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For a thousand years, the Silk Route, the greatest land based trading highway the world has seen, wound its way from China, through Central Asia to Europe. Today, it is the independent state of Uzbekistan that contains some of the most interesting sites and this trip is designed to visit the great cities that survive from this legendary era. Discover the highlights of Uzbekistan on this 10-day tour. Starting in Tashkent we then travel to Urgench, Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand.
Highlights include the walled city of Khiva, where we discover a maze of twisted alleyways, medieval mosques and tombs. Following the old caravan route south, we see the fine Islamic architecture of Bukhara and Samarkand. Along the way we will experience the nomadic lifestyle and stay in a traditional felt yurt.
Arrive by plane to visit the evocative city of Khiva, one of the most complete and best-preserved cities on the ancient Silk Road. The journey then moves to Bukhara. It was the beauty of the Kalyan minaret that saved it from being destroyed by Ghengis Khan in 1220 when the rest of the city was razed to the ground. Stay in the Yurt camp and explore the desert landscape walking around the dunes or riding on the camels. Take a walk to the desert village ‘Dungalak’ (4 km / one way) to get to know the daily livelihood activities and land use practices of the desert inhabitants. Ride on the camel or drive by car to explore countries largest man-made Lake Aydarkul located 8 km to the south-east from the Yurt camp. Enjoy the evening around the camp fire listening to the traditional songs of local bard. The next stage is to Samarkand, which survived the arrival of Islam, the havoc of the Mongolian hordes and then flowered under the rule of Tamerlane.
- Tashkent - Wander through Tashkent's bazaar for a wonderful insight into daily life and mingle with the locals in the lively Chorsu market
- Khiva - Visit to the most romantic city on the Silk Road, a UNESCO protected site and perhaps the most perfectly preserved of all the Silk Road cities
- Bukhara - Admire Islamic architecture, browse bustling bazaars and take tea adjacent to the beautiful pool of Lyab-i-Khauz
- Yurt stay - Sample nomadic life with an overnight in a traditional felt tent
- Samarkand - Discover the cultural gem of the Silk Road and visit the awe-inspiring restored madrassas standing on three sides of Registan Square
Arrive in Tashkent, welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tashkent: Abdul Kasim Madrassah, Khast Imam Complex – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan Madrasah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century. Explore traditional Chor-Su Bazaar.
Visiting modern part of Tashkent by metro: Amir Timur Square, Applied Art Museum, Earthquake Memorial, Independence Square. Overnight in Tashkent.
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Urgench. Arrive Urgench, transfer to Khiva. Starting city tour – inner town of Ichan Kala (XIV-XX CC) with Muhamad Amin Khan Madrassah, Kalta Minor Minaret, Kunya Ark, Muhamad Rahim Khan Madrassah, Juma Mosque and Minaret, Tash Hauli Palace, Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrassah, Shirgazi Khan Madrassah, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum. Overnight in Khiva.
Breakfast in a hotel. Drive to Bukhara via Kizilkum desert, 7-8 hours. Stop at Amudarya River bank.
Arrive Bukhara, hotel check-in, free time. Overnight in Bukhara.
Breakfast in a hotel. Sightseeing in Bukhara – one of the most important stops on the Silk Road. City tour with visits to the Ark Fortress (I-XX CC), Bolo Hauz Mosque (XVIII C), Samanids Mausoleum (IX-X CC), Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum (XII-XVI CC). PM tour on foot along the old town of Bukhara from Poi-Kalyan complex with Kalyan Minaret (XII C) through orient bazaars with three trade domes of Toki Zargaron (XV C), Toki Sarrafon (XVI C), Toki Telpak Furushon (XVI C), Ulugbek Madrassah (XV C), Abdulazizkhan Madrassah (XVII C), Lyabi Hauz complex (XVI -XVII CC), surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, restaurants and cafes. Overnight in Bukhara.
Breakfast in the hotel. Today we drive outside Bukhara for sightseeing: Baghautdin Nakhshbandi Mausoleum – a center of Sufism, Sitorai Mokhi Khosa – summer residence of the last Emir of Bukhara. Drive back to Bukhara and a visit to the Chor-Minor (Four Minarets). Overnight in Bukhara.
After breakfast camel riding to the Aydarkul Lake through the desert (10 km, 3 h.). Swimming, fishing on the lake. Camel riding to the lake is an optional service and subject to extra fee – about 20$ per person.
In the afternoon depart yurt camp and drive to Samarkand (270 km, 5 h.). Arrive Samarkand, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Samarkand.
