from 0 review
7 days 6 nights
Specific Tour
20 people
English, Espanol, Francais, German, Japanese, Russian
Navruz (in Farsi “New day”) is celebrated on 21 March, on the day of vernal equinox. One of the oldest holidays in Central Asia symbolizes the beginning of the New Year, rebirth of nature, start of a planting season. During this Seven-Day “Navruz tour” you will dive into festive mood, enjoy small improvised street shows with national songs and dances. In Uzbekistan, there is a beautiful tradition of preparing national dish from wheat sprouts – sumalak, a sweet wheat cream. Traditional festive table (dastarkhan) should be rich as there is a saying: as your table is, so it will be the next year. We cordially invite you to spend festive days of Navruz with hospitable people of Uzbekistan and visit oldest cities of our wonderful country.
CITIES TO BE VISITED: Tashkent, Bukhara, Gijduvan 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:03/16/2021 – 03/22/2021
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
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
In the morning depart Bukhara and drive to Samarkand (290 km, 4h.). On the way stop in:
• Gijduvan pottery masters workshop – Gijduvan museum of ceramics. Today Gizhduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. Everyone who wants to have a look at Gijduvan pottery is welcomed to visit the Museum of Ceramics and even pick a souvenir at the potter’s shop.
Participate in a master class on making a pottery.
Lunch in Gijduvan master’s workshop
In the afternoon continue driving to Samarkand. Check in the hotel. Free time.
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
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
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
Check-out from the hotel by noon. Today we celebrate “Navruz holiday” with town’s people (*sometimes celebration of the city can happen on 20/03, we’ll change accordingly itinerary). Participation in street festivities, during the day - you will be able to feel the spirit of the holiday on the streets, squares of Samarkand, visit streets’ small improvised concerts with national songs and dances.
***Navruz (in Farsi “New day”) - is one of the oldest and beloved holidays in Central Asia. Navruz is a holiday of spring arrival celebrated on 21 March, on the day of vernal equinox. Historically, this day symbolizes the beginning of the new year, rebirth of nature, start of a planting season. Before people of these farming lands would celebrate this holiday by arranging outdoor merrymaking, racing, cock- and dogfights. In Uzbekistan, there is a beautiful tradition of preparing national dish from wheat sprouts – sumalak. It tastes like a sweet wheat cream. Traditional festive table (dastarkhan) should be rich as there is a saying: as your table is, so it will be the next year. We cordially invite you to spend festive days of Navruz with hospitable people of Uzbekistan and visit oldest cities of our wonderful country.
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.
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
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.