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Cities of blue domes

Uzbekistan
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Duration

7 days 6 nights

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

20 people

Languages

English, Espanol, Francais, German, Japanese, Russian

Overview

The amazing Seven-Day Cultural Uzbekistan Tour “Cities of Blue Domes”:  is a unique possibility to plunge into the atmosphere of ancient cities – Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand in short time. 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 Tamerlane Empire. Shakhi-Zinda Complex – one of the sanctuaries of the Islamic world with the shrine of Kusam ibn Abbas, a Prophet Muhammad’s cousin brother. Gur-Emir Mausoleum of the Temurid dynasty and other unique monuments. You will also visit Holy Bukhara. Over two thousand years this city, as a mainstay of Islam, has been acquiring its inimitable look. The Samanid Mausoleum, Kalyan Minaret, Ark Citadel and Lyabi-Khauz pond are still cultic structures and symbols of Holy Bukhara.

CITIES TO BE VISITED: Tashkent, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz 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 – 2 nights (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 pilav with crispy bread, and 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!

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

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.

Day 2: Tashkent
Day 2: Tashkent

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

Day 3: Tashkent - Bukhara (Flight (605 km))
Day 3: Tashkent - Bukhara (Flight (605 km))

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

Day 4: Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand (365 km)
Day 4: Bukhara - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand (365 km)

Breakfast at the hotel
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz (275 km, 4 h.*).
Stop in Shakhrsabz for city tour. Visit:
Dor-us Saodat Memorial Complex (XIV century end) – means “repository of power”, includes Jahongir and Omar Sheikh Mausoleums. It was intended for the whole Timurid dynasty and was founded after the untimely death of Timur's eldest son, Jakhongir, in 1376.
Ak-Saray Palace remains (1395-1396) - Its fantastic ruins can be seen from afar and make a deep impression. Amir Temur meant to make Shakhrisabz the second capital of his empire, no less sumptuous than Shakhrisabz.
Dor-ut Tilavat Ensemble (XIV-XV centuries) - as formed after the death of the eminent religious leader Shamsiddin Kulal, the founder of Sufism, the spiritual mentor of Emir Taragay and of Timur himself, and the teacher of Bahauddin Naqshbandi.
Kok-Gumbaz Mosque (1435-1436) - is the largest Friday mosque in Shakhrisabz. The inscription on the portal announces that the mosque was constructed by Ulugbek on behalf of his father Shakhruh.
Amir Temur’s Crypt (XIV century end) - is covered with a huge, monolithic marble gravestone, which is 11 centimetres thick, with 5 iron rings being attached at the corners and in the middle. One the stone were found encryptions related to the life of Amir Timur, thus it is believed that the crypt was intended for him.
In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand (90 km, 2 h.*).
Arrive in Samarkand late in the afternoon, check in to hotel.
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 2 hours

Day 5: Samarkand
Day 5: Samarkand

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.
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours

Day 6: Samarkand - Tashkent (Train (345 km))
Day 6: Samarkand - Tashkent (Train (345 km))

Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out from the hotel till noon. Continue sightseeing visiting:
Afrasiab Museum (1970) – the most valuable artifacts of the history of ancient Samarkand. It is a museum in Samarkand dedicated to the history of the city. The museum's exhibits illustrate the history of Samarkand’s development from the time of Alexander the Great conquest.
Mausoleum of Saint Daniel (1900, but grave was long earlier) - There is hardly any place in the world is a where Muslim, Christian and Jew come to pray. But this Tomb of the Old Testament Prophet Daniel, also known as Daniiel, or Doniyar.
Then drive to Konigil village to explore traditional way of making Samarkand paper from mulberry. Enjoy free time with car and driver at your disposal after sightseeing tour.
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: 3-4 hours

Day 7: Tashkent - Departure
Day 7: Tashkent - Departure

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.

Included/Excluded

  • Ground A/C transport
  • Accommodations (double shared)
  • Meals: Breakfasts & Dinners
  • Sightseeing tour
  • Professional guide
  • Flight Tashkent-Bukhara
  • Entrance fees
  • Train ticket Samarkand-Tashkent
  • International air tickets
  • Visa charges
  • Cost for lunches
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Gratuity/Tips for guide/drivers
  • Hotel extra services

Durations

Full day (7+ hours)

Tour's Location

Uzbekistan
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