The journey starts with the famous old cities on the Great Silk Road of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand. For a long time these cities belonged to Amir Temur (in Europe known as Tamerlane). Memorable part of the journey visiting old town of Tashkent to see how it was before earthquake (1966), having a full day sightseeing in museum city Khiva, having a feeling to be transferred into XVI century in Bukhara and wandering around the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Samarkand and Shakhrisabz.
ITINERARY & DETAILS
Day 1: Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent. Met in front of the arrival building of the airport by an English speaking guide from “Samaria Travel”and transfer to the hotel in Tashkent city.
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and has approximately 3 million inhabitants. The city is located in the north eastern part of the republic, in the valley where the river Chirchik is located. In the North of Tashkent the snow-covered tops of Big and Small Chimgan mountain can be seen. Tashkent is the fourth largest in the Commonwealth of Independent States after Moscow, St Petersburg and Kiev.
The sightseeing in Tashkent starts with the Khazrati Imom Complex (XVI-XX centuries) the historical spiritual heart of the city (consists of functioning Friday mosque “Khazrati Imom Mosque” from 2007, Barak-Khan Madrassa from XVI-XVIII centuries—present-day serving as shopping place, Tellya Sheikh Mosque from XIX century, Muyi Moborak Library— holds rare Oriental manuscripts collection, among which the world-famous Caliph Osman-Koran from the VII century and the mausoleum of Abu Bakr Mohammed Kaffal Shashi, the first Koran preachers of Central Asia, who was also a famous scientist), the market Chorsu (“four roads” in Uzbek, the commercial heart of the city and has been for hundreds of years), and metro riding (the only Central Asian Underground, built in 1977).
Day 2: Tashkent—Khiva
Transfer to the airport of Tashkent and flight to Urgench (takes a 1-hour). Transfer from Urgench to Khiva (35 km, takes 45 minutes). Transfer to the hotel and enjoy with welcome drink (check in time at the hotel after 2 pm) and start to explore Ichan Kala (“Inner Fortress” in Uzbek).
Khiva is the city of Khorazm province, located in the north-western part of Uzbekistan. 1990 the historical part known as a ICHAN QALA (“inner city” in Uzbek) was included into UNESCO World Heritage site. Full-day tour in ICHAN QALA. Khiva is divided into two distinct sections; one being the older, museum-like ICHAN QALA where striking examples of Islamic architecture were built over the span of 600 years; and the modern DICHON-QALA (“outside city” in Uzbek) where both the majority of the population live and where all of the modern buildings exist, but glimpses of Khiva’s greatness as a center of Islamic power still linger. Today, the entire city is home to about 90,000 people. The city is 35 km from the regional capital of Urgench and a mere 5 km from the border of Turkmenistan.
Full day sightseeing in ICHAN QALA. The feeling in Inner Fortress transfers people into the past in a city with narrow lanes, low houses, mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs.
Day 3: Xiva—Bukhara
After breakfast check out from the hotel in Khiva and transfer to Bukhara crossing the river Amu Darya and the desert Kyzylkum. Uzbekistan is located in between two large rivers and they are Amu Darya (known to the ancient Greeks as the Oxus) and the Syr Darya (the Arabs called it Jaxartes). Total drive is 470 km, takes more than 7 hours.
Day 4: Bukhara (date)
Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities in Uzbekistan with over 2500 years old.
Excursion starts with Ismail Samaniy mausoleum (IX-X centuries), the mausoleum of Chashmai Ayub (“Prophet Job”), functioning mosque Bolo Hauz (XVII century), the Citadel Ark (I-XX centuries) and Poi Kalon complex (“The foot of tall” in Uzbek) from XII-XVI centuries.
Day 5: Bukhara—Samarkand
After breakfast check out from the hotel in Bukhara and transfer to Samarkand (280 km, takes more than 4 hours). Arrival in Samarkand and check in at the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing in Samarkand.
Samarkand is one of the world’s oldest cities, located in the very centre of Uzbekistan.
Excurtion in the city starts with famous Registan square (“sandy place” in Uzbek) from XV-XVIIcenturies, Bibi Hanim mosque XV century and local Siab market (“black river” in Uzbek).
Day 6: Samarkand
After breakfast check out of the hotel and continuation of the visit in Samarkand.
Continue the tour in Samarkand. Visit Konigil paper factory, the Ulugbek Observatory (XV century), the complex Shahi Zinda (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries,and the Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) from XV century.
Catch an evening train to Tashkent.
Day 7: Samarkand—Tashkent
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
Note: Feel free to customize this tour based on your interests.
