megical Cities of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has been featured in many recent ‘Must Visit Destinations’ lists – and for good reason. This beguiling land at the heart of the ancient Silk Road is a nation of spectacular architecture, fascinating history, dazzling arts and welcoming people. This exciting tour will introduce you to the most megical cities of Uzbekistan.
*Please note Citizens of 86 countries can enjoy visa-free travel to Uzbekistan (with different lengths of stay in the country ranging from 7 days to 60 days as well as unlimited stay). In addition, individuals who possess a residency visa for UAE are also entitled to 30-day visa-free entry, provided the resident visa is valid for at least 90 days after entering Uzbekistan. For more information click here
Duration: 13 days, 12 nights
Itinerary: Tashkent - Nukus - Khiva - Ayaz kala - Khiva - Bukhara - Gijduvan - Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand - Tashkent.
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TASHKENT
DAY
1
Arrival to Tashkent, transfer to the hotel, hotel accommodation.
Overnight in Tashkent.
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Tashkent
DAY
2
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour:
Samanids Mausoleum - This mausoleum, one of the most esteemed sights of Central Asian architecture, was built in the (9th (10th) century).
Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum (Saint Job’s Source) - Chashma-i Ayub Mausoleum, which features a Harezm-style conical dome, which is uncommon in Bukhara.Ark citadel (residence of Bukhara khans) - Ark-Citadel is a residence of Bukhara khans.
Lyabi Khauz ensemble - Architectual ensemble Lyabi-Khauz is formed with three large monumental buildings: Kukeldash Madrasah in the north, Khanaka and Nodir Divan-begi in the west and in the east. The center of old Bukhara ensemble became a reservoir.)
Poi-Kalyan Ensemble (Madrasah and Minaret) - It is the main ensemble in Bukhara center, situated on the way to trade crossing of "four bazars" and Poi-Kalyan means “the pedestal of the Great”.
Trading domes.
Overnight in Bukhara.
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Tashkent - Nukus – Khiva
DAY
3
After early breakfast we will drive to the airport for morning flight to Nukus.
Visit the Karakalpakstan State Museum of Art named after I.V. Savitsky – “Museum in the desert”.
Drive to Khiva (200 km). Arrival to Khiva, hotel accommodation.
Overnight in Khiva.
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Khiva
DAY
4
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour in Ichan-Qala (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Ichan-Qala is open-air museum. We will visit:
Muhammad Amin-Khan Madrasah - The biggest medieval madrasah in Khiva ,
Kalta-Minor Minaret - became a real symbol of the city. Its size and unique design are amazing. And the foundation of the minaret goes to a depth of 15 meters.,
Kunya-Ark fortress - this is the inner citadel of Ichan-Kala, which was founded in the 17th century.
Mausoleum of Makhmud Pakhlavan - is the religious center of Ichan-Qala. It formed around the tomb of Khiva's patron Pahlavan-Makhmud (1247-1326).
Tash-Khovli Palace - summer residence of khans ,
Friday Mosque - The cathedral mosque of Khiva, otherwise known as Djuma-Mosque, is located in Ichan-Qala on the road leading from the gates of Palvan-darva-za to Ata-darvaza.
Islam Khodja Ensemble consisting of the smallest madrasah and the tallest minaret of Khiva, ascending in its form to the ancient minarets of the XI-XII centuries.
Madrasah of Khurdjum and Allakuli-Khan.
Overnight in Khiva.
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Khiva - Kyzyl-Kala - Toprak-Kala - Ayaz-Kala
DAY
5
After breakfast trip to Kyzylkum Desert (150 km, 1,5-2 h) and visiting of archaeological monuments of Ancient Khorezm: you will visit Toprak-Kala - ancient settlement which was the capital of Khorezm in the III century AD.
Then we’ll visit one of the largest fortresses of Ancient Khorezm – Ayaz-Kala, II century AD, relevant to the period of Kushan Empire prosperity. Return to Khiva. Overnight in Khiva.
