TRIP OVERWIEW
The journey starts with the famous old cities of Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Samarkand. 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: Tashkent
Arrival in Tashkent. Met in front of the arrival building of the airport by an English speaking guide and transfer to the hotel in Tashkent city.
Check in at the hotel and free time till 12 o’clock.
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.
Afternoon tour of the old city stopping at 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 to wander this fabulous city, exploring its bazaars, stone pools and ancient streets.
Day 7: Bukhara-Shakhrisabz-Samarkand (280 km+160 km, first part of journey from Bukhara till Shakhrisabz takes more than 4 hours and the second part from Shakhrisabz till Samarkand takes 2 hours 30 minutes)
Transfer to Samarkand via Shakhrisabz, birthplace of Amir Temur (“the green city” in Uzbek). The old part of Shakhrisabz city has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site and contains an exceptional collection of monuments, including Ak Saray Palace (“a white palace” in Uzbek) built in 1380-1404, the complex of Dor-us Siyadat (“place of sadness” in Uzbek) from XIV century and Dor-ut Tilavat (“place of praying” In Uzbek) from XIV-XV centuries.
After sightseeing in Shakhrisabz continue to drive to Samarkand.
Day 8: 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 9: Samarkand
