Gems of Uzbekistan
Gems of Uzbekistan
Title of tour: Gems of Uzbekistan
Days / Nights: 9/8
Overnights: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva
Day 1: Tashkent
The first day of the tour is devoted to a city tour of the capital Uzbekistan. You will explore the stunning landmark – Independence Square. This is a large area of the country where there are beautiful sights. After you will walk along the amazing the local Broadway, where you will see two magnificent squares of the capitals: Independence square and Amir Timur square. You will also take a ride in Tashkent metro. This is the incredible metro due to it decorations. The metro was opened in 1977. You will also experience the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex. This complex includes several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. Today you will also explore the fascinating site of Uzbekistan that has an ancient history. You will see the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8th c. You will rest the night in the hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand (350 km, 4 hrs drive)
Today you will travel to ancient Samarkand. Samarkand is known all over the world, which has a history of more than 2500 years. The city is the same age as Rome and Babylon. It is the second largest city, and is located in the Zerafshan river valley. Then you will explore the magnificent sites of the city such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square is unique for its views of three madrasah that are located on the square, dating from the 15th-17th centuries, the view and grandeur will amaze you. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh is a unique large collection of mausoleums that have been included in the UNESCO world heritage list and date back to the 11th and 15th centuries. Bibi Khanum Mosque a beautiful mosque that was built for Timur's most beloved wife and the most beautiful woman of his harem. The night will be in the hotel.
Day 3: Samarkand – Urgut – Samarkand
After breakfast you will transfer to a small village Urgut. That is located outside of Samarkand. In the village there is a national Bazaar, which is distinguished by its color and national atmosphere. In the second part of the day you will travel to Samarkand and drive to another village where you will observe memorial complex of Al Bukhary. He is known throughout the Islamic world as someone who is an Islamic scholar and has written a lot hadith known as Sahih al-Bukhari, regarded by Sunni Muslims as one of the most authentic Hadith collections. Al Bukhary was also the author of such works as Al-Adab al-Mufrad. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 4: Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara
On the fourth day of the tour you will drive to amazing Bukhara. During the tour you will break at the Gijduvan village. Today you will get acquainted with the outstanding private pottery workshop. There are one of the oldest schools, which forms, colors and patterns carried unchanged through many centuries. In this village, skills and techniques are passed down from generation to generation. Now the ceramic school is known all over the world, which is managed by the Narzullaev family in the sixth generation. All ceramics are made in colorful blue and green colors and geometric patterns. The tour route will take you to Bukhara. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara
This day you will have a city tour in the fabulous city Bukhara famous for its white domes. You are going to explore the fascinating attractions, and first is going to be the most ancient citadel in Bukhara called Citadel Ark. This attraction dates back to the 4th century named Citadel Ark. It is the oldest monument of archeology, history and culture of Bukhara, a UNESCO world heritage site. The tour route will take you to another site Samanids mausoleum, where you will see the stunning architecture of 9th -10th century. After that you will reach the next destination Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well. Bolo-Hauz mosque was the main mosque of the city, where the Emir of Bukhara himself performed Namaz every Friday along with thousands of Muslims. Afterwards you will wander along the fabulous shopping domes where you will buy souvenirs. Then you will explore the fascinating madrasah of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi. The madrasah is included in Lyabi House Ensemble. Then you will complete the tour with exploring the wonderful sightseeing Poi Kalon complex, where you will find the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. There you will observe three buildings erected in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 7 hours)
After breakfast you will start driving to Khiva. This ancient city is an oasis with many attractions that have been preserved to this day. It was located right on the routes of the GreatSilk Road, which played a particularly important role. The history of Khiva is inextricably linked with the legendary state of Khorezmshahs. It was an important city where in the 10th century caravans of the Great Silk Road passed through the city through an open gate that did not close from morning to evening. This is a unique open-air Museum that can show you perfectly preserved ancient architecture and pristine beauty. Today you will travel from Bukhara to Khiva through amazing Kizilkum desert. During the tour you will be fascinated by the picturesque views of Amu Darya river. This is the deepest river in Central Asia flowing into Aral See. After arrival to Khiva you will have free time. The night will be in the hotel.
Day 7: Khiva
In the morning you will have a fascinating highlight tour in the ancient city of Uzbekistan. You will have a chance to see the open air museum Ichan-Qala, the inner city in Khiva with magnificent walls. There are you will observe the amazing ancient buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses that made Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. In Ichan-Qala you can find over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. Ichan-Qala became a historical and architectural conservation area in 1961. There you will be amazed by the fascinating attractions in it are the Kunya-Ark fortress dating back to 17th century, Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace. They are the fabulous sample of Khorezm architectural masterwork of 1830s. You will rest the night in the hotel.
Day 8: Khiva –Tuprak Qala – Ayaz Qala – Urgench – Tashkent
You are going to travel today to Nukus. This is the capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The city is situated in the north of Uzbekistan near the Aral Sea, surrounded by three deserts - the Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum and Ustyurt. Nukus is often called the" Northern capital "of the Republic. During the tour you will explore two magnificent fortresses: Ayaz Qala and Turpak Qala. Ayaz Qala is the remains of fortifications of the Kushan culture period (III-II centuries BC), on the right Bank of the Amu Darya, on the territory of modern Karakalpakstan, named after the glorious warrior of Ayaz. Tuprak Qala, ruins of the majestic capital of Ancient Khorezm, located in the Kyzylkum desert in Uzbekistan. This is translated as ‘clay fort’. You will spend the night in yurts camp near Ayaz Kul Lake. Camel ride is offered as option.
Day 9: Tashkent – Flight
Transfer to airport.
Price per person:
02 pax – 650 $
04 pax – 560 $
06 pax – 520 $
08 pax – 480 $
10 pax – 450 $
Single – 90 $
Early check-in – 30 $
Single early check-in – 50 $
*Half board – 60 $
*Full board – 110 $
*Entrance fees – 55 $ available with escort guide only
Local guides – 210 $ per group
Escort guide – 450 $ per group
Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
Tashkent – “Tourist Inn” Hotel 3*
Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
Bukhara – “Old City” Hotel 3*
Khiva – “Old Khiva” Hotel 3*
- Mineral water during the tour
Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Urgench-Tashkent flight – from 80 $
- Train tickets Tashkent – Samarkand – 30 $