Riches of Uzbekistan

Name of the tour: Riches of Uzbekistan  

The best attractions: Tashkent, Samarkand, Urgut, Gijduvan, Khiva, Tuprak Qala, Ayaz Qala 

Length of the tour:  9 days

Day 1: Tashkent
This day is dedicated to a city tour in the wonderful capital of Uzbekistan –Tashkent. The first landmark that you will explore– Independence Square. You are going to see the large area of the country where there are beautiful sights. Then you will stroll along the amazing Broadway. Walking here you will have a chance to see the fabulous squares of the capitals: Independence square and Amir Timur square. This day you will also explore Tashkent metro and take a ride here. During the tour you will fascinate metro due to it decorations. You will know that metro was opened in 1977. This day you will also discover the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex. You will have a chance to see here several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. You are going to discover charming landmars of Uzbekistan that has an ancient history. The guests will observe the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8^th c. This night you will spend the night in the hotel.

Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand (350 km, 4 hrs drive)
After breakfast you will transfer to ancient Samarkand. Traveling around Samarkand in tours, guests will be able to explore that it has a history of about 2,500 years. During the tours, you can find out that he is the same age as Babylon and Rome. It is the second most populous and is located in the Zerafshan River Valley. This day you will also explore mesmerizing attractions such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. You will be able to visit the first attraction that is attractive with views of madrasas, and on which there are three madrasas that date back to the 15th-17th centuries. You will be amazed by its power and greatness. Our guests will be able to explore the architectural complex of Shahi-Zinde, which has a collection of mausoleums that date back to the 11-115 centuries and are included in the UNESCO heritage list. Guests will also be able to see the Bibi Khnum Mosque, and enjoy the views of the beautiful mosque that was erected in honor of Tamerlane's wife. The overnight will be in the hotel.

Day 3: Samarkand – Urgut – Samarkand
In the morning you will explore a small village Urgut. This village is situated in outside of Samarkand. There you will have a chance to explore national Bazaar, where people have a chance to discover the colors and the rows. During the tour you will also transfer to Samarkand and travel to another village where you will explore memorial complex of Al Bukhary. You will know that he was Islamic scholar and he wrote a lot hadith known as Sahih al-Bukhari, regarded by Sunni Muslims as one of the most authentic Hadith collections. Al Bukhary was also the author of such works as Al-Adab al-Mufrad. This night you will spend in the hotel.

Day 4: Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara
In the morning you will start the tour with transferring to sacred Bukhara. Along the way you will stop over the Gijduvan village. This day you will visit the outstanding private pottery workshop. There is an ancient school that makes unique ceramic products with colors and patterns, and which has been held unchanged for many centuries. Our clients of the company will be able to learn that the skills are passed down here from generation to generation. Well-known school is run by the Narzullaev family, which knows the secrets already in the 6th generation. During the tour, you will be able to explore that the ceramics are made in colorful blue and green tones with geometric patterns. Then you will transfer to Bukhara. You will spend the night in the hotel.

Day 5: Bukhara
Today you will have a highlight tour and explore the best sites. Bukhara is fabulous city famous for its white domes. And the first attraction of the day is going to be the oldest citadel in Bukhara called Citadel Ark. This attraction dates back to the 4^th century named Citadel Ark. You will be able to explore that this is the oldest monument of history and culture of Bukhara, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Next on the tour, you can explore the stunning architecture of the 9th-10th century Samanid mausoleum. After that, you will continue the tour with an interesting point like Chashma Ayub, which means "Job’s well". The main mosque in the city is the Bolo Khuz mosque, which is known for the fact that the Emir of Bukhara himself performed Namaz here, as well as many Muslims in this city. Then you can explore the shopping domes where you can buy souvenirs for yourself or your relatives. After that, you will head to the Nodir Divan Begi Madrasah where you will be able to enjoy the views, you will be able to find out that the madrasah goes to the Lyabi ensemble at Home. Your tour will end with an interesting attraction like Poi Kalon, where you can see the real art of architecture. Here you will have a chance to explore three buildings erected in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. The night will be in the hotel.

Day 6: Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 7 hours)
In the morning you will start the tour with transferring to Khiva. In the tours you will be able to explore that the city is very ancient and is an oasis, with beautiful sights, incredible architecture that could be preserved to this day. During the tour, you can learn that the city was on the path of the Great Silk Road, and in the past played a special role. The very history of Khiva goes deep and is connected with the state of the Khorezmshahs. An important city in the 10th century, countless caravans of the Great Silk Road passed through here, and the gates here were always open, and did not close from morning to evening. During the tour, you will be able to explore that this is an open-air museum city that has managed to preserve the architecture and pristine nature. This day you will travel from Bukhara to Khiva through amazing Kizilkum desert. During the tour you will be fascinated by the picturesque views of Amu Darya river.  This is the deepest river in Central Asia flowing into Aral See. Upon arrival to Khiva you will have free time. This night you will rest in the hotel.

Day 7: Khiva
After breakfast you will have amazing highlight tour in the ancient city of Uzbekistan. This day tourist will have an opportunity to explore open air museum Ichan-Qala, the inner city in Khiva with magnificent walls. Guests of the country will have a chance to discover ancient buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses that made Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. There are situated over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. It became a historical and architectural conservation area in 1961. During the tour guests will have a chance to admire fabulous attractions in it are the Kunya-Ark fortress dating back to 17^th century, Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace. They are the fabulous sample of Khorezm architectural masterwork of 1830s. The overnight is in the hotel.

Day 8: Khiva –Tuprak Qala – Ayaz Qala – Urgench – Tashkent 
Today you will transfer to Nukus. You will explore the interesting capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. During the tour guests will see that the city is located in the north of Uzbekistan near the Aral Sea, surrounded by three deserts - the Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum and Ustyurt. Nukus is often called the" Northern capital "of the Republic.  In course of the tour you will discover two significant fortresses: Ayaz Qala and Turpak Qala. Ayaz Qala the remains of fortifications of the Kushan culture period (III-II centuries BC), 200 km from the Aral Sea, on the right bank of the Amu Darya. It was part of a chain of fortresses that protected agricultural settlements from nomadic attacks. Tuprak Qala, in the tours you will be able to explore that the Toprak Kala fortress was the capital of Khorezm. During the excavations, the remains of a palace with 150 halls and rooms richly decorated with monumental paintings and sculptures were found. Night you will rest in yurts camp near Ayaz Kul Lake. Camel ride is offered as option.

Day 9: Tashkent – Flight
Transfer to airport.

Transport:
02 pax – Sedan
04-06 pax – Minivan
08-10 pax – Minibus 
 

Price per person:
02 pax – 650 $
04 pax – 560 $
06 pax – 520 $
08 pax – 480 $
10 pax – 450 $
Single – 90 $

Early check-in – 30 $
Single early check-in – 50 $ 

*Half board – 60 $
*Full board – 110 $

*Entrance fees – 55 $ available with escort guide only   

Local guides – 210 $ per group
Escort guide – 450 $ per group

Service includes:
- Transport
- Accommodation:
      Tashkent – “Tourist Inn” Hotel 3*
      Samarkand – “Ideal” Hotel 3*
      Bukhara – “Old City” Hotel 3*
      Khiva – “Old Khiva” Hotel 3*
- Mineral water during the tour                                  

Service does not include:
- Visa
- Full board
- Travel insurance
- English speaking guide
- Entrances to all museums
- Urgench-Tashkent flight – from 80 $
- Train tickets Tashkent – Samarkand – 30 $