Uzbekistan Aral Sea tour begins with visits to the renowned ancient cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Nukus, and continues with a visit to the Aral Sea, where travelers stay in a traditional yurt. The tour offers a memorable experience filled with soaring minarets, striking blue domes, elegant madrassahs, historic mosques, majestic mausoleums, vibrant eastern markets, fascinating legends, and the warm hospitality and enduring traditions of the local people.
Day 1: UzbekistanAral Sea tour. Welcome to Uzbekistan. Upon arrival, one of our local team members will meet you at the airport and provide a smooth transfer to your hotel for a comfortable and stress-free start to your journey. After rest and breakfast, you will enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of Tashkent.
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 city:
Earthquake Memorial— this memorial is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26th of 1966 and is erected in the approximate spot of the earthquake epicenter. 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).
Amir Timur Square—the centre of the modern city, is green space with plenty of flowers and fountains. The square covers the most important buildings both political and cultural. In the middle of the square is the statue of Amir Timur (known in Europe as Tamerlane) on horseback, hotel “Uzbekistan” which was built in 1974, University of Law (former Women’s Gymnasium), Museum of Amir Timur, well-known Tashkent Clock Towers (the first tower was constructed in 1947 to house the clock mechanism from Eastern Prussia, a war trophy brought back to Tashkent by watchmaker Ayzenshteyn), and Uzbekistan Forums Palace.
Day 2: Tashkent—Samarkand by train. UzbekistanAral Sea tour travelers take the high-speed train Afrosiyob from Tashkent to Samarkand, ensuring a comfortable and efficient journey between the two cities.
Note please:If time permits, we will have breakfast; otherwise, we will request a breakfast box from the hotel.
Samarkand, one of the most ancient cities of the world, a contemporary of the Rome, Athens and Babylon, has a 2750-year-old history. “The Mirror of the World”, “The Garden of the Soul”, “The Jewel of Islam”, “The Precious Pearl of the Moslem World” are some the names given to this unique city. In ancient Greece, this city was known as Marakanda.
The sightseeing in Samarkand city:
Samarkand Handmade Paper Centre— for centuries Samarkand was famous for its mulberry paper and famed for its durability and resistance to insects. Production died out in the 18th century and this UNESCO backed project in the eastern suburbs aims to revive the 2000-year-old tradition. Guests can see process of making Samarkand paper from mulberry bark.
The Ulugbek Observatory (Ulugh Beg Observatory), builtby Amir Temur’sgrandson astronomer-king Ulugbek in XV century.
Bibi Hanim mosque XV century. The mosque was built in honour of Temur’s chief wife, Saray Mulk Khanum.
Local Siab market (“black river” in Uzbek)— (optional on the interests of your private group, note: Closed on Monday)
Day 3: Samarkand. The sightseeing in Samarkand city:
Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) must see sight in Samarkand from XV century the final resting place of Temir. The mausoleum was originally planned for Temur’s favourite grandson, Muhammad Sultan but Samarkand was deemed a more fitting resting place.
Registan square (“sandy place” in Uzbek) from XV-XVIIcenturies. A spectacular architectural ensemble, with fantastic Islamic designs and calligraphy etched into the facades of its mosques and madrassahs.
Ulugbek Madrasah built between 1417 and 1420 is the oldest madrasa in Registan square. This construction work was carried on under Ulugbeg (the Astronomer King, the author of astronomic tables known throughout the world), Temur’s grandson, who was both an eminent ruler and scholar.
Tilya-Kori Madrasah means Gold-covered madrasa was built in XVII century in Registan square. This is the one madrasa the travelers must go inside: the golden ceiling of the mosque, to the left of the courtyard, is utterly enthralling, and it is this gilt that gives the madrasa its name.
Sher Dor Madrasah means the tiger or lion madrasa built between 1619 and 1636 by Yalangtush Biy, must be one of the most-photographed buildings in existence.
The complex Shahi Zinda (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries. Burial place of royal persons and nobles. One of the most spiritual places in Uzbekistan.
Day 4: Samarkand—Bukhara (by morning train to Bukhara)
Uzbekistan Aral Sea tour travelers take the high-speed train Afrosiyob from Samarkand to Bukhara, providing a convenient and comfortable transfer between these historic cities.
