer semenovii etc.

Zerafshan Nature reserve:

Birds: Turkestan Tit, Night Heron, White-winged Woodpecker, Shikra, etc. At the foot of the Zeravshan ridge you can observe Rose-coloured Starling, Masked Wagtail, Rock Thrush, PersianRobin, Great Rock Nuthatch, Grey-headed Goldfinch, etc.
Flora: Hippophae rhamnoides, Elaeagnus angustifolius, Salix babilonica and songarica, Tamarix etc. Grass cover is formed by Glycirisa glabra, Erianthus, Galium , Equisetum arvense.
Rare species (endemics of Central Asia) included in the Red Book of Uzbekistan: Colchicum kesselringii and Crocus korolkovii. Endangered and deleted species: Populus heterophylla,Crataegus turkestanica.

Amu Bukhara Canal – Ecology Center “Jeyran”:

Birds: Houbara, Crested Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Rufous Bush Robin, Desert Warbler, Streaked Scrub Warbler, Great Grey Shrike, Long-legged buzzard, Blue-cheeked bee-eater, etc.

Tudakul water reservoir:

Birds: Great and Pygmy Cormorants, Purple Heron, Great White Egret, Reed Bunting, Yellow-headed Wagtail, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Marbled Teal, Ferraginous Duck, Small Sky Lark, Baerded reedling and many others.

Chimgan mountains:

Birds: Griffon Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Bearded Vulture, Black Vulture, Saker (Falcon), Rock Bunting, Red-headed Bunting, Yellow-breast Tit, Rufous-naped Tit, Stonechat. Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, Shikra, Hobby, Rufous Turtle Dove, Paradise Flycatcher, Brown Dipper, Golden Oriole, Red-capped Rosefinch, and fabulous bluebird – Bird of Happiness.