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!
Flower of Central Asia
Itinerary title: Flower of Central Asia
Days of tour: 8
Day 1: Tashkent
Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will meet you and accompany to Tashkent city to start your “Flower of Central Asia” tour. For the beginning you will visit Independence square. It is the main square of the country, which was erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. After you will walk along local Broadway, between independence square and Amir Timur square streets. At your request you can take a ride in famous Tashkent metro, which is considered as one of the beautiful subways in the world. The second part of your tour includes visiting of Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The important part is visiting the Othman Quran. It is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8th century. Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph and was killed in 8th century. His blood spred over the Quran that you still can see on its pages. At the end of the tour you will come to the hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand (morning train)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to railway station of Tashkent to get to Samarkand. It is the second largest city of Uzbekistan, which is situated in the valley of the river Zerafshan. Over the centuries, Uzbekistan’s cities played a major role in the life of the Great Silk Road, the ancient, transcontinental thoroughfare. But, one city stands out as being "the Heart of Great Silk Road"; that city is Samarkand. A contemporary of Rome, Athens, and Babylon, this city has already celebrated its 2750th anniversary, who`s golden age occurred during the Temurid dynasty as this very city was chosen by Emir Temur, the greatest warlord and ruler of the Central Asia after Chingiz Khan, as the capital of his powerful Empire, Movarounnahr. Upon arrival, you will visit its most outstanding sights such as Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. Registan Square, a complex of three fascinating Madrasahs dating back to 15-17th centuries. Architectural complex of Shakhi-Zindeh represents a big collection of mausoleums dating back to 11th-15 centuries being a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bibi Khanum Mosque was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane’s wife, after his successful campaign in India. These are all what you will visit and enjoy your time. Today’s night will be in the hotel.
Day 3: Samarkand – Bukhara (train)
In the morning you will have a train to get to Bukhara. This entire day is dedicated to a city tour in this beautiful city. With over 2500 years of history and a welcoming atmosphere, Bukhara is one of the tourists’ favorites. More than 140 monuments of ancient architecture, and these sights are located within a compact area and are best seen on foot. In the beginning we will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara named Citadel Ark. It served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Then you are expected to visit Samanids mausoleum. It is a real masterpiece of architecture of 9th -10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. You will also have a chance to walk along the shopping domes and visit one of the most famous madrasahs of Bukhara called Nodir Divan Begi which is also a part of Lyabi House Ensemble, famous central sightseeing of Bukhara. Last destination is Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. After you will go to the hotel.
Day 4: Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 7 hours)
In the morning we will transfer to Khiva. It is the most ancient city in Uzbekistan full of history and beautiful sites. Its history is inextricably connected with the history of the legendary Khorezmshah’s State with its capital in Urgench before. Khiva is mentioned as a major trading center on the Silk Road in the 10th century. That times all the caravans had stop here on the way to China and back. From dawn to dusk, until the gates were opened, an endless stream of moving string of camels with baggage passed them. Nowadays we have most of this unique city preserved and cherished to pass to our next generation. The road from Bukhara city to Khiva goes through famous Kizilkum desert. On the way we will have an opportunity to enjoy the view to Amu Darya river. It is the deepest river in Central Asia. Upon arrival in Khiva, you will have free time and stay in the hotel to spend the night.
Day 5: Khiva – Tuprak Qala – Ayz Qala
Today’s day is devoted to a sightseeing tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. It will be in the inner city in Khiva rounded with strong walls inside of Ichan-Oala. It was transformed into unique city-monument by buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses. It consists of over 400 traditional dwelling houses and about 60 architectural monuments. In 1969 Ichan-Qala was designated a historical and architectural conservation area. The most remarkable sites in it are the Kunya-Ark fortress dating back to 17th century, found by Muhammad Arang Khan, Kalta Minor minaret and Tash Khouvli palace, an incredible sample of Khorezm architectural mastership of 1830s. On the second part of the day we will have a transfer to Ayaz-Qala desert yurt camp. Upon arrival you will have dinner on fire and overnight in yurts.
Day 6: Ayz Qala – Nukus
Today you will have a tour in Ayaz Qala, in an ancient castle of Khorezm, named on behalf of legendary warrior-slave Ayaz, a Turkic folklore hero. Fortress dates back II century AD. Tuprak Qala, means ‘clay fort’. It was the royal city of Khorezmian ruler Artav. Archeologists claim that fortress was built in 1 or 2-century AD. It was occupied until 6th century AD. Continues wars and invasions exhausted the city and remained it without any sign of life. Your settlement will be at yurt camp near Ayaz Kul Lake. You will be transferred to Nukus, where will be the overnight.
Day 7: Nukus – Tashkent (flight, 21:00-23:00)
This day is dedicated to a tour in Nukus city. First you will visit the Museum of Savitsky which exhibits the masterpieces of forbidden art. There are 20th century Russian avant-garde paintings, works of Sokolov, Komarovskiy and Amaravella group in Museum. After getting acquainted with interesting of the museum we will transfer outside of Nukus. There we will see Mizdakhan necropolis which used to be an ancient city centuries ago. You will also visit a 2200 years-old Zoroastrian ancient monument known as Chilpyk. In the evening you will have a flight to Tashkent city and your night will be in a hotel.
Day 8: Tashkent – Flight
Today you are returning back your home. In the morning you will be transferred to the airport.