Guaranteed departure to Uzbekistan: Golden Road to Samarkand

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.




 

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.





 

Drive to Bukhara (450 km/ app.7-8 hrs) across the Kyzylkum desert. Lunch at a roadside cafe. Arrival in Bukhara. Perhaps, take a walk on your own in a sunset through the old town. Overnight at hotel.






 

The day starts with a visit to Lyabi Khauz square with its impressive madrassahs. Enjoy bazaars of the ancient trading domes the full of various traditional articles and souvenirs. We visit a local house and cook Uzbek dish «Pilov» in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Lunch with family. Continue on to the splendid Poi Kalyan complex, citadel Ark, former residence of Emirs, Samanids Mausoleum, the treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia, Chashma-Ayub shrine, Chor Minor madrassah with four peculiar looking towers. Enjoy folk music and dances at Nodir Divan Begi madrassah (depending on weather conditions). 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.

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.



 

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.