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!
Silk Road travelling
Itinerary title: Silk Road travelling
Days of tour: 10
Day 1: Tashkent
Your local guide will welcome you at the airport of Uzbekistan and take you to capital city. Entire day will be tour in Tashkent. We will start excursion from grandiose Independent Square, constructed for the glory of the victory over fascist Germany in World War II. Then local Broadway 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 valuable heritage of Hast Imam is 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 won prophet Muhammad, was an owner of this book. His enemy murdered him. Nowadays you can see his blood spread over the book. Overnight will be at a hotel.
Day 2: Tashkent – Nukus
In the morning, you will travel to Nukus by plane. Upon arrival, you will embark on city tour, starting from Museum of Savitsky, where the banned works of art are exhibited, the only one in Uzbekistan. 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 some of 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. Stay in a hotel.
Day 3: Nukus – Ayaz Qala – Tuprak Qala – Khiva
Your tour will go on to the oldest Uzbek city Khiva. The city represents exceptional beautiful sites of the history. The history of Khiva closely related 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 wonderful 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 an exciting city tour of Bukhara. Today’s 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 tours 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 tour, 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
Today we will explore around the Bukhara city. In the morning, you will drive about 20 minutes to reach Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex. It is the memorial complex of the outstanding Sufi Leader and Philosopher Bahauddin Naqshbandi. This is one of the popular place of worship for Muslim community from different parts Islam world. He also was one of the Amir Timur’s spiritual masters. Nowadays complex includes mosques of Kushbegi and Muzafarohana, inner garden with pool, madrasah and burial places of Bukhara rulers and Dakhma upon the tomb of Saint Bakhauddin Nakshbandi. Later last stop will be Sitorai Mohi Hosa complex, the royal palace of Bukhara Emirs. Here you will see harmonious combination of architectural design. The name of the complex reminds the wife of the Emir who died young, as the “Star - like and moon- like Palace”. After an interesting sightseeing to the history, you will be transferred to railway station to catch a train to Tashkent. You will have a night in a hotel.
Day 7: Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand
Today tour goes to Samarkand with entertaining stops on the way. En route, you will visit the outstanding private pottery workshop. It is located at the Gijduvan village. This ceramic school has its long history. Valuable skill of working with ceramics passed from ancestors to sons. Nowadays, Gijduvan is famous for its six-generation of potters from family of Narzullayevs, this fact makes it worldly known. The uniqueness of Gijduvan ceramic school are geometric ornaments and green, blue colors, used in creating a design. Arrive to Samarkand and stay in a hotel.
Day 8: Samarkand – Tashkent (transfer or train)
In the morning 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 9: Tashkent – Chimgan Mountains – Tashkent
Today is the day tour to Chimgan Mountains. You will ride 30-munite chair lift to get Beldersay Peak, the top of the mountain. After reaching, you can have free time to take a walk or just enjoy the scenery. On the way back, we will make a break at Charvak Lake. Here you can relax on the beach of try some activities on the water (seasonally). Charvak is an artificial lake. It is the most popular summer destination of citizens of Uzbekistan and neighboring countries. Everyone come to relax from city noise. Return to Tashkent. Stay in a hotel.
Day 10: Flight
After having breakfast, your driver will pick up you to airport.