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!
Kingdom of Paradise
Itinerary title: Kingdom of Paradise
Days of tour: 9 days
Day 1: Tashkent
Today you will get acquainted with sightseeing of the sunny city of Tashkent. A unique city with an oriental flavor, which cherishes an invaluable memory of many important events in the history of ancient Uzbekistan. It is the largest city not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout Central Asia. The name of the city comes from the Uzbek word "tosh" stone and "kent" city. The first mentions of the "Stone City" are found in chronicles dating back to the 2nd century BC. The first destination that we are going to visit is Independence square which is the main square of the country, erected as a symbol of victory over fascism in World War II. Then we will have a chance to walk along the local Broadway, a walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Further we will take a ride in famous Tashkent metro, among the most beautiful subways in the world. First line was opened in 1977. Then you will visit the old part of the city which includes: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah and Hast Imam complex that consists of several madrasahs, mosques and mausoleum. The highlight of its exhibits is the Othman Quran which is the world’s oldest Quran copy dating back to 8th century. Quran belonged to Othman Ibn Affan, the Third Caliph (of the four righteous Caliphs who succeeded the prophet Muhammad). Othman was killed by non-muslims 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 be transferred to the hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Tashkent – Samarkand (350 km, 4 hrs drive)
On the second day of your “Kingdom of Paradise” tour we will go to Samarkand. 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. “The Radiate Point of Globe”, “The Jewel of Islamic Architecture”, “The Mirror of the World” are oriental titles bestowed upon Samarkand from earliest times. 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. Today 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, is the main highlight of Samarkand that no person can stop admiring its beauty and majesty. 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. Today you will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 3: Samarkand – Urgut – Samarkand
After breakfast, we will transfer to Urgut village. It is known for the grove of plane trees, some of which are more than 1000 years old. Urgut is located in mountainous areas. In addition, it is popular for its noisy and colorful national bazaar. After coming back to Samarkand, we will go to another village. There we will w able to see memorial complex of Al Bukhary. Al Bukhary was an Islamic scholar, who authored the hadith collection known as Sahih al-Bukhari, regarded by Sunni Muslims as one of the most authentic Hadith collections. He also wrote other books such as Al-Adab al-Mufrad. At the end of the day you will be transferred to the hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Samarkand – Gijduvan – Bukhara
Today's day is dedicated to an excursion to the Bukhara. On the way to the city we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop. Gijduvan ceramics school has its deep roots. The skills have been passed from generation to generation and survived till nowadays. Today Gizhduvan is home for the sixth generation of potters from Narzullayevs family which glorified Gijduvan school ceramics all over the world. After visiting this place, we will continue driving to Bukhara. You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 5: Bukhara
\Today’s day is dedicated to a sightseeing tour in the city of Bukhara. Bukhara, the famous trading post on the Silk Road, stirs the romantic in many travelers. 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. Firstly, we will visit the most ancient citadel in Bukhara dating back to the 4th century named Citadel Ark which served as a palace for several dynasties of Bukhara Empire. Further we will see Samanids mausoleum, a real masterpiece of architecture of 9th -10th century. Then the tour continues to Chashma Ayub, meaning Job's well and Bolo-Hauz mosque, known also as the mosque of forty columns built in honor of Bukhara governor Abu-Fayud Khan. On today’s tour you will also see 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. The last destination will be Poi Kalon complex, the unique sample of architectural art of Bukhara. It consists of three structures built in the 12th - 16th centuries: Kalon minaret, Kalon mosque and Mir Arab Madrasah. At the end of productive day, the transfer will take you to the hotel.
Day 6: Bukhara – Khiva (440 km, 7 hours)
In the morning we start our drive to Khiva, the most ancient city in Uzbekistan full of history and fascinating sites. Its history is inextricably connected with the history of the legendary Khorezmshah’s State with its capital in Urgench before. In the 10th century Khiva is mentioned as a major trading center on the Silk Road. All the caravans had a stop here on their 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. Now we have most of this unique city preserved and cherished to pass to our next generation. The road from Bukhara to Khiva goes through famous Kizilkum desert. On the way we will enjoy the view to Amu Darya river, the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan and flowing into Aral See. Upon arrival in Khiva you will have free time. Night will be in a hotel.
Day 7: Khiva
Today we will have a wonderful sightseeing tour in the oldest city of Uzbekistan. It will be inside of Ichan-Qala, the inner city in Khiva rounded with strong walls. Centuries old sound buildings, palaces, mosques, Madrasahs, Mausoleums, Minarets, Caravan-Sarais and Bathhouses transformed Ichan-Qala into unique city-monument. Ichan-Qala 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.You will spend the night in the hotel.
Day 8: Khiva –Tuprak Qala – Ayaz Qala – Urgench – Tashkent
Today we will drive to the capital of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Nukus city. It is located in the north of Uzbekistan near the Aral Sea, surrounded by three deserts - the Kara Kum, Kyzyl Kum and Ustyurt. On the way we will visit two famous fortresses: Ayaz Qala and Turpak Qala. Ayaz Qala is 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’, 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 yurts camp near Ayaz Kul Lake. Dinner will be at fire; camel ride is offered as option.
Day 9: Tashkent – Flight
Today you are returning back your home. In the morning you will have a transfer to the airport.