DAY

1

TASHKENT

Arrival to Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel, hotel accommodation (after 02:00 p.m.). 

Sightseeing tour: 

Amir Temur (Tamerlane) square - The square represents a small park in the center of the city.

Independence Square - On the largest square of the Republic of Uzbekistan sit the administrative headquarters of the Cabinet of Ministers and Senate.

Monument of Courage - The monument was built in 1976 to the 10-th anniversary of the terrible earthquake that destroyed almost half of the city. 

Visit old part of city:

Architectural complex Hazreti-Imam. Hazreti-Imam is a symbolic place not only for Tashkent but also for the world’s culture. It contains the most famous Koran in the world - the Ottoman Koran. It was the Ottoman Koran that all subsequent copies of the Holy Book of Muslims were made from.

Chorsu bazaar - the most popular and famous national bazaar in Tashkent. 

Overnight in Tashkent.

DAY

2

TASHKENT-BUKHARA by high-speed train

After early breakfast transfer to the railway station, departure to Bukhara by high-speed train “Afrosiab” at 07:30, arrival at 11:17. Transfer to 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, appeared in the 12th century beside the spring that is associated with the biblical Prophet Job.

Ark citadel (residence of Bukhara khans) - Ark-Citadel is a residence of Bukhara khans. According to the last excavations, it was determined the citadel was on this place from 4 century BC.

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. From the south the square was closed with Trade Street. The center of old Bukhara large 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” (it means “the pedestal of Kalyan minaret”).

Silk carpets shop and trading domes. Overnight in Bukhara.

DAY

3

BUKHARA

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour: 

Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa Palace (the residence of the Emir of Bukhara) - 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. 

Visit the Memorial complex of Bahouddin Naqshbandi - The great theologian of the XIV century, founder of the Sufi Order "Naqshbandia" was buried 12 km from Bukhara in his native village of Kasri Orifon. Some time ago there was the pagan temple of the site of current tomb of Naqshbandi.

Free time. Overnight in Bukhara.

DAY

4

BUKHARA-NURATA (250 km.4.5-5 hrs)

After early breakfast transfer to Nurata. Arrive at the yurt camp in Kyzyl Kum desert.  Lunch. Camel riding. Free time.  You will enjoy a beautiful night sky full of stars near the campfire while Akin sings folk songs after the dinner. Overnight in the yurt.

DAY

5

NURATA – SAMARKAND

After breakfast walk to the Aydarkul lake.  Lunch. Drive to Samarkand. Arrival and hotel accommodation. 

Overnight in Samarkand. 

DAY

6

SAMARKAND

After breakfast sightseeing tour: 

The main square - Registan: Ulugbeg, Sher-Dor and Tillya-Kari madrasahs. Registan became a main square of Samarkand in the 14th century. Registan means "a sandy place".

Bibi-Khanym Mosque - The cathedral mosque was given 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. 

Gur-Emir Mausoleum (tomb of Amir Temur) - Gur-Emir is Persian for "Tomb of the King". This architectural complex with its azure dome contains the tombs of Tamerlane. The earliest part of the complex was built at the end of the 14th century by the orders of Muhammad Sultan.

Mausoleum of St. Daniel - On the shore of Siab, a small tributary of Zerafshan River, there is a sacred place, which keeps the relics of Daniel, the Old Testament Biblical Prophet. Another version says that there are the relics of Daniyol (or Danier), an associate of the Arab preacher Kussama ibn Abbas. But all versions agree that Danier is the Saint and pilgrims from all the three world religions come here to worship him. Overnight in Samarkand. 

DAY

7

SAMARKAND-TASHKENT by high-speed train

After breakfast drive to the village near Samarkand has the “Meros” paper mill. You will see all process of making the silk paper. Sightseeing tour: 

Observatory of Ulugbeg - The largest observatory in Central Asia was built in the 1420's by Ulugbeg. Here, for three decades, scholars, including the outstanding astronomers Qazi-Zadeh Rumi, Djemsnid Giyas ad-Din Kashi and Ali Kushchi, performed measurements of celestial movements.

Visit Shakhi Zinda necropolis - unique architectural monuments. The genesis of the Shahi-Zinda necropolis on the slope of Afrasiab hill is connected with Kusam ibn Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. We know that he took part in the first Arab campaigns to Maverannahr. According to legend, Kusam was mortally wounded on the walls of Samarkand and escaped underground, where he continues to live, hence the name of the necropolis, Shahi-Zinda - "living king". 

Transfer to railway station, departure to Tashkent by high-speed train “Afrosiab”. Overnight in Tashkent. 

DAY

8

TASHKENT – CHARVAK - TASHKENT

After breakfast we will drive to Beldersay Mountains (80 km, 2hrs). You will be driving the road lying in picturesque surroundings full of local villages, gardens, and streams. If the cableway is functioning take 3 km long ride in Beldersay gorge to Kumbel peak. Have a walk in mountain area. Continue to the shore of Charvak reservoir, surrounded by green mountain flanks. Charvak Lake is a favorite place of locals and foreigners to enjoy summer days outside the city. Drive down serpentine road to Chinara’s restaurant to have lunch under the shade of four giant plane trees. On the territory of restaurant, there are unique petroglyphs. Return to Tashkent after lunch. Hotel accommodation. Overnight in Tashkent.

DAY

9

Transfer to the airport