Uzbekistan is probably the country with the best preserved relics from the time of the Great Silk Road between Europe and China. The main Central Asian cities on that road were Kriva, Buchara, Samarkand and Tashkent, and they are still symbols of oriental beauty and mystery. This trip to Uzbekistan includes a stop in each of there cities. The Centarl Asian region was famous even before Europeans discovered silk. Alexander the Great set up at least 8 cities in Central Asia between 334 - 323 BC. Then China opened its boarders around 138 BC and the region flourished because of the active trade with silk and other essential goods. Between 484 - 1150 Huns, Turks and Arabs came from the west and the Arabs brought with them the new religion of Islam. Many mosques and madrassahs were built in the following centuries. Some of those buildings were destroyed during the invasion of the Genghis Khan in 1220. Later Timur, known also as Tamerlane, restaured the once famous cities by using the labor of slaves and artists captured during successful crusades. Timur conquered Persia, Baghdad, and lead expeditions to Anatolia and India. Most of the architecture that is found in Samarkand was build or restaured by Timur and his grandson Ulugbek. This tour represents the best of what has remained from ancient times, influenced and modified by all the empires that have settled there over the centuries.
Highlights:
♦ Khiva - The inner town, or Itchan Kala, is encircled by brick walls, whose foundations are believed to be laid in the 10th century.
♦ Bukhara - The town boasting more than 140 architectural monuments.
♦ Samarkand - one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world (about 2,500 years old), prospering from its location on the trade route between China and Europe (Silk Road).
♦ Tashkent - Uzbekistan’s modern capital, which shows its roots as a Silk Road City even today.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Tashkent
Arrival to Tashkent, transfer to your hotel and accommodation after 14:00 h. Overnight in Tashkent.
Day 2. Tashkent - Samarkand
Sightseeing tour in Tashkent after breakfast - Kukeldash Madrassah, Kafal-al-Shashi Mausoleum, Barak Khan Madrassah, the Chor-Su Oriental Market, Khast-Imam Square, Independence Square etc. In the afternoon leave for Samarkand. Accommodation at a hotel and overnight in Samarkand.
Day 3. Samarkand
Sightseeing in Samarkand: the famous Registan Square with the three beautifully decorated madrassahs, the Bibi Khanum Mosque, the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Ulugbek observatory. Overnight in Samarkand.
Day 4. Samarkand - Bukhara
After breakfast departure to Bukhara. Accommodation at a hotel. In the afternoon city tour: Lyabi House Architectural Ensemble, Kukeldash Madrassah (16 c), Taqi (trading domes) etc. Overnight in Bukhara.
Day 5. Bukhara
The sightseeing in Bukhara continues: Ismael Samani Mausoleum, Bolo-Hauz complex (18 c), the Ark Fortress (16 c), Poi-Kalyan Ensemble including the 12 c. minaret a 15 c. mosque, Ulugbeg Madrassah. In the afternoon you move outside Bukhara to see Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace and Bakhautdin Naqshbandi Complex. Overnight in Bukhara
Day 6. Bukhara - Khiva
Transfer to Khiva across the Kyzyl Kum desert and along the Amurdarya River (450 km.) Overnight in Khiva
Day 7. Khiva - Tashkent
Sightseeing tour in Khiva: Kunya-Ark fortress, Pakhlavan Mahmoud Complex, Islam Haji Minaret, Tash Khauli Complex, Alakuli Khan palace, Juma Mosque etc. Transfer to Urgench airport for an evening flight to Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel and overnight in Tashkent.
Day 8. Tashkent, departure
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Practical information: ►July is not recommended travel period due to high temperatures at that time of the year ►you will be part of an international group but we cannot say in advance how many people there will be and of what nationality ►Uzbek currency is called sum or som (UZS). Credit card payment is not a general practice. The most usual way to pay is in cash. The generally accepted currency is USD ►Visa to Uzbekistan can be obtained in advance online by many nationalities: https://e-visa.gov.uz/main On 1st February Uzbekistan has introduced visa-free regime to many countries - please, check with us whether this is the case for you.
Recommended travel period of the year: spring, autumn
Price Includes:
Accommodation in a dbl room at standart hotels with breakfast
transport as per program incl. transfer from/to the airport
flight tickets Urgench-Tashkent in economy class (luggage max 20 kg)
sightseeing tour in each city according to the program with local English-speaking guides
local English speaking tour leader with a group of min. 10 people
a small bottle of mineral water
Not Included:
International flight tickets
drinks and meals not mention
entrance fees
insurance
personal expenses
video and photo shooting fees on spot
tips
visa
visa invitation if necessary
Additional Services:
Single room supplement
entrance fees: about 85 USD in total to be paid on spot
additional nights: on request,
Gallery
The following companies have flights to Tashkent: Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways etc.
B
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