Uzbekistan: The Silk Road Tour

Upon morning arrival at Tashkent airport, you will be met and transferred to the local café for breakfast. No accommodation in Tashkent. City tour of Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan: Independence Square, Amir Temur Square and Alisher Navoi Theatre Square; Museum of Applied Arts, Khast Imam Square with Barakhan madrassah, Tillya Sheykh Mosque, mausoleum of Kafal Shashi (local doctor, philosopher and poet (X c.)). Lunch at a local restaurant. Drive to Samarkand (320 km, 4-5 hrs). Arrival and accommodation at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
 

A full day exploring of the marvellous sites of Samarkand: the Reqistan Square surrounded by the three splendid madrassahs. Visit to the Bibi Khanym Mosque. Enjoy a brief stroll through the colorful Siab bazaar. Our next we visit is the necropolis of Shakhi Zinda with the finest works in glazed ceramic and unique Observatory of Ulugbek, Timur’s grandson. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.


 

Visit to the Mausoleum of Timur, admire marble and onyx interior and its gold ceiling. Visit the site of Afrosiab and its Museum. This afternoon, enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, taste the favourite dish of the region - “manty” (local dumplings). 
After lunch we drive to the yurt camp located at the shore of the Aydarkul Lake (230 km /app. 4 hrs drive). Enjoy short camel ride (15-20 min per person), or simply or take a walk in the remote surroundings of steppes and dunes.
Dinner at the camp restaurant (vodka is included).
Overnight in yurts. Experience the comfort of a well-appointed yurt (beds).

Today we drive to Bukhara (330 km). On our way we stop in the town of Nurata, where we have lunch, and also at Rabat-i-Malik caravanserai, in Gijduvan - famous for its ceramics and at the Vabkent minaret.Overnight at hotel.






 

Visit to Lyabi Khauz square with its splendid madrassahs. Take a walk under the ancient trading domes and enjoy bazaars full of various traditional articles and souvenirs. Lunch at local house, cook «plov» - traditional dish, with Uzbek family. Continue on to the splendid Poi Kalyan complex and Samanids Mausoleum, the treasure of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Attend folk performance at Nodir Begi madrassah. Overnight at hotel.

We begin the day with exploration of Citadel Ark, residence of Emirs; Chashma-Ayub shrine known for its curative source; Chor Minor, a colorful madrassah with four peculiar looking towers. Lunch at restaurant with «Navruz Kebab», one of the unique dishes of the Uzbek cuisine. Afternoon at leisure.Overnight at hotel.

 

All day visit of the inner old town, Ichan Kala, which gives the exact appearance of the Middle Ages oriental town. Enjoy the famous Khorezm dish «Shivet Oshi» for the lunch at the ancient madrassah. Overnight at hotel.