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9 days 8 nights
Daily Tour
20 people
English, Espanol, Francais, German, Japanese, Russian
The amazing Nine-Day Sufi tour in Uzbekistan will introduce you less touristy, yet very interesting and significant holy sights. You will visit Zangiata mausoleum in Tashkent vicinity, where Muslim holy sheykh Ay-Khodja and his spouse Ambar Bibi, patron of fertility and motherhood, were buried. The mausoleum built as per Amir Temur’s order is now a popular pilgrimage destination for people from many countries. In Bukhara you will do the pilgrimage to the holy places of Sufism and pay a visit to the burial places of Seven Sufi Saints, including the mausoleum of Bakhouddin Naqshband, the founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order. You will remember Samarkand with the necropolis of Shahi-Zinda where the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad is buried. You will also visit pilgrimage cite in the world of Islam – Complex of Imam al Bukhari, the religious leader, the famous theologian, the hadith collector (Hadith – the science of Hadith, reports about the sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad) and the author of the second most important book of the Muslims after the Koran “Al-Jomiy al-Saheeh”(“Secure book “).
CITIES TO BE VISITED: Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand
ACCOMMODATION:
*Tashkent – 3 nights (Hotel Ramada 4* or similar 4/3*)
*Bukhara – 3 nights (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!
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 start sightseeing in the capital of Uzbekistan, the biggest city in Central Asia. Visit:
• Old Citypart 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
• Mausoleum of Sheikh Zainiddin-bobo (XIV century) – was built a mausoleum in Kukcha, and the order to build was given by Amir Temur. Sheykh Zayniddin-bobo was born in Baghdad in 1164. His father was Shakhobiddin Sukhravardi, the founder of suhrawardi sufi order, poet and sheikh, leader of Baghdad Sufis
• Zangiata Complex (XIV-XIX centuries) - where Muslim Sheikh Ai-Khodja and his wife were buried. The Sheikh lived in the XIII century. Zangiata means "dark father". He got this nickname because of dark skin of his color. They were followers of the great leader of all Turkic tribes in Central Asia, the Sufi Ahmed Yasawi. The legend says that Timur was originally ordered to rebuild the mausoleum in Turkestan in honour of another Muslem saint, Ahmed Yassavi (Kazakhstan).
• Chor-Su Bazaar, the age of which is more than hundred years
• 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 It is a favorite resting place for the Tashkent residents. The fact that the most beautiful fountains of the city are located in the square contributed considerably to it
Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 5-6 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to local Airport in Tashkent. Morning flight to the holy Bukhara (605 km, 1 h. 45 min.), the land of 7000 piirs (teachers). Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Leave your luggage at the hotel. Check in at noon.
Start pilgrimage to Seven Sufi scholars burial places, all of them are located in outskirts of Bukhara. Visit:
• Tomb of Abduholiq Gijduvaniy (1103-1179) located in the town of Gijduvan (40 km away from Bukhara). He founded School of the Central Asian Sufism. He always took a view that every imam must have his own job. There is Ulugbek madrasah near the new mosque, where pilgrims can pray.
• Tomb of Khoja Muhammad Orif Ar Revgariy (died in 1259) – the fourth apprentice of Abduholiq Gijduvaniy known as Hazrat Khoja Orif Mohitobon. This holy site is located in the district of Shofirkon 50-60 km from the centre of Bukhara. He began to learn Sufizm very early. When he was 19, he taught philosophy. His manuscript "Nafahat ul-uns" and "Arifnoma" are the only written evidences about the life of the famous Sufi. Having read his works, it is clear that Haja Arif Revgary was one of the most worthy successor of traditions and practices “Hadzhagana”.
• Burial site of Hodja Mahmud Anjir Fagnaviy (died in 1286) - He was a famous Sufi of his time. He was engaged in gardening. Fagnavy was the spiritual successor of Sufi tradition. He was an expert at his job carpenter thereby earning his living. There is a beautiful mausoleum not far from the grave, as well as a mosque and a well with holy water. It is very popular place with pilgrims where they can pray.