Bukhara, one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia, has a 2500-year-old history. Bumichkat “New Castle”, Al Madina as-sufriyya “Copper City”, Madinat at-tujjor “City of Traders”, Foxira “Honorable City” are some the names given to this unique city.
The sightseeing in Bukhara: (walking tour)
Labi Hauz Complex (“The edge of the pond” from Persian) constructed by Nadir Divan Begi, The Grand Vizier of Bukhara, around 1620.
Trading domes—Tok-i-Zargaron (1570, Jewellers’ Bazaar), which once cornered the local market in lapis and rubies from Badakhsan. Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon, or Cap Makers’ Bazaar, which once specialized in gold-embroired skullcaps, fur hats and illustrated manuscripts, all of which had to be protected from the glare of the sun. Tak-i-Sarrafon—money changers’ dome.
Poi Kalon complex (“The foot of tall” in Uzbek) from XII-XVI centuries. Consisting of mosque, madrassah and minaret, one of the great centre of trade and scholarship along the Silk Road. The beauty of the minaret amazed Genghis Khan (Temuchin or Temujin).
Statue of Hodja Nasruddin— the homespun philosopher and humourist on his donkey. Elsewhere in the world he is generally accepted as Turkish, but Uzbeks claim he was born in Bukhara and is one of their own.
Day 5: Bukhara: (walking tour)
Continue the tour in Bukhara.
Minorai Kalon, or Kalyan Minaret, is a 12th-century architectural masterpiece in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, built in 1127 by Qarakhanid ruler Mohammad Arslan Khan. Standing 46 meters tall, it was used for the call to prayer and watchtower. Part of the Po-i-Kalyan complex, it survived the Mongol invasion and has been restored several times. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Bukhara’s historic and cultural legacy.
Mir Arab Madrassah— in Bukhara, built in the 16th century under Ubaydullah Khan, is a historic center of Islamic education. Funded by Sheikh Abdullah Yamani, known as Mir Arab, it features traditional Islamic architecture with domes, a central courtyard, and ornate tilework. Despite Soviet restrictions, it remained active and continues to function as a religious school today. Located opposite the Kalyan Mosque, it is part of the Po-i-Kalyan complex and symbolizes Bukhara’s enduring spiritual heritage.
Bolo Hauz mosque (XVIII century)— it is a functioning Friday mosque from XVIII century and consists of reservoir, mosque and minaret (from outside, since it is functioning Friday mosque).
The Citadel Ark (I-XX centuries)— (visit from outside) the construction of the citadel is dated to beginning of the 1st millennium BC. During the history the fortress has been destroyed several times but has been restored again. All buildings of the citadel have been reconstructed mainly during the XVIII-XX centuries.
Day 6: Bukhara—Khiva (450 km, takes 7 hours)
Uzbekistan Aral Sea tour transfer to Khiva will be arranged by coach, crossing the Amu Darya River (known in antiquity as the Oxus) and traversing the vast Kizilkum Desert, thus ensuring a smooth and scenic journey to this remarkable historical city.
Day 7: Khiva
Khiva, one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia, has a 2500-year-old history. Khizauv “Fort”, Kheykanik (the name of canal which run in the area), Kheykanik, Kheyvak and Khiva are some the names given to this unique city.
The sightseeing in Ichan Qala Fort:
Tours to Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Ichan Qala Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, is an exceptional open-air museum representing the historic core of Khiva. Enclosed by ancient walls and designated as the State Historical Archaeological Museum, this 26-hectare area offers visitors an immersive journey into the past, where narrow lanes, traditional low houses, mosques, mausoleums, and madrassahs (Quran schools) create an authentic atmosphere of the city’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.
The sightseeing in Khiva (walking tour):
Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassa— (1855) the largest in the city and named after one of the city’s more impressive khans. Madrassa’s 125 hujra (rooms) cells, once housing the madrssa’s students, are currently home to the atmospheric Hotel Khiva.
Kalta Minor— belong to Muhammad Amin Khan Madrassa and supposed to be the world’s tallest minaret, but abandoned as too costly after the khan was murdered three years later.
Kunya Ark (“Kuhna Ark” in Uzbek)— fortified palace was built in XVII century by Arang Khan, son of Anusha khan. It was town within town, with its own defensive walls, mosques and offices, stables, arsenal and mint as well as residential areas.
