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!
Glorious architecture of Uzbekistan
Itinerary title: Glorious architecture of Uzbekistan
Days of tour: 8
Day 1: Tashkent
After arrival, you will explore Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, including with its historical monuments and modern part of the city. The first site will be Independent Square, which was constructed for the honor of the victory over fascist Germany during the Second World War. Then you will take a short walk to Amir Timur Square via the beautiful local Broadway. Further, there is a chance to take a ride on Tashkent subway. City metro considered to be one of the most beautiful subways in the world and it started first line in 1977. Next wonderful places are Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex, including many madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The most important treasure of this complex is Othman Quran, the oldest copy of the holy Quran dating back to 8th century. The holy book was owned by Othman Ibn Affan. He was one of the four Caliphs who succeeded prophed Muhammad. Nowaday, you can see blood stains spread on the sheets of the book. He was assassinated by his enemies in 8th century. You will spend night in a hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent – Nukus
You will travel to Nukus by morning flight. Upon arrival, you will embark on city tour, starting from Museum of Savitsky, where the banned works of art are exhibited. This museum hosts 20th century masterpieces of avant-garde from Sokolov, Komarovskiy and Amaravella group. The head of the Karakalpakstan state museum gathered the museum exhibition during 1960s. He bought the prohibited paintings from soviet artists. Some of them he got free. Until the exhibition, he perfectly kept them and made it happen in an art house in remote area of Central Asia. Following the interesting excursion, you will drive to Mizdakhan necropolis in the outskirts of the town. It was an ancient city. According to the archeological investigations, it was a city during 4th century BC and 14th century AD. You can also travel to Chilpyk, 2200 years old Zoroastrian monuments. Night in a hotel.
Day 3: Nukus – Ayaz Qala – Tuprak Qala – Khiva
Today tour will take you the most ancient city Khiva. The city has beautiful sites of the history. The development of Khiva closely connected with the Khorezmshah’s State, whose capital was Urgench. Compare to other cities in Uzbekistan, Khiva was the most developed town along the Great Silk Road. According to the 10th century resources, almost all traders from East to West stopped over Khiva. From dusk to down, it was open for travelers. 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 Khorezmian leader Artav used it as a palace. Long lasting conquering and wars over centuries destroyed the forts. Arrive to Khiva and stay in a hotel.
Day 4: Khiva – Bukhara
Today you will travel to another city Bukhara. There are more than 140 historical monuments, which make Bukhara whole museum of ancient architecture. The city has an atmosphere of medieval ages, narrow streets, green parks and gardens. Most of the buildings located close to each other, so you will enjoy walking among diversity of architectural beauties. 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 see endless Kyzyl Kum desert. After our arrival, enjoy free time. You will stay in a hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara
After breakfast, you will start city tour of Bukhara, which will impress you. First site is oldest citadel, which is called Citadel Ark dating back to 4th century. Many dynasties of Bukhara Emirate used this place as a residence palace. Later will be the fine masterpiece of 9th-10th century architecture –Samanids mausoleum. Then tour will take you to the extraordinary Chashma Ayub, known as Spring of Job and Bolo-Hauz mosque, famous as a mosque of forty columns constructed for the honor of Abu-Fayud Khan, the city’s governor. Further, you will have plenty of time to explore outstanding madrasahs like Nodir Divan Begi under the Lyabi House Ensemble, the remarkable site of Bukhara. The shopping domes will be part of the tour. In the end of the tours, you will see Poi Kalon complex consist of three constructions: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. These are unusual examples of artwork dating back to 12th-16th centuries. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara – Samarkand
Morning train will take you to Samarkand. Samarkand is one of the oldest city, coeval with Babylon and Rome and the second biggest city in whole Uzbekistan. The most fascinating places of Samarkand are Registan square, Shakhi-Zindeh, Mausoleum Guri Emir and Bibi Khanum Mosque. First visit will be to Registan square, which attracts millions of people with its three mesmerizing Madrasahs. This highlight of the complex is making visitors stop the time and admire the unique beauty of these masterpieces of 15-17th centuries. Another outstanding 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 glory of Tamerlane’s wife, following his prosperous fight to India. Night is in a hotel.
Day 7: Samarkand – Tashkent (transfer or train)
After breakfast at the hotel travel to Tashkent and carry on your sightseeing in capital city. Courage Monument will be the first site to visit. It 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 is the storage house of 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 tour will be concluded by 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 8: Flight
Today is the last day and your driver will transfer you to airport.