TRIP OVERVIEW
Tours from Australia to Uzbekistan is 10-day tour throughout Uzbekistan and visit Tashkent, Khiva Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. As you travel through the ancient cities along the Silk Road you visit ancient cities, beautiful mosques and mausoleums. This journey takes you through nature where you discover a unique, beautiful, welcoming and interesting part of the world.
Highlights
Explore the birthplace of Amir Temur (Tamerlane)
Visit Registan square in Samarkand
Travel back in time in Bukhara and look for a tea shop and observe people near the pool of Labi Hauz
Visit Khiva city and hear from your guide history and stories to be told from this ancient Silk Road City.
ITINERARY & DETAILS
Day 1: Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent. Meet 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, 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 sightseeing
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).
The market Chorsu (“four roads” in Uzbek, the commercial heart of the city and has been for hundreds of years).
Metro riding (the only Central Asian Underground, built in 1977).
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 3: Train Tashkent to Samarkand sightseeing
Take the train to Samarkand
The sightseeing in Samarkand city:
The Ulugbek Observatory (Ulugh Beg Observatory), builtby Amir Temur’sgrandson astronomer-king Ulugbek in XV century.
The complex Shahi Zinda (“alive king” in Uzbek) from XII-XX centuries. Burial place of royal persons and nobles. One of the most spiritual place in Uzbekistan.
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)
Day 4: Samarkand sightseeing
The sightseeing in Samarkand city:
Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) from XV century.
Registan square (“sandy place” in Uzbek) from XV-XVII centuries. A spectacular architectural ensembles, with fantastic Islamic designs and calligraphy etched into the facades of its mosques and madrassahs.
Day 5: Samarkand—Gijduvan—Bukhara
Stop along the way in Gijduvan town famous for its ceramics which represents pottery school of Bukhara and travelers have the chance to visit a pottery workshop.
Day 6: Bukhara sightseeing
Art, history, old town, architectural monuments, food. The UNESCO listed city Bukhara has it all. 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 city:
Ismail Samaniy mausoleum (IX-X centuries)— the oldest, best preserved and most breathtakingly original building in Bukhara.
The mausoleum of Chashmai Ayub (“Prophet Job”)— according to the legends the prophet Job came to the Zerafshan Valley and witnessed a great and terrible drought. As people perished of thirst around him, Job struck the dusty earth with his staff and a cool source of sweet spring water brought liquid salvation. The Chashmai Ayub (“the Spring of Job” in Uzbek) commemorates this site.
Bolo Hauz mosque (XVIII century)— it is a functioning Friday mosque from XVIII century and consists of reservoir, mosque and minaret (Note: this mosque you can visit from outside, since it is functioning Friday mosque).
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.
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).
Magoki-Attari Mosque— Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque. Prior to the Arab invasion there was a Buddhist monastery and then a Zoroastrian temple on the site. It now houses the dull Museum of the History of Carpet Weaving.
Labi Hauz Complex (“The edge of the pond” from Persian) constructed by Nadir Divan Begi, The Grand Vizier of Bukhara, around 1620.
XVI century Synagogue— to the south of Labi Hauz Square spreads the Jewish Quarter of the old town. Jews have been an important minority in Bukhara since their forced migration from Merv and Shiraz in the 14th century (the majority having emigrated to Israel and the US since 1970s). (Note: most of the time it is closed if it is open travelers can visit inside and see old Torah)
Statue of Hodja Nasruddin— the homespun philosopher and humorist 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 7: Bukhara
Discover city on your own or purchase optional half day tour of the top attractions outside of Bukhara on this day trip to Chor Minor— an unusual madrassah with four minarets, Naqshbandi Sufism complex— where the founder of a Sufi order which was later named Naqshbandi was buried, The summer palace of Bukhara’s emirs—where travelers can see a Soviet and Bukharian architecture and Chor Bakr Necropolis—resting place of Imam Sayid Abu Bakr and his three brothers Fazl, Ahmed and Hamed, all direct descendents of the Prophet.
Day 8: Drive from Bukhara to Khiva
Transfer from Khiva to Bukhara 7-hour drive and an hour lunch. Crossing the river Amu Darya (in the antique called Oxus) and the desert Kizilkum. On the way lunch stop in a tea house—chayxana
Day 9: Khiva sightseeing
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 10: Fly from Khiva to Tashkent
