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6 days 5 nights
Daily Tour
20 people
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Trip to Uzbekistan. The amazing Six-Day Cultural Uzbekistan Tour “Gems of the East”: is a unique possibility to plunge into the atmosphere of ancient cities – Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand in short time. In addition, these cities managed to preserve architectural monuments of ruling epochs of powerful dynasties of the Middle Ages.
The Samarkand tour program includes a visit of world-famous Registan Square – the center of the capital of the old-time powerful empire founded by Tamerlane. After that Shakhi-Zinda Complex – one of the sanctuaries of the Islamic world with the shrine of Kusam ibn Abbas. He was a Prophet Muhammad’s cousin brother. Afterwards Gur-Emir Mausoleum of the Temurid dynasty and other unique monuments. In addition, you will also visit Holy Bukhara. The Samanid Mausoleum and Kalyan Minaret, Ark Citadel and Lyabi-Khauz pond are still cultic structures and symbols of Holy Bukhara. Trip to Uzbekistan. Check out our other tours to Uzbekistan!
CITIES TO BE VISITED: Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand
ACCOMMODATION:
*Tashkent – 3 nights (Hotel “Ramada” 4* or similar 4/3*)
*Bukhara – 1 night (Hotel “Asia Bukhara” 4* or similar 4/3*)
*Samarkand – 1 night (Hotel “Diyora” 4* or similar 4/3*)
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: March – June, August – November
Book a tour to Uzbekistan if you love ancient history, mesmerizing medieval architecture, applied arts, hospitality, rich pilaf with crispy bread, moreover natural fruits and vegetables grown under the bright sun. By the time you leave your Uzbekistan tour, you will have an extra piece of baggage and a lot of unforgettable memories!
Arrive in Tashkent. You will be met by your driver and guide. Early hotel check-in with breakfast. Free time for rest after flight. Dinner at city restaurant.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning starts sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit:
• Old City part of Tashkent
• Khast-Imom Complex (XVI-XXI century), where the world famous Quran (VII century) of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman has been preserved. In Khast-Imom visit Madrasah of Barak-Khan, Tilla Sheikh Mosque, Mausoleum of the Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi and the Islamic Institute of Imam al-Bukhari
• Chor-Su Bazaar, the age of which is more than hundred years
• Tashkent Metro (1977) Ride - is the only currently operating metro in Central Asia
• Amir Temur Square - surrounded with the buildings of the “Uzbekistan” Hotel, University of Law (former Women’s Gymnasium), the Amir Timur Museum, well-known Tashkent Chimes and the Forums Palace - one of the most grandiose architectural structures in Tashkent
• Independence Square- located in the center of Tashkent city. It is a favorite resting place for the Tashkent The fact that the most beautiful fountains of the city are located in the square contributed considerably to it
• Applied Arts Museum (1937) – its fund lists over 7,000 samples of applied arts: handmade embroidery, skull-caps, jewelry, carpets and other examples of craftsmanship of the beginning of the 19th century to present day
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Early breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to local Airport in Tashkent. Morning flight to Bukhara (605 km, 1 h. 45 min.)
Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Leave your luggage at the hotel. Check in at noon. Take a walking sightseeing tour with a guide in historic center of Bukhara which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Visit:
• Lyabi Hauz Ensemble (XVI-XVII centuries) – historical source of water supply in Bukhara. It is formed with three large monumental buildings: Kukeldash Madrasah (1568-1569) in the north, khanaka (1619-1620) and Nodir Divan-begi in the west and in the east
• Magoki-Attori Mosque (XII century) – Islamic mosque dating back to Zorastrianism. It is an example of an urban mosque in a residential quarter
• Chor-Minor Madrasah (1807) – “Four Minarets” - The towers’ décor elements are believed to reflect the religious-philosophical understanding of the world’s four religions
• Trading domes – Toki-Sarrafon Trading Dome (was currency exchange center of Central Asia), Telpak Furushon Trading Dome (first was book selling place, later selling caps), Timi Abdullakhan Trading Dome (carpets and fabrics were sold), Toki-Zargaron Trading Dome (were selling jewelries)
• Ulugbek madrasah (1417) – the most ancient of three madrasahs, built by Ulugbek
• Abdulazizkhan madrasahs (1651-1652) – luxurious decoration. The building is typical by composition, with four-ayvans yard, but with unordinary divergent fan of hudj groups after side ayvans and cupola buildings on the central axis
• Kalyan Minaret (1127) – City symbol of Bukhara. The minaret was designated to summon Muslims to prayer five times a day. It still dominates the skyline of Bukhara, astonishing all who see it with its magnificent and flawless shape
• Kalyan Mosque (XV century) - The layout of the Djuma Mosque (named the Kalyan Mosque) is traditional: a rectangular courtyard with a tall and large maksura room on the west side.