Muhammad Rakhim Khan Madrassa— (1871) a museum dedicated to the khan, who was also known for his poetry, written under the name Feruz Shah.
Pakhlavan Mahmud Mausoleum— one of the holiest sites in Khiva which commemorates the poet, wrestler and patron saint of Khiva who died here in 1325. The XIX century tomb contains some of the city’s best tile work and also the largest cupola in Khiva.
Islam Khoja Madrassa— is named after the enlightened early XX century grand vizier who built public school and modern hospital. Built in 1908, it is the last Islamic monument to be built in the city before the arrival of the soviets.
Islam Khoja Minaret— the tallest minaret in the city (Note: climbing the minaret 100.000 sum per person and it is not included to the tour price).
Juma Mosque— (1788) supported by a dense forest of 213 wooden pillars that are cleverly arranged to allow the entire congregation a view of the mihrab (niche pointing the derection to Mecca). Aptly, the mosque holds an exhibition of carved karagach (elm) wood.
Tash Hauli Palace (“Stone Palace” in Uzbek)— (1832-38) home to the court of Allah Kuli Khan (1826-42) and a highlight of the city. A secret corridor connects the fabulously decorated inner harem (Note: separate entrance) to the reception court (ishrat hauli) and law courts. The intricately carved columns are particularly fine, as are the majolica tiles in the harem’s inner courtyard.
Day 8: Khiva—Nukus by coach
Uzbekistan Aral Sea tour transfer from Khiva to Nukus will be arranged, although travelers should note that the roads along this part of the journey are somewhat bumpy.
Nukus is the center of Karakalpakstan an autonomous republic, which is located in the north-western part of Uzbekistan. Start to drive to Muynak 210 km (takes more than 2 hours and 30 minutes). Muynak (“Mo’ynoq” in Uzbek, used to be harbor town. In just 60 years it has gone from being a wealthy fishing port to a small town where skeleton ships lie broken in the desert). After sightseeing in Muynak transfer back to Nukus.
The sightseeing in Nukus city:
Igor Savitskiy Museum (Nukus Museum)— which holds the world’s second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde paintings after the Russian Museum in St Petersburg. This pearl in the desert – or, as the French magazine Télérama called it, “Le Louvre des steppes” – is located in Nukus, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan in northwest Uzbekistan at the southern base of the now dying Aral Sea, which until the mid-1960s was world’s fourth largest inland lake. Although the ancient Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva may be better known, the Nukus Museum is in fact the fourth splendor of Uzbekistan. Indeed, the Savitsky Collection has been called “one of the most outstanding museums of the world” by the UK’s Guardian newspaper. It also has one of the largest exhibitions of archeological finds and folk art anywhere in central Asia.
Uzbekistan Aral Sea tour starts with a convenient hotel pickup in Nukus, followed by travel by private 4×4 vehicle to Muynak, ensuring a comfortable and personalized journey. The first stop of the Aral Sea tour will be in Muynak town, where travelers visit “Cemetery of ships”, the harbor without a sea, and next visit Muynak Regional Studies Museum (might be closed without prior notice). Then lunch break at the guesthouse. Continue driving on the boundless Ustyurt Plateau. Travelers reach the Aral Sea in the late afternoon. Along the way travelers have a great spot to take pictures of beautiful canyons and the collapsed land. Arrive in a yurt Camp.
Camp-style dinner. Overnight in the yurt.
Day 10: Aral Sea – Sudochie lake – Nukus
If you are an early bird so you can take an amazing picture of sun rise. After breakfast a short visit the settlement of Kurgancha-Kala dating back to the 13th century. Then drive via Kungrad district, which used to be one of the trading centers on the Silk Road. On the way, see remains of a lighthouse; pass by the ruins of abandoned settlement Urga. Photo stop at Lake Sudochie. Lunch break (a picnic style or in local café) and drive to Nukus.
Arrive in Nukus.
Day 11: Nukus—Tashkent flight
Uzbekistan Aral Sea tour fly from Nukus to Tashkent, providing a swift and convenient connection between these destinations.
Day 12: Tashkent departure
Uzbekistan Aral Sea tour on the last day, a transfer will be arranged to Tashkent Airport for your departure, thus ensuring a smooth and timely conclusion to your journey.
