Uzbek culture is famous for its history and hospitality, and you can see it in every detail of Uzbek history, from the patterns forged on the walls of mosques and mausoleums to the smiles of local people. Blue domes and slender minarets can be seen not only in Samarkand and Bukhara, but also in the capital of Uzbekistan: Tashkent is more than 2000 years old, and the monuments of the ancient East have been preserved in the modern metropolis. Tashkent today is divided into two parts: new and old parts, each part carries a rich flavor of history. Upon arrival at the hotel, tourists will be waited by a transfer, which will be with you throughout the tour of Tashkent:
Day 1: Tashkent
Flight / Transfer
– The tour will start from Hast Imam Complex. This complex arose near the grave of one of the first imams of the city of Tashkent, a famous scientist, expert on the Koran and Hadith, poet, and artisan Hazrati Imam. There is also a rich library of oriental manuscripts. The oldest construction of the architectural ensemble is the tomb of Hazrati Imam. It was erected over the tomb of the preacher at the end of the 10th century, and the mausoleum acquired its present appearance by the 16th century.
– To visit Tashkent and not bring back Uzbek souvenirs and fruits filled with the southern sun is unacceptable for sure. What if you combine shopping with getting to know local traditions? Perhaps the best place for such an attraction is the Chorsu bazaar (local “market”). This is one of the largest bazaars in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. “Chorsu” was known back in the Middle Ages and, due to its location on the Great Silk Road, was of strategic importance.
Transfer: Autobus / Express Train “Afrosiob” 350km 2:10h
Lunch/Dinner
Day 2: Samarkand
Trip to Registan Square Complex.
Samarkand is the second biggest city in Uzbekistan, a shining PEARL from ancient times. In the 14th century, the great conqueror Tamerlan transformed Samarkand by making it one of the greatest capital cities of the world:
– The heart of Samarkand is Registan Square. This is the central square in the old part of Samarkand paved with burnt bricks and cobblestones where three great middle-aged educational universities (madrasahs) are situated forming one of the main scientific centers of the East in ancient times.
– Not far from Registan there is Guri-Emir Mausoleum. This majestic complex consisted of a khanaka, the madrasah of Muhammad Sultan – grandson of Amir Timur, and, later, tombs of Amir Timur himself and his descendants.
– Continue exploring Samarkand: Ulugbek Observatory (15th c.) – a great astronomer of the ancient times. Bazaar Siyab, and Shokhi-Zinda complex. Besides, they can see Bibi-Khanum Mosque which due to Tamerlan’s plans was constructed with special peculiarities as a result of his numerous marches.
– After visiting all the tourist attractions, tourists will have the opportunity to visit a winery named Khovrenko. Today, the Khovrenko winery continues to function, producing a range of wines, brandy, and vodka. Its cellars store new collections of wines to age for a long time, while the best vintages of Samarkand wines are sold at auctions. The winery has an interesting wine museum, which acquaints visitors with its history and that of Samarkand’s wine production, its international awards, and, of course, organizes tasting of Samarkand wines.
Transfer to hotel. Overnight.
Lunch/Dinner
Day 3: Next day
The next day (Day 3) of the tour will be devoted to the continuation of the tour in Samarqand.
Drive outside the city to visit the museum of Afrosiab settlement, once the heart of ancient Samarkand, and nowadays it is a unique archeological site.
After visiting the settlement, transfer to Shakhrisabz.
Guests will have the opportunity to visit:
– Dor-us Siyodat
– Dor-ut Tilovat
– Ak-Saray
Arrival. Overnight at the hotel.
Lunch/Dinner
Day 4. Aidarkul
Samarkand – Aidarkul (245 km 4h)
Acquiring enough souvenirs and oriental sweets, we will head to the Kizilkum Desert. You will be able to stay in a yurt camp, go camel riding, walk along the “living” desert – in May the area is covered with blooming poppies. In the evening you will witness national dancing and singing around the bonfire.
Day 5: Aidarkul - Bukhara
After breakfast, we will depart for Bukhara.
Afterwards, we will head to Bukhara via Gijduvan, where we will also visit the workshop of a famous potter. The pottery workshop of the Narzullaevs-family of fifth-generation potters-has been visited by Hillary Clinton, Madlen Albright and other famous guests.
Arrival in Bukhara.
Bukhara is an ancient holy city and even today it is considered to be the richest city in the Central Asia due to the majority of architectural monuments located mostly in the old part of the city where integrity of architecture impresses – antiquity here is not mixed with modern constructions.
Evening stroll through the ancient streets of Bukhara. You can visit the Toki Furushon bazaar to buy national clothes, souvenirs and more.
Lunch/Dinner
Overnight at the Bukhara.
Day 6. Bukhara
Tourists will have an excursion along the city including visit to:
– Poyi-Kalon ensemble – religious “heart” of ancient Bukhara,
– Miri-Arab madrasah (16th c.),
– Coumpol bazaar – Bukharian trade domes,
– Kukeldash madrasah (16th c.) – the biggest madrasah in the Central Asia
– Ark Citadel,
– Toki Zargaron,
– Bolo-Hauz Mosque (18th c.)
Later in the evening you can enjoy wonderful folk show program during at courtyard of the ancient Nodir Devanbegi madrasah (17th c.). Show program consists of the mixture of modern national FASHION show, national songs and dancing. Overnight.
(NDB show is optional)
Lunch/Dinner
Day 7: Bukhara – Khiva
We are continuing our tour/heading to our next destination- Khiva
Trip duration from Bukhara to Khiva- 470 km (260 mi), 7 h
Crossing the Kyzyl Kym (red sand) desert, the largest desert landscape in Central Asia (belongs to the territories of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan).
Upon arrival, tourists will have a free time to walk through the city and enjoy.
Lunch/Dinner
Day 8: Khiva
Uzbekistan with its ancient monuments, rich nature and rapid modern development today attracts the attention of the whole world. During several centuries this country had been situated on the crossroad of different routes of the Great Silk Road through which a lot of tradesmen, geographers, missioners as well as tourists traveled.
Tourists will have an excursion along the city including visit to:
– Architectural complex Ichan-Kala (12-19th cc.)
– Kunya-Ark citadel (16-17th cc.) – residence of the last Khiva Khan,
– Ismail Khodja mausoleum,
– Mukhammad Aminkhan madrasah,
– Mukhammad-Rakhimkhan madrasah,
– Djuma mosque (10th c.),
– Shergazikhan madrasah,
– Said Alauddin mausoleum,
– Murad-tura minaret;
– Pakhlavan Mahmud architectural complex including: Pakhlavan Makhmud mausoleum (14-18th c.), Islam Khodja minaret, Ak mosque, Anushkhan baths, Allakulikhan caravanserai, Allakulikhan madrasah (1834-1835)
– Tash-Khovli palace (19th c.),
– Kalta-Minor minaret and other sights of Khiva.
During excursion we will visit local family, where they will demonstrate of local bread baking process.
(Local Bread baking masterclass is optional)
Day 9: Khiva-Urgench
Transfer to the Urgench International Airport.
NB: The program of the trip as well as the order of visits, meals and flights for technical and/or operational reasons may be changed on site without prior notice