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Khiva – Bukhara
DAY
6
After breakfast we will drive to Bukhara via Kyzyl-Kum desert (480 km. 6-7 hrs.) On the way stop to see Amu-Darya river. Continue driving. Arrival to Bukhara and hotel accommodation. Free time. Overnight in Bukhara.
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Bukhara
DAY
7
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour:
Samanids Mausoleum - This mausoleum, one of the most esteemed sights of Central Asian architecture, was built in the (9th (10th) century).
Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum (Saint Job’s Source) - Chashma-i Ayub Mausoleum, which features a Harezm-style conical dome, which is uncommon in Bukhara.Ark citadel (residence of Bukhara khans) - Ark-Citadel is a residence of Bukhara khans.
Lyabi Khauz ensemble - Architectual ensemble Lyabi-Khauz is formed with three large monumental buildings: Kukeldash Madrasah in the north, Khanaka and Nodir Divan-begi in the west and in the east. The center of old Bukhara ensemble became a reservoir.)
Poi-Kalyan Ensemble (Madrasah and Minaret) - It is the main ensemble in Bukhara center, situated on the way to trade crossing of "four bazars" and Poi-Kalyan means “the pedestal of the Great”.
Trading domes.
Overnight in Bukhara.
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Bukhara
DAY
8
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour:
Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace - The residence of the Emir of Bukhara was built in 1912-1918.
Chor-Bakr Necropolis (10th century) - Ancient graves of Juibar sheikhs. The Chor-Bakr Necropolis, also called the city of the dead.
Memorial complex of Bahouddin Naqshbandi - The complex of the great theologian of the XIV century, the founder of the Sufi order "Naqshbandiya" - Bahouddina Naqshbandi.
Free time.Overnight in Bukhara.
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Bukhara - Samarkand
DAY
9
Transfer to Samarkand (270 km). On the way stop in Gijduvan city. Visit ceramic workshop. Continue driving. Arrival to Samarkand and hotel accommodation. Overnight in Samarkand.
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Samarkand
DAY
10
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour:
Gur-Emir Mausoleum (tomb of Amir Temur) -
This architectural complex with its azure dome is translated Gur-Emir in Persian "Tomb of the King."The main square – Registan - consisting Ulugbek, Sher-Dor and Tillya-Kari madrasahs and means "a sandy place". Registan became a main square of Samarkand in the 14th century.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque – For the cathedral mosque was build one of the greatest portals of that era. Its arch was flanked with powerful pylons, with minarets up to 50m in height.
Siab bazaar – centre of oriental sweets.Observatory of Ulugbeg - The largest observatory in Central Asia was built in the 1420's by Ulugbeg. Here, for three decades, scholars, outstanding astronomers performed measurements of celestial movements.
Overnight in Samarkand.
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Samarkand - Shakhrisabz - Samarkand
DAY
11
After breakfast drive to Shakhrisabz (90 km/ 2hrs).
Sightseeing tour:
Ruins of Ak-Saray Palace, One of the wonders of the palace was a rooftop pool, from which flowed a picturesque cascade of jets. To date, only two disconnected pylons have survived from this magnificent structure.
Dor-ut Saodat complex: Khazrati Imam Mosque, Jahongir Mausoleum, "Reservoir of power." The construction of the complex began in 1380 and the complex was intended for the burial of Timur and all his descendants.
Dor-ut Tillavat complex: Gumbazi-Seiidan, Kok Gumbaz Mosque. The complex includes the tomb of Sheikh Shamsiddin, who was the spiritual mentor of Tamerlane’s father - Emir Taragay, and Amir Temur himself, who greatly appreciated the scholarship of the old man and listened to his advice.
Return to Samarkand (90km/2hrs).
Overnight in Samarkand.
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Samarkand – Tashkent
DAY
12
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out from the hotel. Drive to the village near Samarkand has the “Meros” paper mill. You will see all process of making the silk paper.
Visit Shakhi Zinda necropolis- unique architectural monuments, Mausoleum of St. Daniel.
Transfer to railway station, departure to Tashkent by high-speed train “Afrosiab” at 05.00 p.m. Arrival at 07.10 p.m. Transfer and hotel accommodation. Overnight in Tashkent.
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Tashkent
DAY
7
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport.
