Accommodation in mentioned hotel on TWIN / DBL sharing basis (8 nights)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel
A/C comfortable transport with professional driver per itinerary
Train ticket Samarkand-Tashkent \ Khiva-Bukhara
Professional Local English-Speaking guide per itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
International and domestic air tickets
Photo and video charges
Meals and beverages
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
WHAT TO EXPECT
Unique Culture
History of the Great Silk Road
Ancient cities – Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva
Hospitality
Gastronomy
Friendly people
Local Experience
Day 1: Arrival Tashkent
Arrival Tashkent. Welcome and transfer to the hotel (check in 14:00). Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent (capital of Uzbekistan)
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:00 tour around Tashkent – the capital of Uzbekistan is 2200 years old. Excursion will start from the Old City: Khast Imam Complex – religious center of the city with Barakkhan Madrasah, Tillya Shaykh Mosque, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with original Uthman’s Quran (VIII century). Visit oldest traditional bazaar Chorsu – local fruits tasting, visit Uzbek bread baking masters. After lunch visit modern part of Tashkent: Applied Arts Museum. Continue to Independance Square. Ride few stations on subway to get to Amir Temur Square, Alisher Navoi Theater – the heart of Tashkent. Return to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva (flight)
05:30 Transfer to Tashkent airport, domestic terminal. Morning flight to Urgench (07:25-08:55). Arrival and transfer to Khiva city. 10:30 City tour in Khiva (whole day visit): Ichan-Kala architectural complex (XII-XIX), the Residence of the last Khiva Khan including Ismail Khodja Mausoleum, Muhammed Amin Khan Madrassah, Kunya-Ark Castle (XVI-XVI), Kalta Minor Tower, Tash-Hovli Palace (XIX), Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum(XIV-XVIII), Juma Mosque (X) and other Khiva tourist sights Narrow streets, carved “ayvans” veranda and doors, majestic minarets and mausoleums, heritage and arts –all kept with care in this city as great treasure. Return to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara (train)
Breakfast at the hotel.
08:15 departure to Khiva by train (operation days tuesday, friday, sunday). 13:30 arrival to Bukhara. Free time. 15:00 visit summer residence Sitorai-Mokhi-Hossa (19th c. – taste of local and Russian Tzars architecture). Return to the hotel. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara
Breakfast at the hotel
09:00-17:00 City tour in Bukhara: Citadel Ark (4th c. BC), Samanides Mausoleum (9-10th c.), Chashma Ayub (14th c.), Bolo-Hauz Mosque (beginning of the 20th c.), complex Lyabi-Khauz (14-17th c.), Minaret Kalon (12th c.) – the tallest minaret in Central Asia & Kalyan Mosque (12th c.). Longer stop over at Dome Bazaar where people can enjoy real Uzbek bargaining process and buy National souvenirs, carpets etc Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan madrassas, Magoki Attori mosque, Trade Domes (Toki-Zargaron, Toki-Telpakifurushon and Toki-Sarrofon), Labi Khovuz and Chor Minor mosque (you ca narrange as prefer day before also). From 18:00 free time, explore Bukhara, visit national houses, talk to local people, drink green tea on Lyabi Hauze square near to old pool etc. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara – Shahrisabz – Samarkand (260 km)
Breakfast at the hotel
Drive to Shakhrisabz – hometown of Amir Timur, also known as Tamerlane. In Shakhrisabz we will visit ruins of magnificent Timur’s palace – Ak Saray (UNESCO). Continue to Kok-Gumbaz Mosque founded by Timur’s grandson Ulugbek, and Dorus-Saodat Mausoleum – remains of Timurids family tomb. Continue to Samarkand via Tahtakaracha mountain pass. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Samarkand (capital of Amir Timur Empire)
Breakfast at the hotel
09:00-17:00 city tour in Samarkand: Visit Gur Emir Mausoleum – Tamerlane’s Tomb (14-15th c.) – Guri Amir is Persian for “Tomb of the King” Continue to Registan square – the heart of Samarkand. Registan Square consist with three madrasahs: The Ulugh Beg Madrasah (1417–1420), the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1646–1660) and the Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619–1636). All three madrasahs rife with glazed mosaics in liquid shades gold. Visit Bibi-Khanum Mosque – The Bibi Khanym complex in Samarkand was built in 1399–1405 with the spoils of Timur’s (Tamerlane’s) campaign in India. Bibi Khanym was named in homage to Timur’s senior wife, Sarai Mulk Khanym. Continue to Architectural complex Shakhi-Zindeh (11-15th c.) – The necropolis of Shah-I Zindah (Persian for “living king”). Visit SIEB national bazaar where you can buy real Uzbek fruits, sweets souvenirs and etc. Evening free on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Samarkand – Tashkent (train)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue excursion in Samarkand: visit museum of Afrosiab. Visit Khoja Doniyar Mausoleum (Daniel) is revered by three world religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Transfer to village Kongil for visiting Paper Mill “Meros”, (they making famous Samarkand paper). 17:10 departure train station, 19:10 arrival to Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Free time and overnight at the hotel.
