Itinerary

Day 1

Tashkent / Arrival.
You just went down from the aircraft boarding bridge and will have unique opportunity to feel cordiality and hospitality of the fertile Asian earth. We will meet you at the airport and like by magic carpet fast but with comfort will transfer you to the one of the coziest hotel of Uzbekistan's capital. This day you will see modern beauty and majesty of Tashkent- the one of the most ancient Central Asian city. Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan, fourth in size city of CIS and has population of 2,3 million people. In general it"s a good attempting to tell you that Tashkent divides in two parts for convenience- The Old and New city. This names are tell by themselves – in Old city you will meet with mausoleums, madrassah and real oriental bazaar, that are monuments of days gone by, in New- you will see public gardens, parks, monuments and constructions of modern times. These two original measurements exist simultaneously, don't in the way to each other and moreover- complement each other. This feature expresses also general feature of Uzbekistan – harmonically mix of ancient traditions and modern technologies! We will start our excursion from Old City. Barakhan Madrassah is amazing monument of 16-th century, located in the “heart” of Old City at Hast-Imam square, surrounded with antique wattle and daub houses.
Now Central Asian religious Muslim board located here headed by mufti. Here is great library of the oriental manuscripts and in special room keeps world-famous the Koran of Osman, which was written in the middle of VII century and is origin of the Koran - sacred Muslim book. This ancient manuscript with primary text of the Koran, consisted of 353 oil paper pages of big size during centuries was kept in treasure houses of caliphs in Medina, Damask and Baghdad cities. At times of Amir Temur The Koran get from Baghdad to Uzbekistan and than in XIX century was in St. Petersburg, in hands of the Russian scientists, which prove it"s authenticity and again wandered via Ufa to the Central Asia, where is kept till today. Yunus Khan mausoleum (XV) is monumental building, created in XV in honor of one of the Tashkent's ruler. This construction well preserved till these days. Kafal-Al-Shashi Mazar mausoleum (XVI). Kafal-Al-Shashi Mazar was missionary preached shafiitizm. He was poet- mystic and died in 10 century AD and his sepulcher, built in 16-th century became popular place for Muslim pilgrimage.
Kukeldash Madrassah (XVI), located not faraway from Chor-Su oriental bazaar and still is function madrassah, where leave and study students. From towers, located at angulars, - special people – muezzins call on for prayer (“namaz”). Than you will make excursion along “modern city”. You will visit Applied Art Museum. Independence Square – the main square of the city, located in centre of the Tashkent. Exactly here spends street festivities during national holidays! Last year design of square was decorated with grandiose ark with light bulbs, fit in floor and added air with some “cosmic” glow. From Independence square you can go for a walk (during 15 minutes) till building of the Uzbekistan State Opera and Ballet theatre. Than we will go till Friendship of the Nations Square – second largest square of the city, where not infrequent holidays are spent. There is also concert hall, where give show stars not only local but also international estrade.
We recommend getting to all mentioned monuments by Metro. This is the coolest type of transport at hot summer weather. “Tashkent's metro is the most beautiful!” –this phrase often you can hear not only from inhabitant but also from the guests of our capital. It's true- each metro station is unique with design. Here you can note second feature of Tashkent and Uzbekistan in general! We mean unique mix of oriental and western styles. Going from one station until another you will not see any similarity between them, but remember that photo shooting here is prohibited! Therefore, this day is fast flown by! Night spent in cozy room of hotel become good addition of oriental atmosphere.

