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DAY 1/2, TUE/WED TASHKENT
Arrival, meeting at the airport and transfer to the one of the local cafes for breakfast. SS tour of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan: Independence Squre, Amir Temur Square, Alisher Navoi Theatre Square; Museum of Applied Arts, Khast Imam Square with Barakhan madrassah, Tillya Sheykh mosque, mausoleum of Kafal Shashi. Lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in to hotel. Time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Arrival, meeting at the airport and transfer to the one of the local cafes for breakfast. SS tour of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan: Independence Squre, Amir Temur Square, Alisher Navoi Theatre Square; Museum of Applied Arts, Khast Imam Square with Barakhan madrassah, Tillya Sheykh mosque, mausoleum of Kafal Shashi. Lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in to hotel. Time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.DAY 3, THU TASHKENT – URGENCH/ KHIVA
Flight to Urgench. Drive to Khiva (30 km). Visit to the old town Ichan Kala which gives the exact appearance of the Middle Ages Oriental town. We visit the most remarkable monuments of the city. Lunch at the ancient madrassah - enjoy Khorezm dish «shivet oshi». Overnight at hotel.
Flight to Urgench. Drive to Khiva (30 km). Visit to the old town Ichan Kala which gives the exact appearance of the Middle Ages Oriental town. We visit the most remarkable monuments of the city. Lunch at the ancient madrassah - enjoy Khorezm dish «shivet oshi». Overnight at hotel.DAY 4, FRI KHIVA – BUKHARA
Transfer to ttarin station for train #50 to Bukhara 08h20/13h35. Lunch in the train.
We arrive in Bukhara in the early evening.
First visits in Bukhara: central complex Lyabi Hauz built around the pool with a fountain. The square was founded in the 16th - 17th centuries. The square of Lyabi Hauz is surrounded by several madrassahs, the most important of which are those of Nodir Divan-Begi, Khanaka and that of Kukeldash. We take a walk under the three ancient trading domes: Tok-i-Sarrafon – Moneychangers Bazaar, Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon – Cap makers Bazaar, Taqi Zargaron - Jeweler’s Bazaar. Enjoy bazaars full of various traditional articles and souvenirs.
Transfer to ttarin station for train #50 to Bukhara 08h20/13h35. Lunch in the train.We arrive in Bukhara in the early evening.
First visits in Bukhara: central complex Lyabi Hauz built around the pool with a fountain. The square was founded in the 16th - 17th centuries. The square of Lyabi Hauz is surrounded by several madrassahs, the most important of which are those of Nodir Divan-Begi, Khanaka and that of Kukeldash. We take a walk under the three ancient trading domes: Tok-i-Sarrafon – Moneychangers Bazaar, Tok-i-Tilpak Furushon – Cap makers Bazaar, Taqi Zargaron - Jeweler’s Bazaar. Enjoy bazaars full of various traditional articles and souvenirs.
DAY 5, SAT BUKHARA
Start the day with a visit to the Poi Kalyan complex, one of the highlights of Bukhara. The complex consists of the Kalyan minaret (XII c.), the lighthouse for caravans for centuries; Friday mosque (XV c.) and the Miri-Arab madrassah, active Koran teaching center (outside visit only).
Visit to the local Uzbek house where you have an opportunity of getting acquinted with the local customs and traditions deeply rooted in the oriental hospitality. Furthermore, you have a chance to participate in cooking «Pilov» - the national Uzbek dish. Warm and friendly atmosphere and a delicious lunch served by the mistress of the house will be an excellent souvenir of the trip.
After lunch we visit: Bolo-Khauz mosque including mosque (XVIII c.), minaret (1914-17) and basin, Fortress Ark (citadel), a fortified residence of Emirs of Bukhara; Samanids Mausoleum, the most precious Bukhara monument dated back to the 9th century. Mausoleum is considered as the treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia; Chashma-Ayub shrine (XIV-XVI cc.) known for its curative source; Chor Minor madrassah.
This evening enjoy folklore and fashion performance at Nodir Divan Begi madrassah (depending on weather conditions it takes place in open air courtyard or at restaurant).
Overnight at the hotel.