• Miri-Arab Madrasah (XVI century) – is one of the best Bukhara architectural school monuments. Architecture and décor of Miri-Arab distinguish by highest culture and taste.
• Legendary Ark Fortress (IV century BC) – The symbol of the state power. It was a residence of Bukhara khans
• Bolo-Khauz Mosque (1712) – it is the only preserved monument on the Registan Square. The complex consists of the reservoir, Friday mosque and minaret. The most ancient part of the complex is the pond (Khauz), which is called as Bolo-Khauz ("Children's reservoir").
• Ismail Samani mausoleum (IX century) - It was erected as a family crypt immediately after the death of Ismail Samani's father. Mausoleum is full of magnificence and feeling of moving from this world to the world that lasts forever.
• Chashma-Ayub mausoleum (XII-XVI centuries) – “Saint Job’s Source”. A legend has it that the Bible prophet Job, having visited this land, decided to help the people who suffered from water shortage in the desert. He struck the ground with his stick, making a source of crystal clear water sprang at that place.
Enjoy free time in Old City.
Dinner with Folklore Show
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
Continue sightseeing tour with a guide. Drive out of the city outskirts visiting:
• Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (XIX century mid) – summer residence of Bukhara’s last emir. The Bukhara architects having trained in Russia managed to combine oriental and western styles in their creation.
• Mausoleum of Bakhoutdin Naqshbandi (1544) – is one of the most important Muslim shrines. The Mausoleum of Saint Bakhouddin Naqshbandi is considered as the Central Asian Mekka. Believers from different muslim countries come here to ask for the fulfilment of wishes and healing.
In the afternoon depart to Samarkand (280 km, 4 h.). Stop on the way at:
• Caravanserai Rabat Malik (XI century) – summer residence of Karakhanids. There is no analogous monuments which can give us an example of every-day life of the Karakhanid rulers in the territory of Central Asia.
Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to hotel.
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2-3 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
Meet your guide and driver at hotel lobby and start sightseeing. Visit:
• Registan Square (XV-XVII centuries) - during centuries it was the center of Samarkand. The word Registan means “sand place”. The ensemble consists of three Madrassah: Ulugbek Madrassah (15th century), Sher – Dor Madrassah (17th century) and Tilla-Kari Madrassah (gold covered) (17th century).
• Bibi Khanum Mosque (1399-1404) - The majestic blue domes of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque are the unusual sight. It takes one’s breath even from understanding the scale of construction of this monument, impressing with its size and beauty. In antiquity the dome of this mosque was compared with the dome of heaven and the arch of portal – with the Milky Way.
• Siyob Bazaar (on Mondays it’s closed) - is a largest trading center of Samarkand. Mostly here you can find national bread, fruits, vegetables, sweets and a lot more
• Ulugbek Observatory (1428-1429) – The astronomical miracle of medieval Uzbekistan. Observatory was unique construction for its time.The basis of observatory was giant goniometer vertical circle), radius of circle was equal 40,212 meters, and the length of arc was 63 meters
• Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis (XIV-XV centuries) - consists of rows of refine sparkling blue colors tombs. Shakhi Zinda consists of eleven mausoleums, which were built one after another in XIV - XV centuries. Shakhi Zinda is the burial place of royal persons and nobles. But the main mausoleum from which the necropolis starts seems to be the imaginary grave of Prophet Muhammad's cousin, Kusama Ibn Abbas. The complex was called "Shakhi Zinda" that means in Persian "The Living King".
• Gur Emir Mausoleum (XV century)– authentic shrine of Tamerlane. 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. Gur Emir was a prototype for famous samples of architecture of the Great Mughal: Humayun Mausoleum in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Timur descendants, who ruled northern India.
At 16:00 transfer to railway station to take the fast-speed Afrosiyob train departing to Tashkent at 17:00 (345 km). Scheduled arrival time is 19:10. Pick-up and transfer to hotel.
Dinner at city restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast at the hotel (if time of flight permits)
Check-out from the hotel till noon. Free time until transfer to Tashkent International Airport. Departure. End of the tour.