Day 2

Tashkent-Urgench-Khiva (30 km, 0,5 hrs.).
Woke up early in the morning and after having breakfast we will fly to Urgench by HY-1051 morning flight at 07:00 a.m. Arriving on the other side of the Uzbekistan we wil bemet at the airport at 08:40 a.m. Than we will go to the Khiva (just 30 km) and acccomodate in the hotel. This day will be devoted to the meeting with Khiva, the real Oriental city, whose air steel keeps the spirit of the Middle Ages! There are no high modern buildings, wide highways and it seems that time here has stopped just to keep all that ancient beauty which you can see at this amazing earth! You will see many historical monuments and anicent clay houses! What a surprise - all places of interest are located so compactly not in the big territory, surrounded by the city walls! This is the most ancient part of the Khiva - Ichan-Cala (XVIIIC - internal part of Khiva). Exactly here are situated the basic monuments of our attention: Kyunya -Ark fortress (XVII C), Pakhlavan Makhmud Complex (XIV-XIX CC), which has the biggest dome in Khiva, obtected with blue glazed tile with glitter overgilded top. This masoleum was built in honor of the Pakhlavan Makhmud- the famous Khiva's poet and person well-known by his herculean strength! Muslim ministry included him to the list of Saints after his death!
Islam Khodja madrassah and minaret (1908) - amazing building, skilfully decorated with colorful mosaic. This minared is called as the main symbol of Khiva and his diminished shape go back to the early architectural models (XIV CC). The brick masonry at the minaret is interlaced with stripes of the glazed pattern. The minaret has a height of 56,6 metres and base diameter of 9,5 metres. The Palace of Tash Khauli Alakuli-Khan (XVIII – XIX CC). Djuma mosque (X-XVIII CC). Mukhammadaminkhan minaret and madrassah (1831-1855). Facade of the minaret is decorated with ornament of the glazed brick. At this moment here located a hotel, tourist agency, exchange office, office on air tickets selling, café. Also you can go to Akish-Bobo fortress, where a magnificent view of the whole city is opens up!
Also we are recommending you to visit bazaar, where you can look amazing Khiva carpets, syuzane (national embroidered materials), national oriental robes and (embroidered) skullcap embroidered by spun gold! Evening we will come back again to Urgench and accommodate in hotel for 1 night.

Day 3

Khiva – Bukhara (440 km, 6-7 hrs.).
Woken up early in the morning you will have a long way to Bukhara! En route you will estimate in full volume the majesty of Kyzyl-Kum desert, still keeping the footprints of walking here caravans of the Great Silk Road. “Bukhara-I-Sharif”, “noble”, “sacred”- these are some of the many epithets with which was nicknamed this ancient city. One of the legend says that it's founder was Siyavush- the son of Iranian shah. Zoroastrians of Bukhara honored the place of his death and in Navrouz sacred holiday slaughter a rooster at the Guriyan eastern gates, where Siyavush was buried. At times of Samanid's dynasty Bukhara, being the capital, was considered as the greatest city of Islamic world! Besides, Bukhara became the centre of trade of China with western Asia and original money-changing store of all Asian nations. Exactly that way became proverbial existed in 19 century words: “he is looking alive as Bukharan moneychanger”. We will have a rest at hotel after long road, anticipating with pleasure meeting with “God's charm”- Bukhara

Day 4

Bukhara.
First of all we will look over the Samanid's mausoleum (IX-Xc), the family burial vault of the rulers from the local dynasty, which undoubtedly is a jam of the Central Asian art of building. This wonderful monument is a symbol of new style architecture, regenerated after Arabic conquest. According to undercovered rules in the elements of the building harmonically combined pre-Islamic culture and culture of Arabic Orient. Than we will go to Chashma Ayub Mazar (XIV-XIX c) burial vault. The monuments come one after another and next we will see Poi Kalyan (XII-XVI cc) complex, which include famous Kalyan minaret (with height of 49 meters), built in 1127 and remained whole after many wars and invasions by a miracle! At one time it was look-out station and than the place of public execution. Many legends are jointed with this majestic construction! You will find out many of them from our guide. Than we will see Ulugbek's madrassah. Ulugbek was grandson of the Temur extraordinary commander and also mathematician and astronomer. And this madrassah was built in 1417 by his order. Than we will see Lyabi Hauze (XVI-XVII c) complex, included Kukeldash (1568 year) and Nodir Divan Begi (1622 year) madrassahs. Very harmonically and color situated here impressive citadel-Old Ark fortress (VI-VII c), from where the ancient Bukhara started.

Day 5

Bukhara-Sarmysh (90 km, 1-2 hrs.) - Nurata(75 km, 1,5 hrs).
After breakfast we are going to for excursion to petroglyphs of Sarmysh gorge, which keeps more than 3500 pictures of the Bronze Age.The gorge is the real museum and one of greatest stone art galleries! After Sarmysh, you will visit famous sacred “Nur” complex with spring full of sacred fish. This excursion will spend 1-1.5 hrs than we will spend to Nurata city. Than just in time will be delicious lunch in National House and excursion program on Nurata. During this program you will visit the famouse mosque of Khosan and Khusan brothers (XVI-XVII), sacred place for Muslim pilgrimage, Khasan Nuri, Namazgokh (XVI C) mosque and ruins of ancient fortress. Having many new impressions we will go to yurt camp, where after tasty dinner we will spend the night in yurt (round national settlement of the nomad's) with local songs of akyn!