Start the day with a visit to the Poi Kalyan complex, one of the highlights of Bukhara. The complex consists of the Kalyan minaret (XII c.), the lighthouse for caravans for centuries; Friday mosque (XV c.) and the Miri-Arab madrassah, active Koran teaching center (outside visit only).Visit to the local Uzbek house where you have an opportunity of getting acquinted with the local customs and traditions deeply rooted in the oriental hospitality. Furthermore, you have a chance to participate in cooking «Pilov» - the national Uzbek dish. Warm and friendly atmosphere and a delicious lunch served by the mistress of the house will be an excellent souvenir of the trip.
After lunch we visit: Bolo-Khauz mosque including mosque (XVIII c.), minaret (1914-17) and basin, Fortress Ark (citadel), a fortified residence of Emirs of Bukhara; Samanids Mausoleum, the most precious Bukhara monument dated back to the 9th century. Mausoleum is considered as the treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia; Chashma-Ayub shrine (XIV-XVI cc.) known for its curative source; Chor Minor madrassah.
This evening enjoy folklore and fashion performance at Nodir Divan Begi madrassah (depending on weather conditions it takes place in open air courtyard or at restaurant).
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6, SUN BUKHARA – SHAKHRISABZ – SAMARKAND
We drive to Shahrisabz (300 km), where the national hero Temur (also known as Tamerlane or “Temur the Lame”) was born. A visit to his summer palace is something not to be missed. The construction of this Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”) was commenced in 1380 and completed some time in the 15th century. In the afternoon we take a peek into the Kok Gumbaz Friday mosque and the Mausoleum of Dorut Tilavat: the mosque was built in 1437 by Ulugbek in honour of his father Shah Rukh. The Mausoleum was never used as a tomb. The Mausoleum of Dorus Siadat was built by Temur to bury his 22-year-old son after he was killed by a fall from his horse. It is said that Temur never again smiled after the death of his son. Lunch at local restaurant in Shakhrisabz. Drive to Samarkand (150 km). Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
We drive to Shahrisabz (300 km), where the national hero Temur (also known as Tamerlane or “Temur the Lame”) was born. A visit to his summer palace is something not to be missed. The construction of this Ak Saray Palace (“White Palace”) was commenced in 1380 and completed some time in the 15th century. In the afternoon we take a peek into the Kok Gumbaz Friday mosque and the Mausoleum of Dorut Tilavat: the mosque was built in 1437 by Ulugbek in honour of his father Shah Rukh. The Mausoleum was never used as a tomb. The Mausoleum of Dorus Siadat was built by Temur to bury his 22-year-old son after he was killed by a fall from his horse. It is said that Temur never again smiled after the death of his son. Lunch at local restaurant in Shakhrisabz. Drive to Samarkand (150 km). Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.DAY 7, MON SAMARKAND
Explore the marvellous sites of Timur’s capital: the Reqistan Square surrounded by the three remarkable madrassahs; visit to the Bibi Khanym Mosque. Stroll through the colorful Siab bazaar. Visit the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda and its 20 mausoleums, the exquisite example of the finest works in glazed ceramic; unique Observatory of Ulugbek Timur’s grandson. Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
Explore the marvellous sites of Timur’s capital: the Reqistan Square surrounded by the three remarkable madrassahs; visit to the Bibi Khanym Mosque. Stroll through the colorful Siab bazaar. Visit the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda and its 20 mausoleums, the exquisite example of the finest works in glazed ceramic; unique Observatory of Ulugbek Timur’s grandson. Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.DAY 8, TUE SAMARKAND - TASHKENT
Continue city tour of Samarkand with a visit to the Mausoleum of Gur-Emir of Timur himself and his descendents. The octagonal complex with marble and onyx interior and a gold ceiling was completed in 1404. Visit to the excavation site of Afrosiab and Museum with the unique wall painting from VII c.
Continue city tour of Samarkand with a visit to the Mausoleum of Gur-Emir of Timur himself and his descendents. The octagonal complex with marble and onyx interior and a gold ceiling was completed in 1404. Visit to the excavation site of Afrosiab and Museum with the unique wall painting from VII c.
This afternoon enjoy a lunch at the local restaurant and taste of the region's favourite dishes “manty” - local dumplings.
Afternoon at leisure. In the evening transfer to railway station to take a high-speed express train ‘’Afrosiyab’’ to Tashkent. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 9, WED TASHKENT