Best of 8-day Uzbekistan Tour from Tashkent to Samarkand
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Samaria Travel 8-day Uzbekistan Tour
8-day Uzbekistan Tour from Tashkent to Samarkand
TRIP OVERVIEW
8-day Uzbekistan Tour from Tashkent to Samarkand. Uzbekistan holds the very heart of the Central Asian Silk Road. Travelers will visit on this tour the main historical centers—Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva—all resonate deeply with the weight of history and its bazaars and teahouses still carry echoes, albeit faint at times, of its fabulous past. For Silk Road travelers, Uzbekistan is easily the most exiting of the Central Asian republics.
Highlights of Uzbekistan 8 days
Visit Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and the largest city in Central Asia (the fourth-largest in the former USSR)
Khiva can be compared with an open-air museum as all corners are amazingly stunning
Alexander the Great visited Samarkand in 329 BC and said that “Everything I have heard about
Samarkand is true, except it is even more beautiful than I had imagined”
Explore Bukhoro-i-sharif (Bukhara the Noble) the city that can be compared with one large bazaar
Have a guided tour in Samarkand, one of the main jewels on the Silk Road
This tour gives travelers flexibility to explore cities at own pace
Tour details
Day 1 : Welcome to Uzbekistan!
Arrival in Tashkent. Travelers after luggage pick up should go outside of airport building to meet the driver. You need to follow below directions to meet your driver: 1. Exit the airport building after you have cleared customs and turn left (there is only 1 exit) 2. Follow the white arrow on the group outside the airport 3. Walk past the official taxi stand on your right and continue 4. From the airport exit you walk for about 30 meters until you see iron fence on your right where all people wait. Your driver will be waiting for you behind the fence holding the sign with your name on it and transfer to the hotel in Tashkent city
Day 2: Tashkent city tour and fly to Urgench
Check out from your hotl in Tashkent and start the tour 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.
Uzbekistan State Museum of Applied Art
State Museum of Applied Art—founded in 1997, holds more than 7000 rare works of applied art created by golden hands of masters from the first half of XIX century to the present time.
Monument of Courage Earthquake Memorial
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.
Ensemble Hazrati Imam
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).
Chorsu Bazaar
The market Chorsu (“four roads” in Uzbek, the commercial heart of the city and has been for hundreds of years).
Tashkent Metro
Metro riding (the only Central Asian Underground, built in 1977).
Urgench
Fly to Urgench from Tashkent. Your driver will be waiting for you outside of airport building holding the sign with your name on it and transfer to the hotel in Khiva.
Khiva
Check in to your hotel in Khiva city
Day 3: Khiva city tour
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:
Ichan Qala Fort— is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Present day Ichan Qala is open-air museum. It represents the old part of the city, surrounded with wall and turned into the State Historical Archaeological Museum. The area of Ichan Qala is 26 hectares. The feeling in Inner Fortress transfers people into the past in a city with narrow lanes, low houses, mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs (Quran or Koran schools).
Day 4: Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara by car
Check out from the hotel and transfer from Khiva by car crossing the river Amu Darya (in the antique called Oxus) and the desert Kizilkum.
Day 5: Bukhara city tour
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.
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.
Suzani embroidery centre—is an embroidery art popular in Central Asian regions. The name Suzani is translated from Persian as “needle work”. This type of art kept its position in folk domestic life up to nowadays and subdivided into several independent branches. One can find in workshop cushion covers, table runners, bed covers and so on. All the materials used for embroidery are natural and they are colored with natural dyes, which gives a bright and unforgettable look to every piece.
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).
Bolo Hauz mosque (XVIII century)— it is a functioning Friday mosque from XVIII century and consists of reservoir, mosque and minaret.
The Citadel Ark (I-XX centuries)— 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 free time (or optional tour) and take the train to Samarkand
Explore city on your own or purchase optional tour to Bukhara countryside: 1. Ismail Samaniy mausoleum (IX-X centuries)— the oldest, best preserved and most breathtakingly original building in Bukhara. 2. The summer palace of Bukhara’s emirs— the palace was built in 1911 for the last emir, Amir Alim Khan, the building compound elements of both Russian and traditional Bukharan architecture. 3. 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.
Day 7: Samarkand city tour
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:
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 ensembles, 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.
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). Travelers can find in this market spices, fresh and dry fruits and different souvenirs
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 8: Samarkand free time (or optional tour)
Explore city on your own or purchase optional tour to Samarkand countryside or a day tour to Shakhrisabz from Samarkand: 1. 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. 2. The Ulugbek Observatory, built by Amir Temur’s grandson astronomer-king Ulugbek in XV century. 3. 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). 4. Mausoleum of Daniyar— everyone has heard of Daniel and the lion’s den, but few could tell that his final resting place. He is considered a patron saint and protector of Samarkand, bringing wealth and prosperity to the city.
Day 9: Farewell. Until next time, dear friends!
Check out from the hotel and transfer to International airport of Samarkand. Until next time, dear friends!