Route: flight from your hometown—Tashkent—Khiva—Bukhara—Gijduvan—Nurata—Yangi Kazgan—Samarkand—Tashkent—flight to your hometowm
TRIP OVERWIEW
This tour “Yurt Stay in Uzbekistan” gives you an opportunity experience nomadic lifestyle and visit legendary cities of Uzbekistan. The journey starts with the famous old cities of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Gijduvan and Samarkand. For a long time these cities belonged to Amir Temur (in Europe known as Tamerlane). Memorable part of the journey visit Yurt Camp in Yangi Kazgan village, riding a camel, swim in the Lake Aydarkul which is located in the middle of desert, visit seventh generation of pottery making in Gijduvan town and see the process of making it and of course in every city of Uzbekistan you will enjoy with high minarets, blue domes, madrassahs, mosques, mausoleums, eastern markets, legends, the hospitality of the population and their tradition.
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.
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-Urgench-Xiva
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). After lunch check in at the hotel
Day 3: Xiva
Full-day tour in Ichan Kala. The feeling in Inner Fortress transfers people into the past in a city with narrow lanes, low houses, mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs.
Day 4: Xiva-Bukhara (470 km, takes more than 7 hours)
Transfer to Bukhara by couch crossing the river Amu Darya (in the antique called Oxus) and the desert Kizilkum.
Day 5: Bukhara
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 6: Bukhara
Leisure time.
Alternatively, take an opportunity to visit the Naqshbandi Sufism complex (Islamic saint Bakhauddin Naqshband, the famous Asian philosopher and Sufi, the founder of a Sufi order which was later named Naqshbandi, lived in XIV century. He became patron saint and the complex is the holiest site in Bukhara. He made 32 times the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and local people consider this place as little Mecca) and the summer palace of Bukhara’s emirs (the palace was built in 1911 for the last emir, Amir Alim Khan, the three-building compound elements of both Russian and traditional Bukharan architecture).
Day 7: Bukhara—Gijduvan—Nurata—Yangi Kazgan—Yurt (date) (total 230 km+excursion)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to town Gijduvan The town Gijduvan located 45 km from Bukhara and still has got its own pottery school. Have sightseeing in pottery centre where they make bowls and dishes in traditional floral designs of local browns and yellows. Masters are happy to give demonstration of their art.
After pottery workshop continue to drive and stop in Nurata town. Nurata (“Nur means Light or Holy and Ata means Father”), this ancient town held a strategic position on the frontier between the cultivated lands and the steppe. Population of the town is 32,000 people and renowned for marble and astrakhan for production, Nurata has retained some of the holy sites that attracted pilgrims from all over Central Asia. Visit remains of fort Nur, local people refer that fort was built by Alexander the Great in 4th century BC.
After sightseeing drive to Aydarkul Lake. Lake Aydarkul was created in 1969, when catastrophic springfloods made people drain excess water from the Syrdarya River into the Arnasay depression. Since then Aydarkul has been steadily growing in size. Nowadays lake covers an area of 4,000 square kilometers. Then drive to Yangi Kazgan village and accommodation in Yurt.
Day 8: Yangi Kazgan (Yurt) — Samarkand (date) (total 270 km+excursion)
Do not miss a chance to take a picture of stunning sunrise. After breakfast riding a camel in a Kizil Kum Desert (“Red Desert” in Uzbek), it is the 15th largest desert in the world and spreads across northern Uzbekistan and up into neighbouring Kazakhstan.
After camel riding transfer to Samarkand. Arrive in Samarkand and check in to the hotel.
Day 9: 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-XVII centuries, Bibi Hanim mosque XV century and local Siab market (“black river” in Uzbek).
Day 10: Samarkand
Continue the tour in Samarkand. Visit Konigil paper factory, the Ulugbek Observatory (XV century), the museum of Afrasiab (the history museum of Samarkand and the highlight of this place is the original frescos of Turk Khanate “Turk kingdom” from VII century). The complex Shahi Zinda (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries, visit a silk carpet factory and the Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) from XV century.
Day 11: Samarkand-Tashkent (by bus 290 km)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Tashkent by bus (290 km, takes 5 hours). Arrival in Tashkent and check in at the hotel. Walking and enjoying the Tashkent squares and streets. Dinner in local restaurant and the rest at the hotel.
Day 12: Tashkent
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport.
Note: Feel free to customize this tour based on your interests.