Day 6

6. Aydarkul -Samarkand (218 km, 3-4 hrs.).
After breakfast we will ride by camels along the real Central Asian desert! Let's make not too long trip (just 8 km) till Aydarkul Lake! This natural miracle neighbours with huge desert from one side and not too high mountains from another. Firstly, it's seems as it just mirage, but than understand that the water is real and it play with magic but also the real sun glints. Here you will have a lunch, made of fresh-cought fish. After lunch we are going to Samarkand (90 km), where will spend the night in hotel.

Day 7

Samarkand-Tashkent (330 km, 5-6 hrs.).
Eden of the ancient Orient”, “Oriental Rome”-this puffy name were given to Samarkand by geographers and poets! And not without reason! Developed in close communications with culture of the China, India, Iran and inhabitants from other countries this city became the real treasure house of the Central Asian inhabitants! Origin of the name of the city hasn't been determined scientifically. Oriental authors thought that “samar”-the first part of the name is the name of his founder and second word “kent”-means “settlement”, “city”, which got status of the capital of the huge empire at term of Temur's governing. Now you are to here some fascinating oriental stories! Firstly, we will go to the most entertainment square of the Central Asia – Registan square (XVII) made with wonderful architectural ensemble and located in the “heart” of Samarkand. The word “Registan” means “sandy place”. Registan appeared as centre of trade and handicraft. It is intersection of 6 roads, leading from the city gates. Square surrounded by majestic buildings from 3 sides: Ulugbek madrassah (1417-1420), Sher Dor madrassah (1619-1636), Tillya-Kory madrassah (1647-1660). In 1417 Ulugbek – grandson of the famous Amir Temur start to build madrassah here, this was named of his name. This madrassah was finished in 1420 and square became the centre of the science. Firstly about 100 of people studied at that original university of the Middle Ages. In 17-th century, two monumental buildings were built there. These are Sher Dor and Tillya- Kori. They differ with their impressive sizes and luxury decoration, although with architecture are inferior with comparison of their prototype – immortal monument of art of building-Ulugbek's madrasah. Sher Dor madrasah (“building with lions”) with image of fantastic animals of the cat family and chamois at the portal are mirror image of the Ulugbek's madrasah. It was building during almost 17 years by the order of emir Yalangtush Bakhadur –the ruler of Samarkand. After 10 years after Sher Dor building was finished in the presence of the same ruler was established Tillya-Kori madrasah, which close Registan square from the north. The name of this building means “dressed by gold” and beside it's main purpose (students teaching) this building also plaid a role of mosque. The Registan haven't lost his significance of the central city square till these days. Than we certainly will visit Gur Emir mausoleum – table tomb of Temurid's dynasty, where till these days lie remains of the great Amir Temur commander. According to the legend it's prohibited to open his grave otherwise will be the war. At the first sight how could it be? But it have already had happened! The Second World War started after the scientists were occupied with excavations at this place. The next objects of our view are Rukhabad necropolis (XV), Bibi-Khanum (XV), which was build by the special order of Amir Timur by 500 workers and 95 Indian elephants; Ulugbek' s observatory (XV) , where you will see unique astronomic facility –sextant; Shokhi-Zindan architectural complex (XII-XV), where lie remains of Amir Temur' s retainers; Khazrat-Khyzra (XIX), etc. Making again a trip to Tashkent you will find amazing warmth of the city atmosphere. However, have seen before, you will open this city from the other side! Night in hotel.

Day 8

Tashkent / departure.
Our trip is at an end. We tried not to miss anything important! Certainly, having more time we could find much more amazing things, though the most important things you have seen! But our hospitality Uzbekistan earth will be looking forward for your repeated visit! Welcome!

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Local air fare

Extras -

Note:
In group of 10 persons - tour leader is free of charge.



The cost tour includes:

Accommodation at the following hotels on twin/double share with breakfast:
Excursion program with the base monuments visiting with guide;
Entry fees to the base monuments of each city;
The cost of Tashkent-Urgench air tickets;
The cost of invitation letter to Uzbekistan;
All transport services during the tour, including airport-hotel-airport transfers.
The cost tour does not include:

International air fare;
Visa fee;
Early check-in and late check-out to the hotel;
The cost of the meals, excepting breakfasts at hotels;
Photo and video shooting at museums and monuments.
Recommended hotels for tour:

City
Hotels of 2-3*
Hotels of 3-4*

Тashkent
Raddus JSS 2*
Shodlik Palace 4*

Samarkand
Malika Samarkand 2*+
Afrosiab Palace 4*

Bukhara
Malika Bukhara 2*+
Bukhara Palace 4*

Khiva
Arkanchi 2*
Asia Khiva 3*

Desert
Yurt camp
Yurt camp