Breakfast in the hotel. We will start sightseeing from Registan Square and three madrassahs (religious study centers) surrounding the square: Ulughbek Madrassah (XV c), Sher-Dor Madrassah (XVII c), and Tillya-Kari Madrassah (XVII c) – covered with gold. Visit to Gur Emir Mausoleum (tomb of Tamerlane), Shakhi Zinda Necropolis (XI-XX CC), Ulughbek Observatory, built in XV century by Timurid ruler and astronomer, Bibi Khanym Mosque – built by Amir Timur (Tamerlane) in XV century and Samarkand oriental bazaar. Overnight in Samarkand
Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out hotel. Continue sightseeing in Samarkand: Excavation of an ancient city and museum of Afrosiab, and Tombstone of Saint Daniyar. The prophet Daniyar (Daniel) is revered by three world religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and mausoleum is still a pilgrimage place for the followers of all three Abrahamic religions. Visit to the Silk Carpets factory ‘Khujum’, where you can observe the whole process of weaving silk carpets based on hand made technology.
Transfer to the railway station for evening train. Arrive in Tashkent, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Tashkent.
Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
Hello Aliya,
As promised, we wanted to give you a feedback on our travel in Uzbekistan. First of all, we want to thank you personally for all your effort and for the real good organisation of the tour.
We always felt well and we never had any situation in which we felt insecure. All guides and drivers were absolutely punctual and reliable. We also appreciated that all guides were really openminded and also told us something about their lives and families. In this way we had the chance to get an impression of the Uzbek way of living and the traditions.
The hotels especially in Bukhara and Samarkand were really good and decorated beautiful. The only Hotel which was a little more simple was the Euro Asia in Kiva. Also, there everything was good and clean but compared to the others there was missing some “charming element”.
Kiva, Bukhara and Samarkand are indeed some outstanding sights and standing for itself unique places. Tashkent was also interesting for us because we got a good impression about past soviet times. Even if there are missing ancient buildings and places it is worth to discover the city - Tashkent has its own charm.
In general, we liked the selection of sights and we were amazed about the beauty of Uzbek cultural monuments.
The drive through the dessert was quite interesting but I guess I would try to avoid it the next time. Hence we were just driving half a day without stopping or seeing anything.
Maybe for future groups you can offer a supplement. For example: Leaving Kiva in the morning to see one or two of castles in the desert (near Urgench) and then either a flight or a train to Bukhara. Even if the price is a little higher, I think it would give more value for customers.
Thank you that you gave us such a deep impression in Uzbek culture, and sights of your wonderful country. I personally widened my mind, learned a lot and I will definitely come back one day. In the meantime, I will recommend you to anyone going to Uzbekistan.
Best regards,
Sebastian and Robert
Duration: 10 days
Path: Tashkent - Khiva - Bukhara - Aydarkul - Samarkand - Tashkent
Difficulty level: Easy
| Tourists |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3300 | 3600 |
| 2 | 1900 | 2200 |
| 3 | 1600 | 1900 |
| 4 | 1470 | 1750 |
| 5 | 1420 | 1700 |
| City |
|
| N of nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent | Uzbekistan, Shodlik Palace | Lotte City Hotel, Miran International | 2 |
| Khiva | Euro Asia, Old Khiva | Asia Khiva | 1 |
| Bukhara | Omar Khayyam, Devon Begi | Asia Bukhara | 3 |
| Yurt camp | 1 | ||
| Samarkand | Grand Samarkand, Diyora | Registan Plaza | 2 |
Hotels will be booked based on availability
- Visa invitation letter;
- Transport service on comfortable tourist class vehicle (a certain type of vehicle is provided depending on the group size);
- Economy class ticket for flight Tashkent-Urgench;
- Double/twin & Single sharing accommodation in the hotels with full breakfast and travel tax;
- English speaking guide during the entire itinerary (for the group of 8 pax and more);
- Sightseeing with a local English speaking guide in each city (for group below 8 pax);
- Economy class ticket for train Samarkand-Tashkent;
- Aydar Yurt Camp and homestay (Full board);
- Entrance tickets to the museums, mausoleums and other sights ;
- .
- Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa;
- Fees for the use of cameras and videos in the monuments and tourist sites;
- Fees for extra service (folklore performance, meetings, tickets for a theatre and visits to museums which are not specified in the program);
- Alcohol drinks;
- Lunches, Dinners (unless specified by your Agent);
- Personal items.
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