• Mausoleum of Khoja Ali Rometaniy (died in 1310, in some sources in 1321) - located in Rometan district. He was the apprentice of Khoja Mahmud Anjir Fagnaviy. He is also known as Azizon (Honourable Sheikh). He was born in 1195 in Kurgan and worked as weaver. Thanks to him, the Mongol khans accepted Islam, believing that they are miracle-worker.
Dinner with Folklore Show
Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
Continue pilgrimage with a visit:
• Burial place of Khoja Mukhammad Boboyi Samosiy (1259-1354), an apprentice of Hodja Ali Rometaniy. He predicted the birth of Bahauddin Naqshbandi. Bobo al Samosi said: “It will take quite some time, and his fragrance will spread all over the world”. Today the tomb of St. Babai Simasi is a place of worship for hundreds of thousands Muslims from all over the world.
• The tomb of Hazreti Said Mir Kulol (1287-1370) – is located in the village Suhor. The building is a mosque, mausoleum and flower garden. “Kupol” means “Potter” as he was an expert at this craft.
The last pilgrimage place is the holiest ensemble of Bukhara, the burial place of Hazrati Bakhouddin Naqshbandi – the founder of Naqshbandiya Order, located in the village of Qasri Orifon.
• Memorial complex of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi (1544) - is one of the most important Muslim shrines. Every self-respecting Muslim knows and reveres this name. Naqshbandi was the spiritual teacher of Amir Temur and made hajj to Mekka 32 times. 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.
• Chor Bakr Necropolis (XVI century) - is really an unusual and mysterious place. Visiting Chor-Bakr you could not help but feel the breath of the world of the dead, where in the quiet of the alleys the thoughts of the frailty of life and the transience of human life unwittingly come into your head.
Return to Bukhara. Dinner at city restaurant
Overnight at the hotel.
Duration of sightseeing tour: 6-7 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
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
• Chor-Minor Madrasah (1807) – “Four Minarets” - The towers’ décor elements are believed to reflect the religious-philosophical understanding of the world’s four religions
• 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.
Enjoy free time in Old City.
Dinner at city restaurant. Overnight at the hotel
Duration of sightseeing tour: 4-5 hours
Breakfast at the hotel
In the morning transfer to Samarkand (290 km, 4 h.*). En route visit the Memorial Complex of Abu Abdulloh Al-Bukhari (born in 810). Continue to holy place which is a few kilometers away from this complex, the burial place of Hazrat Makhdumi A'zam Dahbediy (1461-1542), a Sufi philosopher, and a descendent of Hazrat Ali. Arrive in Samarkand and check in to the hotel.
Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
*The road on vans and buses is on average an hour longer.
Breakfast at the hotel
Meet your guide and driver at hotel lobby and start sightseeing. Visit:
• Complex Khoja Akhrar Vali (1630) – the grave of Naqshbandiyah Sufi order’s leader. His motto says that one should use the political power to fulfill his spiritual mission. Later, thanks to Khodja Akhror the Naqshbandia Order developed into three branches: Central-Asian, Western-Turkish and Indian one.
• Mausoleum of Khoja al Mansoor al Matrudi (XX-XXI centuries) – is another sacred place in Samarkand. The grand Imam and famous philosopher and theologian fought for the purity of Islam. He was buried there in 944, in the cemetery Chokardiza where many other famous scientists of Islam world were buried as well.
• 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.
• Shakhi-Zinda Necropolis (XIV-XV centuries) – where you can visit the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas. This complex 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".
• Hazrat Khizr Mosque (XVIII century)– one of the oldest Muslim religious buildings in Samarkand. The mosque was built in the VIII century and was on the hill at the entrance to the city, close to the band appeared much later Shahi Zinda mausoleums and Siab market. Around the mosque later emerged cemetery. According to legend, there are seven levels of graves and bodies at each level of the saints or prophets.
In the afternoon visit:
• Registan Square (XV-XVII centuries) – the noblest square in Central Asia. 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).
• 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
• 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
• Gur Emir Mausoleum (XV century)– authentic shrine of Tamerlane, the graveyard of Tamrlane and Timurids. 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 till noon. Free day in Samarkand, enjoy sites of Samarkand on your own, car with a driver at your disposal. 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
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.