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9 days 8 nights
Daily Tour
20 people
English, Espanol, Francais, German, Japanese, Russian
The amazing Nine-Day Cultural Uzbekistan Tour “Uzbekistan – Heart of Central Asia”: where you will have an exciting tour to the world of oriental fairy tale. This tour is a visit of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva the cities sparkling like diamonds with striking multifaceted architecture, rich of traditions and ancient customs of mysterious and hospitable Uzbekistan. 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. Explore Ichan-Kala, the central fortress in Khiva, which holds the majority of the main sights and is a strikingly intact medieval city.
CITIES TO BE VISITED: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Urgench
ACCOMMODATION:
*Tashkent – 3 nights (Hotel Ramada 4* or similar 4/3*)
*Samarkand – 2 nights (Hotel “Diyora” 4* or similar 4/3*)
*Bukhara – 2 nights (Hotel Asia Bukhara 4* or similar 4/3*)
*Khiva – 1 night (Hotel Asia Khiva 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!
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
At 07:00 transfer from your hotel to railway station
Fast-speed Afrosiyob train departs Tashkent at 08:00 and arrives in Samarkand at 10:10 (345 km). Upon arrival we begin the city tour in Samarkand:
• 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
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
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.
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
In the morning depart Samarkand and drive to Bukhara (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.
Continue driving to Bukhara. Arrive in Bukhara, check in to the hotel. Spend your afternoon in fascinating Old Bukhara which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Explore:
• 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.
• Magoki-Attori Mosque (XII century) – Islamic mosque dating back to Zorastrianism. It is an example of an urban mosque in a residential quarter
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• Chor-Minor Madrasah (1807) – “Four Minarets” - The towers’ décor elements are believed to reflect the religious-philosophical understanding of the world’s four religions
Dinner with Folklore Show
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 3-4 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
Start the second day in Bukhara discovering:
• 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.
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.
Enjoy free time in the afternoon.
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Khiva (480 km, 7-8 h.*).
The Great Silk Road once routed through Bukhara and Khiva ran through the Kyzyl Kum Desert, as the present road does nowadays*. Stop en-route to enjoy views of the desert and Amu Darya River.
Arrive in Khiva late in the afternoon, check in to the hotel. Time for rest.
Dinner at city restaurant with Show
Overnight at the hotel
*some parts of the road are presently being renovated.
Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out from hotel till noon. Today you will visit:
• Itchan-Kala Fortress - is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today Itchan-Kala (Ichan Kala) is open-air museum. It is the old part of the city, surrounded with wall and turned into the State Historical Archaeological Museum. Here on the vast territory of 26 hectares the exotic image of the eastern city has been preserved.In Itchan-Kala there are about 60 historic buildings.
• Mukhammad Aminkhan Madrasah (1851-1854) – is the largest madrasah not only in Khiva but in the Central Asia. The two-storied building occupies the area of 72 to 60 meters and has 125 khudjras (cells), intended for 260 students.
• Mukhammad Rahimkhan Madrasah (1876) – is a bright sample of culture of architecture of that epoch and takes a special niche in the history of Khoresm. Named after Muhammad Rahim-khan, who was one of the most educated representatives of Kungrat dynasty ever to rule in Khiva since 1770.
• Kalta-Minor (1855) – it has become the real symbol of the city. Foundation of the minaret is 15 meters, diameter at the foundation is 14,5 meters and the height is 29 meters. But this massive tower has only third part of the project height. Its unique decoration strikes an imagination: the minaret is completely covered with the glazed tile and majolica.
• Juma Mosque (XVIII century end) - is an original building without portals and cupolas, without galleries and yards. It is 55x46 m. The interior space is a single hall, the flat ceiling of which is supported by 215 wooden pillars.
• Tash-Khovli Palace (XIX century) – summer residence of Khiva khans. The original synthesis of architecture and monumental decorative art in the creative work of the Khorezm masters are vividly represented by this palace.
• Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum (1701) - If blue domes as the symbol of the eastern architecture can be often found in Samarkand and Bukhara, there is only one blue dome in Khiva. It decorates the tomb of Makhmud Pahlavan, a famous poet and warrior of the XIV century. In the mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud people pray and drink the holy water.
• Islam-Khoja minaret (XX century) – is the highest minaret in Uzbekistan. The height of the minaret 6 meters, diameter of the fundament is 9.5 at the base.
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Old Khiva in Kunya-Ark (1686). Free time in the afternoon. In the evening you will be transferred to Urgench airport (30 km, 35 min.) for flight to Tashkent (1093 km, 1 h. 40 min.). Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Dinner at city restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5 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.