Uzbekistan Tours
No doubts that Uzbekistan as a tourist destination is one of the most popular in Central Asia. It seems like obscure to visit it, but it is becoming more and more visited by lots of tourists each year. Well-preserved architecture from the Golden Age of Islam religion is what makes it so popular. The history of the country goes back to the 1 millennia BC when world-known dynasties of Sogdia, Bactria and Khorezm grew and flourished. The famous cities from the ancient times are Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakrisabz, Margilan, Karshi, Tashkent and many others.
During your tours in Uzbekistan today you can feel the atmosphere of dreamy medieval deserts, stretched with a row of camels loaded with precious goods, making over stops in busy cities. Mix of cultures and people resulted in a big variety of customs and traditions preserved nowadays that you can observe during our tours. You can learn crafts of how to make paper, silk carpets and pottery like many centuries ago by making visits workshops in towns. You can taste the most famous pilaf in Central Asian region prepared on fire with meat, rice, carrots and dried fruits. You can participate in different cultural events and enjoy different shows and master classes.
Thus, Uzbekistan is a country that must be visited if you come to Central Asia. Also, we are ready to extend your tour to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and build up a wonderful Silk Road Tour. Come and enjoy Central Asia with us!
Ancient cities of Uzbekistan
Itinerary title: Ancient cities of Uzbekistan
Days of tour: 9
Day 1: Tashkent
Today you will arrive to Tashkent airport and your guide will meet you and you will start your travel. The entire day will be full of amazing sightseeing. We will start excursion from massive Independent Square, constructed for the glory of the victory over fascist Germany in World War II. Then local Braodway will provide a good walking area to Amir Timur square. Later you will have an opportunity to ride on the Beautiful Tashkent subway. The first line started in 1977. The old part of the city will charm you most: famous Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex. Hast Imam includes several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleums. The high spot of the day will be Othman Quran, where the most ancient copy of the Quran. Believed to be dated back to 8th century. Othman Inb Affan, who was one of the four Caliphs came after Prophet Muhammad, was an owner of this book. Nowadays you can see his blood spread over the book, it happened when his enemy murdered him. Overnight will be at a hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent – Nukus
In the morning, take a flight to Nukus. After arrival, you will embark on city tour, starting from Museum of Savitsky, famous in Uzbekistan. In this museum, the banned works of art are exhibited. It hosts 20th century masterpieces of avant-garde like group of Sokolov, Komarovskiy and Amaravella. The head of the Karakalpakstan state museum organized the museum exhibition during 1960s. He bought some of the prohibited paintings from soviet artists; some just gave them free. These masterpieces were perfectly kept in Central Asian art house in remote area. After excursion in art-house, you will drive to Mizdakhan necropolis in the outskirts of the town. It was a city during 4th century BC and 14th century AD. According to artefacts, it was repeatedly captured during that time. In the end, visit to Zoroastrian monument which is 2000 years old. Overninght in a hotel.
Day 3: Nukus – Ayaz Qala – Tuprak Qala – Khiva
Today you will travel to the oldest Uzbek city Khiva during your travel. The city offers beautiful sites of the history. The history of Khiva closely related with the Khorezmshah’s State, whose capital was Urgench near Khiva. According to the historical evidence, Khiva was the most developed town along the Great Silk Road. In the 10th century resources, it was mentioned that almost all traders from East to West stopped over Khiva. From dawn to dusk the city’s door were open to caravans. On the way, you will visit remains of ancient civilization: Ayaz Qala and Turpak Qala. Ayaz Qala served as a fortress during Khorezm State, was built in II century AD. According to old folklore, it was named for the honor of brave slave warrior Ayaz. Another fortress Tuprak Qala was established in I or II century AD and was kept until 6th century. The name Tuprak means clay fort, in ancient time it was a palace of Khorezmian leader. Continuous conquering and wars over centuries destroyed the forts. Arrive to Khiva and stay in a hotel.
Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara
The tour will carry on to a wonderful city of Uzbekistan, Bukhara. There are more than 140 historical monuments, which make Bukhara whole museum of ancient architecture. You will find yourself in medieval ages; narrow streets, green parks and gardens, buildings located close to each other, so you will enjoy diversity of architectural masterpieces. En route to Khiva, you will see the deepest river in Central Asia- Amu Darya. It starts in Tajikistan with the joint of Panj and Vakhsh Rivers and flows to Aral Sea. While you drive, you will also have an opportunity to enjoy endless Kyzyl Kum desert. Upon arrival, enjoy free time. Night in a hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara
After breakfast, embark on city tour visiting the oldest citadel of Bukhara, which is called Citadel Ark dating back to 4th century during your travel. It was a palace during the many dynasties of Bukhara Emirate. Next is going to be the pure masterpiece of 9th-10th century art –Samanids mausoleum. Then you will explore Chashma Ayub(Spring od Job) and Bolo Hauz Mosque, famous as a mosque of forty columns constructed for the glory of Abu-Fayud Khan, the city’s governor. Further, you will get lost among the shopping domes and other most outstanding madrasahs like Nodir Divan Begi under the Lyabi House Ensemble, the most popular site of Bukhara. By the end of the tour, you will enjoy the mysterious view of the Poi Kalon complex consist of three constructions: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. These are extraordinary examples of artwork dating back to 12th-16th centuries. Have a rest in a hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand
In the morning, move to another incredible city Samarkand. En route, we will have a break at Gijduvan village, where worldly known pottery workshop is located. The story of the ceramic school of Gijduvan goes back to centuries; here this skill is passed from one generation to the next. Nowadays Gijduvan ceramic school boasts with six generation of potters from family of Narzullayevs. These heritages make it popular worldwide. Works of the school famous for its design of geometrical ornaments. Here artists work mostly with green and blue colors. Drive to Samarkand and stay in a hotel.
Day 7: Samarkand
Today you will spend whole day in mysterious city Samarkand. It is one of the oldest cities, coeval with Babylon and Rome and the second biggest city in whole Uzbekistan. Samarkand lies in the Zerafshan river valley. The most attractive places of Samarkand are Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan square, located between three mesmerizing Madrasahs, which provides spectacular view. These monuments is making every visitor admire the unique beauty. Another stunning architectural complex is Shakhi-Zindeh, which is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes the largest number of mausoleums going back to 11-15th centuries. Next site is Bibi Khanum Mosque, which was constructed for the honor of Tamerlane’s wife, following his victorious battle in India. Night is in a hotel.
Day 8: Samarkand – Tashkent (transfer or train)
In the morning, travel to Tashkent by train or by car. After arrival, carry on your sightseeing in capital city. Courage Monument is a memorial complex, constructed as a symbol of the elimination of the consequences of the Tashkent earthquake. Later Zangi Ota memorial complex, in accordance to the local legend, Zangi-Oota was a herder and was popular by his wisdom and good deeds. Further you will enjoy the excusion in the State Museum of Timurid’s history. It exhibits the archealogical findings like jewelry, musical instruments, weapons, various coins, paintings, documents, historical manuscripts and clothing of Timurid’s period. There more than 3000 artefacts exhibited in this museum. Today’s tours will end at the State Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan. Here you can see old national clothing, hand and machine embroidery, skullcaps and national fabrics, carpets, woodcarving and many other cultural items. Night will be at a hotel.
Day 9: Flight
After your tour, do not forget to pack all good memories and drive to airport.