Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with Darwaza Crater and Kunya Urgench
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Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with Darwaza Crater and Kunya Urgench. The journey starts with the famous old cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva and Turkmenistan. For a long time these cities belonged to Amir Temur (in Europe known as Tamerlane). Memorable part of the journey are high minarets, blue domes, madrassahs, mosques, mausoleums, eastern markets, legends, the hospitality of the population and their tradition.
ITINERARY & DETAILS
Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent. Welcome to Uzbekistan!
Meet outside of airport terminal building by driver and transfer to hotel
Day 2: Tashkent—Samarkand (by train)
In the morning check out from the hotel and transfer to the railway station of Tashkent. Take the train to Samarkand.
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 (sightseeing):
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.
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.
Gur-Amir mausoleum (“the tomb of the king” in Uzbek) from XV century.
Check in to hotel
Day 3: Samarkand—Bukhara (by train)
In the morning check out from the hotel and transfer to the railway station of Samarkand. Take the train to Bukhara.
The sightseeing in Bukhara city (sightseeing):
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.
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).
Labi Hauz Complex (“The edge of the pond” from Persian) constructed by Nadir Divan Begi, The Grand Vizier of Bukhara, around 1620.
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.
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.
Day 4: Bukhara—Khiva by car
Transfer to Khiva by car crossing the river Amu Darya (in the antique called Oxus) and the desert Kizilkum.
Arrive to Khiva and check in to hotel.
Day 5: 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 Khiva city (sightseeing): 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).
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. (Note: there is a watch tower and from the top is the best view of whole inner fortress—Ichan Kala and climbing the tower is 100.000 sum per person and it is not included to the tour price).
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 6: Khiva—Kunya Urgench—Darwaza Crater
Drive to the Turkmenistan border point Shavat-Dashoguz (60 km, 1 h.), go through formalities on both checkpoints. Cross 1.5 km the neutral zone (minibus available for ca. 1 USD). With your invitation letter you will be able to get your Turkmenistan visas at the border.
Please note: Depending on the number of people waiting to cross the border you will need to wait up to one or two hours, also be prepared to be thoroughly searched.
On the Turkmenistan side of the border, meet your Turkmen guide and driver and transfer to Kunya Urgench (UNESCO)
(100 km, 2 h.). Have lunch at a local café and visit mausoleums of Turebek Khanym, Sultan Tekesh, Sultan Il Arslan. Discover the Kutlug Timur Minaret. In the afternoon drive to Darwaza gas crater located in the middle of Karakym desert (270 km, 4-5 h.). Discover the burning gas crater by day and nighttime. Accommodation in the yurts. Camp dinner and overnight in yurts (three per yurt).
Day 7: Darwaza Crater—Shavat—Khiva
In the morning, after a camp breakfast, depart from Darwaza gaz crater and transfer to BP Shavat, arrival at the border
Day 8: Khiva—Urgench—Tashkent
In the morning check out from the hotel and transfer to domestic airport called Urgench and catch the flight to Tashkent. Tashkent City and check in to hotel.
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 (sightseeing):
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).
Themarket 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.
